Performance Bicycle

I purchased my city bike here during their summer sale a few summers ago and it’s still up and running.
The service here is great. The guys really know what they’re talking about when it comes to the use of the bike, budget, and management. They set me up with everything that I needed for my bike and had some suggestions for bike care.
I also had a bike problem on day and I called them up to see if I could drop in and so I went in and they fixed my bike problem!

I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a bike for a while now, just for casual riding/​errands and occasional commuting to work. I am a novice rider and didn’t want to break the bank so i picked up a cool single speed on craigslist.
prior to buying the bike on craigslist, i shopped around and found every bike shop in Philly (w the exception of Fairmount) that i checked out to be kind of arrogant/​condescending when i admitted that i am a total novice looking to take up riding.
anyways, bought the bike on CL and brought it to performance because i needed grips, a helmet, a lock and some other minor purchases. I was helped by a employee (Nate) who was super helpful, didn’t make me feel like a jackass about my bike selection or novice bike knowledge. zero elitist/​douchey bike shop vibe here and guy went out of his way to be helpful. overall awesome experience and will be back here for future needs in lieu of having some smelly hipster talk down to me because i don’t want to buy a $ 1,200 «vintage» restored 1970’s junker with lime green bar tape…

The sales can be good, but other online stores’ prices are always better. They do have a great return policy though.
The staff is great; they are always kind and helpful.
The service is hit or miss; I don’t recommend coming here if that’s what you need.
I noticed a reviewer complained about the unbikable location, but he must have gone before the bike lanes were put in (or he just needed to toughen up).

Stopped by for the first time yesterday to buy a bike lock and a bike pump. I was hoping to get a kryptonite lock, but they only had one that was about $ 130 which there was no way I could afford it. The gentleman who came by to ask if I needed assistance helped me pick a much cheaper, but decent lock for my bike. I was happy with the help I received. They also have decent hours which I was excited about.

Great service! I bought my bike here and they have taken excellent care of me.
They recently packed my bike up for cross country shipping and they made the process easy and made solid recommendations.
Always, great prices!

Unethical and irresponsible.
I have bought things at this shop on occasion because they are open longer hours then the local bike shops in Philly, but after my last experience here, never again. I bought a set of pedals back in May, and in October, one of the pedals failed during use and nearly caused me to wipe out into a car. It wasn’t a matter of improper installation — the bearing had actually stripped totally off the spindle. When I returned them to the store, the manager on duty could not find my receipt in the system (despite the fact that they had taken my customer information when I purchased the pedals). He tried repeatedly to get me to take an exchange for a lower quality pedal, telling me that they were the same quality, but a few minutes later saying to another employee within my hearing «those are the cheaper plastic bearings, not the metal ones she’s returning». He pressured me over and over to accept store credit because they couldn’t locate my order. Finally, after more than half an hour and showing them my credit card statement, they found my purchase under someone else’s account with the same last name. Even then, they refused to offer a refund and forced me to take store credit. What is the purpose of forcing customers to create accounts if they can’t be used for returns?
However, the worst thing was actually what I witnessed while I was standing at the counter waiting for them to find my receipt. A salesperson was giving a young woman the hard sell on a bicycle, a previous year’s model they were trying to get rid of. The woman said she’d never ridden on-​road before and was very inexperienced, and expressed concern that the road bike with its slick tires was going to be hard to handle in rain and snow. The salesperson assured her it would be fine and it didn’t make any difference. WHAT? That is irresponsible garbage. I’m not saying you can’t ride a road bike in winter — I do it myself — but convincing someone who’s never even ridden outside of a park that she should learn on a bike with 19 mm smooth tires in the WINTER?! That’s a terrible choice for a beginner and a clear sign the employees didn’t care about her safety, just a quick buck.
I am going to find something to use my store credit on which they can’t mess up, and then I will be thrilled to never, ever go back.

I got tubes buy two, get two free!!! The manager herself helped me find everything. shewas wonderful! The prices were fantastic!!! I will be a regular customer. love this store.

Horrible service. Took my bike in for a tune-​up. Took a week to get a simple inner-​tube shipped in from bumblef*ck.
When my girlfriend took the bike out for its first ride the front brakes didn’t work. I paid for a ProTuneUp. Nothing Pro about it. I’m going to take my bike to the the PB in Paoli and see if I get better service.

We had wonderful service here and no one was too pushy! All the attendants were very knowledgable and they were able to order my bike, put it together within a week. Highly recommended.

I just had a really great experience at Performance Bicycles today. Mike was so friendly and helpful and helped me take off all the nasty duck tape off my bike and replace it with new handlebars and a new light. He fixed my tire and helped me pick out a few more things I needed. He was just so nice and friendly. Then Sara helped me put in a new water bottle holder and rang me up. Everyone was really helpful and then I got a ton of discounts (10% on Tuesdays during lunch time!!) and ended up paying way less than I expected. I will definitely be going back. Thanks you guys!

Went in on On 7÷20÷14 with my girlfriend and her parents (that drove 3hrs from jersey) to buy their daughter a bicycle for her birthday. A girl with short pink hair offered to help us find the right size and style bike for my girlfriend, everything was fine at first. As the sale went on the girl wasn’t really listening to what my girlfriend and her mother wanted in a bike, instead offering her own opinion on a single speed urban city bike (SE draft) that’s when I stepped in and said «no we want to get something with gears and more of a hybrid, like we said to you first of all» she says «ok, here are all of our bikes in that style». Looking at all the bikes she pointed to, my girlfriends mother says «what about the girls bikes?» To which the sales girl rudely replied «girls don’t have to ride girl bikes» so then the sale goes on and we get asked about a membership plan and a 2yr maintenance plan to which I said «no thank you, I’m a engineer and can fix anything and can easily service this bike» she tried to give the reasons why she thought we should get it and I still declined. So moving on we go outside to test ride the bike and as the sales girl is trying to adjust the goose neck of the bike my girlfriends father went to hold it steady cause he is a gentleman and saw she was having trouble making the adjustment as soon as he went to help the girl shouted out «I GOT IT» in a ride tone of voice (she never succeeded by the way and gave up on the adjustment). So then my girlfriend takes a test ride and likes the bike so then the sales girl try’s to ask about the Maintinence plan and membership again, again we declined! We go inside to pick out a lock and a helmet and get asked 2 more times if we want the maintenance plan and the membership, again we said NO! We got up to the counter to pay and finally leave when there are 4 guys standing behind the sales counter with the sales girl kinda smirking and laughing and once more they ask «are you sure you don’t want the membership or our maintenance plan?» I said «No! We told you a few times before we aren’t interested!» So we get home and notice that the helmet my girlfriend specifically said she didn’t want was the one the sales girl gave us and stashed in the bag really quick! So obviously we had to go back the following day to correct the helmet issue, while we were there I asked a lady at the counter if she could get a manager for me so I could tell them about the crappy experience the day prior. She says «I’m one of them» I said «ok I’d like to make a complaint about a sales person you had on the floor yesterday, then I describe the sales girl» the lady said to me «she was probably having a bad day, everyone has bad days»
I don’t accept this as a resolution to my issue, Performance Bicycle ruined a special moment my girlfriend will never get back with her parents who drove 3hrs to buy her a birthday gift, it was supposed to be a happy and joyful experience when picking out her new bike for her birthday gift. Instead it turned into a really bad experience that was the fault of performance bicycle! So after I was unable to file a complaint I said «ok I’d like to get a new seat for her bike, we stressed this issue with the sales girl when test riding the bike but she failed to help. So after we pick out a seat I ask the «manager lady» if she would ask the mechanics to throw the new seat on real quick being that they just ruined a special moment for my girlfriend and just spent almost $ 600 in their shop. The lady replied «you can go talk to the mechanics, it might be an hour or so»
This made me furious that now here I am using my own tools and working on a brand new bike my girlfriends parents just spent $ 500 on for her birthday in the so called «performance bike shop» it was purchased from the day before!!!
I guess it’s all about the bottom line and just making that margin right PERFORMANCE BICYCLE! You guys fucked up a special day for my girlfriend the love of my life) I expect you guys to make this right In one way or another for her! Wish I could rate half a star, you’re lucky you get 1!

I’ve taken my bikes in for repairs, flats I couldn’t handle, bar tape, tune ups. I’ve purchased gloves, tubes, saddles, clamps etc. Their staff has always been very polite and helpful. Prices are reasonable (recently bought a Forte 34.9mm seatpost clamp– $ 4.50 when another local bike shop wanted $ 20.00 for a no name). The mechanics are excellent, they can home in on a problem very quickly and repairs are done in a reasonable amount of time. The other day I had a flat– changed it myself but couldn’t get the tire back on the rim (don’t ask) — they did it for free and didn’t make me feel like a dope (hey, next day same bike got flat and I had no problem). Anyway I’ll keep going here– good shop.

Thank you to Mike for making the adjustments to our 8-​year old’s new bike (not even purchased at Performance) and for helping us properly install the bike rack on our car! We were clueless. It was so helpful and thoughtful to go out of the way like that for us!!!

I definitely want to get a really good bike from here one day but for now this location has my no sugar electrolytes. I don’t know who else sells my sugar-​free electrolytes. This discovery is amazing because I get dehydrated during my runs and Powerade which was my runners drink of choice still was loaded with sugar.

People have called this the Walmart of bike shops. Not true. Maybe its the Pepboys or Radioshacks of bike shops. But I don’t think that necessarily bad. It just depends on what you’re looking for.
Its not some boutique that’s going to make you feel like crud just for walking in with less than a budget for a 105 level road bike, nor is it some boutique that’s going to make you feel like a million bucks by blowing smoke up your rear. It’s big box retail. Consistent. Low pressure. Competitively priced. Large and varied inventory. A staff that isn’t terribly vested in the sale. A staff that are Radioshack level experts, nothing more. A bland environment.

I needed a helmet for my new daily bike commute. That brought on two challenges. One is that I didn’t want a «racing» helmet. I’d had a Giro before, and it didn’t feel right for city biking. Options for urban helmets are fewer, and brings me to the second challenge of my gigantic head. I’m not kidding, this boy’s head is like sputnik. I’ve had size 8 hats be too small for me.
So cyclist friends of mine recommended either a Bern or a Nutcase helmet. Performance carries both brands, but disappointingly did not have any larger sizes of Bern. They did have the larger size of of Nutcase, and miraculously, it was set up with thinner padding so I could easily try it on, and find that it fit me well. The price was competitive with internet deals I had searched for, so I bought it.
I looked around a bit for bikes and accessories. They didn’t have all the brands of headlight/​taillight I’ve been looking at, but it gave me an idea of the options. They also have a good variety of bikes, including Fuji and GT, and some big frames that might ably replace my vintage Raleigh Sprite.

I came here hoping to buy my first mountain bike. Upon entering, I approached a staff member asking for his recommendation for a mountain bike for a first timer. He took me over to the mountain bike section and said «these are pretty good». There were like 40 bikes. I asked a few additional questions hoping to narrow the choices but it seemed as if the staff was not well educated on the different types of bikes they offer and generally seemed uninterested. Then I left.

Though I have not personally received worse service, I have to assume it exists. Thus 2 stars.
I’ve come to this location on a few occasions. Twice, I was interested in buying either a bike or parts. Neither time did anyone ask to help me or feign interest in my being there. When I asked about specific products, I was greeted with blank stares or redirected to other employees. The third time, I’d just had a small crash down the road. I walked in limping and bleeding from a few places. The employees went about their business, even as I stood at the checkout counter hoping someone would come over. At some point, I was directed to the bathroom in the back. I understand it’s a larger store but this location provided no interest in taking care of it’s customers.
Fairly disappointing in a city with several bike shops. Cheers.

We were out riding and happened to go past PB. We saw signs advertising a sale, so who could resist, particularly since my bike lock is 30 years old and the key keeps jamming.
We were delighted to find a new bike lock and better yet, meet Max who was willing and able to attach the new lock to my bike. Max asked me to test drive the bike with the lock on it to be sure that it did not obstruct my legs, and he suggested that we cover some screws to make sure I would not get scraped on them. Max figured out how to cover the screws with little caps that make them safe. On his own, then Max filled the tires, checked the brakes, and gave the bike a once over. When I told him it was perfect, he gave me a high five, and I rode off a very satisfied ooomcustomeromer.
I was not intending to get a new bike, but I now plan to go back during the sale, find Max, and ask him to help me with a new bike purchase. Thanks Max for service well done.

How often do you find a specialty sports store that has prices way below the big box stores? I was very impressed with Performance Bicycle’s low prices. They were also running a sale on a cycling shoe that was exactly what I needed for spin class. They had the expertise to answer all of my questions in a very friendly way. In addition to making sure I picked the right shoe size, which is confusing since cycling shoes are in European sizes, they also attached the cleat.
Performance Bicycle’s has great service and favorable prices. Another bonus was the Unilocal check-​in offer.