Latest issue of Bicycling Magazine (gasp) has an article about a successful shop owner with 3 shops in the DC area but I can not recall the name of the shop.

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Revolution in Georgetown have a good reputation. Revolution also has a shop in NoVa. I've had a pretty mixed experience with City Bikes.

A friend of mine bought a Cervelo a few years ago at AAA bikes in Damascus, but that's a bit out of your way.

josef

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Josef
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The major dedicated tri shop in the area is Bonzai Sports in Falls Church. Good bike selection for sure, although I haven't used them as a shop. Closer in to DC, look at Big Wheel Bikes for a solid bike selection, and Capitol Hill Bikes doesn't have quite the same tri selection, but it's a good shop with good staff.

Bike shops in Northern Virginia,

Plum Grove Cyclery in Leesburg (for road), they do carry Elite bikes for tri though.

Tri-nergy Multisport in Sterling (for tri),

both have very skilled and knowledgeable people. I trust them them both.

BigWheelBikes has a nice selection, including Cervelo, and has 4 locations. My favorite of them is their shop in Arlington. Their wrenches are pretty solid, and the guys are nice. Good selection.

Revolution Cycles has a good rep. Bikes are pretty limited, it's a Trek shop first and foremost. Next door in Georgetown is the Pro Shop - I much prefer it, although it's strictly for roadies rather than triathletes. I would trust their wrenches with tri gear, though. For road bikes in the area it can't be beat - Colnago, Specialized, Scott, Cannondale, etc. Revolution and the Georgetown Pro Shop are next to each other on M St at the end of the Key Bridge.

I'm also a fan of Capitol Hill bikes. I have no experience with their mechanics, but they have a nice selection of gear, mainly Bianchi and Specialized. Capitol Hill and the Pro Shop are probably best equipped to customize your kit, as they have the most high-end parts in stock. Capitol Hill is not a tri shop, but it has a few bikes. Again, more geared toward roadies, who should not be dissapointed.

I'll second the recommendation for Capitol Hill Bikes. They also carry Scott and LeMond. They're trying to cater more to the tri market (and are a big time supporter of the DC Tri Club), but I don't think they've got any triathletes on their staff.

Good guys and gals, though, and I trusted them to build up my new Parlee earlier this Fall.

Trails End Cycles in Purcellville, VA has great mechanics. Ask for John, owner and mechanic, or Tom, mechanic. Amazing customer service and great mechanics. I think he carries Specialzed tri bikes. And Orbea, Bianchi road bikes. Shop is at the end of the W&OD trail, hence the name. (540) 338-2773

Revolution in G'town has good road bike selection and good mechanics.

Travis at Cap Hill bikes is great. They have a really good discount on bikes if you are a member of the DC Tri Club. Some tri bikes but mostly road.

Spokes has several locations around VA w/ a huge selection of road bikes.

I'm thinking of getting a Bianch Pista from them for X-mas. They have a really cool shop and one of the few that still carry Bianchi (note that Spokes Ect. and Hudson Track N' Trail both dropped Bianchi due to the poor exchange rate). They also carry De Rosa...Dual HF...Drool!

Dave in VA

I work with Bonzai www.TriBonzai.com and with the Bike Lane www.TheBkeLane.com in Burke. Bonzai is a dedicated tri shop and The Bike Lane crries road, mountain, and tri bikes and is a Trek dealer.

Ken

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Ken Mierke
Head Coach, Fitness Concepts
http://www.Fitness-Concepts.com
Author, The Triathlete's Guide to Run Training

can't believe I forgot about the bike lane - i bought 2 bikes from them when I lived down there. let me second those guys. very friendly service, and they co-sponsor a local mtb race series (cranky monkey). go throw some business their way.

Ken, didn't they have a fire or some other damage to their store not too long ago?

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Josef
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I just discovered Bike Lane because they are an Indy Fab dealer...nice shop...great folks... They are a Trek dealer, though, which means they are a bit locked into certain product lines, especially with accessories. Nothing inherently wrong with that...just a consideration.

Try The Bicycle place, it is a good place, and good people to do business with. They just started carrying Tri stuff, and they have great mechanics.

They had a huge break in with something like $40,000 in stolen merchandise last year. Thankfully, they were well insured.

Ken

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Ken Mierke
Head Coach, Fitness Concepts
http://www.Fitness-Concepts.com
Author, The Triathlete's Guide to Run Training

All American Bikes in Damascus

I do not recommend Bonzai.... I have bought two bikes from them and regret both purchases.

"I do not recommend Bonzai.... I have bought two bikes from them and regret both purchases. "

I could not agree more with this one. I will never step foot in that store ever again. They have a decent selection, but their wrenches and customer service are the worst I have ever experienced. Don't get me started...

That said, thanks for all the advice - there are some shops I have never heard of before. Keep them coming.

If you don't mind a short drive and a splendid day in the Valley, head to Harrisonburg and visit Les at East Coast Bicycle Academy. He is one of the top mechanics in the country and is the managing mechanic for all IMNA events (hired through InsideOut Sports).

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...THE ART OF LIFE/TRAINING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE SCIENCE OF IT...

...RATIONALIZATIONS ARE THE EXCUSES OF THE EDUCATED...
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"I do not recommend Bonzai.... I have bought two bikes from them and regret both purchases. "

I could not agree more with this one. I will never step foot in that store ever again. They have a decent selection, but their wrenches and customer service are the worst I have ever experienced. Don't get me started...

I have heard this before about Bonzai and it makes me mad. I moved to D.C. recently and use Capitol Hill Bikes (which is good) for everyday stuff, but was interested in checking out a more tri-oriented store. Bonzai seemed like the place to go but I have heard lots of negative things about them.

How about Big Wheel Bikes in Arlington? I believe they carry Cervelo and some decent tri stuff, any one know anything about them?

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Portside Athletics Blog

I've heard a slightly more nuanced criticism of Bonzai. They have several very good people, but a few kids as well who don't do too much. Depending on who you work with, your experience might vary greatly.

Personally, I think that one of the shops closer to downtown could really profit by pushing tri stuff harder. Capitol Hill Bikes is probably the best poised to do this because of their relationship with DC Tri Club, but I don't know what their limitations are with adding/changing the bikes they stock.

I can't speak for the experience of others, but Mark and the Bonzai staff have always taken good care of my mother and all of her bicycle related questions and concerns.

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Geoffrey Nenninger

My Bonzai experience was by far the worst cycling purchases I have ever had.

1. Bought a Cervelo P3 from them. Within the first 100 miles - a crank fell off (DA crank that I had them put on) and almost created an epic crash. Called Bonzai and after some back and forth - was told that they would replace the crank. It somehow was my fault? I actually had to push to get it done when I felt like they should be apologizing to me.

2. Ordered a Kestrel Airfoil. It waited on backorder for months and months. I had given a $2k deposit on the bike. The owner of Bonzai told me that Kestrel was an backorder - but it seemed by then they were readily available. Called Kestrel and they told me that Bonzai was on credit hold. Called Bonzai and canceled the order and had the bike delivered from R&A the next day. The owner of Bonzai dragged returning my deposit over a month. He only returned my $ when I was about to take legal action.

Have never returned to the shop and would scream this to anyone interested. Terrible shop. Terrible wrenches. Terrible owner.

I would nominate the Pro Shop in Georgetown. While a destination for roadies - they have enough experience with high end product to make it work. If Greg builds it, it will run smoothly.

OK... enough with the venom about the 'shop to never be mentioned again"...

Please keep the positive reviews coming.
Much apopreciated.

Any reviews of Big Wheel Bikes in Arlington? They seem to have the best tri bike line after Bonzai so what is the word on them?

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Portside Athletics Blog

Is Tri-Speed still around? I went up to their store in Maryland last year to look around and they had a good selection. Supposedly they had an even bigger store out in Sterling, VA. I just checked my bookmarks, though, and the website has either changed or is gone.

Tri-speed was bought by the employees last year. I can ask them, but I do not think the VA store is still around. They have expanded their Baltimore store, though. The only difference (other than about 150% more bikes) is that Coach Troy is no longer the owner. They do have a fairly significant amount of Cervelo too. And they recently added some great MTB bikes.

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- Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.
P. J. O'Rourke

Maybe I should reconsider my Bonzie purchase I was going to get a Kestral there now but before I step a foot in there, I asked two of my local hard core bike buddies to say a kind word to the shop first. I usually get dissed and was wanting some actual customer service this time. What does THAT say when you need to have a "respected" cyclist arrange for me to spend money? Even went as far as taking one of the "annointed" with me next weekend to shop.

This is a timely thread. Thanks.

B

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"the only normal people are the ones you don't know"

Is there a mark-up on bikes sold in the District as opposed to VA or MD?

I actually had a good experience with Bonzai. I was trying on a wet suit and accidentally put a smal tear in it. I expected to buy the suit I tore and a repair kit but they gave me a new suit.

I was planning on purchasing my next bike there but will be in BikeSport's neighborhood over the holidays so they'll get my business.

As for shop recommendations, I would second the several suggestions about CapHill Bikes. I've heard several people comment favorably about their experiences with the from everyting from routine maintenance and bike purchases. They're selection may be a bit light at no b/c this was their first season carrying tri bikes but they'r worth a visit and you will likely be treated very well.

BigWheel has a great selection. I got my Soloist from them. Nice guys, the wrenches definitely go the extra mile trying to get everything right for you. I can't speak to their tri-fitting abilities, but they've got an outstanding selection and nice folks. Plus they give a year of adjustments and guarantee on the parts, plus lifetime on the frame, with adjustements available at any one of their locations. I've had them tweak derailleurs, fix a hanger after a crash, tune up brakes.. good shop.

But, like I said, I have no idea how they are at fitting a tri bike.

My kids live by BikeSport and I went in there to poke around last month. Jeff was a great representative for the shop - very thorough and knowledgable and not dismissive to folks like me that are hardware ignorant. Since my original plans to purchase at Nytro fell apart, I'm down to either Demerly's or Bonzai. I could get fit at Tom's but have local wrenches.

Love the guys at Trinergy, but I can't imagine having a serious discussion with either Steve or Ward. Fun people but they've given me so much (well deserved) shit over the years, that I don't even bother to ask them for advice. Plus the hours are so odd, don't think they'd ever be open when needed. You can't "pop over", you have to "plan". If you live out that way, they're good folk -- supporting the local club and a professional video of the hometown race.

B

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"the only normal people are the ones you don't know"

No mark-up, although I'm suddenly blanking on the difference in sales taxes.

When I lived in Ellicott City, MD, my tri [gal] neighbor recommended Bike Doctor in Arnold, MD (near Annapolis) for all bike needs. Although this was several years ago and I didn't know anything about tri, she had a CT trainer setup in her living room and was a hardcore trainer by her training schedule.

I had a great experience at Bike Doctor to buy my recreational MTB. They made a good recommendation and measured me for the correct size.

That being said, Triathlete Magazine mentions that Princeton Sports (Columbia and Baltimore) has a full line of tri gear.

Hope this helps...

Lauren

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Lauren Muney
certified physical fitness trainer
certified health coach
wellcoach
http://www.physicalmind.com

There is no escape from your life... solve the problems and get on with it.

"Just tell her you love her and you think she kicks ass" ~AndrewinNH

"I'm moving [Lauren] to guru status" ~Last Tri in 83

My family (5 multisport racers) have all used Bonzai for years and none of us have ever had a bad experience. Mechanics are fine, if there's a problem they fix it. Had a carbon handle bar shred on a year old bike, they replaced it no questions asked.
Donn Viviani

I recommend Bonzai. I too have been dealing with the owner for 13 years and have had excellent service. Purchased three bikes there and service has been superb. Wetsuits: Had a race in California and while in CA two days before the race, I found that a wetsuit needed replacement. The owner Fedexed overnight three suits in a variety of sizes. One was a perfect fit; so good that I raced without trying it in the water and attained a PB IM swim. I view the shop as the triathlete's best source in the area.

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Bob Williams

I actually ended up over there yesterday and dealt with Mark. Of course, I had my super bike buddy with me.

Mark took tons of time to talk, deal with my general bike ignorance, offered to build up a great frame for me, etc. I went in with a negative impression of the shop and left pretty happy. Still haven't made the decision on the bike, but will ride it after it's built up. I dreamt of the bike last night so maybe I HAVE made the decision...

You know how you go into a shop with a bike in mind and then find out you've just been a victim of marketing? My measurements and needs sent me in a whole 'nother direction. Thought I wanted a Kestral, but the potential bike love of my life is a QR.

Anyway, I figured that I should at the very least post my positive experience after public hesitation about Bonzai. I just may end up buying there.

B

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"the only normal people are the ones you don't know"