I went to Biketopia Community Workshop for the first time to do a thorough check and tuneup of a good bicycle. I was greeted, welcomed, and given the lay of the land of how this workshop works, by a bicycle volunteer. Biketopia is just what I need: Bike stands, coaching and the right tools. I paid for an annual membership - which is about what I could have spent at professional bicycle repair shop to accomplish what we got done and will do next time. I went to my car and brought in the Fuji endurance road bike, and was immediately to able to put it up on a free bike stand - so we could begin to see what was Up - and calling for attention. The volunteer - a veteran Berkeley cyclist - was friendly, observant and a very good coach: He observed and let me do - what I could do with relative ease - and he showed me how to do the Next Thing - right. He carefully checked the brakes, and showed me how to see exactly what was going on with the front brake . He knew how to do both the fine and gross adjustment of the brakes, and had the proper tools for each. And showed me how to adjust and fine tune the adjustment of my brakes, so I was able to do the work and have him check my adjustments. He heard and understood my report of some recent shifting issues and gear jumping. He checked and showed me how both derailleurs were shiifting and the simple adjustments we cojuld make. He offered to measure the wear of the chain. Since the chain was about 50% or 60% worn - I decided this would be a great time to replace it. The volunteer found exactly the right chain from their small inventory of new parts. He showed me how this chain's magic link worked, slighly different than the link on my current chain. Then how to install the new chain. He and i worked on the getting the derailleurs to shift just right. It took some skill I did not have - but soon I learned. Then he showed me how to check my rims for true - and how to adjust them - using their simple wheel truing apparatus and a spoke wrench and the right technique. I took good enough wheels and made them truer and better. We put the wheels back in and did a final adjustment on the brakes and derailleurs. Ready to ride for 50 mile runs - up and down the Berkeley hils - safely and smoothly. Next time I will work on improving the dish of my front wheel. This is a great place, if you want to learn how to take care of your bicycyle in a tightly packed community workshop. read more

This place is honestly amazing. I gave my friend a bike for burning man but wasn't sure if it was up to par. I saw this place and decided to check it out with her before she left. Turns out it's a community bike shop where people can bring their bikes to get repaired and even learn how to do it! We learned so much about bikes that we didn't know before. I can actually repair a bike now myself if needed. Everyone was so nice and willing to help. They have so much supplies, everything we needed was taken care of. Despite our labor taking over a hour and multiple things being fixed, we were only charged about $25. Well worth the price and quality. I appreciate this place so much and will definitely be back. read more

For the people! Community oriented, accessible and passionate folks make biketopia feel safe and enjoyable even for the beginner bikers looking to learn more about how to maintain or even build bikes. They hold events and classes pay what you can. Check out the bike garage! read more

What a generous and community-oriented spot! So helpful and warm and encouraging. I fixed a beater bike there and will be returning!

The bike shop is run by volunteers and the are passionate about providing the necessary service to get your bike in the best running condition. I needed help with a bike assembly today and the young man helping me out was so kind and knowledgeable. In just the time I was there, two people came in and needed work on their bike tires. Just an awesome place that uplifts the biking community. read more

Excellent! This is an educational experience. My bike was immediately put on the stand and the boss adjusted & explain to me how to adjust Front De-Railer. He also explained the shift sequence with these multi geared bikes. A few drops of lube on hardware the process was complete, very fast. $10.00 donation well worth it. read more

Hiro is excellent, taking his time to address some of my questions to make my bike lighter and sharing some bike knowledge with me.

It was very easy to contact them and make an appointment. They gave me solid advice and fixed my bike overnight. No stressing over the cost and payment was easy. Highly recommend. Thank you for getting my bike back on the road again! read more

This place is great. Its primary mission is to provide tools and guidance to those who want to learn to work on their own bike, for a reasonable fee. Compared to the often very high cost of taking a bike in for repairs at a more typical shop it can be a great deal...especially for less expensive or older bikes that wouldn't be worth putting hundreds of dollars into. However, I think the real value lies in learning the skills to be self reliant and tackle the issues that can and will arise while out on the road. Personally, I have little need for these particular services as I have my own little garage workshop where I restore (cobble together) old bikes as a hobby. Where Biketopia comes in for me is their huge selection of used and obscure parts. Most bike shops only stock new, modern stuff (at modern prices); so when I need some random little bit off of an old French road bike that uses some off-the-wall standard and hasn't been made since Nixon was in office....well, if I'm going to find it anywhere locally, it's probably going to be here. Or, maybe I just want to get some really cheap used parts to build a bike that I can lock up outside overnight in the shitty part of town and not think twice if I gets stolen. They got me covered. The owner is cool and the prices are fair. There aren't a ton of places like this left, so let's drop in and keep them going. It'll be a sad day when Mikes Bikes and Amazon are the only options. read more

Impressed with this bike co-op, though read whole review. First, a disclaimer: this is a shop with somewhat limited used selection, and that focuses on helping you make the repairs. Don't expect full services to be rendered at your beck and call - this is about being helped, learning as you go, and working with your hands to fix up a bike. The review: Went in on July 3rd at 6:30pm, having just had a front tire stolen and needing to be able to use my bike for the holiday weekend. We managed to find a rim that fit ($25), and with some finagling got the tube, tire, and skewer together to make it all work ($15, including all the parts), and had a shop fee of $5 - total of $45 to roll out with a working wheel, though if you're more flexible about the parts you use, you might be able to get it down within the $35-40 range. Within 90 minutes I was rolling again, all while having great conversation with the other fixers and staff during the whole time. While I hope I don't have to go back for repairs or future theft, if I need a place to work on my bike, this is the place to go - full stop. ****** An update: I woke up the morning after and discovered my wheel was flat (despite having only taken the bike a matter of yards to get home afterwards). I took it back the next day it was open (July 7, having lost the use of the bike on the 4th), and explained the problem. They quickly found a hole in the tube, located away from the ground. While the first person helping me didn't see an issue with the tire, the fellow who seemed in charge quickly assessed that the tire wasn't in condition to be sold (had a hole, and too much wear and tear, and was thrown out immediately). He found a new tire (used, but a nicer one than they originally had put on), and put on a new tube that fit moderately well (inflation value is too short, but it works reasonably well). He then charged me $20 for the new tire (on the previous day I had been told that the used tires sold for $5-15, and bought the previous for $10), and $6 for the new tube - though waving the $5 shop fee. Given that the problem arose because of a faulty tire they sold me, I wasn't very impressed with paying for a second tire and replacement tube. In the end, we settled on the price difference between the old and new tires ($10), though only because I was relatively firm in my position. Prior to going to the shop, a local had suggested it was a great place but that I "needed to be willing to stand up for myself" to avoid being pushed around. I now agree with that statement - this problem likely would have been avoided if I had stood my ground in wanting a different tire on the first day because the original looked badly worn. That said, I leave my original rating of five stars. This is a good place with good people and a good mission, and it's still somewhere I want to return to and support. At the end of the day, I felt like we settled on a fair solution, even if I was a little sad to have needed to stand my ground to feel fairly treated. I'd still highly recommend people use the shop, just be sure to ask questions and be a very active participant as you go to make sure that you get good parts put on your bike. read more

Go here and tell your friends about it when you leave. Bring your bike when you have some time to spend and Connor or anyone else wonderful will help you fix it up, replace parts, clean it, pump it, etc. - all while teaching you to do it yourself. Ridiculously cheap. This place can only get better and better and the more people that know about it, the more parts donations they can get - so do that. I only wish they had food, too. Then I wouldn't have to go away. read more

This place is a great workshop with great hours too. Even the for-profit bike shops all open at 10 or 11 and close at 6 or 7, leaving people who have to work high and dry. This place opens 4-8 and is right by the South Berkeley farmer's market, which makes it especially convenient if you go on a Tuesday. I had a problem with my rack. The staffer listened, asked questions, diagnosed the issue, and took time to resolve the problem with a quicker fix while also offering a longer-term solution I could carry out myself. This guy had the skills of an expert clinician. read more

What a great addition to the Berkeley community. Came in here to check it out to see what services they offer. Ended up leaving with a new tire (one which is rare and hard to find coz my bike is x-small). Got my new tire installed, got my chain oiled, the gears cleaned -- all for $11 (yes, including the tire!) - Thank you Elizabeth! All the tools are provided and you're charged $4-6 to use them all day. Neat place to get your bike fixed and maintained. read more

This amazing outfit teaches you how to fix your own bike and walks you through it if you have the patience to learn. Amazingly conscientious and considerate; tip these bike mentor people they deserve your support! read more

This place is a great resource for the community. Volunteer run, they will get your bike going and help you learn how to fix it, if you are patient. Bring them your unused parts! Support them!! read more

I deliver food by bicycle full time. I'm so grateful for Hiro and this place I could cry.

I don't have much to say because I never made it inside. No one was there during their business hours! After walking my bike 30 minutes here, I arrived just after their opening hour at 4pm. Because I was desperate to fix my bike that night and hopeful that someone was perhaps running late, I waited 45 minutes outside their front door, taunted by their "be back by 4pm" sign.. I called the number on the website occasionally, left a message.. and never got a call back. No updates on their website. Just a no-show. Ended up dragging my bike onto BART to the Berkeley Bike Station, where service was fast and fantastic. read more

Love this place. Helpful and talented staff. Very reasonable prices. They helped me work out the kinks in a small project and helped me choose the right parts. Neighborhood gem. read more

I've been through places almost all around the Bay Area from palo a, redwood, sf,Hayward and more but this is the most friendliest bike shop ever they will help you the best they can they don't take advantage and most esp they will teach how to fix a bike ...one the best bike mechanic ...His name is HIRO...remember that name anyways thanks men ilove my retro bike bro read more

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Owner came off like he wanted me to beg for his help in front of all his lady friends. I came with all the tools I needed, and whatever money to pay for my repair. Calls my hub a cheap disco hub and apparently just wanted to take my bike for a spin. Did not know a bike community workshop could be more snobbish than an actual bike shop. I've worked for tesla for crying out loud. The owner was acting like he was teaching rocket science to a high schooler. He gave me a rag and bunch of lip service. Sorry I didn't have time to learn this as a kid, my father was too busy building houses. Before I left he told me I "had got it". Turns out my hub was missing bearings and some ring that was originally there. read more

What a clever way to contribute to the community, using a lot of volunteer labor to offer unlimited use of bike tools and workshop knowledge for the whole day for one super low fee. Not only did I learn how to unpack, clean, and repack a coaster hub, but I had a lot of fun while doing it. On any given day, different members are there with special knowledge about different bikes, pretty rad if you ask me. Highly recommend. read more

I'm a bicycle commuter. Don't own a car. This is a neighborhood shop for me. I'm female. Unfortunately, that mattered in one of these scenarios. First time in. I had parts stolen off my bike in DT Berkeley. Guy at the counter was AMAZING. Found me the 2 parts- the quality was very high. $2. He didn't know I had just been laid off. I almost cried with happiness. Second time in. I had the same parts stolen off my bike in DT Berkeley again. Different guy at the counter found me 2 mismatching parts. He pointed out that if the hole was drilled out on one part it would work. He asked if I had a drill at home. I said "yes". He asked if I knew someone who knew how to use it. Notice he didn't ask if I knew how to use it... but did I know "someone". He actually asked that unbelievably stupid and sexist question. There was a young woman working on her bike in the shop who got to hear his sexism 2nd hand. For a far lower quality but otherwise identical part than the first visit: $10. I decided not to say anything at the time of the visit because I was in a position at that moment where I couldn't pay more and I needed transportation. I could not afford to rouse his antagonism and a higher price by calling him out in the moment. Thus... this yelp. I would say it was a reasonable price (even though 5x more than the first visit) but that doesn't factor in the price of dignity. I hope he was an exception and the first visit was the rule. I used to tell everyone how great that place was. Now I tell them this story. We don't need that kind of misogyny posing as something community oriented. Misogyny is never community oriented. read more

An incredible, extremely affordable community shop. You can bring your bike in and get help from the friendly and knowledgeable workers who will help you fix what needs fixin' and will not just do it for you, but will show you how to do it yourself. A great way to learn! You pay only about 4-6 dollars per hour to 'rent' the space and then pay for whatever parts they provide. Such an affordable alternative to bringing your bike in to a shop, but ever better, you learn how to do your own repairs! God bless the gear heads! read more

No-nonsense place for you and your bike. I always felt somewhat uneasy at bakeshops... I go there when I know something needs to be done, but I am usually confused about what's critical, what's optional and what is nice to consider. Got over those days once I found these people. I was shown, hands on, what parts make what kind of impact on my riding and how to adjust them, myself. Liberating! Contrary to a place where you leave your bike for 2-3 days (which always felt like a black box to me), here you decide what you want to fix yourself, what you want to delegate to the shop, and what to leave alone - until you get more time, or save up some cash, or forever. I started with fixing flats and making basic adjustments; got my first annual membership at that point (saves you money almost instantly; $40-60, sliding). Got serious help with wheels alignment and rear derailleur on the vintage bike I picked up at a garage sale. Learned lots of useful stuff in the two-day bike mechanics class last summer (economically, the best way to start your membership). The main thing though, is I've got a place (and people) to bug anytime I have a question, a concern, or just want to chat bikes. The shop use fee is so low and the combined knowledge is so extensive - makes it truly a one stop shop. read more

Biketopia is the best. Helpful and kind staff, DIY bike maintenance shop in south Berkeley. Not only does your bike work better, but you'll learn how to maintain your bike to keep it running smooth. Great asset to the community. Thanks Biketopia! read more

I'm biased since I'm friends with the founder of Biketopia, but nevertheless, I love it a ton and wanted to write a review! Biketopia is similar to the Bike Kitchen in San Francisco - a great place to come fix your bike and get one-on-one help doing it from volunteers who donate their time. There are also classes you can sign up for to learn about basic bike maintenance and mechanics... so you can tune up your bike yourself instead of paying $100 to get it done for you, fix your own flat when you're commuting to work, or get rid of that annoying squeaky noise your brakes are making. Or, if you already know how to fix your bike, just drop in to use the tools! I'm thrilled to have a place like this in Berkeley/Oakland. :) And also excited that Biketopia will be helping urban youth by teaching bike mechanics skills and offering internships! The only reason I'm giving Biketopia 4 stars instead of 5 is that it's still small - they can accommodate about 6 people at a time. It'll be even better once they're able to serve a larger number of cyclists at once. Also, I actually met the founder, Zach, when he helped me fix my bike. So I can attest, in an unbiased way, to his patient explanations and generosity. He really cares about helping people understand how their bikes work so they can fix them themselves. He has recruited a strong set of board members and volunteers who share this mission. read more

I have been back to Biketopia several times since my first visit. Every time the service is phenomenal and the prices are unbeatable!

It's me, Sam G., reminding you that not only is Biketopia loved by the people, but by the proprietors. Love working here - definitely one of those "if you love what you do, you never work a day" sort of places. read more

Today I looked at my bike tire and realized just how bald it was. Then I thought about how squeaky the bike has been, and how hard it's been to ride up hills in the last week or so. I had heard about Biketopia so I went to check it out. For $5, Colin helped me replace my tire (I already had the tire, paid for that elsewhere), helped me check my tire pressure, showed me how to adjust my brakes, and showed me how to check all the gears. Wow! This place is amazing and everyone should go there and support them. You just go during the time they're open, use their tools and bike stand, and get help and guidance from the volunteers who work there, and totally know their stuff. They were friendly and positive and didn't make me feel dumb for not knowing how to work on my bike. And now my bike works a lot better and I didn't have to leave it anywhere or pay a ton for a tuneup. read more

Amazing community service. Lauren and Hero were instrumental in showing my wife and I how to perform four true-ups, break replacement, and making our wheels glisten, for less the $20!! Thanks for everything - will definitely be back, but hopefully not too soon ;-) read more

I came in with completely unusable front brakes and a funny noise coming from my back wheel and extremely little bicycle knowledge. The folks there were all friendly and helpful, the guy who worked with me (Warten?) was great, and really taught me how to do things instead of just doing them for me. I left with my wheels spinning smoothly, my brakes much better adjusted and working great AND my rear gear shifter working again, which I hadn't even been concerned about. Plus a bunch of new knowledge about how bikes work! Two minor parts and all that learning/labor - $12. What a great place! read more

Nice folks, helped me in working out a few issues and were fun to talk to. They're pretty creative with the many low cost options for upgrading your bike! No pressure for the fee, I wasn't even sure where to put it so when I saw the jar I just grabbed a wad of ones out of my pocket. Might have been a little assuming about my skill level with fixing my own bike, but that's my fault for making a rookie mistake that was messing up my wheel. Will definitely be back. read more

Super friendly, helpful, willing to teach you. Inexpensive compared to a traditional shop. I recommend you donate extra if you can.

I was riding back from work when I got a flat tire (my first ever, and, since I'm not that knowledgeable about bikes, felt pretty helpless). I was already resigned to a long walk pushing my bike, thinking there would be no bike shop open, when as if by magic, I walked past Biketopia. The mechanic there very generously offered to fix my flat, replaced the tube, scrutinized the tire for anything that could have punctured the tube, and kindly explained what he was doing. It totally made my day, and I was able to get home on two wheels. Highly recommend, and will not hesitate to go back whenever I need some bike expertise. read more

The best local bikeshop in town, because it teaches you maintenance instead of charging you for a quick fix. The best investment you can make. Both mechanics are great and friendly, good instructors, patient and kind. read more

Great prices, accessible staff and an overall fun environment to work on your bike. Don't expect an expedited trip, but you will learn something in the process. I would highly recommend this establishment to anyone who lacks the tools, but is familiar with minor bike repairs, especially if you would like to increase your knowledge and proficiency for fixing your own ride. read more

I brought an old beat up bike to Biketopia expecting them to tell me it was a lost cause. Hiro helped me and walked me through the repair with the highest degree of customer service. Super cool guy that knows alot about bike repair. Great price for service and parts! Highly recommended read more

Service here is hit or miss. Sometimes the people can be really helpful and sometimes I have had to bring my bike back shortly thereafter for another tuning. That said, the service is free (but the workshop does accept donations). The other problem is that they don't always have the appropriate spare parts. When they do have the parts, you can often choose from a new or used part and you will only be charged for the part not the labor which is awesome. If I wanted to learn all the intricacies of bike maintenance, I could just come here and tune up my bike myself. Every time I have been here, the staff have been really friendly. read more

they helped me find a tire, tube, liner, and slime for my tire and at a very reasonable price. And i got help installing it. If i can add another carls jr. star i would. read more

Biketopia is the best! I first went there not knowing how to fix a flat. After going in periodically over a couple years, I came away with a solid working knowledge of basic repairs and maintenance. The people who volunteer at Biketopia are amazing, and I can't thank them enough for the bike education I got there! read more