Hey guys, new to cycling and looking for a good shop around my area. I'm in the La Caņada Flintridge area and I'm willing to drive out up to 30 miles for a good shop.

All the reviews online for shops around me seem like a mixed bag. Some have bad customer service, others have horrible turn-around times, etc.

I'd like to know if you guys have any shops you'd recommend I visit.

I'm looking to purchase a new bike but will also get it serviced there for as long as possible provided I like them.

Thanks!

I like Rock N Cyclery in Anaheim Hills, they're great customer service. Probably too far for you.

They aren't that far off, I'll look into them.

Jenson

I got a new saddle at Golden Saddle Cyclery in Silver Lake, and they were extremely helpful. They also gave me a lot of information about a bike I was interested in. Seems like they would treat you right. They're definitely a little hipstery, but it still seemed like a great shop.

Montrose Bikes on Honolulu. Robert is the manager. Tell him I sent ya.

Incycle is reliable and well stocked. Close to LCF.

Find a small shop where you are confident that they will treat you well during and after the purchase and provide advice that benefits you, not them, such that they earn a customer for life. It's a relationship. Lots of big stores tend to be impersonal, and the guy behind the counter or the mechanic is not empowered to give you a break and make things "right" but is obligated to nickel and dime you. If that's the kind of place you end up at, i.e. where the customer service is impersonal, then there is no point in buying from them and you might as well purchase from REI because they have a 1 year return policy if the bike ends up not fitting you (and fit is everything and may not be immediately obvious when you test ride and purchase). Most stores, once you ride off the lot with bike there are no returns. I paid $4500 for a high end road bike that the store fitter picked out, turned out to be a bit too small for me when I went to a pro fitter a few months later. Good luck.

Welcome to cycling heaven!
(La Canada Flintridge)

Incycle Pasadena on fair oaks is where I frequent, but I do most of my own repairs.