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October 2024 by Dondré
When I first moved over to NW DC I was calling around to shops that would loan me a bike bag for my flight to Miami. The team at silver cycles offered to rent me a bag and pack the bike for me. Since then I've been back a few times and every time I've been met with great service. This is really a neighborhood shop where you feel as though they are invested in your biking experience. I am now a regular customer.
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July 2024 by Chris McDaniel
Worst bike maintenance I have ever received in 30 years of cycling. Paid $250 , they had the bike for 5 days, didn't fix the problem I brought it to them to fix, left me with 2 sticking wheels (brakes rubbing hard), and didn't fill the air in the tires..., made excuses about why bike was like this. Clearly nobody bothered to check the work. Everything about the experience was pretty much bad. I honestly am not sure what they did or did not do, but checking the work was not something anyone did.
The bike rode considerably worse after they gave it back. Was actually riding fine when i gave it to them, just squeaking under heavy pedaling.
Paid $100 to get the bike picked up and dropped off. Then $120 for the whole bike tune up and another $30 for a bottom bracket overhaul (they told me that's what it needed to fix squealing). They never called me to discuss what was going on with the bike. The process was not easy. I called 4 days later and they were like "oh we are working on your bike" When will it be ready? Maybe today, maybe tomorrow. Again nobody called me either day to say it's ready. I texted the person that had picked it up. She said "oh it's' ready"
The real issue is the bike was messed up when they gave it back to me. I brought it to them with a mechanical problem. They said "You need a new bottom bracket" so I said ok please fix it. They did not fix and then made excuses that it was something else. They had it for 5 days, could have test drove it and said "oh that didnt' work" I don't really believe they even did the work but will find out when I take it to another shop that does check their work.
Part of the tune up is to adjust brakes, well they adjusted them very poorly. As soon as I started to ride the bike you could feel this drag. Again a simple test ride by a mechanic would have felt this. So severe that the front wheel will not make one revolution if you pick it up and spin it.
Back wheel, exact same thing. Two brakes, two rubbing brake pads on 1 bike.
I have never seen anything like this.
I asked for a refund because I can't trust a shop that gave me back my bike like this and they did offer to fix it and "we take pride in our work" but they didnt offer to come get it that day and get it back to me that day. It was going to be another multi day situation. Many emails later they made more concessions and offering to fix at my convenience but not after making many other excuses about "things are working normally."
Not once did they say we didn't do the work right. They should have started with "we will come get the bike today and fix it." they didn't.
They also tried to make an excuse by saying "sometimes in transport things get jostled" basically saying all these problems are due to the bike being transported on a car bike rack for 15 minutes which did not make me trust them more. I have had that bike on my bike rack driving across the country for 20,000 miles, never had one brake rubbing problem and no squeaking when I pedal after. They made other excuses.
Frankly, I didn't trust them with my bike after the first experience and must have had 10 emails asking for a refund with no luck.
Would highly recommend you stay away.
UPDATE - other problems with my bike have come up since I wrote this review and considering how poorly the other maintenance was done, I believe these issues were caused by Silver Cycles. So frustrating. The comment back is apparently does not apply to the 3 days they had my bike. The messed it up bad.
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June 2024 by Joe Daniels
I was really happy with my bike repair. I dropped it off for a standard tune up and a few repairs and they were very transparent about prices before doing any of the work. They also finished over a week sooner than they originally quoted me. Overall it was a very positive experience. The staff was very friendly as well.
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June 2024 by Charlie Demma
love this place and grateful they are there.
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June 2024 by Ru Ru
Excellent attention to detail, professional, and prompt. Got my brakes fixed and my bike tuned up. Finally a bike shop that isn’t filled with stuck-up cyclists who try to make you feel like you don’t fit in their circle.
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May 2024 by Travis Prest
Needed a quick fix that they were able to make time for on the spot. Very reasonably priced and helpful staff. It's really nice to have a dependable bike shop nearby.
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April 2024 by Rudy Guadron
Great service Great people I highly recommend.I needed service on two bikes for a trip on the C and O Canal they had them ready for me the same day.Thank You Silver Cycles Downtown Silver Spring.
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February 2024 by Khari Harrigan
If you're looking for a bike shop that feels like a warm hug for your two-wheeled friend, look no further than Silver Cycles! This isn't just your average repair shop; it's a haven for cyclists of all stripes, where smiles are as abundant as spokes.Now, I'm no stranger to bike shops. In fact, Ivan and Ms. Linda at Silver Cycles have personally tinkered with over 12 of my trusty steeds! (Yes, I have a bit of a bicycle addiction, but hey, they're practically family at this point!) And let me tell you, these folks are the dream team of bike repair.Here's why Silver Cycles gets my five-star (and two thumbs up) approval:Speed demons: They're faster than a greased chain on a downhill race, usually fixing my bikes in under an hour. Need a quick tune-up before a weekend ride? They've got your back (and your wheels!)Friendliness on overdrive: The atmosphere is warmer than a fresh pot of coffee, and the team is genuinely passionate about bikes. They explain everything in terms even a cycling newbie can understand, and their laughter is contagious (seriously, I once saw Ms. Linda wheezing with laughter over a particularly stubborn flat tire).Knowledge that puts Einsteins to shame: These folks know their bikes inside and out. They can diagnose a problem faster than you can say "derailleur," and their repairs are flawless and long-lasting. Ivan is a mechanical maestro, and Ms. Linda has a sixth sense for all things bicycle-related.In short, Silver Cycles is more than just a repair shop; it's an experience. You'll leave not only with a perfectly tuned bike, but also with a smile on your face and a newfound appreciation for the magic of two wheels. Just be warned, you might end up leaving with a new bike story (or two) and a serious case of the giggles. Thanks, Silver Cycles, for keeping me and my bikes rolling happy!P.S. If you see a guy with a slightly bewildered expression but a suspiciously large collection of bikes, that's probably me. Feel free to say hi and share your own Silver Cycles love story!
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February 2024 by Max-Mary Zorblewu
this shop has been fundamental in making my cycling life a bliss. excellent customer service, and also providing stellar advice. will always recommend people to come here
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February 2024 by Brittany Janeice
Untrustworthy Experience with Bike Shop.Requested new tire replacements, ended up with an unauthorized swap of both USED wheels and tires. Was told keeping my original wheels was "not part of the deal, but I could pay $140 for them," a deal I never consented to in the first place.When inquiring about a guarantee or warranty, she replied: "I guarantee that you can walk out of the shop." Again, we're talking used components, folks...I acknowledge that my bike could use some additional updates, and I respect the need for small businesses to generate revenue. However, aggressively pushing personal opinions and using language like "you can't leave without these updates" is off-putting. While recommendations are appreciated, excessive pressure makes the shop seem overly focused on making money.In the end, I requested to have my original tires put back on, which they did. Good accessories selection, helpful service from Ben. My issue lies with the maintenance duo in the back.
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November 2023 by Devota Aabel
TLDR: I spent $1000 here on a bike that doesn't fit me based on a recommendation and repeated assurances from an employee. I came into the shop asking for help many times, hoping they could/would help me after such a large purchase. The last time I was in the shop, a different employee was really disrespectful to me, and at this point I really just don't want to come back here because of that interaction. If the manager/owner reaches out to me to try to help me out with finding a reasonable solution, I will revise this review. If I don't hear from them, I'm just going to sell the bike at a loss and buy a new one somewhere else, and I obviously won't be coming back to this shop.I wanted to buy a mountain bike and Ivan helped me pick one out. He was helpful and knowledgeable, and after his assurances that he was confident a size L would fit me, we ordered a bike that they didn't have in stock and I wasn't able to test ride. Obviously it was risky to purchase without test riding, but I don't know much about bikes and I was hoping I could rely on my local bike store to help me out (also Ivan assured me of his confidence it would fit me multiple times). He said it was based on the fact that women tend to have longer legs than men.Unfortunately after receiving the bike, I had fit issues that none of the employees I interacted with were able to diagnose. I called and asked if I could get a bike fitting- I was told they don't really do fittings for mountain bikes, but I went in and they basically just said it was fine. After that I came into the shop probably around 10 different times asking for help (it was just about every weekend for a few months), because it just didn't feel right. I was reassured by multiple employees who basically glanced at me on it that it fit me. When I tried to describe the discomfort I was feeling in my wrists, everyone seemed to think I was looking for a more upright posture, when in reality I was just looking for a longer reach. They also minimized the instability I felt with the height. So finally after making a few other adjustments, Ivan changes out the stem for a shorter one, again on the assumption that I was looking for an upright posture, and that I have a short torso and long legs (I believe the opposite to be true now).After trying to get used to the new fit for a few weeks, I came back in and get the stem changed out again, this time cutting the difference between the original stem and the new shorter one because I felt "scrunched". I then a few weeks later came in again and I asked if I could get the original stem put back on. I realize this was annoying for Tracy, but wow I really was shocked at her reaction.Tracy asked me condescendingly if I was a racer, because of how fine-tuned of changes I was asking for. I found this really insulting, as I've been very open about the fact that I don't know much about bikes. She reluctantly changed it out, and proceeded to loudly complain the whole time she changed it out.I asked her what are my options if we can't get this bike to fit, and she said that it was my choice to buy it. She said if I wanted them to take it back they'd have to charge me as if I had been renting the bike for $50 a day the whole time I've had it (which at that point was more than what I paid for it). The critical tone and hypocrisy kind of amazed me, how she went back and forth from "wow you've hardly rode it, how can you even say it doesn't fit?" to "wow you've really rode this, and you expect us to take it back?". All I wanted was fit help from the place I trusted with a $1000 purchase, and up until then, I had been extremely patient with the process.After chatting and cycling recently with a relative who is an experienced cyclist, I'm confident that the L size I bought was too large, and what I really need is a size M with an elongated stem (he says we both have a "gorilla" body type apparently, and a long torso and short legs. I'm 5
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November 2023 by Devota A.
TLDR: I spent $1000 here on a bike that doesn't fit me based on a recommendation and repeated assurances from an employee. I came into the shop asking for help many times, hoping they could/would help me after such a large purchase. The last time I was in the shop, a different employee was really disrespectful to me, and at this point I really just don't want to come back here because of that interaction. If the manager/owner reaches out to me to try to help me out with finding a reasonable solution, I will revise this review. If I don't hear from them, I'm just going to sell the bike at a loss and buy a new one somewhere else, and I obviously won't be coming back to this shop. I wanted to buy a mountain bike and Ivan helped me pick one out. He was helpful and knowledgeable, and after his assurances that he was confident a size L would fit me, we ordered a bike that they didn't have in stock and I wasn't able to test ride. Obviously it was risky to purchase without test riding, but I don't know much about bikes and I was hoping I could rely on my local bike store to help me out (also Ivan assured me of his confidence it would fit me multiple times). He said it was based on the fact that women tend to have longer legs than men. Unfortunately after receiving the bike, I had fit issues that none of the employees I interacted with were able to diagnose. I called and asked if I could get a bike fitting- I was told they don't really do fittings for mountain bikes, but I went in and they basically just said it was fine. After that I came into the shop probably around 10 different times asking for help (it was just about every weekend for a few months), because it just didn't feel right. I was reassured by multiple employees who basically glanced at me on it that it fit me. When I tried to describe the discomfort I was feeling in my wrists, everyone seemed to think I was looking for a more upright posture, when in reality I was just looking for a longer reach. They also minimized the instability I felt with the height. So finally after making a few other adjustments, Ivan changes out the stem for a shorter one, again on the assumption that I was looking for an upright posture, and that I have a short torso and long legs (I believe the opposite to be true now). After trying to get used to the new fit for a few weeks, I came back in and get the stem changed out again, this time cutting the difference between the original stem and the new shorter one because I felt "scrunched". I then a few weeks later came in again and I asked if I could get the original stem put back on. I realize this was annoying for Tracy, but wow I really was shocked at her reaction. Tracy asked me condescendingly if I was a racer, because of how fine-tuned of changes I was asking for. I found this really insulting, as I've been very open about the fact that I don't know much about bikes. She reluctantly changed it out, and proceeded to loudly complain the whole time. I asked her what are my options if we can't get this bike to fit, and she said that it was my choice to buy it. She said if I wanted them to take it back they'd have to charge me as if I had been renting the bike for $50 a day the whole time I've had it (which at that point was more than what I paid for it). The critical tone and hypocrisy kind of amazed me, how she went back and forth from "wow you've hardly rode it, how can you even say it doesn't fit?" to "wow you've really rode this, and you expect us to take it back?". All I wanted was fit help from the place I trusted with a $1000 purchase, and up until then, I had been extremely patient with the process. After chatting and cycling recently with a relative who is an experienced cyclist, I'm confident that the L size I bought was too large, and what I really need is a size M with an elongated stem (he says we both have a "gorilla" body type apparently, and a long torso and short legs. I'm 5'9 fwiw)
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November 2023 by Jose Rene Martinez Bonilla
Excellent place.... it is the best
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November 2023 by Rocket
This is my first and last time I would come here.
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November 2023 by Christina Blanchard-Horan, PhD
The people are friendly and they really know their stuff. even though they don’t repair scooters, they took the time to help me repair the tires on my modified scooter. I take my grandchildren there to get their bikes repaired. Tires inflated adjustments made. Great place. I love my neighborhood #bicycleshop
