Proteus Bicycles

Category:	Bicycle Store
Address:	9217 Baltimore Ave, College Park, MD 20740, USA
Phone:	+1 301-441-2928
Site:	proteusbicycles.com
Rating:	4.3
Working:	11AM–7PM 11AM–7PM 11AM–7PM 11AM–9PM 11AM–7PM 10AM–6PM 12–6PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 9

A Private User

Gotta say that this shop is waaaaay overrated, if youre looking for a pro shop. They build themselves up as a top rated pro shop, but they are just a local, college town, low end bike shop. This funky green shop might seem eclectic at first, but is really just quite run down and unkept. If youre just starting out cycling, they can be helpful to some extent, but the owners "I wont allow you to buy a bike unless I approve of the fit" is quirky at best and annoying at worst. Ive seen this schtick at one of two other shops and its a pretty low tactic to upsell a customer. Everyone knows that fit is everything in cycling. Much more important than a what a frame is made of or what components are hanging on it. They really have no business fitting people as their advice is quite skewed. They also have absolutely no professional credentials either. If you walk into a shop and dont see a Serotta Size Cycle sitting right there then the people are NOT professionals when it comes to fit. Those who rated this shop highly are either not buying bikes there or are beginners who dont know any better. Theres plenty of other shops that offer better service with better prices.

A Private User

I dont usually respond in forums like this, but the notion that the folks at Proteus do anything to "upsell" customers is just beyond absurd. On one of my first trips there, I heard Jill saying, to no one in particular, "I dont know why anyone buys Dura-Ace. Ultegra is 90 percent of the performance at 40 percent of the price." That sure sounds like a place trying to hose customers. Since buying my Felt road bike there two years ago, Ive regularly brought it back for service. On one occasion, Rene took the time to show me how to make the same repair myself the next time. On another, I went in prepared to buy a replacement part (plus the labor to install it) and Wes told me that, as long as the bike was riding fine, not to bother. And here was the "upsell" on the fitting process: About an hour of one-on-one time during which the shop swapped out the stem and saddle (trying multiple ones until we had it right). Extra cost to me? Zero. Im not sure of their inventory for the uber-rich bike snob -- I got a very nice carbon-fiber road bike in the two grand range -- but for the other 99 percent of us, this is a shop to buy from and return to, again and again.

Derek Shane Ellis

I rated/reviewed Proteus on Facebook, but I hadnt done so via "google review" and so I felt compelled to pop on over and add my 2 cents in. I love riding my bike...but Im still new to how to work on it/fix things myself. The folks at Proteus are super helpful and friendly. I never feel like Im being looked down on due to the fact that Im a beginner in the field of bicycles. I had tried REI and College Park Bikes before coming to Proteus. Neither REI or College Park Bikes had the friendly and super helpful staff of Proteus. I know little about price...but Id rather give my money to a local business ran by friendly people. Im happy to spend an extra $20 (if thats even the case) when I buy a part or have the kind folks at Proteus work on my bike in order to ensure local places like this dont disappear! Thus far Ive met Ben and Paul. Everyone else has been super friendly though (Colonel Sprocket included). I dig Proteus Bicycles...and I am pretty sure you will too.

Robert Cochran

Recently purchased a bicycle from Proteus. Over the years I have also purchased parts, had repairs and normal inspections done, and two professional bike fits. The professional bike fits have been a key turning point in my bicycling experience. With both my bicycles now exactly adjusted to me and me to them, my bicycling experiences are so much better and I no longer get sore knees. Ive requested advice from the Proteus team many times and they have always responded in a very helpful way. One of the owners teaches bicycle traffic skills, and I took this class and really benefited from it. In short, I rate Proteus Bicycles very highly. Their sales, service, support, sponsored shop rides and the warm friendship of their entire team has really helped me get started with bicycling.

Masoud Hamedi

Very expensive! The one star is not for their quality of service since I did not get to experience it, rather it is for the price estimate that I received from them. I bought a single speed road bike from Amazon which came in a box, and decided to have it assembled professionally. I went to the Proteus for two reasons. First they are small business and second they had good reviews. The lady on the front desk told me it will cost $130. It is a fixed speed bike and it should take them less than 30 minutes! I tried to negotiate but they said it is what it is. I took it to the REI and they will do the assembly of low end bikes for $65! Thats half the price. I always try to support local small businesses but it is disappointing when you think they are ripping you off.

Kevin Roelofs

I have an old bike, spokes kept breaking on back wheel. Had it repaired at REI, it broke again in 1 month. Went back, and REI tried to sell me a $150 wheel, no explanation about why it would be better. When I seemed uncertain, the guy started babbling about all the new bikes he could sell me, so I left. At Proteus, i told them that I was having problems with the spokes breaking, and they recommended a double wall wheel. The price? $65. The very nice ladies there also fixed my bake handle mount for free, and diagnosed why my really old saddle was moving (needs a new clamp, not a new seat). They were really helpful salt of the earth people at Proteus, at about 1/2 the price of COllege Park Bikes or REI for service/repair. Definitely recommend.

Claire Sutter

Proteus is AMAZING!!!! I came in to have my back wheel replaced, and was really having a bad day when I brought my bike in. Paul helped take care of my bike, and he was so amazing and helpful. He heard I was having a bad day, and brought over the shops cat named Colonel Sprocket. That cat is super friendly, and that instantly changed my mood. Not only that, Paul was really sweet and helped me through the whole experience with ease. I ended up getting a new seat, new helmet and some new locks. I love all the new additions to my bike so much. It rides like new. It has really changed my life having my bike again, and I cannot thank Paul or Proteus enough.

David H

A great shop! I bought my first "real" bike here last week. As a novice, they spent a lot of time explaining the differences between different types of bikes and components. The staff encouraged me to take as many test rides as needed for me to make a decision. They even had me go on 2nd test rides once I narrowed my candidates down. I have bad knees, but the staff helped set up the bike properly and my knees have yet to feel any discomfort with the current setup. Extremely helpful. I certainly recommend this place.

Turnerboy

Proteus is the place to be if you want friendly service, knowledgeable staff and decent prices. I went in today desperate to get my bike back on the road. I have a 1985 Bridgestone that needed some work. Paul was more than happy to get me back on the road. He fixed my derailleur and put on two new tires in less than an hour. I was blown away by the speed of service and the genuine nature of the staff. I will never go anywhere else to get my bike fixed. Thanks Paul and thank you Proteus.