Find a great bike shop in NYC

For folks who love the idea of leaving their subway days behind them but worry about storage, Bfold might be the perfect specialty store. As its name suggests, the East Village purveyor only sells bikes that fold, such as the Xootr MG ($269) and the stylishly hipped-out Tern GSD ($3,999)

If you'd like to design your dream bike from handlebars to wheels (and even help put it together), this Gowanus bike shop will meet your needs. Focusing on adventure (mountain and touring) bikes as well as cargo bikes, 718 has pioneered the “Collaboratively Built” process. First, sit down with owner and architect Joe Nocella and sketch out your vision. He'll draw up several options (with frames from Surly, Salsa, Jones, Rivendell and more), which he’ll share in a Google Doc before you narrow down your final design. Once the parts arrive, you're encouraged to put some elbow grease into your ride alongside the shop's mechanics. More tech-savvy than hands-on? Just watch the entire process online. Collaborative builds are pricy, starting at around $1,200, but with 718’s free open-to-the-public weekly maintenance classes (Thursdays and Fridays at 7pm), you may never have to pay for a repair again. In addition, 718 hosts regular shop rides, week-long tours and races.

This small-but-mighty bike shop located under the shadow of the Queensboro Bridge sets itself apart with owners Ben and Andrea’s passionate dedication to service and reasonably priced stock of KHS, Nirve, Masi and Torker two-wheelers. With a focus on hybrid, road and commuter bikes ($350–$4,000), Kickstand is a judgment-free zone where even the smallest repairs and most basic queries are treated with attention and respect. Not ready to commit to a bike purchase? The shop offers helmet-and-lock-included rentals ranging from $9 for an hour to $45 for a weekend. Looking to learn more about bike maintenance? Stop in at any time for a free on-the-spot tutorial on DIY flat repairs.

Bicycle Station owner Mike Rodriguez is a veteran racer and mechanic who’s been working with bikes for more than 40 years—and with each visit to the Fort Greene shop, that immense store of knowledge gets shared with the customer. With an unpretentious eye toward individualized service and competitively priced repairs (an all-inclusive tune-up goes for a hard-to-beat $49), the shop’s stock focuses on affordable used ($150–$500) and new ($350–$5,000) road bikes, fitness bikes and hipster-cherished single-speeds from Jamis and Land Shark, among others. After opened his first store in Park Slope in 1992, he moved on to Prospect Heights before landing at his current location, and Rodriguez’s deft customer service is matched only by his mechanical expertise.

Formerly Bike Slug, Joyride Bikes is a focused, knowledgeable shop that nonetheless doesn’t take itself too seriously. It consistently wins praise from customers for its comprehensive, never-fail repairs and tune-ups as well as its community-oriented attitude. Need to borrow a bike tool you don’t own? Just ask. Mechanics will also give you an on-the-spot diagnostic and can offer a basic tune up for just $65.

A must-visit destination for serious bike freaks prepared to lay down cash on a pet project, Redbeard opened its first tiny location at the end of 2012 and soon upgraded to more spacious Jay Street digs. It specializes in bike fittings, the precise adjustments of seats, handlebars and frames in relation to the rider’s body that the shop’s owners liken to tailoring an off-the-rack suit ($200–$500, depending on the style of bike). Redbeard also works with cyclists on custom-built road bikes with frames from Mosaic, Parlee, Waterford and more, creating masterpieces priced up to $20,000 that cyclists will want to secure with (several of) the shop’s high-security Abus locks. During warm-weather months, check Redbeard’s blog for information on community-oriented events such as all-level group rides, women-specific classes and more.

The second-largest bike shop in the city boasts a massive inventory (at least 200 fully assembled models at a time), so it's safe to bet it'll have whatever kind of bicycle you're looking for. Most popular, however, are the recreational and commuting bikes, from brands like Trek and Specialized ($350–$15,000). The six to eight mechanics in the shop on any given day are on call for speedy repairs, and three smaller—but equally impressive—locations in Chelsea, Park Slope and Prospect Heights ensure that the chain’s impeccable service and selection is available city-wide.

The mechanics at this laid-back, nearly 20-year-old shop have a reputation as experts—which may account for the fact that half of the space is used for repairs, leaving room for about 15 two-wheelers on the shop floor. City bikes from brands like Soma and Surly (starting at $720) trend toward fixed-gear and road touring models. Those looking for custom assembly and repairs can stop searching: Local frame builders often refer cycle enthusiasts to the shop.