Cycle Path for me.

as a builder/rebuilder of bikes?

Yep, Chris (Velo) is an honest man who knows his stuff and will not rip you off.
He's a true 'up on two -all the time,' sort of guy, and has a real heart for bikes and their people.

I've heard good and bad about Stevens, --and know that their prices have gone up since they've opened up the new store in 'Gods Country.'

I hear Ben (ReCycle) is still over at Tri-Sport. (dunno if he does work on his own anymore, --but that man can make anything on two wheels work well, (still think he's one of the greatest talents with a bike to ever lay hands on a wrench, and has tremendous ethics.)

Rubber Soul (the owner is respected as almost the father of bicycling here in the 'no...
a LOT of people who I know who do bikes like this guy, I've never heard anything bad said about him.
(he's where the old 'Tri-Sport,' used to be (from what I understand he IS the old Tri-Sport.) ---very gracious and unassuming man, knows his stuff, he will forget more than I will ever learn, like EVER.

CyclePath (across from People's Church on Cedar (just above Hearndon,)
--very nice guys, very good builders, I like them as people (and) that they know their stuff, too (they handle anything, great with roadbikes, Nate is a total sweetheart.

BOTH SCHWINN DEALERS TOTALLY ROCK!.

---I buy stuff from these guys whenever possible... (and the Schwinn down on Belmont has a lot of 'vintage,' and cruiser/light/Stingray stuff (heckuva guy, can GET stuff when most folks can't.)

--and the FAMILY that runs Schwinn on Fresno and Ashlan are just aces in my book. (one of the only places where you can get really cool 700cm 28" 'semi-knobby-treaded' tires for your pizza-cutter (road wheel) bikes.
I love these guys, and they have a great selection for sale at prices that are extremely competetive (AND have better quality 'Schwinn' than you'll find at Wal-Mart and Target... (Way Better.)
---These are both dyed in the wool true 'Schwinn Shops,' -just like I had when I was a kid, and still have the same standards that made me want to take up a wrench m'self.

And (nestled away behind Fat-Jacks in Clovis.)
Bike World.
One man shop, --does quality respectable work, is not a gouger, ---and really knows BMX, (like REALLY knows BMX...) is a little quiet, ---but sticks to his knitting and can do a GREAT bike.

Big thing is to identify what sort of bike you're working on... they all have their peculiarities, (and fans.)

Do not rule out Craigslist (I find loads of good bikes there, just know what 'fits you,'
-but there are tons of folks who have bought serious bikes who just 'don't ride,' (which blows me away,) --and you can get some great deals for under a hundred bucks (sometimes for about 45 to 60...
--Drag them to someplace like Chris' and you'll be up and running for prolly one third to a quarter of what it would cost you to get a 'hard-core,' bike.

Also 'the stores,' (such as sporting goods ones,) have some killer deals going on, and you can be on something new, in pretty decent durability, with a great warranty for a lot less than you'd expect.

(We have sales going on all spring that have rivalled the stuff we had going on for Christmas... it's wild.)

Feel free to stop in at either of the stores I build for, After a year and change of building, I can safely say that you're gonna get a good bike, well built, and at some excellent prices (ask for me, and if I'm there, I'll be happy to fit you, and promise NOT to send you out the door on what is not meant for you...
(again, thanks Ben you taught me this...)

(as a general 'all purpose bike' (twenty one speed, 26" (Mt Bike Sized) Tire, shocks in fork, shock in seat:
--You CANNOT loose with a:
Diamond Back 'WildWood City'
(I love these things, fast, nimble, comfortable, durable, and just under two hundred bucks (at the moment.)
It's a Commuter/Mt./Comfort hybridsh sort of thing, (excellent for students, commuters, etc... HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT...

New models of the K2's are coming out too,(and the ladies models (TNine) are beautiful, pretty cool hybrids and some really nice stuff from '07 on clearance (really nice bikes(again, usually between two and half to five hun..)

--Be sure to wear a helmet
--Be sure to have LIGHTS
--GET A GOOD LOCK (a good 'BELL' KEVLAR (thick cable, Key) lock will do (we sell them, Wal-Mart has them, etc... they're excellent.)

--And remember:
'Bikers don't call motorists 'apes in cages,' for nothing...
(Be ALERT,
--especially NOW when folks'll be riding around with the AC and stereo on.
(I'm sure you're all lovely, ---but lovely hood ornaments?

Ride safely...

I have had good luck at Sumner's Schwinn on Belmont as well as Fresno Schwinn on Fresno and Gettysburg for repairs. Both very friendly staff and repairs done quickly.

I'm sure many people will suggest Tower Velo (especially for an old bike in need of a tune up), or Steven's Bicycles.

Good luck. Hope to see you out there soon! =)