A bike shop is one of the most important places in your cycling journey. Even if you already have a bike, you will have to bring it in eventually to keep it running.

In my three years as a bike commuter, I’ve gone through many bike shops and I realized something. What is a good bike shop depends per person, and figuring out where you belong is key to growing as a cyclist.

Here are four things to consider when choosing your go-to bike shop.

1. The products and services meet your needs.

This sounds like it should go without saying, but there’s more to this than the surface. Although a bicycle is a bicycle, there are many kinds. And the riders of these bikes are just as diverse.

In my case, there are two bike shops located near my house: Bikespot PH and Tambay Cycling Hub. Although the former is nearer, I go to the latter for many reasons. The biggest one is that I’m not the target market for the former.

Bikespot caters to sports cyclists (specifically roadies), so they sell high-end bikes and components. On the other hand, Tambay serves bike commuters and casual cyclists, so they’re more likely to have what I’m looking for.

For those who own an electric bike, make sure you have it serviced at the same shop where you got it. Not just any bike mechanic can service an e-bike, and not all e-bikes are the same.

2. The people help you learn and grow.

Skill is important; trust is priceless. The staff in a bike shop aren’t just workers running a store; they’re also the very people taking care of your precious bike. Make sure that the mechanic servicing your bike is capable of communicating openly and transparently. They have to be on top of what they’re doing.

As a beginner, I wanted to learn more about my bikes. That’s why I’d often ask my mechanic what he did so that my bike would get fixed. I’m not saying you have to go this route, but the knowledge I gained helped me grow to the point that I could work on my own bike for simple things.

The last thing you’d want is someone who’ll just tells you to get your bike and leaves you alone. If they don’t help you understand what went wrong, how it was fixed, and how it could be prevented, then they aren’t helping you out in the long run.

3. There is a sense of community surrounding the bike shop.

Do you go to a department store to hang out and meet new people?

Decathlon Pasig used to be my go-to bike store because I saw it as the Uniqlo of bike shops. It’s quite beginner-friendly and has everything you’d need if you’re just starting out.

It’s ironic that I went from that to a small bike shop located in someone’s garage in Pineda. After I first encountered Tambay Cycling Hub, it easily became my number one bike shop because of the sense of community it fosters.

It feels less like a commercial establishment and acts as a safe space where people are free to gather and socialize, without pressure that they have to spend on something.

Going back to item 1, not all bikers are the same and what jives for you might not be the same for me. What’s important is that you surround yourself with people who influence you positively during those times when you’re at the bike shop.

4. The bike shop is accessible.

Accessibility can mean many things. I’d sum it up with this question: Is the bike shop there when you need it?

Store hours are important because knowing the schedule lets you plan your shop visit accordingly.

If the shop isn’t open when you’re available, or if it’s only open a fraction of the time it’s supposed to be, why bother going?

Physical accessibility is also important. My main gripe with Decathlon Pasig is that you don’t have a choice but to climb up a lot of stairs. It’s not safe since not everyone is strong enough to carry their bikes, and the provided bike ramp is no replacement for an wheelchair ramp.

One last thing, the bike shop must be bike-friendly. Last time I visited Decathlon Pasig, bicycles are no longer allowed inside (except for those going to the workshop). I heard it’s supposedly related to a shoplifting incident. But I fail to see the logic with how it’s supposed to deter theft.

Does an ideal bike shop exist?

At the end of the day, there is no perfect bike shop, so don’t try to limit yourself to one place. There are times when one store will be unable to meet all your needs. That’s why it’s helpful to have alternatives.

Having more bike shops around Metro Manila is good because you never know when you’ll run into an emergency on the road. Every bike shop is important because they serve specific communities within their localities.