Southern California - Velo Pasadena - what's their rep?

I went to Velo Pasadena (http://velopasadena.com/) last week and was really impressed with this store. (I've never seen so many high-end frames in one place - I think it was a Colnago/De Rosa breeding farm! :eek:)

I spoke to the guy in charge, Hrach, for quite a while about swapping out my handlebars. They had a big selection and I am curious about those FSAs with a compact drop. My K-wings are comfortable but on a couple of steep descents recently where I had to ride the brakes a lot (Baldy lifts and Chantry in the dark) I felt my fingers cramping up.

Hrach saw my bike and said that the internal cabling of my K-wings did not exploit Campy to its best capabilities. He checked my brake levers and said they felt a little mushier than Record should be. He also agreed with me about switching to compact drops.

So now I'm thinking about having him swap out my handlebars. He seems like the ultimate Campy pro, but I've never done business with his shop before. Has anyone gone there and what are his prices like? The kinds of bikes he has on display makes me grab my wallet to make sure it's still there. :o

Joy, I have no input on Velo Pasadena but I do want to mention that you might consider looking for bars/position where you can stick your hands into the drops. Is that why you are looking at the compact drops?

fwiw, my hands would probably cramp on long descents if I kept them on top of the hoods the whole way.

It's kinda hard to describe, but by the looks of it, the compact bars are shorter (front to back) and shallower (hood to drop). The compactness would set the hoods lower (more forward) on the curve of the bar without making me extend my reach. The lower position would also mean less extension for my fingers to grasp the brake levers when I'm in the drops.

I got my pink diamond back there a really really long time ago, so I cannot vouch for pricing. However, the service was great. With so many choices for bike shops in Pasadena, it kinda raised the bar for all bike shops in that area.

I would encourage any change that gets you comfortable in the drops on descents. The additional leverage means less strain on your (little bitty) hands.

I would encourage any change that gets you comfortable in the drops on descents. The additional leverage means less strain on your (little bitty) hands.

I've never been uncomfortable on descents since I'm not the white-knuckle type :p but I just noticed it recently on certain roads where I've had to be extra careful on my way down.

And they're not "little bitty" bub... they're um... Space Efficient. :mad:

Well, a slow descent down gravel-paved Baldy switchbacks will cause lots of hands to cramp up.

Hi Joy!

I am currently using the FSA Compact bar, and also used to use the K-Wing. With the K-Wing I never got comfortable with the reach. After trying several other bars, the FSA Compact fit like a glove.
As you have said, shorter reach, and drops, and much easier to dial in the front end (for me). :beer:

Well, a slow descent down gravel-paved Baldy switchbacks will cause lots of hands to cramp up.

Sweetie, there is only one thing in this world where it's acceptable to have your hands cramp up. And descending on a bike isn't it. :p

Hi Joy!

I am currently using the FSA Compact bar, and also used to use the K-Wing. With the K-Wing I never got comfortable with the reach. After trying several other bars, the FSA Compact fit like a glove.
As you have said, shorter reach, and drops, and much easier to dial in the front end (for me). :beer:

Thanks Greg, good to know. I really like the flat bar tops of the K-wings on long rides, but the compact bars just seem to make more sense.

Sweetie, there is only one thing in this world where it's acceptable to have your hands cramp up. And descending on a bike isn't it. :p

So confused... so when is it acceptable for my hands to cramp up?

I got a pair of Sidi's at Velo Pasadena recently. They've got a lot of cool stuff to ooh and ahh at and the staff was pretty friendly and extremely helpful.

Prices are high. Try Steve at Open Road or Incycle down the street. Both have more inventory, in fact Steve at Open Road claims to have more inventory than most any other. Nothing against Hratch or his operation, he just tends to sell everything on the high side.

Hrach is a good guy and was quite a racer in his day.. He has one of the nicer shops in so cal.. They moved a couple of years ago and the shop is a much bigger size now.. He has one of the few local shops that stock assos and the vintage bikes he has hanging are worth the trip alone..

His prices are a little on the high side but he knows what he is doing.. If you are dealing with high end campy I can't think of a better shop to go to in the pasadena area..

http://velopasadena.com/page.cfm?pageID=115

It's kinda hard to describe, but by the looks of it, the compact bars are shorter (front to back) and shallower (hood to drop). The compactness would set the hoods lower (more forward) on the curve of the bar without making me extend my reach. The lower position would also mean less extension for my fingers to grasp the brake levers when I'm in the drops.


Hi Joy!
I have the compact bars and they are GREAT! Before I got them I had to descend on the hoods,
I got the FSA compact right before Mulholland Challenge and I was able to descend Deer Creek in the drops (my hands could finally reach)!

Karen

Hi Happy,
Velo Pasadena is one of my favorite shops. They're straight talkers most of the time and if you hit it right they have a major sale around this time every year. I mean everything in the store is put on sale. Hrach spent almost an hour trying to fit me for sidi's (I have narrow, small feet). They're a great shop. I can't say enough about them.

And they're not "little bitty" bub... they're um... Space Efficient. :mad:

It's not the size that counts.

It's not the size that counts.

I've actually heard the contrary ... are you saying you are that unique? :D

I think Pas Velo is a great shop. I bought my ICE frame from Harach and got a great deal. He was impressed when I told him I was taking the frame to my LBS ,Universal Cycles," to be built up. He said that he said he wished he had loyal customers like me. Get on their mailing list. They have 2 fantastic sales a year. Reminds me of the sales Circle Cycle used to have. 30%-50% off.

save yourself a load of $$$ and buy online

Great shop for high end stuffs, I got all my bikes there & service there , it's feels like shopping @ Rodeo Dr.

save yourself a load of $$$ and buy onlineYeah, and put the remaining few good bike shops out of business to save a few bucks, not this guy.

Yeah, and put the remaining few good bike shops out of business to save a few bucks, not this guy.

its bound to happen soon.. and its not just a few bucks...

Hrach is very knowledgeable. He was a great racer who raced for the Soviet National team in the early eighties. He even did the Coors Classic against Greg Lemond. His shop is very nice but pricey. He is a good businessman and if he knows you are going to spend money he will gladly take it. He "sponsored" a team that I rode for that had a director with deep pockets. The sponsorship consisted of allowing us to run up a large tab that he knew the director would pay for at full retail. I don't blame him, our director was very naive.

Thanks for the input, folks. It mostly reaffirmed my first impressions of Hrach and his store, which were very favorable. While I am happy with my local mechanic, his shop is limited in their merchandise selection. So when I walked into Velo Pas I was amazed at not only their goods, but the easy familiarity with all things Campy -- not something I find in most bike shops (as good as they may be).

I was also impressed that they carried a ton of high-end bike apparel (Assos, Campy, Giordana etc) AND bib shorts for women. I don't mean to sound like a snob, but my girly bits prefer the fit and quality of the imported stuff. And honestly, most of the clothing you see in one bike shop is exactly the same as the next one. It's nice to see something different.

I'll keep an eye out for the next sale. Thanks for the heads-up!

What size are your K-wings? If they are 42 or 44 and you get new bars, can I get first dibs to buy them off you?

They're a 40, actually. :o

They're a 40, actually. :o


Damn!!! What's 2cm among friends?? ;)

If this doesn't work you might want to look into SRAM Red since it has adjustable levers.

Spent 4 weeks checking out getting back into biking . . . Mike (a terrific techie and sales person) and Harach (a cool owner) were incredibly helpful and patient. It's an up-scale shop but the prices are on a par with other full service, high touch shops. We settled upon a 2011 Marin Highway One and I'm waiting for it. The attention to detail and follow-up was great.

Time will tell the real value of the relationship, Harach called his Marin rep on Labor Day (the rep took the call!) and verified my order would be delivered just as I wanted it. At this point I'm well satisfied and look forward to seeking their advice, counsel, service and hardware for a long time to come. (Oh btw, a sale is coming in November!)

All-in-all . . . just a great shop with friendly staff who know their business and like to see customers leave the store happy.

R

Just like the others have said, the shop is pretty much MSRP. But, the selection and expertise caters to the high end roadie. Hrach is gracious and will run out from the back of his store just to greet you.

I would use them more for a second opinion if my LBS can't do the job.

Velo sponsors our team this year. I had a warranty issue and Hrach was awesome in getting it handled. He also loaned me a bike so I could race the State Championships last month. So that being said I cannot say enough positive things about Velo.

I haven't really dealt with him enough to form much of an opinion, however people I know who have think the owner is an @ss. That being said, their head mechanic, hispanic guy, can't remember his name but is only working part time now, is outstanding.

Just wanted to add another voice to the chorus. Velo Pasadena is a great shop- prices a bit high, but 2 years free service on bikes purchased there and just great all around service. Plus, significant discounts if you're a member of the local bike club.