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About The Bike Connection
The Bike Connection is an independent bike shop with two stores, one at 2011 El Camino Real in Palo Alto and one at 1090 Folsom Street in San Francisco. The Palo Alto store sits on the stretch of El Camino Real between Stanford and the California Avenue district, a short ride from campus and from the Caltrain station on California Avenue.
The shop pitches itself on premium bicycles, gear and apparel. It sells new bikes, repairs and tunes them, rents them out by the day and stocks the clothing and parts that riders go through. The website runs a full online store with free in-store pickup, so you can order a part or accessory and collect it on your next visit.
Bikes and gear
The shop's online catalog covers most kinds of riding. Its bike categories include road, gravel and touring bikes, hardtail and full-suspension mountain bikes, cruisers, hybrids, commuter bikes, folding bikes and children's bikes sized from balance bikes up to 24-inch wheels. Electric bikes get their own section.
Brands named on the site include Giant, Liv, Specialized, Santa Cruz, Scott, Marin, Bianchi, Norco, Electra, Momentum, Tern, Gazelle, Bulls and Woom, among others. The site also publishes buyer guides for e-bikes from Giant, Liv and Momentum and for Tern cargo bikes, plus a guide to riding an e-bike safely and a note on e-bike battery recycling. Stock on the floor changes with the season, so call ahead if you are after a specific model or size.
Beyond bikes, the shop sells helmets, lights, locks, pumps, bags and racks, car racks, indoor trainers, cycling shoes and clothing, nutrition and tools. A page aimed at students lists commuting setups for getting around campus, with a focus on locks and practical accessories.
Repairs and tune-ups
Service is a big part of the business. The shop says its mechanics have factory training and can handle anything from adjusting gears to a complete overhaul. It offers complete tune-up packages for the most thorough service and also takes single repairs, such as replacing a chain, truing a wheel, adjusting or replacing brakes, servicing hydraulic disc brakes or tuning suspension.
- Free estimates: the shop says estimates are always free, so you can find out the cost before you commit.
- Rush jobs: if you need a bike ready for a big ride or event, ask about faster service. The shop notes an express charge may apply.
- Fit basics: a basic seat and handlebar adjustment is free with the purchase of a new bike.
The site recommends calling to schedule service or simply bringing the bike in to discuss what it needs.
Renting a bike
The Bike Connection rents bikes from both stores, from mountain bikes to electric bikes. That makes it useful for visitors who want to ride without bringing a bike to town. Renters need a valid driver's license, a credit card and a signed waiver. Helmets come with every rental. You are responsible for any damage to the equipment.
There is a sweetener for undecided buyers. If you rent a bike and then buy a new one within 30 days, the shop will credit up to one week of rental fees toward the purchase. Staff can also suggest rides. The website lists local routes, including loops through Arastradero Preserve, Shoreline Park and Portola Valley and a route from Palo Alto to San Francisco.
Tips for visiting
The posted hours for the Palo Alto store run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Weekday mornings are closed, so plan drop-offs for the afternoon. For rentals on a weekend, calling ahead is the safest way to make sure the right size is in.
The store is close to good riding in every direction. Our guide to biking in Palo Alto covers bike boulevards and longer routes. The Pearson-Arastradero Preserve page covers one of the trails the shop itself recommends. If you are comparing shops, our bike shops and outdoor gear roundup lists the others in town. Cardinal Bike Shop is a short walk north on El Camino Real. For food and coffee after a ride, the restaurants of California Avenue are a few minutes away. The shop offers PayPal Credit at checkout on qualifying orders if you want to spread out the cost of a new bike.
Location and getting there
The Bike Connection is at 2011 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306, in the California Avenue area of Palo Alto. Our California Avenue guide covers what else is around.
The nearest train stop is the California Avenue Caltrain station, about 0.4 miles away. That is roughly a 9 minute walk.
Parking: street spaces and city garages with posted limits (see parking in Palo Alto).
Hours
| Monday to Friday | 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. |
| Sunday | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
Hours from the business's own website, checked October 30, 2026.
What is nearby
- Radhika Beauty Salon, salon or spa, under 0.1 mi
- The Good Salad, quick-service spot, under 0.1 mi
- Starbucks 2000 El Camino Real, cafe, under 0.1 mi
- Mancini's Sleepworld, store, under 0.1 mi
- Sundance The Steakhouse, restaurant, under 0.1 mi
- College Terrace Library, 0.3 mi
- Peers Park, 0.3 mi
- Bowden Park, 0.4 mi
Other fitness, dance and martial arts nearby: Cardinal Bike Shop (under 0.1 mi); Electric Bike Center (under 0.1 mi); Club Pilates (0.2 mi); Summit Bicycles (0.2 mi). Browse the full fitness, dance and martial arts list.
Before you go
- Many studios offer a first class or trial pass. Ask before you buy a membership.
- Classes at popular times fill up, so book through the studio's app or website where that is offered.
- Bring water and check whether the studio provides mats, towels or rental gear.
About this listing
Checked October 30, 2026 against The Bike Connection: Palo Alto hours and directions; The Bike Connection: bike repair and service; The Bike Connection: bike rentals; The Bike Connection: campus commuting. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is The Bike Connection in Palo Alto?
The Bike Connection is at 2011 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306, in the California Avenue area. The nearest Caltrain stop is the California Avenue Caltrain station, about 0.4 miles away.
Can I rent a bike at The Bike Connection in Palo Alto?
Yes. The shop rents bikes, including electric bikes. It asks for a valid driver's license, a credit card and a signed waiver. Helmets are included. Call the Palo Alto store to check what is available.
Does The Bike Connection give free repair estimates?
Yes. The shop says estimates are always free. It suggests bringing your bike in to talk through the problem and pick a tune-up package or a single repair.
Can rental fees count toward buying a bike?
The shop says that if you buy a new bike within 30 days of a rental, it will credit up to one week of rental fees toward the purchase.
What are The Bike Connection's hours?
Monday to Friday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m..