I've recently come upon some cash and a wife that's willing to let me part with it for a ride. I'm pretty picky about where I spend my money. I'd prefer to keep it either in the hometown where it would make an impact or just go online.

Panther City seems to be the only "boutique" bike store around. I've been in there a few times and picked up some odds and ends.

They sell only one type of road bike as far as I can tell, Masi. They seem to be just as good as any oriental brand that's rebadged with an italian logo.

I just wonder if anyone else has had good/bad experiences dealing with them. I'd hate to pay what amounts to a 2-300 markup on what they are actually selling only to find out their service sucks and they might not help get you dialed in just right fit wise.

I went in there once and honestly wasn't that impressed. The reason why I say that is because I can't tell from either their website or their inventory/staff what they specialize in. To me, it looks like they sell more kids' bikes and cruisers than anything else.

If you want to give local shops a chance, the only two others I have any experience with are Colonel's on University Dr. (Orbea, Moots, Giant, etc.) and Bicycles Inc on Granbury Road (Trek, Specialized, Felt, etc.). Bikes Inc. is a larger store with several locations. Their stock is decent and their sales/service staff is hit-or-miss, but generally acceptible. Best to go early or during the week.

Although I live in FW now, I still make the drive out to Richardson Bike Mart. Been a customer for years, and they always treat me well. Good luck.

I've had nothing but great experiences with them. While they don't carry tons of brands, their customer service has been great. The brunt of their customers are commuters and comfort rider types, but there are a few roadies that swing by there as well. I've bought two bikes from them (Masi, Surly Cross Check), mainly because of the customer service I get. They seem to know the name of everyone that comes in and have a pretty good turn around on service. Of course, it's also a few miles down the road from my house (although Colonels is closer).

I like the guys at Colonels as well, I also ride with Tim from time to time, just not lately. However, I like the service better at Panther City. Don't like Bikes Inc., thought the customer service there was terrible.

This is a 2-wk old thread, so this may be too late, but if you're looking for a good boutique sho p in the area that covers lots of high end brands, your best bets are FW Cycle & Fitness on the west side or Mad Duck in Grapevine. FW Cycle isn't really a boutique, and the service ranges from fantastic to nonexistent, depending on who you get, but they carry lots of good brands that aren't available at lots of other shops, support lots of rides and races, and really know their stuff. If you deal with James, the owner, you'll definitely get good service. Some of the other guys are good, too, but YMMV. It's also the only shop I'm aware of in FW proper with really good Campy mechanics.

Mad Duck in Grapevine is the classic boutique shop. Mad Duck stocks Merckx, Cdale, Merlin, Pinarello and other high end brands that are hard to find anyplace short of driving to Richardson Bike Mart. They also know Campy. Also, Gary & Clarence actually know their stuff, compared to some of the guys at RBM who may've been selling suits last month. (That may be unfair to RBM, but I've been there 3 times and been unimpressed with their sales staff 2 of those, so that's all I have to go on.)

RBM does, however, have a rental plan where for $100-150, depending on the price of the bike, you can rent it for a weekend, with the rental price applied to the purchase if you decide to buy it.

another vote for FW Cycling. deal with james for bike desicions and fit and jason or matt for service.
i was looking at buying a Look bike and went to RBM. the floor manager there said they only sold "high-end" bikes. pretty pompous place -- last place i would go.
before i ended up buying on-line i went to see james and he and got me the bike and even fixed me up with the correct size. i would have gotten the wrong size by following the on-line fit kits. it turned out beautiful and i love it -- can't imagine a better bike. just great personal service.
james sells treks, cannondales, kleins, sab's, monocs, looks, and, his favorite bike, kuotas. he rides over 250 miles a week and only recommends things he uses and has had success with.
even if you don't buy there he is a great resourse for educational purposes so i suggest you check him out.
sorry for the typos, recovering from shoulder surgery after a crash at hhh.
jerry

another vote for FW Cycling. deal with james for bike desicions and fit and jason or matt for service.
i was looking at buying a Look bike and went to RBM. the floor manager there said they only sold "high-end" bikes. pretty pompous place -- last place i would go.
before i ended up buying on-line i went to see james and he and got me the bike and even fixed me up with the correct size. i would have gotten the wrong size by following the on-line fit kits. it turned out beautiful and i love it -- can't imagine a better bike. just great personal service.
james sells treks, cannondales, kleins, sab's, monocs, looks, and, his favorite bike, kuotas. he rides over 250 miles a week and only recommends things he uses and has had success with.
even if you don't buy there he is a great resourse for educational purposes so i suggest you check him out.
sorry for the typos, recovering from shoulder surgery after a crash at hhh.
jerry


i read you got the LOOK bike. how do you like it?

i've never been to FW cycling shop, i'll have to check it out.

i can't say enough about my '05 look 555. light, stiff, comfortable ride, all of your power you can feel is translated to the ground -- no wasted energy. it's beautiful with a fantastic finish and the wrenches at FWC went ga-ga about all the little extras when they were putting it together. just a great bike, extremely satisfied. it even took this crash at hhh unscathed. highly recommended.
go talk to james, he is a wealth of knowledge. he is off on thursdays and usually out of there by 6:00. located at hwy 80 and cherry lane on the west side of fw.
good luck!
jerry

cool i'll do that jerry. i'll probably swing up there this weekend and have a look around.

back on topic about panther city. i know they have group rides in the afternoons, i saw a group leaving the shop about 2 weeks ago going for an evening ride. do any of you guys ride in groups?

before the hhh crash i rode every tuesday from the bransom's grocery in burleson at 7:30. they go out every tuesday, thursday, and saturday mornings.
i ride from benbrook by the new ymca at 7:30 on saturdays and sundays, at least i was until this last saturday!
jerry

i go down to the benbrook ymca too. I take the Trinity trail all the way down to where Winscott meets 377(the ymca) and turn around. One of these weekends I would like to take 377 south all the way to Granbury, TX.

how far and fast do you want to go? these guys all regroup.
hwy 377 is much to dangerous. do you ever visit the ft worth bicycle assn. website? check that out and try the baker road ride. it is similar to what you describe and much safer. good luck and see you in three months.
jerry

pm sent, cuz i'm getting off topic

I ride with the Panther city guys whenever I can. I usually go straight there from my house since I'm only a few miles up the road. So I was probably with the group you saw.

I've ridden with some of the FWBA guys too. Just haven't done it in a while. Being car free is nice, but sometimes difficult. Just too logistically difficult to head down and meet up with some of the FWBA guys from my house. Although I wouldn't mind riding with the rusty chain guys again down off Colombus trail. It's probably less than 10 miles, just full of roads that are not easy to navigate between here and there.

Heck, I just need to take the time to plan out a better route...