Open Road Bike Shop in Pasadena

[MTBMaven]

For those that have been to Open Road you know what I'm talking about. For those that don't you need to go and you will understand the moment you pull in the driveway.

This place is like where a mad scientist of bicycles works. There is $shit everywhere. Parts laying around, frames, forks. Stuff from yesteryear in every corner. The back is full of cloths, tons of them. Cool retro wool jerseys abound. Socks, jerseys, jackets. You name it he's got it.

I went in to see about some tools for a threaded 1" headset I need to work on. Steve, the owner and mad scientist, looks through a pile of tools on the "showroom floor" but doesn't find anything. (He knew right were to go amidst all the chaos and clutter.) So he sells me one of his tools. Just like that. No need to sign the CC slip.

You can tell this place is his kingdom. He is one of those eccentric right brainers who cannot deal with the orderly structure of a normal bike shop. I'm sure he sees no point in it.

I think I will be visiting this shop frequently in the future. Especially if I need any obscure part for an old bike. If you are in the area drop by. It is quite an experience.

[g.c.]

Originally Posted by MTBMaven

For those that have been to Open Road you know what I'm talking about. For those that don't you need to go and you will understand the moment you pull in the driveway.

This place is like where a mad scientist of bicycles works. There is $shit everywhere. Parts laying around, frames, forks. Stuff from yesteryear in every corner. The back is full of cloths, tons of them. Cool retro wool jerseys abound. Socks, jerseys, jackets. You name it he's got it.

I went in to see about some tools for a threaded 1" headset I need to work on. Steve, the owner and mad scientist, looks through a pile of tools on the "showroom floor" but doesn't find anything. (He knew right were to go amidst all the chaos and clutter.) So he sells me one of his tools. Just like that. No need to sign the CC slip.

You can tell this place is his kingdom. He is one of those eccentric right brainers who cannot deal with the orderly structure of a normal bike shop. I'm sure he sees no point in it.

I think I will be visiting this shop frequently in the future. Especially if I need any obscure part for an old bike. If you are in the area drop by. It is quite an experience.

He and his wife also own the "Bunny Museum". Hit both and call it a road trip.

http://www.thebunnymuseum.com/

Now that is hot.

[Foesnasty]

that shop is crazy, but if you need a part it's somewhere in that mess

[Neccros]

Those are the best kind of shops regardless of the shops content(Bikes, hobby stuff, etc)

[Hollywood]

Originally Posted by MTBMaven

It is quite an experience.

heh, I was just there last weekend, stopped in on my way past it on a roadie ride.

Warning: If you're a neat freak and like to keep your domain tidy, you may have a seizure. I found myself wanting to pick up the bottles of lube that had fallen off the shelf onto the floor. But that wouldn't have made a dent.

Does anyone else work there??? The place is huge and Steve is the only guy I saw who was working.

However the clothing section is pretty rad, especially if you like vintage wool jerseys, sorted by color, of course.

HW

[S54MCoupe]

Steve Lubanski is a cool guy, and his shop is worth a visit for sure. I'm glad you found it and checked it out.

[Endo Verendo]

OMG, the Bunny Museum! Somehow that makes perfect sense. And I can picture Huell Howser at the bike shop too. He could spend a good 20 mins on the wool jersey racks.

[g.c.]

Originally Posted by Endo Verendo

OMG, the Bunny Museum! Somehow that makes perfect sense. And I can picture Huell Howser at the bike shop too. He could spend a good 20 mins on the wool jersey racks.

It has been years, but I think Rut, Foster and Mrs. (almost) Foster, terminaut (the man behind http://fooriders.com/CS/default.aspx) and a couple of other knuckleheads and I hit the bike shop, museum and Roscoe's Chicken and Waffles before returning behind the Orange Curtian. Great day.

Good times.