deleteyourselph

Anybody have some shops in mind? I have done business with the three or four shops in my hometown (Sheboygan) with mixed results. Some have given me good prices and discounts at times, and sometimes gotten me with full MSRP. I have really tried to be a LBS kind of guy, but my faith is starting to wane. I found a shop about thirty minutes away, but they cater to fat bike/mtbs. Which is great for that stuff, but next on my list is a nice road bike ($3,000-$4,000). Unfortunately the only road bike offerings they have is Raleigh. I heard maybe Bianchi, which would be fine for me, but they lack in the ways of fitting, etc.. A lot of the other shops are super cliquey and generally are jack wagons. One of the local shops I did business with for a few years did fittings, but charge like $150-$200. If I'm paying $2,000.00 for a bike (I bought three in that price range), am I out of line expecting that fitting included? I also don't like it when I drop like $6,000.00 in a couple years at a shop, and I barely get a hello when I walk in, or have a bike malfunction two days before a trip and get told they can't squeeze me in before I leave. Maybe I'm expecting too much. I generally feel I am a reasonable person. You scratch my back I scratch yours. I'm just looking for a friendly shop, with good knowledge of fittings and roadbikes. And not being two hours away would be great as well.

skijor

I bought my Salsa Vaya at Cory the Bike Fixer in Milwaukee and had a good experience. I'd go back for future business.

Rainbow Jersey is also a standup shop. One of my sisters has had good experiences there.

As for road bikes, I love my Salsa. I also have a Waterford which I bought a few years before, and love. Professional fittings do not necessarily need to cost that much. I went to the actual Waterford, WI shop to get fitted although you wouldn't necessarily need to do that. It depends on what you're after and if your physique is "normal". If it is, I would recommend getting something "off the rack". I found this out after getting my Salsa. Its geometry is virtually identical to my Waterford.

That said, one nice thing about getting a professional fitting is that those numbers are not going to change if you're finished growing, unless you (god forbid) have some sort of physical change/accident that alters your range of motion. You can use those data in deciding future bike purchases. A base fitting should be in the $70-ish range. If your needs are a bit more unique, then the fitting cost may be closer to the $150 mark. But that's less common.
And I would not expect a fitting to be included with a $2k bike purchase, but that is probably more dependent on the LBS. Some might, but I wouldn't expect it.

deleteyourselph

I guess I base a lot of my expectations on others experiences that I have read about. It seems to be a common thing with fittings, perhaps in other states, and perhaps I am reading into wrong. I guess my problem isn't even the money when it comes down to it, it's the lack of experience and knowledge. 99% of all bikes shops I've boughten a bike from in my town really only do the stand over test. Unacceptable to me, but its what I have to work with, and I'm by no means a fitting expert. Or I've gotten the, "what feels good to you", which in all fairness is half the battle, but when that's all the advice you're giving to a guy in between frame sizes or a my wife who has zero knowledge, then yes I'm a bit irritated.

FWIW I bought a bike from Cory the Bike Fixer, a '13 Surly CrossCheck. Got a good price, and the sales rep on the phone was friendly. When I got there to pick up the bike things changed. The owner actually helped me, told me the price given over the phone was for a '12 and the '13 would be $200 more as Surlys prices went up. I was decent about it but said I wouldn't buy it then, thanks anyways. He told me to deal with the original guy I talked to over the phone. He apologized for the mixup, and I apologized for not wanting to spend an extra $200. The owner gave me the original price and included a free lecture on how he would only break even and I wouldn't receive the summer deal of 10% of the bike price in accessories. I bought it anyways as I was getting the bike for the price I was told. The free lecture has stayed in my memory bank though, and I'd just rather go elsewhere.

I don't need my ass kissed or treated like royalty, but I don't expect to be lectured like I'm 12 years old due to their mistake. I'd just like a good bike from honest people at an honest price with good working knowledge. Oh yeah, and they have to have a good mechanic! . Maybe I'm in dreamland!

skijor

I rode a couple of Canondales for 10+ years that didn't fit me that good. Had I had been fitted, I wouldn't have taken other measures to try and get what I had fit be better, futile though it was. I've helped others (coworkers and friends) with their fitting towards sensible directions in their cycling pursuits. Haven't got any complaints. I'm sorry Cory wasn't your cup of tea. I only had the one experience there. Misunderstandings occur, and it's up to the shop to stand behind their word if they're at fault...within reason.

You're in Sheboygan, I'm in Manitowoc.

If you're in the market for a Specialized road or MTB, Dan at Heavy Pedal has treated me well.
And George at Broken Spoke has a good following if you like Felt or Marin. He also does Pugsleys and the like. They're good people, although I don't know that either does "professional" fits.

There are two other shops in town but these are the better all around LBS in Manty.

deleteyourselph

George at broken spoke has taken care of me really well. I have nothing but great things to say about that shop. I just bought a '13 Salsa Fargo 2 for myself and a Raleigh hybrid for my wife and he gave me a great deal on both. I also ordered a bunch of parts through him for my Pugsley. His shop is the one I was referring to that primarily caters to the mtb/fatbike crowd. And I'm ok with that, but like I said my next purchase will be a road bike. I'm not even looking to buy till January-ish so I have time to find a shop and a bike. I just want to be ready when the time comes is all. I know the guy that owns the broken spoke in two rivers carries bianchi. Maybe they are more road oriented than the other broken spoke that George runs. I am assuming they are the same company and owned by him. I have a friend I work with that still works at a shop part time down in Illinois that carries Giant and Felt. Maybe he could even hook me up, who knows. Maybe I'll luck out and broken spoke will work out and I can get fitted elsewhere?

MRT2

Another shout out for Cory the Bike Fixer. Bought my Salsa Casseroll there. I have also worked with Rainbow Jersey in Shorewood, Bike Smiths on Locust in Milwaukee, and Extreme Ski and Bike in Mequon. All decent shops, but Cory's is my go to shop these days.

bengreen79

I lived in Fond du Lac before moving to the Lakeshore area and I always loved the service I got at Attitude Sports. They also have a Pewaukee location.

I haven't visited the shops a lot in Manitowoc but Josh at Heavy Pedal did a great job fixing my old GT MTB up.

treebound 

There is Zhu Zhu Pedals in Port Washington, opened up just a couple years ago and recently expanded their storefront. I think they have Specialized and something else. Not sure how they are on fittings and such.
Then there is always Wheel and Sprocket, nearest one to you would be in Fox Point.

Grafton Ski and Cyclery gets various reports, YMMV.

South Shore in Cudahy seemed nice the two times I've been in there.

Ben's is always interesting.

deleteyourselph

- Heard about ZhuZhu Pedals, seemed like they catered more to women, which is great because I am trying to get my wife to bike more, so I will definitely be checking them out.
- Despite Wheel and Sprocket giving me the big box shop vibe, the Fox Point and Oshkosh store has always offered good experiences.
- Grafton seemed disinterested in helping me when I stopped in last summer. Some old guy who didn't want to get off of his stool, lol.
- Bens is a shop I really want to like. They've been really good to deal with in person both times I was in there. Unfortunately they bring their cliquey hipster snobby bros to their downer avenue classic party every year. I want to like that crowd, but what a bunch of pricks. This was my third or fourth year attempting to mingle. I will give big props to the store though. Cool, hard to find parts, with people who genuinely love cycling.

So I do have places I like. Broken Spoke is still my go-to shop, even if it is a half hour away. Wolfs Cycle in Sheboygan was where I bought all my bikes as a kid/teenager. Would still be my shop if the owner hadn't made some comment to my wife about playing with her barbies. She still brings that up from time to time, haha. He was totally kidding of course, she's a bit sensitive.

MRT2

A guy I office share with bought his bike at South Shore and had a terrible experience with them. Had some problem with the drivetrain that the mechanics couldn't figure out. Finally brought it to Cory the bike fixer and got it fixed.

dynodan22

If you are looking for High end line of bicycles Crank Daddys is nice, there service leaves something to desire, but I am not a die hard . My go to places in Milwaukee are Johnson cycles (specialized) down to earth , not big on fit ups , but good service and more of beer drinking rider/owner runs the POLO league in Milwaukee. Ben's is good also. Emery's is a the place if you really want a review on fitting and riding , they deal a lot with triathlons and actually have a machine that records your riding and can make adjustments from there. I not a wheel sprocket fan , they seem to push the most expensive crap on people . Cory is well known for there service .

Dynodan22

treebound 

The Thiensville store has had various reports, probably much like South Shore has. One person's gravy is another person's sludge I guess.

Zhu Zhu was extremely small when they first opened and also had some sort of Yoga or exercise classes in the winter months, which might be where the female catering came from, that and the shop owner is a woman. No matter, when I spoke with her last summer she seemed really interested in making the store work, and with their expansion she seems to be doing well. I've sent a few neighbors down there for parts/repairs and have heard no complaints. I haven't made it in there yet this year even though it is within walking distance of home, but I really should stop in.

The Grafton storefront, last time I went in there a few years ago, had never heard of Surly bikes and was not connected with QBP. Things may have changed since then, especially with the Grafton bike races in town, but probably not.

edit: there is also apparently a high end shop in Mequon, Belgian Bike Werks (or something like that). Some of the pedestrian traffic control at the Grafton race were wearing t-shirts from the shop. I looked at their web site and decided that they were well beyond my budget.

MRT2

Zhu zhu pedal is small, but friendly. I would have no problem going there if I needed service. North Shore Wheels in Shorewood, a Giant dealer, is on the same order.

The Grafton place is odd. I don't know what is up with them.

Belgian Werkx is snobby and intimidating. I am used to high bike prices, and I walked out with sticker shock. Don't see how they can make it in a strip mall storefront location way out in the suburbs.

Not saying I love Extreme Ski and Bike. I bought one of my wife's bikes from them 6 years ago and I have bought a few things, and had them do a simple repairs on some of my bikes. Their sales and service were decent to very good. They once replaced my son's V brake while we waited, which I consider to be very good. On the other hand, I had my hybrid serviced there, and later that summer, brought it into Cory for something else that the mechanics at Extreme apparently missed. Not a big deal, but it did make me wonder.

They have a huge selection of clothes and shoes, and accessories that are way overpriced. I get way better deals on that sort of thing from Bikesmiths on Locust.

PixelPaul

Just thought I would chime in here with a thumbs up for Ben's. Just had a bike built up with Campy, they did a great job after Wheel & Sprocket could not. Also had a bike fit at Ben's, super knowledgeable guy and they have the recording devices, etc. Money well spent to get a good fit.

deleteyourselph

I always seem to fall back to Bens too. Come Feb '14 I'm looking to spend $3,000-4000. I've been looking at Gunnar quite a bit seeing as how I'm not far away. On the other hand, Gunnar/Waterford make the Milwaukee Bicycle Co. Bikes, and at my price point, I'm thinking I could get a sweet setup. I still keep my loyalty to Broken Spoke, and after looking at Raleigh (the only road specific bikes they carry) I'm liking the, more and more. Good thing I have time lol!