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
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/
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.
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.
“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 🙁
Thanks Vinca – very informative as always!
no problem…i’m on a personal mission to make sure all the nice spots opening in PH are known and (hopefully) well-loved!
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
Pee Wee’s Big Adventure is probably one of the top 5 movies ever made – yeah, i said it.
I only WISH I had that bike, Rob!
http://bitsandpieces1.blogspot.com/2007/02/pee-wee-hermans-bike.html