Taipei Bike Works | 維修/保養專門店/單車租借 — Local services in Taipei

Was lucky to get Alec for a long road bike ride out into the foothills of Yangmingshan (85 km of scenic climbs and winding descents on quiet roads and then along the bike paths to get in and out of Taipei city), booked as a special ride based on my road riding ability. It was a stellar day, albeit a grueling ride and testing my ability on the steeper downhills than I am used to - but Alec was incredibly patient and encouraging. I picked up some new skills in cornering descents and riding over the drop bar! We stopped at a couple of FamilyMarts en route to stock up on fluid and get some snacks, as well as a cheeky coffee and cheesecake break.

The Merida bike that I hired was in top notch condition, and set up for my size specs. Alec can make minor adjustments for you as he knows the mechanics of bikes (we did a brake adjustment on the ride). They also put on the compatible pedals for my mountain bike cycling shoes that I had on me so I could clip in. I brought my own helmet, gloves and water bottle, but you can hire a helmet and buy a water bottle there. FYI The pokari bottle fits into a bike bottle cage if you don't want to buy a cycling water bottle there if you've forgotten yours.

I thoroughly enjoyed my day out on the bike and recommend this to anyone who loves long road rides, and climbing. Paying for a trip like this means you get the bonus of someone who knows the route so you don't have to keep checking your map for which roads to use to get the nice quiet and scenic route - then you can capitalize on descents and a flow of cycling without the faff of directions. For a day like this you'll need to email Alec and have a chat about your cycling experience as it isn't a standard offering.

I hired my same bicycle again the next day to go and checkout the vast array of riverside bike paths across Taipei city - which Alec and Beatrice were very accommodating at figuring out collection and drop off times with the shop opening hours. These are fairly well signed so you don't need to be guided for them. My only regret is my bu$$ was so sore that I couldn't ride these nice flat, quiet, scenic bike paths longer.

I'll most definitely be using Taipei Bike Works on future trips to Taipei /Taiwan, for bike hire and for getting a long and challenging guided road bike ride in. ...

I rated 2 stars the Bike Tour on Get Your Guide but accidentally my review was not posted, so I am reviewing here mostly to make clear to the management that it was not guide's fault.

Actually, everything has to do with the price. When you sell 70 euros a 4 hour bike tour you have to be flawless and high ended. The group had 11 participants (misleading description for a max of 8 on GYG - this is not a small group at all when you ride in busy city streets) so they ran out of the tour bikes and gave me a bike of their rental department (they asked me and another guy, the two last people picking bikes) . I am mentioning that because this bike was not comfortable and safe. It was overused. The chain was going off while pedaling so I fell down while trying to start pedaling at a traffic light. Thank God it was me and not another person cause in general I am young and in good shape, so I can handle a fall. We were in a big rush to catch the guard change, so I didn't want to disappoint the group, and I was like "ok let's go". But I still have scratches on my hand and foot. This was 100% bike failure, I'm an experienced biker and never had fallen in my life. Other people of the group also witnessed. Ali the guide was not even there cause we were a big group and we couldn't stay together or even listen what she was saying. I've managed to hear like a half of what she said in total - but really nothing while riding. Ali in general, was really good. Really, if this tour cost 40 euros (which is the fair price), I would never mention the incident, or even maybe I would rate you 5 stars. Or for the 70 euro scenario- if the services, like the bikes or the breakfast, or the number of participants were outstanding I would still rate you with 5 stars. But 70 euros with a big group of 11 and an overused bike which make me fell down, no guys really. Is very disappointing to know that this day you got 770 euros in 4 hours from this group providing this cheap outcome. Even in Oslo a bike tour like yours costs 40 euros, almost half price. And possibly it has an actual maximum...

I had the fantastic luck of crossing Alec on a bike ride while my bike was making some terrible noises. He said not to worry and to just come by the shop, that he had the necessary tools back and the shop and could get me sorted and back out on the road! So, I rode into town with him where I met his super kind and knowledgeable colleague, Alex. In less than 5 minutes, Alec had identified the problem in my drive train that was leading to all my unnerving sounds. Just a few minutes later, he had everything cleaned up, tightened up, and running smoothly again! He also double checked my chain strain and brake, recommending that I change my chain and spruced up my braking action. All the while, I had a great chat with the guys about planning a tour around Taiwan with my mates in May. They knew all the best routes and had loads of tips for how we should do it, where to go, how much climbing we'd have to face or how to avoid it. I also loved checking out the retro bikes they were building up and blinging out! They looked so good! Even the touring bikes they offer for riding around the island look great! I can't wait to get back there to plan our tour with my mates! We will for sure be renting their bikes and gleaning all the information we can from these great guys!!!

Definitely, go check them out, for a chat, a tune up, to ogle (or even purchase) their retro builds, to plan a tour, or to ride around! Highly...