Category: | Bicycle Store |
Address: | 360 E 65th St, New York, NY 10065, USA |
Phone: | +1 212-288-0996 |
Site: | cielbikes.com |
Rating: | 4.5 |
Working: | 10AM–7PM 10AM–7PM 10AM–7PM 10AM–7PM 10AM–7PM 10AM–6PM 11AM–5PM |
ST
Stephen Lyman
I spent the better part of 3 months visiting local bike shops that could order me a frame from SOMA Fabrications in San Francisco. For those of you unaware, these are lovely classic bicycle frames designed right here in the US. Each shop I visited around NYC seemed to have no idea how to build up one of these bikes to compliment the frame and meet my own checklist for what I wanted out of a bike: comfortable, elegant, spritely, with carrying capacity. Walking into Ciel that all changed. The custom builds in the window and peppered throughout the store told me this was a shop that got it. That understood how to blend functionality with a stylish bicycle. Within 10 minutes of meeting John, the owner of Ciel, I knew I was in good hands. We ordered a SOMA Buena Vista and over the next month or so worked together to add the parts that would turn that raw frame into the bicycle Id been imagining. In visiting the shop a couple times a week I discovered this wonderful collective of gear heads. The infectious enthusiasm from the guys turning the wrenches, John, and the occasional manufacturers rep that would be in the store ... it was palpable. Josh would pepper me with ideas. John would challenge him. Or vice versa. We talked through virtually every part on the bike. I was overwhelmed at times and relied on their judgment when I was lost. I wasnt disappointed. Sure enough, the final product was perfect. A bespoke single speed mixte commuter. It exceeded my expectations and while it wasnt a bargain (despite the deep discount John gave me at each stage), it is exactly the bicycle Ive been wanting to ride. It makes my commute a joy. When I brought it back to the shop for some tweaking, John turned the wrench himself and said, "You know what I love? This could be a show bike. Its that nice. But you ride it every day. Thank you for that." Needless to say Ill be returning to Ciel for any future bike purchases and I hope youll give them your business too. They love bicycles. Theres nothing more dangerous for a business than an owner who does it for love, but John and his crew just might make it work.
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Jason Snyder
My search for the perfect bike shop happily ended here. As someone who didnt even own a bike for 25 years, I only wish Id bought my first adult ride here as well but better to learn late than never. The shop is small but well-stocked with quality brands plus budget options. The staff is what makes it though, the perfect balance between bike geeks and dudes (and dudette) who actually, you know, run a business. By which I mean, theyll nerd out with you on any aspect of cycling you can think of, but theres very little of the patronizing, dismissive bs you get in shops downtown and across the river. In fact as a novice Ive asked a lot of stupid questions and theyre happy to answer them. Ive also brought them a few challenging repairs and upgrades and theyve done a stellar job with them. With purchases, from wheels to grips to helmets, they will always point you in the right direction and let you know when youre spending too much or not enough money for what you need. Ill soon be buying a new bike from them and despite the fact that Im looking for a mid-to-low end ride theyre taking it seriously and have been extremely generous in offering to let me test ride all kinds of options, even overnight.* I really cant recommend these guys enough. (* Ive been a steady customer for a little while which might be why theyre extending me this courtesy. So dont quote me if youre a newbie and want to take a tester home with you and they turn you down!)
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Jesse Greene
I dont normally review things but I had to review this store because it was by far the best bike store experience Ive ever had. I just bought a custom bike from them and picked it up today. Three weeks ago I visited the store just to poke around. Josh showed me a lot of bikes I liked and let me test ride one just so I had a feel for what I might want. There was absolutely no pressure to buy and Josh was explicit in that regard: "I know youre not gonna buy anything today so dont worry." But of course my experience was so positive (and their selection was so good) that I came back the next week. What struck me about the place was the professionalism and enthusiasm shared by Josh and John. They clearly take a lot of pride in their work: after putting the bike together they snapped a picture just to have a record of it. The price was decent too. The bike was a Biria track bike but I swapped out almost every part: chain ring / crank set, pedals (with new straps), handlebars (with new bar tape), and I added a rack. The total price ended up being about $700 which is what I was looking to spend at online retailers. Even if the price was about average (as opposed to bargains you might find on ebay), its worth it for a custom bike and the professionalism you get from these guys. They absolutely love bikes and know them inside and out.
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Fangda Xu
Im not writing this review to spite the business or in ill will, my experience is below. I popped the inner tube in my rear wheel going down the Queensboro, and found this store on google maps. I came in, was served by the mechanic and was pretty pleased with the service but the next day I woke up and the tire was flat again (from Queens). I took the wheel back to the shop, served by a different mechanic to examine the tube and found a snakebite hole on the opposite side of the valve. Both times, no deficiencies in either the tire or rim were found (I got a new rim tape on the first visit as well). I got a pair of wheel levers and a patch kit, went back and fixed the puncture. Well, today is about 2 weeks later (+~150 miles after the fix) and quite inexplicable at home, I heard a pop, air hissing out and the wheel is flat again. I took the wheel out and there are two massive holes, probably 4mm on the rim side near the valves. Ive used giant inner tubes before but this tube was utter rubbish. Now, Im happily stuck at home, and instead of riding am now griping about this. I dont doubt the competency of the staff but two flats in two weeks after paying 30 for what I feel to be sub-par products to get everything fixed leaves a bit of a sour aftertaste.
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Arron Jones-Williams
Ive been to multiple bike shops in the UES and even Toga Bikes in the UWS for my race bike (which is under agreement for free service at Toga) I would still rather pay Ciel Bicycles then get free service at Toga (dont get me wrong toga is a great bIke shop): because Ciel bikes has very friendly and knowledgeable staff that go above and beyond to service customers. Example I had a charity ride that overlapped the 5 boro bike tour and while testing my bike out the day before I noticed a noise from the cranks. My first thought was to bring my bike to toga for free service on my bottom bracket. However toga didnt even try and said they were too busy because of bIke tour. On the other hand, Ciels bikes listened to my story, and even though their shop was busy as well they agreed to stay and fix my race bike the same day! The prices are great and they even use donated parts to help repair low earning bike delivery riders bikes! I have multiple bikes and from now on they have my business. Heck I even ask them to charge me more as a tip because Im just not used to great service and great prices. Oh and the French Bulldog as a shop pet is adorable. =)