Going on a family holiday travelling to the US next week and planning on picking up some stuff for the bike while i’m there.
Spending a few days each in Manhattan, Chicago, Vegas and LA (well based in Anaheim).
Hoping to pick up some new bike shoes, computer maybe even a unique kit or two if i see anything cool… and whatever else i can find.
Can anyone recommend me some decent bike stores I can check out in any of these towns?
In Chicago, I like Get A Grip, Element and the newest on the scene: Iron-Cycles. I’ve bought 3 bikes at Get A Grip but the only reason why they other shops didn’t get the big ticket purchase is because they are both new since my last bike purchase. Element is a Retul fit shop and Iron-Cylcles (iron-cycles.com), literally opened 2 weeks ago. They are two blocks from my house so I want to see them do well 
It is super convenient having a shop right there.
Since you will be in Anaheim (Disneyland?), you could go about 15 minutes north to Fullerton. My buddy has a shop: Banning’s Bikes. Check out http://www.banningsbikes.com/
I have a new studio in Glencoe but not much in inventory. The other stores mentioned will have much more in stock. Certainly if you are north of the city, stop on by!
In NYC go to SBRshop. I think its on 58’th St. Sbrshop.com. I have no affiliation with them, but their customer service is excellent. Good prices as well.
Get a Grip is the best in Chicago period. Get a Grip gives impeccable service, which is hard to find at bike shops, and they have incredible eye candy. I have been to many stores across the country and their inventory is just amazing. I have been fit their 2 times , once for a road bike and the other for a Tri Bike. You have to check out their Fit studio in the Loop. Talk with Adam or Kevin, I have been doing business with these guys for years and they have never disappointed. They have got me through 3 Iron Mans and thousands of miles on the road comfortably.
No doubt you want to go to Get A Grip in Chicago. They’ve got me through Ride the Rockies, several triathlons, and they’re there for my upcoming 70.3. Great bikes, great service, but most importantly they are incredibly knowledgable and honest.
For NYC, try SBR (Manhattan) and R&A (in Brooklyn).
thanks all
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In NYC go to SBRshop. I think its on 58’th St. Sbrshop.com. I have no affiliation with them, but their customer service is excellent. Good prices as well.
Really? I may be the outlier, but I have never received anything other than awful customer service at SBR. That being said, I’ve only ever gone for small stuff - never bought a bike there.
I always get the feeling that if you’re not about to fork over a four figure sum, they’re not too interested in what you’re there for.
I really like Cadence Multisport down in Tribeca.
In NYC go to SBRshop. I think its on 58’th St. Sbrshop.com. I have no affiliation with them, but their customer service is excellent. Good prices as well.
Really? I may be the outlier, but I have never received anything other than awful customer service at SBR.
I always get the feeling that if you’re not about to fork over a four figure sum, they’re not too interested in what you’re there for.
x2. Swore that place of years ago. Check out Toga Bikes
Your idea of a family vacation is to stop at bike stores to buy generic stuff for your bike?
YaHey you’re spot on. Wouldn’t be going on a family holiday if i couldn’t go to any bike stores while i’m at it. In fact, I may tell them that I won’t be going at all unless i can stop at lots of bike stores.
+1 For Cadance
+1 For SBR, never really had a problem there, but then again I was looking at high end saddles
Was Jackrabbit Multisports in NYC mentioned?
New York: That’s easy. Look no further than R&A Cycles. These guys are one of the finest retailers in the U.S. and a great crew of experts in high end bikes. Highly recommended.
Chicago: Do some detective work and locate the man who arguably started it all from Mission Bay. Rumor on the streets is that they may be back in action. If they are (after a crack at retirement, but we all know bicycle retailers *never *retire, they just die) it is worth finding them.
Las Vegas? Hmm. I don’t know that market well. Instead of going to a bike shop take a tour of Hoover Dam. Fascinating.
LA Area? Come on… One word: Nytro. OK, well, two words- Find Hank Iglesias at his shop in the area. Hank is top notch.
Add a side trip to Trisports in Arizona and a couple other places to the list and you will have toured the finest retailers in the U.S.!
In Los Angeles, I really like Helens Cycles. The location in Santa Monica is the awesome one. They had a P4 in December and it was the first time I’ve ever seen one. The service in the shop is also very good.
LA Area? Come on… One word: Nytro. OK, well, two words- Find Hank Iglesias at his shop in the area. Hank is top notch.
Nytro is a bit of a hike from Anaheim (50+ miles). Hank Iglesias's shop is called Edge Cycle Sports and it's in Laguna Woods. Make sure to hit him up for a cup of coffee if you go....they are closed on Wed & Sun.
But for a tourist, Get A Grip (GAG) is in an absolutely horrible location… at least the main shop.
The fit studio is definitely cool, though, and you shouold certainly check it out. But doesn’t have the eye-candy referenced (at least no where near to the same extent). If you really want something to drool over, head to Tati and let your jaw drop at the Storcks.
For clothing, it depends on what you’re looking for. Most stores will have custom advertising apparel you can buy (i.e. things with the shop name emblazoned all over them) but you won’t find anything that interesting otherwise.
Village CycleSport - Elk Grove Village (west side of O’Hare), Barrington, Arlington Heights - recently expanded and has all the high end stuff.
Triathlon team at Village has sent someone to Kona every year for 28 years straight.
Hear good things about Get a Grip but I’m never in the city.
Mission Bay has some issues right now says some guys I know who are sponsored by them. I’ll recluse myself as I have an opinion of their shop.
New York - R&A
Vegas - There is a great shop I went to - ask the folks who did Silverman.
LA/San Diego - B&L or Nytro
Good hunting
In Vegas:
Las Vegas Cyclery
8221 W. Charleston
or McGhies Ski, Bike & Board
Flamingo & Fort Apache
+1 For Cadance
+1 For SBR, never really had a problem there, but then again I was looking at high end saddles
Was Jackrabbit Multisports in NYC mentioned?
Jackrabbit wasn’t mentioned - never been to the one in Brooklyn, but the on on 14th st. isn’t really a bike shop per se. They have a handful of tires & helmets, but that’s about it. More of a running shop that has a bit of swimming stuff, and oh yeah they have some bike tires.
GREAT shop though. It’s my go-to place for anything tri run related.