Boston Bike Shops

[seeingsparks]

Suggestions for a good local bike shop near Backbay/Copley area.

[Crankin]

I think most of us here go to shops in the suburbs, so that is probably the reason why you have received no responses.

[tulip]

International is in Allston, and Wheelworks has a shop in Cambridge, as well as their huge store in Belmont. The rents in Copley/Back Bay are just too expensive for bike shops!

[Crankin]

I was going to suggest Wheelworks in Belmont, as it's accessible by commuter rail. Also, I really liked Quad Cycles in W. Arlington. Accessible by #77 bus.
I have found the Cycle Loft in Burlington the best "all around" shop in the area.

[tulip]

Is Belmont Wheelworks now accessible by rail? Granted, it's been a long time since I lived in the Boston area, but there was no rail out there back in the day.

I could get there by taking the Watertown bus, but I can't remember the number. Anyhow, it's a close-in suburb, not far out at all. Easily accessible by bike, too.

[newfsmith]

This is the closest to what you asked for. http://backbaybicycles.com/page.cfm?pageID=331
If you go across the river to cambridge there are a number of options:
http://www.cambridgebicycle.com/
http://broadwaybicycleschool.com/
http://www.atabike.com/
Or you can take the Orange line to Green St in Jaimaca Plain, and go to the Bikes-not-Bombs shop. If your bike is rideable, you can ride down the Southwest Corridor Path to get there. http://bikesnotbombs.org/bikeshop If you are looking for a new bike, http://www.ferriswheelsbikeshop.com/ is not far from BNB.

[Crankin]

Yup, the Fitchburg Commuter train stops in Belmont center. You can see Wheelworks from the train...

[kjb]

Harris Cyclery in West Newton is the king of MA bike shops. If you're looking for gear, that's the place to go. For just a tune up, the REI in the Fenway is pretty good, as is Ski and Snow on Comm Ave.

[TripleGem]

Back Bay Bikes is my personal choice (and I live near Ace Wheelworks). To me, it's all about the relationship you build with the employees. I find the folks at BBB to be very helpful. It's a small shop, but I've never needed something they don't carry or can't order.

I've been to Landry's on Comm Ave a few times. They're good, bigger than Back Bay.

I avoid Cambridge Bikes at all costs.

[seeingsparks]

Thanks so much for all your responses guys.

I went to Belmont Wheelworks and that was not helpful or enjoyable at all. I got you're SOL with a smile.

I think I am going to start to go to ATA and use Harris as well for things. They're both out of my way but I just haven't had a good experience with anyone near my school/apartment.

Very frustrating. I just keep using my shop from Oakland.

[Crankin]

Well, ATA is geared toward racers... be prepared for an attitude. I bought my Kuota at the ATA in Concord. They treat me well, but let's just say I had to be very firm and prepared with research that *they* should have done when they sold me a frame that was just too big. They did right by me in the end, though.
If you go to the ATA in Porter Sq., they do appear to have quite a few commuter type bikes there, probably to meet the needs of the people who actually ride to get places.