Prime Directive

Know anyone from the northern Denver metro area? Or worse: Brighton? Well now you do.

I'm just a newbie recreational/utility cyclist and wannabe commuter who has pretty much explored the majority of his town. I've also been down Brighton Road to the Adams County Community Park which connects me to Thornton. My farthest trips have been 22-30 miles RT down to my nearest bike shop (Golden Bear just west of Colorado on 120th). These trips put a good deal of strain on my bike, though. My next closest LBS is either something on 104th or Louisville Cyclery, so I'm pretty isolated.

Feel free to take this thread in any direction you like, but my question for now is what bike shops in the northern Denver metro area have the largest selection of panniers, trunk bags, racks, and other commuter or touring gear? Golden Bear's a good shop but pretty small. Louisville Cyclery, on the other hand, seemed to be all about the roadies/racers.

DataJunkie

I believe I am familiar with the NE area.

We do not have much in the way of bike shops.
The one that I am familiar with is Derby. Small cramped store with not much in the way of what you are looking for. Golden Bear in Thornton was near my house but is now closed.

To find a decent selection of cycling shops I usually head to the NW area.
1. Golden Bear's main store in Broomfield off of Nickle. Not sure about commuting gear due to the fact that I usually purchase parts at GB. This is a large fairly new store.
2. Bicycle Village. Decent fairly large store off of Wadsworth and 92nd. Again, not sure about commuting gear.
3. Performance. Has an okay selection of commuting goods. I purchased my rack trunk there. 88th and Wads.

If you head further south, west, or to boulder your selection increases. Unfortunately, we live in an area almost devoid of cycling shops. The way Thornton is expanding one would hope that someone would put in another shop. A wrench at Golden Bear in Thornton (before it closed) told me that they had a banner year and were looking at opening another shop in Thornton eventually. I believe they had a lease issue or some such thing.

Prime Directive

Nice to meet you, DataJunkie!

I can't remember which of my trips to Golden Bear it was, but I was told they were moving a tad further north. Maybe 128th? One of their guys said a lot of their customers were from Brighton. Let's hope they're expanding!

Hey, you have a trunk! I've been wanting one, though I'm not sure if they're right for me. Which one do you have? How much space? What kinds of things can you carry? How does it affect bike handling?

Thank you for the bike shop info, BTW! I'm getting ready for some needed upgrades.

DataJunkie

I stopped into Golden Bear today to have a wheel trued today. The manager says they are thinking about possibly opening another store in the Brighton area eventually. Apparently, they decided to consolidate the stores due to the new large store. It was his opinion that Thornton was not much for cycling except BMX bikes.

I have this rack trunk
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=2312

I think it is maybe 700 square inches of storage space, just about perfect IMHO. My 2000 sq inch panniers always result in me carrying way too many items. This forces me to carry just what I need. The only issue may be during spring and fall when the temps vary quite a bit. My handling is not affected at all and I can hardly tell that I am carrying anything unlike my panniers.

Oh and I highly recommend Golden Bear in Broomfield. The guys that work there are awesome.

DataJunkie

That would be cubic inches not square inches. Brain fart. D'oh!

Prime Directive

I assume you don't have clearance issues between your trunk and your seat bag? That's (one of) my problems. My saddle and bag hang out over my rack with only 7 1/2 or 8" of space below. Removing my seat bag solves the problem, but where then do I go with all that stuff? It fits pretty well under my top tube next to the head tube, BUT that then gives me no clearance to remove my water bottle! I might be able to put that stuff in the new trunk, but then I'd have to carry all that around with me whenever I remove the trunk (and move it back to the bike whenever I go without the trunk).

The three NW bike shops you mentioned all allow customers to bring their bikes into the store, right? It would help if I could see how some representative bags would fit.

Yeah, I liked the Golden Bear in Thornton. I'll have to go check out their new store!

BTW, how do prices, overall, seem to compare between the three stores you listed?

DataJunkie

I do not have a seat bag while running the trunk. Those items are stashed in my rack trunk. 2 tubes, tire levers, multi tool, patch kit, and a few misc items actually do not take up much space in the trunk and are easily compressible. I swap between my seat bag and the rack trunk on the weekends or when I am not using it. I guess that could be annoying but it does not bother me.
If that is annoying one could always run 1 or 2 panniers.

I am not sure about bringing bikes in the store. They do not mind for service but to see if something fits.... I would be inclined to say they wouldn't mind but I would ask first.

As for prices, performance is cheap. Bicycle Village is mid priced. Golden Bear is a bit more but has great service but that is what matters most to me.

Prime Directive

Thanks again! I'm thinking about a trip to Golden Bear this week.