PLG Gets a Bike Shop
Another much-needed amenity has opened on Prospect-Lefferts Gardens’ Lincoln Road — Bike Life, a bike and repair shop that will soon add rentals to the mix (including the tandem bikes, which sell for $500). Prices range from $165 for a cruiser to $1,000 for a serious racing bike. Leroy and Claudette Robertson, pictured, opened the…
Another much-needed amenity has opened on Prospect-Lefferts Gardens’ Lincoln Road — Bike Life, a bike and repair shop that will soon add rentals to the mix (including the tandem bikes, which sell for $500). Prices range from $165 for a cruiser to $1,000 for a serious racing bike. Leroy and Claudette Robertson, pictured, opened the store April 16. Fanning receipts for 11 bikes and 7 tricycles across the counter as proof, Leroy said business is already booming. In fact, he responded to several inquiries from passersby during our short conversation (“My man, you got banana seats? Cuz I’m old school,” to which Leroy promised they would be ordered). He said he looked at space for a year before landing the pocket storefront at 56 Lincoln, which is a small but brilliant location for a new bike shop. For renters, it’s right across from the subway station and Prospect Park, and the next closest competition is Park Slope. We think they’ll do pretty well serving the robust market “on the other side of the park” who partake in two-wheeled transportation. GMAP
There were excited crowds at this store from the day it opened. Very much an example of somebody choosing the perfect location for their business. It’s especially great because it’s an amenity that appeals to the whole neighborhood, not just one sector. Newer businesses here seem to be succeeding at that nicely. Kdog, Enduro and Lincoln Park Tavern all have customers of every shape, age, type and color. You don’t always see that happening in the commercial development of other neighborhoods.
(depends on the definition of serious and racing… a good cyclist could manage to do a lot of racing on a POS pista, while a fat middlaged parksloper in spandex could get his ass handed to him on his $3500 carbon fiber whatevercycle. though I see your point.)
Yeah, $1000 bux will get you a nice bike, but let’s not call it a ‘serious racing bike’.
“Prices range from $165 for a cruiser to $1,000 for a serious racing bike”
$1,000? Must be a *stolen* racing bike?
Glad to hear it, Brooklynista. The very best of wishes to the new owners! I’ll try to stop by and pick up some inner tubes.
We met Leroy last week and had a nice talk with him. (He’s a very friendly, approachable guy, ENY!) As Sarah reports, he and his wife had been looking to open this bike shop for quite some time and had come close to signing leases for spaces in the South Slope and Williamsburg but decided against closing those deals for various reasons. As luck would have it, this little space became available on Lincoln Road, right at the Park. Talk about the right business for the right place at the right time! We wish Leroy, Claudette and Bike Life much success.
You got that right, Tyburg6. I should live so long!
Emily – Kensingtonian asked me for a bike shop recommendation on the Open Thread and I suggested Brooklyn Bike and Board on Vanderbilt. I also mentioned a bunch of them are very flaky. 🙂 But once you go there, they are very nice and stand behind their work.
ENY — Now who’s talking crazy! 🙂