Bicycle Chain – Durham

Unfriendly staff. I went to get a new tube put on and back brakes. Was told the tube is $ 100. I’m no everyday rider but I know for sure brake pads and a tube shouldn’t cost $ 160. The two working at the time didn’t even seem like they liked being there.

If a small selection and snarky staff appeal to you, this is your place.

Had to return a recently purchased bike. I have found that returning bikes to a bike shop is usually a huge pain/​ordeal. Not the case with this return. Our concerns were noted, and refund given for bike and and with no restock fees. Due to this pleasant surprise we will continue to shop here.

Got a great deal on a CAAD 10 there a few weeks back. I agree with other reviewers on the «extra mile» front, too. They are willing to do what it takes to make sure you love your new bike. About 2 weeks after I got the nike, they fixed a bent dérailleur and replaced the chain for free! They were even nice enough to help me on my riding technique.

I promise, Unilocalers, this is my FINAL bike shop review. We will return to your regularly scheduled programming of food porn shortly.
So yes, after a terrific visit at sister store, The Clean Machine, we headed here to check out the inventory (which is different). Phil had a very specific bike in mind, but it was on backorder until December. So the manager recommended a few other comparable models. She seemed to be one of the most knowledgeable people we’ve spoken to in our whole Bike Store Tour, in terms of finding the proper fit — especially important since hubby has a long torso and long legs. When Phil fell in like with a bike that wasn’t in his size, they offered to have it brought over from the sister store in Raleigh so he could check it out without having to drive out there.
This store is quite large compared to the others in Durham, and has many of the accessories you might want. We got the bike rack we wanted there, after researching brands online. Maybe by virtue of its size, it did feel less cozy and personable than the other stores. But we still had a great experience with everyone we interacted with there!

While the Bicycle Chain is pretty expansive with respect to size in the local bike shop world, the employees here truly do take care of you and do not make you feel stupid in any way. Believe me, that’s important when you’re someone like me (a lifelong off and on again cyclist that never really learned much about bike maintenance or the like and thus is always intimidated by true «bike people»). And yes, the technicians and floor people here are truly bike nerds in every possible way. Clearly, they know just about everything there is to know about bikes, but you also get the sense they either just finished a ride before coming in to work or are gearing up for one after work. Hardcore.
They offer a pretty wide variety of bikes (road, mountain, hybrid, dual sport, kids’, etc) with Trek, Cannondale, and Specialized being their primary brands. Should you purchase a bike from The Bicycle Chain, you automatically get a substantial amount off any service package offered at the store when your bike needs servicing, great 1 year warranty coverage, and an option to extend your warranty to 5 years for an additional cost of 10% of your bike’s total cost. If you plan on cycling frequently and want to take care of your machine, you can imagine how valuable such coverage is! There is also a decent selection of cycling accessories and apparel within the store, and the store’s website is a wealth of information. You can order from the standard online catalog or a special order catalog should you need a specialized part or want to gift a product to someone outside the Triangle, plus the website features videos and articles on a number of bike maintenance topics, general cycling tips, and bike buying tips among a ton of other topics. Are you an avid supporter of loving and nurturing your community? Well, the Bicycle Chain offers info (both in their store and online) on numerous local cycling events, cycling groups, and trail maps.
With knowledgeable and approachable staff, a wide selection of products, competitive pricing, and community pride, the Bicycle Chain goes above and beyond what you want your local bike shop to be.
Sure, the Whole Foods location in Durham was much sweeter (can’t deny that!), but I think we can forgive these guys and gals given all that they do!

Terrible Place. Staffed by Elitists, terrible service, particularly Brian in Service. Went to the Bicycle chain in Durham to do a few small things. I felt like I was bothering Brian (nice tattoos douche bag) by asking him to help, and then he said he didn’t think he could because the bike was shitty. He asks, «How much did you spend for this bike? … Yeah, that’s why it’s no good.» I don’t care if the bike is shitty, I need service on my bike duder, do you not advertise that you both sell bikes and service them? I asked how much it would cost to install a front brake and drill a small hole, give me a new bolt to tighten my seat, and true bot of my wheels. Brian begrudgingly quoted me at $ 105. I told him I’d shop around.
Went to Back Alley Bikes in Chapel Hill. Dudes were totally straight, listened to what I asked, and saw it as no problem. Quoted Price? $ 45. Need I say more?
I will never return to the Bicycle Chain. You guys sure can continue selling overpriced bikes to over the hill hobbyists. I can only speak for Bicycle Chain Durham. The lady, probably the owner at bicycle chain is really sweet. Brian is straight unpleasant. OH yeah, and Brian, for a guy who likes bikes so much, you sure are soft. Perhaps consider exercising.

had a super experience here this evening — brought in my bike for a repair, which Nick finished in about 10 minutes flat! this was a pleasant surprise since back @ home (we’re brand new to NC), i’d always had to drop off & wait 1 – 2 weeks for repairs or tune-​ups. in the meantime the friendly lady @ the desk took the time to recommend biking & hiking spots & even the best barbeque restaurants in the area in response to our questions. not only is my bike ready to ride again tomorrow, but thanks to the bicycle chain it should be an awesome outdoor weekend!

The Durham location moved to Chapel Hill! Apparently the Whole Foods next door had a lease option on their space and decided to expand, so they pushed my bike shop out. And apparently they moved to open a second shop in Chapel HIll.
What? You say. But this says it’s the «Durham» location! Okay, yes, technically their address may still say «Durham», but this new location on 15 – 501 and 40 is about as far out of Durham as you can be and still be able to reasonably claim to be the «Durham» store.
I’m sure it’s still great (it will be a while before I bother to head anywhere near there), but I’m not sure how being at the intersection of two behemoth highways is supposed to encourage bike commuting.

I wanted to like this place, I really did. I love Durham and I do my best to support local business. But I cannot in good conscience give them a good review. Or even a mediocre review.
This isn’t just a review regarding a singular bad experience, either. I’ve gone to the Bicycle Chain several times over the past 4 years. What made me go back so often? See the first two sentences of this review.
Really I hadn’t had any particularly great experiences with them in the past, but then anyone who uses their bike as a primary form of transportation knows, getting your bike repaired is a lot like taking your car in for repairs. That is, you instinctively distrust, dislike, or outright fear the experience. Asking someone to evaluate some piece of complicated machinery wherein problems with said machinery would greatly benefit them financially is already a risky business. So you should always be prepared for the worst.
All that said, bikes should theoretically be cheaper. And they usually are. The problem is therefore more in the experience than the cost.
After a few experiences with them (tune-​ups, part replacements, etc.), I recently took my bike in to have a rim replaced and new grips put on. Nothing very complicated. A week and a half after dropping my bike off, however, I called to see what was up. I was told that they did not have the proper rim color available on-​site, nor was it available from their distributor. They’d discovered this within a day of me dropping my bike off, but didn’t call to ask me what they should do. Instead they just let my bike sit there for 10 days until I called. I told them that I’m okay with any color rim so long as it’s the right fit/​size. They say okay and that they’ll order what they can.
Another week passes with no word. I call. They tell me that they ordered the part but then were told that there was some kind of issue with shipping and the other type they’d tried to order wasn’t available from the distributor. But they will call today to find another.
Still another week. I stop by and ask what’s up. Okay, the rim’s here now and it’s on the schedule for Tuesday. Tuesday comes and goes… no word. I call. It’s not done yet. Check back.
Another week. I call. Oh, it was done yesterday.
Total time to replace a rim and put new grips on: over a month. Okay, I get it – stuff happens. You have to rely on external vendors to send you stuff and sometimes things get mixed up or go missing or whatever. I get that. I’ve worked in retail and it sucks to be the middleman who gets yelled at by the customer because of someone else’s inadequacy.
All that said: HOW ABOUT SOME FREAKIN’ COMMUNICATION? If it takes you that long to perform relatively basic bike-​repair tasks, the least you can do is keep the customer informed. Even car repair jockeys aren’t that inept. People hate taking their cars to garages for repairs, but mechanics will still keep in touch so you’ll know what’s going on, even if you don’t end up liking it. Never during the 35 or so days that my bike was there did they ever let me know what’s going on without my first contacting them. (And I know it wasn’t an issue of poor legibility of my phone number because two separate individuals on two separate occasions read it back to me perfectly.)
This experience disappointed me on several levels. First, it was a (mostly) local Durham business that I finally had to concede was inadequate. Second, it reminded me why biking doesn’t get the respect it deserves: because even those who deal in it don’t give it the proper respect. (Think about it – car repair places keep you informed of what’s up with your car because it’s seen as a NECESSITY. Bikes are still treated like a hobby even by the dealers/​repair shops. Never once did they consider that this was a primary mode of transportation and therefore information was vital.) Thirdly, they seemed totally oblivious to the inconvenience it caused and the poor service/​communication they’d offered.
Total cost for new grips and new rim installed over the course of 35ish days: around $ 200.
I’m sure other people had okay experiences previously, and even my previous ones have been passable if not stellar, but this most recent one to me indicated failings at the most fundamental levels of customer service. Got to recommend against them as a whole.

Can’t recommend the Bicycle Chain. My wife popped in to inquire about low-​cost options for a commuter bike and was essentially laughed at and made to feel unwelcome by the elitist sales staff. This might be a great place to go if you are planning to drop couple grand but if you’re not you may be better off with the customer service offered by Target or Walmart.

From my first glance I wouldn’t call this a small local bike shop but more of a «chain» as the name states. There are a couple shops in the triangle area that sell new Treks and Specialized MTB and road bikes. In addition the store carries children’s frames and commuter bikes for those looking to save on gas or the ozone.
I have to admit that I enjoy window shopping for high end MTB’s but I didn’t see any here today. I did see a large selection of mid level bikes that would appeal to the average or new off road trail riding buyer.
I can’t comment on the service or sales staff as I was in a hurry and just wanted to pop in and get my token water bottle for my collection. I was however greeted as soon as I walked in and asked if I needed any help. The shop kinda reminded my of a smaller version of a Performance Bikes.

This place has really gone the extra mile and won me over.
Just so it’s clear who I am when it comes to bikes– I’m a bike commuter, and have been for a couple of years. I’ve never built my own bike or anything, my bike actually has more than 1 gear, and it cost less than $ 500 new. So I’m neither a spandex-​clad jackass nor a grungy hipster. I try to do all my own repairs. It’s partly a manly pride thing, it’s partly that I hate spending money on things I can do myself.
The Bicycle Chain has a repair shop, but they’ll also sell you parts. This is standard. What’s perhaps less standard, I feel, is the amount of work the staff is willing to do to help you fix your own bike. From the Bicycle Chain I’ve purchased inner tube patches, a new tube, brake pads for a road bike, a spoke to replace one that snapped, a gear-​cassette wrench adapter, a spoke wrench, and a chain whip. They’ve almost all been tiny purchases (the spoke was $ 1), but the staff has been knowledgeable and willing to spend the time necessary to make sure I got the right part (15 gauge spokes for my prissy road bike, not a more sensible 14 gauge) and to make sure I knew how to do the repair. I’ve gotten demos and detailed instructions which have been more helpful than my standard ‘Just Google it’ philosophy.
I think I’d hesitate to buy a new bike here due to the prices I saw on tags, but I’m not their target audience– I’m both poor and a cheapskate. However, when my girlfriend was shopping for a used bike, we went by and talked to them. They didn’t have anything in her size (she’s tiny), but they took her phone number and we continued our search on Craigslist. A week later, the Bike Chain called. We’d forgotten that we’d even left a phone number there, but they had a newly-​refurbed used bike in just her size, at a bargain price. I mean, I know they have a motivation to call and make a sale, but they didn’t try to force it– they had exactly what she’d asked for, for cheaper than she’d budgeted.
Service, ladies and gentlemen. It wins customers. I’m a big proponent of e-​commerce, and I most of what I buy I order off of Amazon. Even if Amazon were cheaper than the Bike Chain for my bike supplies, and it has NOT been for each of my purchases there so far, I’d stick with the Bike Chain and give the local shop my dollar.