Hey! I'm looking to get into mountain biking and would like some recommendations for bike stores. I am willing to drive a bit if it's a super awesome store maybe Ocean Side. Stores I've been to around my house seem to be more focused on beach cruisers and road bikes. Looking for the typical stuff, good prices, helpful people blah blah blah. Thanks in advance!
Bedlam-
Since you are new to this, make sure to jump on and actually ride as many bikes as you can. I would probably hit these two stores to get the most opportunities in a couple of stores:
Bicycle Warehouse - Giant, DB, Santa Cruz, Intense dealer
Black Mountain Bicycles - Specialized, Fisher, Cannondale dealer
Once you find what fits you, what will match your intended riding style, and price range, then you could expand to specialty stores such as North of the Border.
Bicycle Warehouse - Giant, DB, Santa Cruz, Intense dealer
Black Mountain Bicycles - Specialized, Fisher, Cannondale dealer
Once you find what fits you, what will match your intended riding style, and price range, then you could expand to specialty stores such as North of the Border.
well
I have purchased new bikes and parts from many stores in SD, with names literally from A to Z in the alphabet.
I am not overly concerned with names on bikes, I like to get the best bang for my buck AS WELL as good service. Not just on sale day but returning cutsomer service.
My thoughts and where I would shop:
Trekstore San Diego, both Kearny and La Mesa stores. They gave me a killer deal on a roadie and the return service is incredible. Lots of good guys there. People can bag Trek and the "oversold" name all they want, these guys run a good business and sell quality consumer bikes. They have treated me very well when bringing a bike in for service/ questions etc. If you are "looking to get into" things, this is the place I would recommend.
Also have bought new from Adams Ave. They are good guys, Nate hooked me up there, I don't think he is there any longer. Obviously Adams is a bit smaller market and a bit more of a niche, either way they have helped with parts and gave good words any time I have returned.
Cal Coast. I never purchased a bike from there but have gone in for parts and the like, always very cool and helpful. Good guys, I would purchase new from there if they had something that I was interested in, not a huge Giant fan and I remember them carrying a lot of Giant's as well as some higher end Ells, Ibis etc.
Bike Empire, always at the swap and giving good deals on new equipment. Happy with what I have seen from them. Nice enough guys in a semi-hostile environment (swap meet)
Black Mountain, short experiences, seems like good people.
Never been to North of the border, cannot comment. Haven't been to many of the N county shops, cannot comment.
There are a couple, maybe "pedal pushing" and the "bike peddler" that have older used parts for restorations, lower dollar parts that have been ok along the way.
Trek, Adams, Cal Coast, Empire, all shops I have purchased from and would return to for business. All are unique in their own way and a bit different experience.
I say there are a lot of good bike shops in central san diego, only one I wouldn't return to that I did buy new from and the egotistical *wrench* along with terrible warranty service ruined that one for me. Not named here and I haven't a nice thing to say, so I say nothing at all.
My flamebait:Bedlam- said:
I have purchased new bikes and parts from many stores in SD, with names literally from A to Z in the alphabet.
I am not overly concerned with names on bikes, I like to get the best bang for my buck AS WELL as good service. Not just on sale day but returning cutsomer service.
My thoughts and where I would shop:
Trekstore San Diego, both Kearny and La Mesa stores. They gave me a killer deal on a roadie and the return service is incredible. Lots of good guys there. People can bag Trek and the "oversold" name all they want, these guys run a good business and sell quality consumer bikes. They have treated me very well when bringing a bike in for service/ questions etc. If you are "looking to get into" things, this is the place I would recommend.
Also have bought new from Adams Ave. They are good guys, Nate hooked me up there, I don't think he is there any longer. Obviously Adams is a bit smaller market and a bit more of a niche, either way they have helped with parts and gave good words any time I have returned.
Cal Coast. I never purchased a bike from there but have gone in for parts and the like, always very cool and helpful. Good guys, I would purchase new from there if they had something that I was interested in, not a huge Giant fan and I remember them carrying a lot of Giant's as well as some higher end Ells, Ibis etc.
Bike Empire, always at the swap and giving good deals on new equipment. Happy with what I have seen from them. Nice enough guys in a semi-hostile environment (swap meet)
Black Mountain, short experiences, seems like good people.
Never been to North of the border, cannot comment. Haven't been to many of the N county shops, cannot comment.
There are a couple, maybe "pedal pushing" and the "bike peddler" that have older used parts for restorations, lower dollar parts that have been ok along the way.
Trek, Adams, Cal Coast, Empire, all shops I have purchased from and would return to for business. All are unique in their own way and a bit different experience.
I say there are a lot of good bike shops in central san diego, only one I wouldn't return to that I did buy new from and the egotistical *wrench* along with terrible warranty service ruined that one for me. Not named here and I haven't a nice thing to say, so I say nothing at all.
I have nothing but good things to say about the guys who run the San Diego store near Inn n Out on Santa Fe. A number of times I brought my bike in for some small thing and the guys would just fix it and send me on my way since they knew I bought gear from them. Service department is very good.OhNooo said:
I now live in Oceanside and have actually only been to performance once or twice, everyone was super friendly and helpful each time.
well mountain bike warehouse on L street in chula vista the guy running the store in there is kind of a jack ass i was there before i went to performance bike and i only lasted a couple of minutes, dont get me wrong the bikes are nice but the people there suck!!!
Just go to performance bikes in kerny mesa
Just go to performance bikes in kerny mesa
being new to the sport you need someone with experience who will work with you to find a bike that fits your needs and is in your price range. The boys at North of the Border are the best. They will not BS you and they are not bike snobs. Bike warehouse has good staff and selection in both locations. I reccomend going there to test a few bikes and then go to Mike at North of the Border and he will almost certainly get you a better deal on a bike with similar specs. He has saved me lots of money and he usually gives first time customers a good deal to get them to come back.
I don't know, but maybe it's the one Chuck at Pacific Coast Cycles used to own. He said he was thinking of selling it about a year ago. It was beautiful alright.sandmangts said:
Back on topic, in North County -- Chuck at PCC and Fred in Leucadia are good folks, but for beginning biker I second Bicycle Warehouse in Vista/O'side. They have a Giant demo day coming up at Calavera. For higher end bikes, Cary at Bike Bling in Escondido is great.
I'm averse to Performance, preferring local owners, but no complaints otherwise. If you're thinking Specialized, I do not recommend Alan's in O'side. Trek in Vista has been having great prices on '08 demo bikes, if any left.
So many people recommending NOTB, I'm going to have to stop in next time I'm down that way just to check 'em out!
I hadn't heard of the Marin Alpine Trail, but just looked it up. I think it's a good bike and good deal in that price range for a beginning mtn biker. If you had more to spend I might recommend something else, but it compares very favorably to the GT, Giant, & Diamondback base models that you'll find at Bicycle Warehouse and Performance (I think it's better looking too...most people won't admit it, but that matters). It compares pretty well to Trek & Specialized -- but you ought to look at the Specialized Hardrock or Rockhopper. Definitely shop around and ride several, but you may have found your bike already. And, it's at the shop that a lot of people recommend.Bedlam- said:
The performance in San Marcos is good. I actually work with the managers dad. They have a good knowledgable staff I just don't care for the brands they carry.OldDogDan said:
Mike and Doug at NOTB are just the best. Mike has often showed me how to fix my own bike. He showed me how to properly install an XT crankset and he let me watch him service my Fox fork. I was building a bike for my wife and mentioned needing a fork and he gave me a nice older Manitou that worked perfect and was probably worth 80 bucks on ebay. I needed a tire and forgot my wallet so he just invoiced me and let me take the tire. I also heard a rumour that he might be selling Turner bikes soon!
I really can't say it with enough enthusiasm. NOTB is the absolute best!
Yeah they guy I was talking to at NOTB, I want to say Dave or Dan said Marins kinda have a stigma about them because the lower ends are sold in REI and Sports Chalet but they have good bikes. I'm probably going to buy a bike around summer I need to make sure I have enough money to carry me through, so I have some time to look around.OldDogDan said:
i have shopped at most of the bike shops in the central San Diego area. I put up reviews of them on MTBRs shop review. For service i have to agree with the above post about NOTB, by far the best mechanic I have used. As far as parts, i usually go to Bicycle Warehouse since its down the street from my house, and the guys in there are great, and their mechs are good (used to be great till i discovered NOTB's uber-ness).
I have not been to Zumwalts yet, but have always heard great things.
I have not been to Zumwalts yet, but have always heard great things.
Eric at Zumwalts - This place is great; I trust his work and always leave with a smile on my face.
David at Soul Cycles - A Great new shop in RSD. David has never let me miss a weekend of riding. I will continue to take my bike there for service. Also has a great selection of parts and frames. I really like this store!
Joe at BRC - Joe has been very helpful with it comes to service. If i need something fast he can do it. Im not sure how that shop is doing, not carrying much inventory lately
David at Soul Cycles - A Great new shop in RSD. David has never let me miss a weekend of riding. I will continue to take my bike there for service. Also has a great selection of parts and frames. I really like this store!
Joe at BRC - Joe has been very helpful with it comes to service. If i need something fast he can do it. Im not sure how that shop is doing, not carrying much inventory lately
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