artifice

As some of you already know, I'm relocating to Denver in mere weeks. When I was out there for the job interview, I observed there was a bike shop on every street corner, I'm surprised they haven't come up with some merger with Starbucks yet.

Anyway... whats your favorite? I'll need to get hooked up with some toys ASAP.
I'll be living in the Lowry area.

What else do I need to see/do/know?

dark13star

Wheatridge Cyclery has been ok. They are pretty much Trek/Bontrager though, so I don't go there for much. We bought my wife's bike there because she like the Trek WSD for fit. I got a pro fit done there and the service was very good, but I actually bought my bike at REI because I wanted a Cannondale.

Lately, I am working with Scwabb Cycles on East Colfax in Littleton, because I am building a fixed gear on an Italian frame, and they are the place to go for that. Both of these are quite a drive from my house, so for other things I just stop into the closest shop.

What are you looking for in a shop? We have all kinds and I tend to go to the shop that best suits my needs. I do all my own work and oder parts and tools online.

You are right that bike shops are like Starbucks here and most are decent, but they all have their niche. This area is a cycling Mecca in the good weather. Wait til you go to the base of one of the popular rides and find two hundred cars with bike racks there, as well as many people riding out from the city as well.

artifice

I can't wait!

Hmm... what am I looking for? Well, one big gripe has been availability of parts for my 650 wheels. Had to wait >1 week for a new rear wheel, and I've usually only got one tire to pick from at any shop around here. If that's just life... than I'm essentially just looking for a shop with good, honest service. I'm pretty smart for the most part, but would like to go somewhere with a good rep for not swindling people as I don't do most of my own maintenance (fwiw, I'm trainable, just lazy).

colorado dale

Yep, lots of shops 13% of the population mtn bikes, 26% all other biking (meaning
they must lump unicycle in with road) Over 30,000 people participate in bike to work day
There are good shops all over town so you really need to decide where you'll living before it worth talking about bike shops.
One thing to pick up is a Greater Denver Bike Map ($4-6 at LBS) there are 650 miles
of bike trails and many other bike routes. the map makes it easy to explore your new hometown

Getting 650's tires (and having choices ) will not be a major problem

dark13star

As noted above, a big question is where you will live. I am just east of downtown (by City Park), and I have shops along my various errand routes. I spend a lot of time at REI my various sports, so I often just pick up stuff there. Helps with the rebate too.

bryceepoo

You'll have a Bicycle Village close to you too. They're kind of the "Super Mall" of bicycles around here it seems like. They carry Trek, Specialized, and Bianchi and usually have a pretty large selection of accessories and clothing in all the ones I've been in. (Castelli, P.I. Specialized, Sugio)

I'm mostly familiar with the shops around the University area. Our team runs with the BikeSource and it's a very nice shop. They have a very knowledgeable group of mechanics. They don't have much in the way of clothing though usually. For clothing they just have Pearl Izumi and Specialized stuff. They're mostly just a Specialized shop, but also carry Cervelo and Serotta for bikes as well.

The Denver Spoke is a really cool little shop. They have mostly all high end gear. They carry Giant, Pinarello, Merckx, and Colnago. The same goes for their clothing... it's all pretty expensive stuff; Giordanna and Assos. If you want to drool over bikes though, it's a great place to visit.

The last one that I've dealt with is Campus cycles. They pack a lot of bikes in there from Trek, Scott, Orbea and many others. They don't have too much in the way of clothing but they carry PI and Endura atleast. I've heard they have good mechanics there too.

Anyway, I know most of those aren't anywhere close to you... but I figured I'd throw out my experience with them anyway.

Welcome to Denver... you'll love it here! I've been here just 3 months and I love it! I've never ridden so much in my life.

ban guzzi

Lemme throw in for Cycle Analyst. Tons of stuff you won't find anywhere else, meaning old/vintage, Campy of all vintage, odd bits you can't find anywhere! They deal in Surly, Merlin, Giant, Lightspeed and a few others. Alot of fixed for street and track. A funky shop with some really good guys. The owner, Richard is a handful at times and VERY opinionated, sometimes impatient, but if you know what your looking for he is a great resource. Kinda like dealing with a friendly troll?!
Anyway, I've had great luck with getting wheels built by Moe, there and if your a commuter they do a step above for you. Reasonable rates and turnaround times, too...
I've seen a lot of 650b in the shop. Wheels and tires and even some of the more 'exotic' sizes abound.

I don't work there but I do give them alot of my business because they have earned it even when Richard is being manic..!

I'm just a commuter, not a racer if that makes any difference...

And no I don't work there.

Oh yeah!
If you have a hip streak, check out Salvagetti on Speer. Not the best mechs but handy if your Downtown and just want to check them out...

Welcome to Colorado! You'll like it here...

veghead

If you are commuting down town you should get to know Scott and the good people at Salvagetti. They don't stock tons of stuff but are the very good turing a wrench, knowledgeable and always willing to help.

artifice

I'll be in Lowry- I'm already a devout REI shopper, and am looking forward to the next rebate Also looking forward to the mondo REI in Denver!

thanks for the tips! I'm a cold weather wussy, but am hoping to get some riding in yet once I get there (just before halloween)

Thanks for the info... and yeah, that "you'll like it here" is a common theme I've been hearing. Thats what I'm hoping!!

DnvrFox

"Lately, I am working with Scwabb Cycles on East Colfax in Littleton, because I am building a fixed gear on an Italian frame, and they are the place to go for that. Both of these are quite a drive from my house, so for other things I just stop into the closest shop."

Err - I don't think East Colfax goes through Littleton, unless Littleton has annexed Aurora!

Perhaps West Colfax and Lakewood?

DnvrFox

I used to recommend Treads - but no longer. Too many changes in management since Hans and Katie left the Parker shop.

Parker desperately needs a competitive LBS - a huge bicycling population and one bicycle shop!

By the way, Katie died recently - Lou Gehrig's disease.

dark13star

Yes, you are so right. I can't keep Lakewood and Littleton straight, but they are both west of town. I am definitely a bit distracted lately...

papaelf

I am not sure about LBS's on that side of town. The Denver Bicycle Touring Club has the most complete map of bike routes in for the Denver area. Most of the LBS's sell the map. The Highline Canal MUP is not far from Lowry. There is a Brothers BBQ at Monaco and Leesdale. If you are thinking of using buses or light rail here, google maps works better than the RTD Trip Planer for figuring out your schedule. You could drive to Nine Mile Station & park-n-Ride and then take the light rail to DTC or downtown for your commute. There are also plenty of bus routes that go near Lowry.

colorado dale

From one who lived in Green Bay MN/SP is COLD Denver with its 300 days of sunshine winters aren't usually that bad. You're used to a different defination of cold!!!! You might be surprised how much
you enjoy winter biking, if you can find time for a break from downhill skiing, xc skiing, snowshoeing ...

dark13star

But then there was two years ago, when we got 5 feet of snow in late December and it stayed packed on the city roads until March. Not a usual occurrence though.

celticfrost

artifice,

You should be just a hop, skip and a jump from:

pedal pushers

They mainly focus on road bikes & I was told just this weekend that they have good fitting services.

I do most stuff myself, but when I need help my favorite shop is:

denver spoke bicycles.

*edit --- oh yeah, I think I gave you info on several denver hoods and you end up moving to Lowry?!

dark13star

*edit --- oh yeah, I think I gave you info on several denver hoods and you end up moving to Lowry?!
[/QUOTE]

Pretty funny. At least it is an actual Denver zip and they have porches in the front and garages around back, just like classic Denver.

bmclaughlin807

I'll have to give a HUGE recommendation for Cycle Analyst. Easily the best shop I've ever dealt with. Friendly, helpful, and they won't try to sell you a brand new bike every time you stick your head in.

The first time I went in there they talked me out of buying something I didn't need, replaced a missing bolt on my rear rack, and trued up my wheel a bit. Then sent me out the door with no charge. They're very knowledgeable (Only place I talked to that knew that you could use a 9 or 10 speed derailleur on a 7 speed bike) and pretty reasonable on prices.

I also like the Performance at S. Yosemite and Arapaho... very helpful and when I had a blow out on a tire that was only a week old they replaced it (AND the tube!) no questions asked. Even offered to mount them for me for free (Though I'd have had to come back to get my bike back later)

DnvrFox

I didn't have a good experience - many years back - at this Performance.

I got roundly ignored, no interest in my needs at all by a bunch of young employees. Perhaps being a bit "older" turned them off?

Hopefully, it has changed

DataJunkie

I have not had many bad experiences with the shops I have frequented.
Performance on Yosemite: friendly staff
REI on county line road: friendly staff. So so selection. Competent wrenches
REI flagship in Denver along the platte trail: friendly staff. Being right along my commute gives it big time pluses.

Northern area shops:
-Bicycle village westie: friendly folks. Decent selection. So so prices
-Performance village westie: friendly staff. Even better since another user here works there.
-Golden Bear bikes: horrid selection on accessories. Decent bikes but non competitive prices. Great employees and even better wrenches. My favorite shop.
-Derby bikes: friendly folks with good wrenches.

I am not that much help for the Denver shops. I tend to stick to the northern burbs unless I need a repair while commuting.
Next stop will be eschelon spokes and slopes in Lafayette. I would like to try out their group rides next year.

colorider

I like Green Mtn Sports on the west side of town. It's a small shop but they have always done a nice job fixing/tuning my bikes. Friendly staff, have even offered me beers near quitting time on a Friday.

clydesdale

The guys at Alpha Cycles off of Yosemite are some of the best and honest I know. They deal mostly in Gary Fisher, but they are great mechanics and know their stuff.
Oh and that old man in Cycle Analysis is psychotic. I will not step foot in there ever! They are just snobs and act as though you are wasting their time.

artifice

oh no! Whats wrong with Lowry? Eeh, I spent half a day house-hunting, signed a 6 month lease since I'm not sure where I want to be out there, I'll test the waters

DnvrFox

Nothing wrong with Lowry.

From 1962-65 I was the administrative officer and then the Commnader of the 3428th Student Squadron at Lowry. We dealt with top-top secret training dealing with monitoring atomic bomb tests in the USSR.

Our squadron claim to fame was a huge fishbowl (a T-34 canopy turned upside down), a letter I sent to the base commander about cockroaches in the dining room, and the famous "always use both sides of the paper" for correspondence memo we all received, printed, of course, on two sheets of paper.

clydesdale

Lowery is also riddled with asbestos. Did they ever clean that mess up or not? I went to college out there.