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21st Avenue Bicycles
Category: Shopping Sporting Goods Bikes Bikes [Edit]
916 NW 21st StPortland, OR 97209
Neighborhoods: Alphabet District, Northwest
(503) 222-2851
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Field Electric offers a wide selection of electric transportation. Sales and service on motorcycles and bikes. At this point completely non-toxic… read more »
17 reviews for 21st Avenue Bicycles
17 reviews in English
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Review from Mike A.
Salt Lake City, UT
7/24/2011
I called to check inventory at 21st, looking for a Globe Daily. Peter, who answered my call, was very helpful and, though the shop was currently closed, answered my questions and offered to set up an XL bike forme to come compare the L and XL sizes the following day.
Peter followed up with me at the opening of the shop the next day and was amicable throughout. With the bike I bought a helmet, lock, and pump (the essentials) and had the lock bracket installed on the bike. He answered my questions about road safety and bicycle laws and I was on my way. I almost made it home without incident, just about eating it after getting a wheel caught in the streetcar tracks.
I would recommend 21st Avenue Bicycles to anyone looking for a bike, or looking to comparison shop or with questions about bicycling. -
Review from Chelsea B.
Portland, OR
8/28/2010
They run slightly on the spendy side for parts. Bikes and helmets are reasonably priced with a limited selection. They have an excellent repair and tuneup shop, that I would not hesitate to use if my husband ever got stumped. I have heard nothing but positive things about repairs done here by my super biker friends. You know the kind who spend more on a bike then a car, if they even own one.
The reason I came in on the last occasion is that they have an excellent selection of Kryptonite U locks, which I was in dire need of when my normal puny lock had been clipped... It's a long story, but I am now willing to spend more on a burly lock for my moderatly expensive bike, as it is way less then to replace it with a new one. If you want to hear a great story about a bike thief being taken down by the Portland Police and a poor biker gal getting a means to her lively-hood back, hit me up at the next UYE, I will happily pass along my feel good story of the year.
But if you want a good little neighborhood bike store, that also rents some pretty good bikes, check out 21st Ave Bicycles! -
Review from C. K.
Portland, OR
10/4/2011
Been by a couple times, and there's a funny divide of customer service. A couple of employees who are especially helpful and kind, and then the others who don't acknowledge you at all unless you bring an item up to pay for.
Prices are indeed a bit steeper on products and accessories, but bike prices are actually a bit cheaper than other shops.
Repair work is very well done, but a bit on the pricier side. But you do get what you pay for.
Unless you know nothing or everything about bikes, customer service is meh. But again, there are a couple employees that make this place great. -
Review from Matthew S.
Portland, OR
1/21/2011
This place is spectacular. The guys working there are super nice and helpful, and the whole store atmosphere is relaxed and un-intimidating.
I'm not a super hard-core cyclist myself, so it can be a little nerve racking going into a shop in such a bike-centric town as Portland when you're not exactly sure what you're talking about. However, these dudes, while it's clear that they're all super profesh, are more than happy to help you get what you need.
My girlfriend and I came in about an hour before they closed, and they still had no problem putting fenders on both of our bikes. Definitely a real stand up establishment. And don't forget to grab one of their exciting punch cards. -
Review from Katie G.
Portland, OR
5/5/2009
I've visited this place a few times - counting the time I asked my mother to run an errand for me while I was working and she was staying with me visiting.
*The first visit... well enough - just browsing - staff asked if they could help - etc. Stayed for less than five minutes before leaving.
*When my mother visited... she was airing up the tires of my bike for me. She was not strong enough to operate the hand pump and when she asked for help she was treated as though a nuisance rather than a potentially paying customer. What a nuisance... to ask a staff member with help operating a piece of equipment within the store, eh?
*The third visit... stopped in to buy a new helmet. Came in 5 minutes before they were gonna close without realizing. When I came in I was hounded asking what I needed. The staff member who helped me was nice enough and even joked about it being almost time to go home and that he was happy to be going home. My helmet fit me correctly and was priced appropriately, I think. So overall a good enough visit.
I just wish these guys would've treated my mother better. :-( -
Review from Adrienne I.
Portland, OR
6/19/2011
I bought a Globe bike from 21st Ave. All the people working there were friendly, helpful, and super personable. I wouldnt call myself a cyclist but the guys at 21st ave made me feel comfortable and welcome.
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Review from suzanna H.
Portland, OR
7/13/2009
I've visited this place once to fill my tires. The staff were very helpful and showed me how to use the pump, even filling one of the tires for me.
I also bought a bell, which they installed on my bike for me. it's a good thing that they offered to do it, because they ended up having to use longer screws than came with the bell.
Overall they were very friendly and helpful.
-1 star for having slightly steeper prices on lights than I have seen at another store. ($14.50 vs. $12 for the same light.) -
Review from Andrew B.
Portland, OR
4/5/2011 6 Check-ins Here
In my experience, bike shops can be very intimidating to go into. They are filled with a bunch of bike snobs that make you feel like shit for not knowing everything about bikes. So I am glad that I found 21st Avenue Bicycles. They have the friendliest, most helpful staff I have ever dealt with at a bike shop. They are super knowledgeable and just some of the most friendly people around. I live on the east side and still ride over here whenever I have bike problems. They really know how to Make it Awesome.
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Review from Thilo W.
9/30/2009
Reading the other reviews of this establishment one would expect it to be staffed by aloof bike snobs who barely have the time to deal with a modest request or question. I have never had this experience here. Have been in on several occasions for various reasons and have only found the staff friendly and helpful.
On one occasion, I needed my derailleurs adjusted on my mountain bike. The guy popped it on a bike stand and had the front and back adjusted in about 3 minutes. I asked him what I owed and the response was, "I didn't really do anything, so don't worry about it." After telling him I was more than happy to pay something, he suggested I could contribute to their "coffee fund," which I gladly did. Boy what an aloof ass that guy was!
On another visit, I came in looking for ferrules for my brake cables that I was installing. Before I knew it, I was holding a bag of 6 ("four to use, two to lose") and again, NO CHARGE. Admittedly, these things are cheap and came out of their shop drawer, so they would be hard to charge for, but still... Again, a real example of a bike snob butthole!
Believe me, I am far from a fixie-riding hipster, so if anyone should be worthy of derision it would be me -- but this has never been the case here. If you want to whine that these guys/gals didn't do the mao-mao shuffle and kiss your ass because you were looking for something cheaper than what they had on offer or they didn't jump to attention the second you walked through the door, then maybe you need to look in the mirror for the problem. -
Review from Liz G.
5/22/2008
So normally I wouldn't write a review based on one visit that lasted less than five minutes. But here it is. I bought a bike off Craig's List the other day and needed a helmet and lock. I didn't spend much on the bike itself, and I'm not sure I'll even end up riding it, so I decided the cheapo dorky helmet and low end u-lock are sufficient for now. I realize I'm not 21st ave's target customer, but still, both guys were jerks. They told me I'd have to spend at least $40 each for helmet and lock, and then proceeded to treat me like I'm stupid for thinking I could possibly get a lock for $20 and expect my bike to still be there when i get back. Actually I was stupid for even stopping in this shop. The next day I went over to Citybikes and got both helmet and lock for $41 total.
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Review from Linsel G.
Portland, OR
4/30/2008
I've been in 21st Avenue Bikes on a couple occasions, mostly for emergency style repairs that I needed to my bike because I was in the neighborhood. I haven't had the luxury of developing a relationship with the guys who work there, like I have with my regular bike shops.
That being said, the employees have been consistently aloof, rude, and off-putting each time I've visited. I feel I've been treated rudely because I am a more casual biker, rather than a racing enthusiast, and that the workers there treat me differently because of my appearance -- I'm about 260 lbs.
Last time I was there, they seemed actively put out by my presence, like my bringing business to them was a burden somehow. When I thanked the guy who worked on my bike, he said in a smarmy tone, "Well, we'd do it for anyone" as if he had no choice.
Then he gave me a line about how I should probably replace my rim and my brakes, when I'd just done so a month prior with another more trusted bike mechanic -- like he was trying to pump me for additional money. When, in an attempt to reach out, I offered the mechanics there a beer on me should they come into the brewery where I bartend, he turned me down, saying, "It's racing season. Cutting the fat." which struck me as a not so subtle dig on my own weight.
I'm not a service maven or anything, but I appreciate an establishment that greets customers with friendliness, and where people are doing something they actually like to do. I prefer doing business with people who greet you with a smile, and who are polite.
Though my flat tire was changed in good time (price was a little steep - $13) 21st Avenue Bicycles will remain a shop that I only go into, if I have a problem while I'm in that neighborhood. I would recommend any number of other shops before this one, for non-racing bikers. -
Review from Jen T.
1/12/2010
HEY, so i'm no expert on bikes, but i got great, friendly service here. i came in to buy some lights, and the guys were cool enough to answer my stupid questions and install them for me...as well do a bunch of other little things that i needed to do for a while (i.e. pump my tires, raise my saddle, etc.). a lot of other shops have been kind of snobby to me, but not these dudes. plus, they're all kinda cute. awww yeahhhhh! okay hetero crush time over! check these friendly folks out!
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Review from Jason L.
Portland, OR
12/4/2009
Came in to get toe clips and was told that the bike needed a new chain due to stretching. I found this hard to believe as it was only the third ride for the bike. Second opinion at another bike shop confirmed my belief that the chain was fine. Metrics aren't subjective.
Otherwise good help, but toe clips ran $30 vs $21 at Universal Cycle. So probably won't return after this experience. -
Review from Alexa M.
Portland, OR
5/27/2010
I love 21st. They are genuinely friendly, helpful, and they look like they enjoy their jobs and interacting with every customer that walks through the door. I have brought in my bike numerous times when I need small adjustments, and am often not charged for it. I'll throw a couple bucks into the coffee fund or buy a 21st Ave t-shirt to show my support. It may be a little more expensive compared to the bigger shops, but you get excellent service and a quick turn around. I am a loyal customer and recommend this shop to every cyclist I know. Whether you're a serious rider, commuter, or simply a recreational rider, 21st has something for everyone. The common factor being real people behind the counter.
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Review from John H.
Portland, OR
11/5/2009
Two recent instances of super quick services that solved the problem ... at no charge!
I went into the shop for the first time in a couple of months and discovered that my favorite mechanics are no longer there. They always did little fixes for me at no cost, knowing that I have them do an annual tune up and major fixes. The new manager and mechanic are just as service oriented and helpful as the former crew. Couldn't up-shift on a three ring front gears. Fixed. Then offered to check out the back shifting. Then the breaks. Refused money! Similar situation a week later on my rainy-day bike. -
Review from Kelley G.
Portland, OR
2/22/2011
I love this place. We live near by and they have always been helpful and courteous, not to mention convenient. I have have purchase parts for projects that I am working on, and had a complete tune up. The service has always been top notch.
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Review from sara y.
Portland, OR
3/30/2010
I LOVE this bike shop....they fixed my bike in less time and for less money than they quoted, and all of the people who work there are quite friendly and inclusive. I suggest this place to everyone who asks.
