Can anyone recommend a bike shop in the Westwood area of LA?
#2
Senior Member
Remember seeing Helen's when I was going to UCLA... okay.. that was like two decades ago... My cycling friend (I didn't cycle back than) would frequent this shop.
#3
Senior Member
#4
SuperGimp
While I ordinarily enjoy a good LMGTFY moment, your search brings up some lake in who knows where.
And frankly, how does that qualify as a recommendation? It's not like he asked "Hey, are there any bike shops in Westwood?"
And frankly, how does that qualify as a recommendation? It's not like he asked "Hey, are there any bike shops in Westwood?"
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,456
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 50 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Helens' cycles. Not great, but not terrible, and carries a lot of Cervelos.
Cynergy bikes in Santa Monica carries more Specialized.
Again, neither shop is amazing, and I'm pretty sure Helen's tends to use mainly immigrant Latino workers on the bike repairs, even if it's a top of line Cervelo. (Not being racist here, it's just true - as late as last year, most of them barely spoke much English, and I was there a fair amount.) I didn't notice that trend at Cynergy, but I also didn't go there as much.
Cynergy bikes in Santa Monica carries more Specialized.
Again, neither shop is amazing, and I'm pretty sure Helen's tends to use mainly immigrant Latino workers on the bike repairs, even if it's a top of line Cervelo. (Not being racist here, it's just true - as late as last year, most of them barely spoke much English, and I was there a fair amount.) I didn't notice that trend at Cynergy, but I also didn't go there as much.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 99
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hmm OK, I might be moving there and not sure if I will ship my bike in a box or just get a new one there. Which shops had the better repair quality/time and which had better prices?
#8
Just Plain Slow
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Posts: 6,026
Bikes: Lynskey R230
Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 297 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Why only Westwood? Are you willing to branch out a little further? I was in i Martin Bikes (part of the Helen's family)one day and was impressed with the sales kid. Knowledgeable and not pushy. Understood that I was in the middle of chemo and was not there to buy a bike that day, but was in the neighborhood and just wanted some inspiration. He still took almost an hour talking with me, even though I repeatedly told him he didn't have to. Good guy.
I was also impressed with Wheel World in Culver City, which is about 10 minutes down the 405. Knowledgeable and helpful, too.
I was also impressed with Wheel World in Culver City, which is about 10 minutes down the 405. Knowledgeable and helpful, too.
#9
Arrogant Roadie Punk
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: California
Posts: 2,353
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Again, neither shop is amazing, and I'm pretty sure Helen's tends to use mainly immigrant Latino workers on the bike repairs, even if it's a top of line Cervelo. (Not being racist here, it's just true - as late as last year, most of them barely spoke much English, and I was there a fair amount.) I didn't notice that trend at Cynergy, but I also didn't go there as much.
this is what you post? really?
#10
dino quadz!
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 77
Bikes: Salsa Mukluk Ti, Air 9 Carbon, Look 464, Astuto Road, BMC Trailfox 02
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Pasadena Celery is legit where I go for almost everything when I'm home in the summers. Never had a bad experience and they don't try to push you to buy this or that
its not too far from LA if you have a car its on Walnut in Pasadena which parallels Colorado blvd.
...I think I haven't been home in over a year
its not too far from LA if you have a car its on Walnut in Pasadena which parallels Colorado blvd.
...I think I haven't been home in over a year
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 324
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
yeah, non-english speaking mechanics clearly don't know what they are doing. Did you even try to talk to them?
Anyway, OP, what type of bike are you looking to get? if you want a mid-higher end bike, there is no better shop in terms of service than bike effect in santa monica. Their mechanics have a decent enough grasp of the english language.
Anyway, OP, what type of bike are you looking to get? if you want a mid-higher end bike, there is no better shop in terms of service than bike effect in santa monica. Their mechanics have a decent enough grasp of the english language.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,456
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 50 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
yeah, non-english speaking mechanics clearly don't know what they are doing. Did you even try to talk to them?
Anyway, OP, what type of bike are you looking to get? if you want a mid-higher end bike, there is no better shop in terms of service than bike effect in santa monica. Their mechanics have a decent enough grasp of the english language.
Anyway, OP, what type of bike are you looking to get? if you want a mid-higher end bike, there is no better shop in terms of service than bike effect in santa monica. Their mechanics have a decent enough grasp of the english language.
I can't help but feel that had a good English speaker talked to me up front, when I was clearly articulating my problem, the problems with the incorrect repairs would have been avoided. That said, they were good about working with me once they got it together, and I was happy with the work, which is why I didn't bring it up initially as a big negative.
Just keep in mind that being able to communicate well to the person servicing your bike, and not some representative, can be key to good service. Hence my comment on the poor english speaking - it was not meant to be interpreted as a racist comment (hence my disclaimer, which some people clearly ignored.)
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 3,247
Bikes: Moots Vamoots, Colnago C60, Santa Cruz Stigmata CC, and too many other bikes I don't ride
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
Helen's was good when I lived there, but that's a few years ago now.
#15
Despite all my rage, I am
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 2,613
Bikes: LeMond Zurich, Colnago C-50
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Westwood is a small place; so if you're looking for a shop in Westwood and don't like Helen's - you're out of luck.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 3,247
Bikes: Moots Vamoots, Colnago C60, Santa Cruz Stigmata CC, and too many other bikes I don't ride
Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 152 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
Even though i Martin was owned by Helen's, I found them to be a bit, um, catering to a different clientele... I guess the location kind of dictated that, while all the Helen's I went to, be it the one in Santa Monica or even Acadia, were more friendly.
#18
Spin Meister
- All the Helen's are top notch shops. Not cheap. They are mostly in high rent areas.
- I Martin has offered ridiculously high prices on some items - and also been very accommodating. Today, the shop replaced a defective Conti 4000s for me without me specifically asking - I just showed the tire. They have a super pro repair shop, with a large number of mechanics. Getting bought by Helen's has helped - the attitude seems to be gone.
- A few miles south of Westwood: Palms Cyclery, which has been around forever. Can't vouch for the repair shop but I've never heard anyone badmouthing it.
- Of course Performance in Santa Monica. If Jorge is still there, you're in great hands in the repair shop - he's been there since the shop was Supergo.
- Cynergy is another top of the line shop, with a great repair shop. I've had my bikes there a couple of times for repair.
- East on Pico Blvd: there's the offbeat, hole-in-the-wall Sound Cycles. If you just want your bike assembled at a fair price, this might be the place. Mostly SS/FG, with lots of frames - road and track - hanging off the ceiling. The owner, Wes, is an ex-racer.
- Stay away from Bikecology, also on Pico Blvd, a few miles east of Westwood Village.
- I have yet to explore a few small shops that have sprung up well east on Pico Blvd. Rolling Cowboys has a good rep with my friends who've been there.
- I'm a fan of the Beverly Hills Bike Shop, which is not in Beverly Hills, and is a few miles east of Westwood. It's small, with a few friendly staff, some great bikes, and two wonderful mechanics. Prices for accessories are list, but get on the good side of the staff and if you ask, they'll probably discount just about anything. It might be my favorite shop, along with aforementioned and quirky Sound Cycles - just genuine people, no attitudes.
- I Martin has offered ridiculously high prices on some items - and also been very accommodating. Today, the shop replaced a defective Conti 4000s for me without me specifically asking - I just showed the tire. They have a super pro repair shop, with a large number of mechanics. Getting bought by Helen's has helped - the attitude seems to be gone.
- A few miles south of Westwood: Palms Cyclery, which has been around forever. Can't vouch for the repair shop but I've never heard anyone badmouthing it.
- Of course Performance in Santa Monica. If Jorge is still there, you're in great hands in the repair shop - he's been there since the shop was Supergo.
- Cynergy is another top of the line shop, with a great repair shop. I've had my bikes there a couple of times for repair.
- East on Pico Blvd: there's the offbeat, hole-in-the-wall Sound Cycles. If you just want your bike assembled at a fair price, this might be the place. Mostly SS/FG, with lots of frames - road and track - hanging off the ceiling. The owner, Wes, is an ex-racer.
- Stay away from Bikecology, also on Pico Blvd, a few miles east of Westwood Village.
- I have yet to explore a few small shops that have sprung up well east on Pico Blvd. Rolling Cowboys has a good rep with my friends who've been there.
- I'm a fan of the Beverly Hills Bike Shop, which is not in Beverly Hills, and is a few miles east of Westwood. It's small, with a few friendly staff, some great bikes, and two wonderful mechanics. Prices for accessories are list, but get on the good side of the staff and if you ask, they'll probably discount just about anything. It might be my favorite shop, along with aforementioned and quirky Sound Cycles - just genuine people, no attitudes.
__________________
This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.
This post is a natural product. Slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and are in no way to be considered flaws or defects.
Last edited by icyclist; 04-21-12 at 01:56 AM.
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,456
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 50 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Nothing racist about that. Sheesh.
Did it also occur to you that I might be of latino descent myself? Double sheesh.
#21
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,305
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1451 Post(s)
Liked 731 Times
in
374 Posts
^ Perhaps a better way to express this woulde be: " the staff's limited english skills impeded their efforts to understand the problem with my drop out and fix it"
Factually based, and active voice.
Active voice is almost always better than passive, and, trying to talk around the issue just makes things worse.
Introductory phrases such as "I'm not being racist, to be honest," etc. add nothing but verbage, and come off as " The Lady doth protest to much."
Factually based, and active voice.
Active voice is almost always better than passive, and, trying to talk around the issue just makes things worse.
Introductory phrases such as "I'm not being racist, to be honest," etc. add nothing but verbage, and come off as " The Lady doth protest to much."
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
Last edited by merlinextraligh; 04-21-12 at 08:15 PM.