Paramount Bicycle Repair

I have owed this guy a positive review — Let me put it this way: Tyler rebuilt my bike 11 years ago and I never had a problem with it since. He’s an excellent mechanic and a good man. I think it’s stressful managing an independent bike store but he’s going to give you an honest opinion. I was really glad to support him and his business.

I’m not sure of the gentleman’s name who worked on my bike but what an awful experience.
I just moved to town within the past week and in prepping for moving into the city I had my commuter bike fitted with new wheels and new shifters, much needed upgrades for the increased amount of work she was about to get. My second day riding I got a flat tire, awful luck. The next day I called the shop and told them my problem and they said to bring it in, so I did not too long after. When I got there the man gave my whole bike an assessment, which I understand is normal at a bike shop, but I had told him what work I had done recently on it and what I needed him to do to it. It’s a quick job I could’ve done myself but lacked the tools and parts at the time to do it and I needed it fixed right then and there.
From the get go he starts rambling comments about my bike and how inferior it is. He alludes to «issues» with the bike. When I start inquiring about the issues he tells me to «get out of the kitchen.» I understand wanting space to do your work but if you start to tell me about other issues with my bike, I’m going to assume you want to have a conversation with me and show me those issues. Perplexed, I backed away and let him do his thing and I did some browsing.
He got the flat fixed and then tried to put the wheel back on the bike. The wheel was rubbing and wouldn’t spin. Rather then trying to refit it, he keeps hammering on it and even starts kicking the bike as it’s in the air and suspended on the rack. He then tells me again that I have issues with my bike. I come over and he shows me that the wheel won’t spin. I told him that it had no problem spinning when I brought it in. After all, all that needed fixing was a flat. He looked at me and said, «so you’re saying I messed up your bike.» I wanted to play it down but still be firm and said, «no, there just shouldn’t be an issue as to why the wheel won’t spin.» He continued with his tirades against me and my bike including phrases such as «I bet this bike gets stolen tomorrow,» and «you don’t know who you’re dealing with.» He also went on about how he doesn’t have time for this, even though he told me on the phone to bring it in and he could fix it right away. Overall he was incredibly unprofessional and outright condescending.
I came very close to asking to remove my bike from the maintenance rack, paying for the new tube, and carrying it to another bike shop to finish the job. Before I reached the boiling point, a few minutes later, after more beating and kicking my bike, he got it working again. He continued to criticize my bike and I asked him nicely about what his expert opinion is on what needs to get done to the bike and he said that he couldn’t tell me until he opened it up. «It’s like an engine. You don’t know what’s wrong until you get inside,» he said. I understand that bikes are more then just two wheels, but if you tell me I have «issues» with my bike but can’t even indicate why you think those issues are, somethings wrong, especially with the work I’ve done to it and how happy I am with how it’s been riding lately, I don’t give you much credibility.
This is a bike that I bought on consignment from a reputable bike shop, had routine maintenance done, and had recent work done by certified mechanics at another reputable bike shop. I’ve ridden it two times since that work and she was even better then I had ever felt. I find it difficult to believe there are «issues» with my bike and it certainly isn’t a «department store bike» like the gentleman called it. «Come back and I’ll sell you a real bike sometime» said the man, I don’t know if I even care to ride my bike in front of the place let alone step foot in it again.
On the plus side, once he figured out what he was doing, it was fine and it was reasonably priced. But was the price worth the hassle? No.

My brakes were stolen in Sullivan square, and I needed a tune up. Tyler is definitely an interesting guy. He looked over my bike, gave me his tune up suggestions and price. They were pretty much what I expected. He said he’d call me in a week when it was done. He did so, I picked it up and the bike was good. All in all a good experience. Will go back with any other issues.

Tyler, the owner, knows his stuff. He can easily assess what your bike needs, and won’t dance around the issue or cost of fixing it. Not great by phone or e-​mail, but just go in person, and you will get great service. He develops long-​term relationships with his customers, and will always be honest and helpful. If you’d rather talk about the weather, pay higher prices, and not get to know the person fixing your bike, then don’t go here. Contrarily, if you’re a cool person, but like most of us, can’t fix your own bike, give this place a try.
(2013 customers seem like they had different experiences, but I’d still recommend you give it a shot).

Only been here once for some minor adjustments but had a great experience. I called ahead and Tyler said to bring the bike on down and he’d see what he could do. As soon as I walked in he put it up and ran through some checks and made numerous adjustments to my bike which had been poorly assembled by a non-​professional. After essentially making my bike much improved in the span of 20 mins he quoted me a price that was less than half of what I expected to pay (i.e. for their Basic Tune Up). Very fair. Also nice to know this a local business been around for 16 years.
With regards to Tyler, I find a lot of the comments about him to be amusing and can see where there is likely validity in the remarks both good and bad. I really enjoyed his personality and found him to be a really entertaining guy to talk to, and like some other customers, we too covered some interesting ground in the 20 minutes I stood there chatting. Until he proves me wrong I will continue to go to Tyler for work on my bike and will look forward to the experience.

Completely out to lunch, unprofessional and condescending. I stopped in about a month ago to discuss a bike repair an while the guy was quirky I was mostly okay with him doing some upgrades on my bike. Fast forward to today and I arrive with my bike to a closed store with a sign saying on vacation. Nothing on their website announcing this and nothing he eluded to in our conversation that made me think he wouldn’t be there during the hours posted on his website and on Unilocal

I got some great deals here on new and used bike accessories. Tyler is definitely rough around the edges, but it can be a source of entertainment!

The owner is MAJORLY UNPROFESSIONAL. When I called to pick up my bike (after not hearing from him for over a month) he basically screamed at me for 10 minutes over the phone about how I wasn’t «treating him very nicely» (mind you I was nothing but polite) and how he’d brought my bike up already three times (god now why) and how rather than the more sensible route where he calls me when the bike is done, I was supposed to keep calling him to see when it was done. SERIOUSLY?
This is not a little local charm, it’s rude, childish behavior and not sure any amount of bike wizardry is worth being screamed at by some guy who can’t control himself.
Never again.

Ugh. I stopped in a month or two and in the course of conversation, cheerfully noted how nice it was to see a Hubway station outside his shop (thinking happily about increased helmet sales, people loving Hubway and wanting their own bike, etc) and he just went off on me, started cursing, etc.
There are plenty of bike shops that are less-​than-​welcoming out there, especially to women, but at Paramount I wondered if I should be calling the cops!
Tyler may be a good mechanic, but there’s enough good bikeshops around — no reason to support someone so verbally abusive.

Best bicycle shop around!

I’ve been taking my bikes to Paramount since I moved to Somerville and I’ve honestly never had such consistently quality work done before I met Tyler. Nor have I ever had to take my bike back a second time for a job not done perfectly the first time. He really is a total expert, will tell you straight up what the problems are and not try to pull one over on you. Plus he’s just an awesome guy to talk to if you don’t mind getting your ear chewed off with crazy stories. He truly is a character, and he’ll do you right.

This bike shop is unique. The owner and I had some pretty far out conversations. Like what it would feel like to freeze to death in an icy river. Also about how he wanted to be lucid when he died. He prefers to experience death first hand. Just to feel what its like. Its your last chance to feel anything. And oddly enough I agree with him 100%. I have not got my bike back yet but I have a feeling its in the hands of a mad bike scientist!
Just dropped off my Kona. Lets see how it turns out.
TBC
UPDATE:
Dude forgot about my bike. I called to see if it was ready a few times. One time he said come down. I get there and he is finishing up like he just did a rush job. And a rush job it was. The tune up was not good. Pretty pricey for shiesty service.

I am a commuter who rides on the pothole and debris strewn streets of Boston and the North Shore. Tyler keeps me rolling throughout the year with his encyclopedic knowledge of bicycles and multiple parts suppliers. He has built several custom rims to accommodate my large self. Recently, he did some on the fly engineering with my cranks, chain rings, and front dérailleur to get me back on the road. He epitomizes yankee ingenuity and integrity and I am proud to have him as my bike mechanic and friend.

Awesome Awesome Awesome place.
Tyler is super helpful, wicked friendly, and has a ridiculous amount of bike knowledge (and trumpets, but you’ll have ask him about that one). He’s loves the craft, loves his store and most importantly really values his customers.
I’ve come across a few beater bikes over the years, and Paramount has been a crucial part of the process in figuring out how to get them running again. He has an amazing selection of used classic parts, new parts, and of course will help you order anything he doesn’t have.
The last time I was in, I wanted to buy locking wheel skewers so I could lock my bike up at work. He let me know that its not that hard to get the wheels off, and suggested a less expensive alternative of using one of those «chains» (more like a thick metal rope). Its light, and really locks the bike up. He was out, but sold me the one he was using rather than making me wait for shipping.
As a i said, very cool guy.

Possibly the best shop experience I’ve ever had. I stopped in here the other day, looking for a used road bike. After telling him (in my horrendously vague and confused bike novice terms) what I was looking for, I asked «do you have any advice?» He looked at my 5’10“ish frame and simply said «Shrink!»
He was super helpful about talking me through what I should be looking for since I am relocating in the summer and am still choosing between some geographically distinct cities. He didn’t try to sell me anything I didn’t want (like a new or expensive bike) and suggested a couple other shops in the area that I may have luck with. He also told me which places to stay away from so I don’t get ripped off.
If I were shorter, I would have bought a used bike from him in a second. My favorite moment of our interaction was when I alluded to finding him on Unilocal and he says «I did not call that woman a bitch!» Hilarious.

I’ve taken bikes for tune-​ups to Ace Wheelworks, ATA Cycle, and the Bicycle Exchange, but none of them compare to Paramount. If you’re used to getting the 40 or 50-​buck tune-​up specials from the other places, take your bike to Paramount; you’ll pay a bit more but you’ll notice the difference in quality as soon as you hop on to ride home.
For a long time, my right pedal wasn’t rotating smoothly. I took it to the other guys three or four times over the course of a couple years, mentioned the problem each time I brought it in, and each time I got it back, the problem would still be there. When I finally took it to Paramount for a tune-​up, Tyler got rid of the problem on the first try.

My husband and I have been going to Paramount Bicycle Repair since we moved to Mass, 4 years ago. It took us a while to find a shop because the ones in the area typically try and shove new bikes down your throat every year.
Tyler, the shop owner, has always been extremely friendly and helpful when we had any questions, concerns, or repairs that needed to be done. He’s great to talk to if you just need some bike advice or a good joke or story. I have been in his shop when he’s in a good mood and in a bad mood and I have never found him offensive or as horrible as some of these other reviewers. Yes, he sometimes curses, but who doesn’t? He cares for his customers, he takes great care for the bicycles that he repairs, and he ALWAYS stands by the work that he does even if it needs to be tweaked a week later.
When buying a new bike, Tyler was extremely helpful and full of pertinent info. He talked me through what I wanted/​needed and then gave me some tips. Once we figured out what I wanted, he wasn’t carrying anything that suited my size and specifications so he actually told me about another shop where I could get what I needed. He was honest when he could have pushed a crappy bike on me that wouldn’t have been a good fit. This kind of integrity is not found in all shop owners.
After car accidents, flat tires, regular tune-​ups, and even an MBTA bus accident on our bikes, the hubby and I always go back to Tyler and we will continue to go back to him. His prices are fair, his turn around is quick, and his sense of humor is one of a kind.

DO NOT SPEND YOUR MONEY THERE. Only go here if you like being verbally abused. The guy who runs this shop brutally insults his customers. Save your sanity & never walk in this guy’s door. We went there twice, to try to support a local business, and through two in-​person experiences and one phone call we know for sure that there are better places to spend your money.

I came upon Paramount by word of a friend and avid bike geek. I just moved to Medford a few months ago and my bike was in poor shape after spending the winter in a cellar and most of the summer outdoors. The tires were flat, my chain a little rusty and my handle grips had deteriorated into a glue like substance.
Tyler, the shop owner is a pretty cool guy and very straight forward about your issues. He’s got a great sense of humor too. I had a feeling we’d get along once I mentioned being from Narragansett and he was like «That’s a great beer!» lol Anyhoo, he has an eye like a hawk for things that can be a problem later and won’t charge crazy prices for them either. Most will be included in a standard tune up. He’ll explain everything in layman’s terms too and will probably have a great story to accompany it.
I’ll give fair warning though, he’s got a mouth like a sailor. Read his blog on the main site to get an idea of what you’re in for. I personally think he’s funny but I can see how someone might get offended. He definitely seems to fit right in with his biggest audience of younger, 20 something’s with fixies. I think I might consider talking to him about a custom road bike in the future as I currently only own a Mountain bike.

I continue to go to Tyler — I bought a brand-​new bike from him after being very happy with his work on my old beater. I’m not exactly in shape and was just looking for an entry-​level touring bike, I am not a gearhead so I don’t really understand all the specs and such. Tyler was really patient with me and very happily explained what makes sense for me, for someone of my body type, fitness level, biking skill — and budget (important!).
Now that biking has become a little more «fashionable» (let’s face it, with noobies like me coming in, we’re easy to fleece) a lot of businesses like to take advantage and rip you off as much as possible. Tyler doesn’t.
[[N.B.]] Paramount Bike Repair moved from Teele Square just up the road to Ball Square (amusingly pretty much next to Lyndell’s bakery… uh oh).