Broadway Bicycle School

Joe and Susanne and the team will give 100% objective advice on any repair. The work is done on-​time, and to a high-​quality standard.
Their prices are reasonable to the point that I worry they are not charging enough.
Yes, it’s small and can get crowded. Yes, sometimes they get backed up (just like every other shop in town). And yes, sometimes, it’s so busy, it’s hard to figure out who’s next in line.
But they are truly the best educated, most capable, most friendly, and most highly communicative bicycle people in town. If you’re willing to drop your bike off on a Monday — Wed. instead of bringing it in on a sunny Saturday AM in late spring, everything will come up roses for you in your dealing with these excellent people.

I’ve been next door neighbours with these folks for 12+ yrs and, having been biking all along I had to stop by in the past and granted, I have been unhappy before. But after today I can’t hold back anymore. I came in to ask if they would tune my son’s brakes.
As with other times in the past it starts with… «I see a lot of things going over here…» and «this is a cheap bike, may not be worthwhile. brake pads alone are 20 $ per wheel… and you may need new cables etc»
Well, ok, so how much?
«let me get my calculator»… … «it’s going to be above 100 $»
OK, at another bike store 0.5 miles away, the same bike just looked like «a bike», not a project, and well, new cables were 25 $ and the pads 12.50 $ for BOTH brakes, and the grand total was less than 40 $.
I don’t care how cool your tattoes, signs or sandals are. Respectfully, you are just fixing bikes. And your charging 250% more than other places. Regular folks, including your neighbours, deserve to know that they need to shop around. Folks, stay away!

My only two experiences here have been subpar. The first time, I dropped off a bike (and prepaid) that was frequently losing air in the rear, and clearly pointed it out, asking for a new tube, because I had never repaired my own bike and was leaving for the winter anyway.
I had a friend pick it up for me, so I wasn’t able to confirm the work, but when I saw the bike, the rear tire was completely flat again; but the front wheel had a new tire (which I definitely didn’t ask for). I distinctly remember this because they replaced it with a treadless Michelin.
Second time, is more of a feeling than an actual business problem, so take whatever from it. I was buying a new tube (for this rear tire, to do it myself) and didn’t immediately remember the difference between a presta and schrader valve; the person that was selling me my tube gave me a «oh wow he doesn’t even know the difference» look and babied me for the rest of the transaction.
I’ve since learned how to do most repairs myself so I don’t have to go back.

I bought my bike at Broadway, and I love it. I’ve also brought it in twice so far for a tune-​up and break-​pad replacement. For people like me who aren’t too familiar with bike maintenance, they’ve been super useful. Especially when I went in for an issue with my breaks — I wasn’t sure what was going on, but they pulled up my bike’s personal record on their system and — kind of like a doctors office — they explained to me exactly what they did to my bike the last time I was there for a service visit and just what their plan was this time.
The downside is it’s small and the staff is overwhelmed and the place is cramped on the weekends and the limited after 5 hours. I’ve been commuting in the city daily for over two years now and I’ve been to Broadway, wheel works, bike boom, and hub each multiple times and what’s uniquely troublesome about Broadway is that unlike any of the other bike shops I’ve been to around here, you’re helped according to who harasses the staff most successfully first for attention at Broadway. I’ve been there 3 times, and consistently the staff pays no attention to the order you get there, nor does the building provide for any space for a line of some sort. This is a great place for aggressive people but shy or passive people — beware, you will end up waiting a long time.

This place is so great! I got the $ 55 single speed bike tune up and they very clearly walked me through what probably would be done. What was actually done was a few dollars over what was authorized up to $ 20 extra and we talked about it and the put a few dollars in credit on my account. Really clear description of what the work is and patience answer my biker-​newbie questions about everything. Very reasonable and made clear recommendations based on budget. I’ve also been to Cannondale and the Cambridge Bicycle Store on Mass Ave and this place is the best, hands down. Thanks again for the good work and clear communication.

Love this place. I’ve been coming here for ten years. Everyone is super friendly and seems to enjoy helping customers and also each others’ company. It’s just got a different, better vibe than the other bikes shops around. This place feels like a community institution.
The work is top notch, too. I bought a new bike from another well-​known shop in town and had to return there about 10 times because of a shifter problem they could not figure out. I finally took it to BBS and they put their heads together and got it fixed the next day.

Take the basic bike repair class. It’s been the highlight of my summer!
Passionate people, fair prices, and a love for bikes and for cyclists. I wouldn’t go anywhere else.

Can’t say enough good things about this shop. Right attitude, right prices, right quality. I live in Belmont, where there’s a certain other bike shop with horrible attitude, so I make the special trek. Every person I’ve talked with has been super helpful, patient, and attentive. I’ve gotten a drive train replaced as well as other repairs like a front dérailleur cable updated, and couldn’t be happier with the quality.

I’ve been cycling in Boston for 30 years and there’s no place else I’ll go for repairs, maintenance, or purchases. The staff have always been incredibly helpful, offered great advice and have never tried to «up-​sell» me.

I’ve had an issues with a sticky front break on my Cannondale for probably 2 years now. (yes, I know…). I recently decided to (learn how to) replace the break cables and take off and clean up the front break calipers, but, while needed, neither of these fixed my problem. On a suggestion, I decided to swing by Broadway Bicycle School expecting an estimate of a week to be able to get to my bike. The tiny shop was packed, but the first employee to see me took my bike, listened to my explanation, put the bike on a stand, and FIXED IT in 5 minutes. She is my new favorite person. 5 $. Done. Every other employee was happy and smiling as they helped people and worked on bikes; I was a bit sad to leave so soon! (Also– yay for so many women mechanics!!!)

Got my bike tuned up in March, just as the snow was going away. This place is the best — the staff is friendly, helpful, solves problems. My bike is working perfectly and it was done fast. The people here really know everything about bikes.

Just had my bike repaired at Broadway Bicycle School and I couldn’t be happier. I was losing all pedal resistance at random points on my ride for about a week before I finally brought my bike in to get looked at, mainly because I was afraid of getting ripped off (I’ve had a bad experience in the past).
To my pleasant surprise, the BBS experience was first-​rate and the three staff members I interacted with were all very friendly and helpful. I received immediate attention and, since there was an extra rack available, the mechanic quickly took a look and diagnosed that I needed a new rear cassette. Given that he gave me a fast and reasonable price estimate ($ 45 parts and labor), I decided to ask whether he thought I needed a tune-​up. I was satisfied that he didn’t jump at the opportunity and sell me something I didn’t need. He just said I may need a new chain sometime in the near future, but it wasn’t a problem yet. The whole process took only 30 minutes and I was off and riding again. I’ll definitely be back to BBS for all my biking needs.

I’ve been having my bikes repaired and maintained at BBS for almost ten years now.
At most other bike shops I always felt like I was being ripped off: prices were high, turnover was high, and customers were treated like inanimate bicycles themselves.
At BBS, all the employees seem to be part of the BBS family; it’s a co-​op. There’s nothing flashy, the prices are reasonable, and the service is personal. Nobody will ever try to upsell you or rush you. They’ll take the time to go over all your options with you, and what they’ll want is what is best for you and your bike.
They aren’t gear-​heads, they aren’t into the latest cutting edge bike technology, and they’re not trying to sell it to you. They care about bikes, bikes that will last and are affordable, and repairs that will last and are affordable.
For them, bicycling isn’t a sport and it isn’t a business: it’s a lifestyle, and they are all about helping you to live it well. It’s all very Cambridge; if you’re looking for a neighborhood bike shop that really is a part of the neighborhood, this is the place.

Went here for routine bike tune and had great service, reasonable pricing and knowledgeable staff. Can’t ask for anything more. About to take my partners bike in for a tune-​up as well.

Just bought my first bike here! I am a novice rider (aka just trying not to die on my bike on the streets of Cambridge), and don’t know very much about bikes. The staff was very helpful. They have a small selection, but it was good enough for what I needed.

This shop does quality work and they really care about bicycles and the cycling community.
They have several women mechanics and are a co-​op, which means several workers co-​own the shop. They are queer-​friendly and are generally geared toward bicycle commuters.
There does exist such a thing as a cheap bike. These are heavy, and are found new at places like Walmart for like $ 100. These are basically made as disposable bikes. Mechanics rightly hate them. If they are fix-​able, they will cost more in parts and labor to fix than they are worth. I think that fact is where some of the negative reviews here are coming from.
Broadway’s labor doesn’t come cheap, but that is why they will write up a free estimate for your repair. They give you a range of what it will cost, and you need to consider the high end carefully.
Broadway will rent time on their bike stands and with their tools. This is unusual and very helpful. You can pay them to teach you to fix your bike, you can take a class there in the evening, or you can just have them fix your bike.
Keep in mind they get very busy in the summer, and sometimes you have to schedule your repair far in advance. Bring your bike in for its tuneup in the winter, and you won’t have to wait long for it to be done!
I used to work here, by the way.

Broadway Bicycle School is a real no frills, utilitarian bike shop in Cambridge near Porter Square.
If you are looking for an affordable new or used bicycle, affordable service, or an opportunity to learn how to better maintain your bike, look no further than Broadway Bicycle School!

Hub was closed, so I found myself at this place on accident. Good thing I did because the bike person here was nice and knowledgable. They taught me how to tighten my brakes and fill up air in my tires. Good customer service and looks like a local favorite. (=

Broadway Bicycle has changed since I wrote my last review. For the better! I recently got a flat fixed here, and before that bought maybe some sort of bolt that had fallen off some part of my bike. When I bought the part, I had come in looking for a solution for whatever the problem was on my bike (sorry, a few months ago, I don’t remember exactly.) The solution they came up with turned out to be just adding a small bolt, but they were willing to try a bunch of bolts to find one that would fit, and I think they put it in/​tightened it for me as well. All of this took maybe 5 minutes max and they weren’t busy, but when I asked how much I owed, they were like, well, we sell the part for 25cents. I was happy to throw a few bucks into the tip jar, being thankful that they had helped me with this issue that would have been very difficult for me to solve on my own.
I liked the experience so much that I went back the next time I was out and about with a flat, and again, was super impressed with the friendliness of the service. They also now have a flat fee for changing a flat (ha), which solves my previous gripe about getting charged by the minute. And I believe it might even be a dollar or two cheaper than Cambridge Bicycle.
Anyway, happy that BBS can now be my LBS.

My go-​to bike shop. I’ve come here for everything from «my brakes don’t seem to have any effect on the speed of my bike» to «my lock rusted through and if I close it I don’t think it’ll ever open again.» Every time they’ve been awesome, frequently helping me out for free.
Bonus points — they have an almost medical approach to explaining your bike options, and they seem extraordinarily unselfish commercially. I’ve had conversations with them where they say stuff like «Look, you could buy a new tire if you want, but in this case I would recommend just replacing the tube. It’s cheaper too.» Love this place.