I’m in LA for just over a day and thinking about checking out a few bike and running shops. Any recommendations? Also, any hotel recommendations (somewhere nice - very LA but preferably not uber-expensive!!) ?
Triathlon Lab is a good shop, nice location(beach), great people. Check it out. I can’t help with hotels…sorry.
PS: close to LAX
The Belamar in Manhattan Beach is a nice hotel. Close to the beach and not far from LAX.
Potos -
Regarding hotels: consider the the Viceroy http://www.viceroysantamonica.com/?cmpid=GL_VSM it’s “very” LA - stylish, ocean views, it’s right here on the westside ~3 blks from the Santa Monica Pier and famed Promenade. If you wanted something slightly less hip but in the same hood then consider Shutters http://www.shuttersonthebeach.com/home.html. It’s right on the beach but probably more expensive. One more in the same area but far less expensive would be the Sheriton Delfina (530 Pico). I can only speak to westside hotels - I guess the W in Westwood might be cool or some of those “classics” on Sunset (Mondrion and others where old famed rockers ODed).
Regarding shops: well, here it comes. I’m embarassed to say that Los Angeles, which pretty much has everything, doesn’t really have one triathlon shop that can claim some basics: friendly service and a great line of products in all three sports. Helen’s Cycles is a bike shop first and it’s pretty good - two locations of note would be 25th and Broadway in Santa Monica, and Lincoln (just south of Venice) in Venice/Marina Del Rey. There’s a really good, funky running shoe store on Washington Blvd just 2 blocks from the Venice Pier - it’s called the Starting Line. For more of an upscale shoe shopping experience go to FrontRunners in Brentwood (it’s at the end of San Vicente - a beautiful street that is very much the center of much bike/run training on the westside)
Raining here today - very rare, but we need it. Hope your day in LA is nicer than this one.
Enjoy, Ian
Regarding shops: well, here it comes. I’m embarassed to say that Los Angeles, which pretty much has everything, doesn’t really have one triathlon shop that can claim some basics: friendly service and a great line of products in all three sports.
Ian,
OUCH!
Bob,
You’re right and I’m sorry. It might be that I’m a stickler for this sort of thing - everyone’s got their issue and while, for example I could not care less about misspellings in email (forum posts) - I am still dreaming of a triathlon shop here in LA that would be comprised of the elements of which I dream. …some day, I’m sure, it will come.
Ian
Hi There…we have a few nice hotels listed on our website if you’re interested in staying in the South Bay (Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan beach).
Go to this link to see hotel information and also local bike routes in the area. If you don’t have your bike with you, we do rent both road and tri bikes at Triathlon LAB. Usually our weather is nice and you should be able to get a good ride in.
http://triathlonlab.com/content/visit-us.html
Have a great visit and we hope to see you,
Triathlon LAB
600 N Catalina Ave
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
http://triathlonlab.com
p.s. If you come by Triathlon LAB in March, you just may run into Macca. We’re proud to be his official Tri shop.
I’ll 2nd what the guys at Trilab just said, hit one of the Redondo hotels there. There is one right across from King Harbor, which is walking distance to all kinds of great resturants on the pier, and other odds and ends to do. It is also walking distance to Trilab too. I used to work there, and you will keep busy, for your 24 hours. Good riding up in PV if you ride, running along the beach if that is what you want, or a swim at the local Torrance pool. Personally I would spend my time surfing, and hitting the brew pub right in front of the hotel, the Sunrise I think it is… I remember decent rates too, and this time of year, hit the online travel sites and I bet you get it really cheap…And if you do ride, the Trilab guys can point you in the right direction, or even go out with you… All this is about 30 minutes or so south from LAX…
Have you been to LA before, because it’s a really, really, really big place. And that’s just LA county. Add in all the surrounding areas, and LA quadruples in size.
Running Store:
Go the Phidippides in Encino, http://www.phidippidesencino.com/ , in the San Fernando Valley. On the small side, but big on customer service and lots of running stories.
Places to stay:
The Beverly Hills Hotel, of course. Can’t miss the pink exterior.
Tri store:
I lived in the SFV for years, and best store I found was a roadie shop in Reseda, can’t remember the name. Surely someone from LA Tri Club can recommend a great tri store?
1 day in LA isn’t much time. Not much to see downtown. Santa Monica area (Willshire, Sunset) and PCH (Venice beach to Malibu) have ecletic shops and eateries. If you venture into the Valley, you might want to stay off the 405, take Sepulvada instead, or PCH to Topanga Canyon, for some nice twists and turns.
Or better yet, use google, and plan your own “adventure”.
Best of luck, hope you have a good time.
Ditto to the South Bay recommendation. I am a bit biased since I live here, but it’s the best part of “LA” by a long shot 
And airport close, as in 10 minutes. I’d take Monty’s drinking and relaxing advice, but if you want to work out, there’s plenty of that to do as well.
TriLab is well worth a visit if you are in the area.
Thank you all for the great advice!!! hopefully on my next visit i’ll be able to stay a little longer
Cheers
Hi Potos,
This is Lloyd Taylor, the owner of Triathlon LAB. Let me just say, if Ian Murray doesn’t think that a triathlon shop that carries brands like: Cervelo, Kuota, Felt, Dean, Scott, Orbea, QR, Carrera, Kestrel, Rocket Science Sports, Zoot, 2XU, DeSoto, Orca, Sugio, Hincapie, Zipp, HED, American Classic, Mavic, Profile Design, Bell, Giro, LAS, Shimano 7900, Campagnolo Super Record 11, SRAM Red, Look, Speedplay, Zero Gravity, TRP, Oakley, Clifbar, Powerbar, Hammer, Bonk Breaker, Function Sports Drinks, FRS, etc. - “Is not comprised of the right elements” than he must live under a rock. In fact, Triathlon LAB carries more triathlon bike brands, wetsuit brands and triathlon clothing brands than any other bike shop in Los Angeles period. For that matter we carry more brands, products and accessories than most tri shops in the United States.
After all, last time I checked. The above triathlon brands represent some of the best products in the world and you can find them all under our roof. Triathlon LAB employs professional triathletes, USAT Coaches, doctors, chiropractors, physical therapists and F.I.S.T. certified bike fitters than have over 15 years of combined fitting experience. We sponsor nearly every triathlon racing event in L.A. County and Triathlon Club in our home town. We also sponsor professional athletes like Chris McCormack, one of the most winning World Champion’s on the planet. We custom build, tune and fit all his bikes. We are proud to be a big part of the triathlon community and will be more than happy to welcome you to our home town.
Furthermore, if you really want an insiders look at the triathlon scene here in L.A.? If you like, call me at my store once your plane lands at 1-310-374-9100 and I will personally pick you up at the LAX airport and show you around. Its only 15-20 minutes away.
Best,
Lloyd Taylor-CEO/Founder
Triathlon LAB, Inc.
Website: www.triathlonlab.com
Also, Check us out on FACEBOOK!
We also sponsor professional athletes like Chris McCormack, one of the most winning World Champion’s on the planet. We custom build, tune and fit all his bikes.
So finally we find out who was to blame!
Sorry,I couldn’t resist. 
.
Lloyd
Thanks for your response. Triathlon Lab sounds like the kind of store i’m looking for and i will definitely drop on in. See ya in a week.
Hi Nick,
That’s OK, we only unofficially built bikes for him on and off in '08 and we had nothing to do with his bike in Hawaii - Ironman '08. Hence, we are his official triathlon shop now. ;-/
Cheers mate,
Lloyd
Hi Potos,
… if Ian Murray doesn’t think that a triathlon shop that carries brands like:…
Maybe its the presentation. I too if I need something, will drive to Orange County or Nytro before I would visit Triathlon Lab. My top shop which I have bought bikes from is R&A Cycles in NYC then its Nytro.
I just don’t get that warm and fuzzy feeling when I have visited Triathlon Lab. I have a desire to visit R&A Cycles and Nytro again but truthfully, totally forgot about Triathlon Labs.
I just don’t get that warm and fuzzy feeling when I have visited Triathlon Lab
I’ve always felt TriLab had a great “feel” to it. And the service I received was top notch.
Another vote for Triathlon Lab. Very few as knowledgeable as they.
I just don’t get that warm and fuzzy feeling when I have visited Triathlon Lab
I’ve always felt TriLab had a great “feel” to it. And the service I received was top notch.
I agree.
I got into triathlon a few years ago and at the time was disappointed that I had to run all over town to get anything. I remember having to call around a LOT to find a cervelo, and I even ended up buying my first wetsuit online. For one thing I’d have to go to the valley, for another down to Los Alamitos, for something else a running shoe store, etc.
My last wetsuit I got at trilab. I have to say that after going to trilab a few times, they’ve become my go-to place for nearly everything. I’ve always had great service, they come out to nearly every local race, and they do have pretty much all of the products I use or are interested in. If they don’t have something in stock they’re happy to get it.
So I’ve been very happy with trilab. The shops closer to where I live on the west side - yes, I’d agree completely with Ian, down to the recommending the same places on the west side (though I do like Top to Top for running). The handful of tri shops in the SM/West LA area are a disappointment. At least one shop I now avoid as they did terrible work for me, and at times were actually hostile (yes, I’d like the original tubular back!). Tri lab is in the south bay, which for a lot of people may be too far. I’m lucky enough that it’s not too difficult to get there from Venice.