Bike Religion

Beware of the upswell!
Took my bike for a loose dérailleur fix. Right off the bat, the guy tells me «you need to replace the break pads» (irrelevant to the problem). I explicitly say «I’ll think about that but now I just wanna fix the dérailleur.» He looks at it and says «there’s a good chance it’ll need the replaced.» I ask for how much? He answers «probably more than a hundred dollars.» Whoa! I bought the bike a year ago brand new for $ 200! He says «yea these bikes are not designed to be ridden daily to campus. Not durable enough.» (It’s a mountain bike designed to handle rugged terrain yet somehow can’t handle a 2-​mile flat road). He then says «you can get one of your bikes for $ 350, you get lifetime free tune-​up service.»
By that time I was pretty sure this was an uncreative upselling attempt. I say «well let’s try to fix the dérailleur for now.» He says «sure give me a couple hours and I’ll call you to tell you if it can or can’t be fixed.» This was at 10am, their opening time.
The day passes. At noon the NEXT DAY, I get a voicemail «your bike is ready.» I head over there and same guy tells me the dérailleur was fixable, «and I also replaced the break pads.» I ask why?! He answers «they were worn out» (they were ok) «and then I couldn’t put the old ones back again anyway» (who needs to remove the breaks for fixing a loose dérailleur!). I realize it’s too late to argue and just accept it reluctantly. He rings me up, and total (after student discount) is $ 120!
Are you kidding me? Promising to call and not calling, promising «couple hours» but taking 24 hours, and then installing parts I explicitly said I don’t want, and then charging $ 120 as a result!
For a shop whose market is predominantly college students to «trick» its customers into buying parts and services by inconveniencing them is flat out irresponsible, if not unethical. Definitely never going back there.

As the reviews written before: they always try to sell you very expensive stuff. I went there to change my tires because they are old and one was flat; they told me to change my bike that it is not worth to change only the tires and they have a bike they were trying to sell at the incredible price of 300 $! Such lucky I am! Obviously I asked only to change my tires at the stellar price of 85 $. I had my bike on the road, but I will not come back because they have incredibly high price and they always try to sell things you do not need!

They were really nice and helpful. We were looking for a bike to get our friend because his was stolen. So they gave us a discount and gave us the bike lock on the house! They also helped us pick out a bike because we knew nothing about bike models.

I just got a bike from this place today, and could not have felt more comfortable after making a purchase. Given that you saved up money to invest in a great bike, you will not be disappointed by the sales prices they have here nor by their expertise. I was flat out told that the more expensive bike that I was thinking of getting would be overkill for my needs and was given a good deal on the one that I bought. They also give you free tune-​ups if you purchase a bike from the shop. All in all it’s worth the check out and at least a time investment!

[x-​posting from my review for this place on G+]
Went here for the first time today, and boy i felt super comfortable about this place. The staff here was super friendly and made a real effort to understand what my bike needed in terms of tuning and maintenance. Their turn around time for some minor fixes and tuning was close to 90mins, but that was with 2 – 3 other service orders ahead of mine — more importantly, i did not have leave the bike overnight. And it is super close to the (UCI) campus, which makes like easy for me in general.

I live on the Westside of Los Angeles & often do long Southbound rides along Highway 1. Whenever I do, I make sure to stop by Bike Religion. They have great products & a knowledgeable staff as well as a café with tons of tasty riding treats. If you live in or ride through Dana Point, I highly recommend Bike Religion as a good place to go for your cycling needs/​wants.

Bike Religion at this location is out to discourage «poor» college students from riding bicycles because of the intentional overpriced service charges, long waits, and unsolicited hustle to trick you into buying unreasonably priced parts. If left unchecked, these negative aspects will spread and reflect poorly on the friendly cycling community. Luckily, there’s an easy cure: Just stop by for the free air and leave or if talked into getting expensive services or parts, simply say «Thanks, but NO,» and leave.
If I were the UCI chancellor, I would kick out Bike Religion and give the location to a student run club or UCI transportation. In this ideal scenario, we’d have volunteers or work-​study paid students overseeing the shop. Parts will cost at they should and services would be nominal with an option of DYI using the shop’s tools.
Advices and instructions on how to fix bikes should and would always be free of charge or maybe cost a token of gratitude. For example, a typical conversation should be «here, let me show you how to fix a flat, pump a tire, lube your chain, you can use this tool etc…» instead of «we can fix the problems for you, but we need all your $$$$ and you can wait forever until your bike is ready.»
Honestly, most students just want to get from point A to point B to them their bikes at college are most likely their temporary bikes. Some will never touch a bike again after graduation or some will go on and continue enjoying cycling as a sport. For those that do, their college bikes are akin to a beat-​up car where they can easily learn and take a wrench at it. It’s OK to own a bike-​shaped objects (like the reviewer mentioned) if you don’t push the limit of your objects (going rough roads, jumping pavements, high speed etc). My first bike was $ 50 and it got me from A to B no problem.
It is true that Bike Religion is a private entity functioning at the heart of a public institution. Its focus should be on revenue but I wish there’s also an emphasis on encouraging and enabling cycling as a recreation and as a sport by being a fair and square dealership.
If you ride a bike, invest in some basic tools ($ 30 most) to pump your bike, lube your chain, and fix a flat. Above that or your comfort level, there are several fantastic bike shops, a short drive away, in costa mesa or if you can’t drive call freshbikes and they’ll come to you. Whatever the choice, you’d probably be much happier and still «richer» if you fall for the false allure of Bike Religion.
*****My own experience with Bike Religion was so ominously similar to the other 1,2-star reviews so there wasn’t a need to dwell into the details********

So here goes my first review that is a non-​five star review. I came in to this bike shop on campus looking to get a break adjustment on a rainy day (low bike traffic).
1. I did not expect the almost half an hour wait and was not told that there would be a wait time at all, and there was only one customer in the shop when there were two employees. (I think of myself as a very patient person and Very courteous)
2. During the time they had me hanging I had told them that I am a new cyclist and it seems they were working at a very slow pace, well, one of them was, while the other seemed like he wasn’t doing anything at all except come out every once in a while to tell me that I needed to change my gears because they had signs of «stretch» or that I would need to change other things if I didn’t do so. He kept trying to sell me new gears and I kept saying I only needed the breaks adjusted.
3. I don’t want to seem like a conspiracy theorist but my fiancé had been using the bike for a week before me and I used it for a good three or four days just fine. However after visiting the bike shop and having them push on changing my «half usable» gears and trying to sell me a bunch of other things, I peddled for three or four minutes clicked the button to change gears and the chain fell off! Coincidence? Maybe. Maybe they just really saw it coming really soon!
4. The reason I gave this shop two stars instead of one is because after waiting for a half an hour I mentioned that my class starts in 10 minutes and they asked the other customer if I could skip ahead of him to get me going, but only after asking me to leave my bike at the shop (and i refused because adjusting the breaks should not take more than a couple of minutes) I think they realized that I could’ve been gone with no return, and ten dollars in the hand is better than any in the bush.
5. I think charging 10 bucks for one front break adjustment is overpriced.
Fixing a bike is not rocket science, if it’s a minor thing youtube-​it otherwise keep an eye out for what they do with your bike and don’t buy anything unless you believe you have to.
UPDATE:
I want to mention that I just fixed my gear and chain, fixed the bike lock mount (which they pointed out was loose but couldn’t bother screwing it on), and switched the front wheel around to it’s correct orientation with a regular allen key (hexagonal screw driver) which they also pointed out had to be fixed but told me it needed a «special key that should have come with the bike and uniquely manufactured for it»!!! This says they were either lazy, looking for an extra $$$ out of me, or just simply didn’t know what they were doing… Either way they won’t see me again :)

I went in the other day and this one employee I believe his name was Jake went above and beyond to help me out. I’ll be going back the next time I need a bike repair or new parts.

I highly recommend this place for bicyclists in the UCI area. It’s very low key but the employees are friendly and know their way around a bike.

I went there to check how much would cost to fix my bike basket and they fixed it for free. Awesome service and sympathy. I definitely recommend for those who need quick service near UCI campus.

Mike and friends are great. Went ahead and fixed the retention on my bike for free and gave me a lot of advice. I would highly recommend going to see these guys

I came in with a wobbly wheel. Ardy spent time teaching me how to fix it myself, which is great because now I can repair this on my own rather than depend on the bike shop. All around awesome crew, super cheery, always want to help out. Thanks!

Very convenient shop for getting bike service at UCI. Upfront diagnostics, price quotes, and options. Usually same day service or within 48 hours. I’ve been cycling around UCI for 3 years, and I’ve consistently been satisfied with BR’s service. Pricing for service and maintenance parts (tubes, chains, gears, cables) is about the same as other bike shops at least as far as Torrence in my experience. The pump is always available for free for anyone who rides up. Great shop!

Let’s settle a few things about riding a bike before we get into the details about how Bike Religion run’s it’s shop at the UC Irvine campus. Just to be clear I am a avid mountain biker (Aka, «Captain Crunch» for my gears and chain always needing a replacement), bike tourer and I use my bike as a daily commuter. So not only do I ride bikes, but I can fix them too.
There are two key issues I want to bring up that I think a lot of the reviews on here could address.
#1: Bikes cost money. Just like cars, your stomach, and beer, your humble mode of transportation costs money. I am not talking about the initial price you paid for it, or the cost to fix that flat when you ran over a thorn. I am talking about the general wear and tear from the chain, gears, brakes, etc. wearing down. It is estimated bikes cost 10 cents per mile. This adds up, just do the math on your campus runs, and you’ll see money needs to be invested to keep your bike running. Don’t believe this? Try googling: «Cost of riding a bike», plenty of resources available to back this statement I am making.
and now to the second issue;
#2: Beware of «Bike Shaped Objects» (
). The collective wisdom has developed a term for objects that look like bikes, feel like bikes, and cost way less than a bike should. They are not a good investment for purchasing, repairing or riding. Let’s break down each of these.
Investment: When you buy a bike you are investing in YOU! Not only will you experience bliss from riding a bike, your body will thank you for your healthy and active lifestyle, and your planet will thank you for your environmentally friendly mode of transport! It’s not something to skimp out on.
Repair: Bicycle repairs are an inevitable part of riding a bike. However with Bike Shaped Objects, repairs become difficult or impossible due to low grade components which rust and stop functioning within 6 months to 1 year. Making these work again, makes a new component (ie. dérailleur) the only option. It then follows that the cost of a new component or two costs more than the value of the bike.
Riding: I have ridden Bike Shaped Objects for my bike commute when I was trying to help a friend fix up their bike. I didn’t feel safe riding in a Class II bike lane (not to mention taking a lane) and made me realize the importance of a bike with proper gears that are reliable, brakes that stop quickly and a seat heigh that allows for comfort and visibility. It’s unfortunate to see so many of these Bike Shaped Objects sold in the US, but made overseas. They are a result of large department stores reaping profits off unknowledgeable bike consumers.
As a brief tangent, Pure Fix Cycles (based in LA) has tried to combat this problem of cheap bikes ending up in landfills. They offer a simple single speed hip bike, that works, is safe and will last like it should. Sure it’s more expensive than those department store bikes, but it’s actually a bike!
I too used to shy away from having my bike worked on by mechanics because of the high cost of the labor for something I did not think was that hard to do. One day, I decided to take matters into my own hands and learn how to work on my bike. I exchanged a few hours of youtube videos and online reading to tweak my bike components to function properly. Now I mainly use Bike Religion for tubes, parts, patches, chains and other items I need quickly. I don’t mind keeping my money local if I can get some tips and tricks on the latest bike technology or advice to keep my bike running smoothly.
The guys at Bike Religion do care and know about bikes. The remind of that Seinfeld when he visits the Car Mechanic (
). Bikes do need maintenance and proper work done and it costs money. The guys at bike religion want to keep your bike running so you don’t have to see them again for a while. And yes, flats happen and you will need to fix them. One issue with flats is that they maybe caused by the inside of the rim rather than something on the outside of the tire. A sure way to prevent this is with a strip of Velox rim tape. I 100% believe in this stuff for every bike I have and Bike Religion encourages this for bikes that need it. This saves people money in the long run.
My advice is to own a bike you don’t mind putting $ 308/​yr (if you googled the cost of riding a bike, that’s what you would have gotten), and enjoy every mile you use it!
Thanks for reading!
Oh, and don’t forget to buy a quality lock that is about 10% the value of your bike. I know it’s Irvine, but bikes still get stolen!

This place is a shit stain. The prices are offensive and the employees are bougie ass squares.
I took my $ 200 bike to get some new tubes and a new chain. Nothing special. I’m not the type of spandex-​wearing muhfucka who takes his shit too seriously. I just need to get from point A to point B.
When I get there the dude tells me that, in addition to the tubes and chain, I need new brake pads and new tires too. He quotes me at $ 295. I told the guy, «dude my entire bike cost less than that.» To which he replied, «we don’t sell cheap stuff here.» I said, «well how much for just the tubes and the chain?» He told me he couldn’t just sell me those. Well, he said he could sell them to me, but he refused to put them on my bike for me. I started to get heated. At first, I thought the guy might be decent, but now I could tell he was one of those dudes who prbly wears his spandex bike shorts to the mall and orders kale salad and a pink lemonade at restaurants. I said «why can’t you just put the tubes and the chain on, I will literally pay to do it.» He said he wouldn’t because I needed to buy new tires from him, too.
Idk why the lame thought he was my dad or something, telling me what I need to buy and shit, but I wasn’t having it. I walked away. He also compared my bike to the junk bike structure in front of the store. The guy was a tool and his store blows.

Part prices are generally fair. (Though you could save a few dollars using eBay or Amazon) However the employees aren’t very helpful. I called ahead once and was quoted a price for servicing. I then rode over and was quoted a much higher price. It felt very unprofessional.
A few other bike shops close by have much cheaper prices. So if you have a car or a friend with one you are probably better of getting your bike serviced elsewhere.

Knowledge is one thing, but being indirectly offending and implementing some sort of authority complex on the customer is another. I was coerced into buying their materials in order to get just a flat tire replaced (will not replace materials unless purchased from their store). They also were insulting my choice of bike saying it was cheap and basically junk compared to their quality bikes. They indeed only have business probably because they are the only store near the campus. Sad. Face.

Do not go there for buying a bike or any assembly or maintenance, here is simple why. I bought my bike from amazon at a price of 199 $ and they want 240 $ for making the assemble and fine tune. Oh wait here my friend the story just began. I drove 3 miles from there and with a student discount I assembled and fine tuned the bike for 40 $ to another store. If you are rich and you want to give your money to these scams please be my guest otherwise protect your rights and break this monopoly that they are using because of being near campus and their thinking that students have to buy from them.

What I appreciate about this bike shop is they get the job done by the end of the day. Tune-​up, chain replacement, new back cog installation, you name it.
That said. I don’t like how they are always trying to sell me on more expensive equipment and the fact that their prices are way too high for being on a college campus.