Anyone have any good luck with a bike shop in Boston?
bump … I’d love to hear some recommendations as well.
International bike had some nice employees, they built me up a P2K to try last year, patient and answered all questions. I think there on Comm ave., can’t remember. Indifferent experiences at Wheelworks in Belmont (seemed like I was making them go out of there way). Cycleloft in Burlington (15 min. north of Boston) has been pretty good, but not a huge try selection. There’s a nice little Tri shop out in Newton called Fastsplits, nice people lots of Tri gear to check out. Not a huge bike selection, and I really don’t know how good there shop work is (usually do my own work), but I did buy my Guru there. Hope that helps.
I like IBC Boston. They have a big store, a lot of stuff, and friendly people working there. Bonus: There’s a Walser hanging above the cash register (or at least used to). I’m going to buy a new road bike with them soon.
As for the commuter bike, you simply must go with Bikes Not Bombs. No question. Spend money on a bike, and do good at the same time. Very good bike repair classes as well.
Based on my limited interaction with them at the Boston Bike fair, I’m not a fan of Belmont Wheelworks. Although I’ve heard similar statements a few times, I guess I should give them a try in earnest (but they’re kinda out of the way for me).
I’ve also been to ATA bikes once before and was underwhelmed with their service. Again, one-time experience.
Josef
Another vote for International Bicycle. Over the years I’ve purchased three road bikes and a mountain bike from them. Once when I was a student without a car they were kind enough to deliver my bike to the airport after they boxed it up. I was blown away as I would have had to pay for a cab or deal with carrying the bike box on the subway.
I also have to praise the staff and selection at Wheelworks. Thinking about it I am surpised that I’ve yet to purchase a bike from them, but I’ve bought just about everything else (wheelsets, shoes, and lots of clothes). The first time I ever went there was years ago when I crashed on a training ride (sewer grate) and destroyed my front wheel. They were kind enough to loan me a front wheel to get back to the dorms. When I returned it a few days later they gave me a great deal on a replacement wheelset that they had had lying around for a while. They are just outside of Boston and worth a trip.
Recently I’ve been to FastSplits in Newton. Amy (?) waited on me on both visits and was super friendly, knowledgeable, and answered a million questions for me. She also didn’t mind that I tried on just about every tri-suit and jersey in the store. They have a smaller store than the other two, but their selection is great and it is 100% oriented towards multi-sport rather than road or mountain biking.
i have to echo the ATA comment.
their service was subpar and they seemed pretty ignorant about tri bikes.
or maybe it wasn’t ignorance and they just want to be a road-only shop.
they do have some very sparkley giants and fondriests on display though.
I recently purchased a P2SL frameset from IBS in Newton. They actually didn’t have a frame so they stripped a bike for me as I wanted to build it up with different components than what come stock.
Since I live out of state, and was going to Burlington on business, tI worked with them via email and the exchanges went well. They were very courteous when I went to the shop, which was quite nice (well organized, stocked, …). I would work with them again in the future.
I also stopped in at the bike loft in Burlington. As mentioned, helpful folks, not a huge Tri selection but better than a lot of LBSs in my area (CT).
Best of luck,
Rob
I haven’t had much luck at all. I purchased an '04 Soloist from one of the aforementioned shops and received a bike fitting from their supposedly FIST-certified bike fitter…ended up having to be re-fit at one of the other shops mentioned above b/c I was so stretched and uncomfortable. My tri team is sponsored by the first shop, so I often feel obligated to spend my money there vs. the others. I do like FastSplits, but they’re a bit small.
ATA if you want that “Damn I’m a cool roadie and you my friend are a lucky it is my job to talk to you” vibe. I spent about a minute yesterday trying to explain to them what a crack-pipe pump adapter for a HED wheel was before they figured out they were “out of stock”.
IBC or Wheelworks has pretty good selection and the people seem pretty friendly.
If you are buying a bike and are planning on spending more than $1K, I would take a vacation up to VT for a weekend and go to Fitwerx in Waitsfield. If you buy a bike from them they will do a full fit for $100. I used to spend a bit of time wondering “I wonder if my seat is too high/low?”. After the fit, I haven’t spent a second worrying about the fit other than wondering if I could somehow trade some comfort for speed as it fits so well. There are some great rides up there as well to test out the new steed…
On a somewhat related note, if you buy shoes and cleats from a shop, is it standard to still charge for the fitting of the cleats to the shoes?
I have been pretty loyal to wheelworks but to be honest its hit or miss with them. I have bought almost everything i own from them - wetsuit (great job, made sure it was the right size, spent over an hour with me), my cervelo (spent six hours with me, two fitters checked me, though i still worry its too small) and loads of other equpment. They have experienced a bit of turnover, if you get a more experienced person on a slow day it can be a great experience - otherwise…
On your shoe question, i just bought a new pair of Sidis and asked them to move my cleats over from the old pair. they charged me $40 for that. i had thought they’d do it for nothing since they were expensive shoes, and they know what i’ve spent there, but the sign did say the cost so i paid without questioning it.
their bike fits are free if the cost is over 2k, i think.
I have not purchased anything of significance from IBS (bibs, shirts only) and i have been meaning to checkout both fastsplits and fitwerx, but cant offer any insight there.