Reputable bike shop in Huntington??

[kekoa]

Hey guys, I'm looking to get my first road bike. So far, I can only afford a lower end trek or specialized. Is there any shop in the Huntington / OC area you can recommend that won't rip me off and can offer some good advice?

I've also read that I should get fitted and then buy on-line for best prices??

thanks

[BCIpam]

Hey guys, I'm looking to get my first road bike. So far, I can only afford a lower end trek or specialized. Is there any shop in the Huntington / OC area you can recommend that won't rip me off and can offer some good advice?

I've also read that I should get fitted and then buy on-line for best prices??

thanks

There are several good shops in HB. I'll let the locals provide a recommendation to you.

As to a fitting and buying online, not certain I would recommend that to a newbie. For something like me who has been riding 40 years it makes sense. I know my riding style, I know my limitis and I know what I want my bike to do. Plus I do all my own maintenance and repairs.

You are looking for a entry bike. My suggestion go to a shop like Surf City Cyclery, talk to the clerks, get on a few bikes and see what works best for you - are you looking for road, sport, comfort, what? Especially for a newbie, I would want a relationship with a shop so I can get tuneups, repairs, ask questions etc. Note you can always try and negotiate the price of a bike or ask for extras such as a water bottle etc but keep in mind the lower the price, the less room there is to negotiate.

[axelfox]

Surf City gets a lot of thumbs up around here.

[dddave]

i've heard that the guys at scc are dicks.

[mateo44]

i've heard that the guys at scc are dicks.

That's not my experience at all, nor have I heard that from anyone.

[ilvwhtgrls]

SCC is a nice shop... at times I feel the staff isn't super helpful but in no way rude or disrespectful. Their inventory is great for bikes and they should be able to help you pick out a great ride.

[BCIpam]

Kekoa - just a question - are you male or female? Height, experience etc. You might check around and get a good used bike. I have a friend who is selling a Landshark with full ultegra for a good price. The bike has barely been ridden. Cyclist upgrade all the time and sometimes a good road bike can be had for pennies on the dollar. Check around. I just bought a used bike for my compute to and from work - its an OK frame with full ultegra and I paid $150. The wheels are worth more than that!!!

[Gretzky]

Surf City Cyclery :thumb:

http://surfcitycyclery.com/

Ask for Mike

[Indolent58]

That's not my experience at all, nor have I heard that from anyone.

you just did. ddave just said it. it must be true.

[1955]

I recommend SCC also, not the cheapest place around, but I've gotten nothing but the best help from the staff. I've never bought a bike from them, although I had dealt with most of the staff when they were with Supergo. I go in once or twice a year and they even remember my name. They have matched prices on some items for me also.

[CritEastwood]

i've heard that the guys at scc are dicks.

Looking at this thread, I'd have to agree with Dave's notion.

[mateo44]

you just did. ddave just said it. it must be true.

:lol:

I agree with the first two sentences.

[mateo44]

Looking at this thread, I'd have to agree with Dave's notion.

Why? I think I know, but it would be fun to hear it from you.

[rooftest]

http://jaxbicycles.com/ Near the HB pier has always been cool to me.

[Garfield Cat]

Any opinions on the other bike shops in H.B.?

A Road Bike 4 You, on Beach blvd across from Newland Center
Team Bicycle Shop on Indianapolis

[haimtoeg]

+1 for SCC, but you can also try these guys: http://aroadbike4u.com/ - I had a fitting done there and was very pleased with the level of knowledge and attention to details.

[threeflys]

I stopped by SCC yesterday as I was in the area and was really pleased with the customer service I got. There was asian/hawaiian looking guy that helped me out and answered some questions for me, super nice guy. I'd shop there again in a heartbeat (picked up a nice TwinSix jersey for $45).
Chris

[dddave]

a road bike 4 u is good... they can order just about anything.

[Fat Boy]

SCC is a nice place, but, dang, their bike prices are high. I've bought clothes there, but the bike prices border on ridiculous. I despise Jax near the pier. They provided me with my single worst bike experience and I'll never return.

Huntington Beach Bikes on Edinger and Springdale is a pretty chilled out little shop. Not the biggest supply on hand, but a lot of help and very personable.

If you're buying your first bike and on a budget, you could do a lot worse than Performance on Warner. There's a bunch of people who will cry heresy, but if I had $1k or less to buy a bike it would be their house brand or a Schwinn with good components as opposed to a low end 'name' (probably built at the same factory) with lesser components.

That's just me.

[DaveSANYYZ]

I haven't been to SCC, but I've heard quite a lot of good reviews from ppl on this forum. Are they selling things above MSRP, at MSRP (like most LBS do), or just have lots of high-end stuff (thus high dollar figures)?

[sweetparts]

From what I've seen SCC prices are the same as any other Specialized dealer...and they have the stuff the other guys don't have in stock....Performance is a cool place to buy an entry level bike, because you can always ride it, and if you don't like it after awhile, return it. Buying a bike for its components is NEVER a good idea though...you ride the frame not the parts, and usually the bigger guys have way more involved in R&D..

[CritEastwood]

http://www.melissahance.com/images/koolAidPacketGrape.gif

[Fat Boy]

usually the bigger guys have way more involved in R&D..

SCC has a lot of high end bikes, I guess. I really haven't price matched, but walking through the shop I saw a bunch of nice, but expensive, bikes. They're probably at MSRP.

There are only a handful of Taiwanese factories that produce bikes. What is high end one your will be a knock-off brand the next. That's just the way the business has evolved. They can make carbon frames cheaper than any of us want to believe. Aluminum ones are even less expensive. There really hasn't been any major advancements in bike frame design in quite a while. Probably the sloping top tube is the latest change, and it's several years old. As long as the bike fits well and it made for how you're going to ride, it does not have to cost a lot. If you're riding centuries, you'll want something that's a little more relaxed. If you're racing crits, then something that's a little more aggressive.

All in all, none of it is rocket science. Yes, you ride the frame, but the differences in frame design for a first time buyer with a modest amount of money to spend is very small. Overall, I'd say there is much more aggravation over shifters that don't shift and brakes that hang up rather than frame responsiveness or razor sharp handling. I would recommend getting Shimano 105 components or maybe SRAM Rival. Couple this to a well fitted frame, a good saddle, good tires, and good cycling shorts. You can go a long way with that type of combination.

Ride it for 2 years. If at the end of 2 years you decide you want to upgrade, then buy the $8k Specialized or Trek of your dreams.

[kekoa]

thanks guys. just FYI

Im 34
male
and 5 ft 9
I currently weight 170 lbs after gaining 30 lbs from marriage. LOL

I guess I'll try SCC to at least get fit and then look for a good deal on-line or something.

I appreciate the feedback.

[cjbruin]

http://www.melissahance.com/images/koolAidPacketGrape.gif

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1315/1341914279_608a46baaf_o.jpg

[mateo44]

http://www.melissahance.com/images/koolAidPacketGrape.gif


http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/Sour%20Grapes.jpg

[threeflys]

thanks guys. just FYI

Im 34
male
and 5 ft 9
I currently weight 170 lbs after gaining 30 lbs from marriage. LOL

I guess I'll try SCC to at least get fit and then look for a good deal on-line or something.

I appreciate the feedback.

So, you expect to walk into SCC, let them fit you for a bike and give you advice and then leave and try to undercut them to save a few bucks (which, with shipping, probably won't be much). I hope you at least buy a jersey or shorts or something from them....