Performance Bicycle Review: Bicycle Part Stores

Performance Bicycle is a Northern California-based cycling community and retailer that's been helping riders get the most from their gear since 1981. What started as a family-run catalog business has evolved into a major online destination for bikes, parts, and accessories. In 2019, Performance Bicycle joined the AMain Sports & Hobbies family - a well-known name in the hobbies and sports world - and while all but one of their physical stores have closed, their online presence remains strong. Today, they're focused on delivering great products, solid deals, and genuine support for cyclists everywhere.

Easy-to-navigate shopping experience

The Performance Bicycle site is simple, straightforward, and geared (see what we did there?) toward helping you find what you need quickly. Categories like Accessories, Bikes & Frames, Clothing, Maintenance, Parts, and Tires & Tubes make it easy to jump right in. You'll also find sections for new arrivals, special offers, and top-selling products - plus a search bar that suggests products and categories as you type. (Side note: we thought it was cute that items like shifters, brakes, handlebars, saddles/seats, and so on were grouped into the category of "Cockpit" on the left-hand side of the page).

Helpful resources for cyclists

If you're the kind of rider who likes to do some research before making a purchase, Performance Bicycle has you covered. Their blog offers a wide range of topics (like how to choose the right road tire or the easiest way to wax a bike chain), and their FAQ section answers questions on everything from financing and returns to rewards points and shipping restrictions. You'll also find details about the VIP rewards program, sponsorship requests, and warranty information - all without having to dig around the site.

Incredible selection across a range of bike parts

Wondering how this bike parts store measures up with respect to selection? Across all of the retailers we evaluated, we looked for the inventory and pricing in three categories: tubes (a commonly-bought item), saddles (a popular upgrade), and derailleurs (a specialized part). Take a look at what Performance Bicycle had to offer:

• Tubes: the selection here was above and beyond many rival stores at nearly 300 products. They ranged from $0.99 for a Forte 12.5" Inner Tube to $50.31 for the Pirelli Angel SmarTUBEX Extra Durable Inner Tube. Performance's inventory went a step above and beyond, offering bulk boxes of tubes for about $350 (but, oddly, they didn't seem to specify exactly how many tubes were in the box).
• Saddles: grouped together in the category of Saddles & Seats, this bike parts shop wowed us with an inventory of almost 600 options (though some of those items were accessories like saddle bag mounts or charms, FYI). You might spot a Giant Juvenile MTB Saddle for $15, the Selle Italia SLR C59 for $579.99, or just about anything in between.
• Derailleurs: again, bearing in mind that you'll see both full derailleur sets as well as compatible replacement parts like hangers and pulleys, you can't help but be impressed by the 950 choices offered by Performance Bicycle. Whatever you're looking to pay, you'll likely find it - but we were pretty gobsmacked by the SRAM RED XPLR AXS Upgrade Kit with the price tag of $1,540 (and designated as "limited quantities available"...you think?).

Excellent customer service and support

Performance Bicycle has built a reputation for going above and beyond for customers. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just getting into the sport, their team aims to match you with the right gear and ensure you have what you need to ride with confidence. That dedication shows in their customer interactions and long track record of satisfied shoppers. To that end, Performance Bicycle makes it easy to reach out. You can use their contact form, call during extended business hours (6am-5pm PST, Mon-Fri), or start a live chat for quick answers. They're also active on six different social media platforms (from Facebook for the "seasoned" generation to TikTok for the "newer" riders), so it's easy to connect in whatever way works best for you.

Free shipping on orders of $99+, 30-day return window

Your order from this bike parts store will ship for free if it's at least $99 (so you might as well stock up). We also appreciate their return policy: you've got 30 days for a refund or store credit, and they only charge a 15% restocking fee "in very rare circumstances". They go the extra mile in this area too, saying that they "understand that life happens" and invite customers to reach out and get a custom solution if the return can't be made within that 30-day timeframe.

Outstanding customer feedback

With an impressive 4.9-star rating average from more than 2,300 Google reviews alone, and a BBB-accredited "A+" rating held since 2007, Performance Bicycle clearly delivers on its promises. Customers regularly praise their fast shipping, helpful staff, and quality products. This particular rider left a compliment we really loved: "I have used Performance Bicycle for years. I have purchased bikes and merch several times over. Even [their] own brand products are some of the best I've ever used."

A customer-centric, well-stocked choice for your cycling needs

Performance Bicycle offers a great mix of value, selection, and service. While we'd love to see more customer reviews on individual product pages (since most of them are shown as "not yet reviewed"), Performance's stellar reputation and commitment to the cycling community make them a retailer worth considering. That's why they've earned a strong spot in our rankings for bike parts stores.

On the Performance Bicycle website