Local Bike Shops -- East Cobb area

Hi Jeff:

Good luck with the bike thing.  Re: which brand of bike, the best thing to do is what you're doing - visit shops and "try on" bikes for fit.  Once you narrow down a few brands/models that might work for you, check out a site like http://www.roadbikereview.com/ to see what others have to say about same.  Then go back to the shop that makes the most sense for you and make the purchase.

Re: LBS's, I don't agree with the previous post about Roswell Bicycles.  I've been in there numerous times over the past year and have NEVER felt like the place is SELL, SELL, SELL.  I ask questions and I feel like I've gotten honest, considerate responses/advice.  When I'm looking to buy something, the guys give me the straight scoop - they show me the range of choices and I've always been able to make a decision w/o feeling pressured to go with one suggestion vs another.  Over the past year I've had my bike serviced there, purchased shoes, tires/tubes, etc. and gotten to know the staff, including the owner Todd, and everybody's always been very friendly/respectful.

HTH and good luck with your training/purchase.

Merry Christmas and Happy '07!

Lou

Hey, welcome to the site and the addictive world of triathlons! Our Georgia group is pretty active so you can probably meet up for workouts.

As far as shops go, there's also a Cycleworks store off Johnson Ferry by Parkaire. I've never been there but it's another shop to check out. I've been in Roswell bikes a bunch of times too and I've had both experiences. My husband and I got our mountain bikes there and at the time the staff was friendly and helpful (but definitely wanted to sell.) I went in there by myself when I was looking for a road bike at the beginning of the summer and I couldn't pay anyone to help me. I was serious about buying but couldn't find anyone to help me or answer my questions so I left.

I ended up getting my bike at Performance in Roswell but by that time I knew exactly what I wanted.  One caveat of buying there, they're not experts in fitting so if you need that you'll probably have to go somewhere else and pay for it. (I'm pretty much a do-it-yourself kind of gal so I've done most of my fitting.) I would also echo the above posts, try a bunch of bikes and get the one that fits you the best in your price range. You can also check out Craigslist, sometimes you can find good deals with a little patience.

Again, welcome and happy training!

Mindy

I have a relationship with most of the bike shops around the Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Woodstock areas and so I have a pretty good idea about where to go and such.

Roswell Bikes is a great shop, they carry a wide variety of bikes and their staff is very knowledgable.

Free Flight tends to be a bit overpriced and I have never seen the same person in there twice.

Outspokin' in Woodstock has an ever expanding road/tri section and Kevin (the owner) is a Kona finisher so he can steer you in the right direction.

All3sports is our local tri shop, they carry alot of high end stuff. You can pretty much find everything there.

Performance has great prices on gear (and I order alot from them) but wouldn't buy a bike from them simply because they are almost "Wal-martish" with their after sale service.

Cycleworks is the one that I am least familiar with, although they have a solid reputation.

As far as used bikes are concerned, go out and find what size bike you ride and get an idea of what you want and how much you are willing to pay.

Good Luck. 

Brett:

Any opinion re: Reality Bikes?  Also, is the NAMC meeting on Sept. 11 open to all?  I'm new to this whole tri thing and Chris Zimmer told me about the club.

Thanks!

Lou

No opinion on Reality Bikes, I am for the most part OTP and only venture ITP when I have too

NAMC meeting is open to everyone and we would love to have you attend. See you on January 11th.

Thanks for the reply, Reality is actually OTP - Exit 14, go left...like Roswell, owned by a guy named "Todd"...

Here's a link to the web site: http://www.realitybikes.com/

They have an organized ride during DST that runs from the shop on Wed. evenings - ~29 miles, A/B groups (though both are fast), and pretty good crowds.  I rode it a bit in 2005, but schedule didn't permit me to make it this year.  During the winter months they meet at an office park (Shiloh Farms) off Exit 12 and ride a 2.8 mile loop.  "Official" time is 6-8PM, but people start stop anywhere in between.  I've ridden it a couple of times this winter and seems that a number of members of Reality's Road/Tri race teams show.

 This said, I don't really know the shop, but the folks I've met during the rides are a pretty nice/accomplished group.

I've got Jan 11 on my calendar.

Enjoy the rest of your holidays.