The Devil's Gear Bike Shop

Welcome to The Devil's Gear Bike Shop, a well-established and community-centric bicycle and skateboard store located at 845 Chapel St, New Haven, Connecticut. Since its founding in 2001 by Matthew Feiner with a vision for an unpretentious, welcoming shop, The Devil's Gear has evolved into a vital hub for micromobility in New Haven. Now run by longtime members of the Devil's Gear family, Johnny B. and Greg, this shop serves as a testament to the thriving cycling and skateboarding culture in Connecticut. We understand that for many in New Haven, bikes are not just for recreation but are a main mode of transportation, navigating the unique urban landscape and connecting to scenic trails like the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail.

At The Devil's Gear Bike Shop, we are committed to moving people forward, literally and figuratively. We believe in fostering a vibrant, inclusive community where everyone feels welcome, regardless of their cycling or skating expertise, the cost of their gear, or their fitness level. While we acknowledge that every business faces its challenges, our core ethos remains rooted in genuine helpfulness and a passion for two wheels (and four). We aim to provide honest, fair service, and comprehensive support, ensuring that whether you're a daily commuter, a weekend adventurer, or a skateboarding enthusiast, you have access to reliable service and a wide selection of products. We are dedicated to building on our strong foundation and continuing to serve New Haven's diverse and dynamic community.

The Devil's Gear Bike Shop is conveniently located at 845 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. This central location in downtown New Haven places us within easy reach for residents, students, and commuters throughout the city and surrounding areas in Connecticut. Our shop is situated near popular landmarks and within walking distance or a short ride from Yale University, making us a highly accessible destination for a broad spectrum of the community.

Our presence on Chapel Street ensures that finding us is straightforward, whether you're arriving by bike, foot, or public transportation. We understand that for many, especially those relying on their bicycles for daily commutes, quick and easy access to a reliable bike shop is paramount. As one grateful customer experienced when their free hub froze "on the way in to work yesterday in the cold," our proximity allowed them to "coast[] up all frantic" and receive immediate assistance. We strive to be that dependable local resource, ready to get you "back on the road" with minimal delay. Our location also positions us near the Farmington Canal Heritage Trail, making us a convenient stop for riders enjoying the trail system.

Services Offered

• Comprehensive Bicycle Sales: We offer a wide selection of new and used bikes to suit various needs, from everyday commuters and casual cruisers to high-performance road bikes, gravel grinders, and mountain bikes. We are committed to helping customers find the bike that is "right for you," by listening to their needs and making tailored recommendations.
• Expert Bicycle Repair and Maintenance: Our skilled mechanics provide a full range of services to keep your bike running smoothly. This includes addressing specific issues like frozen free hubs, chain wear, and cassette wear, as well as general tune-ups and more complex repairs. We focus on diagnosing problems thoroughly and explaining "WHY these things were problematic" in an "approachable way." We work on a variety of makes and models, understanding different uses, including "heavy riding around the suburbs AND winter-riding commuting abuse."
• Skateboard Sales: In addition to bicycles, we also sell a large selection of skateboards and longboards, dedicated to nurturing the local skateboarding scene and featuring pros of color in our selection.
• Parts and Accessories Sales: We stock essential bicycle components and accessories to enhance safety and performance. Our focus is on providing parts tailored to "MY uses," ensuring they meet specific riding demands.
• Pre-Purchase Guidance and Advice: Our staff is committed to providing honest assessments of your bike's condition, distinguishing between "this might be dangerous" and "this will just be a hassle," without pushing unnecessary repairs.
• Community-Centric Support: As stated on our website, we aim to be a "community center" and embody a philosophy of treating "everyone like a friend no matter how knowledgeable they were about bikes, how expensive their bike was, or their level of fitness." We offer support even when it means going out of our way for a stranded cyclist.

Features / Highlights

• Strong Community Ethos: The Devil's Gear Bike Shop is deeply committed to being a community center, a place where people "can find bikes for every person, for every style of riding, for every reason that you ride your bike." This ethos is so strong that even competitors "recommend you to them," a testament to their genuine helpfulness and lack of condescension.
• Empathetic and Non-Condescending Staff: Customers consistently praise the staff for being "cool and calm," showing "great pity" for stranded cyclists, and noticing potential issues without "push me to FIX them at their shop." They explain problems in an "approachable way," ensuring that even if you're "not knowledgeable about your wheels, these guys won't stiff you and they won't condescend to you."
• Expert Problem Solvers: The team demonstrates a remarkable ability to quickly diagnose and resolve complex issues, as evidenced by fixing a frozen free hub that saved a customer "several days of looking for parts, buying tools, Youtubing through the entire Park Tools playlist."
• Fair Pricing and Honesty: Customers find our "prices in-shop were fair," and appreciate that we are "not making up things that need fixing," providing an honest and trustworthy service experience.
• Unique and Welcoming Vibe: The shop has a distinctive atmosphere, described as having "kooky and eclectic and lovely" tunes and a "great vibe," making it a pleasant place to visit. It's designed to be a lively space with bookshelves, couches, and a small sitting area.
• Dedicated to Micromobility: Evolving beyond just bicycles, The Devil's Gear now also focuses on skateboards and e-bikes, reflecting a commitment to all forms of "micromobility" as the future of urban transportation.
• Long-Standing Reputation: Despite recent challenges noted by some, the shop has a strong, long-standing reputation built over more than a decade for "really good work," maintaining a foundation of quality service.

Contact Information

Address: 845 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA

Phone: (203) 773-9288

Mobile Phone: +1 203-773-9288

The Devil's Gear Bike Shop stands as a deeply rooted and incredibly valuable resource for locals in New Haven and the wider Connecticut region. While some long-time customers have expressed recent frustrations regarding communication, the core values and the ability of the staff to "save the day" in critical moments remain a powerful testament to why this shop is suitable for locals. For residents who depend on their bikes for transportation, having a shop that can quickly respond to emergencies, as demonstrated by the frozen free hub incident, is absolutely essential.

The true strength of The Devil's Gear lies in its ethos as a "community center." The staff's approachability, their willingness to educate without condescension, and their focus on providing genuine solutions over pushing unnecessary sales create a trustworthy environment. As one reviewer eloquently put it, "How good of dudes do you have to be that someone who would otherwise be your competitor recommends you to them?" This speaks volumes about the integrity and service-oriented nature of the team.

Furthermore, The Devil's Gear is not just about transactions; it's about fostering a cycling and skateboarding culture in New Haven. Their commitment to offering various bikes (including used options for different budgets), skateboards, and providing honest assessments ensures that all members of the community can participate. The shop's convenient Chapel Street location makes it easily accessible for anyone in New Haven. Despite any recent operational hiccups, the spirit of helpfulness, fairness, and deep care for the local rider, coupled with the unique and welcoming "vibe," makes The Devil's Gear Bike Shop a truly irreplaceable asset for the Connecticut community.

The Devil's Gear Bike Shop

845 Chapel St, New Haven, CT 06510, USA