These bike shops offer the expertise and equipment for whatever ride you're looking to get.
Ohio City natives Alex Nosse and Renato Pereira-Castillo opened Joy Machines Bike Shop to cater primarily to commuters, with sturdy bikes such as the Linus Roadster 8 for men and the Mixte 8 for women ($849 each) that offer a comfortable ride. "Over the past couple decades, transportation cycling has been growing," Nosse says. "But it hasn't really been catered to in the Cleveland market." 1836 W. 25th St., Cleveland, 216-394-0230, joymachinesbikeshop.com
OTHERS TO CHECK OUT
Blazing Saddle Cycle, 7427 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, 216-218-1811, blazingsaddlecycle.com
"I like that they're all handmade here in Cleveland," says Broadway Cyclery's Mike Hulett of these bags made from repurposed materials. "They're pretty sophisticated. There are straps that allow you to really secure the bag well."
Century Cycles has been a part of cycling in Northeast Ohio since Scott Cowan opened the first location in Medina 20 years ago. Since then he has opened stores in Peninsula and Rocky River. But if you're into mountain biking, the Medina location is the most popular for off-road warriors. Try the Giant Talon 29er 2 bike ($649.99). "We get a ton of mountain-biking business there, because there are trails not too far," Cowan says. Various locations, centurycycles.com
Solon Bicycle, 6291 SOM Center Road, Solon, 440-349-5225, solonbicycle.com
Get This
Superflash Turbo by Planet Bike, $34.99
"I put two of them on the back of my bike, one [light] midway between the wheel and one on the seat post," says Elaine Bretschneider of Mountain Road Cycles.
Gary Schumacher took over Cain Park Bicycles in Cleveland Heights in 2006. The shop is good for families and neighborhood riders. Schumacher recommends the Biria Step-Through, a seven-speed comfort bike ($450) perfect for cruising. "People come from as far as Columbus because we're almost the only dealer in the state," Schumacher says. Repair costs are often lower than other shops, too. 1904 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, 216-320-0209, cainparkbicycle.com
"It's a wire mesh basket with a quick release mount that goes on the handlebar," says Josh Hayden of Eddy's Bike Shop. "If you ride to the store or the library, you can easily detach the basket from the rack and take it in with you."
An engineer by degree, Sherman McKee opened Bike Authority in Broadview Heights 18 years ago. The shop caters mainly to what he calls the "enthusiast." "A lot of our customer base is average people that maybe play this sport instead of golf," he says. Try the Cervelo S5 ($3,000), a road bike that can transform into a triathlon-ready bike. "The seat post has two positions," he says. 7979 Broadview Road, Broadview Heights, 440-546-9966, bikeauthority.com
Marty's Cycle Center, 453 Avon Belden Road, Avon Lake, 440-933-4204, martyscycle.com
Get This
Giro Advantage2, $169
"It's a design that a lot of riders have been using for the past seven or eight years," says Marty's Cycle Center's Mitch Gabel of this popular helmet. "It fits really comfortably and is not too hot."
