Real Bikes

So far we are having a great time! Have had excellent and friendly customer service. For $ 25 you get an all day, 7 speed, hybrid road bike rental. Special exceptions can be made if you ask. We are riding happily along Legacy Trail and it’s great! They also repair bikes for $ 60/​hour. They have a large variety of new and used bikes for sale.

Fantastic experience! I was greeted by Carl. He asked some probing questions and directed me to the area of the showroom with the bicycles that suited my needs. Carl was very accommodating providing my with test rides. I chose my ride. They ran it through service to ensure all was in proper operation. Carl was very specific in explaining their warranties and tune-​up gratuities. I’m so happy making Real Bikes my local bike shop! I will shop there again, and again.

Want service this is your place. Showed up 15 minutes before closing with a wheel needing a new tire. Greeted walked to service and walked out 10 minutes later with a new tire. Fully staffed service department in addition to full selection of bikes, equipment and gear.

My girlfriend and I just purchased 2 Specialized Rockhoppers from here. Cindy was a huge help with getting everything set up over the phone before we even walked in the door. We had to order both of our bikes due to the fact that we are both very tall and they didn’t have our frame size in stock (no one carries XXL frame sizes). Cindy was even able to locate 2 left over 2015 models for us which have the same components as the 2016 models but going with the 2015 helped with the budget. Thank you guys for all of your help! We will not be going to another bike shop anytime soon!

Employee was very rude. Terrible customer service. I guess we expect to be acknowledged and spoken to in a friendly manner. We will not return.

I have rented from this firm for a number of years, and at first the very tall owner running the show there was fair to his customers, however, my last experience was so poor I will never go back there again to rent. He just has such a curt, terrible, rude and mean attitude to people, that it is very unpleasant to spend your money on a rental there.
This last time he would not «remember» your name, anything about you, etc. I had just filled the paperwork out 48hrs before in person with him, and it was like who are you when we went to pick up the bikes. He was saying «I don’t remember filling the paperwork with you». Finally after much sneering and dirty looks it was «let me shuffle through this enormous pile of paperwork to find you». This paperwork pile that he had referred to was exactly three rental agreements and we were the second sheet in the pile.
So three days later after using two bikes with completely bald tires (all four), rust spots, and unadjusted seats, loose worn brakes, etc. I pulled up in my Honda Pilot with the two bikes in the back laying down, and lifted them one by one out of the back and fought my way with the bikes through his front doors (with no help on the doors). He says to me in front of all the other customers very loudly; «you shouldn’t bring the bikes back like that in the car laying on top of one another — you will scratch them». I said I have no other way to get them returned, and I live only five minutes away, it’s not like traveling with your bikes across the USA. So all I got was another dirty look and sneer.
This owner tall fellow is so rude, so mean, with such a poor attitude, I will never rent from him again for my guests here in Fla. Plus the bikes were very poorly maintained as mentioned above. You would be better off searching for someone else to rent from, and here in Venice, Fl., there are other local bike shops that rent.
By the way another review by «Topher R» on this Unilocal page had an identical experience as I had.

My wife and I were visiting Venice for a few days and decided last minute to rent a couple of road bikes to try out the Legacy Trail. Real Bikes, which sits right on the Legacy Trail, was recommended by a local resident. We called while in-​route with our frame sizes and, despite it being an obviously very busy day, Cindy, the owner with her husband David, had us fitted with new Specialized bikes– an Allez for me and a higher end Ruby for my wife– as well as helmets, water, maps and careful recommendations for routes and had us on our way in about 30 min. Had a great time with no snags. Terrific people. Highly recommended.

Was in Venice for a few days visiting the in laws. I walked in cold off the street at 2 on a Friday looking for a road bike for a few days of 50 to 70 mile rides. They surprised me with a Litespeed Carbon Ci2 with Shimano Integra Di2 electronic gears. I had not heard of Litespeed recently and thought they were titanium only from back in the day. Turns out the bike was incredibly fun to ride. They sized it for me, added the essentials for a few days riding, gave me an overview of the trail options, and had me out of there in less than 20 minutes. After a few days riding I could not leave it behind. They gave me a good deal and it is on its way out to California as I write this.
THANKS Real Bikes!

Went in the store looking for a bike rental for the legacy trail for the day. Both the sales associate and (I’m assuming the owner) were extremely rude and told us to leave and come back tomorrow. Horrible experience and will never return again.

We rented bikes to use on the single track out by Carlton. They gave us top of the line bikes that were practically brand new. He even opened boxes and put head and tail lights on free of charge. When I returned the bikes I had used one of the tires and cartridges in the spare kit. I offered to pay him and they refused to take money. Best service I have ever had at a bike shop.

Went in looking for a used bike for my daughter to use when she visits. Walked out with a great, like new, bike. They took the time to make sure that the seat height was just right for her and switched out the seat height release for a lever type. They also gave her some riding tips. Very nice folks who were very professional and knowledgeable. This will be my preferred bike shop going forward.

Right on the Trail (s) going from Venice to Sarasota. Couldn’t be nicer, or more helpful. Rentals only a small part of Real Bike’s business, but the equipment was clean and well-​tuned, and worked beautifully. Everything available from Beach Cruisers to «Fitness» (road) bikes. Try them out, and you won’t be disappointed.

Great service on a tire repair. Just walked in, they checked out tire and fixed right away. Reasonable price. Nice people too!