JRA Cycles

I used their repair service on my son’s bicycle. I had a badly bend rear rim that needed straightening. I would normally do it myself, but this was bent enough that I needed to call in professionals. They recommended that I replace instead of repair because the wheel was compromised. Since the price difference between repair and replace was minimal, I agreed.
They didn’t have a low end replacement in stock (they are a higher end shop), so they had to order it.
Service was friendly and reasonably timely.
They were not inexpensive, but honestly I am not sure any bike service place is.

I needed a new tube and decided to stop by. Staff was helpful, friendly, and knowledgeable. Had a great talk about fat tire bikes. Even though I’m not ready to buy, it’s always fun to geek out with someone on common interests.

They almost didn’t get our business. Called my wife’s bike old and crappy. Tried to sell us a new bike. Once it became apparent we weren’t going to but a new bike they then agreed to balance our tire.
If it was opened I would’ve gone to Quad bike.

Awesome people. I just got my yard sale bike put into tip top condition, and they were very helpful in choosing and installing a baby seat for my kiddo. Very professional, very helpful and just really nice people. Thanks!

I have been into JRA cycles twice. Both times for simple service.
The first time I went I had broken my pedal and wanted to get new pedals. They talked me into getting a whole new crank, chain, and front gear in addition to the pedals. It was expensive but I hadn’t put much money into my bike in years. It is an old Bianchi that was converted to a fixed gear. It is really a simple bike but has quality parts. So I said go ahead.
A week goes by and I get my bike back and everything looks good. I start riding it and 10 miles in one of the pedals they replaced just fell off. It was like the crank was all drilled out and there was no way to reattach it. I have a long walk home. So I take it in and they apologize and say they will fix it up.
They are as good as their word and I get my bike back in a few days and the pedals now stay on and everything else is fine. So although I was pissed that I paid a ton of money for shoddy service, they did make it right.
So about a month later I get a little piece of metal in my rear tire and it won’t hold air. I take my bike back to get a new tube. They say it is 7.44, but for 10 dollars more they will replace it right there. So I say sure why not. 15 minutes later I get my bike and try to ride it home. Halfway home the rear wheel locks up. I look down and see it is wedged into the side of the frame below the seat. They hadn’t tightened the rear wheel correctly after changing the tube.
By that time, I couldn’t get back before they closed. So I had to go home and tighten it myself.
They seem like a good shop, but for what things cost there I would expect them to be able to properly service a bicycle. They are ⁰⁄₂ and I doubt if I will ever go back to get service done there in the future.

After many years off road, it was time to get back to feeling the bike move beneath me instead of being stuck on a stationary spin bike. I was apprehensive thinking of traffic and lousy road conditions, but I went to JRA and test drive a couple of bike. Loved the Cannondale and was all set to purchase when I was gifted an amazing Khan Bike. It needed a few adjustments and I, a tutorial which Adam was kind enough to even escort me on the road! Adam thank you for all your patience, you quelled my fears and I can’t wait hit the trails of Cape Cod.
Best bike shop around!

Awesome dedication to the bike they sold me and extremely helpful with the repairs and aftermath of my prior bike being run over. Made sure my new bike was a great fit and made sure it was running perfectly (including upgrading the cheaper chain that came with the bike by default). Thank you!

My first time here and NOT my last for sure :) I was very impressed how nice they were. I liked the size of the bike shop and all the Cannondale bikes (kinda obssesed with those bikes). I got there at 6:30PM and they close at 7PM. They changed the tire on my bike so quick! The service was outstanding and they seemed very knowledgable. My bike was on very good hands :)
I definitely recommend this bike shop to everyone :)
They have all the Garmin GPS (I wish I knew before I bought mine from RSC), they have amazing cycling apparel, shoes and MORE!

Came in to get my bike checked out after another bike shop had really let me down in terms of communication and knowledge. I had heard JRA had a good reputation with high-​end mountain bikes, so I went there seeking some real professionals. I roll the bike in the shop, explain what my concerns are, and what I’d like done. First thing I hear is that I will need a new front outer chainring — I am totally on-​board and give the go ahead immediately. We discuss flushing the brake lines, adding new fluid, checking out the shifting (which was sub-​par) — I am all for this, I just want the bike in great shape for summer. The employee notices that I have only one grip on the bike, I say I have new grips and I’ll install them myself — he says no worries, bring ‘em in — I’ll put’ ‘em on. The bike already has a new cassette, new chain, new rear dérailleur cable, and new tires — AND had just been given a tune-​up literally 2 days before at another bike shop (told them this). These guys seem to know their bikes though — I walk out confident that 7 days from now I will be happy with their work…
I call a day before the expected finish date just confirm we are all on track. They confirm we are. JRA calls back 10 minutes after this and says — man, we’re looking at the front chainring and you’re going to need a new one… I tell them I know this from the initial visit (?) — he says OK and goes and checks to see if they have the part in stock — no, need to order it. So now I have to wait for the order to arrive, pay whatever mark-​up it they give it and wait again for them to install it — after waiting 7 days for my bike in the first place. Not happening — I am very capable of putting a chainring on — they had their chance for that business. JRA employee continues to go on about how the shifting is off because of said FRONT chainring. I’m feeling a little insulted at this point. A like new XTR dérailleur, new cassette, new chain, new cable — and we’re talking about rear shifting here — I would understand if the chainring was severely warped or missing several teeth, but as long as there is continuous, non-​variable linear pull on the chain — the rear shifting is completely dictated by the rear components (chain doesn’t skip under heavy pedaling, only while being shifted through the cassette, in both front rings) — I am not waiting any longer for my bike and I reiterate that if this needs to be done I will do it myself. He obliges.
Walk in to pick up the bike — give them my name, one guy finds my bike the other give me the invoice — $ 195 WHAT?
The estimate I got for the work to be done on the bike was $ 200 after the discussion of me approving the new chainring and installation. That seemed reasonable because I know a new ring can be $ 60-​$ 70.
The breakdown was as follows:
$ 60 for the brake flush
$ 20 for the brake fluid
$ 30 for suspension linkage re-​tightening
$ 10 for grips install (???)
$ 75 for tune up (???)
I am kind of in shock and start asking questions about my suspension — like the fact when I touched the bike seat I felt the rear shock compress and «hey, never had a lefty front shock before, whats the deal with this rebound…»
Now the employee is back-​pedaling with the «good point we should check that, and let me get someone over here, I am not sure» — this, after he just told me he is the one who worked on my bike, and charged the $ 195.
Next I notice that my tubeless tires have at least 60 psi in them — I say hey I heard that these should be at about 30 – 40 psi — he says ‘yeah, these feel really hard, but you can put them where ever you want when you get home — this is a good starting point…” The MAX psi for these tires is 60 psi — I just let this go.
Notice I was charged $ 75 dollars for a tune-​up, no one told me what that was, no print out of services done, the guy who «worked» on my bike indicates nothing in the way of tune-​up procedures that were done — in fact, tells me the bike is in GREAT shape and ready to be ridden, NO mention of the chainring issue that was of catastrophic importance a day earlier.
You also may notice that I was charged $ 10 for grip installation — AWESOME — after I was told to «bring’em in»
So I leave after paying because I was in no mood for an argument and I’m not going to trust these guys with my bike ever again, so no point in trying to get them to «redo» anything.
I get home and hop on the bike for a spin around the block — immediately notice that the shifting is not dialed-​in, exactly like it was when I brought it in to them. Then I notice they put the grips on wrong. ESI grips have a thicker side that goes toward your palm, this was facing down on one grip and forward on the other — AMAZING. These grips come in a package, this package has instructions.
Overall, I think these guys know their bikes but are using their rep to overcharge and under-​deliver. Do Not Recommend.

I’ve been a customer at JRA since 2006. They have done more for me than any of the other shops in the Boston area. I’m 4 bikes in and have yet to be let down. Advice, service, sales they have it all and are completely down to Earth in every way. They’ve serviced my road and mountain bike perfectly every time and they understand all facets of cycling, including the needs of racers so many shops don’t get. The service at JRA is simply impeccable.

Visited here for changing my tire. A guy there gave me great recommendation on new tire and took good care of it so fast. Great job man. Thanks a lot

I will say that I am a bit shocked by the price of higher end bikes now, I was very pleased with my service here. as noted in another review… someone stole just the tire off my bike. (sucks I know) but I was very happy with my service here. I cant point out anyone in particular but from the cute cashier, sales team and service crew it seamed like they all worked great as a team. although my bike was high end at the time, about 15 years ago, anyways just to replace the tire they still took the time to grease me up tighten the breaks and just give s few recommend a few upgrades I could make to maybe get another ten out of the old girl…
price is what it is but the service will now have this as my repair shop

Nice job. Very clean place. The staff is very friendly. The prices are very good. I bought new tires and they didn’t talk me into the most expensive with bells and whistles.
I’d highly recommend.

Dont want to denigrate the other shops,.but I am SO happy I found JRA a few years ago. Great mechanics, service, everything. Right of 93, easy access as well!

I looked up the price for some parts installation on this businesses website. I was ok with the price, I called in and confirmed the price. So I brought my bike in a apparently the price is now over 60% of what is listed on their own site, and confirmed on the phone. When I mentioned the price listed on their site i was told that the installation prices on their site are strictly for parts that you buy through THEIR store, and they reserve the right to change the price upon inspection of the bike. OHHHHHHH, i see. would have been nice if they stated that on the website, or even on the phone when i called. (mind you this bike is brand new, not like anything was frozen or needed any extra effort to do). Seems they like to overcharge /​punish you for not buying from their shop. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all about supporting local business but not everyone can afford to pay top price for parts, and their charge for labor should be the charge for labor, for parts bought anywhere, not just their shop. They ended up coming down a little in price but still paid 50% more than what is listed on their site.
On top of that they tried to upsell me on a tune up. my bike could def use a few adjustments (which ill be glad to to myself, the only reason i initially brought my bike in is because i didn’t have the proper tool to install this specific part) but not enough to warrant a full 65 dollar tuneup. no thanks. First impressions last a lifetime, all set with bringing my bike in here for any type of work again.

I know very little about bikes, and my wife and I went in with a used bike that was given to us. The staff was friendly enough, but didn’t seem overly eager to explain things better to a couple of noobs. We were told the bike could use a tune-​up, which sounded good given the bike had just been sitting for a while. The service took a bit over a week to get done, as promised (which seemed a bit long, but good thing they’re busy, I guess) and it cost $ 120 (which we found a bit steep, given our little knowledge of bike repair/​maintenance). My first complaint is that the front brakes were not adjusted properly and were barely working. Second one is that the quick-​release they installed on the seat looked used, which would be OK if it meant it cost us less, but the thing doesn’t work very well. The seat still moves from side to side, even after tightening the quick-​release very hard.
We went back a week later with a semi-​new bike bought off from Craiglist, and we were told it also needed a $ 120 tune-​up! The bike is perfectly fine, maybe needs a brake cable replaced, but otherwise is great.
My reason for giving it 2 stars is that the second time I went the mechanic took about 5 minutes to look it over and deem it needed a tune-​up, without as much explaining why and what needed to be repaired or replaced.
I read a review here saying that «That typical elitist bike mentality… does not exist here.»
Maybe it’s less so than other places, I wouldn’t know. However, I will say that a young couple with little bike knowledge, just looking to get their rec bikes in shape for the summer were not as well received as I had hoped for a local business.
My hope is that they read this and take what I’ve said in consideration.

Best Bike shop in Boston. That typical elitist bike mentality that you find at almost every bike shop does not exist here. Just down to earth staff that can help you with commuters, bmx, road, mountain, hybrid bikes and more. Tons of selections of brands.
The service is also quick and they are incredibly helpful on letting you know what they can do for what you are looking to spend (if you don’t want to fix everything). They also participate in community events and it definitely feels like a neighborhood shop

I’ve never brought a bike here, as I found the selection a little limited for those who need a small frame. However, the staff are so helpful!
I’ve stopped here plenty of times with questions, and accessories. They’ve always been really nice and personable and most importantly, patient, especially to someone whose not very quick on understanding road bikes (I’m a runner, its all I know).
I found service prices to be very fair as well.

Yup, 5 stars. Not sure I could find anything wrong with this place, the bikes, accoutrements, and of course the service. Located my dream mountain bike in about ten minutes, took it for a quick spin and got everything I needed in no time with great advice and patience from the staff. I left my ID by mistake and they called me immediately and mailed it back within 2 days.
Tried a few other places first that just weren’t right. Highly recommend JRA.

Bought a bike with no chain at a yard sale thinking that I wanted to try and get in better shape. At least in theory that’s why I bought it. Brought it over to JRA because it’s down the street and Unilocal gave me a 20% discount for a needed tuneup. I was told a new chain was $ 10 and installation was around another $ 10. Tune up priced down to $ 52. Picked up bike and my bill was $ 85. Huh? Told the nice gentleman behind the counter and he added a little more to my discount to appease me but still not totally give in. I like that. He talked about how much time and work he put into my crappy bike. I thanked him for it. Still need to adjust my back brake. It’s a little too far out of reach for my liking. Now if I could only find that allen wrench to fix it. Hmmm?
Good selection of bikes for sale but not enough hybrids that won’t make my back hurt.
After the yard sale and the tuneup I probably could of bought a new bike for around the same money. Lesson learned.