I just bought my 2nd bike from Second Hand Sports. Can't rave enough about how great those guys are - they go out of their way to help you, not just in terms of selling you what you're looking for, but in doing everything they can to reduce the price, swap in better parts from other bikes on stock, make any adjustments you need based on accessories (bike bags, etc.), offer additional tune-ups at no extra cost, and all with extremely fast turn around. They have an incredible number and variety of new and used bikes to choose from, and offer amazing deals on service, accesories and replacement parts, new and used. They also have a great eye for style, and an appreciation of bike craft that is based on an individual, artisinal, hands-on approach to their work.
For anybody that wants to know the details of my experience, read on. But I would suggest just going down there and seeing for yourself. I don't think there's a comparable bike shop in all Munich, not by a long shot - much less anywhere in America, where I come from - and I've been to a number of bike shops there, in Seattle, Philadelphia, San Francisco...
Here are a few details about my experience:
BUYING A BIKE
First, they have an amazing number and variety of used bicycles, in all styles, from all times, in all price ranges. They easily have around a thousand new and used bicycles to choose from (mostly in the warehouse in back, which I would recommend checking out before making any final decision). Prices range from 200 to 2000+ euros. You can really narrow down what you're looking for, starting with style and size, etc., and then go down to the most minute details. This summer, I wanted a racing bike, slightly larger than what is suitable for my size, with a mount on the seatstay so I could attach back rack and panniers. I found a 1980s Peugot with all that. But even once I thought I'd made up my mind, they helped me be sure about it by helping me pick out a few other similar bikes and letting me test ride them around the block.
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Of course, they advised me against putting a rack on a racing bike, but when I insisted (I never got used to riding those clunky city bikes, even to get groceries - and I also do a lot of long distance) they threw in a used bike rack for free, as well as a seat bag, and assembled it for me at no extra cost. In the end, I didn't pay anything over the price that was on the bike, which was a steal at 280 euros. I had a similar experience last year when I bought my first bike there - a 1990s racing bike together with all new Shimano parts, a new rack, used saddlebags, and a sleeping bag (they carry all kinds of camping gear and outdoor sports accessories too!), plus all new tires and tubes, bike lock, front and back lights, tools, pump - all for 500 euros. And they tuned the bike, and offered an additional tune-up two weeks later at no cost. I've been riding the bike for a year (I rode it from Munich to Prague and back) but it always felt too small for me, and my girlfriend has taken a fancy to it, so I decided to buy a bigger one this year.
PARTS & SERVICE
This summer, I was riding my Peugot on its original 1980s racing rims (and with full panniers) over a few too many bumps, which bent the original rims out of shape after a couple months. So I took the bike back, and they once more went out of their way to find new replacement rims (double walled aluminum), tubes and tires, plus a new (much stronger) rack, at minimal cost. Originally, they priced out all those parts (new) at 150 euros, and threw in labor at no cost. When I came back the next day, they had got the price down to 130 euros by finding higher quality used rims. They tuned it up for free. It rides beautifully.
OVERALL EXPERIENCE
I look forward to seeing those guys again - I probably have enough bikes now, but I'll stop by next time I'm in Munich just to say hello, and chat about good long distance trips in Bavaria and beyond. There are many! read more