Behind Bars Bicycle Shop

I will preface this by saying I know very, very little about bikes.
I managed to mess up my gears or «derailleurs» (I put this in quotes because I’m near certain that’s not a real word) or something. Either way, my happy little bike jaunts were less happy, so I took the ol’ wheel and pedals in for a check up.
They could have easily charged me the $ 45 tune-​up fee, and I wouldn’t have complained. In fact, I would have guessed that was the cost. Instead, they charged me like $ 15 for an adjustment, and while they were at it filled up the air in my tires and got everything primed back up.
My suspicions of operator error were confirmed, but the dude helping me wasn’t condescending about it at all. He was knowledgeable and took the time to explain why the problems occurred, how to avoid them in the future, and gave me some tips on basic bike maintenance. Which I desperately needed.
Overall, great experience and probably the best outcome from my situation. They have some pretty dope helmets, too. As long as I live in NE, this will probably be my go-​to bike shop.

I’m not really a bicyclist. Hell, I’ve probably ridden fewer miles than I’ve canoed in the last decade. I saw a sweet ancient Schwinn on craigslist a few years ago and had to have it. It made a few beer runs and then sat in storage, all sad like.
I sheepishly brought her into Behind Bars and they caught up all the past due maintenance, without any pretense or judgement sent my direction. It’s been said before but deserves repeating — they are clearly very interested in customer service and ensuring that you leave happy.
The list of things they accomplished for less than a hundred bucks would have taken me an entire weekend of swearing, youtubing, and eight runs for parts. Their competent service was most certainly worthwhile and I’m really looking forward to wandering around on two wheels this summer.

terrible hipster store. only thing they are good at is screwing up and trying to charge customers for their mistakes. don’t bother. go to the hub instead. I will never go back to this lousy store. definitely overpriced and poor quality.

If you check my history, I don’t review stuff very often. Like once a year often. But had to give a shout out to Behind Bars. Bought a bike, super helpful, no attitude, answered questions. Highly recommend!

Chuck and Derek hooked me up with a slick Kona Paddy Wagon. I took it for multiple test rides and they were happy to help every step of the way. My needs are incredibly basic and I am sure boring for any real cycling enthusiast. Despite this, the entire Behind Bars staff were happy to give me advice that was reasonable and tailored to my needs instead of an ideal that I just don’t require. Couldn’t be more pleased with this place. I am honored to be able to say that they are in my neighborhood, and hope it stays that way.

This is my go-​to place for anything bike related. They have a great selection of tools, parts, components, apparel and accessories. They also have BIKES and they carry a great selection of homegrown MN brands.
More important than all that though, is their excellent customer service. If I ever have a question about anything bike related, I can always get a helpful answer, whether over the phone or in person.
Service gets done quickly and done right, and the guys make sure you are informed about what they’re doing regardless of your skill and knowledge level.
I’ve been here too many times to recant stories about how well I’ve been treated as a customer, but each time has always been excellent. Kick-​ass shop, guys! Keep up the good work!

This place is great. I brought an old bike I found to these guys and asked if it was salvageable. They went over everything it needed and were very thorough. Chuck and Max were honest and there was no pressure. I had them overhaul that old bike and now it’s awesome! They did an amazing job, the price tag was totally reasonable, and my bike was ready the day they said it would be! I highly recommend Behind Bars. Great customer service and super nice, honest dudes.

It’s refreshing to go to a bike shop and not feel as though my lack of bike knowledge is being held against me. These dudes are absolutely great. Each person I’ve interacted with there was friendly, helpful, casual, and didn’t have an ounce of pretension.
I’ve never purchased a bike from them, since I’m not in the market for a new one, but I strongly recommend heading over there for repairs. Also, they have all the bike accessories you’d need (lights, fenders, bar tape, etc.) at affordable prices.
Also, they’ve taken care of my bike while I wait each time I’ve brought it in. Customers in this situation can bide their time sitting on their couch and thumbing through their plethora of bike-​related magazines.

What a nice bike shop.
Good variety, prices and selection of bikes. Their mechanics and sales people are knowledgable and upfront. They aren’t snobby, either. And when trying to decide on which bike I wanted, they gave me my space and let me take my time to decide which bike was for me. No pressure. That was the best.
I would totally recommend this place, even though it is not my neighborhood joint. Good work, guys.

Looked at a few bikes here one random afternoon, and they weren’t off the wall prices like at some of the other retailers. They had the major brands (Surly Masi Kona etc.) and it seems like they are way less than places like Freewheel or Eriks. I think I want to try going here next year when I do decided to trade in my current bike for a new model.

When I picked up my bike from it’s tune-​up, they also fixed my light bracket for free. I also bought a bike cover and then forgot it on the roof of my car; when I went back a few minutes later to see if anyone had found it in the parking lot and returned it to the store, the guy gave me another one for free!
And that’s on top of the half off I got for using a Groupon for the tune-​up. Generosity (or at least liberal customer relations) abounds.

Stopped by one day shopping for road bikes. At first, the worker seemed really annoyed and acted like it was some major chore to fit me to the bikes I asked about. After I test-​rode a few around the block, though, he became real excited and helpful.

Last fall, I had brought my old bike in to get new wheels and Behind Bars didn’t point out my shame (that I was rocking a Huffy from 1991). They are always respectful of your skill level and more than willing to help you.
This spring, I decided I needed something that weighed less than 30 pounds and didn’t change gears without my telling it to. But, finding a bike is hard when you’re an even five feet tall. Forty-​eight centimeters, used or new, is almost impossible this time year. If I would have started my search a month prior, I probably would have found a bike before I got to Behind Bars.
But I’m glad I didn’t. I found my soul-​wheels. A 2010 Masi Speciale Fixed. It’s beautiful. The guys even kept the store open late so I could take an extra ride around the block to make sure it was the one. They adjusted the seat and handlebars until we got it right. It was out of my budget, but it was a steal nonetheless and they guys were more than willing to stay even later (a half an hour past closing) to install my fenders.

My wife and I started patronizing Behind Bars last spring after she bought a 60’s era Schwinn cruiser that needed new tires. We live in NE Mpls and like to patronize local shops whenever possible. The guys behind the counter were very helpful and special ordered a pair of white wall tires for her bike. Total for the groovy new tires and installation with new tubes? $ 40 I was very pleasantly surprised.
As another reviewer noted, Behind Bars will often do a quick tire change or flat repair while you wait.
What really sold me on Behind Bars is when I brought my 92 Gazelle Primeur (Dutch made bike w/​3 speed hub) in with a flat. I discussed the idea of upgrading the rear wheel from a three speed to an eight speed with the owner, Chuck. He knew quite a bit about Gazelles, despite their relative obscurity in the US, and thought it was very do-​able and even ball parked a price for me.
At no time has anyone at Behind Bars made me feel like I was a second class citizen because I don’t service my own bikes beyond airing up the tires. Not that don’t know how, it’s just not worth my time and effort when I can pay them to do it and be back in the saddle quickly.

They’ve managed to fix what ever I bring them. From cranky old 3 speeds to high-​end road bikes.

I’ve had a number of great experiences here with my trusty Motobecane. They’ve got all manner of gear and parts for the DIY sort. For the lazy/​butterfingers type person such as myself, their service is quick and well-​done — generally they’ll do minor stuff right there and then while you wait — and in line with prices elsewhere in the city. I also appreciate that they’re open ’til 7 during the week.
The staff are all friendly and knowledgeable without being bike snobs. I recently went in for a flat and was told that my tire was pretty much shot. Instead of getting the usual salesman spiel about needing the newest KRX 6000 Series tires and a deionized air pump, they told me their cheapest tire was ten bucks and they’d put it on for free. Good enough to make me a returning customer.

I did not purchase my bike from Behind Bars, but ever since I moved to the neighborhood they’ve been wonderful. My boyfriend went in with his bike (also not purchased there) and needed to fix the seat, and they ended up charging him $ 3 for parts and nothing at all for labor. Lovely! We stopped by again today for caps to put on the valves on our tires — and they gave us eight of them for free. I love this place!

I got my Masi here last year, and I absolutely love it. Chuck and Steph really helped me figure out the right bike for me. They have a great range of bikes (styles and $$$), helmets, and all sorts of other gear. Super unintimidating, like Sarah J said, they are real helpful with the little tune-​ups etc.

Chuck knows a lot about bikes, and he’s very helpful and professional. He sells me everything — from my helmet to tires to tubes. I would buy a new bike from him if I was pouring my cash in that direction. He seems to like Konas a lot. I like riding my bike into the shop and leaning it against the wall while I wait for him to finish up with another customer. I’m not a bike-​fixing genius and he’s always been quick to offer to change a tire for me or adjust something — without implying that I’m a loser or not fit to be biking because I don’t know how. That goes a long way in this community. We are so lucky to have this shop in Northeast — it’s an integral part of the neighborhood.

Best LBS in Minneapolis! Friendly, informed, and experienced staff. Owned and operated by cyclists.