Elwoodab

Merry Christmas to All, I'm located in the 3 Rivers Triangle, between Pittsburgh, Morgantown, WV. and Wheeling, WV. I can be in any of them in less than an hour. I have lived here since I got out of the Army in 79. I was born and raised in Burlington, VT. and most of my family still lives there. My Dad lived in PA. and that's how I ended up here. I have ridden off and on since I was a kid, started to get serious in the mid to late 90's, then I got away from it for several years, started back in Aug. of this past summer and have really enjoyed myself. I have a Giant Iguana Mtn. Bike and a Cannondale H700 Hybrid. I am currently shopping for a road bike and hope to have one by New Years Day.
I'm 50 years old, married, with 2 sons. The youngest is in college, so I have reached that magical age of not having to take my kids anywhere and enjoying my free time on the golf course and riding bikes. Hoping to do alot this year, I want to do my 1st century rides and any benefit rides I find in the area. I have discovered bike trails in the area and am trying to ride them all. I have already ridden a portion of the Montour Trail, The Wheeling Trail, and the Youghigheny(sp?) Trail. Hoping to hit some of the Northern WV. trails soon.
Again, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to All.

East Hill

Hello Elwoodab, it's great to have you here! I've been in your neck of the woods, and it is a very picturesque place, and looks to have a lot of excellent places to ride.

What kind of road bike are you considering?

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Elwoodab

(What kind of road bike are you considering?)

Thanks for the welcome BF and I'm glad you asked. I have looked at Trek Pilot 2.1, Bianchi Via Nirone, Felt Z65, Jamis, Raleigh, Cannondale, and Giants, as well as a few I can't remember. I sort of like the looks on the Bianchi's but I think I get the most bang for the buck with Felt. I'm a little sentimental toward the Cannondale's because I have one and they're assembled in PA. I'd like to stay with a compact crank 50/34 and Ultegra components, so far the Felt is tho only one I've found in my price range, which is $1500 ish. I'm going to check out another bike shop in the Pittsburgh area that has been suggested by a couple of friends and see what they have. I'm still listening to peoples opinions. Please give me your thoughts. Merry Christmas.
PS. I was in the Peugot Sound area this past summer, also a beautiful area, I don't know where Kent is , saw lots of bikes getting on the ferry boat when we left Seattle.

East Hill

I'm a lover of vintage bikes, so I would personally go with Jamis, simply because they offer steel bikes still (which don't cost an arm and a leg). Opinions by the dozen are yours by looking at some of the stickies in the Road Cycling forum, and once you narrow down the choices, you can always ask for more opinions .

Kent is southwest of Seattle. If you flew into SeaTac airport, Kent is due west almost exactly opposite across the valley.

Riding across on the ferry and commuting by bike/just recreational riding are very popular things to do in this area .

Merry Christmas to you too!

East Hill

Business810

Welcome to another Pittsburgher (or at least, from nearby)... Perhaps I will run into you at a charity ride around here somewhere. What shops have you been looking at so far in this area? Some are much better than others.

Best of luck with the search for a new bike!

Elwoodab

Thanks Jon. I am in Washington County. So far I have been to the Outdoor store in Morgantown (the name escapes me), Trek of Pitt. in Robinson, Wheelcraft in Wheeling, and the Ambridge Bike Shop. I have had 2 friends who bike tell me I need to check out Big Bang so I plan on that for my next stop. I'm starting to suffer bike shop burn out, the problem being we don't have one around Washington. The last 2 I bought were from a store here that went out of biz last year or the year before. Wheeling is actually the easiest for me to get to, but the bike shop down there doesn't seem to have a big selection

Merry Christmas
Dan

Business810

I don't really have any experiences with the WV shops, but I have heard pretty good things about the place in Ambridge. There are a handful of good shops in the downtown Pittsburgh area too; my personal favorites are Kraynick's and Iron City Bikes, though I'm not sure either of them carry the models you're looking at. I kind of have the opposite problem (if you can call it a problem) in that there are too many shops nearby me - though not many of them are very good.

Merry Christmas to you too!

TrekDen

Merry Christmas Elwoodab, and welcome to the forums!

Just wondering if Volpatti's on Chestnut St. is the store that went out of business in Washington? If so, Im sorry to hear that. They trued, and repacked a couple wheels for me a while back, and were very nice to deal with.

I'm with your friends on checking out Big Bang in West Mifflin. I've always had good dealings there as well.
Another I suggest in Morgantown is Wamsley's Cycles. They carry Trek, Lemond, and Specialized among their fine selections. They are located right on the trail in M-town, so you can bring your bike along, and try one of the nicest asphalt trails in Northern WV.

I live in Greene County, so like you, bike shops are few, and far between. Luckily my job takes me all over SW PA, so I can always explore new shops when I happen by them. I want to check out the new Pittsburgh Pro Bikes store which just opened by S. Hills Village Mall next.

Good to have another SW PA friend on the board

Denny

Elwoodab

Yeah Den, it was Volpatti's that went out of business. Their are no bike shops in Washington with the exception of Dicks. Which I really don't count but I have bought some accessories there. I'm off tomorrow so I'm going to Big Bang and Pitt. Pro at S.Hills and check bikes out. Maybe Wamsley's on Sat. if I don't buy something tomorrow.
Happy New Year.

Dan