Bikes have been my passion since I was young kid growing up in Gresham, Oregon. Although I often dreamed of having my own bike shop, after college I ended up working for several years in personal finance doing budget and credit counseling. Then I decided to make the leap and enrolled in United Bike Institute to become a certified bicycle mechanic.
I opened my shop in 2013 and named it Block Bikes because it captures the spirit of what we're about: The building "block" or foundation of what makes cycling such a joy is a reliable, well-tuned bike that perfectly suits your individual needs. Today I'm proud to live and work in St. Johns, a diverse community with a small-town feel.
I opened my shop in 2013 and named it Block Bikes because it captures the spirit of what we're about: The building "block" or foundation of what makes cycling such a joy is a reliable, well-tuned bike that perfectly suits your individual needs. Today I'm proud to live and work in St. Johns, a diverse community with a small-town feel.
Services
The Bobcat Trail family of mountain bike hardtails are designed for the rider looking for a capable singletrack machine, featuring everything you need to have a great ride. The heart and soul of the ride stem from the lightweight, Series 2 aluminum alloy frame, which features long and low trail geometry and room for either 27.5" or 29" wheels.
The Four Corners is built for the adventure rider looking to explore deep off of the beaten path, sleep outdoors, and be ready for whatever pavement, dirt road, or light singletrack is around the next corner. The heads-up bar position and generous braze-ons that make it possible to live on the bike for days at a time are equally at home on the daily commute.
The Wheels Mfg PF30 Outboard bottom bracket will give you all of the same benefits as their well-loved Outboard style BBs. The two machined aluminum cups thread together ensuring the bottom bracket remains stable in the frame, increasing bearing life, and simplifying maintenance. This means no more creaking, smoother operation, longer bearing life, and really quick bearing replacement.
Sunlite's Cable End Button replaces the worn out piece that goes between your brake cable and the brake lever body. Replacing it along with cables and housing helps add new life to your brakes and shines u the bike, too! Ditch the zip ties and clean up the look of your cables with Origin-8's Clamp-on Cable Stop.
The Shimano Altus RD-M310 rear derailleur is a quality, durable replacement rear derailleur for 7 and 8-speed drivetrains. Shimano's Deore 10-speed Front Derailleur sports a lightweight cage that's chrome plated to reduce wear, and the body boasts wide parallel pivots that provide fast, smooth, and reliable shifts every time.
Reviews (23)
John P.
Oct 11, 2021
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My wife purchased a Marin a few months ago.. turns out the dropper post was only semi-functional. Being a decent mechanic I pulled it out and discovered the housing had been severely crimped. Well if they're going to apply brute Force to something that clearly requires finesse I'm not going to take it back to them, so I fixed it myself with new housing.
Just now I'm attempting to remove the left pedal for replacement only the same genius has decided the best course of action is to torque it as hard as possible. The only issue with this he doesn't know the threads run counter
Just now I'm attempting to remove the left pedal for replacement only the same genius has decided the best course of action is to torque it as hard as possible. The only issue with this he doesn't know the threads run counter
M. W.
Sep 25, 2021
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One of my favorite local businesses in the area. Ben & his staff are always helpful, practical, and willing to share their honest opinion when asked- which I greatly appreciate.
Our family has purchased a new kids bike, had Block Bikes build up a frame with new & used components, and purchased the occasional tube/flat repair kit/ random bolt/fenders etc along the way, and we couldn’t be happier with the way Block Bikes has kept our family pedaling along.
Our family has purchased a new kids bike, had Block Bikes build up a frame with new & used components, and purchased the occasional tube/flat repair kit/ random bolt/fenders etc along the way, and we couldn’t be happier with the way Block Bikes has kept our family pedaling along.
Jeff Cook
Aug 17, 2021
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Herman G.
Aug 04, 2021
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My wife purchased an Electra Cruiser 1 Step Thru US 24 BL on 8/3/2021 from Rich at Block Bikes. She is only 5 foot tall. Rich made all the adjustments to the bike to fit her body frame. We took a ride last evening and she loves the bike. A great bike!! What a great place to purchase bikes, repairs and accessories. Rich is a great person. He is honest and very pleasant to deal with. He has our business from now on. Thanks, Rich, Herman and Monica G.
Donald H.
Jul 31, 2021
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Anne Wilson
May 27, 2021
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I had a bent wheel and some overall wiggles happening when I was riding. I made an appointment and was met with top notch service. Not only did he address the issues I was there for, but also took initiative to correct a few other issues he found, which has my bike feeling brand new! Their service costs are affordable as well. I will absolutely return for all future service and sales needs.
Johnny K.
Mar 12, 2021
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Great, quick, attentive, friendly, helpful service.
Was in the process of changing from platform to clipless pedals and they were stuck. After a frustrating 2 hours, I called Block Bikes and asked if they could help me remove my pedals (I was hoping to change them ASAP for a long weekend ride). I asked for the price and they said just $5 and that I could stop by as long as it was before closing at 6pm. I drove over at 5:40 and they had the right wrench to take it off in a couple minutes. They even gave me some grease for the clipless pedals so it'll be easy to remove when needed. When it
Was in the process of changing from platform to clipless pedals and they were stuck. After a frustrating 2 hours, I called Block Bikes and asked if they could help me remove my pedals (I was hoping to change them ASAP for a long weekend ride). I asked for the price and they said just $5 and that I could stop by as long as it was before closing at 6pm. I drove over at 5:40 and they had the right wrench to take it off in a couple minutes. They even gave me some grease for the clipless pedals so it'll be easy to remove when needed. When it
Gabriel Romero
Nov 14, 2020
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Knowledgeable staff, very cool bikes. My experience there was they know their frames and components like the back of their hands, and were willing to work with and teach two bike newbs (my wife and I) about what we could alter on our new bike purchase. During COVID you cannot enter the store for safety, and this was alleviated by the mechanic/sales person bringing out tons of locks, baskets etc so that we could examine them in person. Thank you for all the help, we love the bike, and we can't wait to work with you again.
Scarlett Lynsky
Oct 16, 2020
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Johnson
Oct 07, 2020
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Best bike shop EVER.
These fine folks know their trade better than anyone else in town.
Most non pretentious atmosphere you will find.
All they care about is building the best new bikes, and keeping your old bike going.
You will find no judgement here. Only excellent, knowledgeable service at an extremely reasonable price.
Have a weird build and need some assistance?
Want a new top of the line touring bike?
Need some work on your grocery getter?
Talk to Block Bikes.
They will exceed your expectations for price and service.
These fine folks know their trade better than anyone else in town.
Most non pretentious atmosphere you will find.
All they care about is building the best new bikes, and keeping your old bike going.
You will find no judgement here. Only excellent, knowledgeable service at an extremely reasonable price.
Have a weird build and need some assistance?
Want a new top of the line touring bike?
Need some work on your grocery getter?
Talk to Block Bikes.
They will exceed your expectations for price and service.
Mike
Sep 14, 2020
Report
Man, I've lived here for about 6 years, brought my bike to numerous places, no one has gotten my bike riding as well as these guys. I was legit wondering if I just was falling out of cycling, but nah, I think I just found a shop that actually cares. I went in for a tune up, they found some errors, fixed them and didn't gouge me on the price. They were faster than they said they'd be and did beyond an outstanding job. This thing hasn't rode this smooth since I had it overseas in Germany where it comes from. I actually had fun on my bike again, and turned a 5 mile commute into a 16 mile ride throughout
J. W.
Aug 04, 2020
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Feeling very blessed to have such a great bike shop in my neighborhood. I was able to get my bike tuned up without going to the shop! Ben the owner came to my house and picked it up and then brought it back a week later good as new. I was enjoying my tuned up bike so much that I decided to upgrade. As luck would have it, Block Bikes had the perfect bike in stock. I made an appointment to come to the shop and test drive it, and Dylan was super helpful! He took great care in adjusting the bikes I tried to fit me. And he even did a demonstration of how to change my tires. Super happy with my new bike
Lepere P.
Jul 03, 2020
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I scheduled an appointment through the website like they said to. It was confirmed. Date for drop off was Friday July 3rd at 10AM. Sat there an hour before I called the empty shop only to find out they weren't going to be in until July 6th. Wasted ten days plus an hour.
Unhappy. Forced to give star.
Unhappy. Forced to give star.
Wyatt R.
Oct 04, 2019
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45 for a front hub adjust. The folks working there are super friendly and don't give off the highbrow of other shops I've been to.
The tech that worked on my bike (can't remember the name) inspected and replaced races in my front hub and went through the trouble of removing threading (that came from my race) from my existing axle. Super painless for me. They even shared a drink from their fridge while I waited; community vibes!
The tech that worked on my bike (can't remember the name) inspected and replaced races in my front hub and went through the trouble of removing threading (that came from my race) from my existing axle. Super painless for me. They even shared a drink from their fridge while I waited; community vibes!
Laura R.
May 05, 2019
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Jordan R.
May 17, 2018
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Doug Rosser
Oct 02, 2017
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Ben and his mechanics have completely overhauled my bike as well as kept up the maintenance and replaced both the front and rear wheels over the last couple years. Yes, I rode the wheels off my bike, but they fixed it! Simply put, I trust Ben's judgement more than my own. My bike has over 15,000 miles since I bought it in 2012 and the way things are going, it will probably last forever if I keep going to Block Bikes PDX.
Stephen C.
Mar 24, 2017
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Kellee K.
May 20, 2016
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Convenient Location brought me in, service and Ben's promise of interpretive dances keeps me coming back. Ben and Flint are super nice and skilled and efficient when it comes to all my bike needs. Every stop in is a delight, even if it's just to drop off posters that they graciously let me hang in their windows. It's a great shop for the St John's community!
Now, when is this dancing going to start?
Now, when is this dancing going to start?
Genevieve D.
Oct 18, 2015
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Since getting a bike earlier this year, I've visited a few bike shops around town for various things. It's like anything: it's always good to shop around when you don't know what's out there yet. I checked out Gladys Bikes for their try-before-you-buy saddle library; bought a helmet at Universal Cycles during a sale they had; dropped by Joe's Bikes to ask a question about belt drives; and of course visited my neighborhood bike shop, Block Bikes in St. Johns for a few must-have accessories. So far, I've gotten my lock (PDX Lox), rack, water bottle cage (PDW), pedals
Scott E.
Aug 02, 2015
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Had in incredibly positive experience today. On a long ride from the Westside to Flugtag with my brother. Skidded a bit going over the St. John's Bridge and my tire exploded about five minutes later. By sheer coincidence and good luck, was within three blocks of Block Bikes. Walked my bike over, rolled into the shop, and they took absolutely first class care of me. It was the sort of service where I felt like I was friends with the owner or something. Instant greeting, smile, diagnosis, yes we have a tire for you right here. Yes, we can put it on right now. No, will not make fun of you for
Mike B.
Jul 24, 2015
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It's a smaller store, the selection of lights is good, but I've mainly needed it for repairs.
Ben was incredibly helpful every time I went in to ask questions and he was particularly helpful when my bike was involved in an accident. He took his time looking things over and was extremely fast in getting in back to me despite having many others to work on in front of mine.
*They never make you feel stupid if you don't know much about bikes
*They are up front and honest with you about what you need (aka no up-selling)
*I never once felt like I was being taken advantage of money
Ben was incredibly helpful every time I went in to ask questions and he was particularly helpful when my bike was involved in an accident. He took his time looking things over and was extremely fast in getting in back to me despite having many others to work on in front of mine.
*They never make you feel stupid if you don't know much about bikes
*They are up front and honest with you about what you need (aka no up-selling)
*I never once felt like I was being taken advantage of money
Ellie H.
May 13, 2015
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Ben is a magical bike wizard and his bike love knows no bounds! His prices are competitive, even compared to shopping online. He'll help install anything you buy for your bike in a flash! His integrity as a business owner shines the brightest when he recommends improvements based on you and your bike, not on up-selling. Block Bikes is conveniently located in the center of St. John's, right by the bridge!
