Pacific Northwest - +1 in Auburn

Hey all,

With East Hill and smurf hunter representing the south side of Seattle, I thought I would say a quick hello. Long time reader of the Road section, but I don't post much. I'm on the west side of Auburn.

Can any of you southsiders recommend a good LBS? Here are a few I have checked out:

Angle Lake Cyclery (on Hwy 99 close to the airport) - small shop with limited selection, seems to be run by just one or two people. I went in a month ago and spoke with the owner, but he couldn't give me prices on any of his road bikes. Seems like he was swamped with work and a bit disorganized.

Center Cycle (near IKEA) - large selection of Giant bikes, somewhat poor customer service from the two teenagers who worked there.

Bicycles West (near Southcenter) - big on Trek, and not much else. Limited selection of road bikes. Staff seemed friendly enough.

I really want to check out Old Town Bicycle in Tacoma as I have heard a lot of good things, but the southbound I-5 traffic is miserable after work. I wish there was a LBS in Auburn, but it looks like I have to drive quite a distance to find a shop.

I have to agree with your assessment, Javatango!

Angle Lake, the owner seems like a really nice guy, but definitely swamped with repairs. THE place to go if you're looking for a recumbent, however, and I would suspect that he's probably got some vintage parts lurking around, as he seems to do a lot of repairs on older bikes.

Center Cycle, a lot of bikes, but pretty iffy with customer service from my limited contact. They seemed to have no concept of the idea of a 'gumwall' tyre (I'm all about vintage steel).

Bicycles West--where I go for most of my stuff. It's handy to me, and they're friendly. They carry quite a selection of Specialized bikes (got my Dolce Elite from them), not just Trek.

smurf hunter mentioned one other shop, which I have never managed to find open on my travels (I work graveyard, so odd hours for me). That would be the LBS at 703 Central Avenue S. in Kent, Mountain Bike Outfitters. I gathered that smurf hunter liked this LBS, so I shall have to check it out one day.

There's also REI in Tukwila, by Southcenter Mall. They carry tools/lights/clothing, etc. Probably less than a half mile from Bicycles West, a straight shot down the road from them.

I haven't been down to any LBSs in Tacoma, so I can't help you there at all.

What kind of bike are you riding? Do you hit the Interurban very often?

East Hill

I'm in the market for my first road bike so no bike to speak of (yet). I'll most likely hit up the Interurban and Green River trails since they are nearby. The Cascade bike club has a monthly free ride in the Kent area I'm interested in too. Now if only the weather holds up this weekend for some test rides.

Interurban and GRT are nice to start, and offer almost endless loops if you want to work on miles. Don't forget that if you use the 277th Recreational Corridor, you can go over to Lake Meridian and get on the Big Soos Creek Trail. If you're a mountain biker, you can link up with the Lake Youngs trail from BSC, and do some mild doubletrack (but it's got some nice hills!).

East Hill

Check out Bonney lake bike shop now located in Downtown Sumner on the corner of Wood and Main next to the Dairy Freeze. They have pretty good selection of bikes, Specialized and Bianchi and an Italian name bike I can't remember, good service department and pretty nice guys to deal with. If you want to go further south check out Trailside Bikes in Orting. Its a one man operation the owners name is Brian Backus and he's a knowledgeable and really nice guy. He carries Marin and some Raleigh and Fuji and I think he can pretty much get what you want. for a small shop he has a lot of stuff. Both of these shops give lifetime tune ups when you purchase a new bike from them. Check em out I think you will be pretty happy with either one

Thanks stringbreaker--I think I'll have to go check out the LBS in Bonney Lake. Orting's a bit far for me, though.

East Hill

Get on the foothills trail and ride down there its about 7 miles the trail starts on old Pioneer road south of Sumner on the Sumner Orting highway which is Valley Avenue in Sumner the trail goes to South Prarie 30 miles R/T a great ride. Oh yeah the Bonney Lake shop is in Downtown Sumner now

That does sound like a great ride, stringbreaker. And sorry, yes, I did actually note that the Bonney Lake shop is in fact in Sumner (one of my co-workers lives in Sumner, I'll have to ask her about the shop).

East Hill

Thanks for the heads up on the Sumner bike shop, stringbreaker. I will be sure to check it out.

I haven't been down to any LBSs in Tacoma, so I can't help you there at all.

East Hill

I know all the LBSs in Tacoma. Which ones to go to and more importantly, which ones not to go to. But like the professional that I am :D I wont slam any LBS in the forum. If interested just message me and I can tell you which LBS carries what line, who the mechs are and where to get the best deals.

Cheers,
Tom

If interested just message me

I did just that!

East Hill

We've been meaning to put our plug in for Bonney Lake Bike Shop (BLBS) in Sumner on this forum - now I guess we (husband and I) can!
First off, we're not related in any manner to the owners or employees - we just bought our first road bikes about 6 weeks ago. We visited many different shops, but BLBS was close to us, they offered free tune-ups for life, $50 towards shoes, and overall a good value for good bikes. (OK, we LOVE our bikes)
When we came back to the shop, ready to make our purchase, we were having a moment where we really needed "Dr. Phil". The staff was very patient, and brought down a dozen bikes for us to take out and try, just to see what else was out there. There was no pressure to buy - it was a very pleasant experience!
We took the free bike maintenance/repair class one sunday and learned how to fix a flat and keep our bikes clean - this came in quite handy at the Daffodil classic. (Thanks Jim!!)
We've taken our bikes in for tweaks and minor adjustments. They've always fit us in very quickly. We've almost always had our bikes back the same day, if not it was the next morning (little more major adjustment that time). I was having issues with my crankset. After two adjustments, they were very service oriented saying "you will not have to deal with this again - we'll replace it next time."
The icing on this cake just happened a few days ago. At our last ride, my water bottle was rattling. At the rest stop - tada -there were the folks from BLBS ready and willing to help. Turns out the sheath the screws fasten to was spinning in the frame! Not wanting to lose my bike for any amount of time this spring, I decided to deal with it later, but Paul (shop owner) remembered this little thing, called Specialized, and is having the part sent out. He also said if this doesn't fix it - he'll make sure I'm not without a bike while we're getting this worked out. The shop has gone above and beyond, being proactive to make sure we're happy customers with our new bikes.
We try to buy as much from them as we can, because we know they'll stand behind it. They are VERY customer service oriented for sure. So go on in, say "hi" to everyone, and know you'll be taken care of!
See you on the road!

Wow! That is good to know. We often hear of people who've had bad experiences, so it's always good to know when someone's had not just a good experience, but great experiences :D .

Thanks, Orcoz.

By the way, Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Yep those guys rock. I'm only about 6 blocks from them that makes those quick stops very convenient for me

Clearly this post started a while back, but perhaps you can put them on your 'check em out someday' list....

I've gone to Mountain Bike Outfitters in Kent. They have always been very helpful and kind. If your interested, they have group rides in the early evening a few days a week.


Address:
703 Central Ave S
Kent, WA
98032
Phone: (253) 854-7487

Yes, I finally went and checked them out a few weeks ago. They are definitely very friendly, and had the oddball tubes I was looking for, too. Not a huge selection of road bikes, but pretty good on MTB and seemed to have a few BMX there as well if I remember correctly. I think one of the guys there mentioned that there was a new owner, so they are anxious to get off to a good start.

I didn't know they had group rides in the early evenings, that's cool.

East Hill

Mountain Bike Outfitters, in Kent has just changed ownership. One of the employees named Rick now owns it. Its new name will be Cycle Therapy. I am in no way affiliated with them, but give them a try! Let's keep our business local. They are on Central.

Tony
West Hill Auburn

Mountain Bike Outfitters, in Kent has just changed ownership. One of the employees named Rick now owns it. Its new name will be Cycle Therapy. I am in no way affiliated with them, but give them a try! Let's keep our business local. They are on Central.

Tony
West Hill Auburn

That would explain the sign they have on their board outside lately. It said something about cycle therapy being there now. I thought it was just another one of their humorous signs! :) I'll have to stop in - I don't remember which employee is Rick, but everyone that ever helped me was pleasant.

I think it may have been the new owner who helped me at the checkout counter. I'll have to do some more shopping there--yes, keep it local!

East Hill

Anybody know what ever happen to Dooogan's(sp) Cycle in Des Moines? The owner and I used to work together in the courier business. Lost track of him about 10 years ago. He is the guy I blame for my now expensive taste in bikes.

I don't know your preference or budget & have to admit I haven't been to Old Town Bicycle yet. I have been to most of the others here in Tacoma. I have to wait till next spring to get my new road bike, but if I were able to get one now, Bike Tech on 54th & S Tac Way has the 06 Trek Madone 5.2 for $2k. That was a week ago. They did a bunch of work to make my old MTB suitable for the road. They were extremely friendly & most important, didn't gouge me. They also have lifetime tunes with the purchase. I would love to get this bike, but am stuck with my old hardtail till spring. Please let us know what you get.

BTW, I rode from the begining of the Interurban Trail in Pacific to Safeco Field today, 52.4 miles. It was a great ride, the perfect day for it.

I don't know your preference or budget & have to admit I haven't been to Old Town Bicycle yet. I have been to most of the others here in Tacoma. I have to wait till next spring to get my new road bike, but if I were able to get one now, Bike Tech on 54th & S Tac Way has the 06 Trek Madone 5.2 for $2k. That was a week ago. They did a bunch of work to make my old MTB suitable for the road. They were extremely friendly & most important, didn't gouge me. They also have lifetime tunes with the purchase. I would love to get this bike, but am stuck with my old hardtail till spring. Please let us know what you get.

BTW, I rode from the begining of the Interurban Trail in Pacific to Safeco Field today, 52.4 miles. It was a great ride, the perfect day for it.

I'm really going to have to check out the Tacoma shops!

How did you get to Safeco Field after you left the trail at the Seattle P & DC? Although, there would not have been a lot of traffic today, would there? Normally that's a not very pleasant ride into downtown.

East Hill

I'm really going to have to check out the Tacoma shops!

How did you get to Safeco Field after you left the trail at the Seattle P & DC? Although, there would not have been a lot of traffic today, would there? Normally that's a not very pleasant ride into downtown.

East Hill


I rode through S. Park on 14the ave, up E. Marginal way & then 4th ave I think. There was no traffic, it was a really terrific ride!!!

BTW, I stopped by the Old Town shop, it was a little before they opened & I was peeking in the window. This guy pulls up on a bike, I asked him if he worked there & he replied rather rudely "We don't open till 10". I walked away & will probable never return. I spent almost $700 that day on a bike for my wife, a trailer bike for my 4 year old son, a bike rack for my truck & various other accessories.

^^^
I can imagine that if there's no traffic it wouldn't be nearly as bad. I've ridden that way during the regular week, and have not enjoyed it.

Too bad about the Old Town shop. I'm thinking about trying to head there today (on bicycle :) ).

I always wonder if the owners of the shops belong to BF. You'd think they would be interested in reading up on what the locals think about their operation...

East Hill

I've been spoken for correctly. :) I've bought 2 bikes at Cycletherapy (formerly Mountain Bike Outfitters on Central Ave.). The new owner Rick is a really cool guy. He gave me four spare spokes to take along on the STP, since my rear wheel has been acting up and broke a spoke the other day. He's also handling a warranty inquiry about a Selle Italia saddle I bought during the previous ownership. I know about a dozen people who've bought new bikes there, all by word of mouth referral.

Another shop that I like is Phil's Cyclery in Federal Way. I've never shopped for bikes or major components there, but have stopped in for spare parts and repairs. Phil's a great guy, and very knowledgable. If it wasn't for my free tune-ups that I get at Cycletherapy, I'd probably bring repair business to Phil. This shop also sponsors the May Day Metric ride, which is my favorite local century ride.

By the way, here's a google earth image of a STP training ride we did on Saturday. We started at Phil's in Federal way and went down through Orting and back.

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=49362&stc=1&d=118399331

The reason I didn't get all the way back to Phil's was a broken rear wheel. When I broke a spoke, the wheel came so far out of true that it was rubbing against the chain stay. :(

I live down in the valley of north auburn. I just got into road biking but Cycle Therapy has helped a bunch.

I got a helmet, shoes, and pedals there for my cannondale and they provide great service. Plus I can just hop on my bike, take river road by the auburn golf course, and be there in 15 minutes.

If anyone wants to ride sometime let me know. I just started this week so i'm not in that great of shape but I have my eye on a loop that goes up Green Valley road, takes a right on 218th and goes down Black Diamond road. I'll probably hit it up this weekend since I won't have work and by that time I might have enough gear to hold me over.

I did see 2 other bikers on my way to work today (I ride to work), and they said they went up to flaming geyser. I might do that before work tomorrow and see how I do.

I did get to Old town bike shop in Tacoma. Seemed like a pretty good bunch this was on Saturday morning and the place was pretty busy and the guy I talked to about vintage bikes seemed friendly enough. I think he figured out pretty quickly I was scouting out the shop and went on to other things but not before taking the time to ask me what I rode and what kind of riding I did pretty good first impression of the place. Well layed out lots of inventory. I ended up buying some chain lube from them I didn't want to drive all the way from Sumner and not have something to show for it :)

I live down in the valley of north auburn. I just got into road biking but Cycle Therapy has helped a bunch.

I got a helmet, shoes, and pedals there for my cannondale and they provide great service. Plus I can just hop on my bike, take river road by the auburn golf course, and be there in 15 minutes.

If anyone wants to ride sometime let me know. I just started this week so i'm not in that great of shape but I have my eye on a loop that goes up Green Valley road, takes a right on 218th and goes down Black Diamond road. I'll probably hit it up this weekend since I won't have work and by that time I might have enough gear to hold me over.

I did see 2 other bikers on my way to work today (I ride to work), and they said they went up to flaming geyser. I might do that before work tomorrow and see how I do.

Where do you work? Are you commuting on either Interurban or Green River Trail?

Do you ever wander over to Big Soos Creek, and have you found the 277th Recreational Corridor yet?

East Hill

I work at the YMCA by the supermall and I only spend a small amount of time on the Interurban because of where my house is situated in relation to the trail entrances.

I haven't heard of the Green River Trail, Big Soos Creek, or the 277th Recreational Corridor though.

I did a 26.8 mile ride today since I only rode to work and back yesterday. Had a huge hill with a steep grade (It's the vertical line on the right side of my route) that took me quite a bit time and muscle strain to get up it. I got up to 40.6 MPH on the back side of my route. I might reverse it tomorrow and go down that steep hill. I bet I could get up to 50 MPH.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/elcapitanols/route.jpg

EDIT: I saw a sign with Soos Creek so i'm assuming I was in the general area of the trails you're talking about East Hill

I was going to tell you that if you ride Green River Road to Cycle Therapy, then you go right past the 277th Recreational Corridor. The entrance is just south of the 277th street overpass, right across from the (normally closed) footbridge. Eventually the footbridge will re-connect the corridor with the Interurban Trail. The footbridge is currently closed due to new home construction :( . If you were on the Kent-Black Diamond Road, I think it does have signs for Soos Creek. If you had continued to ride north on KBD Road you would have gotten onto 152nd Ave SE, which runs right into Lake Meridian Park. One end of Big Soos Creek Trail is at Lake Meridian (more or less), the other current end is at SE 208th, just east of 132nd SE. Eventually the Big Soos Creek Trail will end at Meeker Junior High School, on SE 192nd. Future plans include expansion of the trail all the way to the Cedar River Trail. The Rec Corr takes you to the top of 108th Ave SE. It's possible to connect to Big Soos Creek Trail via Kent-Kangley Road, but I have a easier, less dangerous way mapped out.

If you use mapmyride, go to search for rides, and type in 'soos' in the keyword search. You'll find some of my public rides.

The Interurban splits into the Green River Trail just south of S 259th, and then reconnects back up around Fort Dent, in Tukwila. Mapmyride/Google Earth identifies the split as Interurban, but GRT is the loop along the Green River (duh!) and Interurban follows the old trolley line.

East Hill

Oh ok. I rode on the green river trail as a kid then. I know the recreational corridor you're talking about too.

I used to lifeguard up at lake meridean and I have no desire to return to that area... It was crazy. I think I like the country roads more than the trails like the interurban.

Oh ok. I rode on the green river trail as a kid then. I know the recreational corridor you're talking about too.

I used to lifeguard up at lake meridean and I have no desire to return to that area... It was crazy. I think I like the country roads more than the trails like the interurban.

Interurban is useful for going home after work! I don't like it much to ride just for riding's sake either. I stay off Kent-Kangley for the very reason you state--it's crazy. There are a lot of nice country roads to ride where we are, and I use those a lot. But Big Soos Creek trail is nice, and when it finally connects to Cedar River it will be really nice :) .

East Hill

I did the reverse of the route I did yesterday. I was going around 40 down the 218th hill when I got a flat in my back tire so I slowed down. I haven't bought any on the road supplies (getting the goods tomorrow though), because i'm a cheap and ignorant newbie. Guess I learned my lesson the hard way.

I did the reverse of the route I did yesterday. I was going around 40 down the 218th hill when I got a flat in my back tire so I slowed down. I haven't bought any on the road supplies (getting the goods tomorrow though), because i'm a cheap and ignorant newbie. Guess I learned my lesson the hard way.

Oops! At least you didn't get hurt going down the hill.

East Hill

What was the name of the shop in downtown Auburn that turned into Bike Tech... and then finally went out of business?