Cranky’s Bikes

I volunteered with Jim at La Bici Cocina in LA for years before he moved to SB, so this review is going to be a bit biased. However, I can say that he is the best bike mechanic I have ever seen in action. I have had the same bike for 10 years. It is a Cinelli Olympic Pista from the early 90s. I usually own bikes for a year or two max but this is that one bike I have kept forever. While I was working on it taking out the old C-​Record bottom bracket with some old matching C-​Record cranks, one of the crank bolts broke off flush inside the BB. I was pretty sure it would be impossible to get out. Fighting back the tears, I left my bike with Jim and decided to go back the next day figuring to hear that the bike was going to need very expensive machine work, or it would need to be scrapped. Jim had my bike ready to ride. He fixed it cheaply and without damaging the frame or BB shell in any way. This is only one story of what I have seen this man do.
In addition, Jim is a great ambassador for SB. I am not a huge fan of the area because of the touristy nature of the main drag and etc. Regardless, Jim has turned me on to great secluded biking, hiking, and general outdoors areas like a native of the area. He is a great resource for bikes and bike related activity in the area. He is a great addition to SB in general.
Cranky’s Bikes is moving to a better location, so keep your eyes out for the new shop!

This is my favorite bike shop of all time. I have gotten the most help from them and completed the most bicycle projects with them. They do not cater only to one type of rider; they employ a renaissance attitude towards cycling that I greatly appreciate. I have gotten help from them re. fixed gears, road bikes, cyclocross bikes, mountain bikes, commuter bikes, touring bikes, dirt touring adventure bikes, and whatever other crap I could waste my money on (I think I was second place of overall most money spent there before I left Santa Barbara).
Jim is the man.
Peter is the man.
Josh was the man.
Other people have been the man.
Thank jehova Jim keeps it so real. He is from the east coast so he breaks apart the Santa Barbara gluten free organic namaste vibes so wonderfully. It is like a sanctuary in there. Stay after hours and drink 2 or 12 beers with them. I miss it, for sure.

Jim is the man, bought my bike here and I love it. He’s super helpful and continues to make sure its in perfect working order. Very pleased, I ride it to work everyday.

These guys are rad and they carry great product!

There’s a very sexy bearded man who works there. He’s really good with with his hands

These guys know bikes and aren’t condescending about it! They have quality goods, don’t try to oversell and genuinely know what they are talking about. I’m stoked they’re here in SB and on State Street.

I’m a very utilitarian bike commuter (meaning I ride a piece of junk to work every day) and twice now crankys has saved me, quickly and cheaply. Life savers. The fact that they’re open an hour later than nearly everyone else doesn’t hurt either, but mostly they always get me back on the road adorably and immediately.

I have 3 words to describe Crankys… Awesome awesome AWESOME. They are helpful, seem to know anything about bikes and most of all the caring, friendly customer service is incredible. I got my first great bike from them a year and a half ago. I have been in more times than I can count for an adjustment or with a question and Jim and his crew are always willing to help. I actually have a hard time staying away because I like going there so much! When I came in the very first time, knowing almost nothing about bikes, they were friendly and never condescending. They really listen to what my needs may be and give great advice. If you are even THINKING about bikes go to Crankys before you go anywhere else. An amazing small local shop, with great people and a good vibe. I won’t ever (there is no need) go anywhere else.

I am a complete newbie/​novice to the world of bicycles and bike shops. Fortunately for me my neighbor works at Cranky’s. I took my new-​to-​me bike in for a repair and was met immediately with friendly, expert help and great comfort. The folks at Cranky’s are terrific and they have just the right selection. Josh is so kind to have pitched in on his day off – just the kind of excellent folks these are. I recommend Cranky’s whether you are an experienced rider or a novice. These guys know their stuff.

Awesome customer service! My girlfriend and I were visiting Santa Barbara and brought out bikes so we could skip the car all weekend. On day two while riding downtown my rear axle broke (its an old ride around town bike). We got to Cranky’s just 15 mins before closing. Josh hooked me up and got me up and riding again. Seriously good people who really care about treating people right!

Great for tune-​ups

This place is awesome — great service. Awesome attitude. So glad to have found a bike shop in town I can rely on.

Wandered in here whilst passing by and was impressed at their selection of both new and vintage bikes! Lots of fixies but also multi-​speed bikes as well.
They had just opened and were sort of bum rushed by a small sea of people but I did overhear the guy giving some good advice to an intermediate rider thinking about upgrading his crankset.
They stock some quality parts, seem knowledgable and are very friendly!

A little while ago, I had problems with the cranks on my bike. Stopping by Cranky’s, the owner both helped me and let me do some other maintenance on my bike. He was super efficient, friendly, quick and cheap.

Cranky’s really is the best. They have a great selection of interesting and cool bikes and a substantial amount of accessories and goods to keep you well stocked. Best of all, though is the staff led by the owner Jim, who’s basically just a nice guy and bike Yoda. It’s good to see a small business doing well on State Street (where small businesses are more and more being trumped by corporate chain shops) because of their hard work and integrity. When one of the guys on staff makes a recommendation you know it’s backed by legit knowledge and a genuine invested interest in the customer. Unlike a lot of the other places in town who’ll shine you on with insincerity just to sell you a product and doesn’t care if you come back, this place will go the extra mile to make sure you’re happy, which is a smart business move because it’ll make customers loyal (I know I am). Cranky’s is a place where they know what you ride, what you like and even your name. Keep up the good work guys!

I’ve been into Cranky’s about 5 or 6 times now, and they have consistently been awesome. The guys working are knowledgable and helpful. I needed some help with a tire issue (I’m not exactly the best or most experienced bike mechanic/​repairman) and the guy behind the counter helped me out and did so willingly, even though it was an easy fix.
They also carry some sweet bikes inside, ranging from high end to affordable bikes. They have all kinds of specialized parts and things that some of the other shops don’t carry.
I’m going to make it an effort to return to Cranky’s because of the excellent service and quality products they carry.

Excellent bike shop and exceptional service. I was recently in the market for my first pair of clipless pedals. They showed me a few options (and offered to order types they didn’t have in stock) and walked me through the benefits and drawbacks of each type. I made a decision and they put the pedals on immediately, adjusted the tension on the clips and let me try them out before I left the shop. I’m very happy with my choice of pedals and will be back for any future bike needs.

Hands down the best bike shop in Santa Barbara — exceptional people — they know bikes and they know how folks ride (all types, from the avid racer to the casual commuter). Jim (owner) and his crew are just good people.

Dude. This place has only one review? Are you kidding me? This place is the Willy Wonka’s goddamned Chocolate Factory of bike candy. They have things I’ve only ever been able to drool over on the internet. A full line of Brooks saddles, including the ostentatious green thing. Bike messenger bags from EVERYONE. Not just the established bikeshop favorites like Chrome Bags and Timbuk2, but custom work from REload, Freight Baggage, Mission Workshop, DANK, Bailey Bag works –the list goes on, including a few one-​offs from some one-​man bike messengers turned sewers. They have a whole ream of bare frames including a bunch of keirin stuff. Waxed canvas bike bags… They have… ok ok, they have everything I want, and it took a supreme effort of will not to spend several hundred dollars there. The owners seemed really, really chill, at least one ex-​messenger. There is a couch… If I lived in Santa Barbara, this would be the place to go.

I lived and biked in the fair city of Santa Barbara for five years and never found a bike shop I loved. I wish this place had been open while I lived there. Jim C is a true gentleman and former in-​house bike mechanic for Bicycling Magazine before striking out on his own. He’s a great guy, knows bikes inside and out, is up to date on all the latest trends and also teaches classes at his shop!
Fixed gear/​mountain/​road bikes/​BMX what have you, Jim is up to date on it all from the parts that are for performance to the parts that just qualify as bike bling.