I might go to the local shop with the attractive manager (I’ve already said too much) for something simple like a tube. But when Bianca, my mountain bike, needs some true love, I take her to the guys at Bicycle Generation in Deerfield Beach. If I were going to bring home another bike, chances are more than likely it would come from them. I’ve bought four trusted steeds over the years since I got hooked on cycling. Of those four two were bought in a store. Those two, my first mountain bike and my first road bike, were both bought at Bicycle Generation.
Like every major purchase, I did my homework when I decided to invest in my first bike. I knew exactly which model I wanted before even setting foot in a store. With that model in mind I called every Trek dealer in a 80 mile radius. Admittedly, I’ve bought cars with less homework. I got a quote below MSRP at one place and then dialed the next shop down on the list. I ended up getting Leo, the owner of BG on the phone.
Leo gave me a competitive price and threw in all kinds of attractive extras such as a free first tune up on the bike and a discount on merchandise for being a bike customer. The deals are always changing but a purchase at BG is always sits well. The staff at the store want to keep you happy – not only out of sheer business principle but I truly believed it is because they are excited to share in your passion for cycling. I’ve come in the bike with a broken bike dismayed at the prospect of not riding for a few days to find myself being able to ride that day. On the spot repairs can’t be reasonably be offered or delivered by bike stores. They’re pretty busy. Yet the guys behind the counter are the type of people to help you out if they can.
The atmoshpere in the store is laidback and friendly regardless of how busy the foot traffic in may be on a particular day. The guys running the shop (now Leo’s son and gang) all seem to be friends. They all ride – both on and off road. You’ll see them on the trails and at the charity rides where Leo himself will make a star appearance and hit the pavement. In or out of the shop, there’s no difference between customer and employee – everyone’s a fellow rider. They know the bikes, your needs and probably have felt your same pains at some point. One of the guys races at a semi pro level (last I heard) but is humble as can be. The store doesn’t sponsor a racing team. So preferential treatment isn’t reserved for store sponsored racers like in many of the stores around here.
The store carries several brands and can order anything from the rare nut and bolt to your dream racing gig. The staff are well versed at helping customers at all levels from the first time rider and children’s bikes to placing an order for multiple dreamy high end rigs for an international customer involved in competive cycling. Warranty returns and replacements are processed with relative ease.
Bicycle Generation has shown no interest in expansion into a chain of multiple shops. The store seems content in providing top notch service to their loyal customers. We’re loyal for a reason.
Bicycle Generation 1346 E.Hillsboro Blvd, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441 954-427-1484 www.bicyclegeneration.com
I agree totally with this review. Am new to cycling—6 weeks into it. Bought a carbon graphite specialized bike and love my cycling. The guys in the shop are knowledgeable, friendly, eager to help make all my riding experience A+. Since my “addiction” I have visited several neighborhood stores as well as stores in NYC and Long Island. My hats off to Leo who runs a great shop! Love the guys. My only comment is that now that I am “into” the cycling, I need more clothing. It is hard to well stock a bicycle shop with all the clothing, so I have had to use the internet. Otherwise the “real” purchases and repairs—-for the two wheeled stallion have been spectacular to say the least. I give them triple thumbs up!!!