Good bike shops (Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro: 2009, buying, depreciation)

[Neal2009]

Any cyclists here who can recommend a good bike shop?

I am a beginning road biker who is looking to buy a bike, but want to find a reliable shop. Anyone know a good bike for a 140 pound, 5 foot 8 guy? I am hoping there are some cyclists here who can share their opinions. Ideally I don't want to spend a huge load of money for a bike either.

[Leisesturm]

Where are you? I don't know any of the Downtown shops but I know their branch sites in Beaverton and Hillsboro. I am most often in Bike Gallery. Performance Bike and Bike Gallery are multi-store chains as are Bike 'n Hike and REI. The latter two don't specialize in bikes but are surprisingly comprehensive. What do you consider "a huge load of money" for a bike? You can get a surprising amount of bike for two or three bills. You might consider Craigslist or Police auctions or one of the bike cooperatives. Bicycle maintenance is not rocket science, you can do it yourself. Get a good tool-kit mailorder and a couple of books on bike maintainance, also visit the sheldon brown dot com website. What he doesn't (didn't) know about bicycles is not worth knowing. Welcome to the bike capital of the U.S. There are several independent shops in and around Portland. Don't allow me to focus you on the chain stores. Clever Cycles specializes in workbikes but a visit there will expand your conception of what you thought could or could not be done on or with a bicycle.

H

[PNW-type-gal]

River City, over on the east bank, where the Morrison Bridge comes across. They even have an indoor test track. As you come across the bridge you'll see the metal bicyclists on the roof, just off on your left.

If you go to Bike Gallery on Sandy, make sure you eat at the Vietnamese place right across the street.

[Neal2009]

Originally Posted by Leisesturm

Where are you? I don't know any of the Downtown shops but I know their branch sites in Beaverton and Hillsboro. I am most often in Bike Gallery. Performance Bike and Bike Gallery are multi-store chains as are Bike 'n Hike and REI. The latter two don't specialize in bikes but are surprisingly comprehensive. What do you consider "a huge load of money" for a bike? You can get a surprising amount of bike for two or three bills. You might consider Craigslist or Police auctions or one of the bike cooperatives. Bicycle maintenance is not rocket science, you can do it yourself. Get a good tool-kit mailorder and a couple of books on bike maintainance, also visit the sheldon brown dot com website. What he doesn't (didn't) know about bicycles is not worth knowing. Welcome to the bike capital of the U.S. There are several independent shops in and around Portland. Don't allow me to focus you on the chain stores. Clever Cycles specializes in workbikes but a visit there will expand your conception of what you thought could or could not be done on or with a bicycle.


H

I live close to Terwilliger and Capitol highway. Problem with craigslist is that I don't know if I am getting a good deal or buying a piece of crap. Anyone know how I can find out for sure?

Could I buy a good bike for $250-400? When going to a bike shop I am not even sure where to begin. I am a complete idiot when it comes to bikes. Where I used to live, bike riding was pretty much non existant.

Anyone who I can PM here if I find something and get an opinion? Would surely appreciate it.

Thanks for the tips. Can't wait to start riding, never knew bicycling could be so popular in a place.

[davefr]

Originally Posted by Leisesturm

You might consider Craigslist or Police auctions or one of the bike cooperatives. Bicycle maintenance is not rocket science, you can do it yourself.

+1. Portland Craig's List has a huge number of bikes. I listed a bike this past weekend and within a couple hours there were at least another hundred listings. (it's an absolute buyer's market)

Bike's depreciation is huge. For a budget of $100-200 you can buy some name brand high end bikes that had MSRP's of well over $500. They are often in mint condition too.

If budget is important then do some research and buy on CL. If you don't want the hassle then go to a bike shop. I like Trail's Head Cycle off Hwy 26 and Cornelius Pass Rd.

If you want to learn more about bikes then go to bikeforums.com. From there you'll find tons of other links.

[roneb]

Based on your location, there is a good bike repair shop in Multnomah Village. I'm not sure if they retail bikes or just do service, as that is all I used them for a while back. I think they have expanded recently though, so maybe!

[Minervah]

It isn't in your area but there is a very nice bike shop on the corner of 21st and Hawthorne called Coventry Bikes. It's been there for years and although I don't own a bike, neighbors who do like that store a lot.

[Nell Plotts]

There is a great bike shop on NW Thurman at about 27th. I have no idea if they have used bikes but it is worth a stop and talk.

[Neal2009]

Originally Posted by PNW-type-gal

River City, over on the east bank, where the Morrison Bridge comes across. They even have an indoor test track. As you come across the bridge you'll see the metal bicyclists on the roof, just off on your left.

If you go to Bike Gallery on Sandy, make sure you eat at the Vietnamese place right across the street.

Thanks for recommending this place. The service was fantastic and I bought a new road bike today, albeit for a higher price than I wanted, but I am extremely satisfied. Now I just gotta learn everything there is to know about road bikes, which apparently is quite a lot. Don't even know where to begin

[davefr]

Originally Posted by Neal2009

Don't even know where to begin

Wearing a helmet and obeying the law is a great start!!