Virtuous Cycles

Samantha Mohr

★☆☆☆☆

Edited a year ago

Not nearly as cheap or reliable as Hodsons Bay by Purdue in West Lafayette. I went in to get my shifters and brakes adjusted and all the cables replaced. I was originally quoted at $60 but then I come in and they tell me it was supposed to be $109?? I understand the worker was new, and I don't blame them but maybe management should double check the estimates are correct. They could have contacted me earlier with a revised price point and asked if I still wanted it done, but instead they emailed saying my bike was done and they re-stated the total was $60. Moreover, they added new brake pads which is nice but I asked them not to so since I can replace them myself. They also replaced my handlebars with these cheap used ones when I did not ask them to, since the originals were still in decent shape. They offered to take them off but I said no since I didn’t want to get charged even more. We met somewhere in the middle price wise, which I appreciated. When I went there in the past I had a great experience. I understand there was a fire recently at their location, since then it seems their quality of service has gone downhill. Sorry but when I go to get a bike fixed I like to know exactly what I'm getting done and paying for, and I do not like the feeling of being pressed for more money. Unfortunately I will not be going back and will be sticking with Hodsons. (Reply)--> My attitude was professional and understanding, I was just disappointed with the service. Your reply was very immature and shows you really lack respect for your customers.

Julie

★☆☆☆☆

9 months ago

Cost over 100$ to get my bike tuned up and not even 1 day after, the derailer is loose and the chain won't stay on. The tech who works on bikes acted like his only job was to work on bikes and told us that bike pickup wasn't his job and was zero help. This is run more like a back alley garage than a bike shop.. now I have to take the bike somewhere else to get the chain issue taken care of.. buyer beware. This was 100% a bad decision

Shaun Whitus

★☆☆☆☆

a year ago

I came in the other day to sell a few antique bikes and to look at new mountain bike inventory. I brought in the 2 bikes and the guys working on the bikes behind the counter was really nice and said someone would be with me shortly. Then a younger guy came up and seen I was next in line but told me" I'm skipping you because the guy behind you is going to actually make us money" and he helped the customer behind me. That was by far the worst thing I have ever heard someone in a business tell a customer! First of all even if I was there to just sell used bikes then they make money by reselling them. 2nd I'm wanting also to upgrade to a new mountain bike but he didn't bother to talk and find out anything. When another guy came and was nice and helpful with me and I told him what the other guy said to me and how upset I was. He listened but didn't really apologize on his behalf. I've been in a business for along time and if I or another associate spoke to a customer like that then they be gone. I would have also apologized on their behalf and made it right somehow. Absolutely unbelievable. That guy has no business being in front of paying customers.

blivet5253

★★★★★

10 months ago

These folks are great. We left on a 2 month trek across the country and left our ebike chargers at home. Even though it was a holiday weekend when I left a message about how long it takes to order one, they replied back immediately - even though they were closed - and told me to come in later and they would find me something. They did and we are not just hauling bikes around as weights now. First class people in my opinion. They charged me a reasonable price when they could have cleaned my clock because I was desperate. Cool little shop too.

Keegan H.

★★★★★

7 months ago

The staff were very friendly and quick. The place also had everything I could need and good deals. One of the best bike shops I've been to.

Mark Berry

★★★★★

5 years ago

Took my four year old bike in for a "check-up". Had a significant list of items to check and - if necessary - repair. Mechanic offered to do a full breakdown of the bike, lubing bearings, replacing spokes, truing wheels, servicing and adjusting brakes and derailleurs, and anything else they could find. For less than what I paid for my car-top carrier and two tires, I received my bike back - in better operating condition than it was new. I'm exceptionally impressed with Virtuous Cycles and their team (especially John, who gave my baby the overhaul it deserved). Thanks, VC!

Tay KC

★★★★★

2 years ago

One of the best bike shop that really helped customer even to the extent of getting back his old tandem bike just to fulfill my request. Awesome service.

Alison Hipp

★★★★★

3 years ago

I cannot stress enough how wonderful Virtuous Cycles was to us about 2 weeks ago when our family had an emergency situation on our drive south for vacation. We are from Wisconsin and our very nice Thule bike rack broke on the freeway just south of Lafayette. After 90 terrifying minutes of sitting on the side of the road, I called Virtuous Cycles to see if they would be able to help determine if the damage done to our bikes was worth repair. The bikes had been dragged several yards before we could pull over and stop the car. When we arrived, one of the owners, Zoe, looked our bikes over and immediately started working on them. We had two bikes that needed work and he said it would be better to repair them than buy new. The guys at the shop recommended some food options for our family to try while they worked on our bikes (shout out to Revolution Barbeque, which was delicious)! Less than an hour later, they had fixed our bikes up for a super fair rate which we were thankful for after spending A LOT of money to have a towing company transport our bikes from the freeway. Zoe even offered us a used bike rack, again for a very reasonable price. He helped my husband install it to our car hitch and we were back on the road. With a full day left of travel to complete, we were so thankful for the speed, care and kindness Virtuous Cycles showed us. Any shop could have taken advantage of an out-of-town family in a desperate situation, but Zoe and his crew were really fantastic. I have to add, they know what they are doing when it comes to bikes. When we took our bikes in for a tune-up this week, the man at REI told us how amazing our bikes looked given what had happened to them. After viewing our photos, he said whoever fixed them up did an outstanding job. Kudos to Virtuous Cycles!

John Ryan

★☆☆☆☆

6 months ago

Had a really poor experience at Virtuous Cycles in Lafayette. They charged me $35 for a five-minute fix on a simple, inexpensive bike and were pretty rude about it. Definitely a one-star experience.

Danny Brouillette

★★★★★

7 months ago

I am lucky to live a block away from this fantastic bicycle shop. I've had several repairs done over the last few years and bought a bicycle there last year. Yesterday, I had my bike locked up nearby, and the U-lock jammed and needed to be cut, which requires a saw or angle grinder. Knowing I would need a new lock regardless of what was to result, I visited the shop today to buy a new lock. While the cashier was ringing me up, I casually mentioned my predicament to him, and he sent his colleague with me on foot a few blocks with an angle grinder to remove the old lock. Unparalleled customer service!

Olive Adnson

★★★★★

7 months ago

Virtuous Cycles. In a most refreshing way they have reminded myself and their community what artisanship has the capacity to be. Fundamentally, people have needs and other people have professional expertise in meeting those needs. The intersection of that supply and demand doesn’t have to be one centered around profit, but instead could, or should, be centered around prosperity (for both parties). Through Virtuous Cycles’ craft and compassion they mend bikes as well as our broken humanity. They treat their customers like complex beings motivated by their dedication to their passion and people rather than like numbered cogs in some corporate machine motivated by yield and exploitation. In the midst of a day I can only imagine was arduously overwhelming and tediously stressful for the Virtuous Cycles employees (on account of Purdue’s imminent fall semester) I was met promptly and with grace. In spite of the overflowing bikes and long queue they turned no one away breaking a sweat as they ran around getting stored bikes, parts, giving advice, and so on. As I write this an employee took the time to assist a wheelchair bound customers out of the door. It is hard enough to be and pursue virtue without the “motivation” of money. Yet here this business stands in perpetuity as an example that even in a world such as ours, we can stave off the corruption of greed and isolating individualism by instead attempting to lift others as we lift ourselves into a communal prosperity. They are virtuous in every sense of the word. May we all endeavor to be virtuous, tolerant, compassionate and open minded as we seek to understand others and this world throughout the cycle of our lives. Cheers and Huzzah!

Andrew Sanders

★★★★★

Edited 2 years ago

Amazing Experience!! I was in the market for a nice commuter bicycle. Zoe (the owner) has an awesome selection of used bikes to choose from. I found the perfect bike at a great price. Zoe and the whole staff went out of there way to help me set it up perfectly for commuting. Highly recommend this bike shop!! Update April 1st 2023. Just picked a used trunk rack for my bikes. Needed and upgrade from my old one in order to take longer road trips. Very happy! Best bike shop in town. Love the people, love the atmosphere!

Davis Kuykendall

★★★★★

3 months ago

Great bike shop. I've bought many bikes from them over the years and had them work on them for various repairs and upgrades. They are very passionate about bikes and also creating a community of cyclists.

Alec Williams

★☆☆☆☆

7 months ago

Today I brought my bike and my son’s bike into the shop for a quick tune up. I called ahead to ensure I wasn’t inconveniencing their day. When my son and I went into the shop to ask about the assistance, they commanded their instructions without any personal touch. They were incredibly rude, showing me and my son our business didn’t matter at all. Unfortunately this isn’t the first, second or third time I’ve had that encounter. It’s sad they are the only shop in Lafayette. Hoping there’s more options in the near future for good bike shops in town. We could use a good shop that treats potential customers much better. I will not be back.

Victoria Creviston

★☆☆☆☆

5 months ago

went today to look for used bikes and the guy was a horrible salesperson (constantly just sipping his drink and acting like we were wasting his time, actually left so defeated). yes, we were looking for cheap used bikes which is what we told him but we weren’t the most knowledgeable on how much a used bike was here ($450-500), which we were okay with paying. the salesperson did his worst possible job trying to show us bikes, actually making it seem like we were broke college kids wasting his time. after this sad visit i decided to look for reviews online because the whole interaction left a bad taste (looks like this happens all the time). the owner of this shop is the most childish and unprofessional person ive ever read reviews from and they actually make this bike shop look so bad. don’t go here if you’re new to bikes because they don’t care about you !

Aston

★★★☆☆

6 months ago

The people who actually work on the bikes are pleasant, knowledgeable and quick. My bike is smoother and faster than it has ever been after getting my derailleurs adjusted and tires pumped up. Price was more than fair and way less than expected. HOWEVER everytime I have been here the guy working the register has been extremely impatient and acts like he has something better to do. Ive only ever seen him at the counter, while the other guy was working on multiple bikes at once, the guy on counter was just complaining and giving everybody an attitude. he is REALLY holding this business back. People coming in or calling in to inquire about their bikes, at the only bike shop in town, shouldnt be met with his attitude. I never leave negative reviews but this has to be pointed out (and seems like many other reviewers feel the same.) approximate quotes from him: (while I was buying a helmet and lights) - "I really dont see a point in those if youre gonna get hit youre gonna get hit" - "this is an easy repair but nobody is gonna want to touch it because its a cheap repair. Itll be done towards the end of the day" *immediately when picking up the phone with an attitude* - "we're really busy what do you need" (mind you he isnt actually doing any work, his buddy is running from bike to bike doing work) "we're not gonna schedule you for brake pads" (overheard on the phone. valid but with that same "im better than you" attitude) i get that you're busy and just opened but you open in the middle of the day for only 6 hours. Most of us are busier than you and just trying to get our transportation fixed, courtesy IS the bare minimum.

Laks Seel

★★★★☆

6 months ago

This seems to be the only cycle shop in town. We went there to buy a cycle and had to wait a bit since only one or two people were available to assist customers. However, the service was good, and in the end, we bought a cycle.