Joe Bike

Awesome locally owned shop who went out of their way to help me quickly, kindly, and with in my meager budget. Also I got to pet dogs.

My internal rear hub failed me. I didn’t know who to turn to. Duane was knowledgable, provided some great advice, and easily replaced my hub in a few days! He knows what he is doing and I will be looking to him for all future service and repair.

Joe Bike is an awesome store. I recently took proud ownership of a Powder Blue Spot Brand Rallye SS belt drive bike in size 50. Originally, I put in my online order for the orange in size 50, but Joe promptly contacted me that it was not available. He gave me several options and I decided to take the plunge and order the powder blue version. Joe and company were gracious to email me updates regarding estimated time of delivery. After a couple of months, I received the word that they were building the bike. Awesome customer service! I am glad there are still companies out there that deliver top notch service! Thanks Joe!!!

I just bought an old bike. These guys gave it a thorough look and made some adjustments on it. They told me what to be aware of with older bikes and explained what repairs /​replacements might be needed in the future. I am a bike novice and felt like I left the store armed with information and a well-​tuned bike.

Continually impressed by the staff at this shop. They care about bikes and their passion shows. Super convenient since they’re on Lincoln, a heavily biked thoroughfare between Hawthorne and Division. The service is top-​rate and I come here anytime I stumped with something and need help, or just need a small part.

Great little spot with good customer service. Fixed a flat in no time, gave great advice, and the whole process was comfortable overall.

I should have given Joe Bike a five star review when I first bought a family bike there 3 years ago. They were awesome then, they are awesomer now.
The frame on my bike cracked and Joe handled everything just as you would hope — sending it off to the manufacturer, ensuring it was covered by their warranty (it was), secured a new frame even though the bike was out of production, texted me with updates, and got it all assembled and us back on the road.
It’s one thing to sell great bikes (Joe does) and it’s another to stand behind them three years later. Joe does that too. Highly recommended.

I don’t write a lot of reviews, mostly because most places aren’t amazing or terrible enough for me to care.
This place is a welcome exception, it’s FANTASTIC. I’ve owned and worked on my own bike since I was 13, and I’ve been to a lot of bike stores. This is one of very few stores that wants to work with me. They’re helpful, amiable and give fair prices– which is why I keep coming back. I’ve been to other bike stores where the condescending tone is palpable, the guys at this store are the most laid back and wonderful employees I’ve met in a while.
If you need bike work or bike parts go here first. Seriously ¹¹⁄₁₀ on the service.

Joe Bike found and built my dream commuter bike. They were able to locate the bike that I wanted, which was out of stock, build it up and customize it. I am in Seattle, so they dropped it off at the PDX train station and it magically arrived in Seattle. I was able to put the pedals on, adjust the seat and ride away! Amtrak will take care of the packaging for you. Thanks Team Joe Bike!

I had a great experience at Joe Bike today after a minor mechanical cut my ride short. They got a shifter cable replaced at a very reasonable price and in a short time. While waiting I found a great bell for my daughter. I’ll be going there more often! It’s so good I had to download the Unilocal app

Although I did not buy my bike here, Joe Bike was instrumental in making me feel comfortable with purchasing a new and «spendier bike» than I normally would have. Same for my partner, who fully intended on buying a Surley Disc Trucker at this shop, but something just didn’t feel right about it. So Chris who works here, in his great knowledge, was able to recommend three other bikes that would suit my partner’s needs. We would have walked out with the Salsa Vaya 3, but unfortunately they did not have the right size and with the pier strikes and whatnot going on right now, none of the bike shops can guarantee shipments of new bikes til July.
We spent 3 hours trying out bikes, Chris readjusting them over and over for us trying to find a perfect fit (which he did!) These guys don’t work for commission so they lose nothing if we walk away and buy elsewhere. Their philosophy and style is phenomenally executed. I’ll be visiting them in the future, no doubt about it.
A really nice perk is the location. It’s the perfect spot to test ride a bike (or four or five) since there are shareways and Mt Tabor right by it!

I wanted to like this bike shop, because it’s closest to my house and right on my bike route. Unfortunately, they have poor quality control, and lack basic experience.
I wanted a back rack, rear basket, and back light installed, and the handlebar angle changed.
1) They mounted the basket way too close to my bike seat — aren’t I paying them to know something this basic?
2) The rack was installed without washers – so that through time, I’ve had to replace every single nut/​bolt. I’m only riding on pavement — no mountain biking, hills or jumps — I can’t believe they don’t know how to keep a rack on a bike. I’ve had numerous racks and never had this problem.
3) The light they sold me is an odd fit for the rack — it has to sit askew, is really hard to take on and off to recharge, and a piece of it has already broken off.
4) They forgot to adjust the handlebars for me.
5) Their 2 hour estimate turned into 3 hours.
I think the senior mechanics need to check the work of the newbies, at a minimum.
The other reason I went to this store was to try and support independent bike shops. However, I started taking my business to the 2 chain bike stores near my work and house, and have been very pleased w/​the work and customer service.

This is very hard to write as I am going to present an accurate picture of what I went through to have a Custom Bike made by Joe Bike aside from the jewel that I received. It was the process that made the experience terrible not the end product. What I’m going to present is just the tip of the Ice Berg in a 9 week docu-​drama of upsets from the Customer Service Side of the Equation.
I know that the people at Joe Bike are well intended, are passionate about Bikes and Bike building but yet, lack the sophistication to deal with people who expect exactitude and nothing less than great or excellent customer service. This I did not receive and yet, I promised Joe to tender him 5 Stars. You can read my review with a grain of salt or take it at face value. Ultimately the choice is yours. Here goes:
«Listen. I’m either a Narcissist or a Solipsist but the fact of the matter is… is that I’ve got two months of work, oversight, frustration and almost ripping someone’s head off upset over the design and manufacturing of my new Bike.
When it came in yesterday and I took it to Patrick of Wheelman Bikes just south of my Fortress of Solitude in Gardena, the Bike was in the 90 percentile, which for me is an near failure given what I paid for the Bike. Again and for the last time Tess who informed me AFTER THE FACT that there was a problem with the Brakes which she told me in an eMail after it arrived in Los Angeles via Amtrak Express. After the fact?
After Patrick made the proper adjustments so the Brakes were actually usable and not a hazard waiting to happen, I took the new object of my affection out for its first ride and I was severely let down… damned near disappointed and so angry with myself and blaming nobody else BUT ME that I actually pondered selling the Bike at a loss.
Fact of the matter is that I scored an ‘A’ in Design, Components and Color and a ‘D’ in Ride-​ability, comfort and trust. Again and most probably not for the last time, I had been hoist by my own petard.
Given that I had Polio as a 3 year old, I have a triple curvature of the spine and though I have very long legs for a man of my size, I have a very compact Torso such that my final Ribs touch my Pelvis. Well, geometrically, this presents a problem with my Bike as I need to jack the Saddle (seat) way up high so I get full extension of my legs in the down-​stroke thereby being problematic when I lean forward in my attempt to hold on to the Drop Bars of the Road-​style handle bars. It feels like I’m falling forward and compressing my Torso in the process.
I was so angry that I could only see one color and that was red. I just wasted two months, countless hours trolling for the perfect parts, endless Status Update Conversations with the people at Joe Bike in Portland, with the good folks at Spotbrand Bikes in Denver Colorado, especially Adam, who coincidentally share an office with the Gates Belt Drive Company which makes this Bike and absolute dream to ride and finally with Gene Powell of RAD Finishes also of Portland, Oregon who tendered that beautiful White Pearl Custom Paint Job.
You cannot believe how many times I was on the verge of cancelling the Order and demanding my money back or contemplated flying up to Portland to intervene in what I considered a total lack of performance at best or suing them at worst. What was promised to me in three weeks by Tess when she took my money (of course)…turned out to be a 9 week fiasco which only ended less than an hour ago.
Now to the good part. It seems that only a few minor adjustments needed to be effected to make the Bike perfect (for me) and so easy and fun to ride.
Move the Seat forward.
Lower the Seat.
That was all.
I am sure that the stench of the process will wear off in a day or two or more accurately in about 20 to 30 miles of riding time and I’m eventually going to be in love with everyone involved. Even Tess. Maybe. And maybe… just maybe, in a month or two, they’ll think well of me as well.»
Again, I want you to know that this rant is all about Customer Service and Communication and not about the Bike that was rendered with minor adjustments. If you want a Great Bike… go to Joe Bike and get yourself a Spot Brand of any model. They are great and they have raised the bar on Production Bikes.
In conclusion, I rode it two days in a row and I absolutely love it… I love looking at it, it is a piece of Mechanical Art and attracts attention wherever we go though I would have chosen Black Hubs, Black Spokes and a Black Seat Post which I replaced after the Bike arrived here in town…
See you on Campus,
Warren

Two thumbs up for customer service at Joe Bike.
I emailed twice in advance of my visit and both times, received replies back within an hour. When I arrived at the shop, they had the bikes I wanted to check out ready to go. Tess was great at explaining differences between bike models. And I didn’t feel any ‘you must buy now’ pressure. I mentioned I wanted to check out a Juliana hardtail and Tess’ response was basically if that bike works for you, you should get it. If I do decide to get the Salsa Fargo, I will buy it here.
The service at Joe Bike reminds me of my all time favorite bike shop, Zion Cycles. Owner Fred would bend over backwards to help you out and I’m getting the same vibe here.

Friendly, fast, affordable. This placed saved me on a Sunday so I wouldn’t have my commute interrupted. Very happy I found these people.

Just got a flat they got me in in about three minutes just fixed my bike for $ 15 and I’m on my way.
Nice!

Stopped in here last weekend and they helped for free! It turned out to be a super easy fix but they still wouldn’t accept any cash. What a great way to win my business!

I could not be more impressed. I took my old cheap bike in not knowing what was wrong or what to expect. I got the friendliest service, the most detailed explanation and a really fast repair. Plus, it was cheap!!! Chris the mechanic has to be about the nicest guy I have ever met, and I wish he would travel portland and train others in the service industry to be as awesome! Thanks guys!

I bought my first «real» bike from Joe Bike this spring and couldn’t be happier with the service and the bike. I was especially impressed with Tess and Aaron. Even though I’m a novice they never talked down to me. They were happy to give me as much information as I needed and explained things in a way that made me feel they respected me regardless of my knowledge level. I’ve returned for accessories and have been very impressed with the quality of the products (and I haven’t felt any upselling pressure). The sweet shop dogs are icing on the cake!

edit 12÷17÷14
So Joe takes customer service very seriously! After reading the deservedly terrible review I wrote below, the owner contacted me to let me know that the mechanic in question has been fired and to ask what he could do to win me back as a customer. Whoa! Way to turn an infuriating and degrading experience into its opposite. Yesterday I needed another tube replacement and he hooked me up for free. The mechanic who handled my bike was very friendly, helpful, fast and real. I perused accessories while overhearing their totally cute banter and I knew that mean mechanic from 6 months ago was completely anomalous to how this business is run. I’m actually looking forward to the next time I need something for my bike so I can have a pleasant time at Joe’s. Changing my rating from worst to best.
The following review details a situation that I don’t think anyone will have at Joe’s again.
…
I came here with a totally flat tire looking to use a bike pump and the mechanic was super rude! I suspected the tube needed to be replaced and after I pumped it up I could still hear air escaping. I asked the obviously jaded mechanic if he would replace my tube and he treated me like an idiot! After taking the wheel apart and pumping it up again he told me the tube was fine and that the air I heard escaping was b/​c I was using the pump wrong. Pretty sure I know how to use a pump and tires don’t usually go totally flat over night for no reason, so I asked «Oh, so what was wrong?» He was super dismissive and just said «Nothing.» He put the wheel back on and tried to send me away without the valve cap. I asked for it back and he was like «They don’t do anything. You can have it back but they just make filling up take longer.» Wow.
So then I headed out and by the time I got down the hill my tire was completely flat again. I took it to A Better Cycle and the friendly mechanic there found a piece of metal in my tube. If dude at Joe Bike had actually looked/​listened he would have found it, but for some reason he was convinced I was just stupid. I don’t know what this guy’s problem is. Everyone else in this shop seemed nice but I’m never going here again. Just go to A Better Cycle down the street!