Fab bike shop in Sunset Park! It's in the Annex building of BAT. I texted Sandra (the owner) before I brought my bike in for a flat repair. It turns out my tire was cracked, so Sandra went ahead and replaced it for me. She also changed out my handlebar tape in no time at all. I am thrilled by the job. Also, she noticed that I didn't quite know how to use the gears on my 21-speed from the unhappy clicking noise they were making when I brought them in. Before I left, she gave me a quick tutorial about how to use them and the relationship between the front and back gears. I am not the world's greatest cyclist, so I really appreciated the advice and opportunity to learn! I'll definitely be bringing my bike back here in the future. read more

I have tried to give this place a few chances but the store owner Sandra has a bug up her ( ! ) Or she just doesn't like me. I can be the only one in the store and no one will ask me if I need help - I have to initiate the conversation and ask a million questions to get any help or else I will just be standing there like a moron. The bike store has lots of cool merch and bikes but the store owner makes me feel like an outcast when I go there - maybe shes rich and can do whatever she feels like doing. The mechanics are great. This place will be my last resort if I need any bicycle help in the future. They offer free air for your bike. read more

Behind Bars in Brooklyn - One of my bikes - Bike Repair/Maintenance Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

One of the friendliest bike shops I've been to. Sandra is kind, understanding, and always takes the time for you. I've been here several times with my bikes for different issues or tune-ups and every time I walked away satisfied. I think the prices are a bit on the high side, but I'll keep paying them. read more

This place is fantastic. They had previously worked on my commuter (Kona Jake), and I was impressed with their attentiveness, knowledge and friendliness. When I decided to build my dream Ti bike this was the first place that came to mind. Sandra was receptive to every question I had re: the build on my frame. She gave me great advice and discussed all the pluses and minuses of how I wanted things set up. Each piece of the build up was given the utmost attention and consideration. The best part of yet process is that they treated this project as their own. If you want to bring your bike and frame to a place that will make you feel welcome and confident in the job, this is your place. If you love riding, this is the place that shares your love. 5 stars without qualification. read more

Behind Bars in Brooklyn - The only things on this earth ahead of this beaut are my kids. Barely. - Bike Repair/Maintenance Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

I love this bike shop! They are friendly, efficient, and, best of all, charge really reasonable prices for excellent service. I really appreciate that they take the time to explain what's going on with my bike, since I'm a total novice and have no clue what I'm doing. I highly recommend taking your bike in for a tune-up, or even a second opinion if a high-end shop thinks you need expensive repairs. I was pretty sure I'd need to get my chain replaced after letting it sit outside in the snow and rain all winter (whoops), but they ran it through their degreaser and it's practically as good as new! Thanks so much guys, you've earned yourselves a loyal customer. read more

I can't say enough good things about this shop & repair spot. When I started riding more consistently a year or so ago, they were incredibly helpful, supportive and nonjudgmental as I kitted up. (I like funky bells and lots of hi-viz, okay?) Also, I'd taken my temperamental and aged Gary Fisher to 3 local shops previously to try and address its chronically slipping gears (it has a unique & very weird setup, apparently) with only very temporary success before the team here somehow reconfigured the system to make it work. I didn't realize how much drag I'd been experiencing for years until I rode it after their fix and felt like I was flying. It was like a completely different bike. So, expert repairs and problem-solving as well as a surprisingly comprehensive array of gear for such a small shop. Plus unfailingly pleasant service. Exactly what you want in a brick & mortar. Keeps me coming back. read more

Sandra and her team are very friendly and highly knowledgeable. They also keep in touch well, and will always quote you before repair. Sandra is patient and she'll take her time with you, and always has a tip or two for you. You learn something new every time you walk into this shop. Unlike other bike mechanics I've been to, Sandra's up to date with the latest bike tech and knows how to work safely with carbon bikes, tubeless tires, and doesn't need to be explained how to take out a gravity skewer lock. I don't leave reviews on Yelp unless I'm really impressed. This is the best bike shop I've been to. read more

What you need to know: - This was THE BEST customer service I have experienced in a very long time! - Sandra made me feel like a VIP and made me feel like we were in a small town, where each person matters. - Look no further, this should be your go-to bike shop! What I went in for: - I purchased some brakes and needed them installed for my front tire. Just a little over a month ago, I had my back brakes replaced at Bicycle Habitat but was already having a hard time braking. Sandra took a look at them and said since I use back brakes more, she will install the new brakes for the back and try to file the old brakes and put them in the front. She never once tried selling me new brakes! - It's a small shop so I came back in 30 minutes and Sandra showed me the condition of the brakes. The old brakes from Bicycle Habitat were installed incorrectly and wore down improperly. She said they had some used brakes and placed them on my bike. I later found out that she never charged me for these brakes nor did she convince me to buy new brakes. - I picked up a new bell and without batting any eye, she went and put it on for me. - As I was leaving the shop, even though the shop was relatively busy, she took the time to open the door for me to leave. read more

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Once again, Sandra has shown why she and her shop are so valuable to the Brooklyn bicycling community they serve! I got yet another flat on a ride yesterday--this has been a common issue for my bike and had yet to be solved. I told Sandra what's been happening and asked for her thoughts on why I was having such bad luck. Within a minute or so of just looking at the problem wheel, she saw what the problem was. She told me that the factory-installed plastic rim tape that comes with wheels like mine is very poor design and, instead of protecting the inner tube from the rough metal hardware of the spokes, actually hardens with cooler changes in temperature when stored and, any parts of the tape that stick out even just a little bit, become sharp and basically pin-prick the inner tube, causing a blow out when met with the weight of the rider later on. This explained so well why every time I stopped biking for awhile and then returned abruptly, I would get a flat on my first ride. Needless to say, after teaching me this, Sandra quickly stopped what she was working on, changed out the rim tape for fabric tape, changed the inner tube, inflated it to the perfect psi, and walked my bike out the door for me. I was able to get the rest of my ride and all my errands done with no issues. Sandra really is the best! I can't wait to bring my bike in for a full tune up from her! read more

Thank you Sandra for making me and my husband's bikes perfectly new again! I am so happy with the service that Sandra provides at Behind Bars-if you need any bike accessories or parts, come here! I am happy to live nearby and am gla that I can bring my bike to Sandra every few months for a pick me up! read more

I brought an old bike to get a tune up here and was quoted $69. It was in perfect working order but I thought it would be nice to have it cleaned and whatever else you do in a tune up. Then the owner asked if they could get permission to repair any thing for up to $30. That was weird I thought--because the bike was old and presumably you could replace everything. I asked her to call me first before going ahead and she seemed put out by this. Sure enough she called and I authorized and $20 for part replacement. I go to pick the bike up and I notice the bill is $142 and then the guy points out that they put on a new tire. He shows me my old tire with a gaping hole that he put a finger through. Now when I brought the bike, I had just gone on a full day ride the day before. There is no way the tire and tube had a huge hole. It wasn't flat when I brought it in. It's possible there was a crack in the tire that was a concern that could have been pointed out to me to see what I wanted to do but it was still ridable at this stage. The weirdest part was that they put on the tire of a 10 speed size bike on a hybrid. So the back tire was thicker than the front. It looked stupid and I can't imagine it would ride well. I don't like thin tires riding in the city. I've been asking around and nobody I know would ride a bike with two different sized tires. She kept repeating that it was her cheapest tire and she knew I was on a budget. I never said I was on a budget, I just got a vibe that I couldn't trust her and that is why I asked her to call me for any additional repairs. Knowing this is what I wanted she went ahead and changed the tire without authorization. Cheeky. Letting a customer leave the store after having paid $100 with a bike with a flat tire (especially when I rode there on the bike) is the worst customer service. And that is why you get a bad review. . read more

Sandra runs an incredible bike shop with great service! She was super friendly and thorough- she was honest about what the bike needed and didn't try to tack on any unnecessary expenses, she sent a friendly text message reminder when the bike was ready, and she's fast! If that weren't enough, she has also founded an incredible nonprofit that builds custom bikes for children with disabilities. What an awesome shop!!! read more

Sandra has set up an amazing bike shop here. She and her staff are very welcoming and this will be a big change for anyone who's ever felt hesitant about asking questions at the other cycle shops around town. No question is stupid here and Sandra is super proactive and I feel like she's always one step ahead of me brainstorming the next way to make my ride more comfortable and complete. She really cares about her business and it shows; not only do you often find customers sharing cycling anecdotes at the counter, but oftentimes, neighbors with kids and dogs will stop by to say hello and the place feels like a real anchor in the neighborhood. That's a quality that's hard to find these days. I won't take my bikes anywhere else. read more

Sandra is, in a word, amazing. This is by far the best bike shop in Brooklyn in my opinion. Her rates are fair and she does an excellent job. I have two bikes and I bike daily so I've been in here quite a lot and never had anything but a great experience. Also, a woman-owned bike business is rare and so it's nice to support that too. read more

Awesome, friendly, non-judgmental, bike shop. Sandra, the owner, listened to what I wanted to do with my bike and came up with smart recommendations that meant I didn't have to spend a ton of money. Got my bike tuned up, a brake added, the wheel flipped, the handlebars adjusted, and a brand-new saddle, all for under $100.00. I'll be going back! read more

Great service and friendly staff! My go to bike shop for repairs and maintenance. prices are reasonable and the owner isn't greedy or out to get you at all. She always offers free advice and doesn't try to nickel and dime you. highly recommend this shop for all your bike needs read more

For context, there are two bikers in our apartment. He - a more advanced practitioner, with a custom-built road bike doing 30-mile runs. She - relatively new to bike commuting, twice a week making a 10-mile Bklyn-to-Manhattan commute on a tank of an old hybrid and still finding it a challenge. We are both very high on Behind Bars and not just because its location is so close to our apartment we can practically fall out of bed and land there -- there are other options less than 7 blocks away so we do have choices. BIKE GEAR: For such a small shop the selection of accessories is pretty amazing and well-curated. There are at least two or three selections in almost all categories. We've been happy with purchases of a pannier, fenders, rack, seat, lights, and assorted other safety gear. The usual suspects in terms of brands. Prices are standard for the area, no better / no worse. When we were unable to find the specific glove we wanted awhile back, we noted that they then ordered and carried it a short time later. The owners are eager to please and responsive to suggestions, so I think you can special order anything they haven't got on hand. BIKE SERVICE: So far we've had two. Routine tune-up for the road bike and a complete cleaning and overhaul for a bike we got from a friend that had been in dusty storage for no-joke eight years. It came back looking and riding like new. Guys in the back are quiet but obviously know their stuff. Price was very competitive with other shops nearby. Super speedy, but we were among the very first customers and we see that they have a lot more bikes coming and going, so ask about current timing. CUSTOMER SERVICE: The woman who runs the front end of things is incredibly pleasant and well-informed, which works for both of us - she can talk gearhead stuff with me; my wife, who is a more laissez-faire biker, credits the welcoming and upbeat attitude as part of the reason she's become a more routine commuter. She says: They don't make me feel stupid about bikes. That's kind of a big deal, as I was pretty much turned off any real investment in biking before by the indifference or outright sneering vibe I often got at the bike shop in our old North Slope neighborhood. Since I've had to drop a boatload of cash on this new commuting ritual - more than I'd expected - it makes a difference that I'm not paying it to people who treat me like dirt. So, big thumbs-up for this place. Worth a trip from farther out in the slope, even if other shops are closer, especially if you are a new biker who could use encouragement. read more

This is the best repair shop in Brooklyn. The prices are excellent, the repairs are done quickly, carefully and price consciously. Sandra is really kind and takes her time when explaining things to people that may be somewhat new to cycling, people like me. Thank you to the excellent staff of behind bars in brooklyn for making all my repairs stress free and affordable. read more

I love this bike repair and accessories shop. Because they only do repairs (and accessories), service is 100% of the focus - no one is trying to upsell you to buy a new bike. In addition, Sandra, the owner, is just a really nice, open and honest person. She's actually focused on helping you SAVE money by identifying issues early that may cost you more money down the road, steering you away from unnecessary work, and recommending a suitable accessory (not the most expensive). What more can I say? read more

I've owned and run bike shops for about 20 years and this is one of the best shops I've ever worked with. As I currently do not have a convenient place to do the work myself, I took my Litespeed in for a drivetrain cleaning after a winter riding NY's salted roads. I never expected the detailing Sandra delivered. It looked seriously better than when I bought the bike. Note that Behind Bars does not sell bicycles. They perform expert repairs and sell parts, accessories, and clothing. It's been my experience that boutique shops such as this, who don't sell bikes have a hard time staying in business. There are various reasons why, but I think Behind Bars has cracked the success code. In addition to their very good work and customer service, one deciding factor is the high population density of cyclists in NYC and near their store. Of course there are good shops elsewhere but if the corner of 17th St and 5th Ave is convenient for you, I highly recommend joining us in supporting this great local business. read more

Came in for a regular flat and fix, but the lady was being difficult. Experience was horrible. The lady was rude and acted like she didn't want to help, while the guy just stood there looking dumbfounded. read more

A bike accessory and repair shop that is friendly and knowledgeable! It's super easy to get to and has plenty of bike parking.

The owner of the shop -Sandra is amazing! She is very friendly, knowledgeable and fair. We've had 4 bikes go through the shop recently and she was quick and efficient. Wouldn't go anywhere else! Thanks for being in the neighborhood! read more

This has become my go to local bike shop. The owner and staff are very friendly and knowledgable. They are genuinely nice and cater to all levels of bikers. I was shopping for a few parts and accessories and was given honest advice - some which was to buy cheaper vs expensive alternatives. All the prices are reasonable and the service can't be beat. read more

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My tune-up was done well and priced around what I'd expect. They are friendly and helpful. I like how they call when the bike is ready. All good here. read more

I came here after my usual go-to bike shop, 9th Street Cycles, closed. I tried out a couple different shops - this one and Bicycle Habitat - and I am DEFINITELY sticking with Behind Bars. Sandra is welcoming and professional. She had my bike ready in the time she promised and even found some problems with it 9th Street Cycles never picked up on. My bike functions so much better for it. Bicycle Habitat, up the avenue, is practically the Walmart of bike shops. It's cold, and nobody cares about their jobs. Behind Bars is warm and does a terrific job. I'm happy to continue supporting this small business. Keep it up, Sandra :). read more

I just rode in to get my rear pannier rack fix and Sandra was very courtesy, she didn't charge me for it and even pumped up my front tire too all for free. Way to go Sandra, good to know there are people that do not charge you for everything. I will bring the bike in agin this time to get it tune up and maybe get those old tires replaces. Thank you Sandra and you will be seeing me again! read more

Friendly and accommodating. They did a great job tuning up my bike. In addition to excellent service, going here gives the added perk of supporting a woman-owned, local business. read more

A very knowledgable, friendly, efficient and thorough staff made this one of the better bike shop experiences in my time in NYC. I'm not new to biking but I'm relatively new and have had previous experiences where my lack of knowledge was treated as a grave sin. Not at Behind Bars, I was given options, the work and reasons for it were explained and the cost and time to repair were all communicated and more than reasonable. Just a fantastic experience. read more

I have a couple really good bike stores near me, but came a long way to Behind Bars to replace a tire and tube because of the good reviews, reasonable prices, and the check-in deal on Yelp (a free tube with purchase). The prices were still reasonable, but they charged an extra fee for tape on my rim (that they didn't quote me) and said that purchasing a tire didn't count as a purchase for the check-in deal, so I still needed to purchase my tube and they'd give me an extra tube I didn't really need yet. It's still nice to have, but off-putting when you go that far to check them out. If they were near me, I would try another place first for comparison. read more

Loved this shop . A nice woman, Sandy greats everyone as they come in, no matter how busy she is. A professional, friendly place!!! Some bike shops I've been to treat you like they could do w/o your business, NOT here. Welcoming at any level of cycler you are. Reasonably priced and great turn around time. HIGHLY recommend. read more

I got a flat on my way home from work in the rain tonight - these guys did me right. Couldn't have been nicer, or more competent. They fixed my flat, adjusted my brakes, laughed at my jokes and admired my bike - all for under $15. Ridiculously great. Excited to support them moving forward. read more

I have been going to Behind bars for a couple of years. Sandra takes the time to listen to what's going on with your bike when you come in. She is always upfront about what she thinks it will take to repair a bike and returns it in a timely manner. This is my go to shop! read more

Awesome bikeshop, I just stopped by and the owner checked out my Brooks saddle and immediately noticed it was damaged. She offered to repair it and even gave me a loaner saddle to use. Everyone kept in contact with me concerning the progress, and in no time I was given back my saddle which was not only repaired but already broken in for me. It was pretty much better than new. She even gave me great instructions to maintain it. Mind you my saddle was pretty old and worn out. Normally I like shopping online for my bike stuff, but this level of help can never be replicated from the web. She shows that bike shops can be friendly and helpful, and not money pits like a lot of other shops. Pricing has always been reasonable and there was never any pressure to buy anything. Just great advice and conversation. I normally never write reviews but that is just how impressed I was with the service. Defiantly my favorite brick and mortar shop. read more

Behind Bars in Brooklyn - Back to new Brooks B17. Thanks again Behind Bars in Brooklyn - Bike Repair/Maintenance Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Great service by Sandra. Also great work and my bike was quickly on the road. Sandra was also informative and helpful with other products I needed. read more

I love this store! Sandra is amazing. She is so knowledgable and welcoming and always provides the best service. I came in with an ancient tricycle which needed a lot of care and Sandra was so patient and kind to me. I LOVE her store and am so thankful for everything she has done for me. I spend a lot of time at her store and she is always so polite and willing to help anyone. Bring your bikes and tricycles in to see Sandra. She is the best!!!!! read more

this is a bike store that knows what they are doing with bikes and the owner is at the front desk with a smile and good advice. This will now be my go to bike fix it and accessories store. so glad they opened! read more

I bought myself a floor pump and some tire levers today, so I could replace some old inner tubes. I found the staff friendly and helpful, and the prices comparative to Internet + shipping costs. Sounds like a strange thing to stay, but this place had a great atmosphere about it...there was a good buzz inside, and it felt like a rider's community staple. I'll definitely be heading here for all my biking needs from now on, especially because it's a small local business. I'll be back for my service after the summer! read more

I never knew how good my bike could ride until I took it to behind bars brooklyn for a tune up!!

My very old 3 speed cruiser bike that I inherited from my grandmother conveniently broke down on the same block as this bike shop. Sandra took her time working on it and made sure that my bike was in perfect working condition before I picked it up. This bike has literally never rode as nicely as it does now and I'm super thrilled. I will definitely be coming back (and kind of out of my way) for any tune ups on one of my most prized possessions. read more