Post your Clyde-friendly LBSes!
09-28-06, 11:26 AM
#1
Chubby super biker
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Post your Clyde-friendly LBSes!
While I was looking to replace the mid-90's Raleigh MTB that got me back into biking, I encountered the gamut of different sales techniques. Finally after much searching, the last place I thought I'd buy a bike from actually had the most competent staff.
During that search I thought "I wish there was somewhere I could find that had a list of shops who knew what's best for bigger guys". Well, such a thing doesn't exist - but why not post in this forum? Post reviews of shops who know how to fit bigger guys, and do a good job of it.
Here's mine for Lincoln, Nebraska (in descending order):
Scheel's All Sports, 27th and Pine Lake Rd: I stopped here to pick up a SureFire bulb, and left with a Hardrock ready to be picked up that evening. The person you want to talk to is Andrew Kirchner (sp?) who knows just about everything there is to know about Specialized bikes. That's the only downside - the only real brand they carry is Specialized. BUT, they take the time to fit you, let you try out as many bikes as you want, and will add components (better brake pads) to make the bike better for larger riders.
In fact, I was downright torn between the '07 Hardrock and '07 Rockhopper. In the end, Andrew actually told me to buy the Hardrock as it has 36h wheels with heavier guage spokes. Gotta love a salesperson who sells you the cheaper bike.
Their service department is also top-notch, and very affordable.
Monkey Wrench Cycles, 1225 P St: VERY friendly guys who really know their stuff when it comes to bikes. They can order in just about anything, and have good recommendations. I've been in there twice, both times I've been very pleased at their suggestions. Also know what matters to a bigger rider, and seem willing to take the time needed to please the customer - whoever they may be. I'll be going back to buy some sort of road-ish bike soon.
Blue's Bike and Fitness, 33rd and Pioneers Blvd: This place is highly hit and miss. The day I bought my Hardrock I went back to do a final ride on a Cannondale F400, but the employees working basically ignored me. So.. I ended up with a Specialized.
HOWEVER, there is one or two employees who are extremely knowledgeable and willing to let you ride their entire inventory until you find the bike that's perfect for you. I probably rode at least a dozen bikes over a several month period, working with two of the sales people. One was a man in his 30s or 40s and a bit of a bald spot, the other a young tan early 20's who really goes above and beyond.
Due to the hit and miss-ness of this shop, though, I can't really highly endorse it.
Bike Pedalers, 33rd and "B": GREAT shop for service, and they have a great selection of used bikes. They are hugely service oriented, you won't be outside this shop for more than 2 seconds before someone is willing to help. All the employees bike, and know their inventory well. They also know what is important to a larger rider, and are willing to work with you.
However, they get a lower spot on my list because in new bikes their selection is somewhat limited for larger riders. Which is too bad, I'd love to buy a bike from them.
Cycle Works, 27th and Vine: I went there twice, the first time I was totally ignored and the second time I found a pretty decent rep. The employee knowledge is 100% hit and miss, so give them a quick quiz before you talk too much. They mainly focus on Trek, Giant, and Bianchi, so the selection is a tad limited.
And that's all the ones worth mentioning in Lincoln. Post yours!
During that search I thought "I wish there was somewhere I could find that had a list of shops who knew what's best for bigger guys". Well, such a thing doesn't exist - but why not post in this forum? Post reviews of shops who know how to fit bigger guys, and do a good job of it.
Here's mine for Lincoln, Nebraska (in descending order):
Scheel's All Sports, 27th and Pine Lake Rd: I stopped here to pick up a SureFire bulb, and left with a Hardrock ready to be picked up that evening. The person you want to talk to is Andrew Kirchner (sp?) who knows just about everything there is to know about Specialized bikes. That's the only downside - the only real brand they carry is Specialized. BUT, they take the time to fit you, let you try out as many bikes as you want, and will add components (better brake pads) to make the bike better for larger riders.
In fact, I was downright torn between the '07 Hardrock and '07 Rockhopper. In the end, Andrew actually told me to buy the Hardrock as it has 36h wheels with heavier guage spokes. Gotta love a salesperson who sells you the cheaper bike.
Their service department is also top-notch, and very affordable.
Monkey Wrench Cycles, 1225 P St: VERY friendly guys who really know their stuff when it comes to bikes. They can order in just about anything, and have good recommendations. I've been in there twice, both times I've been very pleased at their suggestions. Also know what matters to a bigger rider, and seem willing to take the time needed to please the customer - whoever they may be. I'll be going back to buy some sort of road-ish bike soon.
Blue's Bike and Fitness, 33rd and Pioneers Blvd: This place is highly hit and miss. The day I bought my Hardrock I went back to do a final ride on a Cannondale F400, but the employees working basically ignored me. So.. I ended up with a Specialized.
HOWEVER, there is one or two employees who are extremely knowledgeable and willing to let you ride their entire inventory until you find the bike that's perfect for you. I probably rode at least a dozen bikes over a several month period, working with two of the sales people. One was a man in his 30s or 40s and a bit of a bald spot, the other a young tan early 20's who really goes above and beyond.
Due to the hit and miss-ness of this shop, though, I can't really highly endorse it.
Bike Pedalers, 33rd and "B": GREAT shop for service, and they have a great selection of used bikes. They are hugely service oriented, you won't be outside this shop for more than 2 seconds before someone is willing to help. All the employees bike, and know their inventory well. They also know what is important to a larger rider, and are willing to work with you.
However, they get a lower spot on my list because in new bikes their selection is somewhat limited for larger riders. Which is too bad, I'd love to buy a bike from them.
Cycle Works, 27th and Vine: I went there twice, the first time I was totally ignored and the second time I found a pretty decent rep. The employee knowledge is 100% hit and miss, so give them a quick quiz before you talk too much. They mainly focus on Trek, Giant, and Bianchi, so the selection is a tad limited.
And that's all the ones worth mentioning in Lincoln. Post yours!
09-28-06, 11:38 AM
#2
Out fishing with Annie on his lap, a cigar in one hand and a ginger ale in the other, watching the sunset.
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Hodson's Bay Co.
400 Brown Street Levee
West Lafayette, IN
765-743-3506
www.hodsonsbay.com
These guy's have absolutely bent over backwards for me! Advice on training, good prices on parts and service I don't have the tools for! I give them advertising on my blog for free they've treated me so well!
400 Brown Street Levee
West Lafayette, IN
765-743-3506
www.hodsonsbay.com
These guy's have absolutely bent over backwards for me! Advice on training, good prices on parts and service I don't have the tools for! I give them advertising on my blog for free they've treated me so well!
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. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
09-28-06, 11:39 AM
#3
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Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
shameless POWERCRANK plug
Recommended reading for all cyclists - Cyclecraft - Effective Cycling
Condor Cycles - quite possibly the best bike shop in London
Don't run red lights, wear a helmet, use hand signals, get some cycle lights(front and rear) and, FFS, don't run red lights!
09-28-06, 12:12 PM
#4
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Sammamish Valley Cycles in Redmond, WA. Not for clothes, because they tend to cater toward a smaller framed roadie/tri-racer crowd in that aspect. But for wheels, Synth is the man when it comes to building and fixing stuff for us big people. He was lead mechanic for a downhiller team, so he really knows his stuff when it comes to wheels that take a beating.
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09-28-06, 02:44 PM
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Lowcountry Bicycles here in Beaufort, SC. The owner is a nice busniessman with an assistant that is an old school wheelsmith that will lace a bulletproof set of 32 and 36 spoke wheels for a better price then your big online/catalog sources. Heck, he'll build any wheel you want.
09-28-06, 02:58 PM
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City Bikes
www.citybikes.com
2501 Champlain St, NW
Washington, DC 20009
202.265.1564
I had a crap rear wheel that wasn't holding up to the abuse (breaking 1-2 spokes a week) and they hand built me a tank of a wheel for a reasonable price and worked with me to get my commuter bike into tip top shape. Also replaced the brakes (from cantilever to v-brakes) and now I can stop on a dime. It has been a month of extensive riding (commuting on pothole filled roads, a few jumped curbs, and a bumpy canal towpath) and everything is riding like a champ (and not a single spoke has snapped either). They aren't the cheapest, but I was very happy with their service, and will go back in a heartbeat.
www.citybikes.com
2501 Champlain St, NW
Washington, DC 20009
202.265.1564
I had a crap rear wheel that wasn't holding up to the abuse (breaking 1-2 spokes a week) and they hand built me a tank of a wheel for a reasonable price and worked with me to get my commuter bike into tip top shape. Also replaced the brakes (from cantilever to v-brakes) and now I can stop on a dime. It has been a month of extensive riding (commuting on pothole filled roads, a few jumped curbs, and a bumpy canal towpath) and everything is riding like a champ (and not a single spoke has snapped either). They aren't the cheapest, but I was very happy with their service, and will go back in a heartbeat.
09-30-06, 11:39 AM
#7
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ABC Bicycles
6633 Central Ave
St Petersburg, FL 33710-8307
https://www.abcbicycles.com/
These guys (especially Rick the owner and Lloyd) have been great and supportive from day 1. I think the guys at ABC are just the best!!!
6633 Central Ave
St Petersburg, FL 33710-8307
https://www.abcbicycles.com/
These guys (especially Rick the owner and Lloyd) have been great and supportive from day 1. I think the guys at ABC are just the best!!!
10-20-06, 08:29 PM
#8
Destroyer of Wheels
Originally Posted by Tom Stormcrowe
These guy's have absolutely bent over backwards for me!
Would love to find one in NY...
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eTrex Vista References || Road Reference
It's the year of the enema!
10-20-06, 08:39 PM
#9
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Originally Posted by Air
Hehe - you said 'bent
Would love to find one in NY...
Would love to find one in NY...
https://www.bicycleman.com/
Another NY Shop:
Bike Depot North
82 Larkfield Rd.
East Northport, NY 11731
631-754-2151
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
10-20-06, 10:20 PM
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Bike One South, in Norman, OK. There are several bike shops around, but for service, knowledge, and just plain prices, you can't beat them. Great guys.
10-21-06, 08:24 AM
#11
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Originally Posted by Air
Hehe - you said 'bent
Would love to find one in NY...
Would love to find one in NY...
__________________
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
10-21-06, 11:44 AM
#12
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Bicycle Store Too in South Oklahoma City. The guys there are great and very knowledgeable. I have been treated very well. I needed a new wheelset and I went to them. They were very nice in the way they approached my weight situation and were very encouraging. I couldn't ask for anything more from them.
10-21-06, 05:52 PM
#13
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Bike Stand in Olympia Washington
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www.cohocyclist.blogspot.com
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We cannot solve problems with the same level of consciousness that created them. A.E.
1990 Diamond Back MTB
2007 Leader 736R
www.cohocyclist.blogspot.com
https://www.loopd.com/members/cohocyclist/Default.aspx
10-21-06, 08:07 PM
#14
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Nebo Ridge
4335 West 106th Street
Suite 900
West Carmel, IN 46032
4335 West 106th Street
Suite 900
West Carmel, IN 46032
10-21-06, 08:30 PM
#15
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Silver Cycles
9330 Georgia Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-585-1889
Great attitude towards commuters of all sizes and no hard sell on anything. Good service dept and they have set me up with a great bombproof rear wheel when the stock wheel wasn't up to it. I never feel out of place in there and their stock of interesting gadgets and accessories seems to grow all the time.
9330 Georgia Ave.
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-585-1889
Great attitude towards commuters of all sizes and no hard sell on anything. Good service dept and they have set me up with a great bombproof rear wheel when the stock wheel wasn't up to it. I never feel out of place in there and their stock of interesting gadgets and accessories seems to grow all the time.
10-21-06, 09:10 PM
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Klamath Falls, OR
Hutch's Bicycles
808 Klamath Ave
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
(541) 850-2453
www.hutchsbicycles.com
This bike shop has been great - I bought my bike elsewhere, but they have been tremendously helpful with my needs - which haven't been too many. Great friendly staff, will take the time to explain things, which has been helpful for a newbie Clyde like myself. The next bike I purchase will definitely be from here. Some have even offered to go riding with me - although I'm sure I'd get smoked! I just moved here from out-of-state, and I imagine I will keep going in to ask questions, see how things are done on my bike, etc.
I had other experiences at bike shops where they were interested in just showing me bikes they have in stock and pushing them on me - regardless of real sizing issues. But these guys have been good about explaining things and taking their time, and answering plenty of newbie questions.
808 Klamath Ave
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
(541) 850-2453
www.hutchsbicycles.com
This bike shop has been great - I bought my bike elsewhere, but they have been tremendously helpful with my needs - which haven't been too many. Great friendly staff, will take the time to explain things, which has been helpful for a newbie Clyde like myself. The next bike I purchase will definitely be from here. Some have even offered to go riding with me - although I'm sure I'd get smoked! I just moved here from out-of-state, and I imagine I will keep going in to ask questions, see how things are done on my bike, etc.
I had other experiences at bike shops where they were interested in just showing me bikes they have in stock and pushing them on me - regardless of real sizing issues. But these guys have been good about explaining things and taking their time, and answering plenty of newbie questions.
10-23-06, 11:24 AM
#17
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Originally Posted by Air
Would love to find one in NY...
In Brooklyn: on Union -- near the food coop -- Dixon's is a great old shop. Nothing fancy. But dang if they aren't nice folks. (I am not a fan of R&A but they do have high zoot bikes.) The guy on Atlantic just below Smith Street is nice.
10-25-06, 10:13 PM
#18
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Location: South of Raleigh, North of New Hill, East of Harris Lake, NC
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Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Specialized Roubaix, Giant OCR-C, Specialized Stumpjumper FSR, Stumpjumper Comp, 88 & 92Nishiki Ariel, 87 Centurion Ironman, 92 Paramount, 84 Nishiki Medalist
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In central North Carolina my favorite is All Star Bikes, there are three locations in the area. Two in Raleigh and one in Cary, NC. The Cary shop is the one I frequent the most. Excellent mechanics and always a freindly hello can I help you. They sell Giant and Haro, but will work on any brand bike. This is one of those shops that's been around awhile so you' re just as likely to find old parts as well as the latest techy stuff.
Honorable mention to two other shops in the area, Cycling Spoken Here in Cary and Apex and REI. YUP the local REI guys always seem to come through when I need a part on Sunday.
Honorable mention to two other shops in the area, Cycling Spoken Here in Cary and Apex and REI. YUP the local REI guys always seem to come through when I need a part on Sunday.
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10-30-06, 05:32 AM
#19
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I have 2 places I favor. Treads on Illife and Buckley in Aurora Colorado, and High Gear Cyclery in Longmont Colorado. Ijust had some GREAT work done on my bent by the guys at HGC. They were really good about helping my wife pick out a recumbent too (see my other threads in 50+).
