Tuned NYC: The Craft and The Culture

Feb 14

By Paul.D

Tuned Brooklyn Bike Shop Fixed Gear Honey Wheel

Nestled at the corner of Sackett and Nevins Street in the heart of Brooklyn, Tuned is one of the go-to bike shop in New York if you want top-notch quality service, and a great selection of parts and components. Opened four years ago by Joy, Vincent and Tijon, Tuned is also home to a great and diverse community of riders that I had the pleasure to meet during their annual 4th of July BBQ party.

Both Vincent and Tijon spent well over a decade working at bike shops in Brooklyn and Manhattan. Meanwhile, Tijon started doing more and more side work in his basement, fixing bikes for friends. But when people he and his wife didn’t even know started showing up, they realized it was time to open a proper place.

With the pandemic in full swing, finding a lease wasn’t the hardest part, and they landed on what, honestly, I think is a fantastic location.

The shop has all the essentials: a mandatory coffee machine, some after-hours beers or whiskey, and even a “420-friendly” backyard. It might just be one of the most fun and welcoming bike shops I’ve visited in a while. On top of all that, I saw the staff giving solid advice to clients, spot-on every time. It’s clear they know exactly what they’re doing, and they’re not just here to sell you stuff; they want to make sure you leave with the right setup.

As for bikes, they’ve got it all—track, road, gravel, and even MTB. But heads up: after spending so many years working in shops, Tijon and Vincent have kept all the things they believe make a shop great while ditching the ones they didn’t love doing. That means no flats or minor repairs that take forever. They’re doing things their way, and honestly, it works. Tijon mentioned that they occasionally take a bit more time to ensure everything is done correctly from the start. Their goal is for you to leave with something that’s 100% ready to go as soon as you walk out the door.

We should also talk about Honey Wheels, their in-house wheel brand and wheel-building service. Honey Wheels actually predates the shop itself, which just goes to show how much they are into lacing dialed wheelsets.

If you’re also into wheelbuilding even a little, you’ll probably have the same reaction I did when they mentioned they work on P&K Lie truing stands… And, get this, they’ve got two of them among the wild variety of high-end tools. Some serious dedication right there.

Tuned also carries an impressive selection of brands like Black Heart Bikes, VAAST, Digirit, and more, so chances are you’ll find what you’re looking for. The bikes I saw there really reflect the boutique vibe they’re going for. I spotted pro-level track bikes coming in for maintenance, sleek titanium gravel rigs, pristine vintage road steeds, and a few other gems that honestly made my eyes light up like a cartoon character

Overall, you really can’t go wrong with Tuned. It’s a welcoming, family-owned shop that delivers high-end service and pours genuine passion into every bike they touch.