Takoma Bicycle

Great customer service (attentive, nice, etc.) and very knowledgeable staff.
Tip: Get on their email list/​Bike Club (you can just give your email, physical address and phone no required) to get regular discount offers via email, and reward points (based on purchases, redeem quarterly, haven’t been in long enough to do this yet).
Prices are very reasonable given the convenient access, great service/​knowledge, not having to wait for mail order, and being able to see/​try things before buying. (Yes, I have done price comparisons online… and have wound up going with the store each time.)
Very convenient location for those in Takoma Park, Takoma D.C., Silver Spring adjacent to these areas; and coming from Takoma Metro and multiple bus routes.
The store supports multiple local bike/​commuting events and the Takoma Park Safe Routes to School 5k, offering nice coupons to participants while supporting efforts to make our roadways safer for biking.
The reason for a 4 versus 5 is largely due to smaller store size, which limits what they can carry. They pack a fantastic range of items and I’ve always found what I needed. Excellent range of locks, helmets, lights and utility accessories like baskets and racks; plus riding gear for various needs and seasons. I think they could improve inventory balance a bit though. For example, they have a whole wall (section) of bike bells…50 different kinds??? but only one kind of safety/​reflective vest.

I had my semi-​old bike tuned up — and the result is really great! Well done!!!

You would be hard-​pressed to find a more helpful, polite & knowledgable bike expert than Bruce. They’ve created a life-​long customer off of only 2 visits. Fixed a busted inner tube and tightened my bike up on the house after a tube I purchased the day before failed on me. Thanks Takoma Bikes!

I have driven by this shop several times and never even thought once to stop by for repairs or purchase. Until a family friend told us they bought bikes from the store. So I figure it will not hurt to check it out. So I took my kid there to look for a used bike. The Sean was super nice and we felt welcome and at ease at the store.
I took my road bike there the next day for a minor adjustment. The mechanic gladly took a look at it and fixed it in few minutes for free.
This is now my LBS, this shop has won my business from here henceforth.

Awesome service! Great bunch of guys. During the busy summer season a tune up can take a while but if you’re just getting a quick fix they get you in and out quickly!

Bruce is knowledgeable and kind and installed our bike rack free of charge. We have bought several bikes there and have always felt well served and like we got good value for our money.

I love a bikeshop that recognizes a crisis and is willing to work with you when time is short. The mechanic I talked to appears to be that type of mechanic. However, the manager overrode the mechanic and said they might find a few minutes to look at the issue (whether my cassette needed to be replaced prior to heading to the Rockies in a few days) maybe tomorrow, maybe not.
So I went to Proteus bikes in College Park where they heard my tale of woe, dropped what they were doing, and spent 10 minutes helping to determine the problem. They quickly determined that the cassette is indeed very worn, ordered a new one, and made a new loyal customer.
I love to support local shops, but not this one.
Re Bruce’s answer: I was not asking for a fix, I was asking for ten minutes of expertise. Your wrenches had already spent a couple minutes helpfully discussing with me and coming up with a theory (they immediately fixated on a stripped cassette, despite my poo-​pooing the idea because I’d replaced it in the last year). Given another couple minutes some time in the afternoon, or next morning, they could have confirmed this diagnosis.
And by the way, this is the POINT of a Local Bike Shop (LBS). Nobody goes to an LBS for cheap prices; we patronize them because of their convenience, for personalized service.
The guys at the other LBS were literally showing me definitive evidence of the cassette problem within sixty seconds of putting it on the stand. The part was ordered and I was out the door within 10. It only took that long because they helpfully explained that cassette teeth wear differently than chainring teeth, i.e. half-​pipe vs hooking. The only other possible explanation was a bent hanger, which might have taken marginally longer.
I am sure you could have done the same, but you didn’t take the time to listen to the problem before deciding that you didn’t have time, even though your wrenches had already done so and knew they could fit it in.

We went on a busy Saturday afternoon and were helped right away. We were in the market for first bikes for our twin sons. Sean was extremely helpful and attentive and made sure the grownups and kids liked the bikes selected. When we asked if the handbrake could be switched to the other side for a lefty they did not hesitate to move it. The prices were very reasonable and the customer service great. We definitely will go back and recommend to others.

I bought a used bike here for a good price (the positive Unilocal reviews wooed me away from Craigslist). I’ve enjoyed bike commuting on it, and the staff were friendly. Lots of the customers appear to be little kids getting a first bike.
Didn’t realize the used bike I bought had a chain that was almost shot until a week later, after some struggles shifting and the chain coming off. However, when I brought it back the staff took care of it (new chain and new cassette) at no charge. Moral is — if you buy a used bike, be smarter than me about inspecting it closely at first — but also, Takoma seem like a dedicated, hardworking operation and I appreciated their fixing the bike for free.

Getting back into cycling to convert my commute into exercise. These folks have been great. They had the bike I wanted in stock, well assembled, and at the best price I saw anywhere in the nation online. Staff is friendly and suggested some less expensive options for peripherals I needed. Location is convenient by car or bike from eastern MoCo. I had an issue with fenders I bought and they called promptly and suggested a fix. Good experiences overall and very good prices.

I really hate to write a review with such disparity from the majority of other Unilocalers, but with that said, I feel the need to share my personal honest experience with Takoma Bicycle.
About six weeks ago, I visited the shop looking for a new bicycle. I hadn’t owned one since I was a kid, and was recommended to them by a friend. «They’re really nice, knowledgeable, and have a good selection of hybrids to start off with at good prices,» I’d been told.
I was immediately greeted by some friendly faces and felt like the experience was going to go well. They set me up with a Giant Escape 2, and I gave it a test ride. The bike rode well, but the front wheel was squealing really badly. I told them about the problem, and they said they’d adjust it. I took it around the block, and it stopped squealing, from what I could tell. I bought it on the spot, and they gave it a final adjustment and inspection.
«We offer free break-​in adjustments,» the salesman told me, «just bring it back in after a few weeks so we can tighten everything up and take care of any problems that might come up during the break-​in period.» I was told that if the squealing brake were to return, to just bring it back in.
I rode the bike home, and within the first mile, the squeal returned. I’m not talking about a slight whistle– it was screeching, even with light pressure. «Maybe this is normal during a break-​in, so I’ll just bring it back later,» I said to myself, continuing to ride home.
Two rides later, with a screeching brake barking back every time I summoned its presence, I was back at the shop. The tech told me it was because my front wheel wasn’t properly mounted in the fork. I hadn’t touched the quick release or wheel since I bought it. First red flag: why was my wheel improperly mounted in the fork? Was it because I had put about 15 light miles on it, or was it because it wasn’t properly inspected before it left the shop? Anyway, he told me he’d also adjust the toe-​in on the front brakes (for newbies: this is the angle at which the brake pads strike the rim, which prevents squealing), and off I went. All was well until less than a mile in, and guess what? SCRREEEEEEEEEECH! I was infuriated because I had to be home quickly and couldn’t go back and demand someone else to look at it again.
A much-​needed international vacation and a few weeks later, and I was back at the shop. What caused it this time? «Must be the humidity. We have a few „tricks“ we can pull to get the brake to be quiet.»
Right.
Sense a pattern, yet? Yes, on my way home, after the THIRD trip to the shop, the front brake on my bike was again possessed, determined to howl at me until I either threw the bike into a ditch and blew it up or checked myself into an insane asylum. I decided to take matters in to my own hands. «If I can tear apart a car and put it back together, I think I can figure out what’s wrong with a stupid bicycle…»
First came the obligatory reading and research, since brakes are kind of important. Then, out came the wrenches. The first thing I noticed was that the brakes weren’t properly toed-​in. That was the first thing I fixed. Then I realized that the cantilevers were far off-​center. So I adjusted the springs. Then I couldn’t get the brake cable back on. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that Takoma Bicycle had adjusted the length of the brake cable by way of the anchor bolt that holds it tight, and in the process, completely stripped the bolt and didn’t bother to mention it or replace it. Fortunately, I know how to get stripped bolts out, but once I removed it, I noticed the brake cable was frayed and crushed. Reusing it was out of the question.
Considering how furious I was at that point, I’d have rather trashed the bike before giving any more of my hard-​earned money to Takoma Bicycle, so I sourced another shop for the parts I needed. Of course, the anchor bolt for my specific bike wasn’t in stock at this new shop, but one of the mechanics was nice enough to take the time and make me a new bolt. Armed with my new parts in hand, I went home, ready to finish the job once and for all.
Installation was simple. I took it out. I rode it hard. It was humid. I braked, and braked, and braked some more. I tested emergency stops and gentle stops. Guess what?
I fixed it.
If you’re still reading this, I applaud you. By now, you’d probably assume I’d never spend another dime at this store. You’d also probably figure that I don’t think their techs either know what they’re doing, or care enough to take the time to do a job right. You’d be correct.
I was patient with them during this entire process and gave them plenty of slack. Sometimes, people make mistakes. But at some point, enough is enough.
The main takeaway is this: Takoma Bicycle screwed up the brakes on my brand-​new bicycle after THREE failed attempts at fixing a minor problem, and I personally had to clean up their mess. Don’t make my mistake– do yourself a favor and go elsewhere.

I’m a daily bike commuter, and have been very pleased with the competent and friendly service at Takoma Bicycle. They are so refreshing after the ‘cooler than thou’ attitude I became so accustomed to at bike shops in dc.
I blew a cable on the way home from work one day. When I got home I called Takoma Bicycle and they said I could leave the bike locked to their front porch on my way to work (before they open). I got a call around noon; they talked me through the problems with my ride, a jamis coda comp, and explained what needed to be repaired right away and what could wait. Then they quoted a very reasonable price. The bike was all ready and good as new when I picked it up that evening. This all happened three months ago, and I’ve had no problems since then, so the work was done well.

This is an excellent bike shop in Takoma Park. I bought a commuter bike here a few weeks ago, at a fair price– and it was a lot more affordable than some of the trendy bike shops in DC. And 2 days later when my brand new bike tire popped on its inaugural commute into work, I was disappointed. However, I took it back and they replaced the tire on the spot, and were helpful in fixing the bike seat and installing a kick-​stand, and gratis.
Many DC-​area bike mechanics are excellent, and Takoma Bicycle is no exception. They’re fast, friendly, and knowledgable. There is a nice, neighborly vibe here, and they offer a range of products and expertise– everything from helping kids get their first bike to assisting seasoned riders with their road bikes.

Great bike shop!
I went in to buy a hybrid bike. I’m a new rider and didn’t want to spend a ton, because I’m not sure I’ll ride that often. I’d done some research online and felt pretty confident I could get a good bike for $ 400 or less. But I wanted to go to an actual store to buy the bike so that I could try it out and make sure I got a proper fit.
The first store I went to told me they only really had bikes for around $ 600 for what I wanted. I asked about a specific brand, and they said that maybe they had something. The found something for $ 450. It was a nice bike, but I decided to pass and stick to my resolution not to spend more than $ 400.
So then I went to Takoma Bicycle. Super friendly as soon as I walked in. I described what I was looking for and the guy who I think is the owner said «Sure, we can help with that. And it’ll be a GOOD bike!» Awesome. Then the sales clerk showed me the bike. It was a very similar bike to the one I’d seen at the other store, but was $ 420. And then he told me it was on sale *by the manufacturer* for $ 350. SOLD.
They also helped me with a helmet and bike lock. They were efficient yet patient, and friendly throughout. All around excellent experience.
FWIW, I think the name of the guy that helped me is Sean (he was wearing a shirt with that name on it) but it might just have been the design of the shirt.
Also, while I was there, the owner helped another customer fix a small issue with a kid’s bike, and said there was no charge for the service, which I thought was nice.

This place ROCKS. Great service. I dropped my bike off to get new tubes, petals, and a messenger bag, and they had it all done within 2 hours, at a price that was shockingly reasonable. This place is so worth going to even if out of your way. A welcomed change from some of those «bicycle snob» places in midtown who quote a month for a tune up.

We wanted to buy buys for our nieces who live in Silver Spring but we live in CA. Sent emails and Bruce emailed us back with lots of great info. The only shop in the area that responded. So once we got to town this was our first and last stop to buy a couple of bikes for 2 13 yr old girls!
With Fred & Bruce’s help we found the bike styles and type in the price range we wanted. Sean set us up for the test ride, found the color for the bike the girls wanted and they even got a lesson from Fred on how to take off/​on the front tire.
Thank you to all at Tacoma bikes for a great and easy bike buying experience!

Dropped off my bike here today and was greeted by a friendly gentleman at the door. After letting them know that I was interested in a tune up, my bike was promptly looked at and I was on my way.
Will provide an update after I pick up my bike.

Great and friendly place. Was there with minor things i didn’t remember how to do anymore or just didn’t feel like. Good fast service and great selection on lot of stuff needed for bike.

I was shopping around for a commuting bike so I stopped into this store. This place is a GEM, the serivce was GREAT and the bike options were even better. I would def. use them again

This is what a neighborhood shop should be.
I only went in there to buy an inner tube for my mountain bike, but after talking to the guy a little while and watching him interact with other customers while I browsed the store, I realized that this guy was really about getting people on bikes the way they wanted. He wasn’t trying to sell you the latest and greatest carbon fiber/​unobtanium/​adamantium time attack bike from Trek. He wanted you to get what you wanted you to have the best value, period.
I walked out with two tires and two tubes that have vastly improved my commute to work over the much-​too-​knobby tires that came with my bike.
Don’t expect the shop to be a warehouse of this year’s releases. It has lots of bikes that will work with the casual commuter. He also seems to have some used bikes for those that are looking to save a little cash. Right by the metro. You can’t complain.