TREAD Bikeshop DYCKMAN...watch out for the taxis..

TREAD BIKESHOP- 250 DYCKMAN ST.

(212)-544-7055

There are many reasons to go to Dyckman and check out whats going on up here in terms of cycling. The bike access on the West side and the Harlem river offer more scenic and cycing friendly options for getting into the city, and not to mention Highbridge park.
 Not too long ago you'd be considered crazy to ride around some of these sections. Especially "High"bridge park because it was litterered with dope fiends and illegal activites. Now, Highbridge is a destination for riders to go check out the well groomed dirt jumps, sick dh bursts, and xc sections. This park was truly transformed! Santa Cruz Bicycles does demo days here now, AND their TOP riders like Kurt Voreis come to help talk about the bikes and just chill. WORD! Uptown's got it going on!
Thanks to the shops in that neighborhood, cycling has flourished. You see tons of kids on 20's, adults riding on hybrids, mtb's and commuters.
Tread has been a key figure and has also reaped the benefits of serving the area. They began as a humble store that was no bigger than their service area they have now. A few years go by and boom all of a sudden they not only survived, they expanded.
Now they reside at 250 Dyckman st. They are open 7 days a week and have excellent service with very fair service prices.
The store is bright, open and precise.The selction of parts is great for every type of rider and asides from that you can get snowboards and skateboards.  They stock enough to be interesting and offer a very interesting test ride option - dirt. That's right, you can demo Specialized FSR's there and go take the bike to ride some actual trails at Highbridge park. I bet they'll do a lot of 29" conversions that way. I cant think of another shop able to do this in NYC, so props to TREAD.
Call (212)-544-7055. Call for hours.
I will be visting them and trying to demo some new FSR's there...expect a full report.
Also, since I'm in the neighborhood its time for some arroz con pollo and some flan.
Digame loco!

Sids Bikes NYC 235 34th Street

SIDS BIKES NYC

Rolling up to SIDS I am engaged by this gangly old man smoking a pipe, better known as Bernie. He is a fixture on 34th st. and is known as the Mayor. He is thoroughly charming and has been known to take money for the free air pump outside SIDS.

Located between 2nd and 3rd on the north side of the block (34th st). SIDS has 2000 sq. ft of space and uses almost every single inch to try to entice you with all they stock.

As you enter there are childrens bikes immediately to your right sized from 12" all the way to 26". They also have BMX bikes there. As you fix your gauge towards the back of the shop you begin to realize just how big and active this place is. Upfront is where all the action comes in, but the heart and sould of the place is directly in the middle.

 The mechanics bay is where the magic happens.

As I moved to the back, A fresh 2010 Globe is being built. Sids has 4 huge open mechanics bays. Marco Mora is the head mechanic and has over 2 decades of experience. He races XC and Road. Marco can do it all and it shows, the mechanics bay is always busy. Marco has quite a following and is very friendly. As for a NYC bike mechanic, its like finding gold.

 Watch your dream bike get built here. 

                           

Edgar strikes a pose as Marco stays busy working. Note the shelves of parts in the background, from Campy Record to Avid, they usually have just what you need. Just call and check @ (212)-213-8360. Anything you need in terms of cycling can be found here, and usually they have it first. They also provide all levels of bicycle fitting and provide custom options as well.

M M M M M M M M M M ...bike candy. So, what did BSR learn of SIDS 34 th st. recent visit?

 - By the way they have 2 shops in NYC(Chelsea is next in line)-. 

BSR can tell you that EARLY arrivals of  2010 Orbea Orcas with SRAM Force are there. You may not see them, so ask and you will be rewarded. The ORCA's are SEXY.

Soon to follow are Specialized's SWORKS FSR XC with SRAM'S XX drivetrain due in Mid-October. 

In the window above, we have a sweet 26" Eastern Trail Digger in black ready to roll for $484.99. Can you say awesome holiday purchase for significant other seeking a 2nd, 3rd , 4th playbike???? Only $484.99 by the way. 

 Fresh out the box...Klean Kanteens Wide bottle in Food Grade, BPA free stainless steel with loop cap. Sids has a few bikes on SALE at the moment in road and mountain. Like the lustrous green Santa Cruz pictured here. With that being said. Its an exciting time to go to SIDS in general. Yeah..sure the weather is getting a little colder and you already have your indoor trainer setup, but you'll miss all the new stuff. All the new stuff is truly remarkable this year. Who hasnt been sweating SRAMS XX? See it here when the Specialized's arrive MId - October. Orders that were placed specifically for SRAMS XX earlier have just begun to ship to SIDS now. If you have never made the trip, consider SIDS a destination store if its out of your normal route and treat yourself to a truly great part of NYC's cycling community. Things to look out for asides from amazingly stocked cases and lots of bikes, are random sale bins with tons of great items, free cycling maps, tons of MTB, BMX and ROAD dvd's. Special orders can be taken for just about anything so if your shop says no call SIDS NYC now.

  TELL EM BERNIE SENT YA!

As far as the glove selction there goes...thought I forgot huh? I'll take a pair of white n black Troy Lee full fingers, Thank YOU! And thank you Ashlei and all of SIDS staff that made me feel welcome.

No gloves + fall off 20" while riding to dry cleaners + concrete = Ouch!

I will be checking stock on Sid's bikes (235 east 34th st.) tomorrow, and I look foward to bringing you the scoop on the glove situation there as well as anything else Ashlei's got planned for me.

 I am excited to be doing my first interview for B.S.R. with Sid's because they have an ecclectic, educated staff that actually rides and carries a great deal of purchasing power over the store. I will be updating their store profile with NEW pics and info on all the deals they have on right now as well as expected dates on all the newer parts and bikes coming out. And of course the hot items of the moment and the near moment that has'nt quite arrived yet.

For now some bandaging and perhaps a post crash burger and beer.

Cheers and stay vertical! 

Mission Statement September 22nd 2009.

I grew up in NY and I love bikes. New York City is a busy, fast moving blurry city and it is a cycling city, you will meet some of the craziest riders here, and we have it all man. The roadies, mountain bikers, track riders, bmxers, messengers, bike cabs, commuters, bike jousters, tall bikers, retro snobs, single speeders -- the list goes on. They all cant shop online and in NY there are some good reasons to get out and support the peddlers of the ware.
After working in shops all my life and supporting NY's cycling addicts I have decided to devote this blog to bringing you the latest news in all of NYC's bike shops. From simple store information to indepth reviews and the latest on whos got what in their display cases, plus the stuff you dont see. Learn what shops get demo bikes and where and when to borrow them. What shop rides they have planned. What lines they carry and when the sales are ON. I also look foward to making a section for retro shop shots with bios on the owners and interviews.
As good as the shops are, NY has some of the best riding. From mountain biking in the fall at Blue Mountain and taking the Metro North back to the city or breaking in a new road bike at Harlem Hill in Central park at 5 in the morning before work. How about flowing in traffic and getting places in the city faster than most anything and surviving?.. Just dont lock your bike when you get there. NY's so dope we have a lock named after us by the worlds biggest lock manufacturer. Riding destinations will be posted here and updated frequently.
My mission statement is to bring you all the best possible information I can on every shop in all the 5 boroughs and help my fellow New Yorkers enjoy something I've always loved to be a part of.