I want to ride my bicycle, I want to ride my bike (where to buy one PA?)

November 6, 2019 4:39 AM

I am looking for tips, suggestions, and recommendations for where to buy a new (road?) bike anywhere within 4 hours of central Pennsylvania. More specificity below the fold.

Like a scene from Ferris Bueller, my car smashed my road bike into a tree... so I am looking for a replacement. In an ideal world, I would own probably 5 or 6 bikes to meet all my needs (a nice commuter, a touring bike, a gravel bike, a mountain bike, and what I currently destroyed an endurance road bike). I know I want to get a new road bike but with the weather about to turn cold, I might be convinced to wait, and get a gravel or mountain bike that would take me off the road (I have a good commuter.) Can you convince me one way or the other? If not, then help me find the best endurance road bike from the best bike shop anywhere in PA (I can go to Pittsburgh, Philly - and also DC and Baltimore.) I don't just want a trained fitter - I want a great fitter, with a good shoe selection (I need to replace those too) and a shop that is not snooty, has women specific brands. (I have a local bike shop that is great but low inventory on this front.) What else should I be looking for in a shop?

posted by turtlefu to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (2 answers total)

With the caveat that I’m a guy and not really familiar with current women-specific brands, I’d suggest Thick Bikes and Kindred Cycles in Pittsburgh. Both are excellent shops carrying many brands and models and providing excellent service. Thick keeps a larger inventory. Kindred boasts a couple of women involved in wrenching, sales and ownership of the business. They were very helpful in accommodating modifications I wanted to a bike a bought from them in 2018.
posted by jon1270 at 5:06 AM on November 6, 2019

A bike to take a look at is the Surly Midnight Special- my wife thinks hers is the bee’s knees.
posted by rockindata at 7:03 AM on November 6, 2019