Mission Hills Bike Shop

This is the second time I’ve had a bad experience here.
Unfortunately this is not a very good or a friendly bike shop. I came in with a bike construction idea I was working on, and a simple question and was hoping to make a purchase. But the employee was sarcastic to my questions and I left feeling insulted. I will not be returning.
There are a few other great bike shops just a mile away on Adams Ave.

I’ve only purchased accessories there, and stop in when I need air for my tires, but these guys know their stuff and are always helpful.

I love this bike shop. Everyone who works here is a big time bike enthusiast, and it shows. I have been riding for a little while now but unfortunately can’t claim to know a lot about bike repair and maintenance. Had a bugger of a flat on my back wheel and well, getting the chains off and stuff made my brain shut down. I’ve never had to change a tire, what can I say?! So I brought it over to the shop and they fixed it right up in less than 10 minutes. Granted, I think the guy working on my bike got a little excited… (she’s a pretty sweet ride), but he was kind enough to show me how I would fix it on my own if I were out on the road and got another flat, gave me lots of pointers on how to adjust the settings, and actually spent a lot of time making sure my bike was in good shape before sending me home with it. I had been worried that taking my bike in would kind of be like a girl taking her car in for a tune-​up, but they only charged me $ 12, and they were super helpful and knowledgeable. I’m grateful to have this shop in my neighborhood, and will definitely be back for any other cycling needs! :D
Just be aware that hours do change sometimes… I had gone in the week prior and waited at the store for 20 minutes– no one came to open it and no one answered the phone, so make sure to call and make sure they’re open before dropping by! Three of us were waiting that morning, but no hard feelings– they do make that very clear on the sign on their door. I called before I went the second time, and when I arrived there was someone out front waiting. :)

I moved to San Diego recently and they built my bike out of the box I shipped and did a great job — they’ve also worked on some adjustments to my commuter bike and are super knowledgable and helpful.

Eryn, Hunter, and Doc, are some great guys. The only reason I am not mentioning everyone else is because they are who I speak with all the time.
Eryn, has been an amazing teacher for learning about bicycles and performance while still being an honest business man. I hope he never sells the shop.
Hunter and Doc, have always lead me to what parts would serve my needs as a rider. I never feel like I am being sold on something I don’t need.
Thank you very much for your help gentleman.

I came in last week just to get a new pedal for my pre-​owned bike. While installing it, he couldnt get the pedal on the opposite side off. Me being a student from the Netherlands would have been fine with just one pedal. Instead I was being suggested to buy new bars and bottom racks, and while we’re at it, also a new chain and new gears and that it was best to keep it there overnight. However considerate that was. As soon as I asked why I needed that, he said my bike was dangerous and that, as my fellow homo sapiens, it would be best for me to walk that bike. His bike store friend meanwhile fixed the frozen screw on the other pedal and I could bike away with two new ones. He gave me the check and that was it.
Honest to goodness, im from the netherlands. I ride my bike for living, i know a bad bike when I see it. My bike is old, but a 100x less bad than the dutch bikes I would ride. I just came in for a pedal, marketing and sales are not your strong side mr. Mission Hills bike store.

I saw a few reviews about how bad the customer service is here but I could not disagree more. I was visiting San Diego and using my brother’s cheap, used bike to get around town when the chain just seized up. I looked on Unilocal and saw this place was the closest to my current location (but still like 2 miles away). I dragged the bike all the way up there (including a giant, never ending hill), burst through the doors sweaty and sunburned and exasperated, and was greeted by the nicest, friendliest people! They fixed the bike right away and I had some very fun, pleasant conversation with the employees!

if you like punk know-​it-​alls looking down on you for bringing your bike to a repair shop — in other words, to have the gall to not know everything about bikes, which is probably why you’re there, then this is the place for you. i went for a problem with the gears/​derailleurs and the fool was quite bewildered by what i was saying (just ride the damn thing, you’ll see).
to top it off he had the nerve to ask me — who has been riding for 25 years — if i knew how to ride a bike. there’s lots of bike shops near by — pass over this place.
they’re overpriced too.

Great quaint bike shop, better than most actually. Very good customer service and staff is very helpful. I found a hard to find spoke wrench here @ great price. No other bike stores had the wrench. As sooner as I asked for this multiple size rare wrench, they knew what I was talking of. They provide quick and competitive tunes and nice supply of accessories.

I went there for a repair. first the guy who attended me was very demeaning and told me «You have to wait» when he certainly wasn’t doing anything. then when finally he decided to see my bike and before everything he started to say it looked bad and he doubt they can fix it (even before they grab it or anything)
Anyways, he said he would make me a favor and have a look, by then I was thinking, WHAT? it’s his job. I let him have a look and give me a diagnosis, and after he stacked it on the table for literally 2 minutes, he would say is going to be $ 150 if you want us to repair it.
after that I just gave up and told him that I rather see somewhere else for what he said it was ok, but I wasn’t going to find something cheaper than them and I better get rid of my bike.
what kind of costumer service is that? is these the kind of people you want to be the face of your business?
I just left and thanked them even when I shouldn’t had to. My buddy ended up fixing it for free and all that the bike needed was some oil and calibrate the breaks.
seriously, don’t go there if you don’t want to get ripped off by these guys.

Been here 4 times and ignored 3 times. The other time was lectured to by a fool.
I live on the next block from these guys and wanted to give them business, but they want to talk to the other «too cool for school» kids.
Today waited 13 minutes in line and listened to the guy lecture the customer at the counter about how much more he knew than him.
I used to race mountain bikes for 14 years and was condescended to by a guy there about how a 29″ tire does’t help with momentum when at top speed. (loud and incorrect of him) They also ignored my son last year when he tried to get a flat fixed.
I don’t buy all of these 5 star reviews.
Notice the «not recommended» reviews and you’ll get the bigger picture.

Years ago I heard a NPR show that visited this hot dog or taco truck in Chicago where the gag is that the employees are really rude to the customers. People would go after the bar and just let it rip. Sounded like fun.
I lived in Hillcrest for 5 years and had made a share of my trips to this shop, so I knew when I dropped by yesterday to buy a front derailer and ask for advice on sizing, I knew what I was getting in for — just like the people in Chicago. I am pretty condescension averse; when I take my car in for a tire rotation and they wheel my perfectly good tire in and start asking me if I care about my child’s safety, I ask for the manager.
Here, though — it is just part of the gag.
Went in for a front derailer; I had bought the wrong size previously and needed help selecting a new one. (Quick note: Derailer taxonomy is confusing. A 3-​sprocket front derailer is not just that, it is sized specifically to your crankset… and crankset sizes change very few years, making it very hard to find the right derailer to match your mid-​2000s ride). Asking him (assume it’s the owner) for advice on which model of Shimano Sora to buy, he said «Is your bike nearby?» «No, it’s at home.» «Well I know where my home is, but I have no idea where you live.»
It pretty much went like that. I start telling him about my bike — what it is, what it has, where I am getting stuck on the install and he no joke pulls out a catalog and just goes page by page counting the different models of derailer as if to say «How can I possibly tell you which one to buy?»
On the other hand, got hit by a car back in ’08 and took it to them (owner took care of me then as well) for a crash assessment and repair. Very little work was needed, but the bike purred when I picked it up.
So solid bike service (5 stars) but the ego check I get going to this place is no way to spend a Saturday so 2 stars off for that.

I like this store.
The staff is cool. I came here back in the 90s. one of the guys behind the counter is still here. That means something, i think.
Theyre cool. Ive watched them direct people to other bike stores that sold used, as they do not. The new bikes they do sell are above average.
Theyre friendly. I blew out my hub bearing and axle. They assured me that this unfortunate situation was not the result of my overlarge butt.
I have no problem giving these fellas my business.

Mission Hills Bike Shop is my local bike store, but after my recent experiences with the staff there, I will be traveling further afield for my biking needs. On my recent visit, I stopped by to browse for a new upright bicycle for riding around town. I talked to two staff members and both were incredibly condescending and critical of my bike riding style.
First, I asked if they offered bikes from chain guards for fear my dress might get caught in the chain, the owner responded with a sarcastic «Welcome to 2015!» And then proceeded with a long speech about how thats so old school and is not done anymore. I was shocked.
When I asked if they had a bike with an internal hub, the sales associate just answered with «we highly recommend you don’t get one of those. They’re just too difficult.» Wtf? There are many pros for having an internal hub!
Then the manager noticed my Teva sandals and asked if I ride my bike wearing them. I replied yes, they are very comfortable. He responded with an «oooo, yeeaahhh, thats not good… you’ve never had an asphalt manicure have you??» Um, nope.
I just wanted to browse different options I might have when choosing a new bike and I left feeling judged about ever wanting to ride a bike in my dress and sandals. They acted like they clearly new the best way to ride a bike and you must be an idiot if you do anything different.
Sorry Mission Hills Bikes, but you guys have got to check your egos at the door if you want to keep your customers! I’ll be purchasing my new $ 400 – 500 bicycle somewhere else!

I agree with Toby R. that the owner «has no social or customer service skills»…
in other words, downright rude or negligent with customers.
The other workers are helpful & friendly.
This shop just lost over $ 200 of my business, as I went elsewhere
for accessories.

To err is human, but to make it up to you is really nice.

I’d give them a 4 star for service, but a 3 star for price and selection. If you need repairs or a tune up then it’s a great place. The employees are great, friendly and helpful. And if you need a tube, tool or some handle bar tape, then yeah I go there since it’s close. If you’re looking for a new bike, I’m not sure if it’s best option. The pricess seem high and there’s not a huge selection. The used bikes seem really expensive. But I’m sure they offer a good warranty and service plan. But definitely shop around if you’re looking for a bike, and consider the warranty and service plan.

Came in looking for some handlebars and dude there pointed to the spot where he had them. Asked me what size I needed and I wasnt quite sure im new at this. That hipster walked away and never came back nor did he even try to help me figure out what I needed.
Did a little research in the store on my phone and found out the size I needed was 26 mm. They had the size yes but screw that im not giving these guys my money. Thanks for not helping me you hipsters, I guess helping people find what they need is a little to mainstream.

Love these guys! Saved me! While I’m not a typical customer (I’m in a wheelchair) they have saved my bacon a few times now… Just this past weekend I had shot bearings in my front wheels and literally couldn’t locomote.
We tried Ace Hardware, Lowes, Skate Shops, finally called these guys and they had just the bearing I needed. Even better, we tried to use a card for the $ 6 purchase and they said to just pay them back when we could.
I went back yesterday to thank them (and pay) and they said come in anytime for air or whatever.
Support these guys!

I’m new in town and needed a crown race pulled* from one of my cross forks and installed on another. Naturally, I called around to find out what I’d have to pay and how long it would take. Before I moved out here I managed a bike shop and had an idea of what to expect (zero-​to-​five dollars, zero-​to-​five minutes).
The guy who answered the phone didn’t know what a crown race was. I was surprised. It’s not like I was asking if they had a Sturmey Archer pawl spring in stock. It’s a crown race.
When I asked if I could talk to a mechanic he said, «no.»
I present to you a list of correct answers when a customer asks if they can speak with the service department:
1. «Yes, please hold.»
2. «Yes, let me get someone from service.»
3. «I’m sorry but they’re very busy right now, can we call you back?»
4. «I’m sorry but they’re very busy right now, give me one moment. I’ll ask and come back with an answer.»
What I got was, «no.» Well, actually he said, «No, they can probably fix it for ten bucks and it’ll take four days.»
So… you don’t know what a crown race is but you can guess what it would cost to fix and how long it would take? Cool. Thanks for saving me the trip to your shop. B&L did it for free while I waited.
* Yes, I know. Pulling a crown race is easy enough with a flathead and a hammer but I’m a stickler for using the right tool for the right job and I’m not whacking away at a carbon crown with a mallet and a screwdriver. Plus, I saw this as an opportunity to survey the local shops.