The JP Beat – people, places & events for Jamaica Plain

For the first time since Revolution Bicycle Repair opened shop near Hyde Square in JP last winter, I decided to go in, check out the bikes, and talk with the people behind the counter. After looking at the mix of customer repairs, reconditioned bikes, and new bikes, I struck up a conversation with co-owner Ben Gurly and Kurt(sp?).

I happened to be carrying a fresh warm burrito from Tacos El Charro and they were finishing some lunch, so they invited me to have a seat. We talked about some upcoming events they’re planning with other community businesses. Refreshingly absent was the cooler-than-thou or snarky attitudes one sometimes gets at other bike shops.

While I was there, a beret-wearing guy brought in his bike: a step-through ‘ladies’ frame with a broken spoke and wheels that were seriously out of true. Ben checked it out, quoted him $45 for a tune-up, described to the repair job. No smirks or comments, just good straightforward service.  Also, most other shops places around Boston charge something closer to $100 for tune-ups.

It’s pretty nice to have a bike shop like that around town. Now that I think of it, one of my bikes has a frozen brake lever. I’ll take it over there right now and see how things go.

[Six hours later] Walking past the shop around 7 pm-ish, I saw Ben using goop to clean the grease off his hands. Even though the shop was closed, Ben waved me in to pick up my bike.

I checked out the bike. The once-frozen brake lever worked like new. Fresh tires and brake pads. The wheels were true. The brakes and shifters were smooth and accurate. I took the bike out for a test ride around the block. When I brought it back for a minor adjustment, Ben did it gladly. I was impressed.

I can’t say how happy I am to have a new bike shop like this in my neighborhood. I had mostly given up hope of finding a bike shop that gives great service and does excellent, affordable, repair work. Now my faith is restored. Viva la Revolution!