Very convincing!
I am not a a really knowledgable bike person, but I think these guys are convincing, even to people who do know their stuff. I know someone who bought one of these last year, and he is a bike mechanic. A taxi driver asked me if I'd seen them last summer. He told me "all the kids" were riding them. He wanted one.
From the outside this place looks completely generic. There is no sign, but a wood bear is in the front. It's a small store, and there are dogs. I LIKE businesses with dogs, but if you are allergic to, or scared of, dogs be warned.
This is the deal. All the bikes are hard tails. This is appealing to me because I feel that a dual suspension bike is too heavy and does not handle well. Chromags are steel bikes, which makes them strong, but my father told me the type of steel they are using is not like regular steel that rusts easily. The bikes weigh the same as my regular, (non-racing) hard tail. Most are 30 lbs.
They do have different wheel and frame sizes, which is good. The reason I have the bike I have now, is because I wanted the extra small frame, and a 27.5 wheel size. I really wanted something with a better suspension, but that was not available. At Chromag , it seemed there were a few more options. They assemble the bikes, and according to the man I spoke with, "We make them for the way we ride here". Prices on the bikes start at $1,800 and may go to about $4,000 plus for a custom bike (the frame is made in Squamish by "one guy" instead of Taiwan).
The man I spoke with (Cookie), offered to bring in some bikes for me to try out. I would've taken him up on it, but they are only open M-Th, and I wanted to think about it more before I made him go to any special effort. The one other thing we did not discuss was what frame size would really fit me. I am probably going to be happier on the smaller bike, but I would like to know which one is suppose to fit me, just for the heck of it. On the website, which I looked at before my visit, I had not seen the extra small frame, but the small said the suggested height was 5'2" to 5'7". That means I am right at the low end, but that is a very general guideline. When I return, I will ask about more about frame sizes.
Anyway, I cannot get the steel bikes out of my head. I imagine in one to two more visits I will decide.. and I am really leaning towards getting one. I can see why "all the kids" want one, but it's not really JUST all the kids. There is the bike mechanic, and the taxi driver, and I imagine a lot more people as well.
By the way, if you are a Whistler weekend warrior, and M-Th, Is a non-starter for you, I believe there is a dealer in town at Creekside now (Coastal Culture). They will be open on the weekends. I cannot be specific about the sizes and models they carry, but you can call and ask them about it, if you are interested. I suggest calling ahead of time at either location (the shop and the dealer) if you want a same day trial. Whistler is busy in the summer. Chromag also has some branded parts. I bought some nice grips for my bike last year.
If you check this place out, they are pretty persuasive, so either bring money or a lot of willpower.
Sells:
Steel hard tail bikes
Bikes accessories
Brand name soft goods
Has a fat bike model
Some bmx accessories (eg.seats) read more