ATA Cycle

05/07/2008 Posted by MFBike

ATA Cycle far and away exceeds all other bike shops in the area for equipment, custom-bike building and fitting, repair, knowledge and customer service. I have purchased 4 bikes from ATA, and most recently purchased a high-end Time Trial bike that required precision fitting. Hussan Sashin and his staff made me feel like I was their only customer from start to finish. When it came time for a custom fitting, Hussam used the his amazing in-house technology to fit me perfectly. Plus, he explained the fit in understandable terms and even with experienced cyclists, this makes a world of difference. I highly recommend ATA Cycle in Concord and Cambridge. Michael F.

Pros: Top shelf equipment, great bike builing and repair staff, customer service

Cons: None

04/23/2008 Posted by kaplapd

I just got back from my first outdoor ride this spring on the best, most enjoyable bike I've ever owned. It is light, fast, and extraordinarily comfortable - just a pleasure to ride. Husam and the folks at ATA sized and built if for me last year and it just gets better with age. I should say that that fitting process was a wonder to behold. Husam is thoroughly knowledgeable and he just craves new and better ways to make the fitting process just right. If you want to see new technology applied to bike fitting, ATA is the place to go. After the fitting, my bike was beautifully built in a couple of days and, other than a quick tuneup over the winter, it has never offered my anything but smooth performance. I should also add that the environment at ATA is not at all ordinary. It's like being a member of a club. Hange out, check the latest bike stuff, or just stand around and chat. I've never been made to feel anything but welcome and to me that is a big part of riding. This is a wonderful shop with great people and a terrific product. What more might you ask?

Pros: Wonderful bike, nice people, terrific service

Cons: None

04/10/2008 Posted by Vuma

In October 2007, I stumbled across ATA purely by accident. I was heading to Vermont for the weekend and knew I needed to buy some additional winter biking gear. I had found ATA online the night before and realized the store was right off route 2 in Concord, MA. Not bad I thought, in and out of the store in no time and back on the road. Little did I know... It was early Saturday when I pulled in front of the red-bricked bike shop. Inside it was clean, light, and upscale. I knew right away the products they carried were some of the best. I thought to myself, how did I miss hearing about this place? When someone asked me if I needed help, it turned out it was the owner, Husam. We talked about cold weather gear for some time but never pointing me to the top-of-the-line jackets, only what was practical. I found this service very unusual, particularly from an owner, but it made me feel more comfortable and I started asking him more questions. Later he asked what kind of bike I had and I proudly pointed to the same model on his shop floor. "A Colnago," I said. I had been riding a Colnago all season and absolutely loved it. I had purchased the bike as a two-year old floor model at a well-known Boston shop and later had been “fitted” at another well-known specialty fit shop in northern New England. I had put a lot of miles on it, riding it in the hills of southern Vermont and had nothing but pure enjoyment. Well, according to Husam, the bike, though beautiful, was the wrong bike for me: “What do you mean,” I asked, “How could you know? You haven’t even seen it.” He said, “I can tell by your height, build, and frame size you mentioned, that the other shop, in order to fit you, changed the stem and handlebars and removed the fork to add another inch to try to stretch you out. That’s like changing the suspension on a Ferrari — it’s c-r-a-z-y,” he said with his great Turkish accent. (continued)

04/05/2008 Posted by ChiCenturyRider

Whenever I tell my brother about some extraordinarily exquisite experience, he's fond of saying "It's not more than you need. It's just more than what you're used to." ATA Cycles is more than what I'm used to when it comes to high end bicycle service. Husam is more than what I'm used to when it comes to cycling knowledge and his team is just more than what I'm used to when it comes to after the sale attention. So four years ago I decided to get serious about cycling. Centuries, epic rides, my Colnago and I did it right....right up to the time my aluminum frame failed. Time for new bike - I wanted something that will be kind to my 50 year old bones over a hundred miles, low maintenance and high quality. I sacrifice a lot for family, firm, community and country. I wanted something I deserved. Heard about Husam from my cycling mentors here in Chicago and reluctantly came to Concord to see what all the fuss was about. In the parlance of instant messaging - OMG! Lot's to look at but, as a Type B customer (Type A says I want this kind of frame, this grupo, that handlebar, these wheels, etc. Type B says "Here's how I ride. Build me a bike.), I just wanted a killer bike for me without paying for form over substance. After a lot of research and two trips to Concord, I was convinced this was the way to go. Veni, Vidi, Visa and I'm writing this after hammering 50 miles this morning along the lakefront and Northwest Indiana - second ride of the season. and . Between the components and, most importantly, the computerized, custom fitting at ATA, I must confess that I rode like it was the middle of the season. ATA Cycle is exactly what I needed and probably more than what you're used to. Before you invest in a high end bike, treat your self right and visit Husam. You'll smile.

Pros: Husam's abilitiy to listen and deliver. The computerized fitting.

Cons: You will probably want to buy more bikes than you planned to.

04/04/2008 Posted by pbsullivan

Living in Boston but having grown up in Carlisle and now working in Concord, I cannot tell you how excited I was to hear that ATA was opening up a shop in Concord. Considering how successful the Cambridge store has been and knowing how long Concord (and surrounding areas for that matter) has lacked a true and dedicated bike shop, the fit couldn’t be more perfect. I first heard about Husam and ATA through a friend that I grew up with and who actually went on to pursue a professional road, mountain and cyclocross cycling career. ATA's underlying ethos seems predicated upon combining the professionalism of a high-end bike outfit with the feel and warmth of a local shop. This in turn instills tremendous loyalty. I personally have purchased everything from a tricycle to high-end road and mountain bikes and exclusively use them for all component, fitting and wrenching needs. There is no better...I highly, highly recommend ATA no matter your cycling skill, knowledge or experience.

Pros: Unmatched quality, wide variety, quick and efficient service

Cons: Too much eye candy.....

04/04/2008 Posted by misshannahc11

I am an avid cyclist and triathlete, who recently traveled from Atlanta to have a fitting with Owner Hussam at the Concord ATA shop. I had previously been experiencing back and knee pain due to a prior poor bike fit. Ample time was taken to do a thorough fitting, which measured both my power and comfort based on a series of initial body measurements. After my fit, I was taken through the store and built a bike based on my personal anatomical geometry. I received my bike in just 4 days (they worked over New Years Day building the bike) and the staff walked me through its final assembly over the phone. ATA even sold my old bike, putting the sale towards my new purchase. The ATA staff is genuinely helpful and passionate about cycling. No pressure, and a desire to help each rider find their perfectly matched bike is what really separates this shop. Additionally, ATA is great place to drool over high performance bicycles and/or just to talk bikes on a Saturday with the friendly staff. Using the most unique/highest performance frames (Fondreist, Aegis, LaPierre, Trek, Kuota, to name a few) and components, ATA treats each bike like a piece of art carefully selecting the best components for each budget. I couldn't be more pleased with my Fondriest, as I have seen vast improvement in my performance and overall comfort. If you love cycling you will love this place.

Pros: service, unique product, great atmosphere

04/02/2008 Posted by ATAChicagoConnection

How good is ATA Cycles? As my screen name implies, I am from Chicago. We have several good local bike shops in Chi-town however; I had the pleasure of talking with the owner of ATA Cycles in the spring of 2006 when I was searching for a particular Italian frame which they had in stock. The owner, Husam, was very helpful, extremely knowledgeable, personable and passionate about the sport of cycling. I quickly came to the conclusion that what sets ATA apart from most other shops is their desire to put you on the best bike possible according to your riding style, needs and budget. You never feel as if you are being sold something to meet a sales quota. They work with you and for you. I shared my experience with several of my buddies and they all had the same comments. Recently several of us decided to take a trip to ATA, or as we call it “Bicycle Mecca”, where we were treated like lifelong friends. The staff at both shops actually knew us by name and the bikes we purchased even though we had never seen each other in person. Husam took the time to fit us properly (note: the fit system that they use is state of the art and was worth the trip) and he answered each and every question. As a result, two of my buddies walked away with new top end bicycles that were perfectly configured and sized for their needs. I walked away with not one but two of my dream frames and the knowledge that my power output will be much better when I set them up because of the time I spent being fitted by a professional whose goal is complete customer satisfaction. We will be back… and we will bring more converts to ATA’s Bicycle Mecca.

Pros: Best fitting system, customer service and knowledge

Cons: Too far from Chicago to visit often...

03/24/2008 Posted by Ducal

I bought my first high end road bike from ATA in Cambridge, before they opened up Concord, then bought my wife's and my second road bike from the Concord store, which is closer to where I live. Each time I (we) received attentive, dedicated service from Husam (the owner) and everyone on the staff. Fitting is superior to anywhere else in the area - you will not be uncomfortable on your ATA bike! In addition, you will own something that matches your objectives, whether they are road racing, time trialing, charity rides or just doing the CRW group rides every weekend. Service has always been stellar. Last summer, following a crash that cracked my frame, I purchased a new frame from ATA. They stripped the old bike and built up the new one in one day, and, having gone through the fit process when choosing the new frame, I was back on the bike having missed just the single day of riding. The fit and attention to detail was so good that even though the new bike was a completely different manufacturer, I was as comfortable and efficient on it as I was on my old bike. The bikes that make you drool, state-of-the-art fitting gear, high-end accessories and custom-tailored approach to every customer and bike are what makes the mass product bike shops jealous.

Pros: Fitting, attentive service

Cons: You will go over your budget (but it's worth it)

03/18/2008 Posted by CoachAbby

Ingenious bike fit system optimizes performance and solves any issue that riders may encounter. The staff here will not only make you faster, they will make you more comfortable as well! Very professional and expert staff. They know their product and will help you every step of the way. I highly recommend their services.

Pros: Bike Fit, expert selection, excellent service

10/27/2007 Posted by deuxroues

It might be the best shop anywhere, but I haven't been to everywhere bike shop in the world, so I can't be sure. ATA Cycle in Concord is clearly the best shop I have ever been to. I have purchased two bikes there in two years, and both were incredible. It's a bit of a leap of faith to have them fit you, then work with them to select a bike based upon what you tell them, but they have not been wrong with me, nor anyone else I know who's purchased a bike there. They will let you test ride the bike once they've set it up after fitting you, but every and all corrections we made after the puchases were completely minor. Their bikes are the best. They don't carry major name brands. Don't go there if you have a big brand name in mind because of heavy marketing. What they do carry are bikes that really work, and really work for you, and they stand solidly behind everything they sell. Their knowledge and expertise are clearly at work in their selection of bikes. They might be slightly more expensive than large, high volume stores, but they carry better stuff, and I don't mind paying for knowledge, experience, and top quality service. I have been to many other shops, and I know a lot about bikes, but these guys know more. They are the best, and the best deal around if you really know and understand value.

Pros: Great selection of bikes, extremely knowledgeable staff, beautiful store

Cons: Small shop - I wish they were bigger!