Bill’s Bike Repair

Can you imagine if we lived in a world where we all got paid to do what we love for a living? Well personally, I seek out and prefer to work with people who share this belief. Bill is one of these people. Thanks to Unilocal, I found him and I am never going to anyone else. Not only is he a kind and genuine guy, he is fair and honest, extremely knowledgeable and ethical in business.
Aside from all that, my bike looks and feels FABULOUS.
I took my bike in to Bill for a serious tune-​up. The day that I took my bike to Bill, a bunch of spokes on my back tire, broke. Bill got me a new rim for a reasonable price, fixed up my rusty chain and even saw another issue with one of my break cables and fixed that.
I felt that he did what was necessary to keep me safe, and he went above and beyond in making my bike whole again. All for a very reasonable price. He even oiled her up and made her look 1000 times better than when I dropped her off. I feel ready and prepared for some awesome summer riding thanks to Bill.

Bill is STILL the best! Kind, honest and friendly service. Faster turn around time than most shops and he really takes pride in his work. Support your local small business and call Billy next time you need a repair or tune up– you’ll be glad you did!

Bill was a really nice guy, explained everything really well, did an awesome job on the bike, and the work was relatively inexpensive, got my brakes replaced and aligned, the whole bike tuned up, the shifters replaced and aligned, the tires tuned, everything oiled up, as well as a few other small details all for about the same price as another bike shop that I went to would cost just for a normal tune up (and that shop was run by my neighbor), and like I said, he did a really good job. The bike runs nice and smooth, the shifters are effortless now, the brakes are nice and responsive, no more squeaks or clicking when I pedal, it just feels like a brand new bike! Thanks!

Sweetest guy ever!!!
First time back getting a real lay of the land by bike in Santa Cruz since I graduated 13 years ago, and as I’m experiencing a well of memories and associations with this special place, I needed to heighten the seat on the beach cruiser that I’d borrowed from my best friend who is 5″ tall. I am 5“10, so I traveled along the roads yesterday with my knees bent awkwardly in search of a bike shop. The sun set and many shops were closed by the time I’d made any real progress, so I sojourned today and got the best welcome back ever – even tho he probably didn’t even know it. When I found the hidden jewel paved road that led to Bill’s shop, he was in the middle of a conversation with his mom. He got off the phone and had the most beaming and radiant smile and when he saw that I came to raise the bike seat, he did it in one minute flat, and then said «it’s on the house.» This spirit is the force of kindness and generosity. When that supersedes the flaws of business, the world will be a better place. Thanks Bill for doing your part!!! Service with a smile!!! (And next time I’m back I’ll offer a tip – since capitalism is not dead – but still, kindness goes a longgggggg way).

Bill was wonderful. I really appreciate an honest and friendly mechanic. He even gave me a free bike helmet he had laying around. Thanks Bill!

I read reviews on here and went to try Bill out. I needed a tune-​up and tires on my old bike and couldn’t seem to get the interest of any bike shop in town to do that kind of work. They all seem focused on selling me a new bike.
I was extremely happy to find Bill. Not only does he do great work, with a reasonable turn around and at a great price, but he is a damn nice guy too!
Thanks Bill, for turning my old bike back into a vehicle of mass transportation!

I’m so happy to find Bill’s Bike Repair shop! Bill did a great job repairing two bikes for me. His prices are very reasonable and his work is fantastic. What I really appreciate is that he answered my numerous questions very patiently, and explained clearly my options and related costs.
His shop is a bit hard to find, so get good directions. And call him in advance if you need to go in on the weekend, I don’t think his standard hours include weekends but think he might make weekend appointments.
I found Bill to be honest, trustworthy, very knowledgeable, does great work, is competitively priced, and completed the overhaul of my bike quickly. I went out of my way (1.5 hour drive) to bring my bike in to him. I really liked doing business with him and recommend him.

The most amazing thing happened. Leaving work, my chains got stuck and wouldn’t move. After jiggling it a bit, I decided to walk my bike down the street to Bill. As I reached the parking lot, a guy rode past me and smiled. I moved on towards the entrance and rang the bell but no one answered. Fortunately my boyfriend was already on his way to pick me up and as I was making my way to the car, Bill rode up (the guy leaving the parking lot as I was entering turned out to be Bill) and asked if I needed help with my bike! He said that when he passed me, he thought I looked like I might need help. He said that he was closed but he can take a look for me if I wanted him to. So he took a look and was able to get the chain unstuck after only a few seconds and after a few minutes of diagnosing, found the cause of the problem and fixed it in no time. To top it off he didn’t even want to charge me for it. You don’t meet people like this anymore. I do feel extremely lucky to have met him. Thanks Bill!

AWESOME! I’m a new biker aka haven’t owned a bike in 15 years. Bill is great and individualized my riding experience. Smooth sailing from here. Will be back in the next week or two for a couple other adjustments. Word to the wise. Bring some extra cash cuz you’ll want what he suggests. He knows his stuff and how he can customize your bike to fit your needs. See you soon Bill…

BILL IS A BADASS. POINT BLANK.
I have been biking and driving by the sign for the place for years and I have wanted to check it out. Well a blowout on my cruiser at the right time brought me swerving in.
I’m serious. This guy has saved my damn neck. I bike to work and need my wheels. I have crashlanded at Bill’s twice now and he has gotten me back and rolling before the workday ended.
The man is down to earth and always goes above and beyond the call of duty. I needed a tire tube changed and he is in there adjusting my sprockets and giving extra shots of grease, cleaning the chain, etc.
Plus, he is just the kind of guy you would want to hang with at the bbq or wherever. You know he is all sorts of cool in his private life.
Dude is a champ.
I am done with that other namless place I used to go to. I can’t tell you how happy I am to have a decent guy to work on my bikes. That other nameless place always sicced some faceless herb on my wheels, and I was paying through the nose for subpar work.
I need a shirt with one of those psychadellic signs on it as the decal. Check out his website and click around to get the gist of it.
People reading this should wreck their bikes and bring them in, just to see what I’m talking about.

Bill struck me as the rare kind of individual who both takes joy in his work, and works with integrity. He did a great job on two bikes at a fair price in a much shorter time than I expected. I’ll definitely go back, and would recommend him to anyone.

In the few years that I have known Bill he has always proved to be a honest and professional businessman. i can always trust him to provide good work, complete the job early and his rates are by far the best around. Bill has provided me with installations, repairs and evan the simplest of jobs like handle grip change outs, which he did on the spot.
his hours are great too. I think he’s open till 6pm on most days.
I grew up in Watsonville. Bill reminds me of the guy who had the bike shop on Bridge St. honest and friendly, that’s Bill.

The least that Bill who is the owner of this business deserves is a well deserved critique. After calling around several bicycle shops in Santa Cruz and beyond wthin the county for an estimation, I decided on taking my new high end road bike to Bill. I read about his business and he had a great revue on a bike shop website. He charged me a fraction of what other businesses were estimating the charge would be. Not that those businesses are unreliable or dishonest since I know some of the businesses well enough, but Bill inspired genuine caring and sincerity that I never experienced even in businesses that have nothing to do with bikes.
I trusted him even before meeting him face to face because, in some cases such as this one, you can actually tell whether the business is genuinely as honest as others claim. I allowed him to build up my carbon bike because after speaking to him it was like speaking to someone you have known for most of your life who you know is more than capable of doing the job you require. And I usually would take something like this to a shop that «looks professional» but his shop is a contrast to what most people would expect to observe in a professional bike shop. But I love the way the shop looks and how he made it out to be very unique looking — way more different than what I expected but later really appreciated so much. In fact I had a hard time finding it even though I was within feet away.
Most importantly is how he treated me upon meeting him and he was just as sincere as when I first spoke to him over the phone. I hope he gets more reviews and that his business will succeed even more. I hope it is already. The look of a business should not always be part of the process of choosing a professional service. This business definitely reminded me that looks are many times deceptive. No deception in this business for sure. Sincerity, honesty and professionalism are sure to be found here.

I almost wish this place were called Bills’ Bike Shack, because in all honesty, the shop is tucked away by a dirt lot behind some businesses and really is pretty much a shack/​patio area where Bill conducts bike repairs. It’s pretty much next door/​behind the Silver Spur. Peering into the shady area, you wouldn’t think a genius resides within, but boy, what a surprise, he was super friendly, too!
I am writing this review in honor of Bill for Bike to Work Week/​Day, which is this week/​Thursday. First of all, I always make the 20 mile ride to work every year for B2W. However, looking over it this weekend I noticed that my road bike was not up to snuff, but I couldn’t place the problem, and didn’t have the time to tune it up myself, since I am painfully slow and clumsy at such things.
In the 11^th hour (Monday), I called up Bill, asking if I could squeak by for a Tune up and check up to diagnose the problem. «No problem», he says, «bring it by». He did warn me he was backed up but that he hoped to be able to get it done by Wednesday evening. Being open til 6 was HUGE, because I had to run home from work and then back to Soquel to the shop. At 5:45, he took the time to look over everything and offered me some guesses as to the problem. He promised to have it back to me by Wednesday and that he’d charge $ 50 for the tune up.
Fast forward to Tuesday, I get a call around 4:00. My bike is done. Early. Talk about a relief! I show up and Bill explains that my ball bearings in my front hub had actually split, and he replaced them and refilled the bearing with grease along with the tune up at no extra charge. Say WHAT?!
Just to let you know, a tune up at most shops in Santa Cruz will run you from $ 70 to $ 120, depending on the complexity of the bike. My bike, being a road bike with pretty nice componentry, is definitely on the more complex side, so I felt a bit sheepish only handing over $ 50 to Bill. Again, in Santa Cruz, a road bike tune up for $ 50 is a very competitive price and a great deal for such magnificent service! I HIGHLY recommend this shop to anyone who values hard work, sincerely nice people, and efficient service.

Yes! Bill’s is the best, and Bill himself is the best!
Being a bike geek, I’ve been to many a bike shop, and Bill’s is the sweetest. On every account.
Supreme customer service, great and knowledgeable work, one of the grooviest, most fun shops of any kind anywhere. Bill’s is like a bike repair shop in a magic garden, with amazing little things tucked everywhere.
Also about the most organized bike repair station I’ve ever seen.
And Bill. Definitely the nicest guy you’ll ever meet. If I lived in SC, I’d be banging up my bikes just to be able to take them in and hang out with Bill. Yes, humble. Heckuva great guy, the kind you want to give your bike bucks to. Not to be missed.

Bill is a tremendous bike mechanic who also happens to be a top-​notch guy. His shop is hard to find — it’s near the Silver Spur, follow the signs around the back.
BBR tends to lean toward used/​commuter/​bmx styles, but any small bits I’ve needed for my MTB, he’s had. Just don’t expect him to have the latest suspension bits or XTR stuff.
I almost feel like he undercharges, and I’d hate to see him go under because of it. Like most good mechanics, he’ll give you a couple options. Replace the part will cost X, to just get you rolling will be Y. Gotta love honesty.
He even loaned me a tool overnight, you think the big boys will do this? Never.
Look for the Gorilla and follow the signs!