I've been to most of them and have had good and bad experiences at each. I've finally come to the realization that it's not that I like a bike shop it's that I like certain people who work there.

In the past few years I've bought bikes from River City and Bike N' Hike. Recently I've been buying all my parts and getting all my maintenance done at City BIkes. Some of the people who work there are ridiculously knowledgeable and I really like the vibe of the shop. They also have a good selection of Jamis and Surly.

Bike Central for all the track shit, Dean knows his shit and he's a cool guy if you can get on his good side (he always seems a little weary of new customers). A little pricey but he's got a lot of nice stuff, even a secret drawer of old school Campagnolo goodies that's NEVER on display...
City Bikes on 20th for repair stuff because they let me use their tools for free, and do cheap labor. Good place to find cheap saddles, pedals, bars and stuff, if you're patient and know what to look for.
Veloce, Dimitri knows his shit!!! And he's cool as hell. Nice people.

Coventry Cycles:
They are a tiny shop, and mainly sell recumbents now, but their repairs and advice is incredible. Everyone who works there is great and they don't give attitude to anyone I've seen.
And although its recumbents on the floor, Sherman and a few of the others REALLY know their bikes. They rebuilt my rear wheel beautifully. And for the same price as everyone else.

City Bikes:
Both locations are good, and have great deals. Depending on who you talk to you can either get really helpful people or really awkwardly put-out staff.

Bike N Hike:
Few good, helpful people working there, but some staff that treat you crappt unless you pretend to be dumb or buy the top of the line equipment.

Rivercity:
Same as Bike N Hike. Also, if they have something in stock, you'll get good help. If they don't, then the conversation is over with your salesperson.

Recyclery:
Used to get random and misc parts from them. But their staff, service, and parts have quickly become shitty and overpriced a lot. Not sure about their bikes though.
City Bikes "as-is" section is much more trustworthy.
( To test my theories, I purchased a nice deep V rim front wheel at Recyclery for about $60 and asked if there were any problems. I was assured that although it was from the "as-is" section, which is the entirety of the Recyclery gear, is was a great front wheel. I went straight to City Bikes and asked them what they thought the wheel was worth and if it was in good condition. They said they could probably sell if for $30 and that the hub was a little questionable at best. )

Just my theories.

river city doesn't doesn't carry track parts beyond the basics

BikeCentral is probably my favorite. Dean builds the best track/fixed wheels in town and they have any track related part you could need. He comes off gruff but when he knows you mean business and aren't in there to ask a shit load of questions for free advice he'll set you up right.

River City is fun for gawking at $$$ road machines.

If you're ever in/near Salem and need something hit up Bike Peddler downtown, good people and while they don't carry track specific stuff they can help you out.

Bike Central! my preferred shop. Dean, yah can be a dick, but just don't go in there thinking you know everything you'll get schooled. Great shop, great stuff Dean and Jenn are amazing. they're rebuilding my bike for me. it's worth the premium like someone mentioned earlier but you know you're bike or whatever is done right. I still thank nerf and zak for literally threatening me to go there while drunk one night. seriously though, this is a track bike heaven. it's the only bike/parts you see in there.

Veloshop! when I worked at rocco's I would go there for whatever my bike at the time needed or fixed. molly is great. like stated before it's kind of more of a who's working that day thing. but they're all generally friendly and have some good stuff.

Sellwood, River City, Veloshop and Veloce have all been nothing but great to me. Each has its charms and failings, but you can't really have it all in one shop, can you?

The answer is yes, but I haven't found it yet.

so I went to bike central today and dean finally lectured me. first on how its dumb to think straps are made to stop you, then on for wanting to install one there, as it was easy to ruin one. I rode in with only one, I wasn't trying to ride out the same. Jen was awesome as usual. This might have to be "my favorite bike shop in town" purely because they're the only ones open when I'm not at work.

During lunch I went to bike gallery and got a lock and co2 cartridge and dude gave me 20% off on both for no reason. i didn't even realize till i checked my receipt later.

oops i forgot to mention Revolver bikes over on interstate and portland. just expanded, nice fellers there in the shop, I think mostly XC and downhillers but they have always been cool to me. they have the same stuff everyone else has, ussually $5-10 cheaper, which is a help to those on a "fixed" income.

zelah:

so I went to bike central today and dean finally lectured me. first on how its dumb to think straps are made to stop you, then on for wanting to install one there, as it was easy to ruin one. I rode in with only one, I wasn't trying to ride out the same. Jen was awesome as usual. This might have to be "my favorite bike shop in town" purely because they're the only ones open when I'm not at work.

During lunch I went to bike gallery and got a lock and co2 cartridge and dude gave me 20% off on both for no reason. i didn't even realize till i checked my receipt later.

dean's just a baller like that and he knows real track bike kids ride clipless =)

i've also done well enough at recyclery. mostly i just go there to find small odds and ends, like brake cable or housing, levers, parts for my girlfriend's ss. they pretty much leave me to my work and let me use tools.

i've never had them do any work for me, though. and i do hear a lot of bad rap about them.

just to let you know Max "he prefers she"

I usually order parts from universal cycles. I can do most repairs myself or I go to that shop on 45th and Belmont that lets you work on your own bike and use all their tools for a hourly fee.

I've never checked out City bikes before. Do they have a good selection of tools? I used to live right across from Movie Madness so that shop was super convenient.

I just sold a Mixte frame to Brandon, a mechanic from Meticon.

I didn't even know they were around, but they sound like an upgraded version of the recyclery.
Try em out, brandon seemed like a competent mechanic.

60th and Foster.

Yeah, I've driven by that place (Meticon). Some shiny old bikes on the sidewalk, and a promising looking Mexican food place next door.

d3fold:

I usually order parts from universal cycles. I can do most repairs myself or I go to that shop on 45th and Belmont that lets you work on your own bike and use all their tools for a hourly fee.

You mean Bike Stuff. I dont like them. Couple years back I was still riding a hand-me-down 80s Cannondale Mtb (that was in great condition considering). I somehow got the crank locked up tight. They told me that I should just can the whole bike. I have never returned to that shop.

once again, Noel at CityBikes come though like a pro. Why I continue to try and get help from other employees there I do not know. Noel is the guy who wears snappy button up shirts and silk ties, no apron but is never dirty. He's what I would consider an authority on all aspects of bike repair and wheel building. He is also just plain nice.

If you know who I'm talking about, and he does something like..take of your cog, or some little thing that he doesnt charge for, throw some $$ in the tip jar. That lil gesture goes a long ways.

City Bike did me right. I went in there with a bunk back wheel, flat tire, and problems with my clips, and had everything taken care of and a new wheel in like 20 minutes. It was pretty tight.

Also, I like Veloce. It is near my house and everyone there is really nice and always really cool about helping me out.

However, I bought my bike at bike galllery because it was on sale half off...

Veloshop, Bike Central, City Bikes for used parts definitely not for advice

Austin:

I know, I know, but it saved me like 440 bucks!

Haha, no worries. I just don't like 90% of the shit they carry. I give them my business only when I need a tube or something and because the downtown store is right by school.

I went into Bike Central for the first time today and had a really good experience. I had to pick up some of the very special ($$$) plastic cleats that clip into the Dura Ace track pedals, and while the woman who works there (Jen?) was rummaging around for them, I asked if there were any cheaper alternatives. You know, something less than $50 that might work. Dean goes, "yeah maybe, but you'd have to modify your pedals" and I'm like "Sweet, I have some files and a hacksaw" totally joking, of course.
Oh, man. He got kinda red and sorta read me a little riot act concerning the destruction of expensive pedals. Mostly thru eye-rolls and grumbles.

My sense of humor kind of sucks,
but I really like that shop.

The guys at Veloce that helped me out on Sunday were super nice. City Bikes has always been cool, once in a while someone is a bit short or whatever but I worked at skateboard shops for 5 years back in the day, sometimes the day just sucks and that transfers on some unknowing soul that just had a question. Kyle from 21st ave lives on my street and that dude is pretty bitchin.'

Jennx:

freebird:

I went into Bike Central for the first time today and had a really good experience. I had to pick up some of the very special ($$$) plastic cleats that clip into the Dura Ace track pedals, and while the woman who works there (Jen?) was rummaging around for them, I asked if there were any cheaper alternatives. You know, something less than $50 that might work. Dean goes, "yeah maybe, but you'd have to modify your pedals" and I'm like "Sweet, I have some files and a hacksaw" totally joking, of course.
Oh, man. He got kinda red and sorta read me a little riot act concerning the destruction of expensive pedals. Mostly thru eye-rolls and grumbles.

My sense of humor kind of sucks,
but I really like that shop.

if that's all you got then you're good haha. I've seen/heard worse. but I love that shop and won't go anywhere else.

You know I think Dean has actually toned it down with people he doesn't see as much. I go in every once in a while, but not to a noticable amount. And I eventually say something I regret, but Dean never gives me more than a sarcastic quip.

krystenr:

Austin:

I know, I know, but it saved me like 440 bucks!

Haha, no worries. I just don't like 90% of the shit they carry. I give them my business only when I need a tube or something and because the downtown store is right by school.

i get my tubes in bulk at performance because they are hell of cheap.