Big Wheel Bikes

I was referred to this shop by a friend! I came by on a Tuesday at 4:30/5pm and was second in line. I brought in my bike because my chain was slipping and I couldn’t get it to stay on. Patrice, was the person helping me and he came around the desk introduced himself and shook my hand. He then began to triage my bike in the back and explained everything as he went along. Ultimately he decided I simply needed a derailer put on. He took care of my bike in less than 30 minutes and also recommended other products that I had questions on.
Overall great experience! Great customer service! Very happy!

This is what you get for an $ 85 tune up: a flat tire and no tire caps.
These guys have one thing going for them: convenient location. You can go to Starbucks or the Italian store and wait while they overcharge you for crappy service and work.
My recommendation? Anyplace else

I went into this shop looking to upgrade my 5-​year old daughter’s bike. I’m not a cyclist and don’t know a whole lot besides the fact that the cheapo Huffy we bought at the big box store is not a great bike; I wanted some guidance from a knowledgeable person on what to look for. Apparently this place doesn’t need my business, because the sales person (turns out he is the owner) who helped was rude and dismissive. On top of that, there was only one 16″ bike to choose from and no new 20″ bikes to try. He insisted that my 5 year old was ready for a 20″ bike, which I would have been open to considering, but my daughter clearly was more comfortable on the 16″ bike. His response was that I should «overrule her» and «mandate» the bigger bike. My guess is he never raised children.
So, whatever merits this place has for serious cyclists, don’t bother going there if you are a novice or are looking for kids; they clearly have no interest in helping.

We rented bikes for 4 days. They held up well, were well maintained and Syd fitted me before I left the shop. She was patient with my numerous small adjustments. I have great bikes at home, so my standards are high. Everyone in the shop is really into what they do. Big Wheel Bikes has 5 locations, DC, VA and MD. I felt their prices were reasonable and fair. The owner was in the shop on a Saturday and spent time chatting with us. The shop had had a fire three days before we arrived and yet they returned all of our phone calls and gave great customer service.
We love bicycling in Washington DC and Virginia (very bike friendly area, btw). With airlines charging so much to ship bike, this was the best way to go. I called many shops and not would commit to a a price on the phone, except Big Wheel Bikes. We stayed at the Arlington Court Suites Hotel that had a balcony. We walked to Big Wheel Bikes from our hotel and took the bike trail back to the Hotel. The trail came within a block of our hotel. The Hotel let us store our bikes on the balcony. We are planning on going back because there are hundreds of miles of dedicated bike trails along the Potomac River.

After having a puncture in my new bike, I took it here where they helped me immediately and without hassle. A mini accident happened with my bell when it was being fixed, but the service man took care of it and gave me a new bell for my bike! Everything is working great thanks to these guys! Don’t judge this place for the bad reviews. They’re really awesome and a lot of customers come in to get their bikes serviced and to rent bikes.

Buyer beware! Do not be taken in by these guys. Their sales tactics are deceptive and they don’t offer refunds. Them: «Yes– this bike has a full Shimano Ultegra group set.» What was built was a different matter. Admittedly, I bought the bike while it was in the box, because the price for a carbon fiber bike with that component set was too good to pass up, and I didn’t want to chance someone else getting it. What was built had a combination of Ultegra & 105’s. Now, mind you, Shimano 105’s are still good, but they shouldn’t say that it comes with a certain component set when, in fact, it does not.
Them: «Oh, the 52 cm should be the right size for you.» When I got on the bike and tested it, I was too stretched out. They did a small adjustment with the stem, but that was *NOT* sufficient. I took the bike to another (better) shop for a complete fit. They added a new seat post and yet another stem. In sum, take your money to a shop that allows you to try a bike for a few hours and allows refunds.

My experience with this place was horrible. The service is terrible. The owner was rude. Most bike shops in the area are hopping. Your first clue is that the only bike parking is at terrible bike racks. Your second clue is the signs in the parking lot threatening people if they use the bike trail. Your third clue is that the place is dark. And finally your fourth clue is that the place is emply. I think I have had one repair done there, which I then had to redo myself. I tried to buy a bike there and the owner was no help at all. Have no idea how this place stays in business.

I was riding home from dc and my bike started wobbling. I stopped by Big Wheel and Ted did an amazing job figuring out the problem which was loose spokes.
He tightened the spies and trued the wheel and I was back on my way.
While I was waiting a women who also worked there showed me some very cool single speed bikes.
Really cool vibe at this store and great people working there.

This place is great. Came in to get my tires fixed and they were extremely nice about it. Service was great. Ted is a good dude and he’s funny!

We bought a bike here that they needed to order in and said it would be ready in a week. Called them on the day it was supposed to be picked up and they hadn’t even contacted the manufacturer! Then we find out the bike is no longer available so they offered a bike that was «step-​up» from the original one with no cost. The next day they said they didn’t have that bike either and we were forced to get a model that was a step down and one that we had decided not to get in the first place. They did give a refund back though and were helpful after the first mistake.

I just picked up my bike from BW and wanted to add an additional review. I am breaking this into two parts. What happened and then how I felt and interpreted it.
As you can read from my last review Mike and has team fucked up on their initial few tries at repairing my bike. Then Mike called me and asked me what happened and offered to give me a bike odometer. I thought that was too much but today I took him up on his offer.
Yesterday we stopped by and he said he could do it on Friday, today, just come by. And he would make sure my brakes were a bit tighter. I dropped my bike off (LeMond Road) and they said come back in 30 min. The bike repair guy spoke with me about how tight I wanted the breaks. Less than 30 minutes later I came back and it was waiting all done. The guy there set the computer, time and settings.
Second part:
Mike came over and asked me again what had gone wrong with my experience. His voice was soft and his demeanure was easy. I told him everything and then he proceeded to tell me that he is gruff and short guy. I totally understand being from NY as well, sometimes we are just not personable. HE knows it. He knows he is a short, gruff guy. And he believes in repairing bikes well and making sure he delivers a quality bike.
He should not have to apologize for his up bringing and he is clearning doing what he can do be better. I did not really want to take his offer of a computer and I am well enough off that if I wanted one, I would buy it. I just did not want one. Now I have one and thanks Mike.
If you have been there and got a rough shot of Mike, go back and give him another chance, tell him you would like to see his happy face and I am sure he will crack a smile.
He is so close to our house I hope BW stays around for a long time.

I’m a local. This place is a an institution in Northern Arlington. Have had friends who have worked here.
But, its obviously gone down hill.
Dropped bike off for a tire check/​change. Asked to come back in 25 minutes, came back in 45 and not only was it not done, but the guy thought it had been traded in.
Came back again and still not done.
2 new tires cost $ 85 and they didn’t even have a kickstand to sell me.
Thumbs Down.

After looking through all the local bike shops pages of rentals and the cost/​stipulations for each I decided BWB was the best deal and most convenient location. I called and asked about making an appointment to come in and be fitted for a used rental — the girl who answered (never identified herself) said I needed to email Mike and kept repeating this each time I asked a question — I don’t know why I had to email him all the specifics were spelled out on the website. Mike didi respond within the hour and told me to come over to the store. Upon arriving I expected to be fit for road bike and head home with something — the store was empty and the young female employee walked to a bike, told me to straddle it and as I did she said ok that works fine. No fitting, no sit and pedal, no take the bike for a ride, NOTHING. Then after paying I was told to leave my drivers license (I’m sorry what?) I certainly understand wanting to know who your customrs are but leaving the collateral of my license seemed to be overkill. Being a newer rider I just sucked it up, paid and went on my way.
After a few rides it was clear that some adjustments needed to be made. I went over to the store and was told to email Mike. Not sure what he was going to do but I tried — and no response.
The following week a fellow teammate went ot BWB Arlington to purchase a new road bike — she did a trade-​in and was hoping to walk out same day with the new bike. After 3 hours and several customer interruptions (understand one person can only do so much) she made the purchase and asked to pick it up and was told 2 – 3 days. Finally they managed to get it for later that evening but not without an argument. She went back at the 4pm time that was discussed and the bike was not ready, it had not even been built. They quickly assemebled it (too quickly it turns out) and she left. She went back 3 day later and bought her fiancé a road bike. Same experience of being ignored and treated like her $ 1800 bike was meaningless.
Yesterday I emailed the illustrious Mike to seek some info on extending my rental or purchasing my new bike at a different location and over 24 hrs with no response. I understand that some people are dropping $ 8 – 10,000 on these bike and my measley $ 1800 isn’t much but it is to me and I want to be fitted properly and treated like a customer not some low life. Needless to say after returning my rental I won’t be back, even the $ 100 rebate isn’t worth it.

Yeah, the reviews are accurate. The owner is this angry troll like thing that yells at his employees in front of customers. rediculous, never seen anything like that in retail. its super uncomfortable.
If youre gonna work in retail you have to like people at least a little bit. The lady that works there is nice, but if you get the owner, just leave. Its not worth dealing with people like that.

I showed up promptly at 10 AM hoping to buy a 1500 dollar bike. I waited around for 10 or 15 minutes and then had to leave. I don’t know if the hours are correct on this website, but I would assume that the owner would make sure that it’s accurate or open the shop At the correct time. I went to Revolution cycles instead and bought a comparable bike.

Big Wheel Bikes is an okay bike store, but definitely not great.
Big Wheel is the closest bike shop to my home. They have an okay selection and they’re a bit on the pricey side (what bike shop isn’t these days). The service has been unreliable. There is a very nice lady that works there who has been very helpful. Everyone else has been a little standoffish and hard to communicate with.
If all you need is a quick tube or brake pad purchase, Big Wheel is fine. If you’re going to make a larger purchase, you may want to consider another bike shop.

1128am on 06−12−14. Store not even open yet, even though sign says 11am. Three people waiting outside. Unreal. Not even ONE employee is here. Consistently the worst bike shop in Arlington, VA. Period.

The other Unilocal reviews are pretty much accurate. Prices are reasonable ($ 5 for a 29er tube, not bad!), but expect rude and incredibly awful service. I can’t count the number of times where the staff was excited to help you with your biking needs.
OH, and if you’re looking for a rental, SKIP this place altogether… they have all of 8 road/​MTB bikes for men and women, COMBINED. Good luck finding exactly what you need here.

Don’t shop here. I was in a bind (needed an inner tube for blown tire), and the owner couldn’t have been less helpful. I got my tube eventually but not before I got a whole lot of attitude. Even with an infant I couldn’t get a smile.
There are so many great bike stores in the DC area (Bike Rack in Logan is my fave) that it’s hard to believe this place is still in business. I will not be going back.

So I’ve brought three bikes from there. About 7 years ago, I got a Marin (hybrid). I still use it, have had it serviced a few times and never had a problem.
I live in DC, but I love the fact that I can always get parking and I can also drop the bike off, go to the Italian Store or Sbux and wait while the bike is being fixed. It’s also right off the trail so it’s good to be able to pop in and get something looked at.
I recently replaced a road bike and had nothing but great service. I sent an email, got back some prices and models, and made the purchase. I even showed them a lower price on the Internet and was given the lower price.
Since getting the bike, I have had some adjustments made (stem, tires, spacers) and a tune-​up and Marshall (dope mechanic) has been a master. I feel kinda spoiled. I have a local shop I let touch my CX bike, but only Marshall will be touching the roadie.
I also got 2 tix to a Nationals game with my purchase… can’t beat that.
Every bike shop has a personality. They aren’t Wal-​Mart or the Apple Store, there isn’t a manual on how to treat folks. Cyclists or ppl who enjoy bikes (these are typically the folks you will find working at a bike shop) all have personalities. Bring yours to the shop, don’t just make it about a transaction. It works for me!