North of the Border Bicycles

One word. Kombucha!!! The bike shop sales great tasting Kombucha with a friendly smile. I went there for the first time and I will be back again. They serve 3 different types of Kombucha on tap in multiple sizes. Also, great and friendly customer service

I’ve been mountain biking for about a year on a Specialized hard tail. Most of my friends ride full suspension bikes and after borrowing one of these for a week I decided there was no going back. I did some research online to work out which bike would be best for me and tried a few of the larger stores like Trek and even REI but I was overwhelmed with choice and didn’t feel comfortable making such a big investment. A friend recommended North of The Border Bikes since he’d gotten his bike there and because they specialize exclusively in mountain bikes. I felt really well taken care of by the guys at North of the Border. They were just so genuine and caring and totally put me at my ease. I bought a bike there and just took it on it’s first ride and I just loved it. I’d totally recommend these guys to anyone looking to get a bike.

I’ve patronized this business going on 5 + years. I have had the opportunity to go to all of the other bike shops in town. There are some excellent alternatives for sales and service. I choose North of the Border because they are Professional, Knowledgeable, and fun. If you want the best in Mountain biking, this is the place. Take a bike for a real test ride into the canyons for an hour, like the bike, buy one and it will arrive shortly. Mountain bikes take a beating. Need to have the parts replaced, buy the best parts in the industry at North of the Border. Some people to refuse to understand Walmart is about selling you the cheapest inventory available. You get what you pay for. If you want great value, top of the line knowledge, this is the place.

I’ve been buying bikes from this shop since 1999 and I wouldn’t take any of my bikes anywhere else. You can’t get more personalized service from any other shop. And, if you think the bikes are too expensive, go shop at Walfart or Costco.

This place sucks. Have been mtn biking for over 20 years, and they gave worst service I’ve ever had. Went in for simple seal replacement in my forks, as the oil was leaking. They took my bike, gave me a ticket, and said it would be ready in five days. Eight days passed, still no call and no bike. On day nine, I drive up there as ask for my bike. They bring it out, and said they never got around to fixing my fork. TERRRIBLE service. I then take my bike to Trek and they fix it same day.

I went here a long time ago for service at the recommendation of some fellow riders. Michael really is the best mechanic in the business. He’s honest, fair, and always returns your bike to you better than the day you bought it. Doug is quite amazing, too. When it was time for a new bike this year, he set me up on several test rides (and I mean REAL test rides, not just a lap in the parking lot). He even let me ride his bike, which I ended up buying the same model because it was amazing. Their shop rides are a blast (and a tough workout). I don’t live near here at all anymore, but I always go back because they are an amazing business that really gets the local bike community.
To the people who reviewed saying you got bad service, you must have been in a different shop. I don’t think that’s possible at this place. And as for the prices, well, if you want a bike from Wal-​Mart, go buy one. I know I spent a lot of money on my bike, but i got what I paid for, and I smile every time on on it!

I just bought a new mountain bike from North of the Border. The first thing I liked about them is I could demo different brands on the trail. I just sold a bike I didn’t like that I got at a different bike store and all I could do was ride in the parking lot. When I got it on the trail I realized it wasn’t the bike for me. One review mentioned that all they have are demo bikes. I rode a demo then ordered a brand new one. It only took a week to get. I’m glad they have demo bikes so you have a much better idea of what the new one will be. They have both demo bike and brand new ones.
Doug and Mike were so helpful giving me advice on what bike to purchase. When I picked up my bike Mike spent so much time with me setting it up just right. When I got home it was making a new bike squeek, I took it back and Mike fixed it within a few minutes.
Another review said they are expensive, I totally disagree. You can buy bikes in many price ranges. The one I purchased I felt like I got a fair price and excellent service.
I have been going to North of the Border for about one year for service on my old bike. They always do a great job.

Unless you have a ton of money to waste of insanely expensive bikes/​repairs/​tune up, Avoid this place. Totally unhelpful.

Want to experience great customer service? Don’t go here. This shop caters to one type of customer. Unfortunately, I am not white, middle-​aged, with the income to waste on overpriced mountain bikes. I was ignored, even when I was the only person on the sales floor. I am a regular bicycle consumer. Their blatant arrogance was disrespectful. If you fit their mold, they will probably reinforce your conceit.

C’mon people lets try to keep Unilocal reviews honest now! Five star bike shop… are you kidding me??? This place is not even close to 5 stars even Sport Chalet has more bikes than this place. Now I know 80% of these reviews are relatives or friends.
Most of the bikes on display they have are demo MTB bikes which are dirty and used.
No Road bikes if that’s what you’re shopping for. Maybe 12 bikes if any most of them used.
My friend and I came in as first time potential customers and it was empty. But for some reason the owner seem like he didn’t care as if he was «busy»!! What a joke and was almost turning down business!
He also said check the website (outdated boring) for service prices! Haha! Wow!
I will tell all my biking buddies and their crews what a waste of time this place is and go to Bike-​Bling, BMB, UC Cyclery and Cal Coast Bikes!
How is this store still open?
The guy needs to learn genuine customer service. I will take my hundreds and thousand of dollars and take it elsewhere!

The owner was no help, keep telling me to check the website. I just wanted service but he seemed like I was wasting his time. I’ve been riding for 8 yrs never had such bad service.

North of the Border is the best bike shop in San Diego. Mike and Doug run a great business here and its nice to get away from the chain stores that sell all the same bikes.
I bought 4 bikes here over the last year — 3 Norco’s and 1 Intense Tracer Carbon. All the purchases have been easy and Doug always works out a fair price. It’s always sad when I need to go to another shop to get an item (cough couch shoes at Bike Bling cough cough) that NotB doesn’t carry in stock.
Mike and Kerry also know their stuff and have been biking for years, you are in good hands when needing service.
Besides that, they have a nice selection of accessories, including Endura clothes, cheaper then anywhere else (even online). Come here and support a local business.

I moved out of the area and haven’t been here in a while, but I can confirm what everyone else has said — Doug and Mike are the best guys in the business.
I am a handy guy, and have enough bike tools to open my own shop. I’ve fixed and rebuilt many, many bikes over the years, and do most of the work myself. But when it comes to big problems I may encounter that require specialty tools ($$$$), or issues I’m not comfortable tackling, I would always take my bike to North of the Border to be fixed. Mike is hands-​down one of the best mechanics in the business.
Good prices, excellent service and super cool guys. Highly recommended.

Don’t even think about going anywhere else. Best shop around.

Great service

If you a looking to buy a mountain bike in the San Diego area it is worth your time to visit with Doug and Mike at North of the Border. I recently decided to pull the trigger on a new FS bike and made the rounds to all of the local bike shops (and online.) I wanted a couple of components that were not offered «stock» on the bikes I was looking at. I settled on a KHS SixFifty (6500) and Doug ordered it and had it ready for delivery (with the mods) in 48 hours! Awesome deal too! Really happy with the bike also; Anybody that is thinking about a 650b bike, check out the KHS bikes.

I don’t usually write Unilocal reviews, but felt i should in this case. I brought my bike in for front suspension fork service (Fox Float 36). Not only is the fork riding like new now, I noticed that Mike went ahead and adjusted my derailleurs which had been a little off and not going into the smallest rear cog. He also applied fresh graphite powder to my seat post and now it slides friction-​free. I think he adjusted my rear disk brake pads too because they were scraping before and are no longer. The bike was ready for pickup on the day he promised, and there was no mention of the extra services. On top of all this, I was charged less than the price for shock service listed on their website. Simply great service, above and beyond expectations. I feel lucky to live 5 minutes away.

Great service! My bike was a total mess (both wheels needed to be align back to true, kick stand was falling apart, brakes needed to be adjusted) and I found this hidden gem riding down Sorrento Valley Blvd. Here are the details:
Pros:
–knowledgeable staff
–lighting fast service (done in 24 hours)
–affordable ($ 55 for quick service)
Conclusion: Go North of the Border Bicycles if you need a great tune up, or if you ever need parts/​upgrades.

I came here originally at the recommendation of a friend. Their prices are better than the closest shop to my house so I figured I would give them a shot. I had my bike tuned up there. They trued the wheels and did a brake and gear adjustment for only $ 30. On top of that, they gave me a free water bottle when I came and picked up my bike. Service time took a few days, but that is expected at any shop.
Unfortunately I wasn’t completely satisfied with their work. They trued the wheels fine, but I noticed after about 2 or 3 weeks (I only had time to ride the bike a few times) that it wouldn’t shift properly into the big ring. Instead of bringing it back I looked online at how to adjust the derailleurs myself and fixed the problem. I’ve been told that their mechanic is one of the better ones in San Diego by numerous other people so I guess I’ll consider it fluke or maybe someone new was working on it as a learning experience.
I haven’t brought any business back to them recently but they did give me a free zip tie once when I stopped by during a ride.

Mike and doug are the guys that make a local bike shop what it should be.
Super laid back, personal attention, very knowledgable, awsome mechanics.
It’s what a local bike shop should be!