Big Wheel Bikes — Local services in Alexandria

This place is great! It was my first experience at BWB Alexandria because I live up in Arlington and have been taking my bikes to the closer places up here. However, I am sick of the "too cool for school" attitude of the employees at some places and the minimum $110+ price tags for basic tune ups (not including parts). So I found this place and it is bit out of my way but I figured it was worth a try since the base tuneup was $80 and was rated well on several sites .

I took in a bike to have it fixed up because I had neglected it and needed some work including a tune up as well as unsticking my front derailleur and rear brake calper. I dropped it off on Saturday afternoon and after giving a brief description of the issues to Bennett he looked at it and explained what he could do to work on it. Based on previous experiences in the area, I figured it would be a week plus wait but was pleasantly surprised when he said depending on parts they would be able to turn it around by the next day or Monday! I told him I couldn't pick it up Sunday so Monday would be perfect.

He called on Monday to give me an update that after some extensive work on the front derailleur to try and get it operating smoothly that it was shot (not a surprise because it was in bad shape) and I needed a new one. Instead of trying to sell me the most expensive one (I had Durace 2007 that came with the bike when I bought it) he said that the new 105s were comparable to what I had (only slightly heavier than the most expensive model) and would save me close to $50. That and the install cost would be covered by the tuneup fee I was already paying. They got the part in and fixed it up ready for my pickup 2 days later. When I picked up my bike he even showed me my old derailleur (without my prompting) and how jacked up it was! I didn't ask him to save it but do appreciate it when repair places show me the old/failed parts on my bikes or cars and explain why they failed (a sign of honesty in my book). I just took it out for a spin tonight and could not be happier with the work!

I will definitely be taking my bikes down there again for all my maintenance needs and would highly recommend this place! Bennett was very friendly, knowledgeable, and honest....

4 years ago I bought my first hybrid here. I have biked all of my life (tricycle, schwinn, raleigh road, stump jumper mountain) this was my first hybrid. BWB "sold" me a Marin Fairfax. I had never heard of this brand but the test was great. Without exaggeration I have probably put close to 3000 miles on it and after BWB made some adjustments I recently rode a 108 mile ride and finished quite decently. You would think that a bike with that kind of mileage would have been worn to useless but each time I took it in for tune ups the staff returned my bike smoother and more efficient. Admittedly I am vigilant about safety so I get my bike tuned at least once a year. I have witnessed that if you don't have the pros tune your bike you are destined for a hospital visit. Don't want that and BWB has done their share helping me with that goal.

After my first century ride, which I loved, I decided it was time for a road bike. I did all of the research and was down to three models to test. BWB had my number one choice and it was sweet...but...according to Bennet there was another one, not on my list, that I needed the try. That would be the one that I bought today. It was love within one city block. Thank you BWB for not letting me buy the wrong bike...again...and thank you BWB for keeping my bikes well tuned and safe, and for keeping my husband's bike well tuned and safe. Thank you also for you outstanding customer service. I recommend you to those who prefer an expert. PS because I put a lot of stock in google reviews I looked at other reviews Ed J has left and he has a trend of trashing bike shops in the area. All are about how he is charged outrageously for services. Cheap skates should not be allowed to write reviews since they wouldn't be good even if you gave...

The best bike shop in the area, period!

These guys are fair, know what's up and treat you right. There is no bum rush here and if something isn't right for you they will wave you off even if it means the potential of losing a sale. Of course places like that tend to get my business if not on the spot at some point in the future. These guys care about the customer and maybe just as importantly about bikers at all levels. They are into it!

I bought an SE Lager from Brian and he took the time to set me up, gave me a tutorial on fixed gear riding (apparently I have to peddle faster now! lol). He even took me on a ride and showed me his slide-braking skills.

Have to say that this Ed guy who wrote some trash about "my man" sounds totally bogus. His review with all the holes in his story and how he writes;"nobody screws with me!"at the end. It sounds like they hooked him up with another bike after already buying a different bike and got buyers remorse days later,"exchanged"the bike,upgraded to better tires (at no additional charge BTW) and he's still not happy and complaining about it.(!?).

I guess there are always people like this on review sites but frankly I don't think we are hearing the whole (real) story in the review (another reviewer also noted his anger and consistency of trashing local bike shops in his reviews).

Anyway, I HIGHLY RECOMMENDED this funky local bike shop where they seem to be more into bikes than making bucks. I learn something every time I stop by and they are legitimately happy to see me and let me hang without any...