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Bike Shops in Austin - Best for Seniors?

Old 11-26-08, 11:22 AM
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Bike Shops in Austin - Best for Seniors?

Hello all. After almost 50 years of not being on a bike, I've decided to make the plunge once again. Mostly for health reasons, even with some physical limitations. So what do I want? Well, I'd like to query those of you in the Austin Tx area as to the best Bike shop to go to for a proper fit for a 63 year old. I'm looking for a starter bike for now, one that will just get me on the roads of austin, not too hilly a terrain, mostly street biking with maybe some off road trails eventually. I want to feel the air in my face again lol.

Any help is appreciated. Looking forward to being on the road again and hearing what you have to say. and Thanks in advance.

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Old 11-27-08, 06:37 PM
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Hi Blove...great question...not sure any shop positions themself to serve this market...however, I can recommend some shops that I believe would treat right someone who has been off the bike for a few short years () and could use some personal guidance in finding the right set of wheels. I'd check out Bicycle Sport Shop; there is a location on South Lamar near Barton Creek Blvd and one off of 183 north of the Container Store. You might not get the absolute lowest price with them -- and for you this probably won't matter much given that I assume you will buy in a relatively lower price point (so, difference between one shop and another on a sub $1000 bike is gonna be maybe $10-$50) -- but they will stand behind their products and take care of you, period.

Another place to check out -- and this might surprise some folks -- is Mellow Johnny's, Lance's shop, which I believe is at 4th & Nueces. I believe they would treat you right here as well. They are having a sale on Friday and Saturday -- some other shops might also be having sales (given the economy)...here are some examples I got in an email from them:

Mountain
2008 Trek 8000 Reg $1759?Sale $1150
2008 Trek Fuel Ex 9.5 Reg $6159 Sale $3899
Gary Fisher Hi Fi Plus 29?er Reg $2199 Sale $1350

Road
2008 Trek 1.2T Reg $769 Sale $569
2008 Trek 4.5T WSD Reg $2139 Sale $1399
2008 Pinarello Prince Frame 55cm Reg $4999 Sale $3400
2008 Trek Madone 6.9 Pro Reg $8250 Sale $5299

City
Trek Lime Reg $589 Sale $389
Trek Wasabi SS Cruiser Reg $339 Sale $220
Trek Soho 1.0 Reg $699 Sale $459

I've also heard very good things about Buck's Bikes, which is also off of 183, near Oak Knoll.

One thing to keep in mind: you might experience sticker shock. I believe there are lots of good bikes for anyone's budget; so, try not to freak out when you see the prices.

If you have other questions, feel free to pm me and I'm happy to help.
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Old 11-30-08, 08:05 AM
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I'm 53 and was just in Austin as part of a cross-country ride. I contacted Bicycle Sport Shop via email while en route and received several prompt, courteous, and informative replies from the shop owner himself (Hill Abell). When I got to town I visited their shop, which is enormous and staffed with expert professionals. They took great care of me and I highly recommend them to anyone. They'll be my first stop for any cycling needs whenever I'm in or near Austin.
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Old 12-01-08, 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by smoline
I'm 53 and was just in Austin as part of a cross-country ride. I contacted Bicycle Sport Shop via email while en route and received several prompt, courteous, and informative replies from the shop owner himself (Hill Abell). When I got to town I visited their shop, which is enormous and staffed with expert professionals. They took great care of me and I highly recommend them to anyone. They'll be my first stop for any cycling needs whenever I'm in or near Austin.
Thanks for the recommendation Smoline. Bicycle Sport Shop has gotten most of the votes so think I'll try to get over there in the next week or two.

I do appreciate all the responses I've had from others as well. Will post how the 'shopping' goes.

For Boston Garden,

I missed the sale at Mellow Johnny's but some of the prices on the bikes looked good to me. Hopefully I will be able to catch another sale either there or at the Bicycle sport Shop. Will take a look at both be4 I buy though, just to see who gives me the best 1st impression ....thanks again to all.


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Old 12-01-08, 07:45 PM
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Just bought a couple of tubes at BSS on Saturday; always fun to walk around in there...went to Mellow Johnny's on Friday just to window shop and it seemed pretty quiet...wouldn't be surprised to learn that the prices on the bikes remain dropped for the winter...
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Old 12-05-08, 12:42 PM
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Depending what part of town you're in, once you make your purchase, you might want to begin your fitness and skills (shifting) development down at the veloway off South Mopac. You get to focus on your riding without worrying about traffic. From town, south on Mopac, left on LaCross (follow signs for Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center). Dirt parking lot on your left.
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Old 12-08-08, 08:45 AM
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dstrong, tks for the tip. I live in SW Austing about 4 miles from there. Will check it out. Have been test riding my son's bike - a "crosstrainer" forget the name but nice ride. I'm thinking it's what I'll wind up with. Anyway, have decided to wait till after Christmas...to much family to buy for LOL..Will stay in touch and tks to all who have responded. Will let you all know what I finally wind up purchasing. Thanks all and Merry Christmas to all.
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Old 08-12-09, 09:19 AM
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Hey all, thought I'd update my thread and let you know that I'm still around. Just purchased my first bike in 40+years. I wound up with a Raleigh, Venture 3.0 Comfort bike with a 20" framel. I got it last Saturday (8th of Aug). Got it from ATX Bicycles at the corner of MoPAC and Slaughter Lane. Neat little shop close to home. The guys there were great and spent some time fitting me and answering all my questions.

Have only put 10 miles on it so far. The heat here is Austin, TX has just been unreasonable..but I try to ride at least 30 mins every other day. I can't believe how much difference there is between this new bike and the 9 YO bike I was riding that belongs to my son. More later as I progress to one of those "century" rides someday LOL...hey guy has to dream right? LOL

bye for now

Last edited by blove; 08-12-09 at 09:23 AM.
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Old 08-12-09, 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by blove
I got it last Saturday (8th of Aug). Got it from ATX Bicycles at the corner of MoPAC and Slaughter Lane. Neat little shop close to home. The guys there were great and spent some time fitting me and answering all my questions.
Hey, that's my home turf too! I like to ride from my house to ATX on Sendera/Copano/Latta. It's a very gentle uphill slope that goes for 3 miles, good for exercise, then coming home it's coasting downhill all the way, good for "cooling off" (I put that in quotes because of the temperatures this summer).

ATX built me up a wheel last month and it's been trouble free. I think the guys at the shop commute on their bikes, too.
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Old 08-12-09, 10:35 AM
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"unreasonable" is one way to describe the heat this summer. "Brutal", "Unbearable" are others.

Have you guys explored Escarpment? From ATX, you can head up to Davis Lane and pick up Escarpment on the other side of Mopac. Nice wide bike lane, not too many lights and gentle inclines each way. I use it to get down to the Veloway when I make that my turn-around point, so I haven't done the stretch between LaCross and 45 (where it ends). For some reason, the stretch between La Cross and Slaughter coming back is always a joy. It's slightly uphill but I always feel like I'm really in rhythm in that stretch and that I'm going faster than I should be. Then the reality of Wm Cannon up to SW Pkwy hits, followed by the need to ride through Barton Creek (ugh).
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Old 08-12-09, 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by dstrong
"unreasonable" is one way to describe the heat this summer. "Brutal", "Unbearable" are others.

Have you guys explored Escarpment?
After brutal and unbearable comes "How much more can we take". What do ya wanna bet it hits 106 today? I'm riding to the Performance Bike on South Lamar as soon as I finish posting!

Yeah, Escarpment is great for bikes. It's a little hilly in places but that's the whole point of exercise, isn't it. My ten mile recreational loop is 5 miles uphill via Brush Country -> One Oak -> Woodcreek -> Wheeler Branch -> Abilene -> Escarpment -> Ice cream shop (ha) then coast home 5 miles downhill via Slaughter mostly on the sidewalk (no bike lane) -> Sendera Mesa -> Copano -> Latta.
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Old 08-17-09, 06:50 AM
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Hey guys, all these bike routes sound great! Gonna have to try some of them. I live in Shady hollow down off Brodie, south of Slaughter. Haven't ventured out of the neighborhood yet. I ride various routes inside the area, that only total about 3.5 miles..I try to do it every other day...some hills, some flat (mostly flat)...finding I'm able to do more each time I ride. One of these weekends I'm gonna take off and just see how far I can go. Maybe I'll see you on the trails sometime.
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Old 08-17-09, 09:56 PM
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Well blove, it won't be long before the Veloway is within your cycling range. Rumor has it that the Veloway has a back entrance behind Bowie High School that can be used on weekends and after 4:30 PM on school days.

https://www.veloway.com/

I think there's a neighborhood route to Bowie H. S. so you can avoid Slaughter Lane entirely.

This weekend I rode on the stretch of Escarpment from Slaughter to Hwy 45 that dstrong mentioned, and it was very nice.

See ya out there!
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