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Mission Bicycle
Categories: Shopping Sporting Goods Bikes Active Life Bikes, Active Life [Edit]
766 Valencia St(between 18th St & 19th St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Neighborhood: Mission
(415) 683-6166
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 11 am - 7 pm
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
The staff at Bay City Bike strives to help you create lasting memories with your family, friends or organization. Enjoy a relaxing day on one of our… read more »
48 reviews for Mission Bicycle
Review Highlights
"Excellent staff and great customer service."
(in 5 reviews)
"must buy your first fixed gear bike here."
(in 8 reviews)
"Jefferson helped me configure a gorgeous one, just for me."
(in 10 reviews)
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48 reviews in English
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Review from jason h.
San Francisco, CA
10/13/2011
Mission Bicycle did make such a fine bike so many months ago that it still gets the occasional envy of a 'secure in their bikeuality' passerby. But it is beyond this, beyond the bullhorns & internal hub, helping to set them apart as a unique shop in San Francisco.
Long story short is- I had a part showing some unusual wear. I went in asking for information and walked out with a more than satisfying solution. They took care of me from what I can only describe as a genuine interest in the enjoyment & well-being of owning one of their bicycles. -
Review from Benjamin K.
San Francisco, CA
11/21/2011
I love the idea of this place - friendly, knowledgable staff, obsessively high-quality products, the sort of place where you leave with peace of mind.
Ultimately though the 4 week turnaround and high prices turned me away. The bike I wanted, which I considered pretty standard and basic, was going to cost around $1200 -
Review from Dennis A.
San Francisco, CA
9/5/2011
First off this is a really beautiful store, a small intimate space filled
with bike parts laid out like pieces of art on illuminated tables.
The costumer service is truly excellent and Kristin & Coworkers helped me immensely in choosing just the right bike for me.
If you are in the market for a custom designed bike that you will ride & enjoy for a very long time and are not afraid to pay a premium price for it then this is just your store. -
Review from Raoul K.
San Francisco, CA
6/11/2011
I came by earlier today as I am in the market for a bike to help get around town. Brian took the time to explain all the different options that are available when selecting a bike. The customer service at Mission Bicycle is like no other. These folks really care about what they do, they want the customer to be informed and be happy with their purchase. They even help you find other bike stores if they do not have the bike you are looking for.
I will be piecing my bike together via their website in the next couple of days. I look forward to riding my new bike, saving gas and doing my part to help the environment. -
Review from Darcy V.
San Francisco, CA
1/12/2011
Perhaps it's a little prejac to review Mission Bicycle before my bike is actually finished, but I'm just so excited!
Now, don't hate me because I ordered a hipster bike, I just wanted to support local business.
First of all, I was a little nervous about walking into a bike store, but my fears were quickly erased as I was cheerfully greeted by Jefferson. He interviewed me to figure out what bike configuration might best suit my needs. Then put me on a bike to test ride around the neighborhood.
Let me say, the last bike I've ridden is a 15 year old lunker of a mountain bike, so this sweet little piece of machinery was, by comparison, a real crotch rocket. I zipped around the block on it, and then tested out a small hill. Didn't need gears. Wow. Jefferson helped me configure a gorgeous one, just for me. I'm going to be calling it "The Creamsicle", or maybe "Tangerine Dream". Go figure. Since I've been out of touch with bikes and components for a while, I'm just going to trust that what they're putting on there is durable and good. The bike I tested was very lightweight and comfortable, perfect for little jaunts around the 'hood.
So long story short, I am getting a bike with a freewheel and splurging on brakes, so I'm not a true hipster, but if I'm feeling the urge to prove myself, I could always cough up the $8 and buy myself a felt mustache to mount on the front. I appreciate how these guys definitely take a tongue in cheek approach to hipsterdom. Will I feel smugly superior as I frequent underground food festivals and renegade craft fairs on it in mismatched plaid vintage finds? Or will all of my cynicism melt away into a tangerine dream as I evade Muni buses and overtake Mini Coopers with ease. Only time will tell.
Oh, by the way, you can build your bike online with their magic little tool. Endless combinations, endless fun.
Quick update:
My bike was finished within the scheduled time-frame, and it sure is gorgeous!! Once again, Jefferson and Sal dialed it all in for me, and made sure it was all in tip-top shape before I took it out for a spin. I've been running errands with it, and it's zippy and responsive. Embarrassingly I did have to push it up 21st Street. I think I might have had to do that on a regular bike as well. But I did feel for a moment there like maybe it would have made more sense to go for the 3-speed internal hub. Hmmmm. But that is no fault of the awesome dudes at Mission Bicycle and I must say I love the simple beauty of this bike. Now i just have to think of more errands to run! -
Review from Amanda F.
San Francisco, CA
11/30/2011 1 photo
I bought a Public Bike when I sold my car and moved to SF about a year and a half ago. I went with the Public because it was a reasonably priced commuter bike and I wasn't sure how much I was actually going to use it. Then I started biking every single day and built up some muscle so I decided to sell the Public and trade up for a really well made bike.
That's what brought me to Mission Bicycle. I can't say enough wonderful things about this shop and their staff. They are welcoming and friendly but very serious about putting you on a great bike for daily use. Sure, it's pricey..be ready to spend some money if you want one of their beautiful creations but, trust me, it's worth every penny. My bike is smooth, fast, sturdy, and beautiful. Riding around on my custom Mission bike after commuting on the Public is like driving a Porsche after putting around in a Ford. This is my bike for the next thirty years. And for those of you who don't want a fixed gear, don't feel intimidated by the shop. They offer front and rear breaks and internal 3 and 8 gear hubs (internal hubs are like butter--smooth shifting at any speed, not like the clanky old crashing from one gear to the next of external shifters, plus you can even shift while standing still!). I live at the top of Buena Vista Park (an enormous hill) and ride home from work every day so I went deluxe with the 8 gear hub, and the mission guys were all for it! They truly want to build a bike that's best for YOU so you want to ride it all the time, unlike some other sf bike shops that pressure you into something that might not be right for you. Be sure to ask about additional options that aren't available on their website--I got custom grips and had a Copenhagen Bike Porter built into mine to haul groceries and my little dog. They can make you anything you want!! -
Review from Zachary R.
San Francisco, CA
5/2/2011
They are definitely friendly. They fill a unique niche in the massive San Francisco bike ecosystem. And I try to not mark stores off simply because I don't love the product they sell (I'm not a fan of limited gears). Realistically, their product isn't for me, but it is very good at what it is, so I'm still going to give it four stars. But don't expect a traditional bike store experience, AT ALL. And I wish they had more to offer someone who doesn't want their singular product.
Note: they offer single speed, fixed gear, and 6? speed internal hub bikes, not just fixed gear.
There are tons of bike stores in San Francisco, each with their good points and bad (See my list of many of them in this area: http://www.yelp.com/li... ):
Go here if:
You really want a fully custom really gorgeous sleek bicycle, with all the color and setup choices you could want. You want some somewhat overpriced but cool and unique hipster bike accessories.
Don't go here if:
You want anything resembling a traditional road (or mountain, or hybrid...) bike. If you want any repair work or parts. They're not a traditional bike shop, and will happily refer you to the other shops for those things.
EDIT: I got one of the nicest messages from the manager of the store I could imagine, and it made me edit one or two items.Listed in: Bike Shops in the…
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Review from Gregory W.
San Francisco, CA
10/24/2010
Lets be clear here - if you're looking for a cheap bike that you can just walk out of the store with then you are in the wrong place. Go to Sports Basement, or any of the other great bike stores in the area.
This is a high quality custom built bicycle shop and if you don't think ~$1000 is a reasonable investment in your bike then you probably don't want to be here.
I'm not saying that to be elitist, snobby, or oh so mission hipster-ish - it's just that a really good bike will cost you that much or more. These bikes will last you the next 30 years if you treat them right.
So it is here. The look of the bike is road/touring but with a clean, smooth, and rather classic styling (it reminds me of bikes from the 60's but with a modern twist). And they come in almost any mix of colors you can imagine for yourself.
And this is where they really shine. Though you don't have to, you can customize almost everything on your bike. You should - it's your bike, make it an expression of yourself.
Their custom designed steel frame (super light) can be powder coated in 100's of colors. Pick different colors for your rims, hubs, spokes, handle-bars, cranks, sprockets, chain.. etc.
It's not just colors either - they have a limited, but really high quality, range of options for the parts on your new ride. From a simple fixie to a high quality 8 geared internal hub, from standard steel to super-light aluminum posts... and lots lots more - this is about getting the right ride that fits you with the right visuals to match.
I spent almost an hour with the staff here (after coming in several times just to talk things over) laying out what would go into my new bike and how it would look. That is customer service.
Not everyone will want this, not everyone will get it. That's fine, to each their own. For those that do however - this is what you have been looking for. -
Review from Troy C.
San Francisco, CA
7/19/2010
Searching for a bicycle can be tough. Especially if you care just as much about how your new bike looks aesthetically, as you would about how it rides, etc. Luckily, mission bicycle can custom build your bike with a plethora of sweet options from handlebars to frame color to saddle. You even can add a 3-speed gear hub which helps on these crazy SF hills.
I randomly stumbled upon this place after checking out Valencia Cyclery and a few other bike joints. No one else had sweet looking bikes except Mission Bicycle. I was worried that the bike would destroy my bank account (because they are pretty pricey), but figured it'd be worth it to have a unique looking bike, rather than a generic Trek of whatever. Plus I hate having a giant logo of "Trek" plastered all over the bike.
So yea I took the plunge - and so glad I did! Sal talked me through the process and helped me select each custom option of the bike. Everyone working there is so laid back and super nice. They never pressure you into purchasing anything or going one route or another in terms of custom parts. It took about 2-3 weeks for all of the parts to be delivered and Sal constructed my bike in a flash. I loved it! Sal is a legend! As is Jefferson, who was also extremely helpful and courteous. I went with a 3-gear hub and had slight issues with the gear shifter's location, so I had Sal take another look at it. He promptly made adjustments to the bike the same day. Great customer service!
If you want to check out my ride, it's called Fabric8 in the gallery section of their website. http://www.missionbicy.... Yea I know - it's sweet. It's ok to be jealous. -
Review from Adam P.
Fremont, CA
10/7/2010
I definitely dig this store. The shop was pretty small, but don't let that fool you. It has a very DIY- and independent vibe when you walk in. The store had a good variety of wares, including both bike parts and accessories, such as bags, wallets, and stickers. I love supporting local businesses, and had I the money to buy the parts I wanted/needed, this would be my first stop.
I don't know who was working, but he was very helpful with the questions I had. -
Review from Anthony T.
San Francisco, CA
8/18/2010 1 photo
In these days of recession, depression and self-obsession, it's rare to be fully satisfied with anything. Whiny privileged yelpers shrilly complain about waitresses who are obviously just having a bad day and ruin restaurants by awarding 3 stars because there is lemon instead of cucumber in the water.
However, I can honestly say that I had an exceptional experience at Mission Bicycles these last few weeks. Jefferson, Sal and especially Esther went above and beyond to ensure that I was 100% happy with my new custom-made bike. Jefferson patiently walked me through everything - components, gearing, brakes and tire selection and introduced me to their new "raw" unpainted frame which was exactly what I wanted. When I arrived to pick it up, Sal and Esther quickly made some small adjustments to make sure everything was perfect, including Esther putting about an hour into removing the stickers from my rims (I had no idea they were going to be so tenacious - sorry!).
Take a look at my sweet ride and tell me they don't do great work.
Love the bike.
Splendid job, guys. -
Review from jack h.
San Francisco, CA
5/24/2011
Bought my first fixie here two years ago and still love it!
Since then they have been incredibly helpful whenever I had questions or needed small tune-ups.
Cannot recommend them more. :) -
Review from Hank A.
San Francisco, CA
11/13/2008
Ehhh, not that great.
I've been contemplating ordering a bike from Mission, but had some doubts about the what was right size. As I live 5 minutes away and their website says "come on by" , I did.
I rang the buzzer and the guy came out and just looked at me.
Finally I asked "Mission Bicycles?"
He was not into talking to me, really wasn't that helpful and even said "We usually don't have people dropping by."
Bought a bike from American Cyclery. -
Review from Kelly C.
San Francisco, CA
3/3/2008
These bikes look amazing. Have you seen one in person? I have, and I am totally getting myself one in fuschia to offset my firey faerie braids. Kudos to a couple of boys from the Mission, giving the people what they want.
See you at Critical Mass! Meet for Pabst in the park later? I'll be wearing my jeans cropped high and my top cropped low. -
Review from Ben L.
Auburn, AL
4/13/2010
This is like the apple store for Fixies. You walk in and everything is beautifully laid out so you can touch it and play with it, and all the options are there to get your creative juices flowing. Sal and Jefferson are always incredibly helpful, and more importantly excited about what they are doing.
I've been riding fixed conversions for years now, and vowed to never ride anything without lugs, but poverty and situation put me on an '09 Valencia frame set. (and to be honest I was less than thrilled about abandoning my broken Univega super strada conversion for a welded steel track frame)
Geometry is perfect for city riding. - I have slowly been taking turns tighter and tighter, and have yet to even hear my straps hit pavement. Fork and Frame are tight and responsive, and despite taxing the hell out of my frame bombing brakeless down haight every day, frame flex is minimal (MUCH better than my old Univega).
Frame Construction is above average for the price point - The welds have been cleaned up which is rare for a sub $1000 fixie, and there is a nice integrated Lugged seat post collar which is a great throw back to the days when frames were built "right."
The frame is pretty damn light for an entry level steel frame. - The fork is a good looking piece of metal, but probably weighs more than the frame - You can go out and grab an all city or carbon replacement though and have a light city bike that is rugged enough to handle San Francisco's less than ideal road surfaces (or if you are like me, you don't have to sacrifice hoping down curbs - I'm impatient, and don't want to ride a bike I can't use - this one is working out fine)
I've seen some complaints that these bikes are the next level of generic, and I'd argue that you are just seeing what the customer wants. If someone came into the shop and asked for a mismatched wheelset and chub hubs, I have no doubt the Mission boys would be willing to put that together for you, but what the customer wants, the customer gets.
If you are looking for repairs, or used parts - this is not the shop for you. If you are looking to buy sick components in crazy colors for you bike, you can probably get it cheaper if you really hunt
If you are looking to have a custom spec'd out city bike that is expertly put together for under a grand - there is no place better in the bay area. -
Review from Alexis C.
San Francisco, CA
3/20/2010 1 photo
I had been planning my San Francisco Giants bike for a while, but for some reason was afraid to go to Mission Bicycle and get set up. Maybe the people who worked there would be mean hardcore bicycle hipsters who would laugh at me for putting on a back AND front brake and not riding fixed (god forbid!). Maybe because my current bike has a bajillion gears, I would get laughed out of the store. Either way, I made excuses not to go.
I decided to stop being such a cry baby and go in and give myself a pretty cool birthday present. I worked with Jefferson, who I think has to be the nicest person on Earth, especially since he seemed to be running the store alone on a Sunday. He walked me through the process, put my order into their MacBook Pro, and he told me they'd call me in about two weeks. Easy as pie.
I got a call a week early, which tells you either these people are amazing, or that my bike was pretty simple to build. There was a mixup with the gear that was installed (oops!), which Jefferson apologized profusely for. Since they got it all done a week early, I couldn't complain. The next day the whole thing was sorted out and all was right in the world.
Mission Bikes, thanks for making me the coolest person at AT&T Park. -
Review from Brent R.
San Francisco, CA
10/21/2011
Soup to nuts purchasing and now riding a Mission Bicycle has been a great experience. Their attention to detail is top notch. I purchased an 8-speed and without hesitation love this bike. I highly recommend a Mission Bicycle.
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Review from gabrielle k.
Pontiac, MI
Updated - 6/19/2009
I will give them an extra star because one of their owners messaged me in concern, and clarified they do include brakes on their cycles. Hard to tell with the photos & display bikes though. Props on customer service, or at least obsession over business image.
I think the aesthetic is still generic, and if you are not obsessed with the branding of your crank nuts or a logo-less frame, you can get a similar bicycle for a lower cost at a different bike shop.
The thing is, if you're a "newbie" to "fixies," you should probably learn about the ride by building your own, so you really know thee machine. And if you're a seasoned fixed gear vet, these bikes are toys.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/18/2009
Yelp says 3 stars is A-OK. 2 says "I've experienced better."
So, off the bat, I'm going to say that… Read more »
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Review from ron m.
Pasadena, CA
7/7/2010
Just picked up my new ride from Mission on Friday. I LOVE this bike so much. Guess what? It's NOT A FIXIE. Mission also builds bikes with amazing 3-speed internal geared hubs (like mine!)!
Mission Bicycle's customer service has been waaay beyond my expectations.
I had a million questions for them, wanted custom paint, and all sorts of other customizations. They not only accommodated EVERY need I had, but they were super super nice the WHOLE TIME. I've NEVER had such great service (from any business) and up until Friday, I've never had an amazing bike. It gets looks. Three ppl have already come up to ask what kind of bike it is and they ALL wanted the website link.
My bike is selling itself. What a whore!
Ride on.
ps. End your oil addiction, RIDE YOUR f%#*ing BIKE! -
Review from Modern L.
Los Angeles, CA
3/3/2011 5 Check-ins Here
It's time I write my review! I had the best experience with buying my new bike at Mission Bicycles. I live in LA, but was in correspondence with Jefferson via email with questions about the bikes back in Dec 2010. In January we flew up to SF with my gf who is also buying a bike, to see the shop and meet the peeps working there. We got to meet Jefferson and work with him on designing our new bicycles. Seeing actual parts and laying them out on the ground to see a basic mock-up of the bikes was cool and very helpful. It happened to be a sunny day in SF, so we got to go on a couple of test rides on their test bikes. We were able to do both the freewheel and fixed versions. We made our final decisions, paid, and went home to LA.
In Feb, just a couple of weeks ago, we flew back to SF to do a Build Together session - where you get to build your bike with the mechanic, which was Brian. He was awesome - super sweet guy and really explained everything. I got to saw, file, wrench - it was pretty cool and I definitely feel more attached to my bike having gone through this. we got to ride them right out of the shop to our hotel in Fisherman's Wharf. In the rain that day. In the dark. On busy Market Street, that happened to have a crazy Chinese New Year parade that night!!! The next day was gorgeous in SF, and our plans to ride the Golden Gate Bridge were not foiled. We had a super fun 20 mile ride, and rode back to the Mission, to drop off our bikes. Jefferson had offered to dismantle our bikes, to properly package and box for our flights back to LA the next day. He even took our helmets so we didn't have to have those with us anymore! The next day we returned to the shop, and our bikes were boxed and ready - we got them on BART to SFO and now we are loving them in LA. Thank you Mission Bicycles - we will have to visit the next time we are in town again!!!! -
Review from Trey F.
San Francisco, CA
6/29/2009
Not sure why people are complaining about the service here.
I found the store easily. It was open and clearly enter-able. The place is beautifully laid out.
And both the dudes working there were super helpful. I watched one of them spend 20 minutes with a customer finding the perfect fitting frame. The other guy talked to me for 10 minutes or so about different components and he gave me the inside scoop on a few options not listed on the website.
I've been waiting for a service like this for a while. Gonna buy my bike on their website later this week (will update my review once the bike arrives ~1 month later). -
Review from Amanda M.
San Francisco, CA
11/9/2009
The dudes that work here are super-nice and helpful and the bikes they can make are really cute.
However, I actually would prefer something more unique-looking and I want parts coming from places where working conditions are better such as Italy, America, Japan, and Germany, so I am getting a bike custom built at Box Dog Bikes and spending $1,000 more than I'd spend here.
If you're into that sort of style, don't hesitate to go to Mission Bicycles because they're passionate and helpful. -
Review from Christopher P.
San Francisco, CA
5/7/2011
Excellent staff and great customer service. As someone who hasn't had a bicycle since middle school, I was a little intimidated buying a bike to ride to work. I knew I wanted something single speed and light as possible, but without breaking the bank. Jefferson took the time to explain what everything was, suggested the right size bike, and did a mock build on the ipad to get an idea of price. Plus he didn't blink when I told him I wanted to keep shopping around. A week later, I was back ordering a bike. For the quality of bike and service, I was willing to pay a little more.
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Review from Geordie E.
San Francisco, CA
2/25/2009
Awesome customer service.
From the initial time I placed my order, Sal was very patient in guiding me in my purchase.
All my phone calls and emails were promptly answered.
They're all very honest about bikes and parts.
I'm definitely going to purchase from them again soon. -
Review from david p.
San Jose, CA
11/30/2008
definitely great customer service, i love that the most. they're quick to respond to emails and answer my questions. Yes it does take a while to get your bike because of the demand, but it was well worth the wait.
As for picking up the bike, yeah it was a bit scary hahaha...saw two guys outside smoking in the rain thought they were gonna jack me, but turns out it was sal and kirk :P
shop isn't exactly like walking into a store, it's a warehouse-y place. but it's all good.
awesome work guys. we need more smaller personal shops like yours in this world. -
Review from Lysander Jon A.
Hayward, CA
3/3/2011 2 photos
Just picked up my bike yesterday and, although it took over a month to have it complete, it was well worth the wait! They did an exceptional job in creating the perfect bike for me and I felt they went out their way to help me out. Jefferson, the store manager, explained to me every component of the bike and gave me great advice. I think the best asset that this small "hole-n-the-wall" bike shop has that makes them stand out from the rest is their customer service. Communication thru email was quite prompt (thanks Sal) and I only had to speak with them a couple of times over the phone to make some minor changes. Even after deciding what I had wanted, I was in no pressure to buy the bike. They gave me more than enough time to decide. They are honest and will recommend parts and accessories on the basis of your cycling experience. Being that I'm new to this whole fixie culture, they weren't trying to sell me high end gear.However, I did ask them to put some high end components..hehe.I could have gone to my nearest bike dealer, but who wants to shop at a place where they don't greet or acknowlege you?!. Btw...did I say their bikes are sick?! Will definitely recommend them to friends.
http://media4.ct.yelpc... -
Review from Peter A.
San Francisco, CA
8/13/2009
Sal's cool.
Today I saw at least 3 identical Mission Bike-like bikes rolling down Vale.
Back in the day the mish was full of rats. Now, lemmings.
Watch out, new paradigm: http://www.globebikes.... -
Review from Joshua G.
San Francisco, CA
11/27/2009
I've been here a few times. It's a cozy little shop near Paxton's Gate for Kids that would otherwise not be noticed. The place is well appointed to the point of hospital-sterile...not sure if that's a good label for a bike shop. The workers were super attentive, genuinely nice and their positivity was noticeable.
Now, I'm only giving it 3 stars because of the smallish space, how similar their bikes look to what I've been seeing in the Mission, and its a little pricey for a mission bike shop. I think their potential is better served in a space larger than a $1800-a-month Marina hole-in-the-wall studio (2 stars). I'm probably being a little hyperbolic, but the space is pretty small. They only had new parts and me being a bargain bin shopper would have liked some used-but-still-nice parts (2 stars). Otherwise, their help gets 5 stars from me. -
Review from Carlos W.
San Francisco, CA
8/29/2010
I bought my bike for myself for Christmas (Give me a break - my family's all back in Ohio. If I don't buy myself Christmas presents, no one will!) Sal helped me set up the bike. I didn't have any idea what I wanted, really, but Sal was super patient and walked me through the whole set-up process.
Now, I know 'set-up process' sounds a bit intimidating but Mission Bicycles has this process down to a beautiful science - their software even shows you what you are building as you select each component. Pretty cool stuff (I suggest you try the build-a-bike feature on their website, too. Very user-friendly.)
I bought a single-gear bike, but they have other options available (it' not a fixie-only shop). I added a bunch of upgrade features, including a nice paint job and cool rims but still the bike was really affordable. I got my bike a week earlier than they predicted and she is BEAUTIFUL. It's so light-weight i can pick it up and twirl it around while doing jumping jacks. I get stopped on the street constantly by folks who want to know where it came from - as another post notes, the bike sells herself like a cheap (but beautiful!) corner hooker.
So now I've had it several months. I've been back to the shop to ask questions, buy accessories and replace a tire and the service is consistently great. Jefferson has helped me out a few times - he's a really good guy to help with all things bike. In the months I've owned it I've had a hard time keeping my boyfriend off of it, so for his birthday next month we're going back to Mission Bicycles. I hope you will, too.
Thank you Mission Bicycles. -
Review from Pooja S.
Baltimore, MD
8/16/2010
I recently completed a cross country bike ride with a nonprofit group called the 4k for Cancer, riding from Baltimore to San Francisco. When I got to San Francisco I realized I had to find a way to pack up and ship my bike home. By the end of the trip I was pretty broke and exhausted, and every bike shop I called told me they'd charge me at least $40 to disassemble it, and that I had to figure out a way to haul my box to the bike shop and back to ship it. When I called Mission Bicycle, they told me they'd be happy to disassemble and pack it for me for free, and send it out with their UPS orders so I'd only have to pay the shipping fee I'd have to pay with any carrier.
In the end, Sal and Esther saved me multiple cab fares hauling my bike and box around, packing fee, and a whole lot of headache. They were incredibly nice and supportive and congratulatory of my bike ride. I'll recommend them to my cycling friends in SF and future 4k riders who come through the city and anyone else looking for hassle-free service! -
Review from Leanne V.
San Francisco, CA
2/5/2010 1 photo
a photo of my mission bicycle is the wallpaper on my phone. yeah, i'm not ashamed, either.
after experiencing a year littered with major drama over my old biomega bike (a custody battle and an unfixable crank shaft, to name a few instances), i asked santa jesus to use his magic powers and make a new, pretty, more practical bike appear. guess what! santa jesus came through. and over the internets, nonetheless.
i built my stunner from the ground up on mission bicycle's stellar website. only offering few, solid options for parts and pieces takes the guesswork out of creating your new baby. shortly (minutes) after clicking submit, i got a call from super-sweetie-supreme sal to go over the specs and ask any questions i had. he even directed me to a website where i could pick out the exact paint color of my precious. drool.
within a week, i was trotting on down to mission bicycle's immaculate shop (props to my girl sarah, architect extraordinaire!) to take junipero serra home (mission bicycle = missionary...yeah. people shouldn't let me assign names to inanimate objects). right off the bat, the thing rode like a breeze. perfectly adjusted, expertly constructed. they even color-coordinated my toe straps.
beautiful machines. passionate staff. full of win! -
Review from Ben A.
San Francisco, CA
7/8/2008
This is THE Shop, man....this is the only place to customize. Love it, you need it? They have it, or will get it just for you as soon as they can.
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Review from eric o.
San Mateo, CA
11/1/2008
OK... So I finally picked my bike up about 2 weeks ago after waiting the month long process. DUDE... Well worth the wait!! I haven't rode a bike in like 15 years. I know it's kinda crazy to jump onto a fixie for not riding for so long, but it's by far the funnest bike I've ever rode. These guys are super cool, very helpful, and put up with people like me who can't make up thier mind with color selection. The work these guys do is supreme! TOP NOTCH customer service. Even though I already have the bike, I still catch myself on there website looking at the picture they took of it. Ask me, and I'll tell you I have the coolest bike! They even gave it a sweet name (Ring of Fire). If your looking to by a fixie, Please support these guys! You won't be disappointed.
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Review from Anastasia V.
Vallejo, CA
10/30/2008
Mission Bicycle is a great business to get your fixed gear bicycle from. When they say custom bikes it literally is custom down to any shade of color that you can imagine on your bike. I don't know much about bicycles (other than the ones i've ridden when i was a child), let alone Fixed gear bikes so Sal and Kirk were very nice enough to help me out on customizing my fixie. The most important part of a company (in my opinion) is great customer service and Sal and his team go beyond what is expected A++. Everytime there was a problem I was contacted right away and they reply to e-mails very fast. It was a pretty long wait for my fixie (4 weeks and 6 days) but i think it was well worth the time and money. I'll post pics of my fixie when I get the chance. Buy from Mission Bicycle and you will not be dissappointed.
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Review from David K.
San Francisco, CA
7/17/2008
These guys are amazing. I got a bike through them a couple weeks ago and it's by far the best bike I've ever ridden.
The order form is great. You know exactly what you're getting and every component is customizable. The color options are awesome, and I took full advantage. It's a rare day that I go riding and don't get a bike shoutout. And nothing feels better than watching a dolores hipster oggle as s/he walks past your chained up bike.
Customer service is top notch. They're all really friendly guys and Kirk kept in touch throughout construction letting me know the status. Due to them being massively busy, it did take a while (5 weeks) to actually get the bike, but they told me that before I ordered so no complaints.
Post sales is ace. My bike was feeling a little out of whack after a big ride so I took it back in to the shop, and they serviced it for nothing.
If you want a fixie and don't want to build it yourself, this is the place to go. -
Review from Andy S.
San Francisco, CA
3/27/2008
my bike is the hottest looking in town, I get compliments on it all the time (it has gone down especially well with the barista girls at my local cafe), and it made the 45 mile ride to work in fine style.
it's pretty much my all-the-time bike, though i've considered trying to get another one a few times to play with gear ratios, pedals and bars. -
Review from Brett H.
San Francisco, CA
6/14/2008
Greatest shop! I just got my first fixie these guys make it happen! Keep up the good work! Thanks Kirk.
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Review from Jennifer O.
San Francisco, CA
6/26/2010
Even if you're not a fixie rider, this place is worth a visit for accessories. I just got a sparkly Nutcase helmet, and am loving it! Also, the decor feels like a bike-candy store=white with candy colors poppin'. You may come away thinking that you've got to return for more.
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Review from Winston D.
San Francisco, CA
3/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
cute little store, amazing customer service! must buy your first fixed gear bike here!!!
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Review from Matt E.
San Francisco, CA
6/6/2010
So, you could spend a whole lot of time finding a cool used Bianchi or Schwinn frame from 1985, buy the right components in the right colors one-by-one, and work in your garage to build your own sweet, custom, tricked-out single speed. That would be rad. And for the uber-hipster, or the hipster who only works 20-hours per week, this will be the must-do option. But the for the rest of us, who want a bike that is both a means of transportation and an expression of individuality, Mission Bicycle is an awesome way to go.
You can put together a bike that is as original as you are, and get it in a few weeks for a pretty good price with a lot of great service and support backing it up.
I love my Mission Bike.
