Southern California - SFV bike shops?

Just bought my first road bike this weekend and I'm anxious to go ride. Problem is, the bike has been sitting for the past year. I'm looking for a shop around the San Fernando Valley (closer to Granada hills the better) that can do a full tune up and change my tires.

Thanks in advance!

By all means, learn to do it yourself! it's really not hard and you'll bleed your wallet dry paying a shop to do something as basic as switching out your tires. if by chance you meant "tubes" then really - you absolutely have to know how to do that in case you get a flat while riding. You may still want to have a shop give your bike a once over for the drive train and other components that you may not be famliiar with, but there are tons of how-to videos on youtube and parktool.com is a great resource too.

So, back it up a notch - what kind of bike did you get? (Pictures! We like pictures) What kind of shape is it in? Will the tires hold pressure if you pump them up?

Assuming it's ready to go riding, do you have a little kit with spare tubes, patch kits, tire levers & a pump or something to re-inflate the tire?

Congrats on your new machine, I hope it serves you well.

By all means, learn to do it yourself! it's really not hard and you'll bleed your wallet dry paying a shop to do something as basic as switching out your tires. if by chance you meant "tubes" then really - you absolutely have to know how to do that in case you get a flat while riding. You may still want to have a shop give your bike a once over for the drive train and other components that you may not be famliiar with, but there are tons of how-to videos on youtube and parktool.com is a great resource too.

So, back it up a notch - what kind of bike did you get? (Pictures! We like pictures) What kind of shape is it in? Will the tires hold pressure if you pump them up?

Assuming it's ready to go riding, do you have a little kit with spare tubes, patch kits, tire levers & a pump or something to re-inflate the tire?

Congrats on your new machine, I hope it serves you well.

Sorry I forgot pictures! haha

Here it is, my first road bike, a specialized allez. Nothing special but I love it so far!

I would consider it in decent shape. it has scratches, mismatched tires, and it's been sitting for the past year. But for the price I paid I can't complain.

The bike itself is in ride-able condition, the tubes hold air, the brakes work, components work.

Things on the to do list:
-get fitted
-buy gear
-new tires (maybe tubes as well)
-clean it up (the chain and sprockets are covered with grease)
-learn how to use clip in pedals

Well, keeping the drive train clean is always a good idea.

As for the tires, check them for dry rot, but if they look good then don't worry about using them. If you need new tires, you'll have trouble doing better than this:

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/Road-Triathlon-Track-Folding-Tyres-Continental-GP4000S-Folding-Tyre/CONTTYRF321

Your saddle looks like it's tilted down (should be level) and those bars give me the heebie jeebies - looks like the previous owner tilted them up a lot, and also moved the shifters up too high on the bars. The bars are also mounted really high (as in spacers under the stem, and the stem is tilted up instead of more level) but that's a personal preference thing. I'd ride it as is and then tweak it after a month or two if you want to.

Is that saddle the right height for you?

For now I'd just clean it and ride it. put flat pedals on if you're worried about the clips.

Well, keeping the drive train clean is always a good idea.

As for the tires, check them for dry rot, but if they look good then don't worry about using them. If you need new tires, you'll have trouble doing better than this:

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/Road-Triathlon-Track-Folding-Tyres-Continental-GP4000S-Folding-Tyre/CONTTYRF321

Your saddle looks like it's tilted down (should be level) and those bars give me the heebie jeebies - looks like the previous owner tilted them up a lot, and also moved the shifters up too high on the bars. The bars are also mounted really high (as in spacers under the stem, and the stem is tilted up instead of more level) but that's a personal preference thing. I'd ride it as is and then tweak it after a month or two if you want to.

Is that saddle the right height for you?

For now I'd just clean it and ride it. put flat pedals on if you're worried about the clips.

I haven't touched it yet. I picked it up Friday night, pumped up the tires today and road it around in front of my house. Only spent like 10 minutes outside since it's 104 degrees here.

I've been online reading and reading and it seems like getting fitted is the next step. I'm 5'8" ~200lbs (I bought this bike to lose weight) and it's a 54cm frame. Good news, it definitely feels comfortable for my body type (my biggest fear buying a used bike)

holy crap I love youtube!! just learned everything I needed to know about tuning, adjusting and cleaning my bike.

haha... can't wait to get my hands dirty!

Cool... enjoy. And it's not much cooler here. :(

I just saw the news and we're looking at more of the same ALL DAMN WEEK! :cry:

Cool... enjoy. And it's not much cooler here. :(

I just saw the news and we're looking at more of the same ALL DAMN WEEK! :cry:

yep, I guess I'll need to add a headlight/taillight to my to do list, since it looks like I'll be riding at night the first week of ownership. haha

For future reference...check out Cycle World in Chatsworth. Ask for Mike (manager) and tell him George Henry sent you. They do great service! :thumb:

For future reference...check out Cycle World in Chatsworth. Ask for Mike (manager) and tell him George Henry sent you. They do great service! :thumb:

thank you George!

I can't see the picture. That is weird.

I would second the Cycle World referral. I used the Northridge store for YEARS in the 80's. Went back there recently in my quest to get back into this sport and was impressed by the level of service. Good peeps. If you go to Chatsworth, tell them that George Henry sent you. I'd give you my name, but they don't know me from Adam! ;)

I can't see the picture. That is weird.

I would second the Cycle World referral. I used the Northridge store for YEARS in the 80's. Went back there recently in my quest to get back into this sport and was impressed by the level of service. Good peeps. If you go to Chatsworth, tell them that George Henry sent you. I'd give you my name, but they don't know me from Adam! ;)

I'm working on the picture, I accidentally made my account private... not quite sure how to change it back.

I'd definitely recommend Aaron at Bicycle John's Reseda. Quality of his work is outstanding.
Mike at Cycle World Chatsworth is also very attentive.

I'd also recommend doing some of your own basic repairs. It's relaxing, fun and economical.