Bicycle Habitat

This is one of the best bike shops in brownstone brooklyn. I recently purchased my first road bike from Bicycle Habitat. The staff was incredibly patient walking me through the process, helping to find the right bike for me, and even accompanying me on a test ride. They take tremendous pride in helping thier customers out (I was in the store a bunch and watched the staff interact with a lot of people.) They are knowledgable, with a diverse amount of bikes, and trustworthy mechanics.

I’ve been to each of their shops for one reason or another and have had great experiences at each. Lafayette? One word. Hal. He knows bikes, cats, dogs, people — probably in that order! Wonderful mechanic, doesn’t pull any punches and has myriad time-​saving advice. Do you really know the best way to put air in your tire? You sure? Hal will be the judge of that!
Three years ago I bought my bike at the Lafayette store but since moving have gotten most of the work done at the 5^th Ave store. Emily fitted my bike and honest to maude it feels like a whole new bike. I can’t believe I waited this long. Get yourself fitted everyone. It’s worth every penny. I got a tremendous ‘commuters tune up” a year ago and have only had to adjust very, very small everyday things since then.
Look. They showcase fair prices, precise mechanics and have an on-​point activist edge that will have you loving your bike more than you already do. What’s to lose? Charlie and Hal have been riding NYC since before most reading these reviews were born. They simply and completely know their stuff.

This is my favorite bike store chain, hands down. I purchased a trek a few years ago that was stolen and when I went back to get a new one this year. I was really delighted when they took that into account and gave me a discount. Everyone in the store is super knowledgeable, super friendly, and never push any merchandise on you. Just good vibes!

Great customer service and very informative! Way better than 718 bicycle and Verazzano bikes store. If you looking to buy a bike, this is the place! Highly recommended. Excited to pick up bike in few days!

This place is great. Plenty of choices of bikes and accessories. The service guys are great and do quick work and so far no problems. I’m actually having them build my brand new 2016 s works Tarmac. Deff worth stopping by

Every time I walk into this shop I get help, answers and suggestions. Everyone is friendly and helpful and they never talk down to me or try to up sell me anything. They have helped flame my enthusiasm for riding and are always responsive where I call or stop by.
Need a bike, ask for Libby. I’m sure everyone else is good, it’s just that Libby is GREAT!

The staff is great and extremely friendly.
My experience with buying a bike was quick because I knew which one i’m going for and both sales and mechanics were awesome.
This shop is definitely my to go to bike shop.

I was shopping for my first road bike and Bicycle Habitat was one of many bike shops I stopped by. They act «friendly» but they can’t care less about newbies like myself.
First time I stopped by, this elderly lady showed me a few bikes I would be interested but she said I can’t not test ride it since she is letting other customer test ride. (Not the same bike, totally different bikes). I was bit discouraged but I decided to come back later.
Second time I stopped by, the girl, Emily, helped me. She seemed friendly enough but I could tell she is one of those bike snobs and she was obviously frustrated by my not knowing what I want. Although she let me test rode 3 bikes.
What upset me about this girl was first, she FLIPPED OUT on me when I made a joke about how road bikes are more expensive than my first car. I get it, they get stupid jokes like that every day, but I was making a conversation since she was acting so bitchy. Then I decided to have my bike customer built from Surly frame and she was supposed to send me an estimate in the evening.
Guess what? She never did.
Yeah, so I bought a bike elsewhere. I am sure they have many sucker customers who drop 2 – 5 grands on their bikes, but not me. They can’t have my 2 grand. Sorry Bike Habitat. You guys are bunch of back-​stabbing bike snobs!

My wife brought in her classic Dutch bike to get a flat tire fixed. After we dropped it off, we received a call stating that the tire bead was broken and the tire would need to be replaced. As the tire is unusual (28×1.5), they said they would need to special order the tire and that they would call us as soon as the bike was finished.
After a week, we called to inquire after the repair and the store informed us that the bike had already been finished and was ready to be picked up. Unfortunately, when we stopped in to retrieve it, we discovered that they had replaced the punctured Dunlop valve inner tube with a Schrader valve tube. Not such a big deal, as Dunlop valves are a bit uncommon. However, they had replaced the broken cream-​colored tire with a cheap black rubber tire. When we asked why such a mismatched tire/​tube were special ordered, the cashier told us that she thought perhaps they replaced it as cream tires were not as sturdy (?!), but that she could not really answer our questions. She asked that we return the following day to speak with our original service person.
I returned the next day to find the service person well-​informed about the problem. He stated that they could not order any cream 28×1.5 size tires. When I inquired further, he confirmed that they could not and would not be able to order such a tire (even relatively common brands, e.g. schwable). I told him that we would not be purchasing the low-​grade black rubber tire and asked for the original broken tire back. He stated that the tire was thrown away, so I would have to take the bike home with a naked rim. As classic Dutch bikes are exceedingly heavy and rolling a naked rim will damage it, this was not welcome news. Essentially, I ended up exactly where I started, except down one week, aggravated, and needing to carry a 50lb bike five blocks back to my house. The real icing to my cake: the condescending smirk the mechanic gave me upon returning my un-​tired bike, stating «good luck.»
* p. s. When I got home, I ordered tubes and a cream Schwable tire easily enough from Amazon.

Libby is awesome. I had a problem with my saddle, she fitted me perfectly and recommended a seat that works for me (unlike other bike shops).
She also took the time to discuss my posture and even fixed my cleats.
The rest of the staff i dealt with was awesome very knowledgeable and friendly.
Good place.

I’ll be honest: a few years ago, this place sucked and was full of douches. Things changed. The service is great, and it’s my go-​to.

Love, love, love the new store on Vanderbilt Ave. in Prospect Heights. Didn’t know much about them as I have never patronized their other store in Brooklyn but have hit most of the rest near and far. Jeff was so helpful with all of the items that I asked him about and was able to give me the point of difference on each item and explain the features, strengths and drawbacks. Nice assortment now and it will only get better as they get settled in and expand their product line. I would love to see them use the other half as a juice bar and could see logging many an hour there as they are genuinely good guys and know what they are talking about. Frazier did adjustments on my bike and made some great suggestions about repositioning (or proper positioning of my handle bars). No one ever pointed that out. His adjustment certainly helped my comfort level riding and saved my back some aches and pains. He was absolutely honest about replacing my handlebars for a newer, more advanced design but then reconsidered when he notice my current ones were carbon fiber. He seriously did not try to sell me on anything. I asked him to retape my handlebars and he was very clear that the tape I wanted was a high price point. Frazier didn’t push any items on me either and educated me a lot in the time I was there. He didn’t speak down to me like one of the other large outfitters in the area and I saw him extend that same patience and teaching with other customers from beginners to advanced riders. Needless to say, I found my new go to place!

An odd thing happened to me in Prospect Park today. I saw a woman fall off her bicycle on the hill near the lake. I stopped, called 911, and waited for the paramedics. She told the paramedics that a pedal came off the bike, causing her to crash. I had seen the pedal in the bike path, and I had brought it over to the bike. Her boyfriend was there, and I offered to store the bikes at my place so that he could ride along to the hospital. He said the bikes were on loan from Bicycle Habitat, and that they were coming to pick them up. They bikes looked brand-​new, and there was no evidence on the pedal’s threads that it had ripped out of the crank.
Here’s the odd thing. Last year, on March 19, I picked up a bike I bought from Bicycle Habitat. I walked it on the sidewalk to corner of 10^th Street and hopped on. A fraction of a second later, I found myself in the middle of the street. The pedal had popped off when I stepped up on it. I had some serious road-​rash on my hand and arm. I took the bike back into the store, and they offered to reattach the pedal for me. I had to convince them to get me a replacement bike, and the manager reluctantly offered me a $ 50 store credit.
At the time, I thought about writing a review, and I now wish I had. Someone there is not doing their job, and it’s putting people at serious risk of injury. I was fortunate that I waited to cross with the light, and I escaped with only a permanent scar on my right hand.
The photo of my hand is from inside the store, moments after the accident.

So I haven’t actually purchased a bicycle here, but the staff here is amazing! I came in with a squeaky stroller wheel and they were so helpful and helped me diagnose the problem. Their workers are so skilled and they have great customer service. If I’m in the market for a bicycle I will definitely shop here!

Best shop I have been to in NYC. Just got home from a cleat fitting for a new pair of shoes and Libby was a dream to work with — patient, an expert at what she was doing and adjusted several other parts of my bike that made a huge difference while spinning on the trainer. Even noticed my rear axle was a bit bent and swapped one out for me on the spot.
Huge selection of bikes, accessories and whatnot too and the mechanics are great. I live in Bushwick however will be making my way over to them if I ever need anything again. Which in cycling is guaranteed.

We love this store!
Their customer service is exemplary: They fixed our scooters, mended our stroller tires and when my kid was ready for his first bike, you bet we bought it from them.
They made him feel so special. They listened to and answered the (endless) questions of a six-​year-​old kid, never tried to upsell us and sent us out the door smiling. An hour later they’d built his bike and he rode out the door, beaming.
Everytime we walk by, the staff wave – yes, even the supercool mechanic guys!
We’ll be customers for life.

So here’s the deal, I really like the «manager» of the shop and that they aren’t pushy. He’s taken a lot of time with me to answer questions and get me setup for city biking. I picked the first bike I wanted to try and it was all wrong. The second bike I tried he chose based on what I told him I was looking for and it felt spot on and I bought it.
I do think that the people working on the bikes could use more attention to detail. When I picked-​up my new bike the chain fell-​off and locked-​up. Luckily they were still open and fixed it right away. Later I discovered that the seat was very lose and bobbling all over the place. I went back for a basket and had them fix the seat, only to find when I picked-​up the bike that the brackets for the basket had pealed paint and the metal was exposed and would easily rust. So I had to leave the bike again to have it resolved.
It’s a brand new bike, I just expect more attention to detail and for it to be treated like a new machine since it’s an investment and a brand new one at that.

Nice shop and very helpfull Staff. I was cruising down 5^th Avenue and my tires where very low, i came in and asked for some air, they gave me a pump and put in the air for me. I did not even buy my bike here!
Thank you very much. August 8, 2014 5:40PM

Spacious store, great selection of Trek and Specialized in the $ 500 to $ 1500 range.
Most of the team here is friendly and knowledgeable and if you’re looking for a new bike they won’t give you a hard sell.
Tip: don’t go here on weekends. 30 minute wait to talk to someone and they aren’t in a big rush to see who needs help. Otherwise I might give 5 stars. They stay open late on Thursday and Friday evening, try visiting then.

I’ve been to the other Bicycle Habitat locations in Manhattan and am a fan. This branch though seems to have some logistical and day to day operations tweaks that need to take place.
Inventory seemed to be skim to none. Looking for a particular helmet, bike chain, and saddle and they were all out of stock. Shelves seemed to only have one particular item in stock and it was only one of it rather than full line up on hooks. They did have a wide variety of bikes and salespeople seemed to be attentive but overall experience it was far from how it was from the Manhattan branches.