Each shop I visited around NYC seemed to have no idea how to build up one of these bikes to compliment the frame and meet my own checklist for what I wanted out of a bike: comfortable, elegant, spritely, with carrying capacity.
Needless to say I'll be returning to Ciel for any future bike purchases and I hope you'll give them your business too. They love bicycles. There's nothing more dangerous for a business than an owner who does it for love, but John and his crew just might make it work.
Sure enough, the final product was perfect. A bespoke single speed mixte commuter. It exceeded my expectations and while it wasn't a bargain (despite the deep discount John gave me at each stage), it is exactly the bicycle I've been wanting to ride. It makes my commute a joy. When I brought it back to the shop for some tweaking, John turned the wrench himself and said, "You know what I love? This could be a show bike. It's that nice. But you ride it every day. Thank you for that."
In visiting the shop a couple times a week I discovered this wonderful collective of gear heads. The infectious enthusiasm from the guys turning the wrenches, John, and the occasional manufacturer's rep that would be in the store ... it was palpable. Josh would pepper me with ideas. John would challenge him. Or vice versa. We talked through virtually every part on the bike. I was overwhelmed at times and relied on their judgment when I was lost. I wasn't disappointed.
Riding through Central Park and to Rockefeller Center when all of a sudden pssss...flat rear tire. Called places nearby but went to Ciel that was a few blocks further because I received excellent phone support. And the service was fast, honest with some future gear advice for nothing. I was lucky to find this place but if you live or ride in the city this is the place to go. Thanks!!
Probably paid a little more than I expected, but my bike is still in great shape and investments into it have been good ones.
I'm not writing this review to spite the business or in ill will, my experience is below.
Will be a repeat customer for sure.
I spent the better part of 3 months visiting local bike shops that could order me a frame from SOMA Fabrications in San Francisco. For those of you unaware, these are lovely classic bicycle frames designed right here in the US.
The service was very good, feedback friendly and objective.
I don't doubt the competency of the staff but two flats in two weeks after paying 30 for what I feel to be sub-par products to get everything fixed leaves a bit of a sour aftertaste.
Got my bike serviced and fixed at the beginning of spring, 6 months later still a very satisfied NYC rider.
Walking into Ciel that all changed. The custom builds in the window and peppered throughout the store told me this was a shop that got it. That understood how to blend functionality with a stylish bicycle. Within 10 minutes of meeting John, the owner of Ciel, I knew I was in good hands. We ordered a SOMA Buena Vista and over the next month or so worked together to add the parts that would turn that raw frame into the bicycle I'd been imagining.
Wonderful neighborhood bike shop. Staff is always really friendly and helpful. Bought my bike here and consistently go back for any accessories that I need.
Well, today is about 2 weeks later (+~150 miles after the fix) and quite inexplicable at home, I heard a pop, air hissing out and the wheel is flat again. I took the wheel out and there are two massive holes, probably 4mm on the rim side near the valves. I've used giant inner tubes before but this tube was utter rubbish. Now, I'm happily stuck at home, and instead of riding am now griping about this.
I popped the inner tube in my rear wheel going down the Queensboro, and found this store on google maps. I came in, was served by the mechanic and was pretty pleased with the service but the next day I woke up and the tire was flat again (from Queens). I took the wheel back to the shop, served by a different mechanic to examine the tube and found a snakebite hole on the opposite side of the valve. Both times, no deficiencies in either the tire or rim were found (I got a new rim tape on the first visit as well). I got a pair of wheel levers and a patch kit, went back and fixed the puncture.
Ciel Bicycle Stores is a US Bicycle Store based in Manhattan New York, New York. Ciel Bicycle Stores is located at 360 E 65th St, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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