Outback Bikes

I am a huge believer of supporting local businesses so considering I live across the street, I go no where else, until now. I am updating an older Kona and have experienced a serial attitude and push towards only equipment geared toward the hard core rider. I wish to ride for exercise and recreation but was met with resistance towards comfort and convenience. I also experienced poor customer service when wishing to have them change out grip shifts. The parts would need to be ordered and then there was a week wait for service, great for them, means a small business is doing well. But their policy is, while waiting in line for service I would have to leave my bike there. It was not acceptable to me for my bike to just sit there waiting for parts and service time, when it could be in use. I would have been more than happy to pre-pay for parts and service and bring my bike back when they were ready for it. I think their stock and mechanic's abilities are unbeatable, but if you are not in their league, go elsewhere. Getting the right bike for YOU is what it's all about. more

As a regular bike commuter, I need a lot of service. I do as much as I can myself, but there are always parts I need, tools I don't have, or a problem i cannot diagnose. Since Outback is right on my commute, I often stop in for the repairs and parts that I need. Their extended hours, winter and summer, are a big help to me, since I'm usually getting there around 6:45 at night. While all the mechanics are very knowledgeable, some have definite issues with customer service. I would have given 3 stars due to this, but it seems that they have recently hired some new people that are a little nicer. I think the mechanics just need to realize that there is a wide spectrum of bike knowledge and know-how, and it's OK for people to reside on different spots of that spectrum. On the flip side, when I can get one of the mechanics that is nice, it is always a nice experience. I have always felt confident in the skill and repairs that I have received. more

Outback Bikes is perfectly located in the (despite much gentrification) still delightfully rough-around the edges Euclid Ave stretch of Little Five Points. Most of the employees look like they live in the neighborhood—tattoos, black clothes, the whole lot. And while I haven’t noticed too many shaved legs, the extensive scarring and grease-blackened hands attest to the fact that these guys know their bikes. They sold me the first bike of my adult life, and were great about giving me ongoing tune-ups and free advice every time I came into the store. If you’re in the market for a bike, or think you might be, drop in. more