Golden Saddle Cyclery

Very impressed with the customer service at Golden Saddle. Kyle special ordered two bikes for me and my girlfriend and kept me updated the whole time, shipping, assembly, all this so we could coordinate getting into the shop and test riding. Then we test rode the bikes and he made sure we were absolutely happy with the bikes, adjusting stems, switching handlebars, etc. Couldn’t be happier with the service. Thanks guys!

These guys are always helpful and friendly. Located in the heart of Silver Lake, Golden Saddle replaced a lamp for me at no charge when mine died/didn’t work, no questions asked. They also gave me great advice about pumps, saddles and lights without a hard sell. Love going in this shop because I always know the information will be thorough and correct, but minus the attitude that sometimes accompanies specialty shops like this.

Dilemma: I was at the tail end of my English roadster project when I decided to visit these folks at GSC. I needed to switch out my Flying Pigeon PA-​02 classic free-​wheel into a coaster break conversion. They said it ain’t going to be easy, finding this particular sized rear wheel can be tricky. A week later I received a call from the mechanic, the bike was ready and the work was done. Unfortunately the only set back was the enclosed chain case, it didn’t line up with the new parts involved. Over all I’m pleased with their work, clean and precise, problem solved.

My bad experience: incompetent mechanics. I brought my bike in because the drivetrain (bottom bracket, chainring, cog, chain) was pretty worn out and needed replacing. They did this, but as I started riding, the bike felt kinda odd. After a while I realized that the chainring wasn’t properly attached, and it was shifting around while I rode. So I brought it back and told the mechanic about it — he replied that the chain was probably too loose and tightened it for me. I took it for a ride and, unsurprisingly, the problem was still there. He took it for a ride, then told me that the chainring felt funny (oh really). Turns out the original mechanic had installed it backwards, so it was sliding around. He fixed it and I left.
So, went riding, bike felt more or less fine, until the chain FELL OFF the damn ring while I was riding (in traffic, at high speed — this is not a good experience on a fixie, i.e. is actually very dangerous). On examination, it turns out that the mechanics hadn’t used the chain tensioners on the dropouts (or tightened the axle bolts enough), so the rear wheel had just been sliding backwards, leading to an overly-​loose chain. THEN, when I went to tighten it, I realized that they had installed a chain that was too long, so it was literally impossible to get a proper tension on the chain without the wheel falling out of the dropouts. Thus I spent a greasy morning shortening my chain by a link.
Upshot of all this: the mechanics who work here (at least, the ones I dealt with) are completely incompetent, with screwups on multiple different parts of the bike. Hopefully my bb doesn’t explode tomorrow.

Wow, these guys are cool and super friendly. Called around town to at least a dozen bike repair shops and this one had good prices and great reviews. This one was a little further away, but it had a good vibe. They fixed my bike for cheaper than the other places, did the repair fast and have a lot of useful maintenance pointers. Simple repair? Throw your bike up on the stand outside to tighten your brakes or pump a tire for free!

My experience overall has been superb today. Thanks to fellow Unilocalers, I found a to-​go bike shop within geographical proximity for a pleasant customer service and efficient bike repair services. Stella, a super sweet and gentle in-​house doggy, added to the superb experience. They take credit card too. I wish I had some cash with me for tip. Next time I will definitely bring some cash for their tip jar Thank you, Golden Saddle Cyclery!

I wish I was as hip as the bike that I wanted to buy — bike shops usually intimidate me, but Kyle was super knowledgeable, helpful, and wasn’t pushy at all. I’ve been to a couple places in the hood and was immediately put off, but Golden Saddle was really helpful. Which reminds me, I need to pull the trigger on that bike :)

Brought my bike in to be assembled, they got it done in a day and only charge you a tune up fee of $ 45. Very happy with the speed and price and the guys who work there are very friendly. All in all, great experience. Will definitely go back for any other bike needs I may have in the near future!

Simply a great independent bike shop owned and operated by some of the most experienced and knowledgable people in the game.
No pressure sales. They carry some of the best American made products available.

In my opinion, GSC is pretty much the gold standard from which you should judge a bike store. This is mainly because the owners and staff are top notch cycling enthusiasts with years of experience working with, racing, touring, and getting drunk with all types of bicycles.
Like many others, I became interested in riding and buying bikes due to the great fixed gear boom of 2007. Since then, my interests have evolved and expanded through road and cyclocross, to mountain and touring bikes. I spend all my money on nerdy bike stuff – exactly the type of stuff GSC carries and is interested in.
They don’t stock a million bike models and sizes, but there are too many options out there in the huge world of bicycling to stock enough bicycles (in any store) to properly represent every demographic, and in everybody’s size. Many bike shops specialize in one field (super high end carbon road race bikes, full suspension mountain bikes, or inexpensive but reliable urban commuter bikes, for examples), but none of these stores can help you out with ALL of the styles of bicycle like GSC can, and they will do so even better than the specialty store.
If you’re going to buy a quality bicycle, you should be willing to wait a couple days for them to order you the perfect one for your needs, which you will receive if you respect their advice. This is not the type of place to push last years model on you because they have inventory quotas and need floor space for the new ones – there are no inventory quotas, and there is no floor space. When you go there, the owners are most likely the ones behind the counter or bike stand, not hanging out in a corporate board room with a mountain of cocaine and a half-​dozen high-​priced hookers they can afford because they sold 1,000,000 tarmac sl4’s.
If you consider yourself cycling-​competent, pay this shop a visit and learn some things. If you are new to cycling, go here with an open mind and a full wallet, or some beers or whatever.

I could tell you all about the charm of the shop, and that they did this and that for me, under my particular circumstances — but that won’t necessarily sway you.
What SHOULD sway you, is that you can show up to Golden Saddle knowing the shop is run by guys who genuinely love cycling, the culture of cycling, and the cycling lifestyle.
I drive down from the San Fernando Valley to Silver Lake, because of how great and welcoming this shop is. I’m a MTB guy, and every time I’ve gone in there, people are coming and going with road bikes, fixies, commuters, yet we all seem to receive the same care and attention. This is a far, far cry from many other bike shops I’ve been to, where it’s obvious the guys in the shop really favor one specific type of riding style.
The guys at Golden Saddle will take care of you no matter what you’re riding, no matter how old or new your bike is, and no matter what the price tag on your 2 wheeled ride was. If you’re anywhere in the neighborhood — definitely drop by. You’ll see plenty of stuff that you won’t find anywhere else, like the «big name» bike shops.

I love the feel of the establishment, everyone is willing to help, offer advice and there is no sales pressure. This is now my go to cycle shop.

These guys are the best! They do a great job on tune ups and are always fair about their prices. When I crashed my bike they got it back in good order quickly, and again, kept their price fair. I also had them modify my handlebars and really appreciated how they listened to my needs and worked with me to get it just right. I feel very lucky to have a shop this good right in my neighborhood.

These guys rock. Took my Santa Cruz Mt bike in, which was in terrible shape, and they fixed her up like new. They were super fair with pricing, and honest (insert many smiley face emojis here).

Absolutely love these guys. They always take care of my bike issues, whether its brakes, shifters, or broken spokes. They are quick, I’ve always had luck with same day service, and always a deal in terms of pricing. If you need any maintenance on your bike, take it here already!

Kyle was very straightforward and extremely helpful even though this bike shop didn’t have anything my size and budget…
He gave me some key advice for my next bike purchase.

Now this is a bike shop!
I adore this tiny cyclery which is located in the heart of Silver Lake. The employees are their best asset. First time my boyfriend and I rode in and I wanted a bell and he needed a water bottle cage. Fair prices for top quality products and they will even install (with moderation) the «bells and whistles» if you will, for free!
Also rode in here on Sunday to get a helmet, as my city commuting is totally on the upswing. Safety first! Their selection starts at $ 45 and can go as high as $ 200ish. Like I was saying, this place carries high quality products and with it comes a little extra in the moolah department, but I think it’s worth it. Ended up with a Uvex helmet, priced at $ 60. The polite man behind the register helped me make sure it was the correct fit.
Will definitely return!

The people here are great.
I always bring my bike here for maintenance. Yeah, I should learn how to work on my own bike, but I’m always busy riding, running, and work. Plus, I’m lazy. haha
Back to the point. These guys love bikes. They go above and beyond when it comes to maintenance and pay great attention to detail.

Wow, three phone calls and no one, neither the front sales nor the mechanic at Golden Saddle told me that they’d refuse to take anyone after 5pm today (Sunday). They close at 6pm. My handlebar tape is unfurling, I bought $ 20 tape prior at Golden Saddle and I get there at 5:15pm after calling an hour earlier desperately needing someone to help me, since I’ve epicly failed at doing this myself in the past.
I walk in. The front guy looked hesitant and told me that the mechanic does not take anyone after 5pm. This shocked me as I obviously would have come earlier had I been told this on the phone any of the three times I called. I called first to make sure the mechanic can do this today. He said he could. Second, to make sure I have the materials and whether I should strip the tape. No prob there. Third, price ($ 12).
The mechanic sees me and hesitates and looks frustrated. The first thing he does is argue that I came too late, how he told me to come A LOT earlier (I called at 4pm) and that he can’t help me out today. He kept emphasizing that he told me to come earlier. («I TOLD you to come earlier.») And he did say come as early as possible, but I didn’t realize coming an hour after my phone call would have been too late.
After realizing that having someone angry at me (again: «I TOLD you…») would probably not result in a good handlebar taping, I said I’d go elsewhere and left. I am basically messing up my hands to get to work at Echo Park until I can find someone else who can help me.
Thank you so much on your insistence of enforcing rules I wasn’t aware existed, lack of willingness to help with a simple request and insisting it was my own fault. Fifteen minutes late makes a world of difference here.

I’M OFFICIALLY A BIKE OWNER NOW! F-​word YESS.
So on to the embarrassing part… let me just bare my soul to the internetz… I don’t actually know how to a bike… YET…but I’m obviously trying to fix that now.
My boyfriend has been trying to get me to learn so that we can go on this epic week long ride with his family… and dragged my unwilling ass to the bike shop. I wasn’t that excited about going because it is quite embarrassing to admit to not knowing how to ride a bicycle at 26 years of age. So you have no idea how relieved I was that everyone at the shop was really professional and didn’t make me feel like a retard… which actually makes me feel excited to start. They were a great group of laid-​back dudes who all have a love for cycling and has an encyclopedia of knowledge. The shop is really well-​kept as well– old school fun with a modern twist. I’m happy I popped my bike cherry here.
P. S. Don’t forget to stop by and pet the shop dog! She is a lovely creature.
P. S.S. When I have money to throw away… I’m coming back to buy that $ 100 «my bad» jumbo eraser. I heard Jesus Christ hand crafted that bad boy himself.