Need a bike in Santa Cruz

There are tons of bike shops in Santa Cruz. You should check out Another Bike Shop (it's kinda hard to find though) because it sounds like you'll find what you need there. Look in the yellow pages too.

Don't bother with any of the other shops in town. ABS is where it's at.

Whats so great about ABS? They all seem a little snobby to me. I've been there twice, and both times I was dissatisfied with the service I received.

I stick to the guys on the other side of town.

By the way wavedude, Cyclewerks has a brand new 04 specialed SX with a pretty sick build that they are selling super cheap. It might be worth considering.

scurban said:

Whats so great about ABS? They all seem a little snobby to me. I've been there twice, and both times I was dissatisfied with the service I received.

I stick to the guys on the other side of town.

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Ha! YA...sometimes they can be snobby, but you have to realize, they are the ONLY shop in town that almost exclusively deals with mountain bikes. There are no road bikes there, and I don't even think they stock roadie tires. So for how much of a niche market they are going for, they are bound to be snobby. I'm pretty good friends with about 70% of the people there and I have to say that they all are good people. Definately give 'em a chance, even if they seem a bit snobbish at first.

Actually, go look for Graham, he's always bending over backwards for his customers...he's a good guy.

^ True, I do like the merchandise the carry. I might be willing to give them another try.

Yea ABS is real hit and miss on the customer service. Ive been going there for years and sometimes they are way cool and other times they are total A holes.But they have been real nice to me since I just bought a bike from em,lol.

Definitely check out ABS by New Leaf on Mission st, near the big 7-11. It has all mountain bikes and cool people in it. Like Chimichanga said, look for Graham and Z is really helpful too. The guys there are great.

Those guys and their shop can kiss my a$$. You walk in and everyone looks at you like you shouldn't even be there, and you have to practically beg for help.

Please don't give them you business and go somewhere cool like Traihead Cyclery. Its 20 minutes away from there, and ask for Lars, the shop owner. He has only mtn bike stuff, no road bikes, the guys are big time mtn bikers, and they only carry high end stuff.

I know he has an awesome Specialized SX w/ 66 rc up front, a Demo 8 and 9, and he also has Maverick, Rocky mtn, and Intense stuff.....

Give 'em a call, they are the only ones that will touch my bike (Bullit), and they know their stuff!

Customer service at ABS seems to be a mixed bag. Weekdays when the owners are there, its pretty good. And if you bring a bike in for service, they are on it back in the service department. But some of the kids that work the front end are oblivious to what's going on.

I'd like to put in a plug for Sprockets. They don't carry so much high end stuff, but the owners are very knowledgeable and friendly.

bullit71 said:

Those guys and their shop can kiss my a$$. You walk in and everyone looks at you like you shouldn't even be there, and you have to practically beg for help.

Please don't give them you business and go somewhere cool like Traihead Cyclery. Its 20 minutes away from there, and ask for Lars, the shop owner. He has only mtn bike stuff, no road bikes, the guys are big time mtn bikers, and they only carry high end stuff.

I know he has an awesome Specialized SX w/ 66 rc up front, a Demo 8 and 9, and he also has Maverick, Rocky mtn, and Intense stuff.....

Give 'em a call, they are the only ones that will touch my bike (Bullit), and they know their stuff!

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Those guys are awesome as well. I rode in Downieville with the whole group last year and had a blast. They all ride and are really into mountain bikes. I definately think that shop qualifies as the other "high zoot mtn-bike shop" in the area. They are, however, decidedly NOT in Santa Cruz...

As for the other comments about ABS...uhhh to date I've not bought a bike from that shop and they don't treat me bad. I have had some bad service there too, but it was from one individual who has some bad days sometimes. Hell, I've had bad service from my best friend at different shop in SC. Sometimes people get all huffed up about the service. They forget that the bike shop employees all ride and thats what they want to be doing instead of working.

EDIT: Phil at sprockets is a cool guy. You won't find one of the bikes listed above there though. He always thinks me and my friends are really crazy when he builds our DH wheels. "What the hell are you gonna do with this?"