Freewheel Bike Shop

Still a good place, but ever since the Valencia location closed, the staff here has changed and it just hasn’t been the same. When John and Emerson were running this shop, it had a really great feel. Those guys would always smile and welcome you into the space. I always felt comfortable asking questions and would always get great advice and service. I’ve been in a few times since the change, and the guys working there are nice enough, but its just not the same. Even though its further away, I’ve moved to Fresh Air Bicycles as my go-​to shop and I suggest you do the same.

Great bike shop with very knowledgable and friendly staff. My first time there was to get a new bike. The person who helped me out made sure I was happy through every decision and helped me a lot while I was thinking of what I wanted.
I also brought my bike in twice for a flat tire. Right away they helped me out with a smile. The first time they fixed it at no charge.
If you are looking to buy something or just get some help on your bike this is the place to go.

I love Freewheel on Hayes — love love love!
First of all, the guys in the shop are great guys. It makes them happy to see people having fun on bikes and it shows. I’ll go in with little problems and always walk out happier with my bike working better than ever. I do a lot of my own work but they are always there to help me figure out what to do next or offer a stronger hand when needed.
If you live in the neighborhood, I highly recommend doing your own work and joining their community club. If it’s something minor you can probably get away with just fixing it on their stand really quick, but if it’s something more involved it’s just a small annual fee to join for full use of tools and the stand. I’ve rebuilt a wheel, taken apart a bike and re-​greased everything, cleaned a drive train, washed my bikes countless times, …, etc. So, this shop saves me a ton of money. And, then, whenever I do need to spend money on something I’m happy to get it from them since they are so knowledgeable and only stock quality stuff.
Did I mention that I LOVE this shop?

Freewheel on Hayes has been my local shop of choice now for several years, since Dustin was still running the show. These days John and Emerson are holding it down and I couldn’t be more pleased. I’m always greeted with a friendly gesture. I can trust that these guys will guide me in the right direction when I need help figuring out a solution to a certain problem, and their repairs are so solid. I have brought in all sorts of different types of bicycle and these guys always know what to do. The prices are good and the turnaround is fast. Most importantly though, these guys know their customers and really make us feel like part of the community. There are no egos here. Thanks for all the great work, guys.

Really good guys for fixing an old bike. They replaced the torn tires on my folding bike and fixed the gearing, and did a great job.

Super cool guys behind the counter never make me feel stupid for not knowing anything about how my bike works. Thanks guys!

I’ve never had anything but good experiences here. I bought both of my bikes here (first was stolen) and the guys who work here are great. You get a free tune up after a year, which is nice. A bike expert I am not, but anytime I’ve had an issue they have helped me graciously and patiently.

These guys are the best. They are friendly to everyone and very service oriented. I usually buy parts from them and work on my bikes on the stand in the shop that’s open for community use. They let me do my thing, but are usually happy to give pointers or clear up questions I have if they’re not too busy. They also stock an impressive amount of stuff for such a small space.
Very much a neighborhood hub for everyone from serious cyclists to crusiers and commuters. Can’t say enough about how great they are. Recommend x1000.

I like this place.
Every time I’ve stopped in the guys behind the counter have been courteous, polite, and helpful. They have always answered my questions thoroughly without a hint of pretense or condescension. They also stock lots of cool stuff (reasonably priced) despite how small the space is.
I’m not sure what more one could ask for in a bike shop.

Bought a new Giant Escape and went back in to have the handlebar switched out, new grips, and add some pinhead wheel locks. Great customer service and good range of products for being a smaller spot. Definitely my go to shop in the city!

Whatever it is, John and Emerson will sort it out! They are always helpful and nice — good people to work with, good people straight up! I really miss this shop. Sadly, I got injured and moved away, so it’s been a while for me. Still, I recommend them wholeheartedly for your bike sales and service needs.

Had a great experience here!
Recently purchased a bike on Amazon, it was delivered and I put it together but could tell it wasn’t quite right.
Took it in here for a quick tune-​up and they were able to get it in perfect condition in 15 minutes. They went above and beyond to check everything out and make sure it was setup perfectly.
Very fair price, plus the guy was super kind and helpful on providing some tips on things to look for and caring for it in the future.

I’ve never bought a bike or any parts from these guys, I only go here for service. Every time I go there the mechanics are friendly and get me sorted out for quick tuneups within a few minutes. The prices are also very reasonable for their tune-​ups. The mechanics also always answer my questions (I’m always trying to learn how to improve my own skills).
I had them glue a tubular for me and they did a top notch job. After previously having a tubular rolled that was done by a very popular bay area bike shop I ask tons of questions (almost to the point where it gets annoying) before I let a shop do a glue job for me. I’ve raced that wheel many times since and haven’t had any trouble taking some seriously sharp corners in races.
I also like that they will let you use any of their tools for a $ 10 fee (or you can get a 6 month subscription). I brought in a frameset for a budget cross bike I was building up and cut the steerer tube, installed the crown race, and they also taught me how to press in new wheel bearings into a hub of mine.
Update: I recently had them rebuild my ENVE tubular. I double checked the wheel on truing stand at home and it’s perfectly true (both radial and vertical) with great spoke tension. Very reasonable price for the rebuild as well!
Highly recommended!

John and crew did an excellent job on my wheel build and at a very competitive price compared to those online. I will definitely go their shop if I have any other needs for my future builds! Thanks guys!

Damn great service the guy really helped me out with my new trinity giro helmet god bless you save another fellow cyclist out in this world never will forget you :).

Everyone who made this shop great has left. It’s a shell of its former self. I would avoid.

My son’s wheels needed some attention. Emerson spent ten minutes fixing the problem then turned down my offer to compensate him.
Thanks.
I see a lot of people calling the employees hipsters and the like. If I walked in here to buy a bike and the guys DIDN’T have beanies on their heads and tattoos on their arms, I’d walk out. It’s a bike shop, not an H&R Block.

Just bought my first carbon fiber bike. They did not have my size in stock, but ordered it without a deposit. I went in, test rode it and did more research. I emailed the owner and he offered me a 10% discount for being a Grizzly Peak Cyclist. Emerson transferred my old seat, pedals and water bottle cage over to the new bike. John was really helpful when I asked about swapping out the rear cassette for me. They gave me a credit for my original cassette and gave me 15% off the new one. I will be back in 2 weeks for a tune-​up. Very pleased with the level of service I received.

I can’t believe it’s taken me so long to rave about this bike shop! When I was looking for a bike in early 2012, I was worried that I’d face a lot of bike-​related, hipster pretension. Freewheel was a pleasant surprise.
From helping me pick out a bike to answering all my silly bike questions («I’m supposed to REGULARLY check my tire pressure to avoid flats? Weird…»), they have been a patient, informative, and friendly bunch of bike-​knowledgeable people. If you’re looking for an awesome repair shop or a new bike, check them out!

I used to like this establishment a lot, I would frequently default to them for maintenance, repairs, and parts for my bike. But over the past two years their service, drifting toward apathetic, has decayed to a point where I can no longer willingly recommend or even use their business. Now let me tell you a story…
A few weeks ago I brought my bike in to have my wheels re-​tensioned and the tires changed. A few days later I noticed that my rear wheel’s side wall had been so badly dented in that the metal was cracked and a half-​inch wedge of metal now sat at a 90° angle: the entire wheel was compromised.
I went to two other bicycle shops that day: presented them with my wheel and no other information, then asked the following questions:
«How bad is this damage?» and «How do you think it could have possibly happened?»
Having not had a wreck of any kind – in fact, having barely ridden my bike since the repair – the mechanics each explained that the damage was irrefutably from a considerable impact on the edge of the wheel. They each also specifically explained that it was curious because there was no way the damage could have been sustained with air pressure in the tires. Had it occurred while I was riding the bike, I would have had an explosive blowout – the metal was nearly slicing through the tire.
When I then told the mechanics about the work I had done, they immediately agreed:
«Someone dropped your wheel.»
Upset, I returned to Freewheel the following week and presented the wheel to them.
«Just over a week ago I had you guys tension my wheels and replace my tires… when I got my bike back I noticed this dent.»
Grimacing, the mechanic said I’d need a new wheel and it would need to be ordered. They would rebuild my wheel, though apparently without a discount. At best, one mechanic offered me $ 20 off labor; the other lazily told him they couldn’t even do that.
Immediately I balked: imagining that I should not have to pay for anything. Scarcely more than a week before I had thrown $ 150 at them and left with a bike that could have thrown me from the saddle into the ER.
Here is where they lost me forever: I could forgive that they’d destroyed my wheel – accidents happen – but that they did so and did not tell me, that they denied any part in it when confronted, and that they coldly refused to make amends to me – for the sake of my business. That’s when they crossed the line to unprofessional.
Before I left the store they took down my number and told me they would call me the next day to tell me how soon they could get a new wheel in for me. It’s been a week since then, and they never called.
Don’t give this establishment your business. They were once quite professional, even amiable, but they’ve changed. After considering that they put me back on the road with a bike (knowingly or not) which could have had an explosive blowout at any moment – perhaps while careening down a massive San Francisco hill in high traffic as I often do – I find them untrustworthy… even a little shady.

I just came back from getting my bike fixed here. Ran over some glass downtown and had to take MUNI home. I tried calling Mojo, but for the last 2 days they didn’t answer their phone. I suppose they are closed for the holidays. I also tried calling the shop near Kezar because I had shopped there, no answer.
The next closest place was this one, Freewheel. When I called them, the phone was busy. GOOD SIGN! Haha. They must be open. I described my problem and the type of tire I had (Bontrager). He said it was exclusive to Trek but that he carries a suitable replacement.
When I got there, he helped me right away. Apparently I just needed a new tube, but my tire was so badly worn down I opted to get a replacement. For tube, tire, and $ 12 labor for a total of $ 49 I had a bike I could ride on. I’m not sure if this is a great deal or not, but it was quick and convenient.
While the dog is cute, it was kind of annoying. The guy that worked there almost stepped on it. There’s plenty of stuff to look at in here, but it could use more accessories. I didn’t see the tune up class they offer that other Unilocalers have been describing but it sounds interesting. For a monthly/​annual fee you can use their equipment and tools to work on your bike.
I am a fan of this place and will come again!

This is my shop! Rep-​in The FREEWHEEL for LIFE! Great guys that know what their talking about and not all about the sales.
Small store with amazing products — their new water bottles are pretty badass too for only 6 bucks!
They accept the SFBC card too!