Good LBS Recommendations in NJ?

[jwong309]

Hi guys I am new to biking and am in the market for an entry level road bike. Are there any bike shops you would recommend near Morris County, NJ? My last impression of a bike shop, years ago was a slick sales guy telling me I needed half the store, and ill be honest..im a sucker for shiny new things in neat packages...

Thanks in advance.

[hunyak]

High Gear Cyclery in Stirling (the very southern tip of Morris County) is a great bike shop.

[jwong309]

thanks hunyak i know exactly where that is!

[seriouslysilly]

High Gear Cyclery in Stirling (the very southern tip of Morris County) is a great bike shop.

that's my LBS!
they are so friendly and always patient with my questions!
i have yet to visit the other high gear in maplewood

[jemoryl]

that's my LBS!
they are so friendly and always patient with my questions!
i have yet to visit the other high gear in maplewood

The other High Gear is actually in Milburn, which is the closest bike shop to where I live. Can't say I shop there much since their prices are stratospheric.

[seriouslysilly]

The other High Gear is actually in Milburn, which is the closest bike shop to where I live. Can't say I shop there much since their prices are stratospheric.

i hear ya :)
I actually compare the prices online first before purchasing there (please don't flame)
i've basically just gone there to have the basic tune up and installation that I couldn't do myself (drivetrain, fork crown race) and small components (cleats, pump mounts).
I have yet to purchase a big ticket item from there but I don't think I can afford it.
i just love to go there for advice and/or minor things because they are so patient and informative.

[dcdomain]

A friend of mine has been pushing me to purchase from this shop in New Brunswick (kinda far from you). I'm trying to get a few others to buy their bikes at the same time as mine so I can get some negotiating power. You want in? What's your time frame?

http://www.kimsbikes.com/ProductCart/pc/index.html

I'm looking at the Raleigh Supercourse, the person at the shop also recommended the Rocky Mountain Solo 30, they seem to be big on Rocky Mountain. Price quoted for just the Supercourse was $1,200 or so.

[jemoryl]

i hear ya :)
I actually compare the prices online first before purchasing there (please don't flame)
i've basically just gone there to have the basic tune up and installation that I couldn't do myself (drivetrain, fork crown race) and small components (cleats, pump mounts).
I have yet to purchase a big ticket item from there but I don't think I can afford it.
i just love to go there for advice and/or minor things because they are so patient and informative.

Don't worry: no flaming from me. Even though I live in NJ I don't exactly feel qualified to comment on shops since I do almost all of my own work and tend to buy parts online/eBay. Other area shops that have given me postive vibes are: Bike Land II on Main St. in Chatham (mainly Bianchi), Marty's in Morristown or if you want more high end stuff (again, with prices to match), Liberty Cycles in Basking Ridge.

[Fuzzydave]

It's been a while, but I think it's still there: I think it's called Denville Cycle Shop, in Denville, just off 46.

[neilfein]

A friend of mine has been pushing me to purchase from this shop in New Brunswick ...
http://www.kimsbikes.com/ProductCart/pc/index.html

Kim's bikes is my regular LBS, they're pretty good (best I've found around here so far).

[stevesurf]

Kim's bikes is my regular LBS, they're pretty good (best I've found around here so far).
Great to know, Neil! Chris over at Planet Bike on 18 in East Brunswick has been doing a great job with my Road Builds. A really well stocked LBS is Brielle Cycles.

[flatbutt]

My LBS is the Route 15 Bicycle Outlet near Lake Hopatcong. Brothers Fred and Chris run the place and have top gear for good prices and love cycling. And when I came back to the sport after getting hurt they were the only shop willing to do custom setups to accomodate me.

[neilfein]

Planet Bike on 18 in East Brunswick

Is that the place in the mall with Macy's and Applebees and all? How are their prices for Bike clothes/accessories?

[seriouslysilly]

http://www.kimsbikes.com/ProductCart/pc/index.html


I saw their ebay auctions when I was looking for helmets and a cyclocomputer.
Was about to win them and just pick it up to save on shipping, but either found other deals at other LBS (bicyclesource @ lafayette, etc) or free shipping from online shops

from the pics, it looked to be a very nicely stocked shop. would like to stop inside one day, but barely go there as it is (woodbridge mall)

[Pliggy]

Newbie in West Orange here. Looking to get my first road bike and was curious if anyone had any experience with Montclair Bikery?

[zowie]

Newbie in West Orange here. Looking to get my first road bike and was curious if anyone had any experience with Montclair Bikery?


I was very disappointed with their mechanics on two seperate occassions, one a spring tune-up and one a new bike assembly. Their prices also seemed to me to be at the top of the market. I don't use them anymore. They DO stock great bikes.

For little odds and ends - broken spoke repair, helmet - I go to Brookdale Cylce in Bloomfield. They're good people, but it's an old school kids/family/newb oriented shop that would be hit or miss for getting a road bike. For more serious/expensive matters, like getting fitted and purchasing a decent road bike, I think it'd be worth you time to travel to Ridgewood or Piermont (on a weekday), or possibly places other can recommend.

[Pliggy]

Thanks for the heads up, that's really good to know. For now I'm looking to get into road cylcing (have a mountain bike but want to make the transition). I've been to a few shops so far in the area (Cycle Craft, Montclair Bikery, High Gear in Millburn) but having a hard time finding a place that has the entry-level road bike (around $700) to test ride.

The guy at Montclair Bikery took the most time to talk to me, but was definitely trying to upsell me, which is why I asked the question. Appreciate the help.