These older punk rock bike mechanics know where its at. No hype, no fads, and for sure no dumb branding. Nothing pisses me off more than bike shops that blast their stickers all over the merchandise. I've gone here for years to either get tunes ups, random parts and even help with building a bike. Bryce is the man and I love his BMX skills. They are priced way below the competitors and although it may take a bit for service to get done at least you know its accurate and done by dudes that know whats up. Not some scenester rich kid that rides his fixie to pick up babes, we're over it. read more

The other reviewers are right in saying parking is a pain. But lord is it worth it! I came in on a Saturday afternoon to get some advice and a safety check. John was great! I got a tube replaced in no time at all. In addition to that, John helped me put a crank on to my vintage Soma and gave me a spare pedal and some metal bolts I was missing free of charge. Clown Dog really puts the customer first! You can tell how much passion they have for what they do! read more

Awesome guys. Even when I took my kiddo in there back when he was like 8, they treated him like a prince. Always square shooters and truly seem to be in it for the love of bikes. From time to time, I have found their hours to be more like general guidelines rather than strict descriptions of when they'll actually be open or closed, but I don't care. It's about all about the bikes, man. read more

Took my Kona here last year after another bike shop screwed with it endlessly and couldn't do a thing. Clown Dog is okay but I won't be rushing back. The good news is they are low-key and easy to deal with, answer all your questions and never rush you, and they genuinely enjoy bikes and bikers. The downside is they're pretty slack with time (my job took over a week and I had to call them to see if they were done) and in the end they did some of the work well but not all of it. They replaced one of my three chain rings even though another one was obviously bad too (strange), and the new chain they put on was not tensioned correctly. I re-tensioned it after a month or so and the jumping and chattering stopped: odd. Anyway, I like the guys at Clown Dog and they made some improvements in my bike, but I won't be going back soon. There are other shops that are faster and better, imo. Actually, that doesn't seem like it bothers the guys at Clown Dog too much. read more

Bought a $300 bicycle here in 2007. It was a mediocre hybrid. I brought it back for the free check-up a week or two later, and the shifting issues started. I was also unable to get the seat to stay tightened. There are a lot of better shops, I think. Hmph. read more

These guys are down to earth. I've never seen them try to oversell anything, and they have done a fantastic job at everything from using old parts that still have life in them, to installing new and crazy stuff that's off the beaten path. They are the kind of shop that makes Austin quentisentially Austin, big on service, perceptive, intelligent, with big hearts that beat a big fancy show room any day of the week. They've worked on my bike, on three of my wife's bikes, and soon my kiddo's. We expect to be lifelong customers of CDB. read more

Awesome place for a UT student - or anyone else for that matter - to get a bike. I chose this place cause I live in Creekside, a dorm near the area. I initially saw it when I went to the barber beside it and noticed a small shop with what seemed like a hundred bikes lined up outside it. After I yelp'd it I decided I would get my bike here. I learnt to ride a bike a few years ago but never had my own until I came here. I paid a visit one Wednesday and I was told that they didn't have any multi-speed bikes on my budget (under $300), but that they would have a few if I came back on Friday. I did as I was told, giving them a call beforehand and they hooked me up with a freshly serviced second hand bike for $150 dollars, with an MSRP of $200-250. Including the U-Lock and tax my final bill ended up at $189. Before I took the bike, I told him I haven't ridden a bike in a couple of years, so he took me to the bike that he said would suit me and told me to bring it to a parking lot opposite the store where I could try it out in an open area, unattended. I don't think you get to ride around a parking lot (and nearly crash into stationary cars) at other bike stores, with no one to watch you fail can you? Well you can here! Not only did they give me a good bike for a cheap price that I got a chance to personally try out, but I gave Bryce $210 instead of $190 when I paid the bill and he gave it back to me, even after I insisted I had paid $190. He also gave me an extra two cents since he didn't have the full change. He was almost too honest. Lastly, he told me to come back in a month's time for a free tune up. This place is also conveniently located right next to The Haircut Store where I get my haircuts. If I could give this place 10 stars I would. read more

I had a great experience at Clown Dog. Bryce was very attentive, he never tried to push me and my husband into buying anything. He also gave us some great tips about biking around Austin, since we are both new to the area. That was something that I really appreciated. I also have to say that if you are looking to buy a new bike, and you don't really need/want something super fancy, Clown Dog is the perfect place to get a bike. I got a lot of bike for my money, and I am really happy with my purchase! read more

Clown Dog Bikes(San Jacinto near UT) is a GREAT lil shop! Never again will I go to the bigger places. I have a single speed SE Draft, and the hills around town were just KILLING my thighs and calves, SO... I went in and asked for their advice on how to make my commutes 'friendlier", (bear in mind I was seriously thinking about going back to a mountain bike)? Mike told me, "I can change the flywheel to an 18 tooth instead of your stock 16 tooth". I had no Idea what he was talking about, but I said what the hell, just do it! He had the old one off and the new one on in less that 2 minutes, and for the LOW LOW LOW price of $10? "Come on now I said, $10, surely you're joking"? I ended up giving him a nice monetary tip, but the comfort I received WELL outweighed the price. SO, if you guys need and/or want something done to your two-wheeled machine, call these guys up, not only will they go easy on your finances, you will be given peace of mind as well. read more

I love love love love LOVE Clown Dog! How are they so good? Everyone who works here is super-knowledgeable about bikes, and really friendly. I'm not gonna dis any other bike stores in town... but Clown Dog is way friendlier and zero attitude. They don't charge an arm and a leg for services/parts, and they are speedy and funny. read more

My friend recommended this place to me two years ago after the time she got hit by a car while riding her bike. Apparently, someone from the shop saw the entire thing & ended up fixing her bike for free. I don't think any of my experiences can compare to hers (and I hope they never do), but I can say that Bryce has always taken care of my bike. Every single time. All my friends who come here would tell you the same thing. Bring your bike here once and you'll never bring it anywhere else again. read more

John and the other employee helping me out, I forgot to catch his name, we're absolutely awesome. These guys know a lot about bikes, and they're super kind, too. If you're like me, you may feel a little uncomfortable asking questions at a bike store out of fear that they're dumb questions. These guys take that fear away! Also, I visited 3 bikes stores today. Clown Dog definitely had the best prices. 5/5 for sure. read more

Came in to replace a tube on an old vintage peugeot, and although parking was a pain even at 10am on a wednesday this beautiful little shop was well worth it. First thing I noticed was the awesome soundtrack, and clean yet unique interior. This shop gave me a small town experience in a big city. The one guy in the shop got straight to removing my tire, examining the tube and discussing options with me. After 20 minutes of nice conversation I walked out with a new tube for 12$ and new rim tape free of charge. I appreciated that he took his time examining my rim and tire for debris and gave it all a good clean down despite having two other customers waiting in line. His work didn't seem rushed nor apathetic, a sign of an experience professional who enjoys what he's doing. The selection of bike accessories in the shop represents the integrity of the owners. Only the best equipment at an affordable price. No bells or whistles. Three options for bike racks (starting at 30$) and two kinds of helmets, one of which was actually attractive looking (A rarity among helmets) (30$) just to name a few of the many appliances. I will be back! read more

Excellent customer service, and they know how to handle the volume of customers while having prices to reflect it! Great cheap prices and even better service - In and out within an hour on a busy day. Couldn't speak more highly of them. read more

Finding someone to work on your bike is like finding a mechanic for your car. Maybe you know a guy, but most of us have to rely on word-of-mouth and other people's "guys." Finding that one little shop where the guys in it just love what they're doing and want to make your wheels go better is priceless. After a few not so great experiences with bike shops that are closer to my house (outrageous prices, hard upselling for services I didn't need, and getting talked down to), somebody suggested I take my trusty old R.E.I. bike to Clown Dog, and now I will be suggesting to all my friends that they do the same. Mike was so friendly and chill while talking to me about my bike, it actually made me want to spend more money. While I was swayed by his expertise about not getting work done that I don't need, I did convince him to sell me some new tires (so I can go faster, wheeee!) and a pair of awesome grips (with stars all over them) that match my favorite sunglasses. So, the work I *did* need is done, the exciting things I wanted are done, I've spent less than I expected to on the whole thing, and of course it's raining, so I'm not going out to ride my freshly awesomized bike just yet. But it isn't Mike's fault that he's so awesome my bike is done a day EARLY, so this review is still 5 stars. Well, I guess it kind of is his fault he's awesome... but that seems like an awful thing to take stars off for, right? read more

Bob help me if I ever move far away from Clown Dog. I actually get excited if something goes awry with my road bike because the guys in the shop are friendly and they know their bike shit. Mostly, Bryce has helped me out, and he's crazy amiable. They work efficiently and are honest with customers. They just want people out there pedaling on trusty devolutionary machines. Some reviewers have deducted one star, apparently because the shop is tiny and inconspicuous, or whatever, but I see no problem with small footprints. That's part of what cycling is about - using up less/having less baggage, right? read more

CLOWN DOG RULES! I just bought my second bike from Clown Dog. After test riding the bike all over the neighborhood, I fell in love with it. John & Bryce gave me a great deal (It's beautiful! And it rides like a dream!). Their reputation for being bike experts is spot on -- the guys really know their stuff. But more than that, they answer all your questions without making you feel like a huge idiot. I'm NOT a bike expert, so it helps to get recommendations and this shop makes me feel comfortable. These are honest, super-rad dudes. I highly recommend this shop! read more

Those guys know what they're doing and don't try to sell you a bunch of stuff you don't need. I know my bike is in good hands when it needs a tweak here and there. Every experience has never given me reason to complain. read more

After various experiences with elitist bike shops, I was pleasantly surprised by the down to earth and extremely helpful service I received at Clown Dog. The staff member who assisted me, Andrew, listened to what I needed and helped me find the items that best fit my requests with no aggressive upselling. I would definitely recommend this shop to anyone who has cycling related needs. read more

Scott was very nice and helpful when I was choosing a bike! He gave me suggestions and chose a bike that best fit my height and budget. I was also given a year of free tune ups after the purchase of my bike. His help was very appreciated, def recommend coming here! read more

I'm new to the neighborhood, looked this place up, and they were awesome!!!! I met Mino who fixed my flat and lubed up my chain in less than 15 minutes for a more than reasonable price. Then Mike noticed that my hand brakes were at an awkward angle that could hurt my wrists and asked permission to adjust them for me. My bike rides excellent now and I definitely found the shop I will be going to from now on. (Cool area with lots of fun food and stuff too!) Impeccable service in every aspect, thanks so much fellas!!!! read more

Bryce, Mike, and John are a great bunch. Their turnover tends to be excellent, and if it's going to take them a bit to get something done, they will be upfront about it. Sometimes they might even give you a hustle if it's really taken outrageously long :-) But honestly their prices are so reasonable that it's completely unnecessary. They have a variety of bike-related items in stock, and if they don't have it on hand, they're more than happy to put it in an order. I stopped by one time to get some metal pant clips which they didn't have in stock, didn't even ask them to order a pair, then found them on the shelf the next time I stopped by. If you bug them enough (or just pop in to say hi, they like that, too!), you're sure to get greeted with a smile and first name. It's a friendly, non-snobbish--I have a couple older, cheapo bikes--place to have good work done. read more

I just moved to Austin from Chicago and had a difficult time getting around. So I bought a bike at Target. Of course, it was pretty cheap and rode like it. I took it in to Clown Dog because the brakes were giving me a lot of trouble and they suggested a tune-up for under $50--so they would check the brakes, the pedals, and the wheel alignment, along with other general fixes. Now the bike rides wonderfully and I have no regrets about having bought it for so little. The guys who helped me were friendly, informative, and very confident. They were quick and finished up the work same-day. In the process, my front light was removed and I hadn't noticed. I went back the next day and they replaced it without a problem. I highly recommend, especially if you're a student at UT because they are right next door! read more

Nice guys, fast turn around, good attitudes and very noob-friendly. When I wanted to start riding bikes again I was looking for a single speed $200 or less. Most of the places I went showed me fixed gear, three speeds or bikes $300 or more. The guys at Clown Dog showed me a single speed that was on sale for $200 and only talked about the more expensive bikes when I asked questions about them. They didn't even try to sell me the $200 bike, they just showed it to me, let me ride it and then left me alone until I was ready to give them money. Everything else I've purchased from them has been the same way. I tell them what I want and they hand it to (and so far, it has never been the most expensive brand/style they have in stock) and then answer any questions I have. My first time using the repair services, I had been having trouble keeping air in my tire on a different bike I bought from a friend. I went in for a new tube because the tube I bought at REI wouldn't keep air. Instead of making fun of me, they explained what a presta valve is and showed me the part that needed to be screwed down. They also fixed other things on that bike for $25 total that I had been holding off on because the cheapest estimate I could find before that was $50 plus parts. Also - when they are helping you, they are with YOU (of course the draw back is when they are with another customer you have to wait your turn, but at least when it is your turn you are not rushed at all). And if you happen to go there on a day they are not busy, they are very friendly and interesting to talk to. I highly recommend this place for people who are new to biking and are worried about being ripped off. Only draw back is the store is so small there isn't much eye-candy/bike-porn to drool over and dream about being able to afford one day like at the bigger shops. read more

The best service I have had in a long time. I had come to the bike shop when they were closed (Sunday) so I locked my bike to their rack with a note, crossed my fingers that they wouldn't tow my bike. I came back Monday and there it was, the note received and the friendliest people I have met in a bike shop. They replaced my tire tube, tuned my bike, imparted a wealth of bike information when I asked about certain parts all within 30 minutes. I mentioned I had a shifting problem and immediately, I was informed that there was a single bent link in my chain. He had observed this while changing the tire. These guys are good! They will fix your bike fast, cheap and well (my visit cost ~$12)! It's hard to find people that do their job well, do it with customer-first attitude and are cool people too. I forgot the bottle of bike-grease (as I call it), and lo and behold, not 3 minutes after I left, they called me to tell me I had left it. Great people! read more

Screw you Mellow Johnnys! I spent good money on my 29'r at your shop but when I need my FREE tune up it's going to be 2 weeks. My bike is my life thanks for trying too help me out. If you are that damn busy then help some people out give them a job. hire some more techs My front tire that I ordered from Mellow has loosened and warped. I decided to check out these guys at Clown Dog 11 am. They said they could have it fixed by 5pm. So I left my bike there and went bar hoping and with in 2 hours I recieved a call saying my bike was ready. Clown Dog you guys will always get my first call and anyone else I can send your way. Thanks for getting me back on the road. read more

Really love the proximity to campus--I think that because of this and word of mouth, they've got good business and are a quick stop for a lot of students. I can recall one time I came in to fix a flat tube and they were willing to replace it for free right then after I bought it (no service fee). The first time I came here was to pick up some rim tape, and I was really surprised by the tininess of the shop (and a little startled when I walked in and there were two guys sitting on stools immediately available.. I had nowhere else to walk and just awkwardly stood there). Don't be intimidated, they're knowledgable and very friendly and have a pretty good selection of things that you'd need for a fix-up. I even had some questions on how to turn my 12-speed into a single speed/FG (ah, back then in my noob days), and they were really helpful about explaining the types of freewheels they had and pointing out the hanging rims that they had on sale. I think they're great just because they're humble, and one of the rims they pointed out had stars all over it. Actually, writing this review just made me realize how much I've been helped by this place and makes me agree--I'm a fan. Woo! read more

This place is extraordinary. Everyone I interacted with was highly knowledgeable, kind, and down to earth. After the dehumanizing tr*mp years and the devastation of the pandemic, this is like walking back in time to the old Austin, where people were real, and really "human". And they did an amazing job on my bike. If I could give 6 stars, I would. read more

When I told the dudes at my bike shop in Nashville, TN that I was moving to Austin, they immediately recommended Clown Dog as the place to go. I'm so grateful they did! It wasn't the bike shop nearest to my first apt so I would have ended up spending a lot more in repairs going to those places had I not had the heads up. The service is always fast and friendly. They've even helped me out on a Sunday (when they're closed) b/c they were there anyway catching up on other repairs! They are dedicated to customer service and I haven't seen that at many other bike shops. Thanks, Clown Dog! read more

Just bought my first bike from here after many years of not riding! Needless to say I was pretty clueless but Gator (?? I think that was his name - it was the employee name that was listed on my receipt lol) was super kind and helpful. He even helped me set up my car bike rack! Totally awesome service and will definitely be back for all my biking needs. read more

The staff at clown dog are about the most helpful and kind people I've ever meet. I am something of a klutz, so from time to time I get in strange predicaments where stuff happens when I'm biking. Like, say, I decide to ride through gravel on road bike tires (don't do it). Or, I forgot to tighten my quick release wheel. Or my bike chain falls off and then I mess it up even more somehow. In each of these cases, and more, the kind souls at Clown dog have helped me fix my problems - in most instances, for free! I've come here probably 10 times, but I've only spent money here 3-4 times - once for a new tube (flat tire), once for bar wrap, once for a tune up. They are so nice about minor little repairs, which is really great for bike commuters like myself, and it's so convenient to UT! Love this place. read more

I had a flat tire and finally decided to stop asking my amateur friends (my dad included) to fix my tire, so I came to this place as I had seen it many times during my rides. The shop is tiny, but there is room for two bikes to be hung up and serviced at a time. The guy working asked if I had time to wait 15, which was great because I thought I would have to leave it overnight! He didn't make fun of my crappy bike, which is a plus, and when he started looking at it he asked a lot of questions which helped diagnose the problem. He had to replace the tire and not just the tube, and he gave me the cheapest one like I asked. Once he was done, I paid and I left! A lot faster than having someone try to "figure it out" as they go along haha. The service time was so quick due in part to the decrease in demand from the beginning of school terms, so lucky me! read more

Fixed my kids bike for free and gave me a discount on a bike lock. These guys are the best, nothing better than finding a spot where the owner operator really cares about what they do and the customer's happiness. Bike shops can be so annoying with the whole "biking culture" deal. These guys are very serious about bikes but not condescending to us commoners that just like to ride every now and then. Wouldn't go anywhere else. read more

I recently bought a bike and some accessories from this place. From initial phone calls to the shop to test-riding bikes and having the bike I wanted built in my size, from buying the bike to follow-up visits and purchases, the customer service is always superb. During my visits, I interacted with a number of staff members (Bryce and Andrew among others); all were consistently friendly, patient, and informative. Additionally, they gave good prices and didn't charge to install my bike rack. I am extremely happy with my purchases and service, and will definitely return for all of my bicycle needs. I highly recommend them. read more

Im so excited to have found Clown Dog! I helped a friend buy a used bike from there, Mike helped us customize it with used and new parts from the shop, super reasonably!!!! I was so pleased with the service I had my brake lines replaced. Mike did a great job (again reasonably priced) and had my bike back to me in a couple hours :) I wasnt out of transportation for long at all! I would recommend Clown Dog to friends and will continue to return for bike work. read more

Best deal I could find in Austin for a high quality bike. Great staff that seem to really care about their work. Buy bikes here.

best shop in town with the best people who can always get you fixed up. guaranteed to get your bike up and running asap.

Could not be happier! The guys did a great job of tuning up and dialing in my bike which was long overdue. Clown Dog has my loyalty!

I almost gave up on my Specialized road bike from early 2000 which had busted shifters, took it to Clown Dog Bikes to give it a shot see if bike can be restored. It took a while to source parts for such old bike, but Clown Dog Bikes came through and restored bike back to life. They are a busy shop, but true specialists in this craft of bike repair. read more

It's definitely one of my favorite shops in town. Let me first be honest and say that I ride bikes with one of the owners and I have a small crush on him...that said, anyone I've sent to CDB has been stoked by the services they received, myself included. New wheels, derailleur repairs, broken spokes, wheel true, etc.... If you're a BMX rider, you probably already know about them. Their prices are great from the stuff in the store to the tune-ups and repairs, and your turn-around time won't be like some of the larger bike shops in town. This alone is worth it. Holla at John, or any of the folks in the store when you need something bike-related, or just want to rock out to some death metal or some 90s Texas rap. read more