Finally got a chance to check out the new Freewheel Midtown Bike Center a few weeks ago. Nice setup! I'm sure most have seen it by now. Anyway, wanted to pick up a pad for my bag after having bright red stripes across my chest after the commute. They didn't have any, but an employee there (I forget his name!) gave me his own that he wasn't using. How cool is that? Needless to say, I'll be continuing to give them my business.

last year, there was grand open on midtown freewheel. my friend and i are deaf and rode our bike to check out that new build. one woman worked in little cafe and happened to know asl. it was cool for us to be able to communicate with her. she married to one guy who works at the midtown freewheel.

it was pleasure for us to continue our business with the freewheel. my friend bought the custom steel bike (independent fabrication) from freewheel last year. this year, i bought new bontrager aelous 5.0 clincher wheels from them because i already have my old lemond from freewheel. they are cool in my book.

Ooops, this review was meant for the West Bank one!

Just want to say thanks to the mechanic at Freewheel who helped me with my front derailleur - I've been trying to fix it for over a week and just couldn't get it. Well, it turned out to be one of those "Honey I called the mechanic and the good news is that the washer doesn't work because it's not plugged in" kinda fixes.

But, I didn't know that little wire thingey could cause what was happening and he was very gracious just to give me some education and send me on my way without me feeling more stupid than I already did. Thanks.

It's a great place, great people, but ironically it's a bit weak on bike parking. I won't use that dippy 'wheel bender' rack on the south side of the trail, I can't lock my frame to it. Sometimes all the good spots are taken so I just keep rolling instead of stopping in.

There is a rack inside, just wheel your bike in and let it sit and chill while you get whatever you need done.

I've never been clear on whether it was ok to park inside. I sort of thought that space was for repair/rental customers, not people just drinking coffee.

1/2 the cafe customers just leave their bikes in the stand. If it gets crazy busy, maybe think about moving it outside or to another area not near the heavily used floor pumps, but most of the time it isn't going to be an issue.

I'm there probably more than is good for me and have never had issue using the inside rack. There's always the fully functional Metro Transit "demo" bike bus rack too! I've parked there before when space was a little tight. Bonus: you're showing everyone how easy it is to use!

I did a super, super dumb thing about a month ago... put my front wheel in that rack. The bike was perfectly balanced and standing up straight and seemed fine so I didn't think anything of it. I proceeded to take some photos of Freewheel and surrounding area (I have been thinking for months that I want to photograph my awesome bike commute, and I finally did it) and when I turned to go back to my bike, it was leaning against the rack at a sickening angle.

When I tried to ride it, the wheel wasn't true. I took it into Freewheel completely knowing it was my own fault, and expecting to pay for them to fix it, but the mechanic made it all better and didn't charge me (I just got a little lecture about parking my back wheel, not my front wheel, in those racks, which was deserved). He was super nice and I really appreciated the quick and friendly service. Definitely will be back!

That's awesome service.

I can't do that if I have the fenders on.

wtf? How did your wheel get bent??

Thanks MacGyver - hub is great now, smooth as a baby's a**

I knew that my bearings were going out, and I talked with MacG last weekend a bit about it - and during trailwatch safety committee tonight, he did my front hub for me - thing is great now - feels new again (30 year old hub that still spins like a piece of glass) - service with a smile.

Sometimes it is nice to have work done for you when you are short on time, and Freewheel has been very good about walk in service for me over the years. If only Gabe had not gotten to the last lemon cookie first, it would have been a perfect evening.

The wheel is also a testament to Hiawatha Cyclery - it was built there somewhere in the late 80's or early 90's - 36 spoke job, but still true and very nice. Old campy hubs are great - bearings are the soft part, so unless you tighten them too much, the last a lifetime with just bearing service and cleaning.

And the cafe has fresh Isles baked goods everyday! NOM NOM NOM!