About Us

For over 25 years, The Bicycle Outfitter and its staff have been committed to introducing customers to the sport of cycling. Whether a customer is a racer, weekend rider, or just looking for a bike for their child, our store goal has been to accommodate all riders of all types.

The Bicycle Outfitter began life as Wheeler Dealers. It was founded by two local 18 year olds about 1972, Fred Chestnut and Dean Hovey Fred and Dean had the help of Dean’s future Father in Law, Roger Sands, a former Lockheed engineer and owner of The Bicycle Center in Santa Cruz, California. They Quickly built a top notch road race shop. Both raced and Dean became a custom frame builder. Being young men they soon wanted to move onto other things and in 1974 sold Wheeler Dealers to a local Pool Supply & Patio Furniture business owner who needed more space. He moved Wheeler Dealers into 973 Fremont. He tired of the business and in 1976 sold the business to Dick and Marilyn Powell.

When the Powell’s bought the shop it was a two man operation that did about 90K a year. The business grew at a rate of 30% a year for the first ten years. In 1978 the name was changed to The Bicycle Outfitter.

The Bicycle Outfitter is located officially in 963, 969, 971 and 973 Fremont Avenue. Our Service Department is currently located in the stores original location of 973 Fremont. 963 was a TV store, 969 was a hair dresser and 971 was Denny’s Barber Shop. The Bicycle Outfitter took over the whole building in 1981.

The Powell’s spent 28 great years running The Bicycle Outfitter. In 2004 Dick and Marilyn decided to follow another dream of running Outfitter Bicycle Tours in France and Italy. In August of 2004 the Powell’s era ended when they sold all Outfitter assets to Bud and Neal Hoffacker, owner of Palo Alto Bicycles. The store is run by Dave and Kathy Prion.

Our Full Service Repair Shop is always prepared to help.

The Bicycle Outfitter services all types and brands of bikes, and of course for all of you with bikes you bought from us, walk-ins are always welcome. For more information or for a quote, please stop by or give us a call at 650 948-8126. Our Service hours are shown at the top of the page.

Estimates Are Always Free

When you bring in your bike for service, we always start with a free, no-obligation estimate of the work that will be needed. One of our service pros will discuss the problem with you and will carefully explain what work should be done, always respecting your choices and your budget.

If you prefer the convenience of an appointment or if our backlog requires one, we will discuss with you the appropriate amount of time to plan for the service and close on a date to receive your bike that works for both of us. If the bike is rideable, you can keep on riding right up to that date, and if it isn't, we will schedule you in as quickly as possible.

Our staff

Name:	Dave Prion
Nickname:
Years in Bicycle Business:	33
Years @ Bicycle Outfitter:	5
Primary Duties at TBO:	General Manager
Biggest Cycling Accomplishments:	Rode Across the United States in 26 days back in 1976
High Point in Cycling Career:	Cycling honeymoon in the Swiss & Italian Alps
Favorite Ride (local, other):	Gavia Pass Italy from the South
Favorite Cyclist:	Thomas Frischknecht
How Many Miles Do You Ride (Year):	Not Enough
What is on Your To Do List in Regards to Cycling?	More time riding in the Swiss and Italian Alps
Cycling Goal for 2008:	Pearl Pass in Crested Butte, Colorado, that is now a goal for 2009!
Favorite Food?	It's a tie. A Coney from the Coney Island Restaurant on Main St. in Mansfield, Ohio, or Spaghetti & Meatballs from Papa's in Ontario, Ohio.
Favorite Drink?	Water
How Many and What Kind of Bikes do you Own?	6 - 1987 Ritchey Road Classic, 1968 Schwinn Collegiate, 1993 Ritchey Skyliner, Ritchey Breakaway, Orbea Alma 29er, 1984 Ritchey Team Comp
Favorite Bike?	Orbea Alma 29er
Do you Prefer Road or Mountain?	Mainly Road
Favorite Movie?	Shawshank Redemption
Favorite Book?	Monkey Wrench Gang

Name:	Kathy Prion
Nickname:	Crash
Years in Bicycle Business:	6
Years @ Bicycle Outfitter:	4
Primary Duties at TBO:	You name it, I do it!
Biggest Cycling Accomplishments:	Davis Double Century, Death Ride, Hewlett Packard Women's Challenge, Mt. Everest Challenge
High Point in Cycling Career:	Ending it to have two beautiful girls!
Favorite Ride (local, other):	Old La Honda - 84 - West Alpine - Skyline - 84 - Portola Valley - Home
Favorite Cyclist:	Bruce Hildebrand
How Many Miles Do You Ride (Year):	Who knows now!
What is on Your To Do List in Regards to Cycling?	Keep riding!
Cycling Goal for 2008:	None for this year!
Favorite Food?	Rice Bowl, Turkey Sandwich from Pluto's or Dutch Goose
Favorite Drink?	Water - no gas!
How Many and What Kind of Bikes do you Own?	Ask Dave
Favorite Bike?	Ritchey Road Classic
Do you Prefer Road or Mountain?	Road - I would ride mountain if I had more time.
Favorite Movie?	There are too many to choose from.
Favorite Book?	Undecided

Name:	Bill Becker
Nickname:
Years in Bicycle Business:	2
Years @ Bicycle Outfitter:	2 Months
Primary Duties at TBO:	Wrenching
Biggest Cycling Accomplishments:	Cal Triple Crown 2005
High Point in Cycling Career:	Discovering Road Cycling
Favorite Ride (local, other):	Knoxville Double Century
Favorite Cyclist:	Laura Charameda
How Many Miles Do You Ride (Year):	5000
What is on Your To Do List in Regards to Cycling?	Road Race
Cycling Goal for 2008:	5 Doubles
Favorite Food?	In N' Out 4 x 4
Favorite Drink?	Vanilla Shake
How Many and What Kind of Bikes do you Own?	Kestrel Talon, Litespeed Siena, Bianchi Fremont
Favorite Bike?
Do you Prefer Road or Mountain?	Road
Favorite Movie?	Ronin - Action, Green Fingers - Feel Good
Favorite Book?

Name:	Jim Chaskin
Nickname:
Years in Bicycle Business:	40
Years @ Bicycle Outfitter:	12
Primary Duties at TBO:	Mechanic - Warranty Specialist
Biggest Cycling Accomplishments:	Col d' Aubisque
High Point in Cycling Career:	l' Alpe d' Huez
Favorite Ride (local, other):	Hazel Dell (Santa Cruz County)
Favorite Cyclist:	Eddy Merckx
How Many Miles Do You Ride (Year):	5000
What is on Your To Do List in Regards to Cycling?	Stay Alive
Cycling Goal for 2008:	Stay Alive
Favorite Food?	Duck
Favorite Drink?	Beau Sejour (Bordeaux Wine)
How Many and What Kind of Bikes do you Own?	12
Favorite Bike?	Masi 3V (Italian)
Do you Prefer Road or Mountain?	Road
Favorite Movie?	Italian Job
Favorite Book?	Death in a Strange Land

Name:	Scott Healy
Nickname:	Hot Scott
Years in Bicycle Business:	17
Years @ Bicycle Outfitter:	2.5
Primary Duties at TBO:	Sales
Biggest Cycling Accomplishments:	Last minute ride in Moab with zero training
High Point in Cycling Career:	Winning my first BMX race at age 15
Favorite Ride (local, other):	Flume Trail, Tahoe
Favorite Cyclist:	Major Taylor
How Many Miles Do You Ride (Year):	0 - 5,000
What is on Your To Do List in Regards to Cycling?	More, More, More
Cycling Goal for 2007:	Lose 15 lbs
Favorite Food?	Mexican
Favorite Drink?	Stoli and Soda
How Many and What Kind of Bikes do you Own?	Ugh!!!
Favorite Bike?	Soma Rush Track Bike
Do you Prefer Road or Mountain?	Mountain
Favorite Movie?	Blazing Saddles
Favorite Book?	Dry, Augusten Burroughs

Name:	Jonathan Husk
Nickname:	Jon
Years in Bicycle Business:	12
Years @ Bicycle Outfitter:	n/a
Primary Duties at TBO:	Wrench
Biggest Cycling Accomplishments:	2001 Amateur US National Mtb Champion
High Point in Cycling Career:	Last year as a junior racer
Favorite Ride (local, other):	Notch ride in Vermont
Favorite Cyclist:	Kathryn Curi Mattis
How Many Miles Do You Ride (Year):	100000000000000001
What is on Your To Do List in Regards to Cycling?	Get muddy
Cycling Goal for 2008:	Get skinny
Favorite Food?	Sushi/Burrito
Favority Drink?	Cold One
How Many and What Kind of Bikes do you Own?	Too many
Favorite Bike?	The one w/a motor - don't have to pedal
Do you Prefer Road or Mountain?	I like both, no cross or tandem
Favorite Movie?	Footloose, Super Troopers
Favorite Book?	Grey Moody's Cycling Mystery novels

Name:	Virginia Davis
Nickname:	Ginny
Years in Bicycle Business:	22
Years @ Bicycle Outfitter:	.01
Primary Duties at TBO:	Sales
Biggest Cycling Accomplishments:	If I can get my son's training wheels off by the end of this year
High Point in Cycling Career:	Winning my first bike race as a Cat II
Favorite Ride (local, other):	Riding all the secret dirt trails from my house to dirt Alpine
Favorite Cyclist:	Laurent Jalabert
How Many Miles Do You Ride (Year):
What is on Your To Do List in Regards to Cycling?
Cycling Goal for 2008:	Become a good mountain biker
Favorite Food?	Whatever my husband prepares
Favorite Drink?	Red Wine and Espresso Machiato
How Many and What Kind of Bikes do you Own?	"Too Many" by husband says. Road, track, mountain, cruiser, bmx
Favorite Bike?	All of them
Do you Prefer Road or Mountain?	I would never choose
Favorite Movie?	Princess Bride, Bourne Identity, any Randolph Scott film
Favorite Book?	Whatever book I am reading

Name:	Rich Stone
Nickname:
Years in Bicycle Business:	25
Years @ Bicycle Outfitter:	1.5
Primary Duties at TBO:	Mechanic
Biggest Cycling Accomplishments:	5 Death Rides - 5 passes, 1 Death Ride - 6 passes
High Point in Cycling Career:	Owning Bike Shop for 18 Years
Favorite Ride (local, other):	Higgins - Lopitos - Tunitas Loop, Lost Coast
Favorite Cyclist:	Marco Pantani
How Many Miles Do You Ride (Year):	8000
What is on Your To Do List in Regards to Cycling?	Slow Down
Cycling Goal for 2008:	Have Fun!
Favorite Food?	Sushi
Favorite Drink?	Beer
How Many and What Kind of Bikes do you Own?	Too many to list
Favorite Bike?	Schwinn Black Phantom
Do you Prefer Road or Mountain?	Cyclocross
Favorite Movie?	Pulp Fiction
Favorite Book?	Be Here Now

Name:	Ryan Bontrager
Nickname:	Rye
Years in Bicycle Business:	2
Years @ Bicycle Outfitter:	Not many, yet!
Primary Duties at TBO:	Mechanic
Biggest Cycling Accomplishments:	Wrenching for the HRS/Rock Lobster Cross Team
High Point in Cycling Career:	14th - Red Zinger Mini Classic in 1989
Favorite Ride (local, other):	Santa Cruz Single Track
Favorite Cyclist:	The unsponsored guy or gal racing Pro
How Many Miles Do You Ride (Year):	A lot! I don't use a computer.
What is on Your To Do List in Regards to Cycling?	Moab
Cycling Goal for 2008:	Holding my own at the world single speed mtb championships.
Favorite Food?	Fresh and local food.
Favorite Drink?	H2O
How Many and What Kind of Bikes do you Own?	Rock Lobster Steel w/Shimano DA 10spd, Rock Lobster Steel Single Speed, Bontrager Race Lite, 8 Speed Ridged
Favorite Bike?	My Single Speed MTB
Do you Prefer Road or Mountain?	Dirt Don't Hurt!
Favorite Movie?	Pure Sweet Hell
Favorite Book?	Too many to choose from.

Name:	Rich Sangalli
Nickname:	RIccardino
Years in Bicycle Business:	28
Years @ Bicycle Outfitter:	2
Primary Duties at TBO:	Mechanic
Biggest Cycling Accomplishments:	1991,1993 Mountain Bike World Championships XC, Luca Italy, Metabie France 1998 Cyclocross Master World Championships Mol Belgium, 2007 Head Team Mechanic BMC Professional Cycling Team
High Point in Cycling Career:	1995 Mountain Bike World Cup
Favorite Ride (local, other):	West Alpine Rd, Tunitas Creek out to the coast
Favorite Cyclist:	Gianni Bugno, Sean Kelly, Paolo Bettini
How Many Miles Do You Ride (Year):	9,000
What is on Your To Do List in Regards to Cycling?	Ride in Italian Alps and around Lake Como again, and ride Switzerland Bernina Pass
Cycling Goal for 2008:	Ride to stay in shape
Favorite Food?	Gnocchi, Purcitto con Melone
Favorite Drink?	Ricotto Wine
How Many and What Kind of Bikes do you Own?	BMC Pro Machine Road bike, Time Cyclocross bike, Bianchi Super Grizzly XC Mtb, Schwinn Paramount Track Bike, 100 Anniversary Bianchi Road Bike, Rossin Time Trial Bike, Bianchi Cross Concept
Favorite Bike?	I like them all
Do you Prefer Road or Mountain?	Road and Mountain
Favorite Movie?	Any Sean Connery Movie
Favorite Book?	The Data Book, The Dancing Chain

Name:	Lilly Prion
Nickname:	Bug, Cupcake, Pumpkin Pie, Silly Lilly
Years in Bicycle Business:	19 Months
Years @ Bicycle Outfitter:	19 Months
Primary Duties at TBO:	To make as much of a mess as I possible can!
Biggest Cycling Accomplishments:	Tolerating riding in the Burley for 3 hrs at a time!
High Point in Cycling Career:	I haven't had one yet!
Favorite Ride (local, other):	Riding in the Los Altos Hills!
Favorite Cyclist:	My mom & dad!
How Many Miles Do You Ride (Year):	Same as my mom.
What is on Your To Do List in Regards to Cycling?	Start riding my own bike!
Cycling Goal for 2007:	Ride a bike with no training wheels!
Favorite Food?	Ravioli
Favorite Drink?	Water & Milk
How Many and What Kind of Bikes do you Own?	Trek Trikster, Trek Surfer Girl, Radio Flyer
Favorite Bike?	Radio Flyer
Do you Prefer Road or Mountain?	Road, it is smoother!
Favorite Movie?	Barney
Favorite Book?	Anything by Dr. Suess