October 21st, 2024, Written by Summer Hanson
Updated Hours
As of this week, the bike shop will be open just Fridays - Mondays, and will be closed Tuesdays - Thursdays. Chris is our main mechanic on the bike side, and you'll still spot Justin and Ed around for guest appearances. Milo (one of our baristas) is learning about bike parts and accessories to help you if you come by the shop to buy something mid-week when the bike shop's closed. I'm often floating around the shop doing my projects on weekdays too!
And don't worry, you can still come get coffee and food any day of the week - please do!
About Chris (our head bike mechanic)
If you come to the bike shop for service between Friday and Monday, you'll meet Chris, and man, does he know his stuff! He is well-educated, with years of practice, and is clever, resourceful, and effective with his repairs. He's amazing at setting bikes up for maximum utility for commuting, touring, bike camping, hauling kids, etc. He also offers the perspective of a big, tall rider. You're in good hands with him, and he's a great teacher too! He teaches classes at Cascade Bicycle Club, and we're planning to start hosting some classes here too - stay tuned for that!
About me, Summer (bike builder, artist, website person)
I'm around, doing my bike-building, bike-customizing, writing, photographing, and selling thing, either in the shop, the warehouse, or behind the computer on weekdays. I'm basically never not thinking about bikes. If you reach out (by email, website, or appointment) about buying yourself a commuter bike, or starting a vintage bike restoration project or customized bike build, I'll be giddy, full of curiosity and enthusiasm to help you. I specialize in aesthetically and tactilely pleasing bikes for bopping around town, touring, and bike camping, especially for smaller riders (I'm just a little lady).
All that being said, reduced hours and staffing means reduced capacity, and truth be told, we're excited to share that we're narrowing our focus to what we are most passionate about...
Honing in on our specialty: practical and customized bikes for everyday riding
We used to service just about any bike that would come through our door, however we've decided to hone in on what we are most passionate about, and will happily direct you to other local shops if we're not the right place for you.
So here it is: we build, customize, service, and sell human-powered bikes for folks who want to ride a bike to get around and have fun, with style and personal flair. We primarily service and sell practical and beautiful (oftentimes used/vintage) bikes for casual rides, commuting, touring, trail riding, bike camping and bikepacking, and we do our best to make sure your ride is comfortable, safe, fun, functional and affordable. We're all about finding that sweet spot where utility, comfort and aesthetics come together.
If that sounds like what you're looking for, your support of us as a small local business means the world to us, and keeps us afloat so we can continue to serve our community!
Our values and strengths:
Sustainability
Sustainability is a core value for us, meaning that we believe in biking instead of driving as a mode of transport, first and foremost. We also prioritize giving renewed life to used bikes and components when possible, and recommend choosing durable and timeless bikes, components, and accessories when it comes to new products.
Affordability
We believe that the more people riding bikes, the better. All bikes have their place, but we don't think breaking the bank for a new bike every few years makes sense for most people, and we try to be one of the more affordable shops for maintenance as well.
When it comes to bike shopping, we find ourselves guiding customers towards affordable, reliable bikes for those who want a practical mode of transportation, durable, versatile bikes that pencil out as a long term investment, or unique, customized bikes for creatives, hobbyists and enthusiasts.
We are excited to get you and keep you riding a bike, whichever part of this spectrum you're on.
Vintage bikes
We specialize in keeping vintage and durable bikes rolling for decades to come, and customizing them for each rider's personality, aesthetic, and functional needs. Vintage bikes hold a lot of history, and oftentimes sentimental value, which we are proud to honor. We tend to work on 80's, 90's, and early 00's bikes, and find that vintage rigid MTBs and touring bikes make great commuters.
Vintage bikes also tend to be distinctive, an affordable way to get started, less of a target for theft, and of course, are the most sustainable option. A solid choice for city-riders, newbies, and stylish Earth-lovers with a restoration mindset.
Despite the ubiquity of vintage bikes out there, they do require extra effort to set up. Older bikes are quirky, non-replicable, and often require some tweaks and replacement parts in the early stages of taking them out of retirement. If you're bringing in a neglected, used bike, it's likely going to need an expensive (~$200+) overhaul and deep clean. But despite paying a bit more for labor upfront, older bikes can often be the most affordable long term option thanks to the simplicity and abundance of older parts, if you're willing to spend a bit more time on restoration and maintenance.
Forever bikes
We also recognize that some modern bikes are built to last lifetimes with proper care, and will inevitably be the vintage of the future. That's why we also carry (and can special order) some new steel bikes by brands such as Rivendell, Soma, Surly, and All-City.
Every kind of bike has its place, to get folks outside and getting around without a car, but decades from now, a steel frame can still be welded and bent back into shape, and cable actuated components will still be serviceable, while carbon fiber frames, electronic shifters, e-bike batteries and the like will unfortunately fill the landfills.
We're more interested in bikes that could withstand the apocalypse than ones with the latest technology.
Customization
Chris and I would each love to help you customize your bike. He specializes in comfort, utility and practicality, and I'll help you turn your bike into a functional, elegant work of art suited to your lifestyle and personality, and the character and history of the bike itself.
In the shop, we also have a broad selection of products to customize and accessorize your bike such as racks, fenders, saddles, bells, baskets, pedals, locks, helmets etc. We also sell replacement components such as tires, brake pads, chains, etc. We can custom order parts as needed/desired, as well as search our warehouse for hard-to-find vintage components.
Local bike shops that might be a better fit for you
If you're looking for something different than what we offer (perhaps more high adrenaline, high speed, or high tech), we recommend checking out some other nearby bike shops. Check out our recommendations on our other blog post here!