Fave Bike stores in LA?
Thread started by
sinaphile at 07.5.09 - 7:04 pm
So I'm pretty new to the bike world, but I adore it, and i could use some suggestions from y'all. You seem to be the knowledgeable types, so...what are your favorite bike shops in town and why? Totally appreciate any and all help in advance! Thanks!
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Bike Kitchen / Bike Oven / Bikerowave - All great places to work on your bike and find used parts.
Performance Cycles (Santa Monica) / Wheel World (Culver City) - they match prices, and have a pretty decent stock
L.A. Bicycles - on Hoover by USC - good small bike shop, great prices, decent stock of complete used bikes.
JB responding to a
comment by Thegirlinglass
07.5.09 - 9:18 pm
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Bike Factory in Van Nuys (Burbank/Woodman) 'cause Morey is the MASTER at fixing any bike anything, and his prices are low, great place to get parts or work at a great price.
Also El Maestro in DTLA (8th/Main), cuz those guys are awesome too.
kryxtanicole responding to a
comment by JB
07.5.09 - 9:23 pm
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is was going to mention the co-op shops too becuase those are amazing!!!, but i decided to go with a store for a newbie to the area
Thegirlinglass responding to a
comment by JB
07.5.09 - 9:33 pm
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Awesome....I actually am sorta familiar with the co-op stuff, but was curious about store options for stuff like lights, etc. These are great starting points! Much appreciated!!!
sinaphile07.5.09 - 9:49 pm
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LA Brakeless baby...those boys are rad and friendly. They don't bullshit you like other unmentionable shops here that over price, they think they know everything, when really they don't know jack shit:D
puglife07.5.09 - 9:56 pm
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So hard to find good, local shops these days.
bentstrider responding to a
comment by puglife
07.5.09 - 10:25 pm
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Bent-up cycles in Van Nuys.
Richard's cyclery in Garden grove
people Movers in Orange
Bicycle workshop in Santa Monica
These are the only bike shops in town that sell recumbents!
bentrider07.5.09 - 11:07 pm
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Beverly Hills Bike Shop, in Beverly Hills...
Gav07.5.09 - 11:27 pm
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I am going to give props to Josef @ Flying Pigeon. Yeah it's not you conventional shop, but he has ordered me stuff and is way cool. Next door to the oven.
Foldie07.5.09 - 11:36 pm
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COCO VARIATY(sic) its a cool shop on glendale and riverside.4 eclectic people
louisiana07.6.09 - 1:33 pm
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BIKE FACTORY - Woodman and Burbank. The final say on repairs, as well as the Official Sponsor of 818 Bike Polo.
JOKER07.6.09 - 1:45 pm
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I'm a fan of Coco's Variety because of his omnipresent range of reconditioned bikes at reasonable prices.
Orange 20 has the type of stuff you usually only get to see online - as result I've blown a healthy chunk of cash over the last year on bars, saddle, lights, etc. there. Just being able to touch the things I've read about and researched was cool.
I run Flying Pigeon LA, but I think the shop could use some improvement! I'm always trying to bend over backwards for customers, but it's tough to always do a good job when you're running a one-man operation. I'll keep trying. I don't know how Paul at Atomic does it, but props to him for being a one-man bike shop.
ubrayj0207.6.09 - 1:50 pm
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Again, impressive lists of good shops that all seem to back their shit up.
The only two shops near me just like to talk shit and take money.
bentstrider07.6.09 - 1:50 pm
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I always go to Helen's on Lincoln. Dude Eric who works there is always willing to shoot the shit and he hooks me up well every time.
My best recommendation is to go to the closest bike shop and get to know a few of the people who work there. Usually they are happy to give you 10-20% discount ;)
jonnyboy07.6.09 - 1:51 pm
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O yeah Atomic Cycles sorry I almost forget about that guy he is THE MAN for repairs and Old school rides. Very talented fella, champion tall bike builder too.
JOKER07.6.09 - 1:54 pm
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Flying Pigeon LA
3714 N. Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90042
213-909-8986
Store Hours
W-F 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
CLOSED ON MON & TUES
S-Sun 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Foldie responding to a
comment by louisiana
07.6.09 - 3:27 pm
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And the oven(Bicycle oven) is right next door. Literally.
Alfredo responding to a
comment by Foldie
07.6.09 - 5:28 pm
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I though I was the official POLO MECHANIC, or was that just for 818 BLACK.
parlorbikes responding to a
comment by JOKER
07.6.09 - 5:37 pm
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The Oven and Flying Pigeon LA, as mentioned.
Also R.B. Bicycle Shop in South El Monte has been awfully good to me and some of my friends.
alicestrong07.6.09 - 6:15 pm
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I've always felt that orange 20 is an over priced snobs paradise.
My personal fav. has got to be Budget bicycles in Eagle rock. Very friendly and very knowligable staff. Budget prices are offerd!.
Debut213 responding to a
comment by alicestrong
07.6.09 - 6:26 pm
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i like atomic cycles, used parts wheeeee!
66607.6.09 - 6:32 pm
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My favorite so far has to be Primos. For me its good cause I only work 2 days a week and can only afford 200 dollar bikes. When I wrecked my rim. He rebuilt me a new one in a hour for 47 bucks. So that was really good for my broke ass. I've been to LAB and Orange20 all the workers are hella dope. And prices are good I'm just broke ^_^. There are a couple more shops around like Primos. But you gotta look around.
eldente responding to a
comment by 666
07.6.09 - 6:55 pm
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Gota give a nod to Jone's Bicycle, which so happens to be on that green race track we have now in LB. Those guys were able to do a repair once I brought it in. Everybody else was "drop it off, we'll call ya". Not only that, they were way cheaper than the other shops.
Richard's Cyclery also gets a nod, Richard is a very knowledgeable dude.
For tires, tubes, and acc., hard to beat Performance Bikes. Especially if you get the crap on sale.
User107.6.09 - 7:26 pm
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I like Coco's too. The employees are really nice, and I see some of them on rides occasionally. Them and Echo Park Cycles are my LBS, but I've only been to EPC once. Support your LBS.
imachynna07.6.09 - 9:20 pm
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my LBS is overpriced, so i trust paul at atomic cycles and josef at flying pigeon with anything bike related.
i am guilty of going to performance bike for their deals.
coldcut07.6.09 - 9:25 pm
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Got to give it up to my Homies @ Metropolis in NoHo. Cool staff and they have just about everything you want or need for your bike.
2zRescue07.7.09 - 1:57 am
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That's just cause where you live SUCKS! Hahaha. ;)
imachynna responding to a
comment by coldcut
07.7.09 - 2:04 am
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I admit, I mostly go to my LBS because I bought a MTB from them so now I get free tune ups and it's walking distance from my home, that's always a plus.
Gav07.7.09 - 2:14 am
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EPC is also my LBS and those dudes are super nice and knowledgeable. If they don't have a part you're looking for, they will order it or send you to another place. They like to mess around with people so don't be surprised if you get a little, they're just being friendly.
petzljake07.8.09 - 10:44 am
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I love all my LBSs
Orange 20 - I have had great luck there, even when it was a lil shack. God stuff + good service. They have a higher percentage of women working than most shops in L.A. They love bikes and bike culture and exist to get more people riding for transportation.
Echo Park Cycles - Off the beaten path (but across the street from one of my workpaces)
This place is 100% pure L.A. soul. they have limited hours, cause during the day they they are earning a living as bike messengers
Both EP Cycles and O20 give a lot back to the community!
Safety Bicycles - This is the first place I ever bought bike stuff in L.A.
They have lots of Daihon bikes, and some oddities not carried in a lot of shops in the area. Bench time seems less espensive than other shops and the work is decent. And they seem very fair.
Routes - This is a funky little shop in little tokyo (in the space shuttle plaza). They have saved my ass a few times, including let me "rent" a bike for a few hours when my cranks failed and I needed a steed for a Bicycle Bell Ensemble rehearsal.
Bad experiences?
There is that shop with the cranky old dude in glendale/ atwater village.
My friend told him that I road midnight ridazz and the guy basically said I was going to die or get hurt.
trickmilla07.8.09 - 11:04 am
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trickmilla, where do you work? That's all residential pretty much. Besides Ronin and FIX, there's only the closed salon across the street. Unless you work at the mart, in which case, can we be friends and can you expand the already fairly expansive beer selection?
petzljake07.8.09 - 11:10 am
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Whats the Bicycle Bell Ensemble ? It sounds really cool!
buckchin responding to a
comment by trickmilla
07.8.09 - 11:15 am
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In pasadena it seems the best bike shop is Open Road Bicycle Shop on sierra madre blvd. only been there once but the guy was really cool. And every one i know swears by them.
buckchin07.8.09 - 11:18 am
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i work at an artist studio right acoss the from the ep food mart.
i can't improve their beer selection, but we can still be friends.
trickmilla responding to a
comment by petzljake
07.8.09 - 11:50 am
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Orange 20 - they seem to stock all the must have and exotic bits.
Echo Park Cycles - Reminds me of the old Orange 20 cozy feel.
Two Wheeler Dealer in Brea. Look for B,
I like Incycle too. They have a huge inventory.
Find and support a local bike shop (LBS). It will take a few visits before they know you. But when they do, you might get really good deals. Sometimes the best deals are not on the floor but some of the take-offs they get when people upgrade.
sc_nomad07.8.09 - 12:41 pm
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I'm not familliar with any bike shops on this thread other than the ones i'm chill with.
Bikecology - Torrance, CA
Carson Schwinn - Carson, CA
Noble Experiment07.8.09 - 8:23 pm
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Echo park cycles is my favorite lbs everr!!!
Yeah even though they don't carry stuff you see in 020 they'll have no problem ording it for you.
About 2 weeks ago I went to replace my b.b and they saw that my headset was loose and replaced the bearings and regreased it for free(and they didn't charge me for them to install the bottom bracket as well)
madmike07.8.09 - 8:30 pm
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EPC is my LBS and I recommend them. Nicest people around who won't steal your $ or BS you or treat you like a dumbass for asking questions.
eric07.8.09 - 9:27 pm
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I'm really glad I asked! I got so much info here! thanks guys!
sinaphile07.8.09 - 9:29 pm
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I'm a big fan of Cynergy in Santa Monica. Everyone there really knows their bikes, and the mechanics are the only ones I trust for more technical repairs on my racing bike I'm too busy to take on. They mostly sell specialized brand bikes and accessories, which is great if you are looking for specialized stuff (love their diverse anatomical saddle line up). I got fitted there by Steven Carr who is really good. I've been considering joining their racing team now that I am getting more serious about it and would love to always have a discount there.
GarySe7en07.8.09 - 9:33 pm
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There are 3 bikes in my house. They all came from Topanga Creek Bicycles (formerly Hollywood Pro). They're not the cheapest in town, but they carry excellent bikes and they always make me BBQ when I go up there.
Bicycle John's in Burbank is a good shop, as well as Incycle in Pasadena.
I purchased a bike from I. Martin once. They were really overpriced & rude. At least that was my experience there.
Performance is like the Guitar Center of bike shops...if GC only sold Squiers.
hatehills07.8.09 - 9:35 pm
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I bought my bike at Junky Rusty Bikes in north long beach.
$40 for the frame (beautiful early 80s mixtie), $60 for parts (tires, tubes, chain, and cables) and a chain tool.
Awesome store if you can work on your own, they always have a bunch of frames in various conditions, even a few that they've fixed up themselves.
rdc07.8.09 - 10:18 pm
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You fu's are all tripping ORANGE 20 Hands DOWn! Best Bike Shop in LA!
skano07.8.09 - 11:57 pm
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Oh yeah and Cynergy in Santa Monica for Roadies!
skano07.8.09 - 11:58 pm
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Orange 20 rocks, they've never seemed overpriced or snobby to me. Nice stuff and good service costs money. Cheap crap = false economy.
cabhauler07.9.09 - 1:45 am
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I loved the old Hollywood Pro Cycles, is it pretty much the same store? It's too bad they moved, I can't imagine that they are able to help very many commuters and practical cyclists from that location.
I think the nature of bike stores is that you will occasionally hit them on a bad day or draw the one jerk who works there. Just staying in business is tough for them, so I'm willing to be forgiving.
cabhauler responding to a
comment by hatehills
07.9.09 - 1:50 am
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Orange 20 is one of the best bike shops you can go too.
They are always helpful, and can order you anything you'd like. The cater to every cycling community out there, and always help out the community.
I know at times the place is crowded and they are overwhelmed with questions but if your patient and come back they are more than happy to help..
I love you guise!!
feelingrandy07.9.09 - 10:00 am
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Orange 20 on Heliotrope and Melrose and Geo's Bike shop on Pico and Alvarado.
adictpunk0407.12.09 - 5:14 pm
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Sorry, I didn't see this reply back when you posted it...
They are the same great shop. I'd even say friendlier now that they're in such a beautiful setting. They were pretty done with the whole fixie/urban thing. Now their main business seems to be mountain bikes and setting up tourers.
hatehills responding to a
comment by cabhauler
07.13.09 - 12:21 pm
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RE: Junky Rusty Bikes in north long beach.
This spot is cool, but if you don't know about bikes BEWARE!!! They will straight tax you!!! I seen some man get ripped off trying to get his son a gear bike... This store has that reputation with people I know..
vampo responding to a
comment by rdc
07.13.09 - 1:23 pm
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Good to know. Hollywood Pro Cycles had always been into practical cycling and touring, but that kind of cycling is more likely to be in the middle of the city instead of coastal hills.
I would think their move was spurred by wanting to appeal more to the affluent locals ready to spring for high-end road bikes. I have no problem with them doing that since it's really hard to make a buck in the bike business. The last time I was in there I test-rode a BMC.
cabhauler responding to a
comment by hatehills
07.13.09 - 2:02 pm
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Echo Park Cycles is my new favorite. Go there!
Graham07.13.09 - 2:06 pm
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The only Shop I'll let touch my bike is Wheel world in woodland hills. I have had very bad experiences at other shops (that will remain nameless). But those horrible experiences are why I took classes and learned how to repair most my own shit.
thegodofthor07.13.09 - 2:16 pm
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Beverly Hills Bike Shop on Robertson Blvd. Estephan is an outstanding mechanic. He's the only one I trust to work on my road bike. I just dropped off my new bike there to be built up.
Orange20 has tons of eye candy but its hard to justify buying there when it can be snatched online for 20% less.
Bike Kitchen taught me how to work on my bikes and build up my fixed geared machines. That's priceless!
indigis07.14.09 - 6:41 pm
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What I don't like about i. Martin and Orange 20 is that they make me feel like I'm out shopping at the mall.
Gav07.14.09 - 7:14 pm
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Even more at Helens
Gav07.14.09 - 7:16 pm
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i miss hollywood pro. great people. reasonable rates for parts and repairs. quality work.
i bought a new bianchi from beverly hills bike shop a couple years back. they were really nice and helpful in every way without pressuring me. i felt like i chose the bike, they didn't sell it to me.
eric07.15.09 - 11:59 pm
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The guys over at Palms Cycle (3770 Motor Ave. Los Angeles CA, 90034
just north of Venice Blvd) are really helpful and will do their best to help you out/find the parts you want in your price range.
I also frequent LA Brakeless (12220 Venice Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90066) everyone is super rad and will order you the parts you want. plus that store is basically like a candy store.
unlevelLA07.21.09 - 1:55 pm
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they have a early shop ride on sunday mornings at 8am i think. I doing it this weekend.
madmelo07.21.09 - 3:51 pm
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