Mr. Beanz

Plenty of pics in my blog if interested.

I had a chance to Visit Mark and Dave's Bicycle Shop. I had wanting to check it out but hadn't ad a chance till today. Wow I was surprised. Thinking I'd walk in and see a saddle or two hanging on the wall I was shocked at how much merchandise they had in this store. Of course knowing that Mark is a big bicycle lover, doesn't shock me when I know he's ready to service any bike, any type, any style for any level of rider. One thing about Mark is that he loves all bikes so no need to shy away thinking that Huffy isn't worthy of this shop! Mark welcomes and befriends all riders. When I read or think of bike shop owners, I have an image in my head of what they should be and Mark sets the standard.A true bicycle lover, if it has wheels......

Along with Mark comes his partner Dave. A more quiet serious type guy. I had a chance to speak with the guy and yes, he is serious about bikes. A more hardcore type roadie with a big climbing style. Which is good as it makes the pair an all around knowledgeable shop. One guy raced and knows everything from the Big Rider Clyde needs to the racer while the other knows the specific needs of that super light side of riding and racing.

Of course I have known Mark since the time I started riding. Sadly he has set the standard of what I expect form shop mechanics so I must say that I am quite often disappointed when Mark standards are not met by others. Good in one way as this encouraged me to do my own wrenching. But bad because I often ended up having to make an extra trip to Mark for corrections. But over the years he has often offered good advice that has helped me with my own work. Over the years just thinking that I might be too critical of shop mechanics, I am often reminded that this is not so after each Mark encounter. The guy just reminds me every time why I have followed him around for the last 16 years. He's fixed so many sub par repairs performed by other local shops. I could go into detail about several but the word here is that Mark is a great mechanic. I'll save those other matters for mechanical arguments I encounter when I argue about the tools that every good mechanic should have and use as does mark. As a big rider myself, the biggest issue I have had over the last 16 years are wheel issues. Mark was the first builder to build a set of wheels that lasted more than 2000 miles under my big bod. Again I can argue till I am blue in the face but Mark's superior skills override all debates. Check out the pics below, dishing tool and 2, count them spoke 2 tension meters, 'nuff said!

So anyway, I could talk bikes for hours with Mark but making a video was tough. I had to make 2 parts just to fit in a portion of what we talked about. Always great talking to Mark and looking forward to visiting his shop more in the near future.

Mr. Beanz

Mark's personal shop ride invite to all (Sunday 9/2 at 8 am)

Ride on Sunday 9/2 at 8 am. He's looking to serve food for the riders as a post ride appreciation meal. No fees, no sign ups, just show up and ride. He says he has about 20 riders in for the ride at this time but I figure this video and post might attract a few more. as he says in the video, no need to belong to a club. I believe 2 or 3 groups. Check out the info posted on the Mark and Dave's Bicycle Shop page on Facebook for more details.

Mr. Beanz

Mark & Dave, George

Mr. Beanz

TrojanHorse

Somebody needs to take one of those yellow test saddles and whack the marketing genius who thought up "snake" and "bull" and that other stuff. bah!

I see they have hello kitty bottles... I wonder if they have a hello kitty bell. Hm.

psalm

You wouldn't happen to have a link to their facebook would you?

Mr. Beanz

https://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/...60906467332628

Mr. Beanz

He had some cool stuff in there. Lots of grip colors. I was surprised. I thought I' be walking into a dark closet type shop.

BTW, BF'er Eyemage took his bike for servicing last week and he was not disappointed!

Condorita

A girlfriend spent several years in Okinawa with her Marine husband (since retired after 30), and reports that "Hello Kitty" in Japan is not at all like "Hello Kitty" here in the US. Think "marital aids."

psalm

Looks like a nice ride on Sunday, but I don't think I'd be able to keep up with them.

TrojanHorse

You'll find that the Japanese don't think Okinawa is in Japan. In Tokyo, Hello Kitty is just as cloying and annoying as it is here.

Even so, that little side bar would make for an excellent bell story.

psalm

I thought that was how everyone used it! I must be doing something wrong.

TJClay

Is that the old Cucamonga Wheels shop?

Mr. Beanz

Yup!

jeepseahawk

Wow, used to buy bmx parts there 10 years ago. Hope they do well, seem like some good dudes. Great write-up and interview!

Mr. Beanz

Thanks! Funny, I never even knew there was a bike shop there before Mark and Dave took over.

TJClay

Ya, i used to get BMX stuff for my son there also in the late 90s. I think the owners name was Jim, but not sure on that.

alicestrong

Nice selection! Can't decide between the tatted guy or the older dude. They need a female wrench next...

waldo98

pretty good pictures! definitely have to check the place out in person one of these days

Mr. Beanz

Why ruin a good thing? ...........

Mr. Beanz

They did have much more than I expected.

psalm

Beanz are you riding with them Sunday?

Mr. Beanz

I want to but Gina is not comfy riding with a pack on city streets so I'll have to pass. Gina is in a groove right now as far as riding and I don't want to break that up too much. She can't ride on Saturday because of the grand son's beach bash all day party so if I take away Sunday too, there goes her ride time. We'll more than likely do a 60 on SART. She did so well on the centruy I don't want to back off her mileage to much.

If I could, I'd ride for the food alone!

psalm

So far that is my biggest motivator. Let's see how I feel after Saturday. I might end up riding to my in-laws from GMR. That would put me over 60 miles in the heat, if I actually do it, so we'll see.

Hillbasher

Wait a minute. i know him and he is alwaus disappointed about something. Just kidding Milton.