Brooklyn Bicycle Co. Reviews

Back in April, my boyfriend and I were looking to get bikes. Since we’re local, Ryan went above and beyond and let us stop by the showroom (masked of course!) to get a better look at the bikes. We both decided on Franklin 7s even though they were sold out. We finally got them this week and WOW. These bikes are incredible — 100% worth the wait. We’ve already put a lot of miles in them and it’s only been a few days! Not only do the gears make hills feel like nothing, getting the bikes in and out of our apartment is a breeze because they are so light. And the riding posture is SO comfortable. We can’t wait to ride them to the beach and everywhere in between! Thank you Ryan and everyone at Brooklyn Bicycle Co and Silk Road Cycles — for an incredible product, unmatched customer service, and for making this neighborhood even more of a delight to live in.

Brooklyn Bikes

After borrowing my wife’s Driggs for a good hunk of the last year, I went ahead and got my own this summer. This is a great all-around bike that is going to see a lot of duty scooting around town, hauling groceries, trying to keep up with the kids, and just getting out of the house for no reason.

For starters, I’m guessing that the biggest apprehension to grabbing one of these is the idea of buying a bike without kicking the tires. Two things on that. First, we had our bikes built up at two different bike shops, and both let us know that they were impressed with these bikes, commenting on the quality of the manufacturing and components. For our second Driggs, the mech who built it up also unboxed it. He gushed about the packaging and the care that went into safely and securely getting everything in and out without so much as a hint of a scratch. So don’t let online shopping be a reason not to go with Brooklyn.

If my wife had not snagged a Driggs last year, I don’t think it would have been my first choice. I’ve just always been into the more aggressive look of a flat-barred bike like the Bedford or the Wythe. But there is something freeing about the attitude of the Driggs. Its not a full-speed ahead, tuck position, dragging your knee on the ground when you turn kind of a bike. It’s more like a natural extension of your self in cruise-mode.

The combo of a three-speed internal with 700x35 tires is a sweet set-up for most every urban situation, unless you have significant hills. You’re not going to be jumping curbs, but you’re also not going to fear the occasional pothole.

The Driggs only comes in two sizes, and I fit dead center between the two. Between the sizing guide to get you started and the adjustability of the seat post and stem, you have a decent amount of room to get a dialed in fit.

I have read that the vegan leather handlebars and saddle can get a little slippery when wet, but I haven’t found that to be true. My wife has the Selle Royal Touring, and I have the retro Spring Comfort, and I like them both equally. I was actually planning on upgrading to a Brooks, but I just can’t justify it, because the existing combo looks so good together.

The only problem I’ve had since getting it has been deciding on whether to put a rack on the front. On the back end, you can’t go wrong with any of the myriad rack trunks out there. On the front, I’m trying to decide between a utilitarian basket or a low-profile carrier just big enough for a six-pack. It’s a tough decision, but again, I’m pretty sure there isn’t a wrong answer.

All in all, we just couldn’t be happier with these bikes.

Great service, fast friendly.
They went beyond my expectations, very
Professional, clean look ,made strong,
Great price. Not like other disappointment
Alot more money just to send back .
It,s the clean look I has after .
Beyond happy , to the grocery store in
Style, my grocery safe no worries.
Thank you ! Brooklyn Bicycle.

Great service and quick delivery. Haven't got my bike yet to mount, but it is jusy what my wife had in mind for a basket.
She loves it even t is jst on my file cabinet. Thanks for your wonderful service.

Turned my around town bike into a grocery getter. The size of the rack is great, and I’ll typically load my u-lock, a book, and have ample room to pick up some food togo and hit the park.
The wood is a bit on thin side, but surprisingly strong and sturdy. Couldn’t find a cooler looking rack and happy with purchase.

When the rack shipped, initially the one piece of the hardware kit was not included. I reached out to the staff and they were quick to respond and send a complete kit and included a cool tote. I really appreciate the service and care.

The basket is the perfect compliment to my Townie cruiser. Ordering was easy and received delivery timely - even during a very difficult retail period. I couldn’t be happier!

I had previously left a review on my bike, but I wanted to add some further detail now that I've had it for a few months and have broken it in. Right off the bat, I can say that this is one of the best purchases I've made. The saddle can be stiff initially, but that's to be expected. Now that it's got some mileage on it, it's pretty soft and comfortable. It handles really well, and the brakes are great. There is very little maintenance that has to be done, just basic stuff like checking tire pressure once in a while. I'll find myself taking a quick ride after work, but having so much fun that I just keep going. It may only be a 3-speed, but to be honest that's more than enough for me. I don't have any huge slopes to deal with out here, and I find myself staying in 3rd for most of the ride anyway. When I do have to change gears, the shifts are just a quick twist of the wrist away. So, in short, this is a great bike and I totally recommend it.

Best bike bell I’ve ever seen. It’s sleek and clean and blends right in to my handlebars which are black. It’s not too loud but commands the right attention. Great product and delivered fast!

Wife was looking for a traditional bike basket. This one is very high quality and super easy to install. I think the basket will last longer than her bike. Nice!

This helmet is so light weight and breathable. I was wearing a Bern for commuting and I can’t believe how much more comfortable this helmet is!!

Comfortable, well made bike. Nice drive,train, great brakes. Pedals are not so good, but most high end racing bikes don’t come with pedals anyways, so no worries.

I just bought the Brighton 7 and it’s the best bike I’ve ever had!! Very relaxing and smooth riding! Highly recommend!!

This rack looks great on my Brooklyn Driggs. I had it installed at a local bike shop, which was quick and easy

It arrived bent, but Brooklyn Bicycle was easy to communicate with and quick to send a replacement.

I bought my "Blue Willow" two weeks into the pandemic and I could not be happier. The personalized service was phenomenal. The bike was delivered assembled. It rides beautifully and I have gotten so many compliments!!!

Received the bike in a very short time after ordering. I had a few questions which were answered very promptly via email. Loved that it was already assembled by my local bike shop and ready to ride when I picked it up. Has been perfect for my mile and a half commute and a few longer trips around town.

I bought this to build up a new commuter bike after my old one was stolen. Original bike had a very similar Velo Orange porteur rack.
This rack is very much like the Velo Orange in its design. The level of finish isn’t as nice, but that’s to be expected for a rack that’s $100 less. It seems very sturdy and well made otherwise.
The wooden slats and rail are cute, but they limit the utility of this type of rack. I removed them and will be using a Wald basket for daily commuting and the bare rack for carrying large cargo.
The attachment points for the wooden bits are handy for attaching a basket or box, and the rail attachment points will be useful for attaching a headlight.
The rack was very easy to install and I didn’t need to do any cutting or drilling.
I deduced a star because it has one significant flaw, and I almost returned it because of this:
The legs of the rack are designed such that the rack sits MUCH farther forward that it should. For best handling, the load should be as close to the steering axis as possible.
If you look at the rear legs of the rack, they attach right at the rear of the platform. Other racks have them a few inches forward so that the rear of the rack is closer to the head tube.
To compensate for this, I had to mount the rack to the rear eyelets on my fork which brought it back about an inch. Normally the rear eyelets would be for a fender and the front would be for the rack. I can still attach fender stays to the extra mounting holes at the bottom of the rack. I also angled the rack slightly back toward the head tube as opposed to completely level. With these modifications, I think it’s going to work for me.
I should note that my bike is NOT a Brooklyn. The design may be just right for a Brooklyn bike.

I started thinking about getting a bike back in February then rented one from my local bike shop to get a feel for riding on NY streets. After the rental, I knew I wanted one of my own but had no clue which would be right for me. I did a bunch of research and kept coming back to Brooklyn Bicycle. By the time I was ready to make a decision, COVID happened and all of the shops closed to non-essential services. I requested a virtual chat late one night and Ryan hopped on a call with me the next day! He answered every question I had with patience and listened to my needs. I bought the Lorimer and I cannot stop riding it! On the rare occasion that I’m not riding, I’m thinking about the next time I can. It’s smooth, not super heavy and fits me perfectly which was difficult to find at 5 feet. I absolutely love it and cannot speak highly enough about Ryan and his team.

Great rack that holds everything. So strong.

Easy to install and use.

Solid and easy to install. Does not go on all bikes. Fit on mine perfectly.

I like having a front basket so I can see that all my stuff is still with me and is secure during my rides. The basket fits all my belongings and came securely attached when I ordered it along with my Willow 7 bike. Get it! You’ll like it!

What can I say? Everything in the process of buying a bike online from Brooklyn Bicycle Co. during a pandemic has been amazing and seamless. Their friendly staff answered all my questions over the phone. The bike was personally delivered to my doorstep by Ryan himself, who is such a down to earth, cool guy. He helped make sure the seat was the right height and gave me a few pointers. I’ve had the bike for about a month now and have ridden every day it hasn’t been raining. The gears shift easily and smoothly and I don’t have to worry about too much maintenance because of the internal gearing system. The bike itself is beautiful and feels comfortable even on longer rides along the Westside highway and up that beast of the Harlem Hill in Central Park! I’m lucky that I was able to snag this gem before the shortage hit. My plan is to ride all summer long and then use it to commute to work once that reopens as well. I highly recommend this bike and company. All around a total pleasure!

I love my black Willow 3 speed. Whether it's for a quick trip to the store, commuting or a leisurely ride around the neighborhood, it is perfect. It's a comfortable ride, has just enough gears for managing moderate hills and looks like a killer vintage find, but without the necessary weight. It makes me smile every time I ride it and the excellent customer service that came with it made the whole experience five stars. Thank you Brooklyn Cycle!

The Driggs 3 is a great bike so far. I appreciate that it came assembled and that it includes fenders and a rack. I replaced the included rack with a Portland Design Works bamboo rake which goes well with the style of the Driggs. I appreciate the 3-speed gears, I am used to having a fixie Linus bike, so this is a great upgrade. The bike is very comfortable to ride, especially being upright, although bumps are noticeable. The Driggs is great for hauling groceries, I use a Linus single pannier, but it's not an agile or speedy bike, which is fine for my use. Fits my needs and will hopefully hold up!

Minor Cons (which I was aware of prior to purchase): Cannot place a U-Lock within the frame. The bike is pretty heavy, but not unmanageable. I wish it was all black. I would love if the pedals, kickstand, gear, and handle bar and seat-post were all this lovely matte black to match, but I understand why that would be an exceptional ask.

It's not surprising that this item is frequently sold out. I consider myself fortunate to get in the cue. Skillfully crafted in the familiar Nantucket style. Durable. Easy to mount with two leather straps. Holds a great deal more than you think, but never obtrusive. Very Nantucket.