Stores that know about Cyclocross

[Doug]

What stores in metro Detroit are very good with cyclocross bikes? I have a frame I want to build up and need to find a store that can make good recommendations.

Thanks,
Doug

[Angie]

Doug, When I was looking for a CX bike last year I found that it's a very small niche market and not too many stores even sell them. You could try Bike USA in Birmingham, Continental in Hazel Park or Antoon's in Sterling Hts.

If you're looking for component advise I'd try online sources. Chances are you're going to find the parts cheaper online anyway and if you haven't already built up a good relationship with a shop they might not appreciate you coming in for advise, but not buying through them. Unfortunately I lost my bookmarks a while ago so I can't pass those on, but try a Yahoo search if you haven't already.


Angie

[calfzilla, aka KeithRiege]

Doug;
I own Paint Creek Bicycles in downtown Lake Orion, one of our specialties is Cross bikes and set up. We sell IF, Moots and Specialized cross bikes and special order many other brands. I can help you get your bike built up to suit your needs. I have won the State cyclo cross Championships in the A Master 35+ race the last two years and I won the Points series last year. I love cross and like helping others out. There are not a lot of places to get personal help from someone who actually rides / races cross. Mail order is ok if you know what you want, but I think we won't have a problem with price and we have the local knowledge of the courses and set up. If you are close to Lake Orion we would love to help you out. Paint Creek Bicycles will be bringing a different kind of bike shop to Northern Oakland County and will be open by Easter.
Keith
248-693-6920

[Angie]

Sound like a sweet set up Keith! I'm glad to hear of a shop so familiar with this particular cycling segment.

[RonnieDobbs]

Keith is definitely the man on the North side. He knows his stuff when it comes to 'cross and is a super-nice-duder (btw, congrats on the new shop Keith!).

If you're on the other side of town (south or west) the place to be is definitely Two Wheel Tango in Ann Arbor. They're sponsoring an all-levels 'cross only team this fall, and carry Orbea, Trek, Pinerello, Colnago... probably some more CX bikes. They just got a Pinerello in that is GORGEOUS. They are also extremely knowledgable.

-Al

[Doug]

What about Bikesport in Dearborn? Are they good with CX?

[my_dixie_wrecked]

What about Bikesport in Dearborn? Are they good with CX?

Do you really want a bike from someone like this:
http://pacman.vosn.net/~mmba/bb/viewtopic.php?t=630?

[Doug]

What am I looking for?

[my_dixie_wrecked]

What am I looking for?

The self-important twink in that thread is the owner of Bikesport. I've heard both good and bad about him; mostly bad.

One personal experience; I stopped by once to buy a few powerbars and the almighty made me wait about 5 minutes while he finished up his cutesy phone conversation with someone. He then rung me up as if nothing happened.

Yeah, I think he cares about customers...

[Rod]

Hey hey - don't forget good ole Rob Foshag down at Jack's Bicycle in Monroe, MI. the manager of the shop, Scott Goocher, also started racing CX this year too but Rob is the guy for CX questions. 734-242-1400

I guess it depends on where your located at. Both Paint Creek and Jack's in Monroe are both good shops. It just depends on how far you want to drive.

I'll be helping out this Saturday at the Monroe shops yearly sale. We'll be open from 9am - 6pm. They're usually open only from 10-5 on Saturday so this would be a good day to get down and talk to everyone.

In some other cool CX news, it looks as though we're getting a CX race in the same place as our Mountain Trail at Munson Park for this year.

Ride on!
Rod Harper