Mountain Biking - Bike Shops in Venice/Sarsota Area?

Hi All
not sure if this is the right forum for this one, if not hopefully someone can point me in the right direction.

I've recently moved to Venice Floirda and i am trying to find stores which sell quality MTB Like GT etc or alternatively the chepaest online store. I may risk buying online but would rather buy it from a local store if possible.

Does anyone happen to know of any, google has bought no results :/

TIA

Yo Merc,

I'm just up the road in Sarasota.

The best shop in the area for Mountain bike stuff and the people who sell them actually ride them is Sarasota Schwinn. Go to the repair area and ask for Matt or Eric. 941-366-4144.

Plus, they are a GT dealer. They are curently not stocking GT mountain bikes, but they do carry their BMX bikes. However, since they're a dealer they can order one for you.

I used to work at Village Bike Shop, just north of the Old Sarasota Square Mall on U.S.41 (I think it's call Westfield something or other). The shop is right across from Sun Honda, about 2 miles south of Stickney Point Rd (road to Siesta Key). They carry Gary Fisher's, Cannondale and Haro bikes. I don't think anyone there rides a mountain bike, which will be evident from their current inventory which is predominately Road and Triathalon bikes.

Venice Schwinn caters to the old people and last time I was there had a pretty weak inventory of mountain bikes.

Bikes-n-Java on Hillview has a lot of active cyclist, but they are also predominately a Roadie crowd. Plus, they'll try to sell you a $4,000 titanium Litespeed.

The Bicycle Center on Bee Ridge is also a GT dealer I think, but again caters to the older crowd and does some BMX.

If you need any more info, send me a Private Message (PM). and I'll do what I can to help you out. Plus, I can tell you where to ride around here. Have you been down to North Port (Myakkahatchee Trails) or up to Alafia River State Park?

Bicycles International in Venice FL is where I got mine when I lived there (moved 2 years ago)

They are at 1744 S. Trail By-Pass

I've always known them as Venice Schwinn since they had been a Schwinn dealer for so long. But yeah, that's them.

I was in their store about 4 months ago and there were only about 3 or 4 mountain bikes, a few road bikes and a whole bunch of comfort bikes! I wonder who their target customers are?

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Guys thanks very much for the recommendations i will look up:

Sarasota Schwinn
Village Bike Shop
The Bicycle Center
Bicycles International

Venice is a more 'Mature' retirement area (im 28!) and my first thought was it is going to be difficult to find a stockist of decent MTB.
It looks like I may have my work cut out :/

Yo Merc, Tampa isn't too far away.

Bradentucky had a few good shops as well.

Ringling Bikes located on Manatee Ave is a small shop, doesn't stock a lot of bikes, but will work with you and order anything you need.

Ryder Bikes on Cortez is worth stopping by. I haven't been in there in awhile, but last time I did, they had a decent inventory.

There is also a 2nd Village Bikes in Lakewood Ranch, new store! Very few mtn bikes though.

If you want to hook up and go for a ride, let me know!

Thanks again for taking the time to reply

Do you recommmend 2/3 which have the biggest selection and best prices?.

I am not going to be able to visit them all so I could do with narrowing it down.

Village Bike Shop - sems to be more road bikes so i'll skip that
Bikes-n-Java & The Bicycle Center sounds like they won't have what im after.

Because i'm quite open as to which model to go for, i'm ideally after the showroom type stores which will have the biggest selection to choose from.

I have been to all the mentioned shops. I was in the market for a hybrid so that was what I looked at mosdtly. Best prices were at Ryder in Bradenton, and the service was excellent. One shop ( I won't mention the name) was almost $100 more for the same bike. International Bike in Venice was also great and very similar in price to Ryder. I would go to whichever was closer.

Regarding the attitudes and ability to answer questions, everyone of the shops in the area were outstanding, I never once felt like a newbie or a geek.