Super Dave

Hi,

I'm going to be visiting these two cities in the next week and would like to visit one or two bike shops in each location. I'm not looking to buy anything...I just want to get a feel for the bike culture, maybe see some custom bikes, and check out some unusual products.

I'm going to be there with my wife and teenage daughters. If there are any other must do things please let me know. The primary purpose of the trip is scouting colleges for the older kid.

Thank you very much,
Dave

79pmooney

I've been in a Portland shop maybe twice the past two years because of this pandemic so I do not know what shops are doing (or still in business) but I am sure River City is going and that shop is always a treat if just to look at some of the unusual bikes. Three of my favorites are Citybikes; a worker's coop with used bikes, lots of old parts and real knowledge. Gladys Bike Shop, geared around women's bikes. They work closely with Natalie Ramsland; builder of Sweet Pea custom woman's frames. Carry bicycle seats! (You can buy a $25 "library card, take out any of the two dozen seats on the shelves for a week, bring it back and try another. Find "that seat", buy a new, boxed one and the $25 gets returned.) I stop in when I'm at that corner of Portland because it's always fun and next door is (IMO) Portland's best espresso. Community Cycling Center; a non-profit with used bikes and parts and a mission to get bikes into the hands of inner city youth and the working poor (and 15 blocks west of Gladys Bikes).

I've bought at least 4 frames from Community Cycling and Citybikes, lots of parts esp from Citybikes and regularly go to Citybikes for spokes (and the correct length). Gloves and the like from Gladys (occasional ordering stuff which has the advantage of bringing me back for another sweet cuppa espress).

fooferdoggie 

lots for sure. river city bikes is the boutique shop of Portland https://www.rivercitybicycles.com/

bikingshearer 

I've only been to Portland a few times (my son lives there now) but stumbled onto West End Bikes, SW Harvey Milk Street at SW 11th Street, a block south of Burnside St and Powell's Books. Nice folks, and they have some nice vintage bikes hanging up. I've seen an old Cinelli track bike and a beautiful cromovelato-painted Willier Trestina there, but can't guarantee they'll still be there.

A trip to West End and Powell's is guaranteed not to be wasted time, says this non-native.

threeflys

Hi,

Sellwood Cycles River City are two good ones for sure!

Super Dave

Thank you very much for the tips. I appreciate it.
dave

Seattle Forrest

If you can ride the Burke Gilman Trail on a sunny day between Gas Works Park and the UW you'll fall in love.

SurferRosa

In Seattle's U District: https://www.recycledcycles.com/

Litespeedlouie

A couple more shops if near the UW Seattle:

Montlake Bicycle Shop
https://www.montlakebike.com/

R&E Cycles
https://www.rodbikes.com/

The big name in Seattle is probably Gregg's Greenlake
https://www.greggscycles.com/

Plenty of smaller shops if you have the time, although I seldom need to go to any shop and don't keep up.

PDXZach

Upcycle on Alberta has a ton of used bikes and frames as well as complete bikes.

79pmooney

Ummm ,,, My brother and family came to visit me and they had one afternoon for me to show them around. All readers. All outdoors people. I elected to take them to the Gorge because that would be far more time efficient than walking into Powell's!