Boston Area, I need your help for a fellow clyde!
#1
Chubby super biker
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Boston Area, I need your help for a fellow clyde!
Greetings,
I have a very good friend who lives in the Boston area, and is looking to kick himself back into shape. He's a big guy, and right now doesn't want to invest in a new bike but would rather start out on his old one. It's an older (early '00s) Trek 820 MTB.
Now his problem is that he wants a bike shop that isn't going to be... well.. snooty . He wants to throw some slicks on the 820, get some help getting it fitted to him, and have it tuned up properly. I'm sure (knowing this particular person..) that if he likes it, he'll end up getting something a little more "fun".
Anyway, need recommendations. I know the legendary Harris Cyclery is in the Boston area, but from looking at their website he felt a bit daunted.
Anyone? Bueller?
I have a very good friend who lives in the Boston area, and is looking to kick himself back into shape. He's a big guy, and right now doesn't want to invest in a new bike but would rather start out on his old one. It's an older (early '00s) Trek 820 MTB.
Now his problem is that he wants a bike shop that isn't going to be... well.. snooty . He wants to throw some slicks on the 820, get some help getting it fitted to him, and have it tuned up properly. I'm sure (knowing this particular person..) that if he likes it, he'll end up getting something a little more "fun".
Anyway, need recommendations. I know the legendary Harris Cyclery is in the Boston area, but from looking at their website he felt a bit daunted.
Anyone? Bueller?
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I've done business with Harris and they seem to be pretty down to earth folks. There are a lot of people there and someone should have the expertise on this particular matter to be of assistance.
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+1 on Harris, great shop and NOT snooty! Very expert.
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. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
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Originally Posted by Tom Stormcrowe
+1 on Harris, great shop and NOT snooty! Very expert.
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Originally Posted by Hambone
is that the Harris of Sheldon Brown?
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. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
. “He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”- Fredrick Nietzsche
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." - Immanuel Kant
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See, I told him I was jealous on him being so close to Harris. But he got a bit daunted by the brands and stuff they carry .
I figured it'd be like any good shop. They want to keep you riding, and keep you a customer. Not the bad shops that just want to keep up-selling.
I figured it'd be like any good shop. They want to keep you riding, and keep you a customer. Not the bad shops that just want to keep up-selling.
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Originally Posted by bdinger
See, I told him I was jealous on him being so close to Harris. But he got a bit daunted by the brands and stuff they carry .
I figured it'd be like any good shop. They want to keep you riding, and keep you a customer. Not the bad shops that just want to keep up-selling.
I figured it'd be like any good shop. They want to keep you riding, and keep you a customer. Not the bad shops that just want to keep up-selling.
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hey, i work in newton, a mile from Harris Cyclery and happen to weigh 220 (down from 268). I think Harris is great if you know what you want, but i just have aways felt like i'm not a valued customer there. I think it might be intimidating. though,I will continue going there as their selection and location cant be beat. I've enjoyed Beacon st. bikes, ace wheel works and paramount bicycle supply (a very small shop in Somerville, my recomendation). all nice folks.
Additionally, if your friend would like some help either installing tires or not being intimidated by bikespeak, let me know as i am an ex-mechanic and would be happy to help a fellow cyclist. thanks for bringing another cyclist into the world.
-L
Additionally, if your friend would like some help either installing tires or not being intimidated by bikespeak, let me know as i am an ex-mechanic and would be happy to help a fellow cyclist. thanks for bringing another cyclist into the world.
-L
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+1 on Harris. This time of year he'll have to be a little patient. I've found the Harris folks to be endlessly helpful and knowledgeable helping me set up a bike to fit my oddball requirements (6'9" tall, 212 pounds).
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If he is looking to get going the cheapest way short term is to have Harris overhaul the bike. That will probably cost close to $200 and will have to be done every 6m to 1 yr. I would suggest getting fenders to reduce the number of rain days you lose.
Long term easier to maintain parts like Phil Wood Hubs, or even Internally geared hub like SRAM Spectro might be the way to go. Since those parts are expensive you will not have to deal with snooty sales people.
Long term easier to maintain parts like Phil Wood Hubs, or even Internally geared hub like SRAM Spectro might be the way to go. Since those parts are expensive you will not have to deal with snooty sales people.
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Originally Posted by ldesfor1@ithaca
hey, i work in newton, a mile from Harris Cyclery and happen to weigh 220 (down from 268). I think Harris is great if you know what you want, but i just have aways felt like i'm not a valued customer there. I think it might be intimidating. though,I will continue going there as their selection and location cant be beat. I've enjoyed Beacon st. bikes, ace wheel works and paramount bicycle supply (a very small shop in Somerville, my recomendation). all nice folks.
Additionally, if your friend would like some help either installing tires or not being intimidated by bikespeak, let me know as i am an ex-mechanic and would be happy to help a fellow cyclist. thanks for bringing another cyclist into the world.
-L
Additionally, if your friend would like some help either installing tires or not being intimidated by bikespeak, let me know as i am an ex-mechanic and would be happy to help a fellow cyclist. thanks for bringing another cyclist into the world.
-L
Thanks for your post, just found it a bit different and thought I’d comment.
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Wheelworks is a great shop (shops actually as there are two). Some of the REI outlets are good too.
I'm too busy to spend time worrying about people acting snooty. I do some research to find out what I need, go to the store and get it or listen to an alternative option, purchase the item then move on. Who cares what some salesperson thinks of me?
I'm too busy to spend time worrying about people acting snooty. I do some research to find out what I need, go to the store and get it or listen to an alternative option, purchase the item then move on. Who cares what some salesperson thinks of me?
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Where exactly does he live?
There are a lot of shops around. But if he lives on the North Shore getting to Harris isn't so fun - could be an hour's drive.
There are a lot of smaller shops around in the suburbs that would be more convenient for servicing.
There's only one shop in the region I've ever had a poor experience in. Most of them are staffed by enthusiasts who are happy to help in any way.
There are a lot of shops around. But if he lives on the North Shore getting to Harris isn't so fun - could be an hour's drive.
There are a lot of smaller shops around in the suburbs that would be more convenient for servicing.
There's only one shop in the region I've ever had a poor experience in. Most of them are staffed by enthusiasts who are happy to help in any way.
Last edited by Garandman; 02-19-07 at 09:40 AM.
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Originally Posted by gear
Wheelworks is a great shop (shops actually as there are two). Some of the REI outlets are good too.
I'm too busy to spend time worrying about people acting snooty. I do some research to find out what I need, go to the store and get it or listen to an alternative option, purchase the item then move on. Who cares what some salesperson thinks of me?
I'm too busy to spend time worrying about people acting snooty. I do some research to find out what I need, go to the store and get it or listen to an alternative option, purchase the item then move on. Who cares what some salesperson thinks of me?
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#15
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Originally Posted by maddmaxx
I've done business with Harris and they seem to be pretty down to earth folks. There are a lot of people there and someone should have the expertise on this particular matter to be of assistance.
Went backtoday to get a bunch more items, and the experience was nearly the exact opposite. I was disappointed.
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Originally Posted by geo8rge
If he is looking to get going the cheapest way short term is to have Harris overhaul the bike. That will probably cost close to $200 and will have to be done every 6m to 1 yr. . . .
Is the 200 for an overhaul a common price in Boston, or wherever? What does a 200 buck overhaul include? All parts AND labor or just labor +parts?
call me inexperienced (and thinking of getting my bike overhauled after about 3-1/2 years and one bottom bracket replacement),
--foehn
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I think he said 6 months to a year because it would depend on how much he rides, and when. $200 for an overhaul is a budgetary figure.
We use a commuter year-round and it is really hurting right now because we had an ice storm last week and a ton of road salt was put down. We can't even hose the bike down because we shut off the outside faucets to keep them from freezing. When they don't use salt, they use sand, which gets thrown up onto the frame, derailers, and rims even with fenders in place. These are all good reasons for why you live in CA.....
We use a commuter year-round and it is really hurting right now because we had an ice storm last week and a ton of road salt was put down. We can't even hose the bike down because we shut off the outside faucets to keep them from freezing. When they don't use salt, they use sand, which gets thrown up onto the frame, derailers, and rims even with fenders in place. These are all good reasons for why you live in CA.....