On Your Left Bikes

I brought my beater bike to On Your Left for a long-​overdue tune-​up, and couldn’t be happier with this little shop.
The open hours are limited, but I was able to easily set up alternate times to come in for both the drop-​off/​initial consult and the pick-​up. Prices are very fair, and your options are explained in order of importance/​cost-​effectiveness, which is super helpful. For example, I was advised to replace my brake pads and broken axle, but hold out on replacing my worn chain and cartridge until spring/​summer since the chain will rust over the winter and it wasn’t yet in such bad shape that it was a danger.

I came across On Your Left Bikes while looking online for ideas about where to buy a used bike in Ann Arbor. I was looking for a fairly budget option, a bike I can feel comfortable locking up outside in Ann Arbor and Detroit and that I wouldn’t be devastated to have stolen (although I’m not inviting that!!!). I swung by the ReUse Center hoping to get lucky, but lucky I was not. I checked Craigslist but the thought of setting up multiple appointments to check out random bikes, most or all of which I would probably decide against, sounded like more work than I was willing to put in. This is where On Your Left came in. I came across an online mention of On Your Left that noted the limited hours but praised the owner for his knowledge and fairness; it also said he carries more used bikes than apparent in photos currently online. I decided to investigate.
Initially I drove past; the signage for the On Your Left part of the business should be larger/​clearer so people know they’re in the right place. I was hesitant to enter the store simply because it did not look like a bike shop on the outside. However, I was on a mission and was undeterred. It turns out that, although the shop is small, there are indeed refurbished bikes inside. I think there were around a dozen on the day I was there. They ranged in price from approximately $ 150 and up, and included a variety of models, men’s and women’s both. If I remember correctly, there was even a child’s bike available.
I saw a bike that looked close to what I was looking for (a women’s mountain bike with a size medium frame) and asked Luciana, one of the co-​owners of the shop, if I could take it for a test ride. She got the bike out for me and told me to take it for as many spins around the block as I wanted. I did take it out for 3 brief rides, making adjustments to the seat height, checking out the gears and brakes, and taking some time to think about it. She was completely patient with me and did not try to persuade me but instead let me spend time with the bike and decide on my own. I really appreciated that since salespeople who pester customers to make a purchase will drive me away from a business every time.
I did end up purchasing the bike, an entry-​level Raleigh model with Shimano components in perfect working order for $ 160 + tax. I was fine with the price given that the bike has been refurbished wonderfully and there was nothing I had to do to get it into working order. I left feeling really happy and excited about my new used bike! Luciana was wonderful, taking time to check the air in the tires, adding more so it was in the correct pressure range, and giving me a few tips. She also said I should feel free to stop by when I need the tires pumped up. If I need repairs on this bike or on my higher-​end bike (that, alas, resides in a locked building apart from where I currently live), I will definitely return to On Your Left for those services.
There was no condescending attitude here and no pressure to buy anything. Nothing but wonderful, personal service from business owners trying to make a go of doing the things they love, adding something unique to Ann Arbor (not easy to do!) in an out of the way location that is definitely worth seeking out. I wish them all the best in their endeavor.

An extremely wonderful bike store. Changed one of my punctured inner tubes for $ 11.66 – including labor, tube, taxes and all!
They also, without my asking, helped me fix up a bunch of other stuff that was wrong with my bike (e.g. apparently I’d assembled it incorrectly, plus my brakes weren’t working).
Very glad to give a rare 5-​star.
The only small minus is that they have rather limited opening hours.

I brought my mountain bike, a Mongoose, in because it wasn’t shifting correctly. I asked Paul to take a look and give it a general tune up. He fixed the shifting problem, lubed the chain, gears, etc. and tightened my spokes, and adjusted the brakes. The price was very reasonable and it was ready in two days. This place is great for repairs. Plus they sell used bikes and cool clothing.