The Broadway Cyclery — Local services in Bedford

I was looking for a bicycle shop to build up a custom Surly Troll for bikepacking and touring. I went to Eddy's Bike Shop, I went to Century Cycles, and I went to Broadway Cyclery. Without a doubt, Broadway Cyclery is the best bike shop I have found. When you walk into Broadway Cyclery Mike and Laura greet you with a friendly hello, and a smile. Sometimes they even offer you cookies! Right away, you feel welcomed into this great shop located in the heart of Bedford. The atmosphere in the shop is one of an old time bike shop instead of the usual sterile antiseptic retail store. The customer service provided by Mike and Laura is really really great. They are only interested in helping you get what you need, instead of pushing things you don't want. One time I showed up to the shop when it was closed. At the time, I didn't realize the store was closed on Mondays. Mike and Laura were working inside, saw me standing outside, and opened up the shop. We ended up talking about the bike build for more than an hour. On more than one occasion they stayed open a little later because it was hard for me to get to the shop in time after work. You can't get better service that that!

Mike and Laura's bicycle knowledge and expertise is as good or better than their customer service. I am the type of person that spends hours researching and comparing every part that goes on the bike. Even with all the research I did, here and there I would make a wrong turn regarding compatibility of certain parts. Mike always set me back on the right path, without making me feel like I was dumb because I didn't know as much as he did.

If you have ever built a bike up from scratch you know there are, literally, a lot of moving parts and compatibility issues. 8 speed, 9 speed, 10 speed, 11 speed, Road parts vs Mountain parts, crank sets, gear ratios, gear inches, long pull brakes, short pull brakes, shifters, etc. etc. etc. I also know what I want, and do not like to compromise. Where other bike shops said "That won't work, it can't be done", Mike knew how to make everything fit together while building exactly the bicycle I wanted.

Once we had decided on a build list, Mike put everything together with the attention to detail only an expert builder can provide. After I took the new bike home and decided I wanted a few adjustments made, Mike made them quickly and without extra charge.

I know this is a long review, and it might seem to good to be true. But, just look at all the other reviews about this shop. This really is a great place to buy a new bike, a used bike, or have an old one repaired. As I'm sure you can tell by now, if you want anything bicycle related, I highly recommend the...

Well, it's February 24 2017. I went in to Broadway cycles wanting to trade in my 29in bike for something smaller. Mike helped me out and said he would take my bike for 80 trade in towards anything the store. Granted I'm not an expert but I do believe when you work with someone who owns a business, they are the experts. Mike showed me a bike that is size fitting to me with 80 off the price, I bought it for $100 plus a $40 lock. I admit it was a nice bike. A Schwinn too. Here is where things go south... I take it home to adjust it to go riding, started cleaning it up a bit and adjust the seat. I come across the model number s2601wmi. I said to myself 'hey why not go ahead and look this up on to see features and specs." Come to find out that I bought a woman's bike. I'm a man mind you and I said oh no I can't ride this. I called Mike a half hour after I bought it and told him this a woman's bike. He replies with "does it matter?" Yes. Yes it does. If you are an expert then you should know what you are selling to your customers. After 20mins of being on the phone he said he would take it back. When I get there he tells me that there is a $25 restocking fee. I told him that you knew you sold me a woman's bike and that he is responsible to make sure there is no surefire way of me bringing back a product. I was calm the entire time. I explained that when I sell electronics I sell people what they need not what they want. I want a bike but I need a man's bike. He hit me with this backstory of why certain bikes are women's bikes; tried to tell him that none of that applies to me. It's not 1900 and I don't wear skirts. I spent 150 on two items. I only got $80 back due to having to keep the $40 bike chain and a restocking fee. I pleaded with him to to keep my bike I traded as a restocking fee and give me 100 even and I'll keep the chain. Mike says he didn't want my bike in the first place because he was just being courteous. Had I known that I wouldn't of even bothered. Then after another half hour of working a deal to get my money back. He asks me if I still have the free repair kit he gave me for free... I said "why?" He replies "because you get to keep it if you buy a bike". The look on my face most of told him never mind. Because he back pedaled that. But I know that extra $15 I didn't get back is for the kit. Bottom line: I am all for small businesses but there is a reason why people shop at big chain stores. Don't be greedy, do your job right and do it once. I'm sorry but this is one small business establishment I can not stand behind. I will never come back here again and I will steer my other friends away...

My wife & I recently purchased bikes here and I highly recommend this shop The owners (husband & wife team of Mike & Laura) are kind, friendly people who took the time to answer all of our questions & help us find the right bike that fit each of our needs. We were allowed to test-ride several bikes and there was never a feeling of "hard sell" or pressure sales.(In fact, it took as multiple visits to decide on our ultimate purchases.) All of our questions were answered patiently and they really listened to what we were looking for. Our bikes were adjusted to fit & Mike encouraged us to "come back in a week" to fine-tune the fit (which we did for my wife's bike). Great service. Prices reasonable & very good selection of high-quality bikes (also: bike helmets sold at close to same price you'd find on Amazon.) Finally: I love the dog, Zoe...and there are usually free cookies on...