OK, Now I feel better.

[SpokeApe]

Went to another LBS today in Tampa.
Nope, didn't even elude to my un-high end ownership.
The 2 gents I spoke to gave me a well heeled immersion into todays cycles, MTB's fairly exclusively, and different makers.
In the end, I left feeling more knowledgable and less stressed abt being around $1500+ (:eek: some WAAAAY ++:eek: ) bikes.
I had the nagging feeling though, perhaps unreasonably, would it have been the same if I brought in my bike??
Aaaa...why dwell on it, I just won't bring it in.:rolleyes:
SpokeApe

[Tom Stormcrowe]

Different shop, different attitude!

[jmarkley710]

What bike shop did you go to? I'm here in Tampa as well. I'm partial to University Cycles personally.

[SpokeApe]

I'm new to the forum and don't know if posting LBS names is allowed.
I will say that it is in S.Tampa on S. MacDill Ave.
Real nice, been there for as long as I can remember, which is awhile!!
I don't think I would have gotten the reaction I did @ the 1st one.
These guys would have been cool and said, "Well, let us show you some bikes you may want to look at later when your sure you like biking."
Just my gut feeling.....(No Clyde jokes abt the "gut" comment!! ;*)
SpokeApe

[KingTermite]

I just moved from Tampabay area...lived there all my life.

My #1 shop was ABC bicycles in St. Pete (I lived in Clearwater most recently).
http://www.abcbicycles.com/

My #2 shop, where I bought my most recent bike was Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium.
http://www.cbebikes.com/

In my opinion, both were great shops with good, honest people. No attitudes, just helpful.

If you try ABC, ask for Rick or Lloyd. If you go to CBE, look for Joe (older guy).

[KingTermite]

I'm new to the forum and don't know if posting LBS names is allowed.
I will say that it is in S.Tampa on S. MacDill Ave.
Real nice, been there for as long as I can remember, which is awhile!!
I don't think I would have gotten the reaction I did @ the 1st one.
These guys would have been cool and said, "Well, let us show you some bikes you may want to look at later when your sure you like biking."
Just my gut feeling.....(No Clyde jokes abt the "gut" comment!! ;*)
SpokeApe
Sounds like you are talking about Dud Thames. They weren't bad either....I just didn't like the bikes themselves when I last looked (at least for what I was looking for).

[jmarkley710]

Flying Fish? You can post LBS names. I like university because they don't bug you. I usually go knowing what I want or to browse and they leave you alone. Plus they have all their parts out on display also. Carrollwood and Olivers (Both the same company) keep them behind their counters and you have to ask. I want to browse a little.

[JumboRider]

I am glad that you had a good experience with your second shop.

[SpokeApe]

Youse nailed it KingTermite.
I guess it is cool to name names.
I'll look at a few more, just to see the different brands.
I'll check the 3 posted above.
All abt the same distance from me I guess.
Flying Fish!?!
Sounds more like a bait shoppe!
SpokeApe
p,s,
Yeah, me too JumboRider!

[jmarkley710]

Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium and Oliver's are Trek dealers. So they deal pretty much with exclusively Trek. University Cycles deals with Specialized and has good selection as far as different types (hybrid, road, mountain). Depending on what you are looking for check the Tampa craigslist http://tampa.craigslist.org/bik/ there's always a sweet deal on there about once a day.

[SpokeApe]

Thanks JMarkley.
I'm so new I don't have a clue what I'm looking for/at yet!
not that it bothers me, I'm enjoying the learning curve and my new to me/used bike.
I see your in Tampa, like you said, what do you ride?
SpokeApe

[KingTermite]

Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium and Oliver's are Trek dealers. So they deal pretty much with exclusively Trek. University Cycles deals with Specialized and has good selection as far as different types (hybrid, road, mountain). Depending on what you are looking for check the Tampa craigslist http://tampa.craigslist.org/bik/ there's always a sweet deal on there about once a day.
That's a point. ABC is primarily a Trek dealer too (also do Gary Fischer, LeMond). If you are in Tampa, I'd go to Carrollwood, but not ABC. ABC is a long trek (no pun intended) to go and see the same bikes.

[SpokeApe]

thank you, KingTerm.
I'll google it and go have a looksee.
Been checking CL Tampa but not really sure what to look for yet.
SpokeApe

[CliftonGK1]

I think there was a thread on the Commuter forum dedicated to LBS names; who was good, who wasn't, etc...

[KingTermite]

Carrollwood Bicycle Emporium and Oliver's are Trek dealers. So they deal pretty much with exclusively Trek. University Cycles deals with Specialized and has good selection as far as different types (hybrid, road, mountain). Depending on what you are looking for check the Tampa craigslist http://tampa.craigslist.org/bik/ there's always a sweet deal on there about once a day.
Just to point out, Oliver's also sells Kona. In fact, the one time I visited the store they looked like more of a Kona dealer than a Trek dealer to me. And it was a guy at Olivers that sent me to Carrollwood for the bike I was looking for. Nice honest guys too.


Here's a big list of bike shops. I can't speak for all of them, but at least its a list to look at some other brands too.
http://www.floridabicycle.org/bikeshop/directory_7.htm

[KingTermite]

thank you, KingTerm.
I'll google it and go have a looksee.
Been checking CL Tampa but not really sure what to look for yet.
SpokeApe
If you aren't even sure what type of bike you want yet, I would go to a shop that seemed nice (maybe Dud Thames since you already had a good experience) and tell them that. Tell them you would like to test ride all different bike types to see what style suited you best. Ask them what the pros and cons of each style are. Then when you can get an idea of what type of bike you think you want (even if you only narrow to 2 or 3 styles), then you can go into a shop and say "what do you have in a <bike type> in the <$$> range?". And start test riding all bikes of the styles you like.

[jmarkley710]

Just to point out, Oliver's also sells Kona. In fact, the one time I visited the store they looked like more of a Kona dealer than a Trek dealer to me. And it was a guy at Olivers that sent me to Carrollwood for the bike I was looking for. Nice honest guys too.


Here's a big list of bike shops. I can't speak for all of them, but at least its a list to look at some other brands too.
http://www.floridabicycle.org/bikeshop/directory_7.htm
I'm into road cycling so I didn't really take the chance to look at the mountain bikes. They carry almost all Trek Road Bikes. Riding mostly roads I'd go for a road bike. If you plan on going other places maybe cyclocross or mountain bike with slicks.

[KingTermite]

I'm into road cycling so I didn't really take the chance to look at the mountain bikes. They carry almost all Trek Road Bikes. Riding mostly roads I'd go for a road bike. If you plan on going other places maybe cyclocross or mountain bike with slicks.
Ironically, I went there looking for my first road bike (this was about 1 1/2 years ago). I was looking for a King Zing, I think.
http://www.konaworld.com/bikes/2k7/ZINGSUPREME/index.html

Olivers was the only Kona dealer in the area.

[jmarkley710]

Ironically, I went there looking for my first road bike (this was about 1 1/2 years ago). I was looking for a King Zing, I think.
http://www.konaworld.com/bikes/2k7/ZINGSUPREME/index.html

Olivers was the only Kona dealer in the area.
Tucks tail between legs. Haven't seen too many of those. If that's what you ride nice bike. This is in no insult to Oliver's or CBE but... my personal opinion of them is they both suck. Like I said previously I like to get in and get out. Leave me alone, let me get what I need, I'll ask for help if I need it. It's not that they do a bad job. I just like to be left alone sometimes.

[KingTermite]

Tucks tail between legs. Haven't seen too many of those. If that's what you ride nice bike. This is in no insult to Oliver's or CBE but... my personal opinion of them is they both suck. Like I said previously I like to get in and get out. Leave me alone, let me get what I need, I'll ask for help if I need it. It's not that they do a bad job. I just like to be left alone sometimes.
Never had that problem....but I guess it's all what happens to you that day (1st time and all). Olivers didn't have much selection. I went there to look at the Kona, but it really wasn't what I wanted. I really wanted to check out a Trek 520 touring road bike, but apparently nobody wanted touring bikes anymore so nobody had them in stock. They would happily order one if you wanted one (that was ABC's stand), but there were none to test drive first.

The guy at Oliver's used to work at CBE, but then came to start Olivers (I think he was part owner or something). When the Kona didn't do it for me, I mentioned being interested in the Trek 520 and he directed me to CBE. He said there was one that somebody had ordered but then never bought. It had been in the back somewhere on the floor and he was sure it was still there. Well, I went back, it was still there and it was the right size. I test drove it and loved it. It was also at a super price because it had been sitting there for over a year. So instead of the standard $1200 price tag, I got it for $800.

All that to say, a Trek 520 is my road bike. My first bike was a comfort, a Trek Navigator 300 (which I now lovingly refer to as my John Deere). :)