Central District Cyclery

Sunday at 3:12 pm. Got off highway for one of the only bike shops with advertised open hours on a Sunday. Arrived to find an «Open» sign in the window, a sign confirming they were open Sunday’s till 4 and a locked door. I don’t care if you want to be closed in a Sunday like everyone else, but if you say you’re open you should be open.

Edited based on business move: Although I understand why, I’m bummed this business moved out of downtown and out to Plainfield. I’m not sure whether they offered bike rentals, but maybe that could be an income supplement to a center city shop. I would love for Grand Rapids to become a car-​optional city, and having a nice bike shop is part of that model. I haven’t changed the star rating, but definitely disappointed to lose them on Monroe Center.

I stopped in during art prize to pick up some new fat bike tires and tubes. This was the first time I have been in this place. It’s a neat little place I thought. I walked in, noticed a few gentlemen talking; one behind the counter, another next to the counter on a bike in full bike apparel, and another gentleman that appeared to be helping out a few ladies with some apparel. Just a quick glance from one of the two in conversation.
After a few minutes of walking around, I went to the counter next to the door for some assistance. The one behind the counter moved away from behind the counter, carrying on the conversation with the other. Sensing that he couldn’t be bothered, I decided to leave.
I’m sure I will try this place again, and possibly have a much better experience the next time, but for now, I wouldn’t recommend this shop.

We rented bikes from them on a family trip. They recommended a great park along the river where you can have a picnic. The service was exceptional and very friendly.
Note: They only have adult bikes.

Stopped in while traveling and staying in the downtown. The owner set me up with a downtown map, directions and recommendations on places to ride while I’m visiting. I had a bike with me but they do rent long term rental bikes. Store had a nice variety of accessories and prices seemed good.
Seems like a place I would come back to if I were local.

Not open on Sunday during Summer! You really need to note that on your ad and your website!

Great bike shop helped me out when nobody with in a hundred miles could! Excellent mechanic very meticulous, very knowledgeable and fast. I would highly recommend this bike shop!

I had a great experience with this establishment. I had purchased a tube for my tire the day earlier, but then I struggled to install it myself from home. I called into the shop, then I drove right over with my bike. They were kind and extremely helpful. One of the employees worked one-​on-​one with me so I could learn to change my tire in the future. Also, while other customers came in and out or they received phone calls, the two employees working were able to balance the others’ needs with mine. When we wrapped everything up, they shared information with me about future events they host that can help me get to know my bike. Historically, I’ve really struggled entering bike shops and dealing with condescending employees. I entered the shop in a slightly vulnerable position but while there, I felt comfortable, at ease. It’s also important to mention the shop is clean and well-​organized. I would absolutely go back because my experience today was very positive.

I’ve heard some great things about this shop and finally decided to stop in; to say the experience was disappointing is an understatement.
In short: Poor selection + incredibly poor (nonexistent, actually) service = disappointing experience.
With so many great, local bike shops in Grand Rapids, why Central District Cyclery feels it’s excusable to ignore a customer standing their shop is a mystery. A mystery that, for me, will go unsolved as I have no intention of going back. Instead, I will give my money to one of the myriad of other bike shops in GR who make it abundantly clear that they value me as a customer.

Have had only bad experiences here. Every time that I’ve dropped in the staff has been completely unhelpful. I have brushed it off in the past as them thinking that I wasn’t going to buy anything but this time when I brought a item up to the counter the employee looked at me and continued to chat with friends. I finally walked out without purchasing the item after 5 minutes of standing at the counter. I’ll take my business elsewhere, I guess.

Great place to rent bikes but not a place to get your bike fixed. I was having problems with my bike and brought it in to get looked at, paid $ 10 to have her «fix» it to only find out the problem had not been fixed. Took it in a second time to have it looked at again and they had to order a part. Third time I went in to have the part installed paid $ 15 thought it was fixed BUT when I left the same part was squeaking… fourth time I brought it in he told me to come back the next day to have her look at it again! Felt very rushed out the door the last time I was in and my bike still isn’t fixed:(

This is great place to have downtown. A bike shop with a very open door, neighborly feeling. I’ve been coming here since they first opened and I feel like their customer service keeps getting better and better every time I visit.
I come here a couple times a year for little tune ups and for a battle damage assessment after I have ridden my bike a little to hard. The mechanics always have done a good job on both my tunes up and repairs from me riding like a bone head.
The shop also had a great selection of
goods to fit all your biking needs from protective gear to fancy bells and whistles.
Not sure about a bike? They have rentals.
Over all– go there for a solid, friendly bike shop.
*Stopped in today to try a bike that I’m looking at purchasing. Nathan was a great help at telling me about the bike, the history behind it, and let me take a nice test ride around downtown! No purchase made today– but a purchase will surely becoming soon!

We rented bikes here when in from out if town. The service was exceptional. They did not have a bike available that was short enough for me, so they sawed down the seat. She also recommended a nearby trail, which turned out to be an extraordinary ride. It was probably our best day in Grand Rapids.

I like the location and the layout of the store, but I feel that the employees could be a lot more helpful. Both times that I have gone in, I have been received attitude about getting small items. One time when I asked if they had an item, the response I received was ‘me personally or the store?’ I think that this an incredibly poor attitude to the customer. I have been in the shop when other customers are there and have seen them give good service to them. The only thing I can figure is that this shop caters to the hipster cycling crowd that frequents the downtown area. A customer not looking like the typical clientele a shop gets is not a good reason to give them sub-​par service. I think I’ll be going to a different shop in town where I always get good service.

Central District Cyclery (52 Monroe Center St NW) is another bright spot on Monroe Center. The full-​service cycle shop will provide a home for the emerging bike community in Grand Rapids. The shop has even worked on Poppa Steve’s 1949 Huffman Airflyte.

Awesome bike shop! Very knowledgeable staff. Great selection of bikes and high quality accessories you won’t find at most other bike shops in West MI. It’s nice to be treated as a customer and a person, not like a number at some huge bike shop.