Via Bicycle

Its true the owener isnt rude hes crazy! I had Via repair and true a wheel for me and within days the spokes loosened up ...when I returned to the shop Curtis said my wheel spokes were old and crummy and he demonstrated this by breaking them in front of me. I really wanted to beat the old coot up but decided it wasnt worth it and left never to return. more

The story- I'm a young guy and asked to see an inexpensive bicycle that would get me there. I told him no frills- just didn't want it to fall apart on me. I said I had no interest in brand, color, and just wanted a piece of metal with wheels that would take me from A to B. I get priced $200 for their least expensive option. Yeah, found bikes for a third the price at other places in the city. The sad thing is they have some joke sign out front about ripping people off and passing the savings to you- which you actually can't put up if you do go about ripping people off. Stay away- that mustache on Mr. Moneybags bike dealer grows on the tears of underemployed youth staring at their dwindling savings. If they wanted to rip me off so badly on just a used bike- I don't even want to know what they charge people for repairs. more

I went in to get a flat fixed, because I'm a mechanical moron. I offered Curtis ten dollars if he'd go slow, and teach me how to do it for myself. He refused the extra money, but was a terrific teacher. He and one of his employees gave me lots of tips for bicycle maintenance. They were wonderful. I bought a patch kit for $3.50, in addition to all that they showed me. On my way home that night, I got a nail stuck in my tire. Thanks to Curtis, I was able to patch the tire myself, saving me another couple days of frustration. I will never go anywhere else. more

Great selection of old bikes at a cheap price. The owner is funny as hell. Pros: Wide selection of bikes more

A friend of mine bought a new front wheel from Via Bicycle. That same week we were riding down Spruce Street when the wheel spontaneously collapsed into the shape of a taco. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen her fall myself. She didn't run into a pothole or anything, but her wheel looked as though it had been ridden directly into a wall. Pros: One of the few places in the city that sells used bikes. Cons: They charge too much and sell defective products that put your life at risk more

Sure the owner is brusque. Big deal. It was busy when I went in there and yes, the owner is terse, but not rude. The guy that helped me had a ponytail. He wasn't a hipster bike doofus, yet he was a good mechanic. He was helpful, informative and didn't try to upsell me on anything. I had to go to have my 3 speed serviced after having shoddy work done at another bike shop. Pros: know 3 speeds Cons: only open late one day a week more

If you like supporting conniving schemers who are out to help only themselves then this is the bike shop for you. Expect to buy an extremely overpriced hunk of junk. Trophy Bikes on Liberties Walk in Northern Liberties has more heart and soul! more

Excellent value for money classic bicycles; competent, helpful and friendly service. Plus, if you haven't seen the store, you haven't seen Philadelphia. It is a wonderful place. Pros: great bicycles, service, shop atmosphere more