Friendly neighborhood bike shop. Helped me out when I needed help!
The 5 stars isn't for it being a bike store, but for the experience you might gain. I walked in to the Boston version of Humans of New York. I am your stereotypical fast paced city-goer working in Finance and looking for fast service with food, groceries, cabs, dating apps, life in general. As young city goers we typically like clean minimalist settings with lots of space. Knickknacks create dust, and that would mean one would have to download the Handy app and fork over money for a cleaner! But dust carries memories. I walked in to a shop full of bikes and gadgets tossed all over the place. I'm sure there was an order to the madness, but the initial impression of the place was shocking yet eye-opening. As soon as you look across the store you see the old man just chatting with his slightly younger helper or friend, who really knows. The old man immediately knew I had a flat tire, and started to work without speaking. As the other reviewers have said don’t expect fast service. He is steady and methodical moving his hands as if he has done a thousand or more tires. This alone makes you realize the faster we rush through it all the sillier we look. We will always have another flat tire. He started to tell me he has been doing this since 1938 when he used to help his dad. This used to be his second job when he used to also drive up and work in an old GE plant that has since gone overseas. This simple yet poignant statement reminded me of the people we leave behind when we make decisions to benefit from “globalization” and “economies of scale.” My business degree suddenly seemed a bit worthless compared to the experience about life I could see in this man’s eyes. As he talked and came close to finishing my tire, I suddenly realized my credit card would definitely not be accepted in this establishment. I ran out to get some cash from an ATM, a device the old man probably opts out of in lieu of a live teller. I come back and the old man is done. I reach out to pay, but of course making change is problem in a store that deals in such low volumes and accounting system is a book in back somewhere. I end up being able to make change next door at an old timey bar. I come back and the old man leaves me with the kindest gesture I’ve heard since moving to Boston, “If you ever can’t make change, or just don’t have money at all come around, and I can help you. I know what it’s like to be poor and not have anything.” If I was a bit more creative I’d seek out more people like this old man and start documenting their stories. All the apps out there are giving us the services we ask for, but maybe not the ones we need.
There was a time once when this man was the best as a child i loved him alzheimers is dreadful and i feel so much empathy for this man please dont judge or one day you will be judged .Have seat and be kind with him he'll do whatever he can.
I recommend this shop for the basics like changing a tire or cleaning a chain. I dropped my basic road bike for a tuneup. When I tried to call to arrange to pick it up the phone was disconnected. When I stopped by he charged me $25 for a full tuneup ($10 less than he quoted me plus parts) It appears as though nothing was done and my flat kit was missing and he couldn't find it. I felt bad and gave the guy $30 and called it a day. A review on here mentions a medical condition. That would explain him being on his game when I dropped the bike and then forgetting about it. Nice guy. When he's on he knows what he's talking about. I wouldn't leave my bike there again but I'd buy parts from him.
Not the fastest place but definitely worth it. Charlie is a great guy who knows what he's doing. It's a trip back in time going into his shop.
Federico S Bike Shop is a US Bicycle Store based in Boston, Massachusetts. Federico S Bike Shop is located at 126 Emerson St, Boston, MA 02127, USA.
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