Big Wheel Bikes
2 Prince St
Alexandria, VA 22314 703-739-2300
Alexandria, VA 22314 703-739-2300
| Checkbook's Top Rating | |
|---|---|
| For sales service | NO |
| For repair service | NO |
| For prices of repairs | NO |
- 37 ratings
- 52% gave a "superior" overall rating
- Compare 45 nearby bike shops
- "This is a higher end store that caters to the hardcore bikers. Very good quality but not many lower..."
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Prices for Big Wheel Bikes
Checkbook's price comparison score for repairs
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Consumer Ratings for Sales Service for Big Wheel Bikes — 12 Ratings
Percent of customers who rated service "superior" for:
= average for all bike shops
Overall Quality
Advice on choice and use of products
Promptness of service
Staff attitudes/atmosphere
Ease of looking at/testing products
Reliability (standing behind products)
Consumer Ratings for Repair Service for Big Wheel Bikes — 25 Ratings
Percent of customers who rated service "superior" for:
= average for all bike shops
Overall quality
Doing work properly on first try
Starting and completing work promptly
Letting you know cost early
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Consumer Comments for Big Wheel Bikes
Dec 14, 2023
Nov 07, 2022
Nov 26, 2018
I already decided to upgrade my 5 year-old bike by the end of this year. But when I had issues with it on two successive workouts, I had to decide whether to put money into it, or to take the plunge on a new bike now.
After reading the many very positive reviews of Big Wheel in Old Town, I decided to check them out rather than return to the other LBS I had been using. I am beyond thankful that I did, as I am now not only in possession of a great new bike, I have found a truly awesome LBS that I look forward to doing business with for years going forward.
After I walked in with my old bike with no prior notice, shop manager Bennett greeted me like and old friend and proceeded to take care of me from start to finish. He quickly diagnosed the problems on the old bike, and told me what it would cost to fix. The problem was actually less severe than what I imagined, and so was his honest estimate. Takeaway: this place is not about "mining for dollars".
That said, I elected not to put the money into the old bike, so we started a discussion on new bike options. First, Bennett took a full 20 minutes of conversation to fully understand: why I ride (workout, commute, recreation, etc.), how far I ride, how hard I ride, where I ride (i.e., bike trails vs. roads, etc.), and of course, price range. Then he brought out the bike he felt best matched my needs.
We spent a long time discussing it. After he patiently answered all my questions, he suggested that he make some basic fit adjustments, and that I take it out for a test ride to see what I thought. I loved the bike and decided to buy it. Bennett then did a comprehensive fitting during which we swapped several things out based on my preferences (e.g., saddle and hand grips). We added some things as well (e.g., bar ends).
After that, he asked that I give him about forty minutes to take things off my old bike (e.g., bottle holders, rear rack, computer bracket, etc.) and put them on the new one. I went off and had a beer while he did all that.
Upon return, we finalized the deal. He did not charge me one thin penny in labor for all of what he did in swapping some components on the new bike; or for taking things off the old bike and installing them on the new one. He thought one of my bottle holders was too crappy to put on the new bike, so he put a new one on -- no charge, not even for the part! He even took my old bike as a trade-in.
He asked me to return to the shop at 160 miles to check the wheel tension; at 300 miles to check it again; and at 500+ miles for a tune-up -- no charge for any of it. In short, Bennett and his shop are exactly the kind of LBS that cyclists dream of finding. I feel very fortunate that I made that spur of the moment decision to check them out. I'm looking forward to a long term relationship with them as my shop.
Updated, subsequent comments:
Last week, I had 2 more awesome experiences with Bennett at Big Wheel in Old Town. On Tuesday, then again Thursday, I had four successive flats, all with different causes.
Brought the bike in on both days, and as usual, Bennett dropped what he was doing and worked on the issues until he found the root cause(s), and made just the right fixes.
Also as usual, and unlike pretty much any other local bike shop I've encountered, he had ZERO interest in nickel-diming in terms of charges. His only interests are to ensure the problem is fixed, and that he gets you going again.
It would be difficult if not impossible for anyone to convince me that there is another local bike shop that can match the level of friendly and devoted customer service, technical expertise, and amazingly fair pricing that Bennett and his team provide at Big Wheel -- every single time.
...and 2 more consumer comments for Big Wheel Bikes