Browns of Beverly Bicycles

here we have a local, family bike store.
in 2004 bought a Giant Simple Single — perhaps one of the cheapest new bikes they sell. and occasionally i’ll buy a tube or a bell, or a basket for my commuter, or my wife’s bike. im not a big spender there, but the brothers who own the place are the best. they inflate my tires and check my bike while i wait, ive looked at other bikes there, but they have never pushed me to buy another bike. if you are in the logoed spandex crowd, this might not be your bike shop. sometimes i just stop in to kill time. i like bicycles after all.

I can not say enough good things about the excellent service I received at Browns. After doing some research and determining I most likely wanted a hybrid bike with road tires I went into Browns to see what they could do to help. George created me and showed me around. We chatted a bit and he took the time to ask helpful questions I hadn’t thought to ask and was generous with him time to answer my questions.
We priced out a bike and then I said I’d like to think it over for a few days. When I returned a few days later a younger guy helped me finalize my purchase while assisting me in picking out my accessories. There were several times he could have sold me much pricier items, but I could tell he was taking the time to make sure I received what I needed.
Unfortunately it was raining when I was to ride my bike home. My car was a block away and I was surprised when one of the owners offered to put my bike in his truck and follow my car to drop my bike off. Since I lived just a few blocks away — this was really service that went the extra mile — or more realistically — the extra blocks.
I’m sure the people who have posted negative reviews have experiences to back them up. However, the bike purchase I made at Browns was one of the most enjoyable buying experiences and after riding my new bike around town, on Nantucket and throughout Western, Mass. this summer — it’s made this summer all the more enjoyable.

I’m really surprised to see all the bad reviews, though many of them are older. I take reviews very seriously so I was hesitant to go in and afraid I might be ignored as other reviewers had indicated had happened to them. But that was not the case.
I was looking for a very specific road bike, one that is often very hard to find around these parts, old japanese/​taiwanese bike to fit a girl of average height. I saw they had some used bikes so I headed over to see if I they had something. I was greeted pretty quickly and was taken to the used bikes, I told them what I was looking for and while they didn’t have what I wanted and I felt NO pressure to buy anything. They were very upfront and invited me to check again in two weeks. They even showed me around showing me some newer models, but they appreciated what I was looking for and when they knew they didnt have it, they didnt try and lock me in to a 700 $ bike.
CENTRAAL CYCLE ON THE OTHER HAND WAS LIKE CRICKETS WALKING IN AND FOR A SMALL SHOP THEY SEEMED REALLY DISINTERESTED IN HELPING.
My vote goes to Browns.

If there was half a star I would give them that and only because I’m kind. Went in here looking to buy a new bicycle. When I asked if they had a certain bike in a specific size he said to me, «I’m not going to dig around in the basement since you’re obviously shopping around.» What a fool. Less than helpful.
By the way, did end up with a bike the same day somewhere else (where they were nice to me), bought new, paid over $ 700.00. Guess you missed out on a sale mister.
There is another bike shop in Beverly on Cabot, owner was awesome. Friendly and knowledgeable. Go there. Avoid Brown’s like the plague.

Wouldn’t buy a bike anyplace else! They’ve been in this business for years and know what they’re doing. Great customer service.

Poor service. I only wanted to buy a couple things, look around, but I was shooed out the door immediately because I was told they were too busy and short staffed. He said «There are 5 other bike shops in Beverly, go to one of them.» Very odd way to do business. If I had the chance, I would have said I was in no rush and would come back, but now why would I want to come back here!

These guys were top notch in terms of customer care. They helped me out greatly with a recent item for my tires and I will not forget their kindness. The bikes they sell are lovely as well. Would highly recommend.

This place is the worst.
Customer service is lacking in Browns. The staff is rude and try to pressure you into buying things you don’t want or need. and it is terribly over-​priced. I don;t think i’d ever go here again.

When I went to buy an innertube, tire, and $ 25 worth of odds and ends with my 3 year old son, I was talking things over with the mechanic/​floor guy. The owner rudely admonished him in front of his brother/​owner, and other staff, to stop talking to the customers and get some work done.
Well I bought the tube because it was cheap, but dropped the other merchandise and will never buy a bike for my family there. And I commute 100 miles/​week.
Also, the only repair I asked to have done, replace a cable, was considered by them to be to minor and suggested I go elsewhere. Needless to say, I did.

Having bought several bikes from Brown’s over the years, I might still recommend Brown’s for kids’ bikes and trikes, but in terms of buying a bicycle for adults I found the their selection was terribly limited, and struck me as dated, none of the newer bikes and not overly helpful salespeople. it all just felt STALE, both the bikes and the Browns. (!) I wandered off to a couple of nearby bike stores, new to the area, but enthusiastic and helpful staff, with great new bikes!

If you are looking for a used bicycle, don’t bother shopping here. Also, if you are just shopping around not sure what you’re looking for, there are other bike shops in the area that have far better customer service. The sales staff tried to bully me into buying something I didn’t want. As soon as the dollar sign faded from my forehead, I was pretty much disregarded. For a better buying experience, try Seaside Cycle or the Bicycle Shop in Topsfield.

My first bike came from Brown’s. The brothers who own and run are there daily and will do what they can to make your trip a good experience… the same family has owned it since I can remember. I have had good service and not so good, never bad. I wish I had had a little more info on some of the newer bike styles when I bought my daughters most recent and probaly final bike… I saw some after the fact, but too late. Good selection and please do yourself a favor and stay out of the chain stores, local bike shops offer a superior product and typically a more knowledgable staff.