ATA Cycle

After closing out my first Tri season on a starter road bike, I was looking to invest in a new Tri bike to help me meet my 2016 season goals. My fiancé brought me to ATA Cycle — the only bike shop that could do the job right in his eyes.
I was right to follow his lead — Hussam is a brilliant bike genius leveraging state-​of-​the-​art technology and deep bike expertise. Every time I walk into the store, I learn something new about the art of biking and end up purchasing another new item to get me ready for next season. I can’t wait to see how my race results change as a result of my new machine and custom fit!

We came to Boston from Pennsylvania, and we randomly chose ATA Cyle. What a great find. The woman who rented us the bicycles was exceedingly helpful. She gave us helmets and locks at not extra charge. The bicycles were excellent. Fast friendly services, I could not ask for more.

I stopped in once on a weekend ride, Husam Sahin is the most arrogant Jacka$$ cycling thinks-​he-​knows-​it-​all, I’ve ever met. Who cares who he’s worked with and for. Until I hear his name mentioned in Paris he can pound sand as far as I’m concerned. Ignorance abounds in the shop as well, no one understands that it’s the rider that makes the bike great, not the other way around, unless you’re all about aesthetics and dropping $ 10K on a bike you really don’t need.
They made it very clear to me that since I didn’t buy my bike at ATA Cycle my bike sucks regardless of components, Tour victories, etc. Really, a Cervélo is a better ride than a Specialized? How so I ask??? No one can ever logically and convincingly explain.
Steer well clear! Landry’s Bicycles, Natick, best shop in the area, friendly unassuming staff and top-​notch service.

I bought a time skylon from ATA in April 2015. I love this shop, the owner, Husam and my favorite bike wrench Andy who set my new ride up perfectly, the bike could not be more expertly dialed in! What i love about the shop is that Husam is always on the cutting edge of technology and passes that knowledge on to the consumer. Husam is really good with women and does not think that if you are 50 or over you deserve less. I also really like that the shop stands behind their products and work and always look for ways to improve your riding and experience. If you are looking for a new bike, a better fit, or trying to get more out of your ride ATA should be a destination for you.
Barbara B

Top notch equipment and expert, thorough fitting process. Came in with limited understanding and they took me through the whole process lowly and patiently.

I think of myself as a purist and think there no substance purer than Columbus tubing. Living in the Philippines where Columbus is rare„ I have been buying bikes by reading reviews, buying the frames online and getting them assembled and fit.
On a trip to visit my brother nearby, I popped into Ata in 2012, rode a couple of built bikes around the block and bought a Guru from Husam. It just felt a lot more like part of my body than the bikes I had bought online, and in a lot of ways, it felt a lot better for someone else to be thinking for me and achieving superior results.
Fast forward to 2014, I came into the shop again and decided to to say nothing and just pay for whatever Husam cooked up. For some reason it wasn’t hard to do as the first time.
If my best pre-​Husam road bike was an Arabian stallion, this new one is a unicorn! It has almost no parts that I would choose myself, but boy, this one flies! It just leaves behind all my remembered parameters as to how a bike is supposed to go down the road!

I purchased a new bike from Husam at ATA in March of 2014 and wrote this review after having finished a great Six Gaps Ride in Vermont. I knew that after approx 12 weeks of extensive riding, this ride would cap off the best summary of the experience. Now, after an entire summer on this bike, my decision to engage myself at ATA Cycles is confirmed.
No, this isn’t your everyday bike shop. But beautifully so – it is nuanced, unique, and worth your special attention and engagement.
You can see by my star rating that I am as happy as Unilocal will let me be – left to my own devices I would add another 5 stars for good measure (pun INTENDED). I know now that I did not just buy a bike — I subscribed to a fit, and cycling legacy.
The artistry and consideration of this fit can NOT be undervalued. Nor can the enormous benefit supplied to the comfort, improvement, and feeling of the ride. The aforementioned Gaps ride went down with no discomfort other than the general fatigue of the difficult ride itself. And further, my summer on the bike gave me gains in power and duration that echoed deeply into even my fitness as a long-​distance MTN bike rider/​racer.
Husam’s fit has reorganized my thinking about how to spend money on a new bike. Meaning, trying to save $$$ by forgoing the fit in favor of hardware is a big mistake. I know this, because I have now done both. I would love this review to save someone from this. I have never felt more comfortable, powerful, and happy on a bike in my life. My fit metrics were considered, along with conversations about my riding style, as well as power output evaluations. Husam then zeroed in on a few choices of frames, etc that would suit me. He is very talented and passionate about dressing his customers with the right machine that fits their body and cycling desires. This part of the experience is priceless. It sounds trite, but the bike feels like a part of my body — this would not be possible without the careful, masterful fit, mated to a unique and profound knowledge of works-​of-​art bicycles provided to me at ATA. You simply cannot get this experience anywhere else.

When I moved jobs to the Concord, MA area I stopped into ATA Cycle a few times to get the lay of the land and see what they were all about. I already have a fairly expensive road bike and was not really in the market for a new bike, however as the riding season went on, I was in more and more pain on the bike. Eventually I stopped in to see Hussam and get his take on why I was getting so uncomfortable on a bike I had put about 200o miles on the year before.
As it turns out, over that year I had lost over 100 pounds and my body position, makeup, and pretty much everything else about my body had changed. As Hussam put it simply, my bike no longer fit me or my new body. After going through the types of adjustments we could try to make to the bike, the end result was that we just could not make the frame work for me… so time to find a new frame.
Hussam and the guys at ATA were great in working within my budget and putting me into the perfect bike — A Look 566. Although I would classify the bikes carried at ATA as high end — they work with you to figure out what will be best for your situation.
The service, and attention to detail that Hussam and his team provided were top notch and the fitting was perfect. This new bike fits me like a glove!!!
Thanks Hussam!

Magical bike fit, built to order.
Different bike shops are good at different things.
Many big shops have inventory that they will try and fit to their customers, but ATA focuses on fit and custom builds.
ATA has what I’ve found to be the most sophisticated technology and tools for fitting a customer, and a staff that’s got deep knowledge of how to use it to its fullest extent.
After an in-​depth set of measurements of a new customer, and then some tests of flexibility, riding position, and pedal stroke, they then work with him/​her on their equipment to find out exactly how to build the best fitting bike for that person.
It’s like going to a fine tailor, rather than buying clothes off the rack. And it works.
A bike you get from ATA promises to be more comfortable and faster than anything you’d buy complete. They’ll work with your needs and your budget to get you rolling on something you’ll never want to stop pedaling.
So, for a race bike or a high-​end road bike, it’s a different approach than you’ll get elsewhere, but the end result is fabulous.
A few weeks ago, I just picked up my first bike from them, a new cyclocross race bike. Immediately after hopping on it for a test ride, the fit was perfect. After a week, I can’t go back to my old road bike (which i’ve logged 300 miles on this year) — though ATA has offered to re-​fit me for it, which I’m taking them up on.
If you’ve been riding for a while, you’ll know that fit is maybe the most important part of buying a bike, so give them a try, even for a bike that you already own.

Okay I’ve been cycling for 4 years straight since I moved to Arlington. I can say that I’m quite experienced in both the cycling and the mechanic aspect. This year I wanted to take my cycling up a notch and become more competitive, so was looking for a newer bike, as well as a proper bike fit. I read many good reviews, and some bad reviews from Husam at ATA Cycles. I decided to go to ATA and their selection of bikes are to die for. Really you can’t go to any LBS and find all the best frames in one location anywhere. This is not your typical WheelWorks or Landry’s shop. Their philosophy is also different where they believe in getting a bike fit done to fit you to the right frame. That I totally agree and the best place to start since each frame manufacturers have different geometry. Husam showed me a few frames they carried, but then again was reluctant to talk more until I get a bike fit. I decided a few weeks after to get the bike fit from ATA. Husam was great, and gave me 100% attention with no interruptions. He explained my fit in detail and how my body correlates with the bike. I was impressed with all the tools he had, especially the laser jig he had for measuring the dynamic fit. Pretty cool since it’s my first fit. After the fit we went to his showroom where he suggested two high end frames that would only fit me best. Surprisingly they happened to be 2 of the most expensive frames; Look 695 and Time RXRS. Both frames were gorgeous, but I really had my eyes set on the Look 695 since I had already done alot of research prior to visiting the shop. Now he wanted $ 10K for a Look 695 with Ultegra Di2 and some cheap wheelsets. My second option was $ 8K for Time RXRS with Ultegra Di2. They were both out of my budget, and Husam knew I had a budget of $ 6K, yet he didn’t quite show me frames that he can build me for my budget. Instead he kept pitching that «you want a bike that you can ride forever, and not a bike that you want to upgrade a few years». I get it, and live by that rule that you pay alot now, and gain back alot later. I mean if you can afford it. Now I don’t know if this is marketing tactics, but he kept sympathizing about my bicycle accident and wanting to help find me find the best bike for the best price. I read these same lines too many time in previous reviews from Google. I think it’s great to sympathize on a personal level, but don’t tell me you’re giving me a good price when in fact you’re not. He quoted full MSRP of $ 6000 on the Look frame which was 1 – 2 years old. I mean there should be a discount right on older frames right? He insisted that he would charge the same for frames even 4 years old since there are no notable differences, unless a frame has been completely redesigned with a new mold. I asked for a bill of material and he would not release that information. Okay whatever, I told him I will think about it, because that’s a huge purchase. He wasn’t all pushy, and also said he’ll build me the best frame for whatever I can afford. Now here’s the bad. A month after, I decided to build my own bike after extensive research, and I would literally save half the price of a newer built bike, plus I would have the best and lightest components. My decision was also contributed to the fact that I’m a Sr. Mechanical Engineer, and would never pay another to tinker with my toys. I’d rather enjoy all the fun. Well I finally built up my Look 695 with all the Di2. Everything was built to manufacturing specification, including all the the bolt torque. I called Husam up to schedule an existing bike fit and he quoted me $ 300, which I didn’t expect to pay since his initial fit should have captured all the data. I also didn’t expect to pay is another $ 600 for a complete Di2 rebuild. He said since I didn’t buy the bike from him, and his mechanic did not build it; ATA would need to rebuild the Di2 from scratch for safety and liability reason. Now that is bullshit since Di2 is the easiest to build, because there is no cable routing except for the electronic cables. Everything is all internal, and I routed them myself. Come on even a qualified bike mechanic can not tell a Sr. Mechanical Engineer plus an automobile mechanic of 10 years that he does not know how to build a bike. Have one those guys build an engine from scratch, and we’ll see who’s better. I’m not trying to sound arrogant by any means, but I just don’t see why one would think I’m not qualified to build my bike. In short, I felt like Husam was trying to make money out of me one way or another. I don’t think he was ecstatic that I built my own bike, and he wasted all that time on me. I did pay the guy $ 300 for an initial bike fit assessment, so his time was well recuperated. I think his arrogance stands in the way, and he thinks he has the best bike shop in New England. He spends more time crapping on other shop, which doesn’t show good character. Do yourself a favor and go to Dean at Fitwerx. Absolutely the best around and very honest.

I have been a cycling enthusiast just about my entire life (now nearly 64). I have cycled for commuting purposes, travel (many bike trips), recreation and about every other purpose one could think of that cycling can serve. I do not go out and do centuries (100 mile days) on the weekends but rather my cycling partner (also my wife) and I make it a point to go out nearly every weekend for a few hours with breakfast, ice cream or coffee as a destination. However, the last few years I have found cycling a bit of a chore. I found that it felt more like exercise and drudgery than fun and I thought that in spite of the many years in the saddle perhaps the romance of cycling was coming to an end. My wife suggested a new bike (embarrassed to say the old one was nearly twenty years old) but that seemed to me putting the cart before the horse. If cycling had lost its charm buying a new bike was like throwing money at a problem that had no solution. After humoring her and visiting a local bike shop in Belmont that seemed to be more interested in fitting me into a bike that already existed than fitting a bike specifically to me I knew I was right. She was desperate not to lose her cycling partner and recalled a shop that had received «Best of Boston» a few years ago in Concord, ATA Cycles. After meeting the owner, Husam, not only a cycle guy but a car guy as well (a personal passion), the unbelievable happened. We discussed my dilemma and Husam had an answer for every issue I was having. After observing me on a simulator, taking multiple measurements and accounting for everything from arthritis in my thumbs to my short torso but long arms he created a cycle that was nothing less than extraordinary. It fits like a glove (or more accurately like my race car) kept very closely to my budget and has returned such an excitement and enjoyment to cycling that I can’t wait for my next ride.
Everyone in the shop is helpful, professional and able to work with anyone regardless of their knowledge, cycling experience or budget. Thanks to ATA Cycles I am the happiest I have been in several years when in the saddle. My new bike is truly amazing.

ATA bills itself as the «premier retail establishment in Greater Boston for high performance road bikes.» That means high end bikes at high end prices.
It also means a wide selection of bikes and gears, probably the most diverse inventory of any bike shop in the area (unlike most local shops that only carry 3 – 4 brands).
It also means an entire network of support to sell, fit, service, train and socialize.
This is the shop you come to when you’re ready to make a serious investment in cycling, and want the best gear and service money can buy. And for those willing to make the investment, it’s money well spent.
However, I must give them credit — unlike my experiences at other high end, gear-​head bike shops, I’ve never felt intimidated, overwhelmed or pressured at ATA. The staff are not only experienced and knowledgeable, but happy to share that knowledge, even when it’s not related to a sale.
I also have no problem bringing my POS family cruiser to ATA for service.
And the cycling community that’s based around ATA and Concord is absolutely fantastic.
If you’re a seasoned cyclist, or looking to start riding seriously, I highly recommend ATA for all your cycling needs.
ALSO WORTH NOTING: ATA has a rental fleet of entry level hybrid/​mountain bikes, perfect for tourists or day trippers visiting Concord. Rent a bike at ATA, pick up a picnic lunch at La Provence or Trails End Café, and ride to the Old North Bridge, down the Minuteman Trail, through Minuteman National Park or the beautiful Walden Pond. There’s also MILES of single track in and around Concord to explore. Enjoy!

Best bike shop in Greater Boston. First off, I am not a pro rider or competitive racer. Road biking is my favorite non-​winter activity and I ride about 1,500 miles a season. I say this up front b/​c some may get the mistaken impression that ATA is only for hardcore racers/​triathletes which it is not.
This store is for people that are passionate about cycling at all levels. I have been riding the same Trek for 9+ years and decided it was time for a change, but I had a limited budget (less than $ 4K). Husam worked patiently with me on getting a proper fit and made some other recommendations around shoes and pedals. In the end, I got a great carbon road bike that fits me very well and has reinvigorated my interest in cycling and within my budget.
I had a few break-​in adjustments on my new bike and just dropped by and they fixed them while I waited, compared to other stores that may make me wait a day or two for a repair to be completed.
I have been to plenty of other Greater Boston cycling shops and have had mixed results both in terms of sales/​service, but my experience with ATA from start to finish has been outstanding. You probably buy a new bike less frequently than you buy a new car, so it makes sense to take the time to find the bike that works for you and for that reason I highly recommend ATA Cycle-​you will not be disappointed.

Review for the fitting service:
About two weeks ago, on one of those 90+ degree days, I was out on a ride and noticed some serious clunking coming from my back tire. I stop, look, and realize that the tire has decided to turn itself into an «S». Great. Closest shop was Ata and I knew I wasn’t going to make it home so I stopped and I am so glad I did.
The guy at the front desk confirmed my assumption that I was just asking for a blow out if I rode it home that way and helped me find a replacement tire. In the meantime he’d somehow looked at me standing next to my bike (not even on my bike) and realized that something in the fit really wasn’t adding up he went and grabbed Husam from the back. He couldn’t believe how bad my fit was.
I was skeptical seeing as how I’d just bought the bike in April and had a professional fitting at that point from someone who that shop said was an expert in working with people with injuries and joint problems like me. I knew I was slow and in a good bit of pain this season but I have a pretty bad injury so I figured that’s what it was and that my bike fit must be fine since a reputable shop had done it.
But everything Husam said was right on the money — «I bet your back hurts here.» — Yes, «You have issues with this when you hit a hill «- yes and on and on. Everything he said mirrored exactly how I was feeling and how my performance had been impacted since getting this bike. Now I’m intrigued, so he showed me all the really cool tools he has to work with like the video camera with with the markers that go on your hip, knee and ankle to show all of the angles. He offered to fit me in for a fitting right then, and how could I not at least give it a try?
The new fit is amazing. I couldn’t believe just how off the other shop had it. He watched me ride for about 20 seconds, had me stop, moved my saddle way up and more forward. He checked the new angles with his video capture and it was dead on. Just like that — one try and he had it perfect. It took me a good two days worth of riding to get used to the new positions, but now that I am I’d never go back. My back doesn’t hurt, my knee feels better, I have way more power on hills. It’s great!
Ata is definitely the place to go for a great fitting!

When you visit ATA Cycle, you are blown away by the sheer selection of the best bikes, clothes, and shoes you have EVER seen in person (unless you are a lucky American who has seen a WorldTour race in person).
But then, you talk with the owner, Husam Sahin, about bike fitting, and you really realize what is so special about the shop. I am comparing this to $ 250+ fits I have had at other local bike shops. While those fits were done with the absolute best intentions, Husam’s experience, expertise, and technology are well above anything else I have ever experienced.
So where am I now? I have seen a measurable increase in average speed after Husam’s fit. While I am kicking myself for buying the bike I did, in the way I did (basically selecting on aesthetics, reputation, word of mouth, and Thor Hushovd), I will go to ATA for my next bike without hesitation. I have been converted: visit Husam, get fit head-​to-​toe, and have him and the staff at ATA recommend a bike that will be the best fit for you and your riding goals. You’ll be happy you did.

I should start off by saying this is definitely a high end shop. I should also say that I went in and opened by saying that I was looking for a nice road bike, which will get you good service even at poor stores.
That said, I have nothing but good to say about my experience at Ata Cycle. I told them my goals and price range, and after a discussion of parts and a fit, Anil worked out a few bicycles that matched. They built up the ones I picked and a few days later I did my test ride and walked out with a shiny new bike.
Of particular mention is the fit I got at Ata Cycle. One problem I generally have is that due to my relatively short stature (5’5″), my reach and standover can be something of an issue. The bike I got from Ata Cycles is like a dream. And even though «it’s not about the bike», I can definitely top out a couple miles per hour faster!
If you’re in the market for a really nice, well-​fit bike, definitely check out Ata Cycle.

I went to ATA Cycle six days after my Mother passed. I had dropped a family member off at the airport and all the ceremonies were completed. Feeling completely drained and a bit lost of what to do next, I decided to look at a new road bike. I went to 3 other bike stores, hung around the road bikes and though the staff saw me they did not acknowledge me. When I arrived at ATA, my last attempt, Husam greeted me, followed by Anil. Anil discussed what I was looking for and then did the FitLab analysis. I never had this type of analysis before, I was intrigued and it kept my mind on something else. It was a calm, thoughtful, informative, great customer service experience which I was very grateful to be receiving at that time.
Two months later, I called and Anil remembered me. I stopped in again, and he set up a new Giant avail bike for me. I test drove it and went home to think about it. While deciding, I shopped at a few other stores. Benny at JRA cycle offered good customer service but no FitLab analysis, so the bike I test rode did not feel nearly as wonderful as the ATA bike. I knew I had to go back to ATA.
Since I wanted to commute on my bike from Bedford to Cambridge, I needed some specific items. My previous road bike had gotten stolen, so I brought in the remaining items that had not got stolen. Anil helped me go through them and decide what I should keep and what I should upgrade. I was struggling with the price point, so Anil put together a package. He gave me a very fair package deal.
When I road it to work the first time, it felt amazing! Anil and Husam were very good to me, patient, informative, fun and helpful. What a candy store experience; I felt like a kid again.
I LOVE my new bike and I LOVE Anil and Husam! I thank them for helping me during a tough time, even though they were unaware and I thank them for getting me back in the saddle!
Happy Biking!

ATA has vindicated the bike shop industry for me. As much as I love cycling, and enjoy ogling bike shop goods, I always dread bike shops’ notoriously poor service. ATA doesn’t just raise the bar for bike shop service, it defines an entirely new category.
I discovered ATA while looking for a bike fitter to help my wife, who is new to cycling. I’ve been through 3 prior fittings, including one by a nationally prominent shop, but none compared to the care, diligence and knowledge displayed by Husam. This was especially important for my wife, who was nervous just being in a real bike shop. When I went back for my own session, he immediately saw that my bike was way too large. I was initially skeptical, because the bike came recommended by a previous fitting session, but when my power went up 30 watts from my existing position to an idealized fit my hesitancy evaporated. People work all year to add 30 watts of power, and Husam did it in two hours!
I ultimately ended up buying a gorgeous Museeuw MC-​2 equipped with SRAM Force. Once again, Husam and the ATA staff showed amazing attention to every aspect of the buying experience. I’m far from being a wealthy person, and as a triathlete-​turned-​cyclist, I’ll be hitting the races as Cat V this year. ATA staff helped me find a build that fit both my aspirations and my budget. The end product is both beautiful to look at and a blast to ride.
I honestly don’t think I could ever buy a bike anywhere else after my experience at ATA, and I know I won’t let anyone else touch my fit. If you want someone to help you find the right cycling product for you — based on your body and needs — you need to go to ATA.

Only shop here if you fit one of two criteria: you’re a Cat-​3+ racer or you’re too rich to bother shopping anywhere else.
I didn’t race road bikes but have a lot of friends who raced various levels between Cat1 and Pro so I’m always tagging along with them or wearing kits they’ve given me. With this ‘perk’, the ATA crew have been very nice to me — helping swap out cassettes, etc. but the attitude certainly changes when I walk into the store in street clothes and am not recognized by their staff (which is the majority of the time). When I’m unrecognized my experience mirrors the rest of the reviews.
If it’s not something I can get online Pedal Power is my default store. Located in Acton (5 – 10 minutes west on Rt 2a) they’re just as experienced (if not more so) with much better customer service and pricing. They don’t have a bike fit room but can certainly make your bike fit very well. 99.999% of the cycling population wouldn’t be able to tell between a bike fit at either place.
If you don’t care about price or customer service (aka attitude) head to Belmont Wheel Works — they have a lot more experience fitting bikes and a much larger selection of bikes.
Unless you’re rich like Dave Chappelle and are hell bent on getting that über-​rare frame you saw in last years Tour de France to show off for your weekly group ride, skip this place and head to Belmont or Acton.

I went in for brake pads once, found the ones I needed (yellow swiss-​stop for carbon rims) no price tag on the box, nothing on the shelf/​hanger. The guy offers to cut me a deal because I seem like a nice guy; I pay and go on my way, no time to double check on my phone at the time… I go online the next day, turns out I paid 200% MSRP. Awesome.
Another time I went in for Brake Cables, which were maybe $ 10 MSRP, the sales guy tried to upsell me to a $ 1000 Tacx i-​Magic VR trainer system and was very persistent about it.
Haven’t been back in over 3 years, not worth the hassle and ‘deals’. They do have some very exotic carbon in stock though.