Oneslowyeep

Hey there So Cal people I'm new to this whole bike thing and I'm looking to get into riding a Road bike to help keep in shape and I'm looking for a good bike shop around the the Pomona Area a shop that is relaxed and nice people I can go shoot the Sh** with and not be intimidated I don't own a bike yet and am about to buy one but I'm lost in all the information about this topic I would just love to find a good shop that I can go get some good information from and possible purchase my 1st inexpensive bike since this will be my 1st

Any suggestions???

Hillbasher

There's Coates in Pomona, Incycle in San Dimas, Jax's in Claremont, Competitive Edge in Upland, and Google. Try one, try all, try none of the above. Best way to find one you like is to walk in and start talking to the help. Everyone likes different shops for different reasons. Find yours.

LAriverRat

The first thing they will tell you is to "Start" at around $1300.00 on up for a bike. Then there is shoes, pedals, clothes, repair kits, something to put them in, bottles. You get the picture. Craigslist is full of bikes that has been hanging in the garage for many years after only been ridden a few times. First i would see if you like to bike before spending the big bucks. Make a budget and try to stick to it. If you like cycling then the upgrades will follow.

ZippyThePinhead

This is good advice. I've bought 3 used bikes using local garage sales and Craigslist. One of the bikes had some problems, and I probably should have passed on it, but I didn't know better. I'll get around to having it fixed one of these days. The other two bikes were great deals, and I still ride them. I saved some money; one of the bikes was $20, one $130, and one was $400. They all needed something to be ready to ride; new tires, and/or a new saddle.

I don't know how in- or out-of-shape you are, but I was really out of shape when I started riding, and the first bike I got was a vintage 1986 mountain bike which I used for road riding. I put street tires (i.e., with a smoother tread, not knobbies) on it, and the upright position on it was perfect for me. If I'd started with a road bike, I'm not sure I would have persevered with respect to riding. For some riders it takes some time to acclimate to the road bike posture.

Too, my vintage mountain bike has beartrap/platform pedals, so I can ride it wearing "regular" shoes (not cycling shoes), which is not a bad thing.

Of course YMMV. Understand that many of the bikes "hanging in the garage for many years after only been ridden a few times" were purchased new, for the MSRP. Riding a used bike for a while will help you to learn what you want from a bike before you make an expensive mistake.

mwandaw

I bought my bike from an ad in Craigslist. It was a year old, not ridden much, and it was priced nicely.

I bet that if you post links to a couple of bikes on Craigslist, you'll get some quick feedback.

allroy71

I would ask around your work too. There is usually someone who is into bikes or knows someone into bikes. That can help with decision making.
I think it would be hard to buy a bike off CL if you don't know what you are looking for. But Zippy got some deals on those bikes!! Hard to lose with a 20 dollar bike!

Elvo

I second Craigslist. Was able to score a 2005 Specialized Roubaix Ultegra/DA/Ksyrium with an Edge 305 for $700 a few years ago.

XianRL

I imagine the Cali Craigslist scene for bikes is sick. Have fun and go nuts.

urbanknight

I have been an avid cyclist for 18 years now and I just bought a new bike for $1100 that is plenty good enough for me (Aluminum frame with 105 components). Sure I wouldn't have minded having more, but I was on a tight budget and really can't justify buying any more than that unless I was climbing the ranks of elite cycling. The bike fits, is backed by a strong warranty, and has parts that will probably last longer than I want them to.

OP, if you're looking to start out lightly, any name brand bike with Tiagra or better components should get your feet wet for at least a few years until you feel the desire to upgrade.

urbanknight

Actually, it's somewhat crappy. There is the occasional great deal, but it seems like most of the sellers want way too much for the crap they're trying to unload. You have to know what you're looking at to know if you're paying a fair price or not.

LAriverRat

My first CL bike for $80.00 was a Sears Free Spirit with steel wheels, what a tank, on the way home from that found a $25.00 1989 Bianchi Sport SX that fit me at a yard sale. After that got two free bikes, 86 Schwinn world sport, then a 1972 Schwinn sports tourer,people just did not want them. Finally after riding a while found a 1989 Trek 1400 with all 105s with new tires ready to ride for $300.00 from CL, which is my main bike. I picked up others as well. After 6000 miles under my seat i can tell pretty much what size, fit, gear combo and frame setup i like. When the time comes i can get a much better bike that will make me happy.

Oneslowyeep

Well I did it I bought a Brand New 2010 Cannondale Caad 8 from Incycle in Rancho I went to the bikes shops around me (Coats, Jaxs, Comp Edge) and even checked craigs list alot but i really liked the people at the Incycle in Rancho and decided to purchase something new so i know a history on it because the ones i found on CL were either full Carbon bikes (which it too much bike for me) or stuff i have no idea what im looking at..... but this bike WOW I've never really ridden a road bike for more then 10 min and i love this bike i cant wait to put some miles on it!!!!

urbanknight

Welcome to the addiction! Oh, and post pics in the So Cal Bike Gallery thread.

XianRL

That's a bummer. Though I shouldn't be surprised because I'm in mid-Missouri where tons of people empty out their garages and have no idea what the value of said bike is, or just want it gone. Therefore, it's somewhat easy to find deals around here ... if you want to drive to butt**** to get it. That's the biggest catch.

Oneslowyeep

O ya I can tell this is going to be a huge addiction for me and I find it funny I alrdy have a goal set and that I'm going to try and work up to make it up to thr Mt baldy lifts and back down which I think is a huge step

urbanknight

Yes, that will be a huge step. May I suggest a goal date for that of May 21st?

kenrudman

You might want to start by setting the goal of riding to the village first. On any given Saturday or Sunday there are a lot of folks heading over GMR/GRR to keep you company. That's an achievable goal for most anyone with the right gearing and enough time spent in the saddle. The lifts may or may not be realistic for a while, but what do I know?

urbanknight

After coming back to cycling about 2 years after an 8 year hiatus, I attempted the lifts 3 times and only finished the 3rd attempt. The other two times, I turned back because it was just too hot. It was like riding a stationary bike inside an oven. May just might feel like that.

Oneslowyeep

Well the weather hasnt been all that great around baldy and the village so im waiting for it to clear up a little but it doesnt seem too bad today so i might just go right now!!! lol

hcmom

Even just start by riding up Padua to Mt. Baldy Road, then go down where it meets up with Mountain Ave.

Yes, I know it's a wuss ride. But it's all I can do so far...

StephenT 

Thats a good goal to make it to the lifts. I have the same goal but its going to take me a while as I only started riding in May. Look up the Tour de Foothills ride coming up Nov 13th for an organized ride in your area.

BigBlueToe

If you have the money, buying your first bike brand new will feel great. You'll get something nice and the bike shop should back it up. My local guys give a 30-day overhaul (tightening and adjusting things after you've ridden awhile to "loosen things up" - the 30 days is just a ballpark - they'll do it once whenever - after 30 days or 6 months, depending on how much you've ridden it and when you bring it in.) After that they'll stand behind any work they've done. They built me a wheel once and for some reason a spoke broke. They fixed it free.

Try several shops. Feel the vibe. There are several around my area. They're all good, but I have my preferences. One in particular I don't like so much is full of foul-mouthed youngsters who think they know everything. They push hard to make sales, and even try to convince me I want something that I don't. I buy from them when they have what I want, and they do know their stuff, but I prefer to go elsewhere.

If you want to spend less on a first bike until you know more about what you like, Craigslist or Ebay can be a good way to go. I would caution you, however, to have help from someone who knows bikes. There are plenty of bikes where you can save 30%, some where you can save more, but lots of overpriced bikes, and lots of junk that you'd be better off leaving alone. It's also vital that you buy the right size frame. Don't settle for one that's a little too big or too small. You will regret it.

If you are patient and know what you're doing you can find some deals. If you want to be riding a shiny new bike tomorrow and have the cash, go to a local bike shop and buy new.