Richmond Re-Cycles Bicycle Shop

Came in about a week ago inquiring about two used bikes. The guy behind the counter rudely told me he wasn’t in the business of selling used bikes and that he was a repair shop. Funny considering everywhere I read online and everyone I talked to told me to go to them for a used bike. After my short experience there, I wouldn’t even go back if my bike broke down out front. If they would have treated me as a customer and not just some kid maybe I’d feel differently.

I’ve heard good things about this place for years, and finally had a few reasons to bring my bike in for servicing. A salesman and I went over point by point all the things I wanted done to the bike, (new seat, grips, handlebar adjustment, tires, and a few other things. An $ 80 estimate turned into a $ 140 repair (I authorized the difference over the phone, so please don’t think they sprung anything on me). All repairs were legit. It’s been 2,800 miles since my last tune up and as with a vehicle, bikes need tune ups and parts as well.
My time estimate was a bit off, but that’s OK … I don’t mind walking to and from work for a few days. I did it for six years, I can handle an extra day on the estimate.
I’m quite happy, and will gladly come back again when the need arises.

Seriously avoid this place. Run by a bunch of RVA hipsters that love taking money from what they perceive to be un-​hip. You will be mocked and laughed at and receive sub par work. Any kind of time frame guarantee is a lie. Spend your money and time elsewhere.

Love this place. Great prices and the dude who owns the place is extremely friendly and nice.

Great for simple repairs. I brought my bike in to be re-​chained during a particularly busy day at work (software engineer working from home), and the guy had it ready in less than 30 minutes. He also brought my handlebars into alignment, fixed a wobbly back wheel, and brought my handlebars back into alignment. I also got an honest assessment on my cassette’s health– he gave it a few more years to live, and did not try to sell me needless parts.
This all cost $ 15, which was well worth saving time/​frustration. The guy working there was very friendly and knowledgeable to boot.

Re-​cycles is great. I took my bike in there this afternoon thinking that I had a very simple problem and just lacked the right tool for the job. The problem was soon to be revealed a lot more serious than I had originally thought. The guy at the shop was awesome and gave me a great deal on the new part to fix it properly. And he fixed it there while I waited. I’ll take my bike here over the bigger guys in the area any day of the week. I highly recommend this store to anyone who needs repairs done.

I have visited this shop four times, during the course of last spring and summer. Each visit was an improvement over the first in terms of customer service. I went there to purchase a used bike and did so. Though I may have paid more than necessary, I saw this place as the type of place I would happily support. The people who were in the shop that moment barely greeted me and seemed disinterested in helping me choose a bike. The behavior was close to unfriendly, but I felt reassured by the look of the place, which is pure grease, nuts and bolts. I expected that there would have to be one or more employees who would know what to do with all that stuff! To date, that has proved true. The second visit was to help my daughter pick up an old bike of hers which she asked them to clean and prepare for use. I had referred her and I noticed a more helpful tone that day. On my third visit, recently, a person who was new to me named Evan, quickly diagnosed the problem and told me the bike would be ready for pick-​up two days later. He was efficient, sincere. Two days later, a friendly female voice left voicemail message indicating the bike was indeed ready. The day of pick-​up, Kitt showed so much enthusiasm and knowledge about the history of my bike that I was almost speechless, and I left feeling really good about Re-​cycles and my bike. Add to this there have been no other issues and I am a happy rider. The bottom line of all this is a message to the staff, and that is, a smile and desire to help go a long way to keep customers coming back. It is not just about good repair work and low prices.

So far so good. Got my tires repaired here and I’m riding again! They were fast too.

I traded in a bike and bought a used bike there. I had a great experience and would highly recommend.

In reading some of the negative reviews, I think there is some misunderstanding about this bike shop. It is a place to exchange parts, ideas, try new things, get help from folks who know what they’re doing and support a truly local place.
If you just want your bike fixed by a chain bicycle shop with pretty displays in a retail setting, don’t bother. It is a hipster bike shop with dirt, grease and character.
Take some time to get to know the folks who work there. Get to know them by name and they will get to know you and your bike a little better. Ask for Evan or Rick and spend a few minutes getting to know how they do things, or…
go to Agees and ask for Bill… I mean THE bill, sorry.

I have a couple bikes from here. Since I bike for transportation around town and not to race, this shop was perfect for what I needed.
I got great service and a great recommendation on a bike rack that I’ve had for a couple of years now.

I love this place. I’ve taken my bike there a few times for simple repairs and they turn it around so quickly. Plus, they are CHEAP! Bike repairs and parts can get pricey, but these guys really know what they are doing and it’s not outrageously expensive. Plus, everyone I’ve come into contact with there is super nice and helpful. I definitely plan to continue going to re-​cycles in the future.

Re-​cycles has a wide variety of bicycle parts for a very inexpensive price, even though you can take your bicycle for repairs, the place is mainly for bicycle parts and for those who can do the repairs for themselves.

This is the type of store that I love to support. The focus on selling used bikes is great. In addition, the store carries many zines and brochures that are difficult to find. The prices are more than reasonable.
Unfortunately, there are too many negatives about this place for me to recommend it. I brought my bike here three times without it being properly repaired. They only charged me $ 14, but frankly, they didn’t do anything. I finally brought the bike to Agee’s, where they suceeded in making the needed repairs.
Also, the employees are all more-​hipster-​than –thou, and are really not particularly welcoming. Not an atmosphere I have much patience with. So, an interesting place, worth checking out, but I wouldn’t expect much in the way of competant bike repair.