City Bikes Chevy Chase

Category:	Bicycle Store
Address:	8401 Connecticut Ave #111, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA
Phone:	+1 301-652-1777
Site:	citybikes.com
Rating:	4.3
Working:	10AM–7PM 10AM–7PM 10AM–7PM 10AM–8PM 10AM–7PM 10AM–6PM 11AM–5PM

Location

Photos 21

Reviews 10

A Private User

I visited several bike shops in the DC metro area while looking for a new bike. This was one of my first stops, and the service and attention I received were exemplary. My previous bike was a gift I received during middle school, so had some serious learning curves to overcome, and they patiently answered my questions without even a hint of condescension. I tested several bikes here, and the small residential road they point you toward for test rides is really great for that purpose. There arent many cars, and there are a few bumps and a nice long slope, so you really get a feel for the features and capacity of the bike youre riding. Even though I didnt end up buying a bike from them, I really wish I had. I had some fairly irregular size and timing requirements, so it came down to which store happened to have a bike in my size that best matched my needs. Im very happy with the purchase I ultimately made, but I strongly considered going back and raising the upper limit of my price range to find a bike I liked at this particular shop. If I had some more time and could avoid the horrendous afternoon rush hour traffic on northbound Connecticut Ave, I probably would have. If I ever need an upgrade, this store will definitely be one of my first stops yet again.

Jessica Rosenberg

Three cheers for City Bikes, their gorgeous store, and their knowledgeable staff. I came in here looking for a brand new bike, having a sense of only my budget and my hope that I could find something to commute on. While I bike several times a week, the truth is that I dont know all that much about bikes. Thankfully Mike did. He walked me through some options, explaining what they mean... bigger tires versus slimmer tires, flat handlebars versus drop handlebars. He taught me things about bikes while listening to my needs and hesitations. He got me up on several bikes to see how they fit me, how my posture looked... And then he said, "You know, I think I have just the bike for you." And sure enough it was the one I ended up getting. Ive been riding it for almost a year now and am happy to report that I absolutely love it. Its fast, comfortable, and dependable. Most of my riding is along DC streets, but its been equally enjoyable on trails. And oddly enough Ive gotten multiple compliments on the bike. People say its a nice-looking bike, and I have to agree. A couple times now Ive returned to City Bikes (once for a tune-up and then to buy some gear). Mike again helped me, and I walked out happy! The free water bottle is another nice touch.

Diarmaid McGleenan

Good, knowledgable staff, especially when it comes to mechanics. However, be warned that the mechanics will upsell you every time. My experience today was the mechanic aggressively upselling me on a new rear wheel at $90 when all I needed was a new $43 freehub. My well-maintained Tiagra hub has 4,000 miles on it and the Salsa Delgado rim less than 2,000 and in good shape (which they replaced for me a year ago at a cost of $70 for rim and $150 (I think) for the total replacement job). He looked at how true the wheel was and said "not very" which, although technically it was a little out of true, it was nothing a spoke wrench couldnt fix. I will take their advice with a large grain of salt in future and will try other shops in the area to find if any have the customer first in mind rather than their own profits.

A Private User

Very little amount of stock in store forces any customization to be ordered in, which defeats the purpose of going in to a bike store; to hold the part in your hand, test it, make sure it fits and all. I came in to get brakes, and they ordered some random reverse brakes for a drop bar bike, didnt even touch the brakes or check the tube size of my bars, just ordered a random part and charged me for it. Now I have a bike being shipped to Europe without working brakes, and a set of brake levers which went to waste. I have nothing against this specific store, some employees are very nice and helpful. But this place, they charged me 30 bucks to loosen a crank, and sold me parts which didnt fit my bike despite having brought it in. Advice to other bikers: order your own parts, avoid City Bikes Chevy Chase.

Erwin Knippenberg

Rude, do not recommend. I enjoy bike shops, where I can meet and interact with people who share what I love, learn something new and maybe pick up a few things. If you want a place with all the warmth stripped out, leaving only the cold commercial shell, look no further. I came in with two bikes in dire near of repair, and though I dont mind spending the money I appreciate the opportunity to hangout, chat and learn a trick or two. Every other bike shop Ive ever been to has been happy to accommodate, but here I was coldly informed I was not welcome. Were not a Co-op, as if you need to be a co-op to understand customer service. Needless to say, I took my business elsewhere. Would not recommend.

A Private User

I needed a tune up and chain (or thought I did), and after calling around to a couple places City Bikes seemed to be the most reasonable and honest as far as how quickly they could turn around my bike. When I got there I spoke with Jason in their service department. He did a preliminary check on my bike, told me that I didnt need a new chain, just some lube, and after tinkering with my shifter and derailer for a few minutes (which were the primary problems), he was able to fix everything, and sent me on my way with no charge. Great stuff. Everybody there was extremely helpful. I will DEFINITELY be going back any time I need anything bike related.

Mario Castillo

Ok, forget other bike shops - this is the one for the serious biker, and beginner biker too. Chevy Chases site - Emily and Zach are an awesome tag-team to deal with on a bike purchase. Emily is the Lady of Bikes and Zach B knows bikes to smallest of details, i.e, brakes, frame, tires, gears, etc. Wouldnt surprise me if a competitor hired Emily and Zach away form City Bikes! They are outstanding. Youll walk out with a dream bike - just listen to Zach!!!!!

WC Banta

My wife walked her bike to the shop. Her bike, from Walmart, about 6 years old, had a simple brake problem. The irritable, condescending and arrogant boss insisted that the bike was "too old" and he no longer stocked parts. He proceeded to try selling her a multi-hundred dollar yuppie bike with ugly helmet with an expensive advertising clown suit and useless bike racing shoes to match. Run and never look back.

Ben West

Great shop, Great staff, The best location for anyone who does the gravel trek over the northern most point of the city on the Capital Crescent trail. They are especially good at kitting out a whole family from Dads road bike, Moms Mountain bike, Sons BMX for riding to school and his sisters track bike for big city art school. They even have trailers, child seats, and trailer bikes.

A Private User

I had a broken spoke on my Nishiki Optima which another bike shop (on Grubb St) told me could only be fixed by replacing the entire wheel. City Bikes fixed the spoke while I waited and I have ridden a 32 mile circuit on DC/MD bikepaths (bumps and curbs etc) for 2 years since that fix. I returned to have them successfully replace a failing index shifter on the same bike.