Open Road Bike Shop in Pasadena

Discussion in 'The Roadie Hangout' started by MTBMaven, Aug 3, 2007.

  1. MTBMaven

    MTBMaven This is Shangri La

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    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.
     
  2. g.c.

    g.c. og

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    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.
     
  3. Adrian

    Adrian foesnasty no more....

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

    Neccros Technically Canadian

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

    Hollywood don't 8-1-hate

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    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
     
  6. S54MCoupe

    S54MCoupe New Member

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    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.
     
  7. Endo Verendo

    Endo Verendo sure

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    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.
     

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  8. g.c.

    g.c. og

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    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.
     
  9. davidB

    davidB Active Member

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    (yes i know this is bumping a really old thread, but there's no reason to start a new one)


    Open Road. Wow.

    I went there once before about a year ago but got a call on my phone after stepping just a few feet in, and never went back. Remembered about it today while in the neighborhood with time to kill so I stopped in. For those not in the know, it's next door to Foes (same building?) though the only mountain bikes he carries are KHS and Bianchi, mostly a roadie shop with MTB stuff everywhere though

    wow.

    I knew it was a one man operation/shop, I didn't realize to what extent his shop would look like once you really get into things.

    Stepping over high end road frames, random cranksets, tools and smart parts everywhere, wheelsets galore. There was a EC90 wheelset, problem is that you had to step over one wheel, and 10+ feet away was the other one LOL

    I didn't need anything so I didn't shop there, but I want to go back and look at the large collection of jerseys/clothes he has there.

    I've got to go back!

    oh yeah, there was some out of towner that he had spoken to before on the phone. The guy was leaving Sunday morning but had time to get a ride in tomorrow (saturday), Steve gave the guy his bike and some pedals because as he said "someone has to ride it, I don't have the time"

    There was no shortage of bikes though.

    I think if you took your bike in for service, he'd just tell you to put it anywhere and he'll get to it. You could lay it on the floor and he wouldn't care, nor would it look out of place
     
  10. MTBMaven

    MTBMaven This is Shangri La

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    Yep that is exactly what Steve says when you bring in your bike. I don't think Steve has a left side to his brain. He is such a right brain person. As you say there is stuff everywhere, the organization is loose at best, and he knows where everything is. Steve is an incredibly giving person. I really like shopping there and supporting him.
     
  11. MountainCycler

    MountainCycler OTB

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    Just don't wear an in-n-out burger t-shirt. . .
     
  12. surfzombo13

    surfzombo13 King of Kooks

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    Wow, I'll have to check them out. Your description of the shop reminds me of a little hole in the wall bike shop called "The Bike Peddler" that was on 2nd & Rowland in Covina about 17-18 years ago. Walk in the door and you're stumbling over bikes, parts, and anything else related to bikes. And like the place in the OP, the guy that ran the shop knew where everything was. I just wish I could remember his name....
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Apr 17, 2010
  13. UR2KLOS

    UR2KLOS Senior Member

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  14. Jslow

    Jslow stipend of maltliquor

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    So where is this place?
     
  15. UR2KLOS

    UR2KLOS Senior Member

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    60 North Sierra Madre Boulevard
    Pasadena, CA 91107-3326
    (626) 683-9986

    (don't thank me, thank google)
     
  16. Jslow

    Jslow stipend of maltliquor

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    I do realize how lazy that post was, thanks anyway but no str thanks per ur request
     
  17. JoeTruth

    JoeTruth Active Member

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    To each it's own but in my opinion, the guy is a loose cannon and could be hot and cold when you go in, depending on his mood and what you say and don't say to him. It's like a franken-shop in there. It's utter chaos! He should be referred to as the "Pasadena bike-nazi".
     
  18. Piranha

    Piranha Member

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  19. GravityGear

    GravityGear New Member

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    lol yeah. i like that place. i went in there once to inquire about a stinky deelux frame with a monster t fork and the price was "$1400 or so, maybe" after a short pause and some contemplation.
     
  20. stuffshredman

    stuffshredman Member

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    trailninja likes this.

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