Texas - Favorite LBS in DFW

Recently I've gotten back into cycling, and I've gotten my youngest son involved too. (My oldest son has car keys, so cycling is the farthest from his mind.) As a result, a big chunk of cash has been liberated from my bank account. As we all know, the cash flow doesn't stop at the purchase of the bike. Between accessories and upgraditis, that can cost more than the bikes themselves.

So I'm curious as to whom you hand your hard earned cash over to here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area to perpetuate your hobby. RBM and REI have gotten a large amount so far from me. Is there some small mom-pop shop we should know about that is hidden away in this hay stack we call Dallas?

West Village Bicycles is in uptown
neat place
http://www.westvillagebicycles.com/

I like B&B in Cedar Hill; go see Beth.

Not a Mom and Pop, but I have never had bad service at the Walnut Hill and 75 Performance.

City Cyclist and Panther City n Fort Worth

It depends what I'm looking for - bike vs clothes vs other. I spread my wealth around FtW Bikes Inc, Performance Bikes, then to a lesser extent the other LBS in south/central/west FtW. The Pearl Izumi store gets my business when they have sales. It took a bit of $ to get set up with "stuff" in addition to the new bike for cold/heat/rain/dark/commute/event riding. For longer rides having the right stuff really makes a big difference in my enjoyment level.

Not a Mom and Pop, but I have never had bad service at the Walnut Hill and 75 Performance.


I talk with a bike courier that works there, too. He was stoked to hear I was getting into riding and gave me really good advice without making me feel like a newbie. I am definitely going to give them some business.




FIN

Hey I live in Euless also, just south of glade. I'd be glad to ride with you.

Mutt

Rockwall Cycling on the east side of the Metroplex.

http://www.rockwallcycling.com/

Sounds like some great places to check out. I really need to avoid REI. Since I'm the outdoor-z type, I'm can get addicted to places like that.....but it may be to late.

You did not say what part of the Metroplex you are in, and as you know, it is a very, very big place.

My personal favorite is not a small tucked away shop, but I have NEVER gotten bad service there, is Bicycles, INC in Arlington. All of the other stores are nice, but Arlington is my favorite. Ask for either Robert or John.

I am not a fan of B&B (something that happened while I was there put me off of them), and RBM is just too big to be personable, but they have lots of things that nobody else stocks.

You did not say what part of the Metroplex you are in, and as you know, it is a very, very big place.

I live close to I35E just north of The Bush in Carrollton. RBM in Richardson, and REI in Plano are fairly close to me. However, the last two bike purchases were with RBM in Frisco. I've noticed like others, RBM in Richardson associates rarely come up and ask if you need help. But in their defense, I only notice that when they are really busy. And that is most of the time. If I need help though, I know how to ask for it.

Since my line of work takes me all over the DFW area on a weekly bases, checking out other LBS is not a real obstacle.

You might also look at Colonel's in Fort Worth; and there's a nice small shop in Mansfield that handles Cannondale - name escapes me...

I liked the one in Grapevine. Its a small shop that sells mainly Giant stuff. FIN

Dallas Bike Works at Abrams & Park Ln, close to the Vickery Meadows area is great. They're very knowledgable and provide fast service. I took my 70's Schwinn Super Le Tour for them to convert into a single speed (I am NO mechaniac!). I brought the bike in on a Friday and they had it ready Saturday! They are a small shop so they may have to order lots of odd parts.

B&B if you're in South Dallas. They're in Cedar Hill off off Hwy 67 & 1382. Great service as mentioned above. If not Beth, ask for Jeff.
Ernest

City Cyclist and Panther City n Fort Worth

+1 on City Cyclist. They are more into value than snobbery. And if you really need to learn anything, Mike in particular is great about explaining things. Definitely Mom & Pop (although the three partners are not related).

The other bike shops I like in Fort Worth are Colonel's in the TCU area and Bicycle Center of Fort Worth in River Oaks.

The Bike Shop in Richardson has great service and a good mechanic. They are a smaller shop so the parts inventory can be hit or miss, but they get orders in failry quickly.

They are on Arapaho just West of Plano Rd and next to Soccer City.

rockwall cycling on the east side of the metroplex.

http://www.rockwallcycling.com/

+1

The Bike Hub in Rowlett is a nice mom & pop!

RBM and Plano Cycling. Both have very good service departments.

I'll have to agree on the Performance off 75 and Walnut Hill being an awesome shop. They let me pretty much check everything out that I wanted without making me feel like I was wasting their time.

The small shop someone mentioned in Grapevine is called Mad Duck Sports and its a remodeled old Weinerschnitzel turned into a bike shop. They are great people and will treat you well and currently carry some high-end bikes too.

Used to be able to recommend Panther city in FW until the owner parted ways and left his partner in charge and now the cool feel of the old shop is gone. Its like you have to twist his arm to get him to sell you something and god forbid he get off his computer to help you out!

Colonel's is awesome, gave me a discount on stuff cause I rode my bike there.

Performance off Hulen in FW also an awesome shop, even met one of their corporate head honchos there a week ago and was super nice and helpful.

Bikes Inc in FW off 20 and Grandbury rd has the coolest bike mechanic and wheelbuilder (Ask for shaggy)

Richardson bike mart is like the COSTCO of bike shops, its so big and carry so much stuff you're better off looking for it yourself than asking for help.

A really cool up and coming bike shop I recently found out about is in Irving off Story Rd and South of 183 called Liberty Cycles. Used to be called Bill's bike shop but apparently people hated bill so much he decided to sell.

used to be able to get decent help from Sun & Ski Sports at the grapevine mills mall but all their mechanics either got fired or quit and now they only have kids running the bike shop.
Actual conversation with one of their new hires
ME:"Looking for a stem shim to go from a 1 1/8" stem to a 1" steerer tube"
IDIOT:"Dude you don't want to put a shim in that area of your bike, its gonna break and you're gonna kill yourself!"
so stay away from Sun and Ski Sports in Grapevine if you value your life!

BlueBonnet Cycles in Lewisville on the N. bound service road between Valley Ridge and FM407 is a small locally owned shop that I use from time to time.

RBM gets most of my money as I have shopped there since I was a kid in the 70s.

Plano Cycling and Fitness also get some of my business, and they too are a family owned business.

I like B&B in Cedar Hill; go see Beth.

I visited this place today. They showed a particular saddle I wanted online, but :( they didn't have it in stock. Nice place though. More of the Mom&Pop type shop for sure. I would be more incline to patronize a place like that if it were closer.

Glad you went by there. I really like that shop, very friendly and knowledgable, They sold me a specialized toupe gel saddle, way back when, that's now my favorite saddle - I bought it solely on their recommendation and they were sure right! That made me a customer for life. You can buy from them off their website, too.

What's a good shop to buy parts? My local LBS wanted to charge twice as much for a Tourney derailluer and basically tell me I was stupid for wanting to install it myself. FIN

RBM may be big, but I find the Frisco shop is more than personable, good service and they
don't try to sell me a bunch of stuff they think I need.
I've also used Bluebonnet in Lewisville, very much a mom&pop kind of place.

Marty

Any recommendations of a LBS that sells used bikes and does trade ins?

I have a couple of Crap Mart bikes (Huffy 16" and Pacific 20", both dual susp) my youngest son learned to ride on. He don't use them now and they are in pretty good shape. One got road 5 times, and the other for 3 weeks. I would give up both for one bigger bike I can use as a loaner/beater.

I've had good luck with Craigslist.


FIN

I've had good luck with Craigslist.


FIN

I've thought about Craigslist, but I was kinda wanted to go in somewhere and browse what they had on hand.

I've thought about just selling them outright, but they only cost me $200 combined full retail. I couldn't get much more than $75 for the pair. I just as soon donate them to a needy kid than go through the trouble of a buyer wanting to haggle with the selling price.

I've thought about Craigslist, but I was kinda wanted to go in somewhere and browse what they had on hand.

I've thought about just selling them outright, but they only cost me $200 combined full retail. I couldn't get much more than $75 for the pair. I just as soon donate them to a needy kid than go through the trouble of a buyer wanting to haggle with the selling price.

Problem is you would probably get less than 75 from a shop since they have to buy it with enough room to mark up and make a little money. I have been wondering if there are any places that sell used as well though.

Problem is you would probably get less than 75 from a shop since they have to buy it with enough room to mark up and make a little money. I have been wondering if there are any places that sell used as well though.

I'm wasn't planning on "selling" them to a LBS, I want to give up the two bikes in trade for one. Also, I'm not looking for an expensive bike, just a bigger bike I can either let my oldest son ride, or something I can abuse for fun.

No offense man, but a real bike shop would not buy used or sell used "mart" bikes.
That's what sets the real bike shops apart from "marts".

What's a good shop to buy parts? My local LBS wanted to charge twice as much for a Tourney derailluer and basically tell me I was stupid for wanting to install it myself. FIN

Jeez, what shop was this?

No offense man, but a real bike shop would not buy used or sell used "mart" bikes.
That's what sets the real bike shops apart from "marts".

LOL... how true. I guess what I'm looking for is a pawn/bike shop. There's a place here in Carrollton I'm gonna check out today that might deal in used bikes. I'll report back.

I went to Bicycle Exchange in Carrollton and they do deal in used bikes and trade ins. As I suspected though, these two bikes I have aren't worth anything to them as a trade in. Plus they didn't have any cheap beater bikes I was looking for.

I'll just find a needy kid to donate too, or trade for something. (see sticky at the top)

Jeez, what shop was this?

Bicycles, Inc. in HEB

One guy there is, well, quirky, but an okay guy. The others, even at the one in SFW, were kind of condescending. I felt like I needed a $2k road bike to fit in.

I don't plan on going back, even though they are right down the road. I'll search for one that understands and appreciates us cheapskates and DIYers.




FIN

Bicycles, Inc. in HEB

One guy there is, well, quirky, but an okay guy. The others, even at the one in SFW, were kind of condescending. I felt like I needed a $2k road bike to fit in.

I don't plan on going back, even though they are right down the road. I'll search for one that understands and appreciates us cheapskates and DIYers.

FIN

What you have to do is deal with the Manager or the Assistant manager Ian. I've had the same issue with these guys, I too live right by them and I have been spoken at by some of the techs as if I was a 5 year old kid. The worst one was when I asked for a CF fork and the guy told me since the best they could do was $200 that I was better off just spending $1500 on a new bike that already had one installed. He is appropriately and Ironically named DICK.

I frequent BlueBonnet Bikes in Lewisville. They dont have the largest selection but will bend over backwards to help you :thumb:

You shouldn't have to find a manager to get the service you deserve. If one of the sales or service guys are not treating you right, thats the time to find a manager. I have to say that Bikes Inc in Fort worth is my favorite. I've been dealing with them for as long as they have been there. Only one or two bad experiences with them but the Store manager and Service manager made everything right in a hurry. I really can't say anything about their other stores.

I gave up on finding a manager in those situations after a run-in with an employee and manager at BassPro. They both tried telling me that Spyderco didn't make a plain edged Endura, which they do, even though my buddy bought one from the same store the week before. They even refused to look under the counter at the ones they had in stock.

I'm no expert, but don't treat me like an idiot or I'll find another business that wants my money.






FIN

at RMB in dallas I have ever has a problem what so ever most of the staff inmo are very infromative and helpful. if you have a major probllem or issue while shopping there ask for Woody, the manager or for that matter Jim the owner or lewis, all good people and will bend over backwards to help you.

Bikes Inc in arlington texas is a great shop also, Eddie the manager is outstanding and more than helpful also

Most shops seem to want you too browse and it seems if you are really interested then you yell for help and they respond, Eddie at bikes incis recovering from an accident/broken hip but he is the one too go to @ bikes inc. in arlington

I'm no expert, but don't treat me like an idiot or I'll find another business that wants my money.

From my experience with employees of any kind of store, if they treat me like I'm the idiot it's because they are the ones who are the idiot. It's how they cover up their inadequacy.

The ones who are truly knowledgeable, are the ones who will be the most friendly and helpful.

From my experience with employees of any kind of store, if they treat me like I'm the idiot it's because they are the ones who are the idiot. It's how they cover up their inadequacy.



Just another reason to find another store. It's a shame, really.

Threads like this can be so hit and miss. For instance I've been to Bikes Inc in Bedford a few times, in fact my wife bought a bike there. We've always had great service from them. I went to their store on the south part of town and was not that impressed but certainly not dissapointed or anything. RBM has always treated me like royalty to the point of me wanting them to not be so helpful and just let me wander the store.

Both Performance Bike shops have been good to me yet not every single employee there is best pal material. REI has been a good experience as well and they now carry Raleighs! I've been to a couple smaller/boutique shops and those guys were helpful too.

Sometimes i think people have unrealistic expectations from bike shops. I've met a person at every shop I've ever been to that was worth avoiding the next trip, I mean bike shops are not any more immune to hiring a few dorks than any other retail business, but finding someone I liked and who was helpful was/is not rocket science or even challenging. And yeah we have all had some dork trying to sell us on the latest wonder-carbon frame bike when all we needed was a floor pump. Big deal, just avoid the guy the next time you're in that shop.

Chris

Alright guys wanted to share my personal experience from today with a bike shop that I have been in one other time but will definately be going back to. I walk into Performance off of Hulen and begin browsing the various items starting with what I am looking for and of course the other eye candy in the store. The store associate was with a customer but tells me that she will be right with me as soon as she finishes up. Out of the shop comes a mechanic and as he is strolling by notices my Aggie T-shirt and shows me a sweet Aggie Cruiser bike just because of the t-shirt! I was impressed by a guy showing me something I had not stumbled upon in the first place. He asks if I need any help and I tell him that I think that I need a new chain etc. He asks me if I have my bike which I did... He jumped in the back of the truck and took the bike out! Suprise number 2. He then says that yes I need a chain and rolls the bike in the store. He puts it on his rack and just looks the bike over as we have a conversation about cassettes etc. He then says you want me to slap in on for ya and check the shifting etc? He invites me back and he and another customer that was a friend of his talk with me for at least 45 minutes or so while he adjusts derailers shifting cables and installs chain!

Wow!!! Then I tell him I am in the market for some new tools as I have just gotten back into cycling and a stand... He tells me what to buy and what not to buy which had absolutely nothing to do with the price on the rack. He takes me to the front and rings up my purchase...

I get in the truck and look at the receipt wondering what I signed up for having him install chain and adjusting various parts... Total charge = $0!!!!! I couldn't believe it!

Anyway really awesome staff there and a great experience! Just wanted to share with the Ft. Worth folks.

Also I ride a Scattante and I know it isn't a name brand etc. but this is the first place I have gone that they have not tried to sell me a new bike instead of what I am looking for. Although that is their brand but he told me some background that the carbon fiber frame that is on my bike is made by Fuji and just has a different name essentially. Anyway great experience if anyone needs anything I had a great experience and got the feeling that their service is always that way.

Sorry so long winded but just wanted to share the suprise and delight of a trip to a shop that I didn't get upsold or had them trying to get deeper in my wallet.

Mad Duck Cyclery- Grapevine
Colonel's - Ft Worth