Iron City Bikes

Category:	Bicycle Store
Address:	331 S Bouquet St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
Phone:	+1 412-681-1310
Site:	ironcitybikes.com
Rating:	4.6
Working:	11AM–7PM 11AM–7PM 11AM–7PM 11AM–7PM 11AM–7PM 11AM–5PM 12–4PM

Location

Photos 20

Reviews 5

Robert Simione

I can not believe the treatment I just got at this place last night. I dropped off my bike 11 days before because it needed a new $30 crank set. While I was dropping it off the guy asked if I wanted a tune up for $45 during which they would also install the crank set, and I agreed to this also. They told me it it would take 4-7 days. Now I use my bike to cut a half hour off each way of my commute between home and work, but of course I know working on a bike takes time so this was a reasonable arrangement. I called the 7th day and they said they had not even ordered the bike part yet. I called on the 8th day to check the status of the work and they had no idea if the part was ordered yet. Then on the 10th day I called about the work and the guy said the part would be there soon, but he later told me when I was picking up the bike that he had ordered it to be overnight-delivered after my third call because I had kept calling. When I asked him what they would have done if I hadnt been calling they did not have an answer. On the 11th day when I called they said their mechanic was working on it and they finally called me later to pick it up. When I arrived I politely but firmly asked for a $30 discount from the manager and colleague because not only had they not ordered the part until 3 days after they said the work was going to be finished, but they only did so after (and because) I had called them 3 times to ask about it. The discussion was polite until they started waving their wrenches at me saying they could undo the repairs they had just done if I didnt want to pay the full price. Being in their shop at night with them waving wrenches at me I decided to cut my losses and pay their price. I assume their waving wrenches at me was just bad form rather than bad intent, but the entire experience was unprofessional at best. I will not go there again nor recommend them to anybody.

A Private User

Ya get what ya get when you go to a bike shop. They have things you need, for a price. However, you can expect a dash of snarky bike elitism thrown into your dealings. In my experience as a woman dealing with Iron City Bikes employees, Ive gotten told I had no idea what I wanted in a bicycle and that I needed to do more research and come back to them later. In fact, I purchased my bicycle elsewhere (the same frame Id discussed with them), enjoyed it thoroughly, didnt get talked down to, did everything I had planned to do with the bike, toured with it, and found it lived up to all of my expectations. I had Iron City order in a product for me last week, and the employee I placed the order with asked for my name and number so he could call me when it arrived. I never got a call, and when I called back a week later he told me the item had come in but they had sold the first two and the last one was missing a part. Durr.. then he offered to "give me a deal" on "making it work" for me - which I took to mean he intended to charge me extra for his mistake. I opted to pick up my piece, install it myself, and come back for the missing component when they got it with the next order. *shrug* Bike jocks, yknow? They know a thing or two about bikes, and they roll with it. Overall, not the best service Ive gotten, but not the worst. Incidentally, Ive met with the owner, John, outside of the business environment, and I found him to be a very personable and understanding fellow. But if you want a bike shop with charm and positive attitude, I think youll find what youre looking for if you ask the locals...

James Donnelly

Service and selection were both alright but both could have been better, Ive had the same BMX bike for 6 or 7 years now and needed to get new tires. Mine are 24 x 1.95 and I wanted to get some kind of colored tube for the replacement. Unfortunately they didnt have ANY 24 inch tires in the store. The guy at the counter said he could order some but the only color option was this pinkish red and that "if he couldnt find anything else online I wouldnt be able to either". He also said I absolutely had to have a 24x1.95 tire or my bike would fall apart but everything Ive read online tells me that a 24 x 2.125 tire will fit my frame just fine, and there is a better (but not by much) color selection in that size wheel online. This was my 2nd time in the shop and both times the guys behind the counter seemed to tell I dont have extensive bike knowledge, and while they werent rude about it at all, they were fairly short with the verbal exchanges as it felt they didnt want to have to teach me the basics. I ordered my parts online and will most likey take them to Teds in southside to have them put on just because its closer to my house and Ted is THE DUDE. Overall I had a negative experience but I still feel this is a good bike shop for those living in Oakland and for more experienced bikers, just not BMX as much

Jackie Fields

Iron City Bikes in Oakland is a real gem. In college, all my biking needs were met by their dedicated and helpful staff (and I got to play some fun pinball and play with a gorgeous dog). Now, after school I still travel down to Iron City for my cycling necessities. When you walk in the door at ICB you are immediately greeted and asked what someone can help you with. This (for me) was the most important factor, since I was very intimidated when I first began. They will walk you through what you need and what you want and try to find a reasonably priced balance between the two. Bob (the owner) also will stick his neck out for anyone that needs it. Examples being free bike servicing when I was broke. But hell also show you what youre doing on your bike so you can actually see how everything works and be more savvy when things go wrong (and given Pittsburghs streets, this happens often). I really love the atmosphere of the shop. And even though its small, they order things for customers everyday (like my new bike bag) so that you dont have to worry about not finding something there. They will also help you with sizing, accessories, etc... Overall ICB is a great place for experienced cyclists and those just trying to get their feet wet. Go Iron City!

Pete Finnigan

Big attitude/ Little service. I bent my wheel really bad on a pothole, so I took the bike down to ICB to get a repair or new one. The portly gentleman who looked at it was more interested in selling me new bike pedals than my repair. "Let me put it this way, Im not putting a wrench to your bike unless we put new pedals on it. Because if you slip off those broken ones you have now, and get hit by a car, its on us". I found this patronizing since I told him I already had pedals at home and would install them when I got around to it. I ended up having to carry the bike home, swapping the pedals, and brining only the bent wheel back to ICB the next day so they could order me a new one. The guy I talked to this time was Chris and was slightly more accommodating. He took my information, put the order in, and promised to call me as soon as the wheel came in. Its now been two months and I have yet to hear back from them. Ive never tried to work so hard to give my business to one local company. I realize Bob and most of these guys are pretty much a pillar in the local bike scene and most speak highly of them. Im sure theyre all nice guys. I just dont appreciate being treated like Im at some shady mechanic anytime I need a wheel trued.