Bicycle Sam

I’m sorry that some of you have had negative experiences here. I got a tune up here and my bike feels and looks new. They even replaced some cables as a courtesy. I didn’t really like that they tried to sell me a new bike at first instead, but I’m really happy with how my road bike rides now. Thanks Bicycle Sam.

Simply terrible. DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THEIR GOOD PRICES! I went in to get my shifter cables installed. They said it would cost 10 dollars for both over the phone. When I got their he said 10 dollars each cable. I was already there so I just let them work on my bike even though he raised the prices. Afterwards he doesn’t even tune the cables and ask for 15 more dollars. Now I can go to Helen’s or Temple City Bike Shop and get the job done for 30. Sam’s is charging me 35.
The worst part is that I said no to the tuning costs and took my bike. When I got home I found out they didn’t even install my cables correctly. They didn’t cut it to the right size and he put the rear dérailleur cable between my brake cables.

Been to this place on two occasions. First occasion was just a quick browse while waiting for pizza at neighboring shop. Greeted when entered, and was left to my own devices. I didn’t ask for anything so the visit was quick. The shop is small, maybe 600 sq. ft, probably most need bikes to be ordered. Second visit determined the outcome of this review. I was out on a ride with my children when my tire was super low on air. Went in asked for help, and was offered a hand pump reluctantly. Asked for assistance because small child was sitting on the back in a carrier (couldn’t hold him and the bike and pump) I’m not sure if they didn’t notice, didn’t care or didn’t think I’d ever count as a paying customer. They did reluctantly reach over the counter and grab the auto pump hose and fill my tire. I thanked them and left. I guess they didn’t want my business. I mean, I was near stranded with small children. Nothing??? I would like to support businesses small or large if they are willing to assist customers, period. Never had this issue with Stan’s Bike Shop in nearby Monrovia, in person or via phone. I have had repairs while waiting if I was in a hurry, and advice about tire repairs on a high end stroller, without complaint. I approached the gentleman with respect and graciously asked for help. The treatment was beyond rude. Even though this place is closer, I won’t likely be back.

I love this place. I take my bike in a few times a year for adjustments. I have an 8 year old hybrid and I ride it hard so something is always breaking. Sam always puts it back together for me! My bike is finally so trashed that I need a new one. I’m heading over to Sam’s right now to see what he has. He carries a great stock of high quality used bikes. I bought a tandem there last year for $ 250. It looks like new and would sell for $ 2,000+ if I bought it new! I love Sam!

I have delayed this review because I was waiting for a call from the owner/​manager at Bicycle Sam regarding my bicycle.
Since I haven’t received a call in over a month, here’s a proper review.
I took my vintage road bike to Bicycle Sam for all new spokes, and a new cassette for the freewheel.
The owner Dayton told me the price, which was reasonable, and showed me the sprocket he was going to install onto my bike. Shimano. Cool.
Service was fast, only a few days.
When I went to get my bike, this is when things started to look shady. The spokes were installed, the cassette installed… Wait. that’s not the one he showed me I paid for. What is this «Sunrace» sprocket? He told me oh no its the same price as the Shimano one. Such a cheap sad sprocket on my vintage Japanese bicycle. I had to ask for my old sprocket back because he had it tucked away in some drawer probably to clean and reuse. Thanks a lot bicycle Sam… He told me to just go ride it and see if I like it.
I rode away, with my new sprocket… Realizing something looked different on the front wheel. A new hub?! I did not ask for a new hub, I was not told there was going to be a new hub put onto my bicycle.
I turned around and asked him about this hub thing… «Oh yeah… I forgot to tell you. Your old hub was messed up (bearings) so I just laced your wheel with this one.» I asked him why he did this without telling me… No answer. He told me the hub was Shimano. LIE. I could clearly see the name «Quando» on the side. I don’t know if this guy thought I was an idiot or what, but I told him I was unhappy and to order the Shimano cassette he promised. He obliged and said he would give me a call in a week after he ordered it.
No call.
No nothing.
If you value your bicycle, and like to keep original parts on it, don’t go here. You’ll end up with a mutt bicycle.
I’ll never go back to Bicycle Sam, even if my bike breaks down at the front door step.

Simply put, great service from the owner. Like I mentioned in my other reviews, I usually prefer smaller family shops. This is no exception. I believe I was helped by the owner, Mr. Kang today. Very quick service, reasonably priced, took one look & knew exactly what needed to be done.
I’m not a die hard bike guy but will definitely visit Bicycle Sam’s next time I’m in the market for a new one, or need parts/​repairs of any sort. Great service, no time wasted, great shop!

This is a dinky little shop that doesn’t look like much on the outside but there is magic on the inside. I had an old bicycle that needed a fix. Bicycle Sam’s quote undercut all the bigger bike shops in the area. Best of all, my bike was ready next day!
I highly recommend paying Bicycle Sam a visit if your bike needs anything.

Good guy. Always friendly & helpful. Even if I just need a small part.
He also will special order things for me if they don’t have them.

Brought my strand cruiser in to Bicycle Sams for repair. The person running the store was friendly and knowledgeable. Received fast, fairly priced quality repair. Will certainly return for any future repairs/​maintenance that may be required.

I went to Bicycle Sam and got PERFECT service.
The tech was knowledgeable, informative and get this… EVEN let me try the bike on for correct/​proper size and form… No pressure to purchase.
I’ve gone there to regular maintenance tune– ups. Purchased accessories with pricing competitive to online suppliers.
Not a lot of frills. Just good service.
Stan’s Monrovia Bicycles could learn a thing or two about running a bike shop from this place.

I needed a new shifters for my bike, went to other stores like REI (they dont have anything displayed) and Sports Chalet (too expensive). Finally went to this store and got want I needed, guy is very helpful.

I went in here clueless and full of questions. The gentleman behind the counter was super helpful and patient with me. What more could I ask for?

i cycle by this place all the time and finally needed some parts and figured it was on the way by my place. the gentlemen that seems to be running it is really nice and informative about bikes and seems to be genuinely into bikes.
i ordered some white wall tires for my bike and they didnt get it in stock for almost 2 weeks, so he finally offered to go pick them up himself out in redwood, or some where really far. i really appreciated the effort, but sort of feel bad for having his wife drive all the way out there just to pick up a pair of tires that were probably less than 30 bucks all together… but i guess 2 weeks was long enough of a wait.
prices are a little higher than online deals or huge retailers, but the guy really takes care of you and your bike.
overall, nice place, with good service.

It’s a small local bike shop off Mayflower and Duarte. And the past few times I’ve been here, the items I was looking for wasn’t in stock (for example, Alan wrench/​hex key). But the guy running the place seems nice.
It’s located in this small plaza where Burger Basket and Monrovia Pizza Company are at. Parking is easy to find, though there was an incident here many years ago… Can’t help but wonder about safety.
If I need something simple like tires, then I’d give them a shot, but there are other venues with more inventory out there.

another solid local bicycle shop for the area.
the feller in charge was friendly and real attentive with good advice.
and he was pushy when i told him what i’m in the market for. i appreciate that respect.
if i lived in the area, i’d probably make his shop my home shop.
support your local shop!