Biking Stores for getting touring bike in SF Bay Area

[xenomera]

I am planning a month long self supported bicycle touring trip with my wife for next summer -- our first one!

Right now I am riding a Trek hybrid bike for lots of urban riding, and realize that I probably need to get a new bike for this trip.  I assume a touring bike is what I want.

For me, I think it is best to work with someone at a good bike store to spec out the details of a bike.  Does anyone have recommendations as to which bike stores in the SF Bay Area would be best for doing this?  Maybe even a specific person you could recommend?

I'm probably going to be in the $1500-$2500 range for price.

[Pat Lamb]

Chain Reaction Bicycles, down the peninsula in Redwood City, is one dealer that usually carries the Trek 520 (Trek's touring bike, about $1400 last time I looked).  Mike J, the owner, does mostly road day rides from what I can tell.  He was heavily involved back in the usenet days, and was a good man to discuss bicycle mechanics.

If he doesn't have a 520 in your size, you may have to wait until February-March timeframe, when the factory does its annual production run.

[John Nelson]

I have no knowledge of bike shops in SF, but I will note that most bike shops have very little understanding of bicycle touring. If you can find one that does, then that's great. But just so you won't get talked into something inappropriate, do your homework. One of the best places to start is right here in the how-to section. Start here:

http://www.adventurecycling.org/resources/201004_TouringBikeBuyersGuide_Schubert.pdf

[Patco]

You may want to check in with Tony, the owner of A Bicycle Odyssey in Sausalito. He has a great bike shop - not fancy just a bike shop full of bikes, frames, gear, and knowledge.

[valygrl]

http://bicycleoutfitter.com/

Bicycle Outfitter in Los Altos.  Used to be very touring oriented.  Not sure if they still are.  I bought my 520 there.

[xenomera]

Thanks for the good ideas responded to my post.   This is a followup in case anyone is looking in the future.

I ended up thinking that my budget was too low, so I did a search for more expensive bicycles.  I looked at the local guys putting together high end touring bikes, including Rivendell in Walnut Creek, Bruce Gordon in Petaluma, and even the custom bike builder Brent Steelman who makes fabulous bikes out of Redwood City.

I also found good help and information about touring from these shops:  City Cycles in San Francisco were helpful and knowledgeable on touring, and carried both Trek 520s as well as more semi-custom Seven Cycle bikes.  At the lower end, Box Dog Bikes in San Francisco were also helpful and knowledgeable, and carry the Surly LHT.

We ended up ordering Waterford frames from Tony at A Bicycle Odyssey in Sausalito, who will put together the bikes for us.  He is an experienced bike tourer from the past, and is extremely knowledgeable and very easy to work with, and has put together quite a few touring setups for people.  We don't have the bikes yet, but I'm fairly certain they'll be very nice when they come.  Maybe I'll put a followup post when all is done.

Again, thanks for the help.

[tcherman]

Black Mountain Cycles in Point Reyes Station sells a wide range of touring bikes : Surly, Bruce Gorden, and others.  Mike Varley, the shop owner, also offers his own design road and cross bike frames made in Taiwan.  His shop is one of the rare shops that stock Phil bottom brackets, Chris KIng head sets, custom wheels, red Salmon brake pads, TRD brake levers, etc that work on touring bikes.  Highly reommended. 
Ted Herman