Chain Reaction Bicycles — Attraction in Redwood City

I purchased a townie step through bike from Chain Reaction and had great hopes, after testing it in the parking lot. When I got the bike home, I noticed there was an irritating clicking sound, which I didn't detect in the noisy parking lot of the store. I brought the bike in to the store for its free 30 day check up and mentioned the clicking. A few days later my husband I picked it up and he rode it in the parking lot to see if he could hear the sound. To our amazement, my husband found no braking power whatsoever on the rear brake, which is very dangerous. We mentioned this to the store and they seemed surprised but fixed it. However, they couldn't have done a test ride or they would have discovered the problem. After taking the bike home, I noticed on the quieter street that the clicking sound still remained. On my next ride the seat tilted forward making for a very uncomfortable ride. I cannot believe such simple fixes could be overlooked by the maintenance department. I will never buy another bike from this place. I seriously advise that they review their maintenance procedures before someone gets hurt.

My husband purchased his new bike at a store in Santa Cruz. The service couldn't be more opposite. At the moment of purchase they removed the bike to check it completely and adjust everything to my husbands height etc. Wish I had purchased mine in Santa Cruz as well!

Mike, as to your response to my review, your answer makes no sense whatsoever. We do not have any knowledge of configuring cables (whatever cables you mean?) nor have any incentive to do so. We had only one issue when we brought the bike in for it's service and that was the clicking sound. The brake issue occurred during your service: it was not there before. Whatever cables you are talking about, must have been incorrectly configured when you built the bike in the first place. Had you completely checked the bike or test ridden the bike after your service, you would have discovered the lack of a rear brake and the...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The Best Bike Shop Experience I’ve Had — Hands Down

I’ve been to at least five bike shops across San Francisco, Palo Alto, and Mountain View — and none of them came close to the level of knowledge, patience, and care I experienced here.

I truly wish I remembered the name of the guy who helped me. He was a younger gentleman, and based on our conversation, I gathered this is a family-run shop — and it shows. The attention to detail, the genuine engagement, and the depth of expertise were on another level.

What really impressed me was that he wasn’t just knowledgeable about the bikes they carry (mainly Trek, which they stock in a wide range from high-end to mid-range), but he also knew a surprising amount about other brands — including Cervélo, which I own. That kind of well-rounded insight is rare and incredibly helpful.

I haven’t even purchased my next bike yet — I’m still deciding — but I felt so strongly about the experience that I had to write this review. The trust I built with them and the quality of service I received speak volumes.

As I walked around the store, I saw them helping three other customers, and each interaction was handled with the same level of care and professionalism. There was no rush, no pressure — just solid, honest guidance.

If you’re shopping for a bike — especially if you need help with bike fit or sizing — this is the place to go. I walked out with a much better understanding of geometry, fit, and what truly matters in a bike decision.

Bravo to the team — and especially the person who helped me. You made a big impact, and I’m grateful. God...

I just had to share that this business is what all should be. I bought my first bike here years ago and put in an order for a new bike. Things changed and I wanted to change my order. The young man that I worked with called and said they were happy to accommodate me, no issues no pressure. There is such a high demand that inventory is low, but he told me he'd call me when any bikes became available that would work for me. YOU CAN'T BEAT, that kind of customer service. They are extremely knowledgeable, patient and work very hard to make your experience a positive one. 10 ** stars for everyone at Chain Reaction! Thank you all so much.

UPDATE: 4-19-22: Picked up my bike today and WOW! Its beautiful and more than I ever thought it would be. The original bike selected was changed and Kevin actually chose this one for me - little did I know what perfect taste he had. It's an unbelievable choice & I am so very happy with it. The additional point I wanted to make in this review is this: my first bike purchase was at their original store in RWC. The owners (brothers) gave me excellent service, attention and created a bike that fit my needs and that I loved. Now many years later, the next generation, Kevin & Becky, provided the same excellent customer service. Even though I changed my mind, they were helpful and committed to getting the correct bike for me as an older rider. My vote is for Chain Reaction...they deliver in so many ways and they have my loyalty for any bike or bike accessories I would need. THANK YOU KEVIN, BECKY & Chain...