First off I just wanna say I rarely leave reviews for businesses but I wanted to share my experience with el Sobrante Cyclery. I'm from Omaha and was visiting the Bay Area with family and really wanted to go to a legitimate bike shop in CA. Admittedly, I was intimidated going because I've never been to CA and wasn't sure what to expect. Sometimes, in my experience, dudes can be rude and condescending to anyone who has basic or little knowledge about all that goes into BMX. However, that was not the case with el Sobrante. I went in and was immediately impressed with the handlebar selection, stems, sprockets, tires, bar grips and even hella compete bikes for sale. Plenty of great brands to choose from (my only suggestion would be to stock less GT, unless it sells it Cali which it probs does so ignore me). I ended up getting a set of Rant cranks and some Shadow Vultus SG bars. Both in chrome. Very stoked. Chatted with the First Gentleman that helped me for a bit and even got a YouTube channel to one of his buddies...then it was time to come back home to NE. Went to pack up my bars and realized they weren't gonna fit. No matter what. I went back in and they couldn't refund me bc I lost my receipt some how (however, the 2nd gentleman that helped me tried many, many ways to refund me and help me, we simply ran out of options) so I exchanged my cranks and bars for a set of Stevie's from Primo. Unfortunately they are 24mm spindle and I was provided a 22mm and didn't realize it until I was back home. I called them up expecting them to tell me "tough luck" bc I was back in NE and they could have easily said "eh, oh well" but instead I explained what happened and was told they'd need to talk to the boss and they'd call me back. So I waited 5 business days and after not hearing anything back, went ahead and just bought my own 24mm bracket from S&M...wish I woulda waited a little longer bc they did end up calling me back today 7/24 and are sending out a new 24mm bracket for free Although, the first time I bought the primo cranks, they should have came with 24mm primo BB, not sure why it didn't? Also, I had to pay for the incorrect 22mm BB they incorrectly gave me, so I've bought 2 Bottom Brackets and now have a "free" one coming. I spent $80 when I didn't need to in the end. I guess, the more I think of it, I intended this review to be mainly positive, as they did do what they said they'd do in the end and did try to help me the best we knew how. I guess I was just frustrated I couldn't use the cranks I over paid for when I got home and bought a bracket the same. day they called to tell me one was gonna be sent haha. But all in all I'd recommend for sure. Great dudes, really nice and easy to work with and I want to support them. It was a weird situation with my cranks and I'm happy it's all worked out. Life moves on! Thank you el Sobrante for being chill and having such a cool spot to check out! If you're into BMX and in the east bay this is the spot! read more