Heading to LA / San Diego for a quick respite from winter. Any interesting C&V shops in either city?

Thanks.

Brad

The only bike shop I'm aware of in the San Diego area that leans toward C&V is Pacific Coast Cycles in Oceanside. The place is virtually a boutique museum of bikes and bike gear from the 2nd half of the 20th century.

Home | Pacific Coast Cycles : Oceanside, CA : Bike Shop

Ye Olde Bicycle Shoppe on the boundary of San Diego and La Mesa closed their doors about 2 years ago. I've been unable to find another place with bins of old parts, and an appreciation for classic bikes ever since. I'll keep my eye on this thread to see what pops up.

Craig

As near as I can tell Orange County is a C&V wasteland and I've been here most of my years.

Definitely, Pacific Coast Cycles is the place. Chuck may be a little crusty and he is a bit of a quirky character but he knows his stuff. Chuck has forgotten more about cycling than most of us will ever know. You kind of have to earn his trust to benefit from his wisdom but if you do he can be quite helpful. If however, you can't show some patience and respect then just stay away, you will be disappointed.

Just remembered this one. I haven't been there, but "The Bicycle Stand" in Long Beach is supposed to be in our line of interest. There website shows appropriate stuff and they hold a C&V swap a time or two a year and a monthly C&V ride. The swap always conflicts with some other activity I have going on, so I haven't been but I will be there at some point.

Definitely pay a visit to The Bicycle Stand. Everybody is super friendly and loves vintage steel. The shop is on the ground floor of a 1920's fire station and while smallish (4000 sq. ft.) it oozes vintage vibes.

The mechanics are located out on the floor, sort of in a kiosk. A short counter with a few stools allows you to sit for awhile and 'chew the fat' with all sorts of bike lovers. Vintage bikes adorn the walls and hang from the ceiling.

Mechanics and owners are all in their 30s so you don't have to deal with old weird guys (we make up their customer base).

I currently have a few bikes there for minor restoration.

Also you are welcome to stop by my garage and have a look at my collection of vintage road bikes. I'm on your route to San Diego.

The Bicycle Stand does take vintage consignments, so you might give them your name and contact info and size range to facilitate the good or bad as the case may be.

The LA area is not home to much C&V. there is CoCo's Variety that has used stuff, and does get vintage, kind of between Silverlake and Atwater village.

My favorite:
Cyclart
in Vista CA (north San Diego County)
Their primary business is painting and restoring, but Jim and Susan are friendly and have a lot of vintage parts, bikes, and tools. Tell them I sent you -- they painted my 1959 Capo about 12 years ago.