Full Five Star Rating! Nice Work Team!
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bikerowave-mar-vistaLindsay A.
Los Angeles, CA
5 star rating
8/18/2009
AMAZING place to go. I'm a total noob when it comes to bikes. The staff, though, was totally friendly, helpful and resourceful. They pretty much helped me through every step in not only replacing the tubes in my tires, but fully cleaning and tuning up my bike. I felt bad that I needed so much help, but the staff were so supportive that I really left feeling empowered that I learned so much.
There is definitely a cooperative feel in this shop--you do work on your own bike, and if you're willing to try, you will be able to accomplish a lot with a little bit of help. The stand time is $7/hr, cash only. Tools and materials (cleaning stuff, towels) are generally included unless you need to buy a part, which is still very reasonable. Lots of different people, all ages, different bikes, different skill levels. There's room for everyone!
Robert N.
Los Angeles, CA
5 star rating
8/16/2009
BikeRoWave is one of the most convenient and useful shops I've ever been to. It's run by volunteers so you know they are dedicated and passionate about bicycles and they are very, VERY helpful.
I just recently purchased a bicycle from Helen's Cycles in Santa Monica and I wanted to switch out the components (entire drive train). I don't know why but I caught the "upgrade bug" and asked them how much it would cost. let me say, I could have bought another bike.
So I figure, hmmm. If I can learn how to take the parts off and sell them, I could use that money and buy even better parts than would have come by buying the higher end model. In addition, in the process of taking apart the bike to sell the parts, I would learn the inner mechanics of my bicycle and would be more proficient in servicing my bike myself.
TADA! Come BikeRoWave, I came here on a Sunday and was met by Kwan and Ray who both helped teach me how to take apart my bike, informed me of the different tools I should use. They are careful to let you do it yourself but they will guide you if you need it. Excellent shop, excellent workers! I love it! I saved so much money doing it myself and I am confident I can do all the proper maintainence. Thanks BikeroWave!!
Harrison G.
Los Angeles, CA
5 star rating
5/5/2009
In a similar category to the Bicycle Kitchen (where I built my bike). I now live on the west side and needed to do some maintenance so a friend recommended this place. It was perfect. Open relatively late (10pm?). Very friendly and helpful staff that teach you rather than make you feel dumb. It's a little hard to find (amidst a business park) but worth it.
j w.
Santa Monica, CA
5 star rating
10/2/2009
The volunteers are tight. I knew nothing about bikes, and now I can take apart everything and diagnose most issues. Tues and Sun are the least crowded days, I've found.
Marcella O.
Culver City, CA
5 star rating
8/3/2009
These people are sick.
Brendon D.
Long Beach, CA
5 star rating
6/30/2008
Great staff and service.
This place is staffed with volunteers that are so knowledgeable about bikes it's crazy!
Here's the scoop:
You work on your own bike with their tools. The volunteers will walk you through fixing the issue. They have 5 stands and every tool any bike would need. CASH ONLY.
Don't half step. Don't come here thinking it's a place where OTHER people fix your bike.
m ..
Los Angeles, CA
5 star rating
6/17/2008 4 photos
Whether it's as simple of fixing a flat or truing a wobbly back wheel, or something slightly more complex like building a bike from scratch, the BikeRoWave volunteers are always glad to help.
I used to pay $40-60 for tuneups, now I do them my own damn self. Hanging out at the BikeRoWave also helped me amass ridiculous amounts of knowledge about old, new, fast, slow, all kinds of bikes, and I'm able to apply these skills whenever someone needs bike help.
Shaun S.
Los Angeles, CA
5 star rating
3/8/2008
If you own a bike, or want to get a bike, you need to go here.
I came here with a wheel so out of true it felt like I was riding an orbital sander. They guided me through the use of the truing stand, and one and a half hours later ($7), I rode out happy. I have been back for random parts and fixes, and they are always helpful and friendly.
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monica r.
Brentwood, CA
5 star rating
3/3/2009
I fixed my own bike with their tools. I feel so empowered! It was a challenge but it was worth it! Bring cash.
zee b.
Venice, CA
5 star rating
4/1/2008
This is a great community cooperative bike shop, run by nice, friendly and knowledgable bike geeks. Go there and get your aging cruiser, mt. bike or hot whip into primo running order. It's summer again. Why drive so much? Park your car for a week or two and pedal it. Trust me, it's good for you.
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Brendan L.
Los Angeles, CA
5 star rating
7/17/2007
BikeRoWave is the west side's answer to the Bicycle Kitchen.
Except, I actually much prefer going here because I know a lot of the staff personally, and it's generally a more chill atmosphere. BikeRoWave has less tools/space than Bicycle Kitchen, but there are also usually less people there as well.
Anyway, I went there to replace a spoke on my wheel after I broke it, only to discover a nasty hop on top of my wheel being completely out of true. I can true wheels fairly well, but I've never dealt with a hop before, and one of the staff members (Alex) helped me deal with situation as best as he could. In the end, we managed to get it down to a 1mm hop from a 5mm (that's nasty), but the reality is that the wheel is pretty much shot.
So, if you're on the West Side and need some bike stuff taken care of, you should head down to this place. Stand time is only 5 bucks an hour!
Also, if you're into riding fast or racing, head down to BikeRoWave on Thursday at 9pm for Cubcamp, a fast ride on the West Side that is just as fast and tough as the Wolf Pack Hustle that meets in Silverlake. Bring your road/track bike or fixie or prepare to get dropped. Or you can just prepare to get dropped anyway cause we're hella fast. Spandex friendly.
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David P.
CA
5 star rating
8/28/2007
If you like bikes and live on the west side, you NEED to be frequenting the Bikerowave. They can teach you how to fix, maintain, and soup up that bike of yours.
Bicycling is beautiful because it is truly THE self-reliant mode of transportation. Are you tired of getting screwed over, or at least tired of having that sneaking suspicion that you are getting hosed by auto-mechanics? Nuts to them... get a bike.
The Bikerowave welcomes all. Come with your own bike, or buy one of the project bikes. They also have tubes and other parts for sale, as well as champion volunteers ready to help you learn the ropes.
Gabo H.
Oakland, CA
5 star rating
7/5/2008
fix yr own shit. get yr own. base up you blockhead. sprockets? check. prob. best bike kitchen ive been to but the only other one ive been in is santa cruz. this one was great!
