Down to earth and very nice. They have helped me on my mountain, commuter, and road bikes.

Great service. Community-minded. Volunteers for Team in Training. Tom and Mark are good people.

I have used this shop for hard to find repair parts for my old Campagnolo shifters. They stock them, so saved me a lot of repair time for my bike! Although I ended up doing the repair myself, their cost estimate to do the repair seemed very reasonable. What a great service, and they are also very friendly. read more

Amazing experience and results. I haven't had anyone even suggest they could rebuild my campagnolo shifters without sending them out - and let along within a day. By they did. Experienced, knowledgeable, and just good people. Exceptional work and I couldn't be more impressed. Very detail oriented. Truly earned my business. Have a great selection of apparel and accessories too Thanks!! read more

VeloTech is a great place to take your bicycle for work. I've had Tom work on my bikes for years and his work is always impeccable and he is always willing to go the extra mile to get you back on the road. From building rock solid wheelsets, to tuning your bike, to removing that brake caliper bolt that broke flush with my frame - whatever it takes, Tom is the mechanic you want to work on your bike. I've also had Mark do a bike fit for me and he got me dialed in, answered all of my questions and offered to tweak things once I had a chance to ride for a while and see if I wanted to change anything. Just friendly, solid, experienced advice and the difference in how comfortable my bike felt afterwards was noticeable. Both Tom and Mark are super friendly, never talk down to you, and are willing to help anyone that walks in with what they need. I can't recommend this shop enough. read more

I've been going to this great little shop in the Palo Alto downtown for more than a decade. I believe my bike buddy introduced me this shop when they first opened it. So this review is quite overdue. Still I wanted to finish this. Mark and Tom run the shop as owner. All the road biking needs of mine are met by them. Never disappointed. However, this shop is not for everyone. They are focused on serious road bikers. Still they are really nice folks so that they will help out anyone for their bike issue, if you ask. Since they are a small shop, they only offer a small set of products. Some customer may be put off of the fact. But I like that, since they sell only things that they like. I don't have to research around before buying things. Just ask Mark. Tom is their master tech. He is one of the most capable bike tech I know. Knowledgeable and skilled. Often he goes to help bike races as a tech. I have been riding on wheels that Tom has custom built for me. BTW, both of the owners are serious bikers. While I was picking out wheels, Tom has shared his bike trip experience across the US, saying "You know prebuilt wheels are nice. But if something goes wrong in the middle of nowhere, it is just not possible to fix them." If you are seriously into road and cross biking, they can satisfy your needs by their personal service. Then, you can just enjoy riding. read more

Tom is the premier Campagnolo expert in Northern California, bar none. I was referred to VeloTech by a very close and longtime friend who has gone to their shop for many years with his Campy equipped bikes. I had a unique problem with a Motobecane Le Champion disc with a carbon fiber frame with a Campagnolo Record 11 groupset and H 11 brakes. The brakes were rubbing in the front and back because the mounts on the frame were uneven. I had techs from 3 other shops look at it before I wised up and brought it to Tom at VeloTech. Tom faced the mounts on the frame and added a shim for the rear mount. He also changed up the rotor to accommodate my weight. My bike rides like the wind now without any brake rub! Yes, Tom is truly the paramount Campagnolo expert in Northern California. He's a great guy, super friendly, and his prices are incredibly reasonable. He's also a fellow hardcore Giants fan!!! It's a honor watching this man work and witnessing his depth of experience and knowledge. He's like a mad scientist with a bike, capable of solving any problem. He is a true expert, and a man whose love for bikes and cycling is real and genuine. VeloTech is now my go to bike shop and Tom is my go to bike tech!!! read more

Highly recommended for a walk-in service. Price is reasonable. I had taken my bike to Menlo Velo (another local store) for a derailleur tune up. They had recommended a $300+ fix and suggested it's better to buy a new bike. VeloTech did the derailleur tune up for $20!!!! Menlo Velo is no longer in business. Disappointing, but I'm glad I found VeloTech. read more

Just picked up my 52 year old track bike. It was suffering a bad bb. But they've made it awesome again. Sublime. When I dropped it for repair I'd feared they would balk at the age. Oversell repairs. Mistreat it. Get snooty. But no. They are wonderful. Took great care. Returned it fast, perfect, at a fair price, brought it out of the shop literally wrapped in bubble wrap (which, worry not, they reuse) and only fixed that's what needed fixing. I'm happy. Grateful. It's just a bike repair, but VeloTech, thanks, much, for making it happen and getting it right. And for being so easy to work with. Best Robert read more

Excellent top notch service on both vintage 70's steel and modern carbon road bikes. Very knowledgeable and experienced. Best in the area!!!

We love this place!! Tom and Mark give excellent service. We take our bikes every 3 - 4 months and we are very happy.

Ok, I almost don't want to write a public review, for fear that the place will be swamped with customers and I won't be able to get my little baby in for her tuneups. Tom is a superb mechanic and a great guy. The first time I took my bike to the shop (converted living room of a house a couple of blocks away from the current 'real' shop) I thought I'd gone to the wrong address. When I stepped inside the door to see a line of HIGH-end bikes (lined up for service) hanging on the wall, I knew Tom was the real deal. When I picked up my bike, I shamefully mentioned that I forgot to ask him to keep the brake levers "loose". Tom's response: "Oh, I did that." "How did you know?" I asked. "Well, I do it by the size of the bike. Small bike usually means small hands, means looser brake levers." SOLD! I don't have that testosterone-induced need for the latest-greatest-lightest-carbonest bike parts and accessories, so I haven't bought any "stuff" from Velotech, but no one but Tom touches my bikes any more. :) I should add that my first Velotech bike tune-up was bought at a charity auction. (Tom had donated it.) I like to support people like that. read more

Velo Tech Cycles - Bikes Near Me - Palo Alto, California

By far the best road bike service experience I've had in the area. It was easy to schedule, priced about the same as other shops, but Tom's care and focus went above and beyond. Highly recommend if you have a bike you care about. read more

I walked in seeking a very specific wheel and fit. Despite the world bicycle shortage, they had exactly what I was looking for. Was very knowledgeable with what would fit, etc., and they were spot on. read more

Great service and you know exactly who is working on your bike. I've brought my Pinarello GAN here twice for service and both experiences were great. First time was a few months ago to get brake calipers installed and this time around to get a crankset/power meter installed. Great attention to detail, quick turnaround time and very well priced labor/service. At some larger shops with several mechanics, the quality of service and skill can vary greatly between the mechanics. At Velotech, you can be quite certain it is Tom working on your bike and he will do great quality work. Highly recommend and Velotech continues to earn my business. read more

i live not too far from this shop (as well as Palo Alto Bicycles) and i've walked past it a number of times while running errands. I'm a keen road cyclist, but this shop has always intimidated me: clearly a shop for hard-core cyclists owned and run by same. The bikes, clothes, shoes, helmets, etc VeloTech sells is a tightly curated collection from among the very high end. I've been a steady customer (it is my local bike shop of choice) for the past three years: purchased two bikes, non-routine repairs etc, shoes, various items of clothing, etc. I love this shop. Internet shopping gives us enormous choice and the best price among the mountain of gear available; against this, few local bike shops are able to add any value. VeloTech is an exception: the owner (Mark) is a hard-core, passionate road cyclist who knows (and likely uses or has used) every product he sells. I have enough experience with road bikes and the attendant kit to know when someone is trying to feed me bs. Does not happen here. VeloTech has no shop assistants (i think the owner's wife helps out when it is really busy on weekends) and only one wrench, Tom, is a master mechanic. If you bring your bike in, you know who will be working on it--it is in very good hands. Road cyclists are snobs--you show up for a weekend meetup ride and if you are the new guy, you will be quickly evaluated based on your frame, drivetrain, clothes, shoes, etc. The VeloTech guys are friendly and patient, but extraordinarily knowledgeable read more

This is a one-of-a-kind, really wonderful, shop. The two people who you meet there, Mark and Tom, have immense knowledge and love their work and their sport. They spend a lot of time with their customers, answering questions, teaching, advising, talking about their experiences. They like problem solving and are excellent at doing it--about what to buy and why, and about how to fix thorny bicycle breakdowns. While the bikes and bike gear sold are definitely high end, and many of the customers are serious cyclists, people like me who do cycling for fun and exercise--not to race or set personal records--are welcomed and well cared-for. They never push you to buy something you don't want or need. It is a joy to find a place with such experts, no snobbery, and really superb advice and bike care. I've been going there for many years and look forward to many more. read more

I've been to several bike places in the area looking for someone to help me with my RadWagon (e-cargo-bike). I'm so thankful to have found Tom at VeloTech. He's had great availability, and is open and direct about what my bike needs. Other bike places have been hesitant to work on my bike (it's BIG, and a lower-end bike), but it didn't seem to phase Tom. Repair costs were very reasonable, and quick. read more

This is a great bike shop. Mark is very knowledgeable and has a great work ethic. I took my bike in for a minor issue. He took it for a quick spin, identified the problem and fixed it in no time. On top of it, he is a super nice guy. Highly recommend this place read more

I highly recommend taking your bike here for service. I was in a fairly bad bike accident and my bike was definitely a bit banged up. I took it into Tom at Velo Tech. He was great!! Tom did a safety check and went over everything with me. He did not talk down to me. He fixed everything and got me back on the road for a very reasonable price. Mark was also super friendly and came and introduced himself. You can feel great giving this shop your business! They are trustworthy, friendly, thorough and don't gouge you. read more

I need a new pair of socks, cuz Velo Tech just knocked mine off (again). Today I went in because I had a little unique issue (tubeless tire, lost the valve stem insert). Nobody locally had the valves, but when I popped into Velo Tech, they were able to fix the existing stem without all the nasty, gooey trouble of removing the tire and replacing the stem (which, if you have done before, is a super messy difficult wrestling match to perform). In less than five minutes I was in and out the door. A few weeks ago I was hunting for some help with a PowerTap that would not communicate with the hub. I had some attempts at help, but the same gent at Velo Tech who helped me today (hitting self in head for not getting name, but will do that) fixed up the PowerTap. He even had to lookup some info online and he did it on the spot. I cannot say enough about the five star customer service I received the first time I went in, and the second (today). Anyone who treats people off the street this well is worth visiting again. Go there! Buy stuff! They carry some amazing Italian rides in the store, and they carry the good stuff (Lezyne pumps, Assos chamois cream, for example). The bikes on hand are covered in my drool. The shop is small but really well done. They know what they are talking about. I would trust my high end rig here anyday! read more

Do you remember your favorite little shops from the pre-online shopping days? The ones where they took time to explain things, where they took great pride in getting things exactly right, where they took the time to get to know you as a customer and where the people in the shop were someone you would have had a beer or dinner with and enjoyed the conversation? This is that shop, built for people who really love the sport of cycling by two great guys (Mark and Tom) who love the sport. You don't come here for Internet prices or breadth of selection and the lack of service that come with them, you come here if you want a curated collection of the best stuff and for some of the best bikes in the world hand built to your wants and needs. read more

Velo Tech Cycles - Bikes Near Me - Palo Alto, California

I'd been searching for a shop to build up my new road bike for a while now, and hadn't found any that I was really certain about. Since the bay area is full of shops, I tried searching around on here, and when I found Velotech's Yelp page with nothing but five star reviews, I was intrigued. I had to know for myself, and I had just obtained the last part needed for my custom-built-frame-dream-road-bike. I took everything down to the shop and was met by Tom, who you can tell within a few seconds is incredibly passionate about what he does. The shop itself feels like a place where you could just sit and talk bikes for hours, a comfortable place where anyone is welcome. I handed over all of my parts and the frame I had built myself, and let Tom work his magic. There were hardly any issues, but Tom made sure to ask me about everything beforehand. When, as it turns out, I accidentally bought the wrong handlebars, he researched good replacement options for me and put in the order. There was never any pressure to upgrade parts, and I had good vibes in the shop (no holier than though attitudes here - everyone is equal). When I got a call to come in to place the brake hoods and possibly get a fitting, I headed over to the shop and was nearly in tears when the bike came out. It was beautiful. That was when I met Mark, who knew exactly how to do a proper fitting. He watched me pedal with my bike on the trainer, took measurements, used plumb lines, and made small adjustments that made all the difference. He explained what he was doing as he made adjustments, so I could understand how changing certain things would affect my position, and what that meant for me as a cyclist. After a few minutes and some adjustments, I was perfectly aligned and fit to the bike! Not knowing I would be able to take it home after the fitting, I was ill prepared to ride from Palo Alto to Burlingame. Tom and Mark lent me a helmet and made sure I had a full water bottle to get home okay. They also helped me with the route (turns out part of the road I was planning to take was closed!) so my ride was easy and worry free. My bike rides like a dream. The fit is absolutely spot on, everything is tuned to perfection, and Tom's attention to detail makes it look like a masterpiece. Riding that bike home was one of the best rides of my life, and I don't think I stopped smiling even when I hit a few 10% grades. From now on, I know where I'm taking my bikes. Mark and Tom, you guys are awesome. Thank you for helping me build my dream bike! read more

This neighborhood bike shop offers a different fitting process than other shops in the area like Chain Reaction, palo alto bicycles, sports basement, rei, goride bikes, etc. Mark uses a fitting bike that can be manipulated to the size and geometry of the bike you are interested in to see if it is appropriate for you. It is as if you are on that bike. In this manner, you can different "bikes" while he ensures it is the appropriate fit by taking measurements while you're on it. The fitting process for a new bike is around $150 but is free when you buy the bike. This isn't the kind of shop that will have a ton of bikes on hand for you to peruse. You'll probably be ordering from a catalog. I ended up with a bianchi infinito, and it's pretty awesome. Free tune-ups for the first year. Good customer service. Not exactly the place to come if you're a newbie, but i'm sure you'd be welcome. It caters to the serious cyclist... or the pretenders (like me!) read more

I am a big rider and I like to go fast (F = Gm1m2/r2.) When you're pressing over the handlebars at 45+mph and you look down over your inch wide tire -- faith in your mechanic is critical. Tom and team, built my bike to spec and it has been flawless in its operation for 6 years now. In addition to the quality of service, the prices are fair if not very competitive. I am big fan and in a town with more bike shops than Starbucks -- VeloTech is the first one I recomend and its the only one I trust to work on my bike. read more

I'm brand new to biking and knew I needed to get my new-to-me bike fitted. I had walked by VeloTech a couple of times so decided to pop in sans bike to see what kind of bike shop it was. I talked with Mark for a few minutes who was super nice so I decided to ride in the next day to have my bike adjusted. This place is AWESOME. Mark basically spent 2 hours helping me find shoes, pedals and tires that fit my budget and beginner status. He explained everything to me in detail without making me feel dumb (and I knew ZERO about bicycles), explained why he made the adjustments he did and told me to come back if anything was uncomfortable. He even gave me some pointers on places to ride and showed me how to put the batteries in my flashing tail light (like I said, I knew nothing). I'll definitely be back here whenever I need anything. Thanks for all the help Mark! read more

Follow up review: I went back to give them a second chance. I asked Mark (in the store) to give me a quote on a Colnago with the listed components I wanted. After relutantly doing it, I received a verbal quote. I then asked Mark to put the breakdown on my list. He was not happy. When I asked why his quote was so high. His answer was that because they are VeloTech, and that is why. The truth is that I built that very Colnago with only 2/3 of the price of VeloTech quoted elsewhere, and the store worked with me every step of the way with delight. read more

These guys are so nice. I walked in and told them I was not going to purchase a bike from them, because I could not afford one, but I had some questions. They were SO nice! Answered all my questions and even helped me play a joke on by cyclist friends by taking a picture of me with a $17,000 bike, which I then texted to all of them telling them that I had purchased it. So great! read more

Mark and Tom have been amazing. In the past year I bought 2 Colnago's. A C64 Disk and CX Zero Disk. Both bikes have been getting tune ups and any issues sorted out by Tom, including getting the C64 built by him once I received it from Italy. They have an amazing selection of bikes as well, and can help with builds too. Definitely must stop, especially even more so if you have any Italian bikes (pinarello, colnago, Bianchi, De Rosa Ect.) read more

These guys cater to serious cyclists. Everything I have purchased here and every piece of advice I have received has been spot on. Need I say more? read more

I love Velotech. They are a shop that listens to their customers, have your best interest in mind, and are genuinely friendly and fun to talk to. When I was new to cycling, I was looking for a shop to get a pair of shorts. I traveled to 15 different stores in the area, and Velotech was the only shop where they listened to my wants and asked me questions about what i wanted to do. After we talked for about half an hour, i left the store telling them i needed more time and visited a few more shops. I came back and bought my first pair of bib shorts (which they turned me on to) and have never looked back since. Tom and Mark definitely make the shop what it is. Tom is the best mechanic and always willing to answer my questions. Mark is extremely knowledgeable, and happy to share his years of experience. The two of them are extremely warm and friendly. And it's the kind of shop where they will remember your name when you come in. The bikes in the shop are gorgeous. Pinarello, Colnago, Pegoretti, it's like seeing pieces of art. The products that they carry are top notch, and products that Tom and Mark have tested and used themselves. Go check it out, you couldn't be better served. read more

Mark and Tom, the owners, are very knowledgeable about bikes and helped me choose and build the best bike I've ever ridden, a Colnago Prestige. Tom is the only person I'll let touch my bike for tune ups. His attention to detail is second to none and my bike is always riding smooth. In choosing my bike sizing, they have an Argon fit bike which can be configured to any frame geometry. The bike fit is perfect! Awesome place to just hang out too, kinda like a coffee shop where people are talking with people about their rides and gear. Very friendly atmosphere and they takes their time to explain everything about the bike. Oh, they carry really nice accessories and clothing as well. Love this shop and if you're in the neighborhood, or not, you should do yourself a solid and stop by. read more

I've seen bike shops from New York to Colorado to here. Lots of shops. These guys are pro. Great service, solid selection of high-end Euro-parts and accessories. And they "get it". Cycling is about more than a yellow wristband, shaved legs and rockstar girlfriends (although they seem like nice perks). In Europe, where it all began, it is a culture that people grow up in. They talk about it. They live, breathe and drink bikes. This shop exudes that culture. They have a couch in the shop. Yeah, a soft, comfy couch where you can sit, drink espresso, talk about bikes, and reminisce about the days of Copi, Bartoli, Hinault and LeMond. If those names mean anything to you, go visit Matt at the shop. read more

I love this place. It's so hard to say who's my favorite between this and another shop I like (and it's only these two I really like and would put serious $ into). I took my ride for a tune up here. Mark was great and very accomodating. Tom was the tech/mechanic and answered all my questions . I get too inquisitive at times from too much analysis/attempts to learn. And he was very patient with me. Fast forward later, I fell because I was impatient not to clip-out while waiting for yellow on cross traffic to be red. I fell and I my rear derailleur hit the curb a little. I feared something was wrong, and there was something wrong but I lived with it for a couple of weeks until I got fed up. Called to see if I needed an appointment but they said it was just a quick thing; just drop by. I wasn't expecting tune-up type price for the fix, but let's just say they really took care of me and quick. For a Palo Alto based shop, it's not Palo Alto based rates I think (lower then their competitors down the street I think). Pretty much comparable to another shop I'd bring it to but cheaper if I factor in gas and time as this is closer to my work, and probably home. This is a high-end shop, most bikes build from the ground up. I would love an exotic bike one day and this is probably the place I'll get it. Bar none - best customer experience I've had. I've been to shops in San Francisco, Palo Alto, Los Altos, Cupertino, Sausalito, Castro Valley, and maybe a couple more. This is my favorite shop today. read more

Tom...the bike whisperer...that's all I can say! Both Mark and Tom offer the best of everything, especially customer service. I don't buy much bike stuff, but try and send as much business to them as possible. Anytime I have a question, Tom can and does answer it....he's always willing to help. read more

I first heard of this hole-in-the-wall gem with raves from my friend Becca, who'd dropped off her bike at Velo Tech since they were her Team in Training's official mechanic. They had really nice mechanics despite their focus on high end bikes and components. They carry Pinarello, Calfee (sorry, those are memorable only 'cause I'd happened to be frame shopping earlier this year) and other high end manufactured and custom frames. A couple of months later they were able to true an airplane-damaged wheel for me on the same day as my desperate phone call, and did an excellent job. Okay, and fine, they were cute! read more

This is where you take your racing bike for maintenance, nowhere else! You also come her to buy the latest and greatest Italian eye/leg candy :) It is a small shop that is ran by two guys who give great customer service. They sell expensive, high-end Italian stuff but their service, also high-end, is very reasonably priced. I never bought a bike from them but they always gave me great service and knew exactly what to do. They actually saved me money as oppose to another shop, *cough* Palo Alto Bicycles *cough*, who once told me I needed $200+ worth of parts plus labor to fix a shifting problem that Tom fixed for a small fraction of the cost without replacing anything. 500 miles since and everything still works like a charm. Definitely check them out! read more

I needed my bike fixed and tuned up. Tom is an absolute pro. He realigned and fixed my drivetrain in no time. Mark was super knowledgeable as well. I was looking to upgrade my bike and he knew exactly what was compatible with my bike. These guys are the best. read more

Tom is the star here. Mark, the aging grey guy pro-racer wannabe, is slow on the uptake and fairly arrogant. I'd skip the grandpa and work directly with Tom, the one who really supports the shop's reputation. -Laura read more

Don't let the size of the store deceive you. For those who are patient and are looking for quality European cycling frames, apparel and accessories, this store has it. If you are looking for a Specialized, Trek or Mongoose - try Mike's. The staff is friendly and knowlegdable. A bike purchase should parallel buying a men's suit - these guys cover the fit and detail associated with a bike purchase. read more