cuda2k

Later today I'm going to be out scoping out shops to rent a bike from for the SFVBC ride on Saturday. Looking for suggestions on shops in the area (I'm staying in Woodland Hills, DeSoto & Ventura). I've got a couple on the list already, but looking for input, suggestions, and all that good stuff. Thanks!

P.S. - I'll be riding the #2 ride on Saturday. Anyone who wants to join this Dallas native mod for a post-Thanksgiving ride with a target avg speed of around 17mph feel free to post here, drop me a PM, etc etc.

VanceMac

What size are you, cuda? Sadly, I only have one bike, but perhaps we can track down a spare for you.

cuda2k

I ride a 56-58. Fairly short stem (100mm on both my 56 and 58cm oddly). I've got a saddle & pedals with me.

herbm

The only one I know is Bicycle Johns in Burbank...

Wish I could do this ride...but we are doing Mt Baldy Sat...but I might be on the #1 ride sunday!

cuda2k

Bicycle Johns has a Northridge location. They're closed today, I'll give them a call tomorrow. All the other shops I called don't do rentals (Sundance, Spoke N Wheel (no road bikes), Cycle World. Humph.

herbm

Oh right..I forgot they are in Northridge now...
I dont think my lbs rents either...I know a bf'r from atlanta came out and rented from BJ's...

cuda2k

Guess I've going spoiled with the size and services at my LBS back home (Richardson Bike Mart) who also does rentals. Unless someone up this directly kindly offers a spare bike I'll likely rent from Bicycle Johns. From the looks of it they offer some nice stuff. Might be the right time to try out something in Titanium.

zzzwillzzz

well there's the tandem offer, and i've got an old 56 cm specialized steel framed allez with old dura ace and 600 parts if you can't find anything else.

cuda2k

That's for the offer Will, but while I love my vintage steel rides back home, I'd rather ride a modern equipped bike for this trip. Going to need all the energy transfer I can get, and the least amount of weight under my then Thanksgiving fattened tummy I can get.

urbanknight

Be sure to call Bicycle Johns before you go there. Their Northridge location is tiny (as in 10' across the store front!), so they might only rent out of Burbank.

cuda2k

Thanks for the info urbanknight.

zzzwillzzz

can't blame you there, as my bike's not really vintage, just old
if you want energy transfer, you want the tandem
are you doing the short ride on sat w/ the sfvbc?

herbm

Yeow...didnt think much could be tinier than Burbank..wow

urbanknight

Yeah, I actually drove by it twice while looking for it. You have to keep your eye out for the 6-10 bicycles hanging on the "porch" which is partially obstructed by the buildings on each side. Great service as expected, though.

cuda2k

I'm doing the #2 route. 33mi, which is a little under what my usual weekend rides are back home, but the climbing is a bit more than usual and I've been off the bike a lot the last few weeks (ie: most of October) so what little climbing ability I had is suffering.

cuda2k

Bicycle Johns now crossed off the list. I guess I was just too honest when I said I was out of town looking to rent something in 56cm for the day to ride with the SFVBC for them to let me "demo" a bike for the day. Could have tired saying I was new in town (to avoid questions about my Texas drivers licence) and looking for a new road bike. But I really wouldn't do that to a shop who's thinking they might get a sale of a bike out of the deal down the road. Oh well, I'm a bit frustrated that it's been so difficult to find a shop who will do rentals. To Bicycle John's credit, Adam did call around and give me the name and number of Hollywood Pro Bikes which apparently DOES do rentals (or at least Adam made it sound that way, but he also made me think Bicycle John's did too this morning on the phone). However with everything going on with my wife's family and she having to drive me everywhere it may just be logistically impossible for me to even consider at this point.

I was (and still am!) really looking forward to riding and meeting a few of the SoCal crew. This wild goose chase of a time I've had trying to find a bike to ride has been disheartening at the very least. So far not the highlight of the trip thus far. Hopefully things will turn around and I'll still get a good ride in.

Luwin1026

cuda -

Sorry to jump on this late - must have glanced over this thread as the handle wasn't quite familiar to me as a SoCaler -

I have a 56 Specialized S-Works Tarmac, or a 56 Specialized Allez singlespeed - I'd be more than happy to help you out and let you use either one for your ride. They both have 110mm stems and 44cm bars. The Tarmac is running Campy (Centaur/Veloce mix).

They're both equipped with the Toupe for saddles and Keo Sprint/Classic (respectively) as pedals, but I think if you have other preferences or brought your own feel free to use them.

I'll pm you my cell # - I'm taking off early from work today and should be home by the early afternoon. I'm located in Arcadia, which is just east of Pasadena near the 210fwy.

Let me know if I can be of any help!

urbanknight

Luwin's a nice guy. I've never met him personally, but I've heard great things. But if things don't work out with him, PM mkadam68 and see if he can get in touch with Lynn. I know she was renting a bike recently, so you could ask what shop she got it from. They're slightly outdated, but still STI era.

cuda2k

* back flips *

For a guy who runs campy and Keos back home, this is about the best news I could wake up to after a disappointing bike shop search yesterday. 110mm should be doable, I recently moved to a 100mm at home but the little extra reach shouldn't be bad for a day. Sent you a PM, and/or I'll give you a call later today.