Since some of us travel (I'm in AZ currently), I thought this could be a good thread/resource for those traveling and need recs for good bike shops outside Chicagoland.
I will update as they come in...
Slippery Pig - Fountain Hills, AZ. Eric is the owner, nice guy.
The Bike Shop @ Southport Rigging in Kenosha, Wi. Only a mile north of the bike path connection into Wisconsin from Chicago. Talk to Tony Looney; the goofy looking guy with a dagger tattoo.
I just got back from Austin Tx and loved Mellow Johnny's downtown on 5th street. Commuter station with showers/lockers, bike shop, cheap rentals, downstairs training center for the road racers and tons of gear and apparel which is not cheap. Great shop.
When in Brew City, try Cory the Bike Fixer on Murray and Thomas, 1 block north of North Ave. on Milwaukee's East Side. Also try Wheel & Sprocket on Santa Monica and Green Tree in Fox Point, 108thSt. N. of Janesville Rd. in Hales Corners, Capitol Dr. E. of Lilly Rd. in Brookfield, or Wells St. in Delafield. If either of the4se shops don't have it, you probably didn't need it amkway.
They had just shut down the last time in was in town over the holidays. They were the coolest shop i've been to. Framebuilding, New and used bikes, hard to find and super neat stuff, advocacy out the yenyang, and really good prices if you needed help.
Russell's Cycle & Fitness took good care of me when I was limping through Washington Il. (near Peoria). An impressive place in a nice town. http://Russellsfitness.com
Gunnison, ooohhhh, that's near Crested Butte......great shop there called Crested Butte Bike and Ski Shop. I rented a great mountain bike there (it fit me quite well). Good, friendly people.
Excellent new/used bike shop with everything the fixed and geared biker could ask for. Extremely friendly staff. Lived in Lawrence for over 4 years and can't say enough about the uniqueness of this shop and friendliness of the staff. Great place to visit if driving from chicago to colorado (perfect halfway point). Also if in lawrence visit Free State brewery and Love Graden records.