Yes, the number of cyclists zipping past you in the Hub's standstill traffic is growing. Find yourself grumbling in the wake of their quick commutes and killer thighs? If you can't beat 'em (which is, ahem, illegal), might as well join 'em. First stop: a bike shop that matches your two-wheeled ambitions.
COMMUTING AND RECREATION
At Landry's Bicycles, we always get a big smile and instant attention. But in addition to being superfriendly, these guys are true bike fanatics, led by manager Mark Vautour (who lobbies on Beacon Hill for bike safety in his spare time). They stock the city's most extensive folding-bike selection, including the 27-pound Dahon Speed D7 ($479), which is allowed on the T and commuter rail. Also helpful is the shop's certified pro fitting service, ensuring that you won't embarrass yourself by saddling up on a new Civia Hyland ($2,160) that's a few inches short. 890 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-232-0446, landrys.com.
EUROPEAN PRACTICALITY
All those pedal pushers in Holland have it right. Or so say Dan Sorger and Maria Salve, owners of the Dutch Bicycle Company, which is dedicated to promoting the European philosophy of urban commuting. Unlike most bikes made and sold in the United States—built for racing, with exposed gears, no fenders, and an aggressive riding position—the store's imported Dutch bikes are designed for the "non-enthusiast, non-cyclist": sturdy, with an up-right riding position, and equipped with chain covers, bag racks, and dynamo-driven headlamps. Sorger and Salve also work with local engineers to tweak the Dutch models for the American market, like their bestselling Gazelle Toer Populair ($1,349), which Sorger calls an "adult bike that ordinary people can use for transportation." 161 Broadway, Somerville, 617-591-1234, dutchbikes.us.
DO-GOODING
If cycling's carbon footprint–shaving aspects aren't quite enough of an altruism fix for you, check out the J.P. nonprofit Bikes Not Bombs, which combines bike selling, community activism, and international aid work. The retail store carries new Surly Cross-Checks ($1,050), built for commuting, as well as preowned models (starting at $325), many reconditioned by teenage mechanics as part of BNB's vocational training program. All profits go toward teaching inner-city kids how to build their own rides and sending thousands of bikes to poverty-stricken areas in Central America, the Caribbean, and Africa. 18 Bartlett Sq., Jamaica Plain, 617-522-0226, bikesnotbombs.org.
ONE-STOP SHOPPING
Vast, bountiful, and always busy, Wheelworks (with two local outlets) is a department store for all things two-wheeled. On top of the broad inventory of adult bikes and accessories, it also has an impressive selection of junior models from Trek, Gary Fisher, and Specialized—like the Hotrock Coaster ($160–$200), which has both hand and foot brakes—plus trailer bikes, toddler seats, and tag-alongs for pint-sized riders. The bonus: Getting helmets, seat heights, and handlebars properly adjusted here is a breeze, thanks to the exceptionally patient staffers. Ace Wheelworks, 145 Elm St., Somerville, 617-776-2100; Belmont Wheelworks, 480 Trapelo Rd., Belmont, 617-489-3577; wheelworks.com.
HARD-CORE RACING
For those with a need for speed, International Bicycle Centers manager Erich Leas is your guy. He's responsible for outfitting quite a few of the city's
racing fiends, including Boston College's team, with the latest gear on the market, such as Somerville-based Independent Fabrication titanium–carbon fiber XS ($5,995, pictured). The shop also sponsors its own amateur team, open to those who regard 50 miles as a decent warmup. 89 Brighton Ave., Boston, 617-783-5804; 71 Needham St., Newton, 617-527-0967; internationalbike.com.
Originally published in Boston magazine,
July 2009
