Well now that the seasons over.....

[sabresfaninthesouth]

Sine we're talking upstate bike shops, can anyone let me know of any small town shops that have been in business for a looooong time?

When I travel I like to visit old shops and ask to dig through their old stock. I sometimes find some real gems and hard to find old parts. I will be upstate end of July. Between Ithaca and Rochester, then over across the falls into Canada.


same question for Western Ontario, actually.

I guess that depends what you consider a long time. It's been Eric's for probably 15 years or so. It was a bike shop before that too but under a different name. I would assume there was an ownership change at some point, but they may have sold all the stock too.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

I guess that depends what you consider a long time. It's been Eric's for probably 15 years or so. It was a bike shop before that too but under a different name. I would assume there was an ownership change at some point, but they may have sold all the stock too.

I will check that place out along with Burts (That Mall said) I hear them advertise on the radio a bit so they must be kinda big.

 

[dash]

Since this thread has morphed somewhat into the bike thread, aside from going to a specialty bike shop (which I agree is the way to go), any advice on brands specifically road/touring bikes that people like, dislike? My wife wants a new bike for her birthday.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Since this thread has morphed somewhat into the bike thread, aside from going to a specialty bike shop (which I agree is the way to go), any advice on brands specifically road/touring bikes that people like, dislike? My wife wants a new bike for her birthday.

Good question dash. When I was a kid Schwinn [sp] was the one to get. Maybe they're still in business I'm not sure. The other one was Raleigh I think.

 

[mall3013]

Good question dash. When I was a kid Schwinn [sp] was the one to get. Maybe they're still in business I'm not sure. The other one was Raleigh I think.

I've been out of biking for a couple of years now. Canadale ( spelling?) Mongoose are just a couple I can think of for a decent mountain bike. Schwinn I believe is still around. I think GT makes a few bikes.

 

[geneh_33]

Work, work and more work. I work two jobs now, on call for one more and got another one coming.

During the day I'm an accountant, at night and on weekends I am THE security officer.

I used to play softball, too old for that crap now, though. Now I just watch sports.

 

[forty_three]

I've got a town for you my friend. It's East Aurora NY about 20 SE of Buffalo easy to get to. They have an original five and dime store and a place called the Roycroft Inn. You could easily spend the whole day in that town. Very cool! Here is the site to Vidlers Five and Ten store. Welcome to Vidlers 5 & 10

Here is the site to the Roycroft Inn. You WILL NOT be disappointed. The Roycroft Inn

Edit: Not sure if you're talking just bic shops. But this town in worth the visit. It's 20 min from Buffalo and 45 min to the Falls. Most of it expressway driving.

Sounds like my kinda place. Thanks Boss

I guess that depends what you consider a long time. It's been Eric's for probably 15 years or so. It was a bike shop before that too but under a different name. I would assume there was an ownership change at some point, but they may have sold all the stock too.

The parts of most interest to me are mid - late 80's for BMX and early mountain bike days. I like little old mom and pop shops that have been there forever. There is one in NW Ohio that a buddy of mine was talking to the owner and found out the owner's grandfather opened the place and put anything that didn't sell in a barn on their farm. The guy is selling all of it in one lump sum to my buddy. Bikes new in boxes from the 60's.

Since this thread has morphed somewhat into the bike thread, aside from going to a specialty bike shop (which I agree is the way to go), any advice on brands specifically road/touring bikes that people like, dislike? My wife wants a new bike for her birthday.

Road bikes like drop handlebar many speed bikes? I am partial to Felt, Masi and Fuji. But the dirty secret about road bikes is the frame doesn't matter. It's the components that they build them with. Shimano, SRAM and Campagnolo are the three main manufacturers. And they have different levels of quality and price accordingly. It's the shifters, derailleurs chainwheels and brakes/levers.

Here are the Shimano component groups in increasing order of quality (Top of list - lowest price):

2300 (8-speed)
Sora (9-speed)
Tiagra (9-speed)
105 (10-speed)
Ultegra (10-speed)
Dura-Ace (10-speed)

I wouldn't go with anything less than Tiagra for a bike that's going to be ridden a lot. My bike has Ultegra components on it. The Sora stuff is okay, but can be somewhat annoying to work on. The bikes in Sports Authority, etc have 2300 components. And they are a BITCH to work on and fall out of adjustment fast.

Here are two of my secrets:
Save Up To 60% Off Road Bikes, Bicycles, Mountain Bikes and Bicycles with Bikesdirect.com, New with full warranties
City Grounds | Custom Fixed Gear Bikes, Commuter Bikes, Road Bikes, Urban Cycling Gear & More

Ridiculous prices on completes, but you'd need to add 40 or so for a shop to assemble. It's worth it.

This is my bike - 2012 model though.
http://www.gtbicycles.com/prt/2013/bikes/road/performance-1/gtr-series-1

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Raleigh is still around (in canada anyways)

I got a Diamondback Recoil comp mountain bike for cheap 3 years ago ... solid bike, little heavy because its a chunky frame but id pay regular for another one if i was in the market now

 

[dash]

^

I was hoping you'd ride in er chime in with some info...Mucho appreciated 43

 

[geneh_33]

What do you mean NOW that the season's over? It's been over since late April! I mean, that's gotta be why the Flyers didn't go to any sort of playoffs, right?

Are you sure the season in over? I aint never seen the day the Flyers weren't in the playoffs.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Thanks for the info 43 and jstew. Good stuff and man you guy's know your bic's !

 

[forty_three]

Raleigh is still around (in canada anyways)

I got a Diamondback Recoil comp mountain bike for cheap 3 years ago ... solid bike, little heavy because its a chunky frame but id pay regular for another one if i was in the market now

Yeah, there's really only about 8 bike manufacturers in the world. Diamond Back, Raliegh, Cervelo, Lapierre and Redline are all one company. One of my friends just bought a Raliegh and it is awesome.

GT, Schwinn (Bike shop - not dept store), Fuji, SE, Iron Horse, and Scattante are all one company.

That's why the frame doesn't matter very much. My GT Frame is the exact same as three other GT models, several Fuji and Scattante bikes too. The difference is how they paint them and outfit them.

 

[jstewismybastardson]

Thanks for the info 43 and jstew. Good stuff and man you guy's know your bic's !

Naw 43 is the expert

I walked into a sportchek and was gonna buy the bike i bought for $1100. Decided id check online and it was $900 usd$ in the states, then my mominlaw told me direct buy sold bikes ... $500 ... Nice markup retailers

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Naw 43 is the expert

I walked into a sportchek and was gonna buy the bike i bought for $1100. Decided id check online and it was $900 usd$ in the states, then my mominlaw told me direct buy sold bikes ... $500 ... Nice markup retailers

OUCH!! That had to hurt !

 

[jstewismybastardson]

OUCH!! That had to hurt !

No no ... I got it through direct buy fpr $500

 

[JustAsking]

Mickey Mouse club, play-doh, building blocks, chase....

Then it's up to my daughter (will be 2 in August) what she wants to do...

Stay at home dad is the greatest, for real.

 

[BOSSMANPC]

Mickey Mouse club, play-doh, building blocks, chase....

Then it's up to my daughter (will be 2 in August) what she wants to do...

Stay at home dad is the greatest, for real.

I just had four days chasing my grandsons 14 mo and 4 yo around and it's a job ! Then again you're probably younger than I.

 

[forty_three]

Naw 43 is the expert

I walked into a sportchek and was gonna buy the bike i bought for $1100. Decided id check online and it was $900 usd$ in the states, then my mominlaw told me direct buy sold bikes ... $500 ... Nice markup retailers

The prime time to buy is January online. I got my GT for like 60% less than retail at the time. No one buys in January, and the new models come out so they clear last year's models out.

 

[mall3013]

Forty-three. This was one of the bike shops I was referring about in the Rochester area. It's pretty close to the Fairport exit ( Rochester,NY). If you happen to be traveling that way, I definitely recommend stopping by to check it out.
http://www.towpathbike.com/?fullsite=true

 

[elocomotive]

lots of soccer and golf for me.. that usually takes up 3-4 days during the week

My ankles are so fucked from years of soccer that I had to give it up a few years ago, but definitely lots of golf this summer. Might actually go to Alabama in the fall to do the Robert Trent Jones golf trail.

I'm trying to learn about and do more with time lapse photography this summer.

And, as always, searching for future ex-girlfriends.