StreetLevel: Bike Shop Gets Rolling on Bergen
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]…
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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
their shop is on canal i believe (near the tunnel) i’m prolly gonna check em out tomorrow – i’ll report back.