I bought a beat up vintage (early 50s) cruiser and promptly locked it to my back porch and let it become even more decrepit. When the time came to fix it up, it was clear that a paint job was desperately needed, but I REALLY wanted to keep the integrity of the original design as best I could.
EVERY SINGLE PERSON in EVERY SINGLE SHOP I went to (and I went to many) looked at me like I was crazy. They told me they could powder coat the bike but that was it. Every single person EXCEPT Cap at Palms Cycle, that is.
He was patient, knowledgeable and not at all pushy. He broke the job down for me into a series of cost options - powder coat the frame $$$, powder coat the chain guard and rims a different color $$, adding pin stripes $$ and so on. When I explained that I wanted to keep the original design on the frame, he said "no problem" and broke that cost out for me too. They actually traced the original pattern before sandblasting my bike and did an amazing job of duplicating it. They even bought a special brush to recreate the lettering on my chain guard (see photos for before and after).
It took a REALLY long time to get the bike done, and the final cost wasn't cheap by some standards I'm sure, but to me it was worth every day and every penny. They even repainted the head badge to match my new color scheme.
They also have an amazing collection of vintage bikes (as well as new ones) for sale if you don't want to do it the hard way like I did.
I wanted a bike. Cruised craigslist forever, went to several shops in town. I walked into Palms Cycle not really expecting to find the perfect used bike among their impressive array of vintage and new bikes, and though they didn't have any out on the floor, CAP (who is so so so nice) pointed out one out in the back that they were going to fix up. A week later, he calls and says it's ready to test drive. Which I did. That was a week ago and this past weekened, I took the bike to Venice Beach and was there for 4 hours riding around, people watching, and simply enjoying the wind through my hair and the smooth ride of my new bike. I had bought a cover and helmet as well then decided I didn't like the helmet. Cap refunded me without flinching, he extended my service agreement, and was a complete gem through the whole process.
Buy your bike there and observe friendly and helpful service at its finest.
Absolute best bike shop around! Everytime I bring my bike in I get top class service. Unlike other stores where you have to wait a week for your bike, these guys are right on it!
Also, when you walk in the store the staff immediately recognize and help you out!
A+++++
Ravi
No other shop like this one in the USA. Over 80 antique, retro, and refurbished Bicycles. They rent and sell these bikes to the studios like Sony and Fox. You can buy one. They also sell new bikes and offer fantastic repairs and frame build outs. The shop is outfitted to look like an Hawaii beach scene, and the owners are just as eclectic as the store.
After trying to rebuild my old 12 speed into a fixie by myself I was stuck with a couple problems I couldn't do on my own. I wasn't sure where to go so I just went to the closest place which was Palms Cycle. I'd never been in there but I figured I'd just ask a couple questions and go deal with it myself later. I went in and showed them my beat up old bike that was most of the way done but had no brakes, messed up short chain that needed a link, wobbly wheels that needed alignment and handlebars that were all wonky. They took my bike in the bike and while I watched fixed everything. They explained what they were doing every step of the way and taught me a lot. I've ridden that bike to work everyday since. Super nice guys who didn't even ask to be paid. I just offered something for all the work they put into it. I'd recommend them easily.
The first I stopped by, there was a decidedly unfriendly and unhelpful check manning the store. But then after I got a bike, I was calling around for the Hollywood bike mount that attaches to the back of the sedan. Chubby's in culver city were "too busy" when I called to check if they had in stock, and this place answered and were pleasant, so I came by to purchase. I got super friendly service, and they spent some time setting up the bike mount and enthusiastically showing me how to use it.
A month later I came with my bike because I thought something was up- the gears kept clicking. Someone checked out my bike, and did something to the chain. I had also brought back the basket I had purchased, 'cos I had trouble getting it on. So they put that basket on for me after checking the gears. They didn't charge me anything for either of these services. Sweet!
So now I love 'em. Nice guys who care about you and your bike.
