Acme Bikes

This is a great shop. Folks are helpful, polite, and accommodating (within reason, they have a business to run). This is my go to shop for gear, repairs, and information.

My family had a horrible experience with both the sales associate as well as the manager this weekend. We were interested in renting a bike for a couple of hours and called ahead of time to see if they had bikes available and to confirm their hours. It would have been great if I was told then I needed to show a California ID and Credit Card to rent a bike, but I learned about those requirements after filling out the rental form. I get policies and procedures, but even my 9 year old said, the guy didn’t seem very sorry when he said «sorry». The sales associate snatched the rental agreement out of my hand, and was sarcastic. As I spoke to the manager, without knowing the outcome, he rolled away the bike he just brought out for us. To make matters worse, the manager was condescending and his apology was just as insincere as his sales associate. We purchased two mountain bikes from Summit recently, and I’m in the market for a high-​end bike, as well as for maintenance for my husband’s high-​end mountain bike. Too bad they blew it, and too bad for the community to have to deal with a local business that does not value their customers!

I loved everything about this place: perfect distance from cool trails, very helpful staff and prices for daily bike rents!
I will definitely be back, when next time have visitors from out of town.

I was looking around for a new bike at the various bike shops around the North Bay, Mike’s Bikes, Performance, etc. until I found a good deal on an entry level Trek with an aluminum frame and carbon fork. The great staff here helped me out and while they suggested a hybrid I really wanted to go with a road bike and I don’t regret my choice one bit. Sure the components could be better but the frame is good and you can always upgrade components.
Instead of using the bike for commuting I’ve mostly been using it for fun rides on the weekend and at lunch or after work, with the recent excellent weather it has been difficult to stay inside. The only issue have been a cut in the tyre but that happens so I bought a better tyre to replace it. When I’ve been back they’re always happy to help.
One great benefit with buying the bike at Summit is that you get free tuneups. Yeay :)

I spent a few weeks shopping for a new Road Bike. I visited a few stores and websites, and I thought I was going to buy a model online, until I walked into Summit Bicycles.
I wasn’t looking for race bike, or high end equipment or anything fancy at all, I just needed a new road bike for casual biking, nothing serious.
Their selection is mainly Trek brand (for road bikes at least). Oh, they also do bike rentals, that’s good to know!
We first looked around, and the salesperson, Scott, came to offer help. I had a bad, pushy experience at Mike’s Bike so I didn’t really want his help, but gave it a chance. I told him what my needs were. He was very informative and helpful, gave me a few options. They had my size in store so I am glad I was able to test drive and walk out with the bike on the same day.
Jack was in their workshop, and was going to tune up the bike. He was busy helping other customers, and apologized for having me wait. He was also very helpful and answered the maintenance questions I had.
What I was going to spend didn’t seem to matter to them. They cared about what would be the right fit for me.
I asked Jack if they worked on commission, and he said no. That’s why they are all so helpful, they are not fighting over customers)
I found them very polite and knowledgeable. I am very happy with my experience with this store. If you are shopping for a bike, I’m sure this place will meet your needs!

The guys at Summit are great! Not sure what I was doing taking my bike anywhere else before. I ride a lot, but am totally terrible at bike maintenance. Luckily I have discovered that I can take my bike to Summit if it isn’t dialed, and they will fix it up and get it riding the just the way I want it without trying to sell me a bunch of stuff I don’t need. If you are looking for a shop with super friendly service, expert mechanics and reasonable prices, then Summit is definitely the shop you want to go to.

I have been to plenty of bike shops and I have been to this particular one several times (20+). However I do not go here anymore. The mechanics here are shit (except for Shiloh). Bill is the worst, on multiple occasions I brought my bike into him and he charged me hundreds of dollars and never fixed my problems. When I brought my bike back to him saying the problem wasn’t fixed he looked at it again and told me it would be more money. Turns out the first piece he had replaced wasn’t even broken. Bill ruined my experience here and I don’t plan on going here again. Shiloh is the only mechanic here I trust to do good work on my bike. My advice if you have to go here make sure you get Shiloh for a mec

Summit Bikes is the only place I would go to get my bike worked on. Scott does a great job running the shop, and all the mechanics are knowledgeable, friendly, and get their work done in a very timely manner. I’ve had to have my bike (s) worked on several times, and it always comes back looking (and riding) better than ever. So lucky to have this shop in Marin.

Well, I had an experience that runs counter to the majority of posts here.
I’m moving to Novato and need a shop that services Trek. Summit was closest, I needed a new chain, deraileurs needed adjustment, head was squeaking, brakes were wearing down, etc, etc. Time for a tune up ($ 70), the perfect opportunity to check out the shop.
I was a little surprised by the final bill ($ 130) but figured the chain, new brake pads, maybe that’s the cost in San Rafael. But on my ride to work today I discovered the deraileurs hadn’t be adjusted, the brake lines were loose, and the front brake pads were noisier than ever. The head, OTOH, was silent and there was the nice new chain… Those were worth a star each, I suppose.
Maybe I caught them on a bad day, though there was no one else in the shop when I dropped off and picked up. In any event, I won’t be going back.

I wrote an earlier review regarding how much I’m growing to dislike Mike’s Bikes in San Rafael. This place is the exact opposite experience. Super knowledgeable staff who always go out of their way to take care of you. Also, they don’t nickle and dime you at every turn. Great place to find the best bike for you, and great place to get your bike taken care of.

Excellent local shop. Take your business here rather than a chain

They have a good selection of bikes and parts and most of the staff is super friendly and ready to help, but unfortunately one bad experience spoils all the good sometimes.
I needed a spoke wrench but didn’t know what size would work. I went in with my wheel to find the right size. The young guy that helped me was great, but then he brought it to a mechanic in the back (I think his name is Bill), who was short and abrupt with the kid helping me, and a little snippy with me too.
Spoke wrenches are color-​coded according to size. He determined that it was a size 0, the guy helping me rang me up and when I got home to true my wheel discovered that it was too small! I was absolutely dumbfounded as I witnessed the mechanic put it on the truing stand. I don’t know what he was measuring…
I came back and while I was returning the wrench the mechanic. I informed him that the wrench was the wrong size. The other staff confirmed it as well. He insisted that it was the right size, but sometimes has to be «worn in» to fit. (!?!). I have never heard of a wrench that would change sizes as it gets worn in — I don’t know who would find that acceptable
When I tried a multi-​size wrench, it turned it was a size 1; quite different from a size 0, (which I reminded him he insisted it was). Undaunted, he helpfully asserted* that I should get the multi-​size wrench.
I have no plans on returning as there are tons of bike shops nearby. All it would have taken is a short apology…
*(Sarcastic narrative)

Thanks guys. Your rental was well maintained and a great value. Came in and it was outfitted for my clips and sized in about 15 minutes and I was off. Had a great ride.

4 buddies and I, visiting from out of town for the holiday, rented mountain bikes at Summit, which we chose because the other renter in town (Caesars) didn’t have enough bikes on busy New Years eve. Summit hooked us up! Free bottles, perfect tune on all 5 bikes, flat kits in seat bags just in case, a map, and good route advice. They opened a brand new helmet for my huge noggin buddy who didnt fit in the loaner helmets. All this for 30 bucks each a day! They even let my mechanic buddy use their tools to give the one bike we brought ourselves a once-​over. We rode from the shop to Mt. Tam’s East Peak, and down very fast, with no mechanical problems. The bikes were basic Trek 4500s, but they were solid, as was the advice the shop guys gave about where to get our post-​ride brew. We now have a new New Year tradition!

James is one of three guys in the area that I’ll let touch my bike. A couple of weeks ago I realized on a 50mph descent that I hadnt even considered that he’d just changed bars, levers, tape and cables — that’s how much I trust him. He built my SL3 with Di2 and it hasn’t needed touching in a year. Shop is welcoming, they usually turn stuff around quickly and they have a decent stock of mosty Trek and related bikes and gear. And the staff aren’t aggressive. Recommended.

I bought a new 29″ mountain bike here, and within a few months the frame started to crack. Luckily, the bike came with a lifetime warranty. They replaced the frame and took very good care of me. I am very happy with the service, the competitive pricing, and the expert and very nice staff. A great place to get a bike in Marin.

I’m in the market for a mid-​range road bike and stopped decided to check out Summit. I worked with a man named Will who took great care of me. He was very knowledgeable about the fine details of their line of Trek road bikes. He took extra time to fit me to the right size and even checked out my shoulder position as I pedaled the bike on their indoor bike machine.
The bike that I’m considering definitely seems like a good deal. I have not decided what to buy yet but if you are looking to buy, Summit is a great place to start.

After moving to California two days before Christmas we came in on Christmas Eve as the store was closing just to buy a couple of baskets for my daughter’s bike. There was one person in the shop, doors closed, but he invited us in.
He was extremely friendly and gave us great information regarding a kids bike we had just purchased off Craigslist. He asked us to bring the bike in and cleaned it up for us in addition to helping us select bells and baskets for the bike.
We were so impressed and happy with the experience we ended up buying our other daughter a bike on the spot.
We were very happy with the experience especially since we had just come from another Marin bike shop where even though there were several employees milling around none seemed interested in helping us lowly non-​mountainbiking types.

I take all my bike needs to Summit. The customer service is the best. The atmosphere is not snooty. They custom order bikes for you & guarantee life-​time tune-​ups w/​custom orders. And… they are all HOT. need I say more ladies? Take your flat tires to the hotties on 4^th. You won’t regret it. :)

I wouldn’t consider myself a bicyclist. I primarily ride my bike to work and occasionally for an early ride on the week end. Customer service is very important to me. I will pay more for the same item in a store that treats it customers like they want their business.
I need a minor tune up on my bike, so I headed to Summit Bicycles this morning at 10:00 and they were not open yet. I went down the street to Mike’s Bicycles and waited at the counter for a good 5 minutes while one employee never turned around and the other had a personal conversation on his cell phone. When I was finally acknowledged I was told they couldn’t even look at my bike until Friday and the cost would start at $ 75 and go up from there depending on what was needed. I gave them my name and number and headed back to Summit. I got there right when they opened the doors. There was a couple at the counter in front of me with two bikes. I was acknowledged and told to go get my bike out of the car and that they would start working on it Tuesday. I went and got the bike and another employee approached me and asked if I was being helped. I told him I was waiting in line and he immediately took my bike and asked what I needed. He told me my bike didn’t need a tune up, just some small minor adjustments and the bike would be ready this afternoon. This is my third experience at Summit and this is where I will go for all my biking needs.
Oh, I was informed they were shot staffed that day because of a bike race. I will pick friendly short staffed service over a store full of employees that could care less whether you patronize them at all.