BicycleSPACE

Came in here at 11am on a Tuesday hoping to have a dérailleur adjustment done due to some serious chain rub I was experiencing on the front dérailleur. The first thing to notice is that the space is really nice – looks like an Apple Store. The second thing is that this is definitely a commuter catered store. I don’t think I would think of it as a really high-​end bike shop, although I’m sure they’d be able to order something for you.
My experience was good — I was pretty quickly greeted by a bike tech who inquired as to what issues I was having, and he spent the next 15 minutes taking care of the issue.
I explained that I had been to the other bicycle space in adams morgan the previous evening due to some chain rub I couldn’t seem to fix myself, and the guy had messed with the limiter screws that control shifting that had caused my chain rub. I explained that I had been charged at the other place and due to the poor experience I had had there, this Bicycle Space didn’t charge me for the adjustment. Would definitely come back here again for something like this.

These folks are professional, hard working and make sure your equipment works right before you leave the shop. Over a 1 week period I had very worn tires which resulted in 2 flats. Since they are wheelchair tires (24″) they are hard to find. But these folks just kept fixing the flats until I could get the new tires. The wheelchair vendor wanted to charge me $ 136 just to put on the new tires (that is in addition to the price of the tires). BicycleSpace did it for a very low cost. Plus they have a wheelchair accessible bathroom for customers.
If you have any bicycle needs, bring your business here. I also got a bright new bike light and a very inexpensive mirror. Plus they give away FREE bike maps — very important for a visitor;

Top notch guys. Paul et al will explain everything they’re doing and why and welcome questions. They’ll even teach you some maintenance tricks if you’re willing to listen to some random life lessons.
Charge reasonably for services, will itemize everything clearly.

I have a bike, which needed tune up and cleaning, replacement of chain, cassette, break pads, new front and back tires with better grip. The bike shop had a new fiber $ 3,500 Cannondale bike on display and I thought it would be great to fix up the old bike, sell it and then buy the new one.
I had an uncomfortable experience with BicycleSPACE (440 K St NW), who wanted to charge me over $ 400 (equivalent to resale value of existing bike), which included $ 75 «discounts», to get the parts and install the components and tune up the bike. The prices simply seemed too high. After careful research online I discovered that their components were between 25−250% (two hundred and fifty percent) more expensive than the same components (same producer, type, etc) found on
. Examples (BS-​stands for BicycleSpace, although I’ll let your imagination run wild on that one):
29×2.3 folding tubeless tire: $ 65.00 (BS), $ 51.99 (Amazon),
25% more expensive —
Cassette: $ 35.00 (BS), $ 20.00 (Amazon),
75% more expensive —
Chain: $ 28.00 (BS), $ 12.45 (Amazon),
125% more expensive —
Disc break pads, 2 pairs: $ 35.98 (BS), $ 5.99 (Amazon),
250% more expensive
Notice the trend? The smaller the part/​component, the higher percentage of add on cost at BicycleSPACE (aka. «BS», this time metaphorically acronym-​ed). I don’t see how a sane person can justify the cost difference of $ 30 for disk break pads, given they are so thin, small and light they can be shipped for 35 cents in an envelope.
I wanted to ask the staff whether the «service» ($ 10 to instal tube, $ 60 to bleed front and rear hydra breaks, $ 149 for tune up Level 2, and other costs) comes with HAPPY ENDING, or NO HAPPY ENDING, but at that point I already felt screwed over before «the entry» act, so no point in asking the promiscuous question.
Also, I went to the shop on 3 different occasions and spoke to 2 different staff members who had no clue what previous staff member did (I replaced one critical item). On 2 different occasions, two different «front» sales people were sitting in a chair with grim expressions like the bronze statue of constipated Maria Theresa (18^th century European monarch) — google her pic, you’ll see what I mean.
I decided to get all parts myself over Amazon and bring it to another bicycle shop, where even though I met only 2 people in person, 2 – 3 different people I spoke to over the phone knew exactly which bike was mine and what was done to it.
Now I’m left with completely tuned up bike (from another shop) and a decision to sell it at fair value, and purchase a new, $ 3,500 Cannondale from Georgetown bike shop that sells them.
So let’s sum up,…the shop lost $ 400 because I didn’t use them to fix up the bike, they lost $ 3,500 because I didn’t buy their Cannondale bike, they lost one customer (myself) for good, and they likely will loose a lot more customers (once I tell all my friends about it). For how long do you think this business model is sustainable?

Quick walk-​in service for gears that weren’t shifting properly and a reasonable estimate that ended up being even cheaper at checkout. Impressed

I stumbled in on a cold, wet day at the end of a ride where everything went wrong just needing some air for a tire (all my co2 cartridges were gone at that point). The guy in the service area proceeded to ask me if I knew I was riding a cyclocross bike (yes, that’s why I bought it), showed me how to properly inflate my tire (before I even touched the floor pump) and told me I should put different tires on my bike. Uh, dude — I put those tires on that morning specifically because I was going to be riding around the city all day in the rain. But hey, thanks for treating me like girl who didn’t know the first thing about bikes.

Yesterday, I took my bike in to get some air put into the tires (free) and to get some help. Within 45 minutes, I was back at my place with a bike that rode like it was brand new.
At first, I thought I’d be too early for the 10 am Thursday opening, but by the time, I reached the store, I saw the doors open and a few customers inside. It took a minute or two but Michael came over and I explained my problems (that I thought the tires were flat and I was having issues shifting gears). By visual inspection, he told me my brake was out of place and noted that I probably had difficult biking as a result and quoted me for $ 40 to do a safety check on the brakes and gears. He also told me he would put air in. When I asked how long it would take, Michael said 15 minutes.
I think it took him less time, and he was nice about answering my questions about shifting. He gave good analogies comparing the air in the wheels to party balloons and the bike gears to shifting gears in a car. In other words, I could expect to put air in the tire every two weeks and that you go by feel to shift gears by noticing elevation changes.
As soon as I took the bike out, I could notice an immediate difference. It was light and easy gliding back home towards the Mall and cut the commute time in half — literally.
I will say a couple of other things — some of their accessories are more expensive than other stores, and one of the guys working wasn’t as polite. I overlooked those things as my interactions and experience otherwise was good.

I have been bringing my bike here for years since they opened. The service staff is always helpful and responsive. They generally take reasonable approaches to repairs, meaning they figure out if I am more interested in the best solution or the cheaper but effective solution (depends on situation). They are also very honest. There were a few cases where they didn’t get something right the first time and were happy to take a second look and make adjustments as needed. I only wish they had some more accessories for sale that were more reasonably priced (clothing, panniers etc.). They have some stuff that’s reasonable, but other things that are very expensive or high design, so I find myself getting things online. But that being said, I would always take my bikes here for service. Highly recommend!

I really like the new space. I was skeptical when they moved from the Convention Center location, but the store looks like and people are really friendly.

I’m no expert when it comes to bikes, so when I’m looking for a tune up, or I get a flat, or my pedal spontenously falls off (that was a fun surprise, let me tell you), I bring my bike here. 15 minutes and $ 15 later, I have a functional bike again! The 3 – 4 times I’ve been have been amazingly pleasant. The space is open and bright and the staff are very knowledgeable AND unpretentious. They will entertain all questions, even show you a repair trick or two. They go above and beyond in service, and make an otherwise cumbersome errand enjoyable. Thanks guys!
One note: there are no designated bike racks outside the shop. There are garden rails that do just fine, but it would be nice to have a more secure place to pop my bike when I want to grab a coffee at the café next door.

I bought my bike here almost 3 years ago, and continue to come back for maintenance, repairs and accessories. Everyone there is so helpful and really nice, not at all judgy of casual riders like myself who don’t know what they’re doing. They really exceed my expectations nearly every time. I had no idea what kind of bike would be best for my needs, and the staff was very patient, took the time to explain everything, and allowed me to test many models on multiple visits. I’ve found the same level of patient, friendly assistance every time I’ve been back.

I went in today to get an inner tube replaced (I know, I could’ve done it myself) and to just get a general check up on my bike done. All of the staff was incredibly helpful, knowledgeable and really looked to help however they could. I didn’t feel pressured to buy anything nor did I feel like they were trying to offer purely expensive options. Absolutely wonderful experience and I’d highly recommend going to them with any questions you have!

I first visited this bike shop yesterday and it is my new go-​to shop, and it should be yours too! I stopped in with my bike for a quick fix. Someone greeted me immediately, jumped back into the shop to grab the tools he needed to fix my bike, came back out, and fixed my bike right in front of me. No fuss. In and out in 5 minutes. Take it to a place like REI and they are going to charge you for even looking at the bike!
BicycleSPACE calls themselves «a community-​centered bike shop that values people as much more than customers». I have visited plenty of bike shops from here to Michigan to Tennessee, and I think this one stands out because they truly stick by their mission statement.

Above and beyond what I expected from the service department. I needed new BB30 bearings, I stopped into their new location on 440 K st. NW on Saturday at 1:00 and they serviced the bike that day and had it done by 4:00. I figured I’d be without it for a week before I went, for a shop to do the service so quickly is just unheard of. I knew exactly what I needed done and they performed it.
Also, their price was very low. Was not overcharged for bearings (was $ 27) and the service charge was $ 30 which was also very reasonable (some places will charge double this or charge you extra because it involves the removal of the crank which takes all of 20 seconds and anyone can do).
The head service guy is nice, but I could see his personality and talk of bikes/​service turning some people off. I am an experienced cyclist, knowledgeable about bikes, and thought he was pretty funny, but for someone who is more casual I could see his personality coming off wrong; however, he knows what he is doing and it is a great service department.

What an amazing staff! Stephen helped me figure out what I liked about the different models and gave me suggestions for keeping my bike most secure. He spent about 30 minutes just talking with me and I took two bikes out for a decent spin each.
The 700 5^th St Space is moving to a new location and as of July 10, and will be at 440 K NW.

Went in today looking for a new hybrid to join my road bike. Rachel was amazing, the entire staff really — every question I had was answered. I came out with a different bike that I went in to test ride, tested several bikes and after deciding they helped me modify/​customize/​add what I needed. Ended up with a SWEET Cannondale Quick CX1 that I can’t wait to ride, I was planning on a less expensive bike and absolutely was not pressured into a higher end — it was the awesome ride of the CX1 that hooked me. Great team they have there.

I love the new bike I bought from them today, but I’m angry that they would let someone test drive the bike that I had already bought while we took a walk waiting for them to mount a lock on the second bike that we bought. I mean really? That wasn’t yours anymore to let some stranger use!

By far the best bicycle shop in and around the city. The staff are genuinely curious about your experiences riding. On several occasions they recommend cheaper alternatives to what I was considering (e.g., saddle, headlight, gloves) based on the utility of the product and my needs.
The group rides and yoga help them to build a real sense of community, and they are very much involved in helping to advocate for better bicycling infrastructure around the city.
Best of all though are the courteous and entirely professional mechanics. I have had several occasions where they walk me through all of the steps to either improve or fix my bike. The staff are extraordinarily knowledgeable and the turn-​around time is entirely reasonable, provided you’re not poppng in on the first warm day of Spring or something. By far the best part is that I have never felt looked down upon or had anyone give me «bike snob» attitude, even though I am somewhat of a novice, especially about all the latest and greatest equipment. I definitely have had this happen at other shops in the city.
I highly recommend the shop – voted best bicycle shop and rides in numerous publications – and will continue to both have my current bike serviced there and shop for my new ride (s) there. And I’m very much looking forward to their new locations!

I love Bspace… The people, their genuine niceness, their excellent customer service, their bicycle accessories… and the list goes on.
If this were like a corporate review, I would write about how awesome their collaborative culture is. It’s like a few different people were checking in and helping out on my bicycle, which is a British Bobbin that is not widely distributed in the US. I purchased this from them about 2 – 3 years ago and had them pimp it out. I had mentioned some gear change issues back then and I don’t think the correction was made the one guy who made an adjustment. He blamed me for pedaling while switching the gear, which I reiterated that I did not and was instructed before my test drive and purchase on the proper way… but I didn’t argue and knew that I’d be putting the bicycle into storage for a bit.
He wasn’t there yesterday, and from what I observed yesterday, there were clearly a lot more steps involved to adjust the gears. Maybe he left, because there were only awesome attitudes floating around the new BicycleSpace…
So Paul (and EVeRYOne but I didn’t get all of their names) were all great in making sure they were doing all the right steps as well as communicating with each other about how to help adjust the bicycle for me…
WOW. Liz is the best… And perfectly, she’s just about my size and rides a Pashley (the Über version of a British bike), so she was amazing at adjusting the seat angle and height for me. She also adjusted placement of the gear switch (whatever it’s called), polished, lubed, wiped (my bike was dusty), etc. She gave me some pointers, too, after watching me ride the bike, which was so helpful since I’m pretty unskilled on it… Last, she also informed me about some of their rides, classes and a DC Facebook Group for women riders (of all types and skills),
I can’t say more about how wonderful they are…

Don’t trust them with old Sturmey Archer 3 speed hubs!!!
I brought my old Raleigh in here, and they were unable to fix the hub and sent me away. I took the bike to District Hardware, and they were able to disassemble the hub and put it together and now it runs perfectly. I also tried (and failed) to have the hub replaced at Proteus, so just FYI, if you need a sturmey archer hub fixed, District Hardware is ABSOLUTELY the place to go.
Here are the mistakes BicycleSPACE made…
1. They told me the wheel was the incorrect size. WRONG. District Hardware changed out the washers, and they were able to fit the wheel on perfectly, and without changing the frame spacing. BicycleSPACE told me I needed to spread my frame or buy a different wheel. I feel bad for the other people who went with their advice! The BicycleSPACE repair guy acted cocky, and that only works out for you when you know what you’re talking about …
2. They told me my hub couldn’t be fixed. WRONG. District Hardware found that a pin in the hub was installed incorrectly, so they reset the pin and now it works perfectly! The ride is extremely smooth and gears change perfectly.
I’m surprised, BicycleSPACE has a reputation for doing good work on old hubs, but my experience is that they give bad advice and don’t know what they’re doing.
Seriously, if you have an old 3 speed hub, GO TO DISTRICT HARDWARE!!!