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Whats the best SF or Oakland bike shop?

Old 05-07-06, 09:52 AM
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Whats the best SF or Oakland bike shop?

I am trying to help out a total noobie on the other side of the country who lives in the Bay area, so I need a recomendation for the best shop for her to go to. She's starting out with no experience and wants to ride as a hobby, so she'll need an honest and helpful shop. Having worked at a bike shop, I know they're not all created equal. I want to give her the name of a shop or two that is reputable, reasonably priced, and never tries to take advantage of noobie's or other possible suckers. Any suggestions?
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Old 05-08-06, 12:27 PM
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sf: freewheel, oak: montanovelo. my personal favorites and where my money goes.
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Old 05-08-06, 12:58 PM
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Depends on where in the Bay Area your friend is. I like American Cyclery in SF, but I don't live in the City so my knowledge base there is pretty thin. (They have all kinds of retro-ggodies there - way too dangerous a place for the Classics crowd.)

Velo Sport in Berkeley is a good shop that has been around for ever - Peter Rich has been up to his eyeballs in cycling at all levels for decades. Ditto Dennis Stone at Stone's in Alameda. Missing Link in Berkeley started as a Cal on-campus co-op. It hasn't been on campus in years and years, but I believe it is still a co-op, has a low-key atmosphere, will loan tools to do your own repairs, and is easy walking distance from the Berkeley BART station. I don't know the scene in Oakland proper at all.

Getting a little farther afield in the East Bay (where I live), Sharp's in Lafayette is well-stocked and has a good, knowledgable staff. The owner, Matt Sharp, may come off at first as a lttle stand-offish, but that wears off in about a minute and a half - he's a solid, stand-up guy. This is where I do most of my business because they are good and fairly close to where I live.

If your friend is as far out as Livermore, Livermore Cyclery is the only place to go - tons of stock, good, friendly staff, and the owner (Steve Howard) knows his stuff inside and out. I went to high school with Steve and did a number of my first serious rides with him. Steve has been in business for 30 years now (that gives you some idea of our ages), and I cannot recommend him highly enough as a stand-up businessman, knowledgable and enthusiastic cyclist, and font of useful info. The only reason I don't go to him more now is that I live 35 miles away from him. But when I wanted to upgrade a Burley tandem from seven- to eight-speed, Steve was the guy I trusted to spread the rear triangle. (Don't try this at home, kids, he's a trained professional.) For the special stuff, he's the man.

I have virtually no knowledge of Marin County shops, and my info on the Peninsula is waaaaay old. In my misspent youth, Palo Alto Cylery in PA was good, and Talbot's in San Mateo had more frames, bikes, components and other eye-candy than just about anyplace I have ever seen.

For San Jose.South Bay, you're on your own.

Congrats to your friend. The Bay Area is about as close to God's Country for riding as it gets, IMHO.
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Old 05-08-06, 01:20 PM
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Berkeley: Missing Link
Cambell: Wheel Away
San Leandro: Corner of Estudilio and MacArthur Blvd. Right before 580. If you are travaling towards 580, it will be on the left.
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Old 05-08-06, 02:10 PM
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Marin has bicycle odyssey in Sausalito.
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Old 05-08-06, 02:59 PM
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Roaring Mouse in SF, excellent customer service though they are backlogged with work in the riding season. Buy a bike there and you have a solid warranty that they will stand behind.
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Old 05-08-06, 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted by bikingshearer
Congrats to your friend. The Bay Area is about as close to God's Country for riding as it gets, IMHO.
I know. I am so jealous. Anyway, thanks to everybody for the great advise. I'll email a link to this thread to my friend.
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Old 05-11-06, 02:57 PM
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Avoid Mike's Bikes. They have several stores and they are staffed with younger kids w/ attitudes who don't have much experience.
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Old 05-11-06, 03:36 PM
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Originally Posted by powpow
Avoid Mike's Bikes. They have several stores and they are staffed with younger kids w/ attitudes who don't have much experience.

Oh great, another one of those types of shops....I wondered about that company. There is one opening up where I live, Sacramento, and I was going to go check it out. Perhaps I won't bother now, as I have had it with shops that hire only kids with 'tudes and nobody with experience and knowledge. There are frightfully few shops around here that have quality service and product.
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Old 05-16-06, 10:19 PM
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Originally Posted by onetwentyeight
Marin has bicycle odyssey in Sausalito.
Second that - I have been a customer at Bicycle Odyssey since it was located at 2001 (hence "Odyssey") Caledonia in Sausalito...

The owner, Tony, is a very honest and helpful resource. Your friend would be well-advised to shop there!
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Old 05-17-06, 02:36 AM
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Pedal Revolution is good in the city, they are very helpful with repairs / tuneups, and do things readily and cheaply.
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