act0fgod

Just bought a used Cannondale RT1000 and looking to upgrade components. Totally new to bikes and still a student so looking for a shop to take care of me. I know that there are a lot of tandems in SoCal but does anyone have a recommendation on a tandem shop in LA? Are there any tandem only places in the LA area? I couldn't find anything online so any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

jnbrown

If you know what you want to upgrade you can buy parts online on ebay (cheapest), precision tandems, tandems east, etc. Bud's Bike Shop in Claremont specializes in tandem stuff (heavily Santana oriented).

TandemGeek

Not sure that's still true. A Trek chain store franchisee (JAX Cycling Center) bought Buds from Bill McCready back in April 2006, noting that Bill also owns Santana; hence, the previous Santana / tandem focus at Buds where they sold about 30 new tandems a year.

However, despite early comments from the new owner about keeping things as they were with regard to tandems, the relationship with Santana didn't last and Trek's tandem line isn't what it used to be either. So, probably best to call and find out just how well-staffed they are with regard to techs who have experience working on multispeed road tandems before making the trip.

jnbrown

IMHO, its better to learn how to work on your own bike than depend on a bike shop. The people working in bike shops are not always that experienced. You might get somebody who knows what they are doing or somebody who doesn't. You will need to buy some basic tools which do not cost that much. There many resources on the web like www.sheldonbrown.com that walk you through most repair procedures. I have been working on my bikes for 30 years and the only thing I can't do in install or remove a headset because I rarely need and never bought the tools and learned how. I have also been building all my own wheels for 10 years. You can also get help from this forum, lots of knowledgeable people here willing to help.

act0fgod

While I totally agree that it would be best to work on the bike myself I really don't know anything, don't want to break anything and don't want miss out on riding for a month. So basically willing to pay a little for some convenience.

TandemGeek

You might want to give the folks at Velo Pasadena a call. If they're not working on tandems these days, they'll probably know who is.
https://www.velopasadena.com

Another place to call would be King's Bikes in Seal Beach. Derek Brayton was a name previously provided as someone who was tandem-savvy.
https://www.kingsbikestore.com/

la2sei

I don't know what part of Los Angeles you are, so this may be a bit out of the way. I've read some good reviews of Newbury Park Bicycle Shop.
https://npbikeshop.com/product-list/b...-101/road-102/
I haven't been there myself, but plan to check it out sometime.

jnbrown

Thats fine, I only mentioned it in case you were mechnically inclined and motivated to do so.
Another option would be to find out what shops in L.A. carry Cannodale, Santana or Comotion tandems and give them call to see if they have experience servicing tandems.

Good luck.

reversegear

I have been there many times, and I would give it a good review. Large shop. Friendly staff. The mechanics are knowledgeable about tandems and their specific issues. They carry a fair selection of tandem specific parts - which is infinitely more than most other shops. Still, I seem to get most of my tandem specific stuff on the internet.

specbill

Have only been there once but ...+1

Bill J.

tandem_dude

I can recommend Bicycle Johns in Burbank. They sell some tandems and have done work on quite a few judging by the ones I see waiting to be picked up. I've always been pleased with their service. In fact, I followed my mechanic from another shop to this one over a year ago and since have bought a single, a tandem and had upgrades done to a second tandem - so I can speak from experience.

JTGraphics

What is it that you are looking upgrade on your tandem?