Heavy Metal Bike Shop

Thanks Kim from Heavy Metal for helping me take the seat post off my mobility scooter (a TravelScoot Jr.) and finding a longer post that fit perfectly. Such nice guys in this shop, super friendly and collaborative, and they don’t charge you an arm and a leg as so many places would do. I’ve heard similar from other wheelchair users in the neighborhood, nice help and low charge, no attitude. I’ll be back with my manual wheelchair wheels which need some spoke tightening and with the rest of my family’s bikes when they need fixing!

Pretty much reaffirming what everyone else has said. Relatively new to the neighborhood. Ride bikes a lot. Needed help with an unwieldy crown race in replacing a head set. They did it on the spot and charged me two dollars. (I don’t know where else you find that service.) Expecting it to be more, I only had my credit card. They told me to drop by later. I think that shows entirely how much of a unique, neighborhood shop they are. (Feel bad that it took me this long to post this review).
They really are a boon to the neighborhood. They’re honest, knowledgeable, and love helping people with what they love – bikes. Also, they have a great knowledge of rides in the area. Will definitely head back there for all maintenance and bike needs!

Great shop I have only been here once so far but will definitely go again. My dérailleur broke and I needed a small part to fix it and they had it in stock and cleaned and lubed my dérailleur for free! I also picked up a used bike rack, they have a lot of misc parts if you need just one small piece this is the place to go or if you are looking for an older/​used bike and don’t want to deal with craigslist. but remember CASH only!

The staff is definitely not chatty, they don’t fool around they just take care of your stuff in a super timely fashion and they do a great job. They fixed a rear reflector on my bike that I didn’t even ask them to look at! A gesture like that will keep me coming back.

It looks like a hole, but this place is great for a bike setup or repair. They also have a lot of vintage bike parts if that’s your thing. The mechanics are very friendly, and don’t overcharge for service. Compared to other shops in the City which will charge a minimum $ 50 per hour for labor, and may not give your bike back the same day… Heavy Metal charged $ 35 for a dérailleur cable & setup (parts & labor), and had it finished in 30 minutes. The mechanic also adjusted a few other parts that he found out of whack for no charge. After the service he took it for a ride a round the block to make sure it was shifting correctly. I was so happy, I tipped the mechanic $ 20.
PS: it’s cash only.

Got a new job and needed a bike to get me there. My brother gave me an old one that needed fixing. Took it to this place, and they got right to work. Twisting this, cranking that. The guy here lives and breathes bikes. It’s in his blood, I could tell. And, unlike everywhere else in this city, they offer their great services at a great price. For bike repairs, this is the only place worth going.. . unless you like wasting money on fake smiles and pleasant surroundings.

Tiny little place. I completely walked past it. This is a great place if all you need is bike repair. They don’t have many bike supplies in stock. The guys there seemed pretty knowledgable. For example, they knew on site that my bike’ rims were a brand notorious for having difficult tire removal, which is very true.
Their prices were pretty decent and they were able to help me with my wheel right away. The drawbacks are that this is very much a hole in the wall kind of place, and is stocked accordingly.

Great service and quality of repairs on my bike (Felt Road Cycle). A little zany/​eclectic in terms of the feel and the staff, but I’m glad I went in. One of my other favorite bike shops now in SF other than Citizen Chain in North Beach.

Was recommended to come here by my roommate who’s been living in the area for the better part of a decade. I have an old bike that’s seen better days and somehow lost a break pad which is pretty important in this town of steep hills and crazy drivers.
Anyway I walked in, told him the problem and he dropped what he was doing and fixed the pad right away. He also tightened my chain and gave me some basic maintenance tips. All in all it took less than ten minutes and cost less than a burrito.
I’ll be back for my next tune-​up.

I’m so glad I stopped here. The guy fixed my flat right away, did a few extra things that helped make a noticeable difference in the ease of my ride, and was great about answering my questions. He even offered to have me stand over his shoulder and watch what he was doing so I could learn about a few of the parts and what was needed and why. I don’t know about you, but I haven’t been to any other bike shop where they’re willing to do that.
I noticed a few reviews about attitude. No, the guy didn’t smile once while I was there, but who the fuck cares? He was still straightforward and open, without being a dick. Oh, and very reasonably priced. I’ll definitely be back.

Don’t let the looks of the place deceive you. Super affordable bike care. Kim and Dan can sometimes be a little grumpy, butt they do great work without killing your pocketbook.

This place is awesome and super affordable. I needed new brake pads and to get one brake cable (or whatever its called) fixed and was dragging my feet because I went to Valencia Cyclery and they were charging more than I could afford. Then, after nearly crashing because I didn’t have any brakes I found this place near me and the price was perfect! Totally within my budget, did it in no time, and saved me from getting into an accident. Highly recommend this honest affordable place!

Nice staff and very affordable prices. I just walked in and he fixed my bike while I went and bought a burrito. I’m a fan, will definitely go back.

I was a bit hesitant at first, given the rundown, cluttered look of the place, but now I’m a full convert. I’m enjoying the best tune-​up my bike has ever had, and it feels brand-​new again. The tune-​up was fast and the price was right. Unlike other shops that will run up costs with all kinds of unnecessary new parts, Heavy Metal added a meager $ 3 for a broken brake cable. Don’t let the looks of the tiny, messy shop fool you, Heavy Metal is a GREAT place to get your bike fixed.

These guys are the real deal when it comes to a neighborhood repair shop. .they always seem willing to stop what they are doing and make a quick fix to keep you on the move– 5 stars– thanks guys!

Grungy and run-​down, but very reasonably priced. I wanted a front dérailleur adjustment (which I tried myself and failed). Valencia Cyclery wanted to charge me $ 20. The guy at Heavy Metal Bike Shop, from what I can tell there is only one employee, did it in 5 minutes, charged $ 5, and it worked great.
If you are getting a tune-​up or small adjustments on a bike, this is definitely the place to go. It’s ridiculous to drop $ 140 on a tune-​up at these other shops for a bike that went for close to that when I bought it.
If I had a racing bike, I’d consider these other places. But for the clunkers I have, this bike shop is perfect.

I really enjoy cycling but don’t have any real wrenching knowledge. But, I know I can trust a mechanic when he tries NOT to sell me something I am looking for.
Went in ready to pay for a tune-​up and after looking over the bike he said I really didn’t need it right now.
Just bought some tires and tubes and on my way!
I liked his down to earth attitude and he didn’t make me feel stupid or anything.
Google says this shop is permanently closed, but not true. It is just small and easy to miss. Come with cash. No C.C.‘s

Going into the shop, what I thought was a «simple little brake problem» turned out to be lots more. Dan showed me how my front brake was scraping metal on the tire and my back brakes weren’t even working (they stopped a while ago…). I was lucky enough to have everything done right away! Crazy, I know… Anyway, he totally turned my draggy-​ass bike into a fun ride. Not nearly as fun as the Stingray though!
Awesome service and affordable too. How does it get any better than that?

Ok… I must admit… maybe calling them over the phone is not the best way to interact with these guys. I’ve been there (in person) a few times since my last review and I have to say these guys were über-​helpful. I am a used parts hunter and if you need it… they’ll most likely have it. Got a Bennotto fork that fit a 50 cm Peugeot frame I built up for a friend and before then it was hard to track that part down. I’ve snagged a few other odds and ends for other bikes over the past year and these guys never failed to have the part I needed.
And the service… and the service. If they were this helpful in person, it’s just shocking I had such a bad experience over the phone. I have been and will continue to be a repeat customer whenever my need for bike parts arises! :)

These guys give great cheap service. I have an old beat up Mountain Bike converted to a City Bike and when I talked about buying a new bike because the chain and derailer were shot, Dan talked me into just getting new parts instead. He probably saved me $ 500!
They are always friendly when I drop in and are willing to do quick jobs for me even when they are busy.
I can see why some people feel like they have a bit of an attitude, because let’s face it, a vegan bicycle shop owner probably is cooler than you are. I am way over caring about stuff like that though, I am a middle aged Noe Valley Dad and pretty much everyone is cooler than me. I just treat these guys politely and they are polite back.
There is a definite scene here, with people watching the Tour de France and playing cards and hanging out. And the time they had a special vegan pizza delivered at closing time with a couple of cuties showing up with a six pack of beer, I could tell there was a party going on that I wasn’t invited too. But c’mon people, this isn’t Junior High.