Favorite Seattle area bike store and why?

[Eden]

I shop at a lot of places for bicycle gear, but IMHO, bike shops don't do the best fits... PT's do - and sometimes your health insurance will even pay for it.

I can highly recommend www.realrehab.com

[KnottedYet]

I agree that there are some good PT's in Seattle doing bike fits. As far as bike shops, I quite like Free Range Cycles in Fremont (Seattle). www.freerangecycles.com Owned by a woman, tiny shop, 2 wrenches. They will order anything for you, and they are GOOD at customer service.

Recycled Cycles is my other favorite shop, but I wouldn't use them alone as a bike fit. They have a PT from Group Health who comes in and does fits in the shop. She knows her stuff, but she seems more interested in sport/racing fit.

I know of one Seattle PT clinic where the head bike fitter (they have two, and both are women) is also a pelvic issues specialist. PM me if you want that contact info. Could be useful if you are having some pelvic issues, but really anyone can measure your sit bones for a saddle.

Erik Moen is the Seattle shining star for physical therapy based bike fitting. www.bikept.com

ETA: Smiley at R+E is a nice guy, but I've known of two women he's fitted incorrectly (as though they were men) and sometimes he can be so hyper that he's almost impossible. I like him, really, but he doesn't always get the woman thing right.

[anorange]

I second Knottedyet's recommendation of Erik Moen for bike fitting. I will go to him again if I ever get a new bike again. I bought my current bike from Kathleen at FreeRange Cycles. I liked the service and her prices. I also like Recycled Cycles for their 'can do' attitude. Might depend on who you talk to for picking out a bike, but there are some good people there.

[Biciclista]

Ah, we're talking about Bike fitters. Yes, Erik Moen is the best. We'll be seeing him again very soon, now that my tandem is done being used by another stoker.

[salsabike]

I would rate both the PTs at Real Rehab, a place that specializes in working with racers/endurance athletes, and Erik Moen (cycling coach/racing background) at Corpore Sano, highly. Either place will get you an excellent fit with no bike-selling agenda as a distraction, as can happen at bike shops.

For bike repair that can't be done by my pretty knowledgeable spouse, we often use Seattle Bike Repair, next door to R&E Cycle.

[java]

As KnottedYet said, Smiley at R+E is a nice guy, but he has some very fixed opinions, ie he loaths Brooks saddles, puts lots of emphasis on Speedplay pedals, etc. He can be pretty intense and isn't always a good listener.

I agree with the recommendation of Erik Moen. I was seeing my MD for new orthotics, and from that discussion was referred to Erik for a bike fit. I felt Eric listened well and worked collaboratively with me. He also gave me some exercises for strengthening my core, etc. My insurance paid for my visits and I felt I it was time very well spent.