celticfrost

Since getting back on the bike a few years years ago life and work have taken me and my bike(s) to LBS's in Boston, LA, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Denver and most recently Austin. I've had hits and misses in most of these places. My latest hit was at Music City Cycles (corner plaza of Parmer & McNeil).

1st thing that my undertrained legs needed to deal w/ hills like Jester, Courtyard, etc was a bigger rear cassette as the smallest gear on my double was a 39*23 and I didn't want to spend the $$ to go to a compact.

Normally, I would have gone online to buy the cheapest 13-29 (I told you I was undertrained) Campy compatible rear cassette I could find and then bum a cassette tool from a friend and at least try to perform the removal and installation myself. But seeing that I'm in a hotel w/out tools and a workstand, I pretty much figured I would have to go to an LBS to get what I needed and that spending a little extra $$ for the cassette (LBS's are usually more expensive than online) and labor was better than buying a workstand and tools -- duh.

After lunch last week I stumbled upon Music City Cycles a few doors down from a Schlotsky's. I walked in and took a stroll around and started getting chatted-up by the owner. No pressure at all and we actually spent the next 20 mins or so talking about old euro racers (think Coppi, Poulidor, Anquetil, etc), local rides, Campy vs. Shimano, etc.. So of course I'm going to buy what I need from this guy. A few days later the cassette arrives (probably for about 5-10 bucks more than I would have paid on eBay, plus shipping). I bring the bike in, Music City installs the new cassette.

Not only was I not charged a penny for labor, but the owner explained to me what he was doing, how he was doing it and things to pay attention to. We talked more about cycling and even had a FRIENDLY conversation about the Lemond vs. Lance crap -- hint: I own 2 Lemonds and the shop owner is native to Austin .

I went back this week as I've been having some front derailleur issues since buying the bike last fall and Music City got the thing dialed in precisely for a measly $10. This is after unsuccessful attempts by the original LBS in Pennsylvania and another one in Denver. I was about to think I just didn't know how to shift a Campy Veloce groupset or that Campy sucked, but now I think I like it more than the Ultegra on my other bike. A "dialed in" groupset is heaven! The owner explained to me Campy specs for chain to crank clearance, chain tension (and how to adjust it), how to adjust my brake calipers on the fly and some other things I've probably already forgot about.

So in conclusion, yeah, Music City Cycles is alright. Go there (corner plaza at Parmer and McNeil) if you need something --- good prices, friendly service and a great mechanic/ owner.

FWIW, I'm a "roadie", but I saw some hybrids and mountain bikes there too.

ravenmore

I live right around the corner from his shop and have gone in a few times. At the time I wasn't impressed with his inventory, but he seems to know his stuff. I've heard their mechanics are top notch though.

celticfrost

Yes, being relatively new, the ON HAND bike inventory is a bit low. I wish people knew more about Masi and Waterford -- Music City sells some good bikes. But don't be too surprised if the choices there get a little more diverse in the future. I'd like to see it happen.