They only have a few ebikes ! But staff did say to order would only take 2-3 days! That sounds very reasonable!! They don't have a huge selection but decent. They have a huge room in the back to fix bikes & it seemed busy enough for 3. On a Wednesday!! Staff available to answer questions. Cute store. Lots of skaters equipment as well read more

See all

The Devil's Gear is a bicycle shop that opened in New Haven, Connecticut in 2001. It was founded by local artist and cyclist Matthew Feiner. After seeing the need for a community bike shop in New Haven, Feiner used the last $600 in his bank account to open his own shop. It originally opened in a cramped old Wooster Square factory space at 433 Chapel Street. For his new shop, Feiner chose the name "The Devil's Gear" as a reference to the 1988 Paris-Nice stage race. The French press said that Irish cyclist Sean Kelly was riding "the devil's gear". In addition to selling bicycles, the shop also hosts bike tours, maintenance clinics and weekly training rides. The shop has made a number of moves over the years: first to 151 Orange Street, then down the street to 137 Orange, and finally to their current location at 845 Chapel Street. In 2018, longtime employees John Brehon and Greg Ledovsky came on board as co-owners of the shop. Feiner later stepped down due to medical reasons, but Brehon and Ledovsky continue to build on the foundation and legacy that he left behind. In 2021, Brehon and Ledovsky decided to start selling skateboards at the shop too. Local skateboarder J. Joseph came on board to handle the skateboard department. I've been doing business with the Devil's Gear for well over 10 years. When I first became interested in cycling, I went there to get all of my cycling accessories and helpful tips. I still ride a 2013 Jamis Satellite Sport road bike in a beautiful Tiger's Eye finish which I bought from the shop. I take it back to the shop every year for my annual tune-up. In addition to all of their great products and services, The Devil's Gear does a lot for the local cycling community. They have provided all of the technical support for Smilow Cancer Hospital's Closer to Free Ride for several years. I'm about to start training for my seventh consecutive CTF Ride. Whether you've been cycling for several years or you're just looking to get into cycling, you should definitely head down to The Devil's Gear! read more

See all

I have been a long time customer of this bike shop. I should start by saying that I loved bikes. I love bike shops. And I love people who work there. :-) I've had a good experience over more than a decade. However, recently the bike shop has gone *really* downhill. I brought my item in. For more than a month, they did not communicate with me. I had to come to the shop, literally four times. They said they were going to call me. And email me. They never did. They did not fix my issue. They did not apologize. They stood me up on an appointment I had made to go over the repair. The lack of communication is extremely frustrating. The lack of an apology is very frustrating. I am bummed. I think this place used to do really good work, but, maybe there's new management or something? I would consider going elsewhere. I am giving two stars rather than one because of the reputation of the place from five years ago. read more

This review is for Devil's Gear bike shop. I generally don't leave negative reviews and think I'm pretty reasonable as a customer, so take that as you will. I dropped two bikes off here, both with internal hubs, so did "online homework" before finding this place with high reviews--a local bike shop (LBS) that is a staple of New Haven. Both bikes were in running condition (gears shifting, brakes fine), and this was just for a semi-annual "tune up." Pros: The staff are super friendly and willing to work with you and tell you what's up / wrong. They also seemed very knowledgeable and did not seem to oversell. But honestly, both of these things have always been my experience with any LBS I've been to... Neutral: The first bike I dropped off was done quickly (within a week), but the tune up ended up being over $200 (much more than quoted) with no replaced parts (or maybe just $15 brake pads and $5 hub gear oil). To be fair, it wasn't simply readjusting deraillers and changing pads, but involved disassembly of the internal hub for a soak in solvent, as well as repacking and re-assembly. That being said, cost was about 1.5x to 2x any other LBS that I've been to (Boston, NYC, etc.), but figured okay they have high reviews and must do a great job, are local and a staple of New Haven, and I'm in a good place to afford things finally...so ate the cost and looked forward to the other bike getting done. Cons: The second bike, which is my main commuter, had been there for over 1.5 months before I frustratingly took it back. I called 5+ times, about weekly starting a couple weeks in. Always friendly on my end and their end, but always with a promise to call back after figuring out what's taking so long...never got a call back, even after talking to multiple employees. Maybe they're overworked, maybe supply chains are messed up, maybe there is a lack of competition in New Haven. In any case, 1.5 months is frustrating for radio silence, especially given "running bikes" on the way in. Heck, I'd assume some policy would exist to proactively call if it might take (much) longer than expected, just like any other service-oriented business. In short, super friendly folks, but overpriced and 0 communication. In the end, you're there to get your bike worked on at a reasonable price and reasonable timescale. Won't be returning given how many other options there are. Bummer. read more

I still ride my bike I bought from Matt over 15 years ago. He helped me try to find something that would withstand the potholes of the city.

Great service and excellent job with tuning/fixing bikes! I brought in my bike that needed to have the brakes installed and the guys here did a great job. Very clean and quality work. The brakes don't squeak and they are very smooth. Initially I was told the bike may need to be kept overnight to complete the break installments but after I expressed some concern about needing it sooner the team was very nice and told me they will try to get it done by the end of the day. To my surprise they finished it within a few hours and contacted me right away. I am very pleased with the service here and very happy with my bike. The price of installment was reasonable and they even gave me a quick tune up. Greatly appreciated. I recommend coming here for all your fixes! read more

Stopped in for the first time since they moved into their new digs. While I liked the griminess of the old place (gave it ambience), the new place is getting nice and grimy in its own right too. :-) I came in because i had a broken front derailleur from a french roadbike from the 1970s. I wanted to see if they maybe had something that would be a replacement. They brought out their junk drawer and whatdoyouknow, they actually had an ACTUAL replacement -- not one, but two -- of the original French Simplex front derailleur. incredible. Anyway, these guys are true bike geeks. They might not have the best customer service skills (as evinced by the other Yelp posts, although I've had nothing but great service from them), but they know their bikes backwards, forwards, and upside down. If you want brainless cheeriness, another bike store might be better. But if you want to coax your 1970s bike on for another couple of decades, they are the best place by far. p.s. I also got a new tire for my bike and noticed that while a store in North Haven charged me $20 for it (a 27" road tire), the Devil's Gear had them for $17. So I don't think they're the most expensive place all around. read more

They never let me down! Very accommodating! Genuine Service all the way. 1. Had a flat one Sunday while bike riding near by. This bike shop fixed it and I was back on the road in short order. 2. My spoke broke this Sunday. Called 10:00am. The technician told me if they had the spoke for my bike they could fix it. Again in short order I was back on the road. A great Boutique type shop that is very friendly. Open on Sundays early too! read more

We were traveling across the country and my husband's chain broke on his Specialized e-bike so we looked for a shop along I-95 open on a Sunday. How lucky were we to find Devil's Gear and especially Johnny. He replaced the chain and tweaked the detailer; all in 15 minutes and $15. read more

The Devil's Gear Bike Shop is one of those places which makes up the personality of New Haven. Sitting in Pitkin Plaza, the shop remains one of the best places to get a new bike, repair an old one, go to free workshops, or just hang out and talk about cycling. I recently came in with a flat tire. They charged me 5 bucks for the labor, and 5 bucks for the tube. They threatened to charge me to watch, but since I told them I wasn't going to enjoy it sexually, they gave me a pass. This time. However, the guys at the desk really took the time to show me how to change the tire myself. He showed me how he used the tool to pull the bead off of the rim and then pull the entire wheel off, and then he showed me how to find holes in the tube. He even suggested submerging the full tube in water to find the leak. For such a simple transaction, he could've easily just fixed the problem in 2 minutes and wished me a nice day. But instead he took the time to try to create an informed bicyclist. You can't teach that kind of customer service. You have to hire the right people and the Devil's Gear has them in spades. Admittedly, the actual bikes here tend to run pretty expensive because a) it's not a big box store, and b) it's geared towards bicycling enthusiasts, but honestly, you get what you pay for and with the Devil's Gear, what you get is second to none. I have a hard time imagining New Haven and the Ninth Square without this shop, and with any luck, I'll never have to. read more

The only bike shop in new haven includes overpriced service, rude and unhelpful staff. Never have I been so disregarded in my life. Sara at the front kept taking 10 min phone calls in mid conversation without even saying excuse me or thanks for your patience. When i mentioned that i needed to make a call for 2 minues to ensure i was not being totally ripped off by her overpriced quote she took my bike off the rack and said we can talk again when your not making phone calls. Talk about hipocracy I took my bike and left after an hour and change of wasted time. That was my experience, i would never go back, even for a small tool! Stay away from this underwhelming shop There are many amazing bike Shops in Amity and Branford with real customer service. Gluck! read more

I've now been in 3-4 times; only once was I helped. Maybe I just pick the wrong times. I was trying to buy a road bike but think I'll be better off at a different bike shop. The one time I did get service, the guy was very nice and knowledgeable but the selection was limited and the guy, while nice, was distracted by other customers. To get the service, I had to wait 20-25 minutes. About 10 minutes in, an employee noticed me and told me to just stand in the middle of the store and someone would be right with me. It's a small store and it wasn't even overwhelmingly busy. A guy that came in long after me gave up and yelled (yes, yelled) for some help. He got it. I didn't want to go the obnoxious route so I stayed patient. I'm giving them an extra star simply because of the events and regular rides that they seem to organize. If I ever actually get my bike, those rides sound fun. read more

My old junky bike was in serious need of repair, so I was debating a new bike versus a repair. After looking at the prices of new bikes, I decided that a repair was the way to go. I'm sure that plenty of people are fine with paying $400 - $1000 on a bike, but I'm not one of them. Anyway, I brought my junky bike in and asked what I needed to fix up my brakes, and the guy told me what I needed and gave me a quick explanation on how to go about fixing it. I probably could have figured it out myself, but I haven't worked on a bike in a long time, so it was appreciated. No comments about my junky bike or trying to convince me to chuck it and get a new one or anything, so that was cool. As I was leaving, I remembered I wanted to get a trunk rack for my bike as well, so I picked that up. Probably could have gotten it cheaper online on something, but the guy also looked over my bike and the rack and told me how best to attach it, which probably wouldn't have worked out so well had I bought online, so plus marks for that. I also asked about getting my derailers adjusted, and the price for that isn't outrageous, so I might go ahead, since that can be a serious pain as well. So, helpful service, even when you're buying cheap stuff and aren't an avid cyclist. Also, there's plenty of space to lock your bike up outside, shockingly. read more

I give out very few 5 ratings, and Devil's Gear totally deserves to be one of the few. I haven't owned a bike in a very long time (we're talking 14 years old with a bright pink Huffy). I took a expert-bike entourage with me, and ended up not needing their support during most of the bike-buying process. Andy was extremely patient and supportive, listening to all of my needs and feedback, and providing detailed answers to my questions. I was able to test-ride three bikes to get a feel for what I wanted. It's all in the details: (+) when I wanted to shop with my friends, Andy graciously left us alone, I received a 10% discount on my bike and accessories (locks, lights, helmet) because I bought a bike, and there are free check-ups for life, including an initial 30-day check-up. I would hands-down recommend this place to friends. read more

I bought my bike from these folks almost seven years ago, and thanks to the free yearly tune-ups one gets when buying a bike there, it's still working today and in pretty good shape. The people who work at The Devil's Gear are for the most part very friendly and helpful. Once or twice I remember entering their store kinda bummed (something was wrong with my bike) and remember leaving with improved spirits, largely just because the people there were so nice. They all seem like total bike geeks, which I guess is a good thing for a bike shop. I haven't done much research on the cost of bikes, but quality bikes are not cheap. If you want to buy something with a low price tag because you won't be using it very much, or don't have a secure location to lock up and store your bike (bike theft is pretty common in New Haven), you might want to consider just getting some junky Walmart or Target bike. However, if you're looking for a solid, self-powered, two-wheeled vehicle you should consider The Devil's Gear. Some final tips for if you're getting a tune-up. Note that in the spring (May, June) they are fairly busy, so if you wait till then you might not be able to get an appointment for several weeks. Consider either going during a different time of year or reserving an appointment far in advance. Also, they require you bring your bike in when making an appointment, which is kind of a pain, as that means you'll need to got there once to make the appointment, again to drop off the bike for your appointment, and then a final time to pick it up. If you go during a not-so-busy part of the year, you can just go there, make an appointment, and they'll store your bike there until the appointment date. You can call beforehand and ask when there next available appointments are - you just can't reserve it without going there in person. read more

Friendly knowledgable staff and host of many local bicycle events. Good selection of new and used bikes and accessories. I have purchased items from them several times and never had any problems. I only give 3 stars because I stopped in one day needing a small screw I lost, and unfortunately they couldn't find one. I road a couple of blocks to stop at another shop on College Street and was quickly helped. They had it and even replaced it all free of charge. read more

I moved to New Haven knowing I wanted to buy a new fixed gear bike but not much else than that. I checked out another shop that catered more to the road cycling crowd. I stopped by the Devil's Gear on my way back home and chatted with a staffer for a bit, road a bike and then told him I was going to go home and sleep on it and he said that was fine by him. I ended up coming back the next day to buy the bike. Since then I've been back on countless occasions for new components, basic maintenance questions and for some biking gear. Every trip I've been greeted quickly, made sure I was being helped and given sincere advise. I came in ready to purchase $300 worth of new components and was instead led to some used pieces to try out and ended up spending $50 including installation on the spot. These guys are knowledgeable and nice to boot. They have a good amount of selection for the roadies and are the only shop in town for the fixed gear/singlespeed/commuter crowd. I definitely recommend stopping by for your biking needs. read more

The Devil's Gear is a New Haven institution. The owner, Matt Feiner, is a wonderful and kind fellow who loves inspiring people to ride their bikes. I've had good experiences with the employees and none of the stereotypical bike shop attitude. The shop does a lot to support the local cycling community, such as bike-to-work breakfasts, weekend shop rides, maintenance clinics, and working with amateur teams. They're great for all manner of experience levels from complete newbies to seasoned racers and carry a wide range of bikes in most disciplines. read more

I wanted to like Devil's Gear, but ultimately the frustration of inadequate inventory and mediocre customer service ruined this place for me. It seems odd for a shop to have so many bikes for sale, but such a small (missing some of the basics) range of parts available. These guys might be good at wrenching, but I wouldn't know. It's cool that they sell refurbished bikes, but I would hesitate to buy one here.... read more

Awesome collections of bike and bike repairs. MJF is the the best!

We bought a used bike late in the summer from Devil's Gear that didn't work out very well for us. We returned the following spring and were disappointed with an initial attempt to trade it in for something that was a better fit for our bike rides. We were able to talk with the store manager following that second visit, and he made us a great offer that showed how much the store stands behind the bikes they sell and that they want people to enjoy cycling. I was also briefly in touch with the owner who just wanted to make sure we got everything straightened out. Great job Devil's Gear! http://thetorg.com/ read more

Great people to deal with. I live a ways from New Haven, and they were able to arrange it so I could leave the bike with them in the morning and pick it up all fixed the same day. No need for a return trip. Also, they fixed some problems with my bike that had been bothering me for years, despite bringing it in to other places. read more

Went in to get my tire repaired. Guy looked over the bike and told me all the things I should look for, fixed the tire no problem, and warned me about a couple things that might go wrong without maintenance at some point but didn't try to push me into doing the repairs then. Also oiled the chain and gave my bike 2 thumbs up. All for a very reasonable price. All in all, honest, knowledgeable, friendly, funny... you will never go to another bike shop. This place rocks! Thank you, I'll be back!! read more

Had a great experience today at the Devils Gear. I walked in and was greeted promptly by Greg who hooked me up with a gear tune up on a road bike I had bought off Craigslist. He charged way less than I thought it was gonna be. I will definitely be going back there for all my bike shop needs. read more

I visited most of the shops in town and perused CL endlessly when I moved to NH. As it turns out a few of the CL bikes were hot (yikes! Bad karma!) and the people at other shops weren't that friendly. As for me, my bike is a major part of my lifestyle- so after much research, I decided to buy a new bike (my first!) at Devil's Gear. I visited the shop several times before I bought her and was always treated very well by the staff. Since purchasing my bike, I have been back with minor needs and the staff can be counted on to provide great friendly service. read more

I went in last week after they'd been mobbed by back-to-college kids, so they didn't have any bikes that would fit me in my price range. The guy I dealt with was really apologetic about the situation. Don't try to buy a bike during the last week of August! I went back in today and they had the exact bike I wanted. The same guy spent a lot of time telling me about specific features of the bike. Because the bike had quick-release everything, he sold me a kit to replace those mechanisms and offered to do it while I waited. He also volunteered to install the holder for my new U-lock. The accessories were all 10% off because I was buying a bike. The whole experience was really relaxed and there was no up-selling pressure. I'm told I can go back within the month for a free tune up, and I can also get a tune up in a year. I've only been riding the bike for a day, but I'm very happy with it and the service I received. read more

The Devil's Gear has taken off in the past few years having moved to downtown from the Woosta Square Area. The staff are well trained and very professional. The quality of the merchandise is top notch and constantly changing to keep up with the industry leaders. The prices can be on the pricey side for bike shops, but you're buying into a well maintained shop with high quality staff and components. If you want a tune-up your best bet is to give the shop a call to schedule one, to minimize your time without you bike. If your bike isn't working properly, stop in, anytime and they'll give you a diagnosis pretty quickly and will fix it on the spot if they can or schedule an appt if its in need of something more serious. With the new space, they have many more replacement parts in stock than in the past and will get you on your way as fast as possible. Great place for helmets, clothing, lights, tubes, tires and all the other accessories you'll ever need, and oh yeah, a HUGE selection of bikes ready to roll out the door; Road, MTB, Cross, Cruiser, from entry level rider to high end racer. The display of Penny Bikes in Pitkin plaza adds a touch of class to the joint for sure and makes it a pretty iconic place. read more

Went there to shop for a bike. Most of the team members were haughty, kind of laughing about you. Look at you to quickly size you, and offer bikes they have on shelves... That I can do myself online, thank you! My idea of a professional bike shop is: 1 Asking questions about bike needs and budget 2 Take the measurements to find the best frame (not necessarily on shelves) 3 Fit the bike to the person Sad that none of the bike stores around New Haven offer such basic service! read more

Devil's Gear Bike Shop has been my local bike shop since 2004, at three different locations as the shop has grown and become an integral and active part of the fabric of New Haven culture. Our family is bought four bicycles there -- a Fuji hybrid that got me started riding again, a romantic Schwinn tandem, a folding Dahon, and a Madsen cargo bicycle with seat belts in the back for four kids! Each bike was great, inexpensive, and a pleasure to shop for and buy. My hobby is reconditioning and rebuilding old bikes and DGBS has really shone as a resource. They've built an old Ayala frame up into an internal hub 5 speed for my father (to replace a bike I lost of his as a teenager decades before), sourced Xtracycle parts to convert my Fuji into a cargo bike, helped me convert an old trek into a SSCX bike for Cheshire Cross, built a new wheel for a rusty Panasonic for a century ride, helped prep various touring bikes for major tours including DC to Pittsburgh this summer... the list goes on. There is some real technical creativity and deep knowledge behind the counters at the shop. Then there are the rides -- art rides, night rides, mellow group rides, more intense but still friendly group rides, volunteer tech support at the Closer To Free charity ride, a gentle CritMas every month, women's rides (and repair clinics)... The shop has a very friendly vibe. I've seen customers of all sorts come in, and the staff really effectively adjusts their approach to suit the level of knowledge and needs of the customer -- not to upsell or pressure, but to serve in the best sense. The staff is genuinely stoked about your rig and the ride you just took or are planning. It's like cheers but with bicycles instead of beer. Bike shops are often special places, and DGBS is a shining example of the best of what a bike shop can be. If you're in or around New Haven, definitely drop in. read more

THE bike shop in New Haven. Repairs and events, anything in biking generally emanates from here. read more

This is a great bike shop with super-friendly staff. Anytime I've had bike issues, Devil's Gear is able to quickly diagnose the problem and offer a reasonable price and timeframe for fixing it. Best of all, the staff always give you an in-depth take on what the issue is; they go out of their way to make sure you know what's going on. I can't tell you how refreshing this is, especially compared to the world of shady car mechanics (one day I'll give up my car entirely). While Devil's Gear has great service prices, their prices on bike supplies and gear are pretty high, which is why I'm docking them a star. I guess they have to make their margins somewhere. read more

Devil's Gear is hands down the best bike shop I've ever been to. The staff there are very knowledgable, friendly, and most importantly love what they are doing. On two separate occasions I had a staff member work on my bicycle while it was their day off. I've never felt like I've been pushed to buy unnecessary items and many times have given me deals on various parts and repairs. To put it plainly, the Devil's Gear is the bike shop I've always wanted to have in my neighborhood. They take all the positive aspects of bicycle culture and promote it to the community. As long as I am in New Haven I will be going to the Devil's Gear. read more

All the people at this shop were friendly and helpful! My wife and I rented bikes from Johnny and he was helpful and informative. We got a flat with one bike and returned it and they gave us a new one right away so we could continue our journey. Very cool and easy to deal with. Thanks guys! Lisa and ty read more

Every time I go here I am treated so nicely, and always pay such a reasonable price, that I have a hard time going to any other bike shop. I'll go far out of my way to bring my bikes here for as long as I'm within driving range read more

I like this place. They are knowledgeable and helpful. I needed some work for my bike and they were so friendly. I left the store with that feeling I finally got the right place to take care of my bike . read more

I highly recommend Devil's Gear. The staff are extremely accommodating. Their service is superb and reasonably priced.

I've been here many times with my big box-purchased cheapo bike, and have received prompt, courteous service every single time. (The first time I had trouble with my bike I made the mistake of taking it to their competitor where I got the service I needed, but with a little dose of attitude for having a cheap bike and a hard sell for a "tune-up".) Each time I have been to Devil's Gear they've gone out of their way to explain what repairs they are doing, why, and how much I would expect to pay before doing anything. They've also offered me options so I can pick what I can afford (new vs. used part, patch vs. replacement, etc.) Very fair prices and excellent service. I'll definitely continue to be a customer here. read more

I went to three bike stores today and Devil's Gear blew them all of out the water! Cassandra was the employee who helped me find my bike. She spent over an hour with me showing me different bikes and couldn't have been more knowledgable about their individual qualities. They didn't have the bike I wanted in the size I needed but they were more than happy to order and construct it for me. Amazing team over there. I highly recommend. read more

Second time I go there, wait by the counter with my gf, stare at the people there while they completely ignore us for 5 minutes. Go to the bike store on college street. Its smaller but they know how to treat their customers. read more

The Devil's Gear Bike Shop has a tag line on their website that reads, "Turning People into Riders; Riders into Cyclists". When I first met Matt Feiner, the shop's owner, I owned a bicycle. It was nothing more than an old toy that got me around my neighborhood when I was bored. Every time I saw Matt, he was trying to get me out on my bike. He later went to work for Baybrook Bicycle's satellite location on College Street, where I purchased my first mountain bike. I got out and rode a bit, and eventually purchased a second bicycle for my girlfriend. We rode together often, mostly in the woods around the New Haven area. When Matt opened the Devil's Gear, I found myself upgrading parts, riding more, and eventually purchasing more bikes. The more I visited the shop, the more I wanted to ride, until ultimately, I lived 3 years car-free, using the bicycle as my main mode of transportation. I now have a bicycle related tattoo, at least 11 different bikes of all kinds, and wear bike socks under my business suit. I guess you can call me a cyclist. The tag line ain't a joke. The Devil's Gear has ultimately become more than a bike shop. It has become a hub for cyclists in the area, and a starting point for many group rides. Matt is heavily involved in cycling activism, and donates a large portion of his time and money to these causes. The shop itself has everything one needs to get out on two wheels. While they definitely lean towards the "roadie" scene, they offer BMX, Mountain bikes, kids' bikes, off-road strollers, track bikes, lowriders, cruisers, and just about anything else one could think of. The shop is staffed by a menagerie of "bike geeks". They've got the "just started" floor staff, several certified bike mechanics (think ASE technicians at a garage), and one guy who fields trouble shooting calls from bike shops as far away as NYC. These guys have bike grease in their veins. Their prices for goods and bikes are standard for a bike shop, and their labor prices are usually a little under most others. All bikes are double-checked by a second mechanic, and they work with the manufacturers for warranty claims. As long as I live in the area, this will be *my* shop. read more