Southern California - Good bike shops in the L.A. area

I thought it would be helpful to have members list their experiences with different shops in the L.A. area. That way, if newbies come to the forum, like I did, they can have some information on which shops have good reputations (and which have poor ones).

It doesn't have to be strictly for shops, I wouldn't mind seeing some info. for co-ops as well. I live really close to the Bike Kitchen and I think hairnet volunteers for another co-op out in Venice.

Anyway, feel free to contribute. Hopefully, this thing grows so people can just be directed here if they have questions about shops. Here are a couple that I have experience with:


Rolling Cowboys - Pico/Arlington

A GREAT place to get some bike work done, as well as pick up some parts you might need. This is pretty much going to be my go-to shop. Dan, the guy who runs it, is super friendly and welcoming, the atmosphere is so positive and the prices are very reasonable. They sell out of complete bikes rather quickly, but they can order some for you. I would strongly recommend checking it out and I'd be surprised if you didn't have a great experience.


DTLA Bikeshop - Downtown L.A. (downstairs, with a small track to ride around)

A place with a large selection of complete bikes. Prices are about average, but I didn't really look too hard. Good vibes from the place, knowledgeable and friendly staff and decent selection of parts/tools. Would definitely go there if I was in the area.

This place is not to be confused with Downtown L.A. bikeshop, which has a very similar name but is completely unrelated.


Downtown L.A. Bikeshop - Downtown L.A. off Venice

Didn't really look around too much as I was only looking for used bikes. They had a good sized selection in store, as well as a lot of parts from what I could see. But the staff was very friendly and willing to help.


El Maestro Bike shop - Downtown L.A.

I've never actually been here, it was closed when I checked it out. But it's got great reviews on yelp so it's worth mentioning.


Wabi Cycles - Downtown L.A.

See El Maestro.


Millenium Bike Shop - James Woods in Koreatown

Simple, fast service. Decent selection of parts, and the staff are friendly. Your basic bike shop if you need air or tubes.


Coco's Variety Store - Silverlake

Out of the places I visited, they had the best selection of complete and almost complete used bikes. I haven't been to many places though. Very friendly staff, and it's very popular in this area. New bike selection may be somewhat limited, but it's definitely worth checking.


Orange 20 (started by former Bike Kitchen volunteers) - Melrose by LACC

Pricy, busy, and pricy and busy. I live really close to here, but I probably won't go there unless I have to. The place has average reviews and I've heard stories of poor treatment after purchases. In fact, if they didn't have any connection to the Bike Kitchen, I don't know if I would even consider this place.


Co-op: Bike Kitchen - off Melrose right by LACC

A great place, knowledgeable volunteers, every tool you'll probably ever need to work on your bike, and they don't charge, only asking for donations. The only catch is how damn busy it is because of how great it is. You might be better off going to a shop and just paying, but if you have the time to wait (they do make appointments) then it's worth it to learn it yourself.


Online stores: Of course we should support local shops, but sometimes it's necessary to buy something online. No judgment from me, I would wholeheartedly encourage people to support Retrogression (run by Scrodzilla, a mod on Bikeforums). They have very competitive prices and a good selection of parts.

Ive been to Bike kitchen and they seem pretty serious about getting paid. As soon as i walked in they put me on the list and clocked me in. Then when i clocked out they wanted to get paid. I might have said i cant afford it if i cant afford it but the default treatment is they clock you in, then clock you out and they ask you to pay at a set rate per hour and tell you what the total charge is. it would be up to you to tell them you cant afford it and you dont want to pay their suggested donation rate if you have the nerve and the need to do that.

Probikekit in Kendal has been very good to me over the past 2 years. Free shipping and no tax too.

I have been in Orange 20 a few times. One time I was looking for a seat, i wanted one with good cushioning for a road bike. I had looked online and what i was looking for was something like the Serfas Rx line. They stock nothing of this type. Mostly i saw some Brooks which I think they were selling for approximately list prices, and some seats that were not of the upscale modern cushioned or gel variety that i wanted. Their prices for the seats seemed quite high (quite higher than online store prices) and they also did not stock the sort of seat i wanted. I was frustrated because i wanted to get the seat to ride on that day. I ultimately went to Sport Chalet in Marina Del Rey who had a much better selection of the sort of seats i wanted, at prices that werent much higher than internet stores and the sales people were very responsive, telling me what their personal experiences and opinions were with the seats. At Orange 20 the seats are on a wall BEHIND a counter with no sales person in sight.

Wheel World, Sepulveda Blvd in Culver city. Again I went there looking for a bike seat. They had some seats i was interested in. I asked if they had time to install it if i bought one. They sent me over to the service dept which is a different counter area. I was told there would be an $8 charge to install the seat and they didnt know if they could fit me in. I walked out after complaining that if i bought a seat from a local store and paid their price, I expected them to do me the courtesy of installing it at no added cost. Whether my expectation is reasonable or not , I do not know but that was my opinion. I personally dont want to shop in places where if i buy a seat then i have to go talk to the service dept see if they are free and pay a set service rate. That seems bureaucratic and not the kind of place i want to take my business. Id rather throw my money to local places that are more accomodating and personalized. I felt if i am paying their price and sales tax rather buying online at cheaper prices (often with free shipping, and no sales tax) i want something for that, ie personalized service and no added charge for installation of a simple fast thing THAT I BUY THERE like a bike seat (my bike had no problems ie stuck seat post nothing like that.)

Wheel World, Sepulveda Blvd in Culver city. Again I went there looking for a bike seat. They had some seats i was interested in. I asked if they had time to install it if i bought one. They sent me over to the service dept which is a different counter area. I was told there would be an $8 charge to install the seat and they didnt know if they could fit me in. I walked out after complaining that if i bought a seat from a local store and paid their price, I expected them to do me the courtesy of installing it at no added cost. Whether my expectation is reasonable or not , I do not know but that was my opinion. I personally dont want to shop in places where if i buy a seat then i have to go talk to the service dept see if they are free and pay a set service rate. That seems bureaucratic and not the kind of place i want to take my business. Id rather throw my money to local places that are more accomodating and personalized. I felt if i am paying their price and sales tax rather buying online at cheaper prices (often with free shipping, and no sales tax) i want something for that, ie personalized service and no added charge for installation of a simple fast thing THAT I BUY THERE like a bike seat (my bike had no problems ie stuck seat post nothing like that.)
What if you buy a crankset? Should installation be free? What about handlebars or shifters? Free install or no?

REI, Santa Monica. Product selection of accessories ie lights, racks, seats, clothing etc is good. Salespeople are very helpful, responsive and are bike riders/enthusiasts. No parking so i park where i can and either walk or ride my bike to the store.

Abba Padre Bike store on Sepuleveda Blvd in Culver City near Washington Blvd. I found this very small store on yelp, they are top rated for bike repair in WLA area on yelp.com. They also sell some new and used bikes but the selection varies, hit or miss.

Orange 20- good thing about this store is they are a retailer for Jamis bikes if you are looking for one.

Wheel World- good thing about this store is they are a retailer for Specialized bikes if you are looking for one.

Flying Pigeon-- I have done some of their bike rides and enjoy them. They are active in helping the bicycling community in LA by involvement in local city issues with biking, their bike rides, and also at least once i know about they sponsored a speaker talking about transportation issues. As to their new bikes they carry, so far they havent been one i want to buy at least yet -- they are mostly selling upscale European and European-type city/urban type of bikes including Pashton, and these bikes are expensive. They started out selling Flying Pigeon chinese bikes but have moved beyond that (but you can still get an FP bike from them.) They have some bike that are more affordable ie Linus and a similar line from a company in SF (I forget the name). But ive been into steel framed road and hybrid bikes mostly, looking for good deals on used bikes, so there have been no bikes in their store new or used of immediate interest to me to date. But if i want a Pashton or Brompton etc i know where to go. I find it odd most of the people on their group ride are students and run of the mill people who arent so well off and almost all of these people have a wide range of road bikes, hybrids, mountain bikes, fixies, typical bikes you see around town (and the sort of bikes you would see worked on next door at the co-op Bike Oven), and these are not the sort of bikes that the store sells. I havent seen any of the upscale riders with the expensive European bikes the store sells on the group rides. So there seems to be a disconnect to me between the people i see on the rides, the bikes i am interested in at affordable prices, and the bikes they are mostly selling at the store. It's like i might go window shopping at Barneys NY but i might buy clothes at Target. But i like the store and the staff. Very nice.

Sport Chalet, Marina del rey. I keep going to this store because i do bike rides along the coastal path and that puts me in Marina Del Rey frequently. They have a pretty good selection of accessories, ie lights, clothing, helmets, tubes, etc and they have some salespeople who actually ride bikes and are helpful, and their prices arent so bad.

Safety Cycles-- they are a dealer for Dahon folding bikes. They sell them at the store and also on ebay. They have a pretty good bike inventory in general of new bikes and accessories.

Seat-- yes.
Crankshaft-- no.

I can tell you i bought bike locks in 2 stores and got free installation of the U lock holder on the bike frame no questions asked. One was at Flying Pigeon bike store and this was 30 minutes before a group ride. The other was a bike store in Coronado CA (where the owner and i worked together to figure out best way to install the U lock holder so it wouldnt be in the way of 2 water bottle mounts. ) This is the type of service i want-- that the other 2 stores offered and Wheel World didnt offer me.

Ive been to Bike kitchen and they seem pretty serious about getting paid. As soon as i walked in they put me on the list and clocked me in. Then when i clocked out they wanted to get paid. I might have said i cant afford it if i cant afford it but the default treatment is they clock you in, then clock you out and they ask you to pay at a set rate per hour and tell you what the total charge is. it would be up to you to tell them you cant afford it and you dont want to pay their suggested donation rate if you have the nerve and the need to do that.

I hear that. They say it's donation based, but social pressure makes people pay up. I think that donation "fee" doesn't apply to people who REALLY can't afford it, like homeless people who have bikes. I'm thinking people who come in there with decent bikes almost "have" to cough up. No big to me, if I can get my problem solved with the use of tools there that I don't want to buy. But again, people might want to consider just going to a shop with an excellent mechanic.

Gary, I don't see a problem in their install fee, but they should have had somebody that could have taken all of 5 minutes at the most to put it on for you at that time and even show you exactly how to do it.

I don't see a problem with installation fees either. If you need a car part and you need it installed, you see their service department and they charge you. If you can't do it yourself, be prepared to pay someone else to do it for you.

My experiences with Wheel World have been great.

Gary, they shouldn't have charged you for installing the seat. It may have not been to the exact adjustment you need or where your old seat was. If they did a "seat fitting", then I can understand the fee, (and time required). It's a 2-minute job. At a shop in Ventura earlier this summer, when on a ride with my daughter, we picked up a seat that was a pull and they installed it on my daughter's bike right away at no charge.

A few of my favorite shops...

Open Road Bicycle Shop on Sierra Madre Blvd just north of Colorado in Pasadena. Huge Bianchi dealer. Large store, extensive clothing department, stocks most everything you need ... you just have to be able to find it. The store is messy and the only employee is Steve, the owner. Just ask him and he'll go right to whatever it is you need. His prices are fantastic! He runs his store on an informal basis. He'll take your stuff, if it is more that a few items, he'll punch a few numbers on his calculator and say, "Oh, let's make it X bucks." Since sales tax is no longer deductible on income taxes, it doesn't matter to me. He's my go-to guy. A bit of an inventor too. He has a nice new design for a stem and some really awesome wheels. Currently looking for a name manufacturer. (Used to work at Montrose Bike Shop, see below on them.)

Newbury Park Bicycle Shop in the In-n-Out and USPS parking lot shopping complex. A very good pro shop. Not the most inexpensive, but not the most expensive either. Good mechanics and does good fittings, (make an appointment before just showing up). Not sure of the brands they carry, but were more than willing to work on, and fit me to my Trek and Kestrel.

Adrenaline Bikes on South Tustin in Orange. A very tiny shop, but pretty good prices on Bianchi bikes. We purchased my lady's Infinito here. Neat thing they'll do is build up a Bianchi frame with whatever components you want, at a price point less than a Bianchi spec factory bike. They have a large web presence.

Valley Bicycles on Railroad Avenue in Newhall/Valencia. Got my Trek here. Good stock, (maybe not your exact size), all ranges, (road, mtb, kiddie), fair prices, and run by Eddy, who must be ADHD. He's kind of opinionated about some things. Thought it was not worth my money to "upgrade" my Tiagra/105/no-name Trek 4.5 to full Ultegra. Said to just ride the bike a few seasons and then sell it for 2/3 what I paid for it and get a better bike. Well, I really like that frame, so did the upgrade myself. Tried to talk me out of a triple on that Trek and going with a compact. But hey, my money, so insisted on getting what I wanted. (Happy I did go with that triple.)

Bike shops I'm "neutral" about ...

Pasadena Cyclery on Walnut east of Mills in Pasadena. A Trek dealer. Purchased a few things here, but I'm not happy with their mechanics. They installed some new bars for me and got it all screwed up. Worked okay, but the adjustments (placement of the brake levers) were all wrong. Tape job was okay, but I had to have it all redone and lost the new tape.

A shop I cannot recommend ...

Montrose Bike Shop on Honolulu across the street from the fire department in Montrose. This used to be a fantastic pro shop back in my youth. I grew up about a block away and they sponsored races, had a team, several weekly rides. Sadly, the original owner (Bob Hansen), either retired or sold out, (and probably gone by now since it's been a long, long time since I was a "youth"). I won't go into detail, other to say that I'm not happy at all with the work they've done for me this past year. They will not get any more of my money.

Seat-- yes.
Crankshaft-- no.

I can tell you i bought bike locks in 2 stores and got free installation of the U lock holder on the bike frame no questions asked. One was at Flying Pigeon bike store and this was 30 minutes before a group ride. The other was a bike store in Coronado CA (where the owner and i worked together to figure out best way to install the U lock holder so it wouldnt be in the way of 2 water bottle mounts. ) This is the type of service i want-- that the other 2 stores offered and Wheel World didnt offer me.

I'd say mounting a saddle is on the edge of installation fee/no fee. They can mount it for free then have people returning and expecting free adjustments. A lot probably depends on how often you shop there and what their workload is.

Bells, baskets, u-lock holders: I've seen the local shop mount those for free.

I think it's a bit strange somebody would want a shop to install their seat for them or a u-lock holder. Do you have the waitress cut your food up for you too at restaurants? Come on now. Seems like there should be a charge for these tasks to me.

Incycle San Dimas and Pasadena have been great shops for me. Twice a year they'll have a decent rare sale on specialized stuff, which is great if you like their shoes and helmets (which IMO is where Specialized does a great job). I get asked if I need help pretty regularly when I go, unlike half the other shops I've been to. Good selection of Specialized, canondale and cervelo.

Bicycle Johns in Burbank. Dud shop. Might be good if you go when there are employees working, I dunno. There were people behind the counter there doing something, but from my side of things I have no reason to believe they were employees as they did nothing to help me or another guy in the shop. Left a small pile of merch at the register after nobody showed up to check me out. Will never be back, and every time a thread like this comes up they get bad press from me. Sucks for them, and sucks for me as I work in burbank and would like a good shop to go to. Eventually I'll let it go, and in a few years I'll try them again.

Jax, all over SoCal....great place to go for Trek. Tons of stuff in stock normally and between all their stores they'll almost certainly have the bike you need. Downside is they don't really haggle that much and sometimes do the hard sell on an extended warranty.

Santiago Cyclery in Orange, where I got my bike fit. Can't say much about the shop other than Robert helped me get my fit dialed in and was very friendly.

Orange Cycles in Orange, limited selection but it's a mom and pop shop and if they have what I want I buy it from them. Bought my road bike from them after they let me test everything in the store over a 3-4 hour period one day. Customer service is hit and miss, and as of 1 year ago one of their mechanics should not be interfacing with customers at all...no people skills.

Rock n Road, the one in Irvine was good. Salesman helped me and was very patient allowing me to try out bikes. The location in Anaheim hills has been horrible to me, and I avoid it. Staff seems unfriendly, unhelpful, and I always feel like an outsider there. Very strange. Highest prices on Specialized stuff I see anywhere unless you go during a year transition or their tent sale once a year.

To clarify my earlier post. I understand that shops and the mech's are in business to make money so they need charge for everything. But when it comes to simple items like the seat install I would think it would make more sense to do a free install as a sign of good customer service. Gary would peddle away a happy camper, likely to come back and spend money at a later time as well as recommend this shop to others. Now it seems Gary is a little bugged and will probably find another shop to take his business, and has already provided a not so glowing review of this shop.

I always ask the waitresses at Hooters to cut my food and feed me.

I always ask the waitresses at Hooters to cut my food and feed me.


Betcha look really cute with that Hooters bib on, too...;)

I was joking. I've never been to a Hooters. You seem pretty familiar with them though, Alice. Come clean with us.

To clarify my earlier post. I understand that shops and the mech's are in business to make money so they need charge for everything. But when it comes to simple items like the seat install I would think it would make more sense to do a free install as a sign of good customer service. Gary would peddle away a happy camper, likely to come back and spend money at a later time as well as recommend this shop to others. Now it seems Gary is a little bugged and will probably find another shop to take his business, and has already provided a not so glowing review of this shop.

I would agree with most of this, but chances are a person will change their saddle angle and seatpost height on their own anyways (unless the rider has been fitted and all that). It's really not that difficult and I would much rather do it on my own bike then have someone else messing with it. I'm not going to be bothered by a store charging for that when I know I can do that at home. Basic things like that probably should be free because they're relatively quick and easy, but at the same time, because they are quick and easy, it could be done at home.
Another example is frame mounts, installing my first frame pump mount took like 5 minutes.

Bicycle Johns in Burbank. Dud shop. Might be good if you go when there are employees working, I dunno. There were people behind the counter there doing something, but from my side of things I have no reason to believe they were employees as they did nothing to help me or another guy in the shop. Left a small pile of merch at the register after nobody showed up to check me out. Will never be back, and every time a thread like this comes up they get bad press from me. Sucks for them, and sucks for me as I work in burbank and would like a good shop to go to. Eventually I'll let it go, and in a few years I'll try them again.


I live in Burbank and have been going to H&S Bikes in Burbank for the past 18 months or so. Used to go to Johns, but didn't find the employees very welcoming. Check out H&S, shop is on Victory south of Chandler, north of Magnolia. I've been very happy with them. Wide range of bikes, Giant dealer, also Ridley, Look and Orbea, good mechanics as well.

ATMdad summarized it well i think. I have probably spent over $1200 in the last 6 months on bikes and bike accessories and bike repair given a choice of local stores to buy anything the last place i want to buy anything is at Wheel World because they when I asked if they would install a seat if i bought it they said it would cost $8 and they didnt know if they would have time to do it, go over and talk to the service dept. Instead of Wheel World the place that gets all of my repair work on my various used bikes, and where i bought a used bike, is the place down the block from Wheel World, Abba Padre Bikes which is top rated in West LA for bike repairs. Front of the store is a Christian book and nutritional supplement store run by the wife, and the back of the store is the bike store run by 1 guy. There's about 4 people from the West LA Cycling Club that i ride with on Sundays going to this little store for repair work. Im sure if i bought a new bike from Wheel World they would have been more accomodating if i wanted to buy and have them install a $39 seat without paying an $8 installation charge, but it works the other way too-- why should i buy an expensive bike from them when i needed their help and had a ride to do and my seat fell apart and i wanted a seat installed while i waited and they wouldn't/couldnt do it for no extra cost (and probably wouldnt have made the time to do it anyway-- i went over to that service dept counter and tried to ask but couldnt get anyone to help me, before i walked out complaining) . In comparison, besides this little Abba Padre shop that has helped me get setup and maintain my bikes so i could do my rides and get fit and drop weight, week after week, i like Flying pigeon bike store that does things for the community and has group rides and are very friendly (and installed a U lock for me while i wanted before my first group ride with them) and also the store in Coronado (Holland Bicycles) that has been there for many years) where the owner and i spent time figuring out how to install a u lock on my bike and not get in the way of 2 water bottle cages, that i bought that morning off craigslist so i could lock up the bike and enjoy walking around Coronado one saturday. I like the personalized attention where the owner/salesperson/repair people take the time to be friendly and supportive and go out of their way to help me and the others get what they need done so they can do their rides. Nobody wants to be told go buy this at this counter then you can go over to the service dept counter and see if they have the time to help you. $8 spending 5 minutes to install a seat translates into a lost customer good will opportunity.

I have had nothing but positive experiences at Budget Pro Bicycles in Eagle Rock. Always taking the time to answer my noob questions and always looking to get me the best parts for my needs. The owner, Oscar is super cool...i gives these guys 2 thumbs up!

I had a pretty bad experience with the Jax in Irvine. I had a wad of cash in my back pocket and was pretty much ready to buy a Trek but it didn't pan out. I did my measurements beforehand and new that a 54 would be just a bit too big, but the guy at the store gave me a hard sell (based only on "how tall are you?"). He let me take a 54 for a spin - but only inside the store, and the bike wasn't even setup at all - it wouldn't even shift properly. As I suspected, the bike felt too big and I asked to ride something smaller. When he told me he didn't have anything smaller than the 54, I understood the hard sell he was giving me and walked out the door.

Oddly enough, I ended up at Performance where the guy gave me a loaner helmet, put me on 4 or 5 different bikes and let me ride around outside. Everything I rode was well adjusted and shifted smoothly. I ended up getting a great deal on my Fuji SL-1 Comp - which is actually a 53.

Recently, I have found ARB4U which is in SkyPark across from John Wayne airport. It's a great little place and the shop rides are fun, fairly well organized, and fairly well behaved. On two separate occasions, the mechanic there has done a last minute rush job to get me out for the group ride. Once when I bought new pedals, and once when I bought 2 new tires and tubes (had a massive blowout on the way to the shop that morning and realized I was showing cords). Also, they had a mechanic at the first stop on the Amtrak Century and were one of the sponsors for the OC Gran Fondo. They do Scott, Pinarello, Giant (new for them), and I think they are getting BMC now.

Recently, I have found ARB4U which is in SkyPark across from John Wayne airport. It's a great little place and the shop rides are fun, fairly well organized, and fairly well behaved. On two separate occasions, the mechanic there has done a last minute rush job to get me out for the group ride. Once when I bought new pedals, and once when I bought 2 new tires and tubes (had a massive blowout on the way to the shop that morning and realized I was showing cords). Also, they had a mechanic at the first stop on the Amtrak Century and were one of the sponsors for the OC Gran Fondo. They do Scott, Pinarello, Giant (new for them), and I think they are getting BMC now.

I've never been interested in going to that shop just because the name is utterly ridiculous and I figured it was a shop run out of somebodies garage (and the website is a premade template that I've seen with other online stores), but over the last year or so I've really heard nothing but good things about them. I'll be checking them out next time I'm down in the area for sure. Moral of the story....first impressions count.

To clarify my earlier post. I understand that shops and the mech's are in business to make money so they need charge for everything. But when it comes to simple items like the seat install I would think it would make more sense to do a free install as a sign of good customer service. Gary would peddle away a happy camper, likely to come back and spend money at a later time as well as recommend this shop to others. Now it seems Gary is a little bugged and will probably find another shop to take his business, and has already provided a not so glowing review of this shop.
I think it depends. If simplicity is the qualifier for free installation, I'd like to point out that every shop I know charges $4-6 labor to install a tube (in addition to the cost of the tube). It's probably the simplest job you can do, but at $3-6 for a tube, the profit (probably a buck or two) would be completely gone if they didn't charge for having the mechanic take the time to do it.

Now back to saddles. Many of us enthusiasts pay upwards of $100 for a saddle, so the 5 minutes a mechanic would spend installing it is nothing compared to the profit they're making. However, many shops (Wheel World included) also sell $10-20 saddles. That goes back to losing money, especially since most people buying $20 saddles are also not typically the type to return frequently and with big purchases. I'd be curious to hear which saddle Gary was trying to buy. As for not doing it on the spot, they should have considered it. When I was a shop mechanic, jobs that would take less than 10 minutes (i.e. tube replacements) were ok to put down a current project for. However, anything that would require removing the current project from the work stand was a no no. Too much wasted effort as well as the risk of lost loose parts and such.

I'd also point out that your relationship with a particular shop makes a difference. Performance in Pasadena charged me half their posted rate to cut a steer tube (from a bike purchased elsewhere), because the manager remembers me (and how much I spend there) and as he put it "well, we didn't have to take it off the bike either". Wheel World took a look at my squeaky bottom bracket for free and on moment's notice because I had bought the bike from them, and because I've been there numerous times before. Many other stores don't offer little perks like that to me, but I don't expect them to, because I go into those shops maybe once or twice a year. I'm not sure if Wheel World felt Gary had a relationship with them, but it sounds like they didn't since Gary obviously prefers their closest competitor (not that there's anything wrong with that).

I was new to biking (as a 40-something adult) 5 or 6 months ago. I started biking to get fit and drop some weight. So i started out with no experiences with any local bike shops. I had no impression of Wheel World when i walked in to buy a new bike seat and no prior experience with the shop. I had a 1995 steel framed hybrid and the seat had disintegrated and i wanted a new good seat and wanted to ride the bike again right away. The seat i ended up buying from Sport Chalet and like very much is a Serfas Rx series road bike seat with differnet layers of padding. Its got about a $50 list price. When I walked into Wheel World i didnt yet know seat models but i looked at a few seats in the $30-50 range, picked one out that was about $40, was going to buy it and wanted it installed. The rest of the story i told above, i ended up getting a seat elsewhere. I have a few bikes now, all acquired used. But i buy various new parts and spend money on repairs. I started going to the other bike shop down the street the same time i started walking into Wheel World. One bike shop is helpful to me the other isn't so helpful.

Good points Urbanknight. I agree it comes down to the simplicity of the job and the relationship you develop with a shop. As far as "free labor" items I believe shops should perform just as of sign of good service is a very short one. Replacing a tube would not be on it, although i've seen it done at my LBS. A few months back I was in looking for an obscure extra long recessed brake nut. The customer getting the free tube install just happened to have a very cute butt, big boobs, and was playing the flirtatious i'm so helpless card. It was rather amusing while I was being helped by the other wrench he quietly remarked, "I think he is working to get a different tube installed." :D

So what it boils down to is labor isn't free and you shouldn't expect it to be, HOWEVER, Wheel World obviously missed the opportunity to make hundreds in future sales over a matter of $8. Business is such a tricky issue.

Hilarious story, atm. :lol:

Nonstop Ciclismo in the city of Ventura gets my vote, especially if you are into Italian gear. Budget bikes in Eagle Rock is great. I knew them when they were a tiny, itty, bitty shop in Glendale. I bought my 1989 Bottecchia new from them. The mom and dad of the current owner were (still are I assume) real nice people, very friendly and helpful. I am glad to see that the stor eis still in business and doing well by its customers. :)

On the subject of whether an LBS should install certain items for free, I think it all depends. As it has been stated here, if you are a regular customer and drop heavy coin on the LBS, I would expect them to do litlte things like that for me. I have had good experiences with WheelWorld (the Woodland Hills store, but mostly on buying parts for my mountain bike).

One thing I like about Nonstop Ciclismo (NSC) is that the owner is very Old World and service oriented - when he cranks up the espresso machine the shop smells delightfully. I know that if I bought a new saddle from him, he would not charge to install it.

Of course, I often buy from him when I could do "better" buying online from one of those UK shps. So one hand washes the other.

Second the motion on Incycle Pasadena. If I'm in the market for something I try them first. Polite, good service, good mechanics, and the mechanics work right out there where you can see them, not behind a curtain or partition. For some reason that matters to me. I've bought two bikes from them and they've both been good deals.

I actually had a few not-so-pleasant trips to Incycle in Pasadena. The first one was when I was buying a suspension fork. I called to see if they had it at that location and they said yes. When I got there, it was the previous year's model (no lock-out switch and less travel) with the price tag for the current year's model. In fairness, they lowered the price, but it still only matched the price of the other shop I passed up because I thought Incycle had the newer one. The second trip was when they had their moving sale. I saw a pair of SRAM cranks that looked to be take-offs (scratches, no box, no bottom bracket), yet the price tag had the MSRP for a brand new set with the bottom bracket. Even with their sale discount, the cranks plus a new bottom bracket would come out to more than MSRP. When I inquired about this, the shop guy shrugged and said "That's the price,and they don't come with a bottom bracket".

When I lived in Pasadena, I actually found Performance to be the best LBS in the area. Montrose was also great with service and had a decent inventory, but their prices weren't impressive at all.

Golden Saddle for roadsszzz

The Path for mtbsszzz

Just want to put in another plug for Rolling Cowboys in L.A. It's off Pico and Arlington.

Had another good experience when they looked over my new to me fixed gear. If you're in the area and need some help, check them out. Forgot to ask if they had stickers last time I went, I'd be proud to advertise for them.

Stan's Bike Shop In Old Town Monrovia on Myrtle Blvd. Stan is the owner and (don't tell him I said this ;) ) I think that he has the shop because his wife wanted to get him out of the house. What that means is that he is a cyclist first and foremost and a bike shop owner as a distant second. And what that means is that he is all about customer service and making sure you are happy and get the right kit/bike and not the most expensive item he can sell you. I have actually seen him take people who were eying the high end go fast bike and with the utmost style and diplomacy steer them to a bike more appropriate to them even if it means sending them down the road to another bike shop.

When I was shopping for my ride he had me try out several bikes including having one of the ride group bring in their custom Specialized Roubaix for me to try because he and I were of a similar height and build. And I don't mean ride around the parking lot I mean Stan took me out with him on his bike and me on several shop bikes and had me do a several block ride so I could get a feel for each bike.

He and his chief mechanic are fanatical bike riders and very knowledgeable and the shop has the feel of your local pub where you go and hang out with your mates instead of a retail shop. To them its all about the ride not the sale. Stan rides every morning and there is a very large diverse group that goes on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday morning rides every week with rides for novices up to semi pro racer's. Everyone on the ride is way laid back and the rides are drama free (once and a while a drama lama will show up but the group very quickly circles the wagons and the drama goes away to suck the life out of some other group). Stan also takes a personal interest in you once he gets to know you and will work with you if you are beginner. For example on the weekend rides he will take the new folks under his wing and make sure that no one is dropped and that if the route is a stiff one to lead the new folks on a slightly different route appropriate for their fitness/skill level while keeping them still in the group as much as possible.

Stan also does allot of charity work and the riding group participates in most if not all the big charity rides.

He is a Eddie Merchx, Trek, and Specialized dealer and if he doesn't have the item you are looking for will find it for you and give you the best price he can on it.

So if you are looking for a place that is low drama, honest, knowledgeable, and actually encourages you to come out and hang out (there are also some great local restaurants in Old Town Monrovia) then Stan's is the place for you.

Stan's Bike Shop In Old Town Monrovia on Myrtle Blvd. Stan is the owner and...

What a delightful, well-written review. You've convinced me to at least go check him out.

What a delightful, well-written review. You've convinced me to at least go check him out.

Cheers mate. Tell him the big fat ugly white guy with the Merchx-3 sent you. He will know who you mean. ;) Based on your local it looks like a long haul so I would wait until this Friday because if I remember right Amex is having a spend $25+ and get $25 back deal at small businesses so you can grab some kit and get $25 back for it.

If you are a Merchx fan he has some of the last Jersey's made (since Merchx isn't making them anymore due to a disagreement with the license holder).

Cheers mate. Tell him the big fat ugly white guy with the Merchx-3 sent you. He will know who you mean. ;) Based on your local it looks like a long haul so I would wait until this Friday because if I remember right Amex is having a spend $25+ and get $25 back deal at small businesses so you can grab some kit and get $25 back for it.

If you are a Merchx fan he has some of the last Jersey's made (since Merchx isn't making them anymore due to a disagreement with the license holder).

Been playing and not reading the forum. I work at the Lab, so am somewhat close. Next time I go up GMR, I'll top by first.

Stan's Bike Shop In Old Town Monrovia on Myrtle Blvd.
So if you are looking for a place that is low drama, honest, knowledgeable, and actually encourages you to come out and hang out (there are also some great local restaurants in Old Town Monrovia) then Stan's is the place for you.

Sounds like Stan is a social entrepreneur.