indianapolis commuters
 

do any of you have a good route to Muncie? (more for a weekend ride and not a commute, i just noticed there are a few here on this subforum) i'm on the NE side.

No, I go from zionsville to 62nd, have not gone that far east yet..have you found a LBS you like??
I have not...I think there is a regional forum where you might find more Hoosiers.

Where are you starting from and where do you want to end up?

BTW, the regional forum is here and CIBA has kind of a dead forum here, but they do have a list of routes on their main site that you may find useful in the future.

Thanks for the replies.

I was a bit hasty and ended up finding routeslip off the CIBA site and found a good route.

BTW, this is a cool site for anyone looking for new routes or posting your own to share. Seems like it gets lots of traffic and there are lots of rides on there.

Lbs
 

Where have you been going?

I frequent Indy Cycle Specialists (Irvington) and I have personally had good luck with the shop people at both Matthews (Post Rd) and BGI on 82nd. The guys at Circle City are good too....sometimes a little cranky but good.

I have been in Bike Wave on 82, and Nobo Ridge on Michigan. Nobo Ridge is a bit uppity, although if you are into "hammer" drinks or bars they have quite the variety. Bike Wave sold me some pads they said were better than Kool Stop, had to return them, they did not fit my bike. I want to get by Indie Cycle.
BGI is sort of intimidating for a first year commuter, and expensive, but it is big!

shops
 

ICS in Irvington is definately low key. Go in and ask for Scott Irons (owner) and tell him Jeff from NCAA sent you his way. He's a good guy and does just about anything for you. I've purchased four bikes from him in the last few months and scores of parts, tools, shop work. About the fairest guy you'll ever run into. The guys in the shop at BGI have ran interference for me and done some things for me on that occasional Sunday when ICS has been closed and there is a special emergency....like cutting a brake cable a little too close. :) Matthews is always a mixed bag. I've thought one guy there in particular was a smartass a time or two but, I just give it back and he smiles and I always end up getting set up right. The others? Well, got ripped off at Bike Line(?) in SnotRipple along the Moron Trail. Bike Wave on 86th....meh. Not impressed. NO!(bo) Ridge...Nuff said...Gay. There is a new Specialized dealer across from me in my town...Concerned he's not going to make it unless there are enough Yups to buy expensive bikes they can't ride anyway. Kinda got the snob vibe there too. Lots of Prarie Lance's frequent the joint and talk times. That's just my personal take.

Thanks for the tips. I am on the wrong side of town, I have just used this forum, thrift stores, and online supply places...so far LBS have just been a place where I feel like an idiot, and most purcheseprices look like ones an idiot would make.

I like Circle City bike shop on south Madison street. They support bicycle touring with bicycles and equipment. They have been in business for many years and have a well stocked parts bin. They also have a web site http://circlecitybicycles.com/.

I like CCB too, but call or stop in, don't try the e-mail link its rarely answered or timely in my experience. There is a DIY bike maintenance class offered there Saturday 10th Nov, don't know if any spots are still open, they usually limit to 6, but I'll be there.

Yep...Agreement on CCB too. How could I forget them. They def warrant a mention.