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May 27, 2009

StreetLevel: Bike Shop Gets Rolling on Bergen

ride-brooklyn-5-20.JPG
Although Bergen Street between 5th Ave and Flatbush recently lost a retail tenant, it also a gained a new one: Ride Brooklyn. The bicycle shop has been open for a couple of weeks now, and from the looks of its sidewalk display, it appears to have a side business involving strollers.
Ride Brooklyn [Official Site] GMAP




Posted by Gabby at 2:00 PM | Comments (41)
Categories: Park Slope, Streetlevel

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Comments

Great place...went in the other day and the guys in there were really friendly. I plan to buy a bike in the next couple weeks and am scoping out what type.

There is a restaurant coming next door to this place...it's currently boarded up and being renovated. This block rocks.

Also, BKLYN LARDER (the cheese and provisions place being opened by the owners of Franny's) is literally around the corner from here on Flatbush and looks ready to open any day now.

Posted by: 11217 at May 27, 2009 2:14 PM

The restaurant will be Bark Hot Dogs.

Cannot wait for Larder to open...I'm getting all my weekend meals there.

Posted by: infinitejester at May 27, 2009 2:21 PM

There are suddenly a lot of bike shops around. Or maybe it is just that I finally pulled my bike out and started riding. Are these shops seasonal? Or do they weather the cold months?

Posted by: Putnamdenizen at May 27, 2009 2:26 PM

They're not seasonal. I think they're trying to cater to the upswing in bike ridership. This one, the one on 9th Street, and the one on Lafayette behind Smoke Joint are all new in the last couple months. It's an embarrassment of riches for those who have been waiting for a single bike store anywhere near them for 5+ years.

Posted by: zinka at May 27, 2009 2:51 PM

11217 - does this place sell used bikes, or just new?

The used bike shops I've been to in Brooklyn are horribly overpriced, and I can't see dropping over $1,000 on a new bike.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at May 27, 2009 2:54 PM

DH:

As far as I could tell, it's all new bikes. Yeah, I guess it's been a while since I've owned a bike, because I was unaware that prices for bikes were so high. I was thinking $200-300, but some of these were quite a bit more than that. I really don't need or want anything fancy though.

I still want to check out the other new bike shop down on 9th, but I have a feeling I might be going the used route...

I believe zinka is correct, these places are year round. I believe bike ridership is up something like 86% just in the past year. I've noticed the uptick in bike ridership for sure.

Posted by: 11217 at May 27, 2009 3:01 PM

they also sell jogging strollers, too.

hey, 11217, did you see there's a new cafe opening in PH that will brew stumptown? it's going to be called sit & wonder, sister cafe to bittersweet in FG. st. marks & underhill.

Posted by: i disagree at May 27, 2009 3:26 PM

^^ sorry, st. marks and washington.

Posted by: i disagree at May 27, 2009 3:26 PM

It's unbelievable how expensive bicycles can be. Very few road bikes are below $1,000 dollars - and I'm amazed how many 2k and even 3k bikes I see chained up all over the city.

I have yet to find a legitimate used bicycle shop in the city that actually stands behind their product - and isn't shady as hell (sell stolen goods more then likely).

Posted by: dirty_hipster at May 27, 2009 3:30 PM

An affordable option for occasional-use mountain (not road) bikes is Costco. If the maufacturer's frame is decent, you can always upgrade selected components. (Or buy a better bike down the road if you find yourself getting more serious about riding.) A critical factor in the purchase is buying a bike that fits well. If that topic's a mystery to you, there's plenty of information online, but it's one of the services a good bike shop provides (reflected, in part, in the higher retail prices of locally-owned bike shops).

Posted by: vinca at May 27, 2009 3:36 PM

I disagree...thanks for that tip! I've been spending a lot of time in PH lately...I think it's my new favorite neighborhood. I'll check it out this weekend! Thanks.

Posted by: 11217 at May 27, 2009 3:38 PM

anyone else picturing 11217 on a pee wee herman bike riding down 5th avenue trying to run over nannies honking his horn? lol. cuz i do

*rob*

Posted by: PitbullNYC at May 27, 2009 3:45 PM

This place is great. I stopped in to ask what I thought was a kind of dumb question and was treated very nicely. I'll definitely go back. A far cry from R&A, which is just down the street on 5th Avenue.

Posted by: Ditmas at May 27, 2009 3:53 PM

Vinca - do you think a mountain bike is a viable option to use as a commuter bike (as they seem the most reasonably priced)

My bike now is more of a cruiser, and I find it doesn't have enough gears to make getting uphill on the Williamsburg bridge very manageable, and doesn't manuever very well (can't really manage delancey street/bowery very well, so i go out of my way down to the grand st bike lane atm)

Posted by: dirty_hipster at May 27, 2009 4:01 PM

I only WISH I had that bike, Rob!

http://bitsandpieces1.blogspot.com/2007/02/pee-wee-hermans-bike.html

Posted by: 11217 at May 27, 2009 4:03 PM

Pee Wee's Big Adventure is probably one of the top 5 movies ever made - yeah, i said it.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at May 27, 2009 4:09 PM

DH: I think for commuting purposes a mountain bike is better than a road bike (or, at least, that's my preference and I own both). Mountain bikes are very maneuverable, typically more gears than a low-end road bike, and a little better in terms of overall handling and durability on poorly maintained streets. Re: Ditmas' comment on R&A...their bad attitude should have put them out of business long ago. It feels a little treasonous to recommend a bike purchase from Costco, rather than a local shop, but I'm more in favor of actually riding and being able to afford the purchase, than in being a bike snob. Here's a link to the Costco bikes: http://www.costco.com/Common/Category.aspx?cat=58218&eCat=BC%7C111%7C195%7C58218&whse=BC&topnav=&hierPath=111*195*58218*〈=en-US

Posted by: vinca at May 27, 2009 4:27 PM

no problem...i'm on a personal mission to make sure all the nice spots opening in PH are known and (hopefully) well-loved!

Posted by: i disagree at May 27, 2009 4:29 PM

Thanks Vinca - very informative as always!

Posted by: dirty_hipster at May 27, 2009 4:30 PM

"no problem...i'm on a personal mission to make sure all the nice spots opening in PH are known and (hopefully) well-loved"

Have either of you been to Weather Up lately? I wrote that place off a while ago - but unfortunately my favorite bartender at Clover Club is no longer there (at a bar in LIC now) - so I no longer have a cocktail spot in proper Brooklyn :(

Posted by: dirty_hipster at May 27, 2009 4:34 PM

Now that the Costco/Walmarts of the world have got into the bike market, the small independents have no choice but to go higher end because they can't compete on price.

Like almost every performance product, the higher up the price range you go, the smaller the incremental improvement.

There's a huge difference between a $200 bike and a $500 bike but you have to be an enthusiast to see that much difference between a $1,000 bike and a $2,000 one.

I think there is a market for lower end bikes in New York but the high rents means it would have to be really out of the way to make financial sense to do it. Those chinese food delivery guys aren't cruising around on $1,000 bikes.

Posted by: the chicken at May 27, 2009 4:35 PM

Dh:

I haven't been to Weather Up super recently...maybe 2 months ago or so. I like the place, but the drinks are pricey as you know. Last time I was there it was really packed, and it's not that large a space.

That just reminded me though that I heard a rumor that the guy who owns Saul (in Garroll Gardens) is opening up a large new restaurant across the street from Weather Up on Vanderbilt. Don't remember where I heard that or if it's accurate...

There's a new fun bar called High Dive on 5th Avenue where the old Lighthouse Tavern used to be. It's more of a divey kinda place though...heavy on the beer. Not sure what's a really good cocktail type place these days.


Posted by: 11217 at May 27, 2009 4:47 PM

Here's a link I just found on High Dive and Sharlene's (the bar formerly known as Mooney's Pub).

http://www.gastrochic.com/2009/food/new-brooklyn-bars-sharlenes-and-high-dive/

Posted by: 11217 at May 27, 2009 4:54 PM

The problem with walmart et al is that they sell cheap Chinese stuff, and they have no idea how to fit or set up a bike. You're much better off with your LBS.

There's a very good local bike listserv at http://ebikes.org/ebikes/eblist.html Join it and ask questions.

The best bike shop in the city imho is Bicycle Habitat, on Lafayette Street in Manhattan, owned by Charlie McCorkell.

Posted by: denton at May 27, 2009 4:54 PM

Another option for lower priced bikes are models from prior years (the '07 version, for example). Talk up your local shop owner because they may have older inventory they're trying to move.

Posted by: LilBitOfLuck at May 27, 2009 5:01 PM

Cool - i'll have to check those place out 11217.

I have a few friends moving to pro heights from manhattan - and i'm not too familiar with the new stuff over there.

and the cocktail thing is pretty played out. if another 'speakeasy' with bearded guys dressed like 1920s paperboys opens I think I'll scream.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at May 27, 2009 5:09 PM

"The best bike shop in the city imho is Bicycle Habitat, on Lafayette Street in Manhattan, owned by Charlie McCorkell. "

I've been there - really nice guys even though it was quite obvious that I'm too much of a cheap skate to buy anything there.

Have any of you guys heard of "flying pigeon" bicycles? they have a shop in far west soho, and apparently they are THE bike in china. pretty spiffy looking, and from what i hear very durable.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at May 27, 2009 5:13 PM

Someone was JUST talking about that the other day, DH. That's the kind of bike I want! They opened up a shop in LA!

http://flyingpigeon-la.com/

Posted by: 11217 at May 27, 2009 5:17 PM

Denton, you are absolutely right - it is cheap stuff from China but it does the job and it's cheap.

My bike here is a $100 special from one of our local supermarkets. It has front suspension and 18 gears on twist click shifts. It is a fair bit heavier than a more expensive bike but I bought it knowing it was only going to be a casual bike and I won't lose any sleep if it gets trashed or stolen.

If you are even mildly mechanically-minded, you can set them up yourself in an hour.

At the end of the day, New York is not a particularly bike-friendly city. If it was, you would see a lot more affordable bikes.

Posted by: the chicken at May 27, 2009 5:18 PM

Oh, I missed where you said they had a shop in Soho...that's much more exciting than in LA.

Will have to go check them out...not TOO bad...$299 is getting to be more reasonable.

Posted by: 11217 at May 27, 2009 5:19 PM

yeah!! - a little pee wee hermanesque. was thinking about checking them out as they are only 300 bucks, and they have a housing for the chain so you can lock them up outside without worrying about much rust.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at May 27, 2009 5:19 PM

Go to JJ Byrne on Sunday and see if you find a used bike:

http://www.nybikejumble.com/

Posted by: No one at May 27, 2009 5:21 PM

their shop is on canal i believe (near the tunnel) i'm prolly gonna check em out tomorrow - i'll report back.

Posted by: dirty_hipster at May 27, 2009 5:25 PM

sort of on the same topic - anyone know if there are any bike rental shops around that don't charge an arm and a let to rent a bike for an afternoon? Specifically looking in or near Bay Ridge - but anywhere in brownstone brooklyn would work

Posted by: rickintheridge at May 27, 2009 5:32 PM

As a regular biker, I'd agree that I'm appalled at the price of bikes. I have a 10yr old bike with hub gears (vastly better than the derailleurs but bloody expensive nowadays) which I bought for $350 and never spent a dime on since. I guess it will be $800 now. Commuter bikes are more comfortable (upright posiiton, better handlebars)

Breezer makes a good 3-speed for about $400 and a 7-speed commuter for $700 if you find 'em. Here's a good link:

http://www.metaefficient.com/bicycles/best-commuter-bikes.html

Posted by: cmu at May 27, 2009 5:59 PM

The wider public perception (on both sides of the pond) is that things are more expensive in the UK but I really have to scratch my head on this.

(multiply prices by 1.6 to get to dollars and tax is already included)
http://tinyurl.com/qpkoun

Look at this one: http://tinyurl.com/qel6d4
Ally frame, front and rear suspension, front and rear disc brakes, 21 gears on gripshift, okay brand - all for $300!

Posted by: the chicken at May 28, 2009 9:47 AM

I strongly disagree on the recommendation above that mountain bikes are best for commuting. Mountain bikes are designed for off-roading -- they have smaller wheels and a gazillion gears. The smaller wheels mean that on the flat (which is what you will be one most of the time you are commuting) you have to pedal more than you would on a road bike. The super knobby tires on mountain bikes will slow you down as well and in any case flats are best prevented by keeping your tires well inflated at all times. For commuting you barely need 10 gears and you certainly will never use 21 -- you just won't.

Best way to get a commuting bike? Craigslist.

Posted by: southbrooklyn at May 28, 2009 9:56 AM

Agree with southbrooklyn. Mountain bikes are much heavier than road bikes so they do not make good commuter bikes. Because road bikes are lighter, you also do not need as many gears. However, if you are just not comfortable or confident riding on a road bike due to the forward position and prefer to sit in a more upright position, then a mountain bike is a better pick.

Posted by: jwald at May 28, 2009 10:25 AM

I think there is a new bike shop on the corner of Willoughby and Wallworth, opposite the Home Depot parking lot. It might be some type of bike collective tho.

Posted by: Karka at May 28, 2009 12:21 PM

I never said mountain bikes were the best for commuting - road bikes are called "road bikes" for a reason.

All I was saying is that bikes seem to be very expensive in New York.

Posted by: the chicken at May 28, 2009 12:32 PM

i actually have the Electa Amsterdam that's featured on the
bike shops site and i highly recommend it! it's only 3 speeds but nice and upright and comfy...a heavy beast though. it's a based on a very traditional dutch looking bike so i figure they would know about the best commuter. i'm in no great rush though so a light fast road bike isnt necessary.

http://ridebrooklynny.com/itemdetails.cfm?LibId=51872

Posted by: CGmodern at June 5, 2009 4:58 PM

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