Bicycle Exchange

Very friendly on the phone and in person. I knew nothing about bikes when I got there, but when I told them why I wanted a bike and what I was hoping to use it for, they educated me very patiently about the different types of bikes and their purposes.
Great parking lot behind to test bikes.
Pricey bikes though — especially because they hardly have used bikes to sell.

After shopping around all over town I finally landed on the friendliest staff. I was looking to buy my first bike and as a beginner all of the other shops I visited were oozing so much pretention and snobbery. These guys couldn’t have been more different.
The staff was knowledgeable and friendly, asking me questions and patient in answering my questions. They have a large parking lot behind the store which is great for test riding.
There was no pressure and they let me try out several bikes, providing recommendations for what I should look for in my first bike. When I inquired about bike locks, the salesman even walked me through which locks he’s found easiest and most secure and showed me how to use it.
It’s been over a month since I made my purchase there and I couldn’t be happier. I’m on the bike every weekend for long rides and running errands around town throughout the week.
Thank you Bicycle Exchange!

The owner of this shop either doesn’t want to admit that he doesn’t know what he’s doing, or he’s shady as hell.
Either way, I wholeheartedly advise you to avoid Bicycle Exchange and go elsewhere.
Why???
Lemme tell you. I have been to this shop three times and spent nearly $ 30 to replace the same tire at this sub-​par shop.
I came to this shop a few months ago to have a tire «repaired». Two weeks later, I was back at the shop with another flat tire, the same tire, flat again. And, no, the bike was not old, neither were the tires or tubes.
I could not prove that the same tire was repaired the first time, so I gave the shop the benefit of the doubt. I needed the problem fixed, I was already there, so they had me this time.
I tried to work out a resolution with the owner. ‘I am back for a tire repair, could you do it for free or a discount, at least?’ He told me that he wouldn’t consider standing by repair work «beyond a week».
Then the owner suggested that *** I *** was the reason that the tires were flat (maybe I was riding over sharp things? Is he suggesting I’m riding over beds of nails, or riding solely through construction sites!!!).
Then, he extended his hand to grab money.
No joke.
Yup, HE BLAMED ME. He would not even consider that the problem could have been the shop’s fault. But other Unilocalers reported a condescending attitude from the shop, so, I guess this was my serving of that.
Four weeks later (the third time the tire went flat) I went back and the same guy «repaired» the tire for free. I thanked him warmly and hoped this was it.
But, guess what? This afternoon the same tire went flat again.
I was away from home, out on the town, when it happened which is dangerous. Bike repair integrity is a big deal. If a problem occurred on the road, it could mean disaster.
So, I am in a pickle. The guy won’t refund the «work» he did, the $ 30 I gave him for a problem that keeps returning. And, I am out a functioning tire… again…and I have to go somewhere else for a problem that, if originally done competently, would have been fixed months ago.
So, for all of that, I advise you to avoid this place.

I’ve stopped by the Bicycle Exchange three separate times and had a great experience with each visit. (I was either getting a minor repair done to my bike or buying an accessory like a bike pump.) When I realized that a bike pump I had bought wasn’t working properly I brought it back, even though I didn’t have a receipt and was given an exchange, no questions asked. I doubt I would have had the same experience at another bike shop where the return policies are stricter. Overall good customer service and reasonably priced goods.

I shopped around at three different bike shops in the area looking for a decent pair of handle bar grips for my old vintage bike. One shop offered too few options, one shop was overwhelmed with customers and couldn’t help me, but finally this shop greeted me and assisted me with the selection of a new set of grips. I also bought a bell since my old bell had broken.
Prices were a bit lower here and customer service was generally good right up until I reached the register. I asked the clerk what the best way for working off the 30 year old rubber grips from my bike would be and got a rather patronizing reply about potentially using a box cutter («they’re these small knives, perhaps I could borrow one from a friend») or alternatively a pair of scissors («but be VERY careful with them while cutting»). He talked down to me like I was a 4 year old child and not a 34 year old responsible adult.
I told the clerk in a firm voice that I had a utility knife that I’m *quite* capable of handling. He then picked up the bike bell I was purchasing and pointed to the two screws that hold the handlebar clamp in place. He pointed to the screws and explained to me that these were in fact, two screws, which could easily be removed and reinserted with a screwdriver. He said all of this very slowly. Then he paused and asked, «Do you have a screwdriver?»
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE F*CKING KIDDING ME.
I rolled my eyes at the clerk and replied, «YES. I OWN A SCREWDRIVER. I own a WHOLE TOOLBOX. I KNOW how to attach a bike bell.» I took my purchase and walked out. The combination of belittling and gender stereotyping (women don’t own tools or know how to use tools) was insanely offensive. I will not be returning to this shop.

My girlfriend and I both bought bikes here about 2 years ago, and they’re still working great. The staff were very helpful, and pointed out bikes that were a great fit for us. The price was good, and was as cheap as anyplace else we were able to find.
I ride mine everyday so about once a year I’ll take it in for a tune up or other repairs. Their prices are very fair, and my bicycle runs very smoothly after they’re done with it.

Like someone else said, the staff here are easygoing, nice, and knowledgeable. I went in to buy a new bike a few weeks ago and was shown lots of different types of bikes and finally settled on a hybrid style Fuji. Unfortunately, it got stolen a few weeks later because I used one of those flex cable locks with no U-​lock :(. It was my bad. I went back and they were very sympathetic and helpful, and even gave us a discount on all the accessories we had to buy again. I like this place because the people are good, the bikes are good, the prices are good (they have coupons on their website, too!). I tend to feel out of place in other bike shops because I’m a casual biker and not super knowledgeable about everything bike-​related. Not so with Bicycle Exchange!

I’m pretty surprised by all the negative reviews on here. I actually had a pretty good experience at Bicycle Exchange. I don’t know anything about cycling really — just that I wanted to have a bike as an alternative mode of transportation and a way of getting more exercise. Took a rather long ride from Newton to the South End with a few friends and learned that the used bike I bought from Craigslist was more of a comfort hybrid — great for tooling around town, but not ideal for these longer rides. I needed something faster, lighter, and more performance-​based. BUT didn’t want to spend a ton of money on it. So I visited a couple different stores (Landry’s, Community Bike Supply) and was on my way over to Wheelworks in Somerville when I drove past the Bicycle Exchange. I decided to stop in to see what they had. There was a younger girl there (blond hair, didn’t catch her name) that helped me out. Told her what I was looking for and she first directed me to something out of my price point. I told her honestly, I really don’t want to spend that much. She then showed me something more entry level but described why it would still be a good option for me. No pressure to buy, she was super friendly, and I ended up really liking the bike. Decided to continue on to Wheelworks since that was the original plan, but immediately came back to the Bicycle Exchange to buy the bike. I also decided to pick up a bike rack for my car and the owner, Dick, took the time to go back out with me and help me install it. I found him to be very friendly and helpful. I actually had to come back the next day since they had to assemble the version of the bike that I ended up getting. During that time, I had found a $ 20 off coupon on their website and Dick honored it even after I had already paid the previous day. I decided to also purchase a Kryptonite U-​lock so he took the $ 20 off that. Sunday afternoon was definitely a busier day for them and I could see how one might get a little frustrated trying to get some help. They do seem a little scatter-​brained when it’s busy, but if you’re patient with them, it’s worth it. I had to wait around a little for Dick to help out another customer, but then he helped get the bike onto the rack for me which I truly appreciated!

This review is for bike rentals only. I hadn’t ridden a bike in a long while and I went to rent a bike here, to bike around the city. If it went well, I was going to invest in a bike of my own, most probably bought here since it’s so close to where I work. However, the customer service was terrible. They don’t rent you a lock with your bicycle. They have some unreasonable return policies and all in all it was not a pleasant experience. I definitely will not be buying my bike here as they have no idea how to treat customers.

This is one of my neighborhood bike shop. I have been visiting this place since 2010 to fix my bike, buy parts and accessories. I’ve bought wheels, pumps, tools, tires and spent upwards of 500 bucks since. On the last visit I just wanted to borrow a tool, the owner started giving me attitude because I wasn’t buying anything. That will be my last visit. If I’m not welcome to a shop unless I buy something every time I visit, then good luck with your business because you are not getting any of mine.

Really nice, easy going guy works here. I bought a new Fuji crossover and it is everything I’d hoped. He said they will service it for free for many months and recommend a free tuneup at the end of the summer.
They have a much more affordable selection than the Wheelworks a few blocks away. My girlfriend is looking for a bike as well and we thought we’d hold off and look at other places but now we are planning to head back to the Bicycle Exchange!
(The only thing weird is that name. they don’t sell used bikes or ‘exchanges’ although they might do a few rentals)

Ditto on these people not caring about their customers.

At one time in my life, I rode my bicycle much more than I drove my car, such was my passion. And while I still love to ride, I don’t do it nearly as much as I might like these days, in part because I’ve gotten more fearful (smarter?) about riding on busy city streets.
My husband and I remember this store from it’s original incarnation on Bow St. and although this store is nice, it’s not as great as its predecessor.
It’s a bit overpriced and the selection in my opinion is just okay. The staff seems knowledgeable and they will let you take any bike out for a test ride in the parking lot in the back of the store which is really key.
If you need help tuning up or fixing your bike you can have it done here but if you ride a lot, my advice is to learn how to do a lot of it yourself. You don’t want to be caught out somewhere on a long ride and not know how to fix your own flat say.
According to their web-​site they also rent bikes and helmets.
They have a somewhat limited selection. I saw Raleigh, Schwinn, Fuji and Red Line bicylces reprented. I’ve owned 3 of these 4 brands and had good experiences with all of them including the Schwinn I owned when I was a child.
They sell tires and supplies like seats, helmets, pedals, biking clothes, shoes and even handlebar baskets.
It’s a nice shop with friendly-​ish service. Worth a look see for sure.
Although I don’t rack up the biking miles like I used to, just walking in the door of this shop and getting that smell of new tires gives me a thrill. Think spring and go get a bike if you don’t have one!

Really cool place with reasonable prices. I got a 2012 Trek racer for 50% off because the 2013 model just arrived. Friendly atmosphere, nice staff.

After riding the same, very heavy, mountain bike since my early teens, I decided to upgrade :-) Went in on Saturday, took a look around. Comparison shopped, did some web research and went back on Sunday to buy a Raleigh Detour 3.5 hybrid.
Knowledgeable staff, big parking lot for test rides, good customer service.
My only criticism is that they could have (a) thrown in a little somethin somethin (like a free lock or (b) given a discount given that they had marked down some bikes and are getting the 2013 ones in very soon.

This was an unexpected shop to walk into after stopping by so many other shops this past week. They lack the super expensive road bikes that dominate most Boston area bike stores, and instead trend towards entry level bikes without compromising on quality. You will find Fuji and Raliegh adorned with Shimano parts for under 600 bucks, with a great selection under 700. I’m used to only being shown one in that price range before being advised on spending more.
After testing out a bike, and being told a few less expensive ones in my size were going to built the next day (who says ‘come back tomorrow, so you can give me less money!’) i checked out the great selection of rather reasonably priced shwag. Sure, you don’t get a discount for buying with a bike, but at a glance it did seem about 10% cheaper for the bags I looked at.
The staff seemed knowledgeable and very professional. I have a few more stores to check out before I make the plunge into my first new road bike, but this store is currently in the lead.
As an added bonus, you can test out the bikes in their parking lot instead of around boston/​Cambridge/​somerville chaos.

I’ve bought some bike supplies from here and go here for my tune ups. They have a great turnaround and do a great job cleaning my bike up.
They’ve got a nice selection of supplies and bikes. I don’t find the pricing to be too high, but bike supplies can get pretty pricey. My experience was not expensive at all. I went here early in the year for a tread to replace my old one which was fused to my rim, the salesman offered up a great tread and though it was an off brand I a still using it a year later and am pretty happy that it was only $ 12. He also offered to change it for me. Looking through the reviews here I see a few complaints about service being bad. I have not experienced this at all, in fact, quite the opposite.

I always supported small independent stores, because they really deserve our support. Unfortunately, this store does not deserve our support for a few reasons.
1– The owner has the worst customer service ever and he does not care about his customers.
2– This store is overpriced for everything, even if it is a simple thing.
3– They tell you an upfront price that you agree on then when you come to pick up you bike they tell you a completely different story without even calling you on the phone.
4– Very very very very rude.
5– I just came from there and I advise you all people to avoid this place.

Haven’t had great service the past month or so of shopping around for a new bike for my Trek Across Maine. I’m not a cyclist, so it was important for me to find a shop that wouldn’t hold it against me.
Well, I found that here, and more! Doug assisted me, and was absolutely awesome. After I told him what I was using it for, he brought me over to the bike I ended up with. He told me what I needed to know as a beginner, without the condescending tone I had experienced elsewhere.
We will be returning in a couple weeks to buy a bike for my man, and I will refer them to anyone I know is looking for a bike or bike service.

Recently bought a new bike here and had a very good experience. There was only one guy working since the other guy was «passed out in back» whatever that means. Although that was kind of unprofessional, the guy helping me knew his stuff and was easy going and unpretentious (which is sometimes hard to find at bike shops). I bought a really nice new bike for a mere 300 bucks.
If you go to the website for the Bicycle Exchange beforehand they have printable coupons. I printed one for 25 bucks off a new bike… good deal!