If you want to bypass the preface describing how I ended up visiting Columbus Cyclery (I live in…read morethe peninsula), simply scroll down to the "Bottom Line" section.
*** PREFACE ***
Recently, I had a hankering to build up a bike that I could use for riding on paved roads as well as well-packed trails. A key constraint for this build was a desire to build up a bike that utilized rim brakes (specifically, V-brakes) versus disc brakes. Consequently, I knew that my search would be best served by searching for an older (i.e., "vintage") used bike.
While perusing bike listings on Craigslist, my search results yielded a listing for Columbus Cyclery with the headline, "Over 300 Used and New Bikes". As serendipity would have it, I clicked on the listing and followed the link to Columbus Cyclery's website.
On the site, I noticed an option to enter a lottery to win a new bike. After looking through the selection of available road/gravel bikes, I made a mental note to visit the store so that I could test ride a handful of bikes that, on paper, made for good candidates for my road/gravel build project. Before closing the browser tab, I decided to submit an entry for the "Win a Bike" lottery.
The following week, I was pleasantly surprised to receive text and email messages from the owner of Columbus Cyclery (Bruno), who informed me that I had won the "free bike" lottery!!!
I sent a text message to Bruno to thank him and to let him know that I would not be able to come to the store for another two weeks. Bruno kindly informed me that I could take my time and to come in any day (except for his day off) so that I could pick out a bike.
Long story long, I visited the shop and spent a few hours looking through the large collection of bikes and test riding a handful of bikes before settling on a road bike that could accommodate tires with a relatively wide contact patch. As part of my visit, I brought my vintage Raleigh Team Issue mountain bike for a much-needed tune-up.
During my initial and follow-up visits to Columbus Cyclery, the owner of the store (Bruno) was extremely kind and accommodating. He allowed me to take my time looking through the large collection of new and used bikes in the store and, along with one of the mechanics (Jay), patiently answered my questions before and after each test ride that I took.
Columbus Cyclery reminds me of the independently-owned bike shops that I used to visit during my mountain bike racing and triathlon days. There's a complete lack of pretense that puts customers at ease.
[RANT] Unlike several bicycle shops in the peninsula (typically resellers for select bike manufacturers), Columbus Cyclery has zero snobbish airs about it. From my handful of visits and my limited observations of customer interactions during my visits, Bruno and his team appear to extend the same level of courtesy and support to customers with high-end bicycles as well as customers with older/vintage (i.e., "less fancy") bicycles.
Case in point: Whenever I would bring my trusty mountain bike steed (1999 Raleigh Team Issue) or my road bike (2005 Felt F-55), for a tune-up to other bike shops (that shall remain unnamed), I would, invariably, receive an earful of unsolicited advice regarding the benefits of carbon fiber frames and disc brakes.
Though I have a deep appreciation for the simplicity of "vintage" bikes, I wouldn't classify myself as a "cycling curmudgeon" -- I have an appreciation for all types of bikes, both old and new. That said, I will admit that I have a very low tolerance for bike snobbery. [/RANT]
On a handful of occasions, some bike store managers and mechanics went out of their way to incessantly point out the antiquated nature of my bikes. This was not the case with Bruno and his team (especially one of his mechanics, Jay) as they seemed to appreciate the quirkiness of my vintage mountain bike, which I originally ordered with an unpainted frame.
*** BOTTOM LINE ***
During my visits to the shop, Bruno and one of his mechanics (Jay) were always very welcoming and extremely patient in answering all of my bike-related questions (including several questions that bordered on geeky). I greatly appreciate the courtesy consistently extended to me as well as the relatively quick turnaround on bike tune-ups.
If you have a need for a new or used bike, a bike rental, a bike tune-up, or a quick bike fix, check out Columbus Cyclery. My recommendation definitely applies if you want to bring an older or lower-end bike in for a tune-up or fix, and you wish to avoid the possibility of dealing with snobby, unsupportive shop owners/managers/mechanics. My recommendation also applies if you simply want to indulge your inner bike geek to check out a large collection of new and older/vintage bikes from various manufacturers.
The parking can be challenging during the weekend, so consider taking advantage of the numerous coffee, pastry, and dining options in the area.
