Chain Reaction Bicycles

Rachel Hubbert

My previous bike was old and rusted from the Gainesville weather so I went in to look for a new bike. Was helped within minutes and was asked my price budget and shown what I could get. Large selection and great options! Super friendly staff and were very attentive. They even delivered my bike to my apartment for free! Will be recommending this place as long as I’m in Gainesville! :)

Amber Willock

I feel like this shop really cares about the bike community. Friendly and not out to over charge. They want to help you save money by giving you the option to buy used versus pushing to get the most expensive thing in the shop. I bought a used bicycle in good condition for a really good price. Go check them out if you haven’t already.

Chelsea B

The owner of this business made up prices for accessories. NEGOTIATE ON PRICE AS MUCH AS YOU CAN! When I first bought the bike I asked them to throw on a water bottle holder. They took a cheap dusty old pink plastic holder that looked like they took it off of another bike and zip-tied it to my new bike and charged me $30. I was never asked what type of water bottle holder I wanted or the method I wanted it attached to my bike. When I came back the next day to exchange, the owner tried exchanging it for a lower-quality holder. When I asked for the package of the new holder and if it was really worth $30, he went down on the price by $10 (still not a great deal). To be fair in this review, I also bought two bike lights and a phone holder. These were boxed and sold at a price expected for a small independent bike shop. The owner said he was giving me a cheaper deal than what I could get at REI--not true--but the prices were still reasonable. The pro of this story is that you can definitely barter on prices. They keep no inventory. If you want a little adventure shop here.

Jessie Strop

I went to chain reaction today. They were great and made sure my son's bike could be done same day. They said tune up carried a student discount of 80 bucks, plus he needed new break pads and those were 10 each. They called later and told me the tires had some dry rot spots so I may want to get new tires. 39.99 each, I said ok. The bike has been in the garage for at least a solid year with no use...so definitely do whatever it needs. I went in to get the bike and the total was 220. After giving me the total and me handing him my card he asked if we had lights for the bike, we didn't have them yet so I said no. (Although, through UF I know you can get them for free at the police dept) He said, I have some light sets here if you want to throw them on now, I won't charge to put them on. I said sure, that would be great (after he explained that kids are charged $100 fine if they don't have the lights) he took my debit card, no signature was required so I just took my receipt and card and threw it in my purse. I tipped him 20 bucks cash for getting the bike done quickly for us. Then after I drove away I realize that the flashlight for the bike like $60! My total for what was suppose to be just a tune up turned into $300. They were extremely nice, but please be careful and don't pay $60 for a flashlight 🤦‍♀️ my own fault for not specifically asking the cost. But he really talked it up like it was basically free. Receipt is even a little confusing. Not bashing businesses at all because I'm all about supporting local business but I feel totally taken advantage of. 😑