Southern California - Recommend an LBS for a build

I recently purchased a new wheelset (Easton EA70 Aero), groupset (09 Centaur), and frame (Pedal Force RS2) online. Can anyone recommend a good LBS (or mechanic) where they can build it up and what it may cost?

I know its not poor etiquette to buy stuff online and take it to the lbs, but the shops around here didn't have these parts, and I really didn't want to compromise and get something I didn't want. I am planning on getting the seat, tires, stem, handlebars, and pedals at the same place I do the build. Any help would be appreciated.

I have no qualms about purchasing online. To me, it's all about paying the least amount for what I want. It's my wallet not theirs and they may be lucky enough to have me ask them to pay for a build. Then again, that's why I build my own bikes too. =)

I'm sure Incycle would build but the closest one I know of is in Chino. I doubt you want to drive to Chino from Redlands.

I would recommend furiousferret from Redlands. There is no one that will take better care of this particular build.

I too live in Redlands, and my preferred LBS is Don's Bikes over in Rialto, just a small distance west on the 10 and a couple miles North on Riverside Ave. It's a smaller shop, with a less impressive Service area than you'll find at USA Cyclery here in Redlands, but they've treated me well there, and do good work. Mike (from Cyclery USA) is also a great mech, but they have a handful of other mechanics so you might have to ask for him specifically. I don't know the other guys. But I've had a less than ideal experience with that store in general, and it's worth it for me to drive over to Rialto. Good luck.

Oh, and thomson's question is a good one. Why don't you build it yourself?

-Jeremy

Mark H. at Competitive Edge in Rancho Cucamonga (Haven and Foothill). The guy is an excellent mechanic! I've followed him around for about 12 years since I met him at the Comp Edge in Upland (Foothill and Euclid).

The guy does things right!!! Everytime I take things to other local mechanics, I end up sorry I didn't go to Mark.:mad:

I too live in Redlands, and my preferred LBS is Don's Bikes over in Rialto, just a small distance west on the 10 and a couple miles North on Riverside Ave. It's a smaller shop, with a less impressive Service area than you'll find at USA Cyclery here in Redlands, but they've treated me well there, and do good work. Mike (from Cyclery USA) is also a great mech, but they have a handful of other mechanics so you might have to ask for him specifically. I don't know the other guys. But I've had a less than ideal experience with that store in general, and it's worth it for me to drive over to Rialto. Good luck.

Oh, and thomson's question is a good one. Why don't you build it yourself?

-Jeremy

I have the same exact feelings. CycleryUSA seems overly crowded and backlogged. I know which mech you're thinking of but I don't want to get a new guy doing it. I'm leaning towards Don's Bike's, they seem to be a bit more personal and I think they've dealth with Campy more.

As far as building it myself...I'm comfortable putting together about 85% of it. The cabling is what worries me. I still may do it myself, I know in the long run this would be the best, but I just dont want to screw it up.

If furiousferret lived nearby I'd build it for him for a six pack of beer if I had some spare time. I've done numerous builds for friends over the years in exchange for beer or wine.

Cables are your biggest concern? Go for it, cables are easy. My biggest concern when building a bike is the bottom bracket. Half of the bottom brackets I've installed made annoying ticking noises.

Cables should be the least of your worries. You should be comfortable with changing cables out. Take it to an LBS for frame prep and headset installation. Do everything else yourself.

Agree with the rest on cables. As intimidating as it may appear, it is actually quite easy.
Think about it this way, you can't screw it up any worse than ruining the cables or housing themselves. Cheap stuff. Once you get through it, you will never pay for a tune-up again.

I think cable routing is challenging for some when it comes to cutting & routing them so they look aesthetically pleasing. Other than that, they're pretty straight forward to install.

I'm going to have it done at Don's Bikes. They're not charging much, plus I'll get a fit as well.

I bought a bike on sale as my first road bike. Then a year later I had injury issues. So I got it professionally fitted. Great investment.

Then I got a new frameset and bought components from Colorado. I went to the same fitter and the builder is a pro mechanic who happened to be her husband.

I was fortunate to have a pro mechanic (pro team) do the build up but I think the fitter is more important.