Info about bike shops in Austin, Texas?

[pinkbikes]

Hi there!

My DH is heading across the ocean in a week or two to the USA for a conference in Austin, Texas. While he is there he (and his workmates also on the conference) will be taking a day to go shopping at the San Marcos outlet mall.

Now, although DH tends to tear his hair out (and he shouldn't - there really isn't that much to spare) trying to think up nice presents to bring me back, the answer is simple really. The answer is "Any cute/blingy/fun bike gadget will be happily accepted, and a Specialized Lithia Gel seat in a 143 would be especially nice!"

Simple really! Anything red anodised is fair game for my roadie and anything pink is a good bet for my MTB collection or blue for the tandem. I'd even settle for a nice set of red anodised headset spacers! I'm really not an expensive wife!!! Really!!!!

So the question of the hour is...

"Are there any good bike shops somewhere along the road from downtown Austin (where the conference is apparently - and where he was unable to find a bike shop last year) to San Marcos?" Or near the path from Austin to San Marcos?

Thanks!
jen

[kenyonchris]

Oh MAN!!! Austin is a big cycling city. There are several great shops....Austin TriCyclist, University Cycles are the two I like. BUT, TOTALLY make sure you go to Mellow Johnny's....Lance Armstrong's bike place (I say place, it is a multi-service place).
I don't live in Austin, but we load up the bikes and visit as often as we can, it is a great place for us to go for the weekend for great road and mountain biking.

[Aggie_Ama]

The best Specialized shop will be Bicycle Sport Shop central. I LOVE BSS, they are the shop I use. It is big but locally owned and have super low turnover. Their owner is in the Mountain Bike hall of fame and can often be found in the shop or out at local races (racing!). I just bought my Gary Fisher HiFi from their north shop but the central is big and has a great staff my husband knows from racing mountain bikes.

Right by them is Jack and Adam's Tri Shop, down the road is Austin Tri-Cyclist and a short jaunt is University Cycles, Freewheeling bikes, Mellow Johnny's.

Mellow Johnny's is cool but I sent one visitor there and she thought it wasn't worth the hype (but still appreciated the suggestion). She is a regular poster here but I won't rat her out unless she weighs in.

[Tuckervill]

If I lived across the pond, I'd want someone going to Austin to go to Mellow Johnny's just to get me a t-shirt or a cap or something with Mellow Johnny's on it.

In fact, if someone wants to send me one across the forest right now, I'll take it!

Karen

[sarahspins]

I just want to add in another recommendation for BSS... they were sooooooo patient with me, even on a busy Saturday

[txred9876]

If I lived across the pond, I'd want someone going to Austin to go to Mellow Johnny's just to get me a t-shirt or a cap or something with Mellow Johnny's on it.

In fact, if someone wants to send me one across the forest right now, I'll take it!

Karen

Karen,

what do you want? Maybe we can work something out... I go there all the time and will be there for a group ride Sunday.
Tina

[alpinerabbit]

I wouldn't mind a mellow johnny's t-shirt...

[pinkbikes]

Thanks for all the responses, and yes, I think I really NEED a Mellow Johnny tshirt!

However, my DH is not going to have a car while he is there except for the one day he is going shopping down at San Marcos, so he will be really limited in where he can get to. Are any of these stores either within walking distance of downtown or somewhat on the way to San Marcos?

I ask this because he's is dragging several non cyclists around with him who won't want to do an epic day of bike shop visiting. Although one of them looks astonishingly like Lance Armstrong (he does well in the bars over there) until he opens his mouth and betrays his "Englishness" so he probably needs the mellow johhny shirt to complete the image! LOL!

[Aggie_Ama]

Hint for all you wanting Mellow Johnny's shop gear, they have an online store for the shirts and stuff. http://shop.mellowjohnnys.com/

Most of the Austin shops have their own t-shirts. Austin Tri-Cyclist has a particularly cool logo with armadillo.

[Aggie_Ama]

Do you know what street he will be staying on, you can PM me and I will tell you which shops are close enough to maybe take a cab/bus/walk.

[pinkbikes]

Thanks very much. I'll find out.

[Tuckervill]

Karen,

what do you want? Maybe we can work something out... I go there all the time and will be there for a group ride Sunday.
Tina

Oh, Tina, that's all right!! I just live in Arkansas, and I might get down to Austin again next year, then I can get it myself! Thanks, though!

Karen