not sure if this counts, but…
i ordered a replacement frame from affinity cycles in brooklyn, ny. told jason (the shop owner?) that i had a lo-pro but it got folded by a car. he gave me a $50 discount, no questions asked. he was pretty helpful and willing to stay on the phone after hours. though i have no experience with the shop irl, this was a nice gesture and i feel it shouldn’t go without notice.
The SF one is pretty similar.
Question for Heath/Ian/Ian/Kate/All East Bayians: Any good shops this side of the water? I need to go pickup a new headset and BB for my Fuji and have them installed. I don’t have any of the tools with me so I am figuring just drop it off at a shop. Anything recommended before I take it into SF?
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If you’re in the area, Pleasant Hill Cyclery’s does great work and is prompt with their repairs/ installs. I’ve got an install that I’ll probably bring over, only because I wrecked and need to have my biek adjusted![/quote]
I am in Emeryville/Oakland/Berkeley area. SF would be easier to reach for me than Pleasant Hill.
Good shops? Not really. There’s a few decent ones.
Montano Velo has good service, limited selection, retail pricing, cool staff. Some fixie stuff, some high-end road stuff.
Cycle Sports has good service, moderate selection, ok staff. This is the high-end roadie shop. If you need a water bottle they may try to sell you a bike.
Stone’s Cyclery in Alameda, old dude carries Bob Jackson, Gunnar, Waterford, Hetchins, Awesome, Awesome, and More Awesome. I’ve never used them for service. They carry stuff that others don’t, Classic Nitto bars and stems, Campy stuff, Sugino stuff.
Outback Bikes in Atlanta:
Bought Torker U-District. Front brake center bolts were loose and entire brake moved around when braking. Told mechanic - he went back said it is supposed to be that way - mech didn’t tighten center bolt. Went home and tightened snug with wrench (brake still pulls easy). Could have been a little dangerous, don’t you think Outback?
Also, another mech there tried to talk me into buying his used Specialized Langster. – Not happy about that.
Good shops around here: Atlanta Pro Bikes, No Brakes.
scott, check out Rivendell
[quote=suicidelane]Outback Bikes in Atlanta:
Also, another mech there tried to talk me into buying his used Specialized Langster. – Not happy about that.[/quote]why would you not be happy about that? dude was just trying to sell a bike
San Gabriel Valley CA
Open Road Pasadena - Steve, for all of his quirks, is really a cool dude. I can go a couple years without popping my head in there and he will still remember me. No sales tax (don’t know how he stays in business). His shop is usually a total mess and if you ask for a part, don’t be surprised if he grabs the part off a showroom bike. He is really overwhelmed with everyone bringing in their beaters, but he is still the only one who rebuilt a wheel while I waited (about 45 min) on one of his couches and watched some random cycling vid
Helen’s in Arcadia - This place blows. I only go in here under dire circumstances and one last desperate effort before I order on line. Used to be called Pro Bikes of Arcadia years ago. There was one cool mech there named Mike who moved on to Foes. Don’t bother with this shit hole.
Velo bikes Pasadena - lots of high end stuff, Armenian dudes. Vintage bikes hanging…
Stan’s in Monrovia - I started going here more often since it is closest to me. Cool dudes. This placed used to be Velo Monrovia (joined with the Pasadena one) but they broke off. One of the mechs was brought over from Pasadena, Ken, and is one of the few people in the area that can rebuild campy shifters. Cool calm dude.
Temple City Bike Shop - I like these guys a lot (other than the cranky older guy), they have three real strong wheel builders and know their shit. They roll the LBS hook up (the more you go there the greater your discounts).
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Hung out with Aaron from Aaron’s Bicycle Repair at the bar a couple of nights ago. Pretty much confirmed my original belief that he’s kind of a horrible person. Rude to people around for no reason and a big time misogynist. Always been nice to me for some reason, but I think I’m gonna have a hard time giving him any more of my money after having to deal with him/damage control his girlfriend all night.
Seeing him deal with his kid at the shop was really enough to do it for me.
These shops have always been really good to me:
Cyclepath
Universal Cycles
Revolver Bikes
Yojimbo in Chicago. He always did right by me.
not an LBS but outside outfitters can suck my bawls.
I can vouch for this.
If you need fixie shit, go see marcus and see if you can stump him with something obscure.
The man has a savant knowledge of his crazy jumbled shop.
There are always people just hangin’ out there shooting the shit and cats there are like three cats.
If ever stuck in Champaign/Urbana, IL Bruce at Bikeworks is a hoot to check out. Though not always crazy about the whole fixed thing, he is probably the only person in town that will fix a bent fork/frame, and surely the only one that will try and succeed at straightening out a bent out of shape wheel.
Loves his steel bikes, and will weld shit back together if needed.
meanwhile, Durst is the worst.
Champaign cycle is pretty solid, too.
my lbs has a crosseyed cat.
it loves me.