Strader’s Northwest Schwinn

This is a great local bike shop that deserves a little more recognition in Columbus. The ‘Bus may have it’s share of great local bike shops, but add this to the list! Prices are a little higher on services, perhaps, but I declare this the kind of place where «you get what you pay for!»
I bought a bike from here last year before Pelotonia, a GT Peace touring bike for a little under $ 1000. I was a tad disappointed they did not offer portion of the bike proceeds as a donation (as others around town do), but … hey, it’s a small business, I suppose.
Desipite that, my bike buying experience was FANTASTIC. The individualized atttention you will receive is phenomenal. The clerks really care about, and KNOW about, bikes. I felt like I got great advice about what bike would be best for my body type, price point, and biking needs. The selection is small, but it feels well-​edited. I didn’t feel like they were forcing me into a particular bike because of their limited options. Indeed, I didn’t feel forced at all. I left the shop, the clerk encouraged me to look at other stores– and eventually I came back here for my purchase.
My purchase came with a complimentary 30-​day tune up (the cables stretch the most in the first 30 days of use), and a complementary yearly tune up. You MUST keep certain paperwork to receive these tuneups, and they definitely have strict deadlines. (I missed my yearly.) It would be nice if they kept the relevant info in each customer’s file on the computer (which I know they have) and send out reminders, but… beggars and choosers and all that. The regular annual tune up will run you about $ 55 and take about 7 –10 days to complete.
Some bike shops around town offer complimentary tune ups all the time (if you bought the bike there). But I have to say, they won’t apply the attention to detail you get at Strader’s. Recently, my boyfriend and I took our bikes in for tuneups on the same evening. His (free) was an in-​and-​out process, couldn’t have taken more than 10 minutes. That’s definitely awesome, but I have a little more trust in my 7 — 10 day tune up.
In fact, I took my bike in for a tune up earlier, but needed it back before 7 days. I was getting some phantom shifting and I wanted everything running smoothly for an upcoming ride. The folks at Strader’s made the adjustments for free, and I got the bike back, in just 20 minutes, provided I bring it back for the full tune-​up.
They also special ordered (and switched out) a mounted rack. My parents bought one (from Strader’s) over the winter as a Christmas present. It wasn’t the right one to accomodate my disc brakes, but the good peeps at Straders made it right at no extra cost to me, even though the new rack cost more. They’ll also make any recommendations and order other bike accessories, if you ask and they don’t have them in-​store (my mother ordered the perfect smaller bike bag to fit the rack). I totally understand a lack of inventory for such a small shop, and this is the perfect compromise.
The best thing about Strader’s: they recognize me AND my parents every time we go in there (either together or seperately). They remember which bike I bought, and who we are. It’s actually sort of incredible. I feel like they will take care of me and do the best thing for my bike.
The location on Riverside Drive is pretty convenient to my normal travel paths, even though I live in German Village (my parents live just off Riverside Drive in north UA). They close at 7 on weekdays, which sometimes makes it hard for me to get there in time after work (by the time I get home to attach my rack, load bike, drive in rush hour), but it’s doable with a little planning ahead.
Give Strader’s a try, and remember to take your bike in for regular tune ups, no matter where! It makes a huge difference!