My bikes brake cable broke today and I went to big wheel to get it fixed. I expected them to say we can get it back to you in a week. Instead a very helpful mechanic (Marco) fixed it right there in front of me. I was able to ride it home! Great service thank you big wheel!! read more

Pretty cool bike shop in Old Town Alexandria. It has an okay selection of mostly commuter style bikes and it looks like they might rent a large number of bicycles. I noticed them selling Bianchi, Scott, Kona, and a few other brands. They did have a few cyclocross (cx) bikes, too, which can be difficult to find in the DC area. Some of their Bianchis were on sale, which is also a rarity. So although it's not the biggest shop in the world, it does a great job of carrying a variety of bikes. This shop is focused on sales, rentals, and repairs. They have only minimal other supplies for sale. It is nevertheless a chill place with helpful, laid back shop mechanics. The shop also has a neighborhood feel which makes it welcoming to visit. I noticed several locals from the area asking questions about how to fix things, what to order to repair this or that, etc. I also thought it was cool that they have an espresso machine tucked into the shop (it's for the store employees, I think, but it was cool anyway). read more

Highly recommend! The place is in a bit of an obscure location but the staff is amazing. They were great, they took the time to answer every question we had knowing what we were looking to spend. This place is completely void of the attitude prevalent in the DC area biking community. Get out and rent from these guys....you will return. I would walk my broken bike past other shops to come here any day. read more

I've been to a few local bike shops, and I think Big Wheel is about as good as they get. Not only do they have the quality customer service you go to a small shop for, they've got a solid selection of bikes of all kinds. I rolled in one day looking for a fixed-gear bike, which they don't tend to keep in stock at my usual shop. I wanted to set it up as a commuter with panniers and upright handlebars. "No problem, here's the bike for you" was pretty much what Bennett told me. Within the hour I was setup to ride, and off I went. I came back a couple times to get a few things tweaked, and Bennett and the folks there were always super-friendly and helpful. I now have the commuter I wanted and love it. You can be sure I'll be coming back for future cycling needs! read more

Quality service with people who know what they're talking about. They can bear down and do the hard work you need, or give you a quick fix with no hassle. Unpretentious, friendly, and honest service for a reasonable price. I've had my bike serviced multiple times by several of their employees, all with excellent results, but the only name I caught was Marco. You go Marco, great job all around. read more

These guys rock! Have brought all of our bikes here for minor repairs and they have always been very friendly, fast, and reasonable. They are not at all snobby the way some bike shops around here can be. Also dig the gritty atmosphere of the shop that smells like sweat and grease along with classic 10 speeds from the 80s, console video games, and even an old Playboy magazine in the case. What's not to love? read more

Can't say enough about the expert advice and awesome customer service provided by Marco! He spent quite a bit of time with us last week making sure we were going to purchase exactly what we needed and wanted. We picked up our bikes today and are thrilled! We will definitely be back to purchase additional accessories form this shop. People and places like this don't exist much these days. If you are looking to buy or rent a bike in Alexandria, this is the place to do it. read more

Great for bike rentals.... I was just in the DC area for a week and needed my bike fix. The first bike I rented from Big Wheel Bikes was decent, but needed some adjustments. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of just hopping on and not testing out the gears first before being too far away to go back for any adjustments. But when I got back, I mentioned the challenges I had to the manager, Bennett, and without me even asking he gave me a discount. I went back twice after that. The second time I came in, Bennett made sure to get me a really nice bike and also made sure I didn't tear off before it was adjusted properly. The third time I came in, without my even asking, he asked his partner, Ted, "Can you pull down the black Schwinn for her?" Their prices are reasonable, they are very personable and friendly, they know bikes like I know shoes, and every interaction I had was pleasant -- obviously so, since I went there three times. And will go back again next time I'm in town. read more

After sustaining a foot injury from running last year, I decided to get into cycling and was shopping around for my first road bike (I've owned a casual cruiser previously). The process was a bit intimidating, even after a ton of online research and getting advice from several avid cycling friends. Enter Bennett and Marco. Bennett took the time to educate me about the various features of bikes, what would be appropriate for me, and never once did I feel like he was trying to sell me something just to make more money or get an old model off the floor (as it happened at another very popular bike shop in Arlington). In fact, I felt as if he spent more time with me just to make sure I was comfortable with what I was getting as a newbie! My bike had to be ordered, but it arrived within 3 days from Cali, Marco immediately assembled it and helped fit the bike and gave me pointers on how to care for it. Thank you Bennett and Marco! read more

I recently started biking again and have been using a loaner bike from a coworker that I am looking to purchase. My first ride was okay. I hadn't ridden in a while and wasn't sure if the bike needed tuning up so I was very cautious. The second day I came straight to big wheel bikes and Meddy was kind enough to tighten my brakes fill my wheels with air and assess the value of the bike for me. I bought a road toolkit and it was def the greatest but because I needed it to adjust my seat a few times. If you're just getting back on the road like me you should definitely come here to get your stuff checked. The confidence I had about the safety of the bike gave me a better ride the second time around. read more

Bennett and the crew at Big Wheel Bikes are great. Knowledgeable, friendly, honest, and professional. I trust them them for all of my bike repair needs. Quality work at great, honest prices. Highly, highly recommend! read more

I came here to rent bikes last summer and I rented a small bike (because I'm quite short). It was not the nicest bike to ride. It was very dirty and was sitting outside the whole time collecting dust and spider webs. One of the levers to shift gears was broken. I told the sales guy but he insisted it was OK to ride and that was all he had. This is not true as there were plenty of smaller bikes in the shop. He then later said, that renters don't get to rent nicer bikes!! I was disappointed to rent a ratty old bike and a broken one too! Renters only get to rent low grade bikes. Since then I've been to better bike shops that treat their customers much better. I've been to bike shops that actually rent out nicer hybrid bikes to riders. This is not a good place to rent bikes. I visited a second time, this time thinking about buying a bike, and the sales guy really pushed for me to buy a thousand dollar road bike. I was a first time rider, so I felt it was inappropriate for them to push me to buy a super expensive bike without any experience. I entertained the idea but decided against it. I think if you don't know bikes, you can really get suckered into buying a very expensive bike here. Go elsewhere. There are plenty of bike shops! Finally, I came here a third time with a bike that I couldn't pedal because something happened to the chain. I came to this store because it was near the trails asking for HELP so I can get HOME. But the sales guy then told me he wouldn't help me because they wanted to "entertain the tourists" (basically sell or rent bikes to tourists). It was a weekend and there was a lot of foot traffic. Basically, they don't really care about bikers only want to SELL SELL SELL and make money. I think this business doesn't care about you and your bike. The bikes here probably don't squeak ( I wouldn't know), but they definitely have bikes with broken levers. read more

10/12/14- it literally took 4 mins to have my new inner tube and tire put in my rim. I'll be back soon read more

Big Wheel Bikes - 4 mins of work - Bikes Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Update to my review: Bennett and team are great!!! He was quick to respond to my Yelp review and give me an honest explanation of what occurred. Really appreciate that from a business! He asked me to bring it by when I could, so I came back on a busy Saturday morning, when they had plenty of people showing up for rentals, etc. once I told him who I was, he was gracious and worked on my bike immediately. He also went above and beyond and fixed my gear-shifting issue, all within a 20-30 min window. Definitely get your bike serviced here!!! Previous post: I usually love this bike shop, but I just showed up at 6:47, and the shop was already closed. Supposed to be open until 7pm. I knew I was cutting it close, but shop should be open the hours they have on their door and website. **they have a sign saying hours may vary seasonally on the door and they have it on their website as well. I failed to see that before. read more

Just used this bike shop for the first time these past couple days as Big Wheel put on two brand new treads for me, and gave my bike a much needed tune up! There are about 20 bike shops in between where I stay in Woodbridge and Big Wheel. It was totally worth the 15 mile drive! These guys are phenomenal, highly knowledgeable about bikes, and do excellent work! As soon as I got my bike back, went for a ride and everything was dialed in! I cannot say enough great things about this bike shop and the customer service that I received! Extremely good prices as well! If you're looking for a bike shop to get a bike, rent, repairs....this is the only bike shop you need! read more

I brought my sons bike it for derailleur problem. Barrett provided great service. The repair was done in one day. Thank you Big Wheel bikes

My go to bike shop in Alexandria. I work in Old Town and bike commute in from DC daily, so I have tried multiple bike shops in town for quick repairs. The guys at Big Wheel Bikes have always been great and super helpful - getting me back out on the trail in no time. The other night I snapped my handlebars but was able to walk to Big Wheel. They found a replacement handlebar and got my bike fixed in like 20min. Fantastic and quick service! If you need a bike shop in Old Town, Big Wheel is your spot. read more

My friend and I found Big Wheels to be the best priced rental location in NOVA. $35 for same day rental or $7 an hour, this location uses traded in, tried and true, bicycles for their rentals. Options ranged from cruisers to mountain bikes; our style for the day. We entered the weekend hoping to ride some trails in Reston, which I had found in the fall. The staff took their time making sure to ask about what we planned to do, find the best bikes for the task, and fit us right - then off we went. Difficult Run and some part of the Cross County Trail system in Fairfax provided us with the excitement and challenge we wanted. We returned tired and filthy, just like the bikes, and helped the staff wash them down before parting ways. Everyone team member we talked to was very friendly and knowledgeable, they talked to me for some time about ideas for my next mountain bike purchase, and even though we returned muddy (to the surprise of the staff I think) they were excited to see that we thoroughly enjoyed our rentals. The terrain and trails were technical at times, but the bikes never faltered! While they weren't the newest models or dual suspension it was apparent to me that the bikes had been well-maintained (no popped chains, or gear problems at all). In fact, the only issue we had was being too exhausted to keep on riding (hey, four hours is pretty legit). By the way, they offer you helmets and flat tire repair kits with the rentals (locks too if you're riding locally). Highly recommend this shop for rentals, purchases, or just to talk bike! Thanks! read more

Great shop! Took care of me during a time of great need!!! I would suggest everyone to come through and support the shop!!

Only been there once to buy a bike lock, but had a really good experience. Pleasant helpful staff. He helped me find exactly what I wanted and then help me set the lock too. It's tucked a bit off the beaten path but worth the extra blocks to find it. The only reason I gave them 4 stars is because I've only been there once and bought a smaller item. If I look to upgrade my bike and go back I'll re-do the review. I'll definitely go back to this place for anything I need though. read more

Awesome shop -- incredibly helpful, knowledgable, and fun crew. My wife and I went in to buy bikes together last year and got a great deal and a lot of personalized help in making good choices. The guys always go above and beyond when we bring our bikes in. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a new bike or just need a tune up as the weather warms up. read more

Just a. Update: GO TO BIG WHEEL. The entire staff is amazing and they fixed a major issue for me very quickly, all while treating my bike like the princess she is. I tell everyone to come here because I haven't found a better bike shop anywhere, period - their prices are great and it feels more like visiting old friends than it does a bike shop (which is not always the case as a woman who rides a Dutch bike!). read more

Bennett, the owner of Big Wheel Bikes, called me after I posted my review. He was quite keen to try and make amends for the bad experience I had when I purchased my bike. He offered to extend the one-year service warranty to two years (I didn't even know I had a service warranty!) and gave me a store credit. I haven't yet been back to the shop, but I'm willing to give them another try. I'll post another update when I do. I forgot to mention in my first review that we'd had my husband's ancient Specialized tuned up while we were waiting for mine to arrive, and they did a great job with that work at a reasonable price, in addition to giving us a fair trade-in price on my similarly ancient Specialized. So, for that and for Bennett's efforts, I've revised my review upwards. read more

Can't thank Bennett and Marco from Big Wheel Bikes enough. I called to report my stolen bike and in only a week they had found it and tuned it up to boot. That never happens! A class act and a local institution. read more

I have had several pleasant shopping experiences at this store. Staff are always helpful (Bennett especially).I didn't buy a bike there, but I always come in for small items and servicing needed on my bike. Will definitely buy my commuter bike there as they have a nice selection at a reasonable price. Thanks! read more

Friendly folks, but absolute junk for rental bikes. Maybe the bar was set too high since the last rental was from The Bike Lane in Reston. We're cyclists, but not bike snobs by any stretch...the $ for these bikes was silly. We won't rent here again. Considering the location, this won't matter, though! read more

Just rode my new Kona Unit X. Great bike from a great shop. Thanks Bennett and Manny. read more

Big Wheel Bikes - Bikes Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

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Great guys who are incredibly knowledgable about bikes and really accommodating with whatever you need help with. Mehdi help me tune up my bike and when I came back needing more air and a check of my brakes he filled them up and gave it a check there and then free of charge. Great place with fair prices and a great staff! read more

I cannot say enough great things about this place! First, the guys that work here are awesome. They know their stuff; get repairs & maintenance done quickly; and go the extra mile for customer service. Not to mention, the prices are great and turnaround times are very short (compared to research I'd done on other local shops). We'd lived in the DC area for 7 years previously and just recently moved to Alexandria. We have way too many bikes--commuters, mountain, hybrids, recumbent, electric...and so have had experience with a number of bike shops. This place is hands-down the best. The movers jacked up our bikes and one at a time, we've been bringing them in here and couldn't be more satisfied. read more

This is a belated note to say what a great experience it was to buy bikes at Big Wheel Bikes in Alexandria. About a year ago after doing some research, we walked to Big Wheels to look at bikes and test them. Marco was our sales guy and he is extremely knowledgeable and asked us all the right questions to confirm the types of bikes we wanted/needed. We got a good deal on two Fuji ABS 2.1 and we have been using them for about a year and we've had no issues. The bikes are fun and easy to ride. We go back to Big Wheels to get air for the bikes and to check in with Marco and the other great folks working at Big Wheels. Overall it was a great experience. These guys know customer service and have a great attitude for helping out bike riders of any level/experience. read more

Came here to rent a bike for my husband, and while I was there, I asked Marco to take a look at my adjustable handlebar and see if he could repair it. He worked on it for 15-20 minutes and was able to fix the problem. And when I asked him what I owed him, he told me there was no charge. So kind and helpful! Thank you! Excellent service. read more

I so happen to ride by heading towards the Mt. Vernon trail when my bike peddle suddenly comes off. I had no idea how to put it back on the bike since I have little familiarly with bike mechanics. I googled the nearest bike shop, which happens to be Big wheel Bikes. Luckily, I arrived 15 minutes before closing. Ray was able to assemble the peddle back on in no time free of charge. He was most helpful and very friendly.I highly recommend this place to anyone for bike repairs. Thanks again, Ray! read more

Marco replaced my grips and realigned my brakes quickly and affordably. This shop also has a great moving selection of new and used bikes. I haven't purchased a bike in years but when I do this will be my first stop! read more

These guys crush it. I'm just getting back into bicycles after a couple of decades, and they are super patient and very knowledgeable. No pitches, just well trained, responsive staff. read more

Super generous, kind, and nice guys work here. Great old school bike store vibe. Don't go anywhere else!

This place is legit! The customer service here is excellent. Good conversation! Great vibes! I'm a bit spoiled because my younger brother is an engineer, and always fixes my bike/car, but when we don't live together anymore I kind of scratch my head at even the most knuckle headed tasks. My chain kept jumping off the gears and I couldn't figure out why. I came into the shop to buy a new chain, and as it turned out the chain and derailleur just needed fiddling with, which the shop guy didn't even charge me for! The next day I went in to get some new grips for my handle bars because the ones I'm using were cutting into my hand. Now the thing is, I have a very old vintage bike, and the guy was kind of pushing me towards keeping the original parts on, and I agree! They're meant to go together and everything matches. He showed me some grips he had to sell, which I would have bought, but as it happened there were a pair of gloves someone left and he gave them to me to use for free! The fact that he'd rather give me something for free than make a sale for the sake of aesthetics is SO BEYOND RAD! I love this place now. read more

Had a badly damaged rear tire tread and strange noise coming from my fork. Ted was able to set me up with a new tire and fixed the fork within ten minutes - these guys do it right and take care of their customers. This is my new shop for sure! read more

Big Wheel Bikes - Bikes Near Me - Alexandria, Virginia

I bought a bike online and it was a folding bike but the bike once assembled would not fold. I talked to the vendor he said for me to take it to a bike shop and send them the bill. I took it into Big Wheel and after a few tweeks and twerks they fixed the bike. I asked them how much it was for the repair and they said it's okay don't worry about it. I live in old town and i will certainly recommend them to anyone in town. They were friendly and helpful so big wheel is a+ to me. read more

This is the only bike shop I will go to in OT. All staff are attentive and listen no matter how small the problem is and jump on it straight away. Special thanks to Marco for always taking good care of my bikes! Thanks guys! read more

A super good local bike shop... Small building but don't let that fool you. Super friendly and they have most everything. If they don't - It can usually be there next day in my experience. Great attention to detail and the staff look you in the eye and smile. Too many other nearby shops are stuck up tools. Not here - the only tools around are the ones to repair your bike. Stay away from the Duke street turd "pro" shops and come see real pros in the yellow building next to Chadwicks :) Big Wheel Bikes. BTW... happy 30th anniversary BWB Old Town - if my memory is right. read more