MBA best bike stores?

The September 2006 issue of Mountain Bike Action has the Oak Bay Bike store listed as one of the top shops around. I do wonder when I see things like this what the stores are really like. Luckily Oak Bay Bikes (or OBB) happens to be in my city and I have been there a few times so I can give you the actual insider's info on the store.

The store is very nice. It is new and has lots of space. They have a fairly good inventory. I am sure they have lots of famous riders go through the store, but this is Victoria. Ride the trails and you will see famous riders. You can pick them out because they are not spitting up a lung on the big climbs. Word on the street is that Straight-up cycle is where a number of the pros go to get their bikes ready for race day.

OBB does have some down sides. They tried to sell me a custom built frame at a custom built price. The only problem was that the custom built frame was custom built for someone else. It makes you suspicious if they are looking out for your better interests. They also have their share of 'odd' mechanics. The 'I fixed your problem' guys but you have to go home and take apart what they 'fixed' because they did not put it together properly.