Wheelworks Too

Summary: Lackadaisical attitude by the sales staff.
The experience: visited twice in spring 2015, trying to pick up a bike for a 10-​year-​old. First time, a friendly man showed us a pretty decent Trek youth bike but it was right at closing time, so we agreed to come back.
A week later, we went back, and could not for love or money get anyone to give us any attention. The nice man wasn’t there, and after standing around for a while, being ignored by sales staff (they jumped on a couple of new customers who came in after we did), I approached a salesman who was super unhelpful. I said, «So would 24 inch be the right size for her?» and he said, «Whatever fits, is the right size.» After a minute or two of this kind of non-​answer, he suddenly went away with no explanation. I thought maybe he was going to get us a bike or something, but he never came back.
Wondering if more bikes were coming in soon, I approached the guy behind the counter, who was wearing some kind of oxygen mask. His attitude was like, «What do you want?» I felt like saying, «Well, I wanted to buy a bike» but by now I was fed up so we just packed it in and left.
We finally ended up at the Walmart, where we found a cute little girls bike for $ 80. It’s not a Trek, but it’s the right size, right price, in stock, and now we’re all set for a couple of years.
I doubt I’ll be visiting Wheelworks again any time soon. I like to give local shops my business, to help keep them going, and to build a relationship, but these guys at Wheelworks Too seemed as though they DIDN’T WANT my business. They apparently have all the business they can handle, and polite, laid-​back people like me are welcome to go elsewhere. Which we did.

Truth be told, I’ve never actually been to Wheelworks Too, but after today I plan to. I was biking from Arlington Center to Bedford on the Minuteman trail when my bike got a flat tire on the way back. After walking for more than an hour a kind man pulled over and offered to help. He had the bike flipped over and the tire out quick, replacing the tube with a much nicer one. Refusing any payment, David mentioned working here at Wheelworks Too and not only enjoyed bikes, but wanted others too as well. That’s the type of person I would want working on my bike. Clearly I need to buy some tire repair bike equipment. Thanks again David.

I had a great experience today buying my 4-​year-​old son his first Big Boy Bike. The employee who helped us was friendly, knowledgeable, and super helpful. I walked in planning to buy a particular bike and he helped me understand the benefits of another bike that was more appropriate for my son’s age and size. We had the bike picked out, training wheels and bell installed, and helmet fitted in probably 20 minutes. Both employees were great with my son — patient, friendly, and clearly used to young kids. Highly recommended.

Recently, I was in the market for bikes for my young sons. After doing some research, I found the model I wanted. I called around to several bikes shops in the area, checking for availability and prices. Belmont Wheelworks told me they had it in stock at their «Wheelworks Too» location. I called there and they confirmed they had several in stock and quoted a price of $ 180 each.
I drove down and waited patiently until a salesman was free — it turned out to be the employee I spoke with on the phone. He showed me the bikes and they were indeed in stock. But the price was $ 190. I asked about the price and he told me that it wasn’t his fault — someone else in the store told him it was $ 180 — he didn’t check it himself. He refused to honor the quoted price, instead telling me how little money they made on these bikes (uh huh) and how there was no wiggle room. He continued telling me stories of other customers that tried to haggle and what a waste of time it was. I pointed out that I wasn’t haggling — just asking him to honor the quoted price after driving well out of my way to their location. He refused and didn’t even offer an apology for my wasted trip.
Terrible experience, terrible service and a waste of time&gas. I recommend avoiding this shop and pick one of the many others in the greater boston area.

I went there initially to try out a modified recumbent bike for my special needs son. The staff was wonderful to work with and very knowledgeable. I ordered a newer model of the same bike through them. The turn around time took just a few days. Returned with my son. They did a great job working with him and fitting him to his new bike, which he loves. No complaints from us. I don’t see how it could have gone better. Of the shops I had called, they were the most accommodating from the start.
The bike I initially tried out was at Wheelworks Too. The new one I ordered I picked up through there, then took it around the corner to Wheelworks where they adjusted it for my son.

Damn! Took my son in here to buy a toddler bike helmet and was met by the snarkiest two sales reps ever. This is a critical piece of safety equipment for any child, and having people working there who cannot even be bothered to point out the helmets that are the right size is beyond bad service and into the realm of unethical conduct.
Worse, three out of the five helmets in the brand we finally chose had a manufacturing defect (a bent composite rear strap) that made it impossible to place the helmet low and tight on his head. After we had allowed him to pick his own color (blue), and went to fit it on his head so he could wear it home, we discovered the defect. When my wife went in to exchange the helmet for a non-​defective one, she saw the sales rep put the defective blue helmet, plus the two other defective ones, back on the sales rack. Ummmmm, no.
Advertising this place for children is deceptive and just wrong. Do not bring your kids here, if you want them to be safe and happy on the road!

I have been to Wheelworks and Wheelworks Too at least 3 times in the past few months looking for a used roadbike. On this last visit, the guy working pulled me over to the computer and told me to buy a bike on ebay. He then went on to show me the bikes on ebay. Then he showed me one of the used ones and told me that I don’t need it. Good way to pick up a customer. I have bought a bike here before… but probably never again. I’m going to cycleloft from now on.

i just had an unfortunate experience with someone on the phone there. i was given the run-​around from all three wheelworks stores about whether they had a particular item in stock. however the employees at the other two stores were at least extremely friendly and cordial. when i was directed to call the wheelworks too store, the person i spoke with was rude and combative when i expressed confusion over being tossed around each store location only to find that none of them had the item i was looking for.
i know retail can be difficult and exasperating most of the time, as someone who works retail myself. but this experience left me never wanting to do business with wheelworks employees again.

I got a really good deal on a mountain bike here. Granted, I’m small and don’t ride the most common size of bike. But I got last year’s model, brand new, for about half off. That’s what I went for, a deal. And I don’t really like being talked down to by «bike dudes» so the lack of service was a bonus to me. It was a Saturday when I went and it was rather busy, but not as bad as the main Belmont Wheeworks around the corner. I did a few laps around the (small) space and found a few finalists, then I wrangled one of the bike dudes and made him retrieve my bike. Yeah, he was kind of a tool, but that’s not exactly a shocker. He works at a bike shop. I went for a few test rides and found my cute little badass disc brake ride. I’d go back. They had some decent deals on road bikes too, but I’m not rich enough for one of those yet.

So at the recommendation of a number of people that I know I decided to make the trek out to Wheelworks Too to get an idea of the great deals that they have. I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the location. It really is a nice area to visit. The store on the other hand was a not so pleasant. When I walked in I was greeted and I was pleased with that but the employee gave me the impression that he was mad that he was helping me. I was hoping for a good selection of used bikes at reasonable prices and I found neither. their used selection was sparse and overpriced.
I decided to give them a through once over and picked through the new bike offerings. I did not get any further «assistance» as I browsed. Some of the models that they have are at an ok price. They are a good option to consider if you want a good bike and also want to get a small discount. From what I noticed you shouldn’t expect any great deals. I would not recommend this store to most people as you can go to a regular store, get the variety that you need and get proper service.
The straight-​Old model bikes and a couple that are used.
What’s good-​nice area and good variety in discontinued models.
The slap-​overpriced used bikes. Poor service and just not worth it.