Cyclocross - Los Angeles Area Shops

Hey everybody. I'm new to biking and have been reading through the forums and found a lot of valuable information.

I recently impulse purchased a Bianchi Milano, thinking it would make a good commuting bike for me. It's great looking, hip bike, that's a joy to ride, but that smooth Shimano Nexus 8spd just doesn't cut it on the hills here. I'm tempted to keep it just because it's so smart looking. I think the $$$ would be better invested elsewhere though.

After asking around, it seems that a CX bike might be just the thing for me. I want something versatile that I can both commute and tool around on, but that can take a bit of a beating if I want to hop on a fire road in Griffith Park. I've been looking at the Redline bikes, particularly the Redline Conquest Disc-R. I wonder why they don't have that for '05?' Anyway, if I've learned anything from this site, it's that you need to really try bikes out first and find a good shop where you can get solid advice and be fitted right.

So rather than continue the "what's the best CX bike" debate, I'd rather have your suggestions on where you'd recommend I go in the LA area to find the best CX bike for me. I'm more than willing to travel from Arcadia to Topanga to LAX to Magic Mountain. Also, if you do like a shop and have a particular sales person that I should talk to, include that information.

Thanks!

i never found a shop with a bianchi axis(the bike i wanted) but helen's in santa monica did have a c-dale disc in stock a while back. worth a check.

I've been looking at the Redline bikes, particularly the Redline Conquest Disc-R.

Seen one in the window of a bike shop in Santa Monica whose name evades me at present. They're on Main Street, couple blocks south of Pico, couple blocks north of Ocean Park, on the west side of the street.



Anyway, if I've learned anything from this site, it's that you need to really try bikes out first and find a good shop where you can get solid advice and be fitted right... I'd rather have your suggestions on where you'd recommend I go in the LA area to find the best CX bike for me... I'm more than willing to travel from Arcadia to Topanga to LAX to Magic Mountain... if you have a particular sales person that I should talk to, include that information.

The only shop I've found whose entire staff seems both fluent in, and genuinely excited about, CX: http://www.sundancecycles.com

I've seen cross bikes in there by Moots, Ventana and LeMond. And though they don't seem to stock them, I'm fairly certain that they can order in Bianchi as well.

Great shop. Can't speak highly enough about them. I spent $30 getting the non-pro (ie. non-Serotta) fit, and the wealth of information that I received about everything from proper cleat placement to seat adjustment has proven invaluable.

Ask for either Scott (there's two of 'em), and tell 'em that Jeff with the orange Poprad on Triunfo Canyon sent you.

sameness-
i think the shop you mean on main st. is called Bike Attack.

i think the shop you mean on main st. is called Bike Attack.

That's the one.

I think Bicycle John in Burbank is very good shop as well.

Thanks for the feedback. Any other thoughts, please don't hesitate.

My buddy who got me started on the whole CX things recommended that I check out Universal Cycles in Studio City. Unfortunately they had no CX bikes in stock, but they showed me some of the possible options I might consider if I went with a road bike. Not blind to my desire for a CX, (but also not overwhelmingly supportive), they are going to check into what kind of deals they can get ordering one in for me. It's a pretty chill shop. I liked them. No hard sell, just talked to me about options and helped familiarize me with the technology. As a newbie I appreciated it. But all niceties aside, I'd really like to get my hands on a bike before I committed to it, so I'll check into these places you've suggested.

Thanks again!!