Phoenix Gets More Notice
There’s a nice piece in Express‘ Fit section today about Phoenix Bike Shop in Arlington, which I picked as Best Bike Shop a few weeks ago. That wasn’t an easy choice—I frequent a few bike shops and am deliriously happy with most of them. City Bikes, right near our office, is a classic local bike shop, with great stock, friendly clerks, and perhaps the greatest wrenches in the city. Spokes Etc. in Alexandria is also a fine shop, and I hear great things about the Bike Rack and pretty much every other LBS in the area.
What makes Phoenix great isn’t the fact that you can get a fully rehabbed bike with a nice ’70s lugged frame for less than $100, it’s that kids in south Arlington, which comprises some of the poorest areas of the county, can earn a sharp ride just by helping out around the shop. The shop’s director, Colin Dixon, and chief mechanic, John Harpold, take kids out on rides every week. “I just have always seen bikes and used bikes not as a lifestyle but as the best part of how to get things done,” Dixon told me. And that’s why I think his shop is the best, even with such stiff competition.
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11:38 am
More Phx Bikes:
http://connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=314482&paper=60&cat=104
11:40 am
I have to disagree on City Bikes. I went in there a few years ago to get an old bike fixed up so I could ride it. The guy I talked to when I brought it in looked at it, rolled his eyes and told me I’d be better off getting a new one. I went back two more times with the intention of buying a bike–right then, as I was ready, willing and had the cash–but was completely ignored by the people working in the almost-empty shop.
1:48 pm
I second the negative review of City Bikes. The Adams Morgan location just doesn’t cut it when it comes to stock, either of bikes or accessories and components. The Bike Rack is fantastic.
2:32 pm
College Park Bicycles. Easily the best shop around.