does anyone know a good fixie shop in the bay area or SF to get a bareknuckle frame besides American. I have heard way too many horror stories and everytime i go in there they arent the friendliest of people.

horror stories about american? are you sure you're not confusing it with freewheel valencia?

I have heard both, maybe it was just that American was expensive

I never got a good vibe from American, and what's with the teasers on the wall? Cool stuff too bad it's not for sale.

I saw a bareknuckle today at Albertsons on fulton. They do look nice in their plain brown wrapper.

I like American. They've taken good care of me.

I'm sure Road Rage can order one if you know your size. Probably also Freewheel Hayes. Any of the more track friendly shops should be able to get you one from EAI.

Saw a hot pink one over at Montano Velo on Piedmont Ave in Oaktown, its sweet.

yeah its true...way back in 1942, just a year after the shop was opened, there was this guy who rode a bike around town. The bike made the sound of 100's of sea sirens and 100's of screaming banshees. Its said that if you ride by at 11:10 am, which is the 666th minute of the day...the the guy on the bicyle, who noone has ever seen, cause when they look at him in the eyes, the eyes shine really really shiny light- like only a million cromo handlebars would-but the light is soo bright that it burns you up really quickly and the sonic reverberations, from the banshees and sirens, blow your desicated body dust into the wind...then he takes your bike away. so i hear anway...

i like american they are great, the store has a nice feel, like nostalgic. but their stuff can be a bit on the pricy side. i have heard bad stuff about the place, freewheel valencia.

good luck

Why not just order from businesscycles.com? They're super nice.

I think there may still be some folks out there who still like to support their LBS... American and Freewheel aren't the only shops in S.F.
Road Rage Bikes and the Freewheel on Hayes St. (though it is owned by the same guy who runs Freewhell Valencia)

One more vote against American here. I went in there once for a 16 tooth 3/32 DA cog, asked for just that, and got this look of shock back from the girl working there. WTF you are a specialty shop arent you? WELL I HERE I AM BEING SPECIAL FOR YOU.

That's odd, the only girl that works there that I know of, Rhonna(sp?), has always been friendly and helpful.

Yeah I mean, its anecdotal evidence for sure and YMMV. Its amazing though that It does seem to come up often American or otherwise. How does a bike shop manage to have an attitude in the first place?

yeah I frequent LBSs in the area but I got my bareknuckle frame from businesscycles.com don't feel bad about ordering something specific once in awhile outta town.

Citybikes if you're in PDX about as community as you can get support them above all else.

Road Rage is good and Freewheel on Hayes rules. Unfortunately, neither of those shops carries stuff from EAI (maker of the Bareknuckle frame). So...

Went into American today to borrow some tools. I didnt think it would fly or if the did they would charge me for the bolt they spent thirty seconds tightening, but there was this new guy and he hadnt learned to be overly snooty yet, so everyone get in there before he goes to the dark side.

yeah its understable if you have to leave an ID but I mean ....... contribute!

not sure but "borrowing" tools from the lbs is a sure way to get some 'tude. sounds like going to the grocery store to "borrow" some food.

I've never gotten any attitude from Henry when I ask to borrow tools. Of course the only times I've borrowed tools have been when I just bought something there and wanted to install. I've gotten attitude from Brad before, but that's how he is, it's more of a joking kind of attitude. American is nice because they almost always have what you need, but their prices are astronomical.

I usually try Freewheel Hayes or Road Rage before going to American.

Now that velo-city's gone, american's probably my favorite shop on bike row. Still, I'd rather ride the extra few blocks to the non-sucky freewheel over on hayes. (Y'know, I worked there about a decade ago..)

I've gone into American several times with a will to enjoy the experience, and yet, have always left feeling sour. Once in search of a Silca pump for my schrader valve, I recieved an acidic comment from a worker as to Silcas ONLY being presta. Duh, Wrong. Another time, I knew exactly what I needed; a new freewheel. I asked If I could purchase the part for my own installation and was barked back: "leave your bike overnight."

Of course, all the stanyan shops blow and their relation to the haight confirms this.

Freewheel on Hayes, or the Bike Kitchen, or Pedal Revolution, or Box Dog Bikes on 14th.

Never American Cyclery.

i've never got anything other than straight love from american from the first day i stepped in to just the other day. but then again, i don't want anything for nothing or expect internet pricing either, so i know going in what i'm dealing with-

ps. boxdog has a few bareknuckle frames as of today.

Yeah, I've seen them pretty busy, but they've never been mean or anything.

I wear a t-shirt sporting freewheel on hayes logo. I've never been there but damn what a rad logo.

Just sayin'.