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Changing Gears
Categories: Shopping Sporting Goods Bikes Local Services Community Service/Non-Profit Bikes, Community Service/Non-Profit [Edit]
650 W Ranger AveSte C2
Alameda, CA 94501
(510) 995-1478
- Hours:
Wed-Fri 11 am - 6 pm
Sat-Sun 11 am - 5 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
31 reviews for Changing Gears
Review Highlights
"Cycles' used bike selection is excellent and reasonably..."
(in 8 reviews)
"...the accessories to go with it for a very reasonable price."
(in 4 reviews)
"Ebony and Barry were both really helpful and encouraging..."
(in 3 reviews)
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31 reviews in English
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Review from Jocelyn H.
Berkeley, CA
10/16/2011
I have now purchased 2 kids bikes from changing gears and I received excellent service in both visits. Here is a breakdown of my experience with Changing Gears bike shop:
1. phone calls to inquire about stock - I spoke to Ebony several times on the phone about the particular bikes that I was interested in and she was always very helpful and willing to check for me. She was very pleasant on the phone and gave me good assessments about the bikes they had in stock and their condition.
2. Driving up to the shop for the first time - Ok, I have to be honest, when I first arrived at the shop, I almost didn't want to get out of my car. The place is out in the boondocks (like literally by the docks) and there was not a soul in sight. Do not expect a stripmall looking shop with some bikes lined out in front. You will see a building that is spray-painted with the shop's name out front. There is ample parking that is free as this is out in nowheresville. But I am sure glad I decided to go in! =)
3. The selection - I was greeted warmly and Ebony showed me the bikes that I had inquired about. I thought the selection of kids bikes was excellent. Many of them are high-end bikes. I was able to find the perfect bike for my son that looked like new, for a little less than half of its new retail price. Whoo-hoo! I can't speak too much to the adult bikes selection because it depends on what you are looking for. I did shop a little for myself and didn't find something that I wanted to take home but will be back as they are continually adding inventory.
4. The service - friendly and casual and knowledgeable. After getting my son's bike, I decided to go back to look for something for me. Barry helped show me some adult bikes that suited what I would use it for and gave me a great lesson on how to choose the right bike. He was so knowledgeable and gave me lots of tips for my bike search. He explained everything clearly without using jargon that would confuse me and make me feel dumb. I am a total novice about bikes but now I feel armed with information to make me confident in buying a bike. I will definitely be back to check on their inventory and hope to buy a bike from them soon!
6. The bikes - Any bikes that need fixing up will be fixed with no extra charge. The kids bikes we purchased were practically new and all they needed to do was put some air in the tires and adjust the seat to fit my son. For adult bikes, they typically do a lot more work and they will replace any parts that don't function correctly and get the bike running smoothly for you before you take it home. So you probably won't be taking home an adult bike the day you choose it. There are included warranties on the bike and discounts on future repairs.
5. The community - I love that this place is non-profit and provides job training. Also, several kids went into the shop while we were leaving and they seem to be part of the community - maybe they volunteer there or something since they have a "earn a bike" program for kids. It's a really great place!
Don't judge a building by it's cover! And don't pay full price for a kids bike when you can get a high quality one here! -
Review from Ziyan C.
9/26/2011
Awesome service - these guys are super nice.
I came in 10 minutes before closing and they still took the time to talk to me about bikes and let me try one out for a good 25 minutes. They were totally patient even though I knew absolutely nothing about bikes.
Deducting 1 star just because of lack selection - there was only one nice road bike that would've fit me (50 cm frame). it would've been nice to compare even a couple bikes. -
Review from Alex L.
San Francisco, CA
8/16/2011
5 Stars isn't enough. These guys are awesome:
-Extremely Inexpensive Bicycles
-Very high quality bikes
-Unbelievably helpful and friendly
-Very willing to help if anything goes wrong with the bike
10% off all parts when you buy a new bike, plus a warranty for any broken parts. You can also get really cheap helmets there, and they really eliminate the margin from everything they sell - really, there's no point in going anywhere else unless you're a very serious racer. Place is awesome. -
Review from Debra M.
Alameda, CA
10/3/2011 1 Check-in Here
I love this shop! It's a win win because you get your bike repaired while helping build the community!! It's a huge warehouse and they prefer to get the iob done fast while you wait, and always a fair price. It's kind of hard to locate on the old Alameda Navy Base by the Point. Great place to donate bikes and parts as well b/c you know it's all for the cause.
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Review from jin h.
Oakland, CA
9/14/2011
Customer service wasn't that great over the phone and when I went in person, I should've expected just as much.
The person who answered my call didn't know what she was talking about and she was constantly yelling, while on the phone with me, to another staff about pricing and other things I believed she should have known about since she was answering calls. It's only common sense to know what you do and how and much it costs if you're going to answer calls.
They're also way overpriced compared to other local shops. You're better off going somewhere else. -
Review from Luis E.
Berkeley, CA
6/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
I tagged along with two friends who were interested in buying new bikes for themselves. I had no interest in buying one and both my friends are complete bike novices. I'm reviewing Changing Gears despite not buying anything because I was so impressed with the service and time the staff gave to my friends. The staff spent lots of time explaining the most important parts of a bike and what they should consider when buying. It was such a personal experience that we spent over 3 hours trying out different bikes. In they end both my friends purchased a bike and left very happy. I will definitely be returning w/ my girlfriend to find her a bike.
Other things that were awesome:
-3 of the staff members youth from the neighborhood and are part of a job development program. They were informed, polite and very helpful.
-After choosing the bike you was they fix it up for you and you can pick it up a week later w/ new parts all included in the price
-After checking in on Yelp I was able to apply the 10% discount coupon that popped up to both my friends purchases
-They gave us a free tasting at the Hanger One distillery -
Review from Courtney B.
Alameda, CA
6/20/2011
What a great place! Anthony helped us and he was very polite and helpful. Got everything we needed for a good deal and it's for a good cause. The selection was a little low but it is summer so I'm sure everyone is out biking in the nice weather! Soon we will be too. Yay!
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Review from KAI S.
Oakland, CA
11/13/2009
Visited this nonprofit bike workshop/store a few times now being as its the closest one to me & most of their stuff is used...
GOODS:
Nonprofit. Big selection of used bikes- some at decent prices. Community workshop that costs a nominal fee to use tools and receive expert help in bike work. Lots of staff/volunteers to help you.
BADS:
Many small/minor [practically worthless] parts are overpriced as are many of the bikes. Odd open days & community shop only open 3 days a week. Often chaotic and in need of better leadership/organization. NEVER answer their phones, either.
PRIMARY: Noticed the man in charge is often rude and disrespectful to volunteers, has also always had an attitude (cocky & condescending) in interactions w/ myself [I've seen the same in his treatment of other customers, too], was acting the same while helping a friend of mine & forgot about him for 20+ mins, etc, etc.
*Other peoples reviews say good things about him. Perhaps I've been there more & observed him in greater quantities than some others have?
VERDICT:
I wish I could rate this place 5 stars as so many others have but I feel I must say the truth. Mainly -1 star for the head guy being jerky & -1 star for many overpriced items. -
Review from Cyrus A.
Minneapolis, MN
5/30/2009
Cycles of Change is the kind of place that makes you feel like a better human being just for having visited. Imagine an old airplane hanger that is half food bank half bike mecca.
I have to give special thanks to Evan, who seemingly orchestrated the very busy shop like a master maestro. He simultaneously helped me find the perfect bike while performing 5 other urgent tasks. He was honestly one of the nicest, hardest working, most genuine people I have ever encountered.
I ended up getting the perfect bike, a Trek 1100 that rides like a freakin Ferrari, for a reasonable price.
Forget craigslist. Go buy a bike here and do yourself, and the rest of the world, a big favor. And say hi to Evan! -
Review from Derek E.
San Francisco, CA
4/4/2009
Cycles of Change is the coolest bike shop I've ever been to. One of the teens that works there gave me a tour before I started shopping and showed me the positive affect that the shop had on his life. They also have a great "Earn a bike" program for the kids in the neighborhood.
The bike shops is San Francisco are so over priced. Cycles' used bike selection is excellent and reasonably priced. The bike that I found is totally sexy, exceeding my hopes for my purchase. The only down-fall of the shop, is it's location. It is admittedly tough to find...but so worth the trouble. And if you know Oakland and Alameda, than it's probably not that hard. If you support this shop, you are helping make this world a better place. -
Review from Jon S.
Alameda, CA
1/28/2009
Cycles of Change is a great place to find used bikes at very reasonable prices. Cycles of Change trains youth to repair and build their own bikes, and they learn a lot more along the way.
Open at Alameda Point and a part of the Alameda Point Collaborative, C of C is a great place to find an inexpensive bike OR to donate parts, bikes, and frames that you no longer use. It helps if you know what you are looking for and know what size of bike you need, but they can help you if you do not. An excellent addition to the east bay bike scene. -
Review from Sid F.
Alameda, CA
4/24/2010 10 Check-ins Here
Seriously ... support this place. Awesome staff, awesome community program, awesome experience for youth to learn about bikes, responsibilities and social skills.
They have a nice variety of all bikes and if you're lucky, you might find the bike of your dreams at a decent price
Keep this place in business and visit, buy or donate!
I love my Suteki. -
Review from christina c.
Oakland, CA
7/25/2008
This is a great bike shop!
This is not a traditional/normal bike shop! Like other stores that carry a predictable array of a few select brands, the APC bike shop takes donations and turns 'em into bike treasures- I realize I may just end up repeating Evan's post so go read that so I don't have to.
I bought my bike here the first day I came in. It was little, speedy and red, and was talking to me. Despite the fact that it was reserved for someone else at the time, Barry reassured me while working with his MetWest High School intern (wow) that they would keep me posted if there was any opportunity to make the bike mine.
Sure enough, there was! I love a shop that is in a place that makes me feel like there are so many new places to learn about in the East Bay, that has great people working there who are passionate about what they do, who they work with, and contributing to their community.
This is a great place where you can get a bike for yourself, your family, and everyone you know- as well as get tuned in to the good work these folks are doing by creating opportunities for local youth to get involved to build their own bikes.
Please spread the word! -
Review from Young L.
San Francisco, CA
4/26/2010
If you're looking for a bike to ride around in for fun or commuting, you should check this place out. The work they're all doing there for the community and for the kids is great. They take old donated bikes and fix them up so that they can sell them at a reasonable price.
The gf and I came looking for bikes and although I didnt end up buying one, she found one at a good price. Evan is seriously one of the nicest guys out there. He took the bike she was going to buy, did a check to see what parts he'd have to replace or fix and gave us some suggestions on places to eat in the area. When I came back a few days later to pick it up, the staff gave us some advice on maintanance and said if there were any issues in the next 6 months or year, to just bring it in and they'll fix it.
Good service, good cause, good deals. Cant go wrong. -
Review from Tom M.
Oakland, CA
11/27/2008
Great shop for a decent well reconditioned inexpensive bike.
A great resource for burningman bikes too. -
Review from M K.
Alameda, CA
11/30/2008
If you're looking for a bike and don't want to buy new or if you want a great place to donate your old bike, you must check out Cycles of Change.
What a fantastic business venture and social experiment. I took my 13 yr old son here because he needed a new bike and I didn't want to spend a lot of $.
We found a very decent used road bike among the scads of used bikes of all kinds. We came back at the end of the week to pick it up. Overhauled, new tires and all for $100. There are lots of kids there because this operation gives kids the opportunity to work to earn a bike of their own. You should have seen the cute, sweet kids who insisted on polishing up the bike before they would let us take it. This is a sure-fire, feel-good shopping experience. The guys who run this place are doing a great job.Listed in: Get local in Alameda
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Review from Michael R.
Oakland, CA
3/3/2009
We found a fantastic bike for our 7 year old daughter at Cycles of Change. As previous reviewers have pointed out this is not your average bike shop and it was a great experience for us. We found the perfect bike and had a great conversation about community service with our daughter in the process. She also learned some breakdancing moves, but that is another story.
There was a large selection of bikes ranging in cost and quality. The staff was very helpful and there is a large area where my daughter could test drive the bikes we were interested in. I imagine that the selection can depend a bit on what has been donated, but we found several bikes that would have worked for her. All priced well below what a used bike on Craig's list or Berkeley parents would be (forget about new, those are crazy expensive these days). You get the added benefit of having a knowledgeable mechanic tune up the bike before you buy it.
It is important to remember that part of the success of Cycles of Change is the donations they receive. So, if you're done with your kids bike, why not bring it in and shop for a new one. The overall cost will beat any of the exchange programs run by bike stores on new equipment (I know that from experience).
Last piece of advice, bring a jacket, it is cold in that large warehouse. -
Review from Camille B.
Oakland, CA
2/12/2010
Oh Mmm Gee...
I really Heart COC.
They hooked me up with a nice Fuji frame and let me put it on layaway.
Super nice when I was broke butt and needed to leave it there for a bit more. It's really amazing that not only are they in the business of having a self-sustaining operation but they create access to skill building for youth. I loved loved chopping it up with the folks who worked there... I did spend a lot of money there (definitely no more than you would spend at a mainstream shop for a road bike though) but I walked away feeling so satisfied. Its like beyond customer service... Its community-building service. You can't beat it.
So... Go there. -
Review from Rena R.
Oakland, CA
11/27/2009
After weeks of perusing Craigslist bike ads, I found this shop and my search ended. I've had light bike phobia for some time now and I've finally decided to overcome it. I bought a mountain bike and all the accessories to go with it for a very reasonable price. Ebony and Barry were both really helpful and encouraging and answered all my beginner questions.
Someone on here said that the owner was rude and inattentive, but I guess I saw him more as honest and busy. The employees and volunteers poke fun at each other a fair amount, and I guess some might see that as being rude. Perhaps it's a matter of perspective.
The first time I went, I was the only one in the shop, but when I went to pick up my bike, it was a Saturday afternoon and you could barely move around the place. It is obviously well loved by the community and by its loyal customers.
I tend to fall in love with honest, inspired non-profits and I definitely did that at Cycles of Change. Give it a shot! Afterwards stop by Hangar 1 a couple of blocks away and taste some vodka. See my review for that awesome place as well =) -
Review from Julian B.
San Francisco, CA
1/30/2011
This shop is excellent for all bicycle enthusiasts. Beginners need not be intimidated by the staff. Wonderful programs for bicyclists who want to be active within the bike culture. Affordable and reasonably priced bicycles, nice pick a parts selection, I tell everyone about this place.
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Review from Andrea D.
San Francisco, CA
3/30/2009
Fun to shop for unique vintage bikes, and the added benefit: you get that warm feeling from supporting a force for good in the community. The shop may be a bit hard to find, but worth it. If you see the Red Cross building (trim, white, nursey) you are close. Super dorky bike nerd helpers are eager to show you around. And by super dorky I mean: AWESOME.
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Review from Grace S.
Castro Valley, CA
4/8/2009
I love this place! It has a nice selection of used/refurbished bikes and the staff/volunteers couldn't be friendlier or more helpful. I bought a bike for myself there last summer. At the time, I was a total bike newbie (hadn't owned one since my beach cruiser got stolen when I was ten, and had rarely been on one since), but the staff was very kind and patient in helping me find the right bike. They even gave me a crash course in bike maintenance.
My husband and I returned to CoC last weekend to buy a bike for our 8 year old. We ended up finding him a FABULOUS "bike store quality" bike for less than the new bikes we saw at Target. More impressive to me, though, were the changes I noticed from a year ago. Both the inventory and the staff appeared more organized. You can just tell that everyone connected with the shop and the community really cares about it. -
Review from Joyce K.
Berkeley, CA
10/17/2011
changing gears is great! dont expect them to have a selection like recycle bicycle or mike's bikes. but if you're looking for an affordable or cheap bike, this is the place! ebony assisted me and was patient w/my noob questions and was more than helpful and friendly. i ended up buying a pretty new road bike that was available and im happy to give my money back to the community.
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Review from John S.
Boulder, CO
12/10/2008
a gold mine of used bicycle track, road, commuting parts most under $10 Parts of interest include: ITM alum bars, race saddles a couple of Turbo saddles, older cranks, down tube shifters, nice platform and cage pedals, racks, saddle bags, as well as allot of used bikes for under $100. Volunteer staff proceeds go to local housing programs etc...This place is awesome I almost wanted to just keep it to myself as it is kind of unknown and not pillaged through yet oh well.... :)
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Review from Amy J.
11/22/2009
I really love the concept of Cycles of Change. They have a wide variety of donated bikes to choose from and the staff are really helpful. There's also PLENTY of space for you to test ride as many bikes as you like. They also fix up and customize bikes to your liking. Even though I didn't end up getting a bike here, I will go back and visit to see if there's something I'd like to buy. The prices for some of the bikes seemed high even for used, but since it goes to a good cause, they're worth checking out.
Listed in: 5 Stars
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Review from Amy E.
San Francisco, CA
8/13/2008
More people should know about this place! Imagine a giant warehouse stuffed with refurbished bikes. If I had known about this, I could have saved myself a lot of time on craigslist.
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Review from Joseph R.
Sacramento, CA
8/21/2010
The Bike Shop is an incredible experience- I purchased a sweet vintage 3 speed cruiser and walked out the door paying one-thirty for a plush eye-turning classic ride. The staff are wonderfully pleasant and seem to love what they do. I will be going back to browse for another one soon.
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Review from H M.
Pleasant Hill, CA
6/1/2010
Hands down this is the best place for a used bike. The staff are all friendly, helpful and patient. The other bonus is helping the community and kids learn great life skills while getting used bikes fixed up and back out on the road. My husband got his bike here and loves it.
Please check this place out. You won't be sorry. -
Review from Josh V.
Oakland, CA
11/21/2010
so theyre website and all these reviews on yelp really make you think they have a lot of bikes at a good deal in the store. well i went there with my girlfriend looking for 2 basic road bikes with about 500 dollars to spend. all they had were about 20 beat up mountain bikes and they had about three road bikes for well over 900 dollars each. i thought this was a charity and they got all these bikes donated? nothing was nice and theyre selection was horrible. we really wanted to support this charity instead of going to "the stolen bike shop" to find something. how are we supposed to contribute to a good cause if they dont even have a decent selection to choose from? i will never be back and i say you should do the same. never the less after searching at every bike shop around in town we were able to find bikes at the stolen bike shop for a great price. whats so hard about selling bikes you get for free for a reasonable price?
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Review from Isabelle B.
Orinda, CA
10/1/2009
All the other reviewers are right on. You can get a good bike there and feel good about it too. One downside is that there is a good two-week wait at the moment while the bike you chose gets repaired in their shop since they are training people. So you will have to wait and make two trips to the place. But everybody there is very nice and friendly. It is worth the wait. They often organize bike drives to get new donations if you have bikes you are not using...
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Review from Scott E.
Benicia, CA
5/6/2010
This was a great place to come when an inexperienced biker like my self need to pick up an affordable used bike. I walked into my bike shopping experience blind not knowing a whole lot. I knew cycles of change would have used bikes for reasonable prices. Once there I received so much help with a lot of little things about biking and trying to find the right bicycle for myself that I didn't know before. One of the staff members, a guy by the name of Evan, was extremely helpful and paid me undivided attention even when it became clear that I would probably not be purchasing a bike. A fear that I'm sure many people face when bike shopping is encounters with the stuck up gear heads who people like me seem to irritate just by breathing. But this fear went away quickly once I was greeted by the positive vibes of Cycles of Change. If you're in the market for a good used bike that will be completely affordable then pay Cycles of Change a visit.
