Shellyrides

I have been in and out of every LBS here in Redding CA and I was not impressed. Every one of them tried to hard sell me bikes I did not want or need. ( I have a dislike to the newer bikes. they are really noisy . I love old steal and aluminum bike though.)

I was 40 miles out of town and saw a bike shop. This is not a area that is well know for riders, but I had time so in I went. There I found a bike shop that welcomes older bikes with open arms. They shared a love for the older frames and does quality work on them. the owner had the best collection of older road bikes on display. I will be taking my older frame down to him to have him rebuild my dream bike.

I think what I am getting to is really shop around to find a bike shop that "fits" some times its as important as the bike fitting its self.

Closed Office

Nice smiley

Personally I like doing the work myself. Beats watching tv. But if you are going to work with other people it is nice if they see a few things your way.

Good luck with that.

ocsawdust

just get back/ and stay in the saddle. keep rolling along.

seymour1910

Mine is not as far away as yours but I pass by three closer ones to get to the one I deal with because of my experience with them from the first time I walked in. They were understanding and didn't get annoyed with my noob questions. I spend as much as I can afford with them and the service is ALWAYS exceptional. Best wishes to you on your build.

Mark Stone

I think that's great! Finding an LBS that fits our needs (as Clydes/Athenas/elderly/tall/veryshort/olderbikes/and everything else not "normal") is a challenge these days and it looks like you've found one that you can hang your sign on. Thumbs up!

fatpunk

There are a TON of bike shops between me and my usual shop. The one I choose to spend my money at is close to 40 miles away so I know your feeling. But to know the staff has you're best interest in heart and "gets it" makes it worth the trip.

RichardGlover

40 miles sounds like a good destination for a turnaround point on a Saturday ride.

Shellyrides

That would be amazing, but I am not sure I want to ride that long on the interstate and I don't think there is a frontage road that connects.

Mark Stone

Then ride during rush hour and pass all the cars stuck.on the interstate in gridlock.

RichardGlover

Google maps has a 'bicycle directions' feature. It's pretty cool.

Shellyrides

LOL we don't have grid lock at this end of I-5 ! Traffic would be passing at 55 to 70 mph (those running the speed limit that is)With some nasty steep hills. It would be a wild ride!

Mark Stone

Sounds like it would be a wild ride! OK, you can drive your car to the new LBS . . . THIS TIME!

SeanBlader

I've been on that stretch of I5 and it's never stop and go traffic. And in my youth, on a different stretch of the same highway... let me just say I've been cited in dollar amounts of high triple digits for going a wee bit faster than the locals prefer. I don't endorse exceeding the speed limit, I take that experience and put it on closed roads now, it's far less expensive. Anyway, the only way I'd be caught on I5 on a bike is if I were dead.

Shelly you should however throw the outstanding bike shop a nugget of advertising and mention their name!

Shellyrides

Its Fast Wheels In Red Bluff CA.
https://www.fastwheelsbikeshop.com/index.html

aenlaasu

I so have to agree with this. For me it's not the older frame style which was the problem but the fact that I ride a recumbent. The one cycle shop that was polite and willing to work on it is utterly clueless. The rest have flat out refused to do even look at it, telling me to get a 'real bike'.

I do what work I can on the machine, but gears just give me fits. Doesn't matter if it's a DF bike or a 'bent. I used beat my head against the gear wall for hours at a time only to end up settling with noisy, twitchy shifting. Until my husband found two shops in Stockholm. One is very willing to do the work, but insanely busy. I use them for parts and advice mostly. The other which is on the far side of Stockholm (60-70 mile drive) I take when I have gearing issues. They're cheerful, polite and FAST. Often they promise to have my ride back the next day only to call in the afternoon of the first day to say it's ready.

As far as I'm concerned, it's worth the long drive for such good service.