richardmasoner

+1 on Campus Bike Shop; a friend of mine is the service manager there.

Palo Alto Bicycles is one of the more expensive shops in the Bay Area. The staff are mostly helpful, but you'll pay for the privilege. It's mostly high end everything. Very nice bikes and gear, but it might be a bit much for the beginner who just wants to tool around town.

Menlo Velo in neighboring Menlo Park has a great selection of commuter bikes and stuff, but you've got to put up with an exceptionally old school curmudgeon.