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February 2024 by Erik Hart
Awsome shop with great programs to help those that need or want help!
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December 2023 by Evan Bragin
Do not waste your time here for service.
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November 2023 by Mark Webster
I wanted to change my 1971 Sekai ten speed to a 15 speed so I could more easily pedal up hills. But you can’t just slap on a 3 inch granny gear. The front crank of a ten speed isn’t designed for 3 front gears - sprockets. However, I had an old broken down mountain bike, and those all have 3 gears on the front.I wondered: could I swap the front transmission from the 21 speed mtn bike to my ten speed?I looked online and there is no information on going from 2 to 3 sprockets. In fact, lots of people are going from 3 to 1.So I carried my two antique bikes into Second Cycle and explained my crazy idea. They didn’t bat an eye. “Try it!” they said, “it might work”.The mechanics showed me how to mount my bike in the bike repair stand and pointed to the wall of Park brand specialty bike tools. They explained the hourly rental rates, which were very low, and said to grab them if I had questions.I’ve worked on bikes for 50 years, but this was uncharted territory for me. I’d completely forgotten how to remove links from a new chain, or how to pull a stuck crank. It was super nice to have friendly and knowledgeable mechanics available when I got over my head. They showed me what to do, but made sure that I did the work. And tools, wow, they had a tool for everything!Whenever I needed a new part or cable, they had one on hand. One part isn’t even made any more, so they found a 50 year old used part in a bin that was perfect.I was there 3 hours, but when I saw that new transmission working perfectly, I was pretty stoked.Second Cycle is a great resource for Tacoma. There are a few other bike shops in town, but this is the only one offering rental work space for DIY people who need access to specialty bike tools. I was very impressed and will be visiting them again.
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September 2023 by Tovah Bailey
Found my son perfect bike!! Very affordable and thankful they are there!! The gentleman did a final safety inspection and everything! Will definitely be my place for bike ...happy mom here!!
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September 2023 by Genevieve A.
I would give this place a zero if it was possible. I left feeling humiliated and defeated. The owner started off by scolding me for not taking the bike back to the original mechanics to let them fix what was wrong with the bike. I wasn't even sure that the problem was their fault, I was just trying to explain what I thought happened. Back story: I have arthritis, so I saved up and paid $300 for a trike so I can get exercise and be in shape for a much needed surgery. I bought the bike two years ago. We had some trouble setting it up, so I couldn't ride it. Two weeks after I bought it, I had a bad fall and dislocated my arm. It took six months to heal. When I was able to ride it, I took it in to REI and they tried to help but couldn't. My husband finally got the bike set up, but it never ran right (listed to the side). It sat in the garage for a year with the intention of bringing it in to Second Cycle because we have heard such great things about them. I finally decided today was the day because we are leaving Tacoma in a week to travel the country in our RV and I want to take the trike and finally use it. The owner came to look at it, would barely touch the bike, never actually diagnosed the actual problem (he wouldn't ride it or anything). He basically told me I wasted my money, that it was a super cheap bike and I hedged my bets and lost. For some reason that I do not understand, he said it would cost me more than the bike was even worth for him to look at it due to it's cheap manufacturing. He knew full well that I couldn't return it, but he just said, "Sorry." I have ridden the bike one time. UPDATE: I just compared notes with my sister and she reminded me that she brought a bike here during Christmas. She bought it second hand for my drug addicted, homeless brother and she just needed help to put it together. The owner also turned her down flat and sent her out the door. She was a paying customer, but so much for his humanitarianism.
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September 2023 by Matt Click
Friendly and knowledgeable staff. Awesome selection of new and used stuff. Bikes are all in great shape. We bought a bike for my 5-year-old and they offered to the training wheels on there free of charge. Can’t recommend enough.
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September 2023 by Caleb Hays
A bad "community" bike shop. Myself and my partner bought bikes from here during the spring and summer of 2023. We have been incredibly disappointed with interactions with staff and services provided every time we have gone to Second Cycle. Staff are not helpful, condescending, and at times misogynistic. My partner is a former triathlete and went to the shop to get help replacing a tire that has gone flat 3 times in the past couple weeks. Instead of checking for punctures in the tire and lining these up on the rim/tire to find the issue, the worker told her she needs to pump her tire every couple days. He was rude and condescending during the entire interaction. He replaced the flat and within 4 hours her tire was flat again.Also, prices seem to be steadily increasing. When we were there last week, nearly all of the bikes displayed were being sold for +$700. Fancy and expensive bikes are being resold in a community that has little need for them. Hilltop needs a community bike shop that reflects their community. WOULD NOT RECOMMEND.
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September 2023 by Cunningham Andre
One of my favorite bike shops the crew is super knowledgeable super-friendly A1
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August 2023 by Douglas Baldwin
Very helpful informative staff... back tire repair while we waited... He brought the repaired bike outside to us when finished.
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July 2023 by Toppy Pruitt
I’m super disappointed.Recently I got a brand new Schwinn beach cruiser and brand new Thule child’s seat for Mother’s Day to take my grandson for rides.I had called about them installing the seat and the guy I spoke to said yes as long as it was still in the box, had all the parts and it would cost $20.I called back and told the guy who answered that I had a Saris car rack, did they have an adapter bar that I needed and was told yes and it was $10. Cool!When I went to pick it up, the owner Noah (I learned later) was at the counter. I told him what I was looking for and he pulled out a different brand that was $40. I explained that I just called and was told that there was a $10 Saris one. He went back over and brought out the right one. His mannerisms seemed annoyed.When I came back later with the bike and seat, he came out from behind the counter and pointed out various things that were wrong I.e., the handle bars were too high, the brakes were not right and it was going to need a new bike rebuild.I was surprised but asked for an estimate. He abruptly went to help another customer without even saying anything.I waited until he was done, but when he came back he didn’t even offer an estimate he took one look at the box that the seat was in (without even opening it to check) and said, “Nope, can’t do it.” Stating that because of the luggage rack on the bike, it would never fit.I tried to tell him that I was told it would work, but he just said, “No it won’t.” He then abruptly walked away from me without even a sorry I can’t help you or let’s get that estimate though, and started talking to someone else.Anyway, my daughter-in-law and I were actually able to mount the seat in about 20 minutes. I guess I saved myself $20.**** on a personal note, I was actually looking forward to working with this shop.
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June 2023 by Toppy M.
I'm super disappointed. Recently I got a brand new Schwinn beach cruiser and brand new Thule child's seat for Mother's Day to take my grandson for rides. I had called about them installing the seat and the guy I spoke to said yes as long as it was still in the box, had all the parts and it would cost $20. I called back and told the guy who answered that I had a Saris car rack, did they have an adapter bar that I needed and was told yes and it was $10. Cool! When I went to pick it up, the owner Noah (I learned later) was at the counter. I told him what I was looking for and he pulled out a different brand that was $40. I explained that I just called and was told that there was a $10 Saris one. He went back over and brought out the right one. His mannerisms seemed annoyed. When I came back later with the bike and seat, he came out from behind the counter and pointed out various things that were wrong I.e., the handle bars were too high, the brakes were not right and it was going to need a new bike rebuild. I was surprised but asked for an estimate. He abruptly went to help another customer without even saying anything. I waited until he was done, but when he came back he didn't even offer an estimate he took one look at the box that the seat was in (without even opening it to check) and said, "Nope, can't do it." Stating that because of the luggage rack on the bike, it would never fit. I tried to tell him that I was told it would work, but he just said, "No it won't." He then abruptly walked away from me without even a sorry I can't help you or let's get that estimate though, and started talking to someone else. Anyway, my daughter-in-law and I were actually able to mount the seat in about 20 minutes. I guess I saved myself $20. **** on a personal note, I was actually looking forward to working with this shop because of some of the charity work they do.
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June 2023 by Nathan Wright
One of the better bike shops in the Pacific Northwest for used parts.
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April 2023 by Real Reviews
I went to look for a bike to purchase a couple months ago.There was an expensive bike that was being sold for a steal $200 to another customer according to the employee.(These similar bikes they sell cost $600-800 or more)The issue was that they were trying to sell me much lower quality bikes for the same price or higher.I returned months later to look at new bikes and a $225 bike they tried to sell to me had screaming breaks.They wouldnt negotiate any prices on a $450 bike.They said bike donors dont get discounts on bikes and all prices are fixed.Sketchy that they sell expensive bikes, and I do mean really high quality $1,000 dollar looking bikes for $200 to others, but they tried to sell to me a much lower quality bike for the same price and they had the nerve to try to sell it to me in front of the other bike buyer.
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March 2023 by Rosie Baird
They are SUPER nice!!! I went in to get my son a bike. Everyone was really patient and friendly! We definitely will be coming back.
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February 2023 by Aaron Yang
Great mission and people that help the Tacoma and wider community for bike related programs, which encompasses education, outreach, internship, volunteering, retail and repairs.