Piratenrad
Hospeltstraße 13, 50825 Köln, Germany
Cologne, NW 50825
schedule Opening Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 10 AM - 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM - 6 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM - 12:30 PM, 2:30 PM - 6 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM - 12:30 PM |
| Friday | Closed |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
What People Mention
reviewsReviews (10)
Madeleine B.
5 months ago
Two years ago, I took my bike to Piratenrad because of a creaking bottom bracket. After a lengthy consultation, they recommended several repairs, without which I supposedly wouldn't have been safe to ride. In the end, I had a bill well over €200, because safety sells! Two years later, during a service at a different workshop—the bottom bracket had been causing problems again for some time—it turned out that the wrong one had been installed. I'm left with the uneasy feeling of having been ripped off.
Owner's response
Hello Madeleine,<br><br>First of all, I'm sorry that your bottom bracket is defective again after two years. However, it can't be an installation error, because bottom brackets are "only" screwed in. I tighten all bottom brackets to the manufacturer's specified torque, and I always have all sizes in stock.<br><br>I just looked at your invoice. No safety-related repairs were carried out on your bike, apart from replacing the brake pads. I don't think we need to discuss the necessity of functioning brakes. Only the drivetrain—chain, chainring, bottom bracket, and sprockets—was serviced, along with an inspection and your hub.<br><br>It's a shame you didn't contact me first; I think we could have found a solution.
Leonie
7 months ago
I would like to commend Mr. Spielmann's service, quality, and competent and friendly advice. With this bicycle mechanic, you not only get a fully functional bike back, but you also won't be surprised by unusual repairs. Thank you to Mr. Spielmann and his service; may this address in the heart of Cologne remain a go-to place for damaged bicycles for many years to come.
larissa Mayer
7 months ago
Piratenrad is truly a fantastic bike shop! Mr. Uwe-Jens Spielmann is extremely knowledgeable and offers honest and patient advice. Whether it's a new bike, accessories, or a repair, you simply feel like you're in good hands. The atmosphere in the shop is incredibly friendly, and you can tell that the people here are passionate and experienced. Highly recommended!
Owner's response
Dear Larissa,<br>Thank you for your great review. I think you were in my store with your friend Lena. 😁
Carsten Q (Der Endnutzer)
2 years ago
Uwe-Jens had a heart for commuters and repaired my flat tire right after closing time 😉 so I could drive another 20 km. And he was cheerful while working. Great service.
Marc Michelske
2 years ago
Piratenrad has been supporting us for years, from building a cargo bike to inspecting all the family's bikes, now for more than 10 years. Excellent advice, as it should be, with a clear understanding of all the risks, but with a realistic assessment. Perfect implementation of special requests. We are extremely satisfied. Thank you very much!
Martin Schröder
2 years ago
On the positive side, Uwe-Jens Spielmann is very friendly and knowledgeable. On the negative side, I took the bike back from a different bike shop for inspection, with the previous shop saying that all that was missing was a bit of oil in the front suspension fork, otherwise everything was fine. However, I walked out of Piratenrad with a bill for 800 euros. This was because Mr. Spielmann wanted to replace my drivetrain, and as a layperson, I couldn't judge whether it was really necessary. Well, it wasn't necessary; the bike now rides exactly the same with the new drivetrain as before. They could have worn down the old drivetrain until the chain showed even the slightest deviation from its perfectly good handling before. When I then saw after the repair that every part on the invoice could be bought online for half the price, I found it quite strange. When Mr. Spielmann then added that it would be best to change my chain as soon as it was even 0.25 mm longer, and that it would be best to replace the handlebars every two years, I realized after a bit of Googling that a lot of suggestions were being made here that weren't really necessary, perhaps because he comes from the motorcycle industry, where different safety standards apply. If that doesn't matter to you, or if you know exactly what is needed and perhaps buys your own parts and then just have them fitted here, you're in good hands here. I was annoyed that I allowed myself to be persuaded to do a largely unnecessary repair. Conversely, I don't think it's a good idea to use your own expert status to sell laypeople repairs that aren't really necessary.
Owner's response
Hello Martin Schröder, it's a shame that you see it that way. The repairs were all agreed upon and approved by you. To accuse me of recommending things that aren't necessary out of greed is definitely going too far and of course I can't let that go. The fact that Google gives you different information is unfortunately also the case in other areas. However, with a doctor you may not question this as quickly as with a master two-wheel mechanic. By the way, I don't install any third-party parts either. It is clear that a small workshop that only orders small quantities cannot offer the same sales prices as large online retailers. I follow the manufacturers' recommended retail prices. But if you still want to have a repair service on site, you should think about where you can have something done. <br>What was also included in the 800 euros was the replacement of the incompatible brake discs (the brake pairing was a Tektro disc, a Magura disc, which is not compatible with SRAM brake systems), the pads, brake fluid, chainring, chain, sprocket cassette and of course the labor costs, including for refilling oil into the suspension fork, after which it only worked again. By the way, the previously released cost estimate was around 8 percent higher because I had found a cheaper chainring that fits the system.
Jens B.
2 years ago
Picked up my commuter bike from its major service today. What can I say? Everything was great! Agreements were kept, the price was right, and the owner was incredibly friendly. There are hardly any small shops like this left that also repair and service bikes from other manufacturers. I'll remain a customer here... and maybe time will bless my bike one day... then I'll have one built there, too.
Ölks Lömbert
3 years ago
I was able to drop in spontaneously. All my problems were resolved professionally and without delay. I received a handful of information I hadn't received when I purchased my e-bike. Excellent service, excellent and creative advice – rare expertise! Very personable, trustworthy, and responsible. This is now my trusted bike mechanic :-)
Deki Mit
5 years ago
Small but excellent, highly competent one-man operation. Also very friendly. I don't do bike repairs that often (thankfully), but I'd say the price/performance ratio is top-notch. In my experience, appointments are available at short notice (2-3 days), and the work is also quick. Highly recommended! Thumbs up! Cheers to Uwe 🙂
Sandra Gerstung
7 years ago
Expert am Start!!!! ☺ 🙏🏻
