C&V friendly bike shops in St Louis?
11-02-14, 10:50 AM
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C&V friendly bike shops in St Louis?
I'm in the process of moving to Edwardsville, IL. I don't have the space for a complete workshop, so I'll have a local bike shop do things like wheel rebuilding, headset and BB work.
Can anyone recommend bike shops near St. Louis that have plenty of experience with bikes from the '70s and '80s?
Can anyone recommend bike shops near St. Louis that have plenty of experience with bikes from the '70s and '80s?
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
11-02-14, 10:57 AM
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Most people recommend A-1 Bicycles in Kirkwood. I've not used them, but the have a great reputation for older bikes and hard to find parts. I normally go to Urban Shark downtown because I park at the attached bike station when I commute to work. They don't specialize in older stuff, but they're still good. One older mechanic, Tom, usually works on my C&V bikes and has always done good work. They don't have a lot of older parts in stock, though.
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11-02-14, 11:11 AM
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I'm in the process of moving to Edwardsville, IL. I don't have the space for a complete workshop, so I'll have a local bike shop do things like wheel rebuilding, headset and BB work.
Can anyone recommend bike shops near St. Louis that have plenty of experience with bikes from the '70s and '80s?
Can anyone recommend bike shops near St. Louis that have plenty of experience with bikes from the '70s and '80s?
11-02-14, 11:24 AM
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~>~
11-02-14, 11:27 AM
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Most people recommend A-1 Bicycles in Kirkwood. I've not used them, but the have a great reputation for older bikes and hard to find parts. I normally go to Urban Shark downtown because I park at the attached bike station when I commute to work. They don't specialize in older stuff, but they're still good. One older mechanic, Tom, usually works on my C&V bikes and has always done good work. They don't have a lot of older parts in stock, though.
It will be a bit of a hike for you, but Ballwin Schwinn has been very helpful for me, and they like to see people with older bikes. I also use the Big Shark west location. They have a very good mechanic that understands C&V. You may also check out Paul at Recycledcycles. He is very knowledgeable and seems to have a very good stash of parts for C&V builds.
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
11-02-14, 08:04 PM
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I've found that The Cyclery has the best rates for wheel truing and the best prices for cable housing.
Locations - thecyclerys.com
Check out the trails close to Edwardsville:
MCT Trails Map
Locations - thecyclerys.com
Check out the trails close to Edwardsville:
MCT Trails Map
11-02-14, 08:30 PM
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A-1 in Kirkwood. Owned and operated by same family for decades. Home of the Raysport brand of lightweights commissioned in the 70's. Have always given me the best service and advice on all matters C&V.
11-02-14, 09:00 PM
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The co-op/non-profit I volunteer at, St. Louis Bicycleworks (bworks.org), handles more vintage bikes than anyone else in St. Louis. We offer drop off service…or…you can become a member and get stand time and use our (pretty complete) pro tools.
Ballwin (Mark) and Big Shark West (Farrell) are good recommendations for wheel work.
-Mark in St. Louis
Ballwin (Mark) and Big Shark West (Farrell) are good recommendations for wheel work.
-Mark in St. Louis
11-02-14, 09:51 PM
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LMK when you go to A-1 and I can meet you there depending on my schedule.
Madison County has a large MUP system that you will likely enjoy. A lot of areas have sparse traffic. And the Katy Trail is not all that far from you. Maybe kind of boring though
11-04-14, 01:42 PM
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Breese Bikes in Granite City is a small, locally owned shop that's been around for over 30 years. 12 miles from Edwardsville. breesebikes.com
11-04-14, 02:06 PM
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I'll second St Louis Bicycle Works.......I always pay them a visit when Im in the area for work and they have a large amount of vintage parts and project bikes. Theres a bike hoarder down in Fairview Heights.....Fred.....that has some vintage stuff as well.You can find him on the local CL listings.
Lots of bike paths and rail trails in the Edwardsville area as well as a decent little MTB trail right there in Edwardsville.
The St Louis Bike Swap is held right there in Collinsville in early February
Lots of bike paths and rail trails in the Edwardsville area as well as a decent little MTB trail right there in Edwardsville.
The St Louis Bike Swap is held right there in Collinsville in early February
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11-04-14, 03:14 PM
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I'll second St Louis Bicycle Works.......I always pay them a visit when Im in the area for work and they have a large amount of vintage parts and project bikes. Theres a bike hoarder down in Fairview Heights.....Fred.....that has some vintage stuff as well.You can find him on the local CL listings.
Lots of bike paths and rail trails in the Edwardsville area as well as a decent little MTB trail right there in Edwardsville.
The St Louis Bike Swap is held right there in Collinsville in early February
Lots of bike paths and rail trails in the Edwardsville area as well as a decent little MTB trail right there in Edwardsville.
The St Louis Bike Swap is held right there in Collinsville in early February
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11-04-14, 03:40 PM
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Didn't mean to imply that he was a shop.......just an alternative resource. I've only been to see him a few times, but he always lets me dig through his stuff. He sits in the garage with a beer and says if you find something bring it in and we'll talk. An open book for sure
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11-04-14, 05:10 PM
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11-04-14, 05:19 PM
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Didn't mean to imply that he was a shop.......just an alternative resource. I've only been to see him a few times, but he always lets me dig through his stuff. He sits in the garage with a beer and says if you find something bring it in and we'll talk. An open book for sure
11-04-14, 05:50 PM
#17
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The OP is asking for C&V resources in the St. Louis area........Fred is a C&V resource
The OP will find that CL deals can last for several days or longer as opposed to the Chicago area where deals are gone within minutes of being posted.
The OP will find that CL deals can last for several days or longer as opposed to the Chicago area where deals are gone within minutes of being posted.
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11-04-14, 05:58 PM
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The OP is looking for a SHOP. If you trust Fred to fix your bikes say it.
11-04-14, 06:06 PM
#19
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It's not my place to judge Fred on public forum, just recommend him as a parts resource
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11-04-14, 08:35 PM
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I'm surprised nobody has mentioned A&M Cycles. It's an undoubtedly old school shop. I usually head there if I don't have a tool for some old french bit or something. The owner is just curmudgeonly enough to know it's the real deal. I also love Bike Works, perfect place if you are looking for an older part and don't want to throw down for ebay prices. Make sure you go there to check the place out, even if you are not looking for anything in particular. The downtown location of Big Shark is good to due to the mostly great staff. They have taken more time than it was worth to help me find esoteric parts.
11-08-14, 02:06 AM
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11-08-14, 02:41 PM
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The co-op/non-profit I volunteer at, St. Louis Bicycleworks (bworks.org), handles more vintage bikes than anyone else in St. Louis. We offer drop off service…or…you can become a member and get stand time and use our (pretty complete) pro tools.
Ballwin (Mark) and Big Shark West (Farrell) are good recommendations for wheel work.
-Mark in St. Louis
Ballwin (Mark) and Big Shark West (Farrell) are good recommendations for wheel work.
-Mark in St. Louis
+1. BW is awesome. Also, Mark at Ballwin Cycles is one of the most knowledgeable and friendly guys ever.
11-08-14, 04:28 PM
#24
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Am impressive number of well regarded shops. I think I'm going to like St Louis!
__________________
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
11-08-14, 09:32 PM
#25
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Welcome to the region, Barrettscv! If I'm lucky maybe I'll see that Simoncini out on a trail sometime. It would be great to get a St Louis area C&V ride together. I would be happy to co-organize. Early spring might be a good time if anyone is interested.