Where to buy first bike- good LBS in or around Portland?

[enwar3]

So... I'm finally looking to buy my first bike off CL or from an LBS, but as much as we are the biking capital of the US, I have no idea where to look... I live in Vancouver, WA for reference. Any LBSs you guys recommend?

[donnamb]

Depends. What kind of bike are you looking for?

[enwar3]

Sorry.. road bike. I got a hybrid right now that I got off CL but it's a little small. I want to tour someday but that's not relevant right now. So yea, just an entry-level (read: cheap) road bike.

[cdotbois]

More from CL:

http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/bik/486755403.html

Bridgestone 300s.

If you're still wanting to hunt on craigslist, my advice is check it often, and get your foot in the door early with the ones you want. My experience has been that a nice bike in the morning will already be spoken for by the time evening comes around. So you have to be jumpy but not impulsive necessarily.

[donnamb]

Sorry.. road bike. I got a hybrid right now that I got off CL but it's a little small. I want to tour someday but that's not relevant right now. So yea, just an entry-level (read: cheap) road bike.
For a LBS, go to Seven Corners (http://www.7-corners.com/). If you tell Corey your budget, he'll work with you.

[tim24k]

You live in Vancouver, WA right?
The best LBS is Vancouver Cyclery their on old Hwy 99. Bob the owner and his staff are good people and they pay the sales tax on new bicycles as-well as on all the accessories you buy with it. You also get one full year of free tune-ups/ajustments.:D You know that alone is hard to beat! I've bought 4 bikes there now. I usually buy from Bob or Jessie, but any of the staff are good.

Open 10:00 to 7:00 Mon. - Fri. Sat I think it's 10:00 to 5:00 360-574-5717
http://yellowpages.aol.com/business/vancouver-cyclery/amboy/wa/0,111587065/

Their prices I found are at many times better then what you will find in Portland + with them paying the tax why look To Portland? I hope this helps.

Ciao,
Timothy

[enwar3]

Nice! I will check out all the suggestions.. I've only ever heard of bike gallery.

Also, I may check out that CL ad. Are Bridgestone 300s worth keeping for a while?

[cdotbois]

I'm not an expert, but I'd say so. For $85 and the claimed condition of either bike, you can't go wrong. If you decide the Bridgestone isn't worth keeping later, I'm sure you could sell it at the same price, or preferably just give it to me when you're done. :)

[mike_khad1]

My favorite two LBS are Bike N' Hike and River City Bikes

[tim24k]

Also, I may check out that CL ad. Are Bridgestone 300s worth keeping for a while?

I'm a big fan of Bridgestones. I own two 1985 T700s, one 1998 T700 and I just had my dream bike a 1991 RB-1 built up from a frame set. The 300 is at the lower end of the food chain. Read up on them here http://sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/

Ciao,
Timothy

[KRhea]

Two GREAT shops are Cyclepath on MLK and Veloce on Hawthorne. Talk to either Bill or J-Man at Cyclepath and Demetri or Eric at Veloce.

You can't go wrong at either place plus their the "little" guys in town who deserve our business.


KRhea
PortlandVelo.net

[stevirey]

I was at The Bike Gallery(on Division,right off 205) the other day with a friend who's into road bikes.He's got a nice carbon fiber Trek with all the cf goodies.Any way,he was looking at an "entry level" bike for the rain/wet.Saw something that looked decent for maybe $550.With a carbon fork to boot.By the way it's a good time to get a deal on an '07.Or you could head down I-5 get off at city center and head left to Hawthorne?East side. Anyway there is Rivercity Bikes on MLK or Union.The one way street that goes north.It's huge.You could all day in there.And there is a place upstairs where you actually ride around.Also I've seen bikes half off at REI.Oh,and there is always craigslist or Ebay.I've had pretty good luck on Ebay.
I like the mechanics at my local bike Gallery(Division St.)Although I do most my own work these guys are better,well just know more than I do.
Happy hunting.

[Tabor]

My favorite two LBS are Bike N' Hike and River City Bikes

I used to live next to the Beaverton Bike & Hike. They were awesome! Now I live by the Milwaukee one, and I hate it.