Most everything I do with bicycles is done with scrounged second hand parts from old discarded machines. There are tons of them around here as the general population dismisses bicycles as trivial. Besides that's what I do. Making something out of discards is my form of art. When I do need parts or a tool I go to this shop. I seldom see or talk to anyone here about bicycles but I'm sure that these good folk have a different experience seeing that they are in the business. My guess is that 100 percent of the people that enter here speak some level of bike.
They always seem to have what I need and if it's something like a couple of odd size spokes that they don't have they will make. I love going through the door because your are hit in the face with all that bike shop stuff and you know you are in a bike shop. I have sent several people to this shop and all have seemed happy. My grandson rides a bike from here (Haro BMX) but he also rides a 1973 Peugeot I rescued.The shop area spills out into the retail store and to me that makes it an authentic LOCAL bike shop.
I know it's not efficient to have your customers right there in your face while trying to work but I think that in the long run the PR is worth it. It is young people friendly and they tolerate geezers.
This is a family owned and operated shop. The proprietors Darrin and Manuel Hargrave have been in the bicycle business since 1985 in this area and in this storefront for 16 years. I have not heard anyone badmouth them yet.
We are fortunate to have a bike shop like this here given the attitude of the local government, state government and the general population. They all seem to have the attitude that if you don't have a vehicle stay inside. They see bicycles and pedestrians as obstacles in the way of their SUV/pickup truck. How can they possibly finishing their texting/phone call if they constantly have to look for obstacles. There is not a single bike path in the area and few provisions for pedestrians. Because of economic pressures that may change and indeed has changed in the low wealth area I live in. Five years ago I only saw kids in the local neighborhood on bikes and seldom came across a rider on the road. Now everytime I hit the road there are others on bicycles as well and they are not doing it for recreation. A few years back there were a few pedestrians but a single women walking down the side of the road was subject to hoots and catcalls from passing pickup trucks. That's what cured SWMBO (she who must be obeyed) from walking anywhere. A woman pedestrian I talked to recently was shot by some boys in a car with a paint gun a while back so now she will not walk anywhere.
There used to be another bike shop here but it's long gone. I have not a clue what happened but I did go there a few times and on one of those occasions the owner gave me a old Roadmaster that he was going to scrap, for parts . Seems it had a tweaked frame and the derailleur couldn't be adjusted so it would shift correctly. I took it home, adjusted it and my grandson and I rode it for a couple of years. Never did find the frame tweaked. I still have all the parts for that bike but it has gone on to another life.
First, it was the frame that I hacked into a front wheel drive recumbent, then it became a trike and now it is my long tail cargo bike. I think this is it's last reincarnation.
That cheap bike is not done yet and neither am I.
Bayou City Bicycles
They have no competition and they still run a hometown honest shop. Imagine that.
I know it's not efficient to have your customers right there in your face while trying to work but I think that in the long run the PR is worth it. It is young people friendly and they tolerate geezers.This is a family owned and operated shop. The proprietors Darrin and Manuel Hargrave have been in the bicycle business since 1985 in this area and in this storefront for 16 years. I have not heard anyone badmouth them yet.
We are fortunate to have a bike shop like this here given the attitude of the local government, state government and the general population. They all seem to have the attitude that if you don't have a vehicle stay inside. They see bicycles and pedestrians as obstacles in the way of their SUV/pickup truck. How can they possibly finishing their texting/phone call if they constantly have to look for obstacles. There is not a single bike path in the area and few provisions for pedestrians. Because of economic pressures that may change and indeed has changed in the low wealth area I live in. Five years ago I only saw kids in the local neighborhood on bikes and seldom came across a rider on the road. Now everytime I hit the road there are others on bicycles as well and they are not doing it for recreation. A few years back there were a few pedestrians but a single women walking down the side of the road was subject to hoots and catcalls from passing pickup trucks. That's what cured SWMBO (she who must be obeyed) from walking anywhere. A woman pedestrian I talked to recently was shot by some boys in a car with a paint gun a while back so now she will not walk anywhere.There used to be another bike shop here but it's long gone. I have not a clue what happened but I did go there a few times and on one of those occasions the owner gave me a old Roadmaster that he was going to scrap, for parts . Seems it had a tweaked frame and the derailleur couldn't be adjusted so it would shift correctly. I took it home, adjusted it and my grandson and I rode it for a couple of years. Never did find the frame tweaked. I still have all the parts for that bike but it has gone on to another life.
First, it was the frame that I hacked into a front wheel drive recumbent, then it became a trike and now it is my long tail cargo bike. I think this is it's last reincarnation.
That cheap bike is not done yet and neither am I.
Bayou City Bicycles
They have no competition and they still run a hometown honest shop. Imagine that.
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4 comments:
A shop like that is to be cherished highly. We got nuttin' like that in my neighborhood. There's one shop within a fairly short ride of home and that same shop has another branch on the ride home from work.
They'll get me whatever I want, as long as I know exactly what I want, and they actively support local cycling events. However, it's still not quite the same. Imagine that.
Yeah, what Steve said...to be cherished. We are unfortunately not that lucky at our locale. Our nearest shop is about 35 miles and even then, they are not anything to brag about. My advice for anyone going to these shops in the heart of tourist land is...Bring Your Wallet. You are lucky.
Looks like a great place to spend some time.
You know, every place has its bad places and people. He is a wise man who recognizes and appreciates the good places and and surrounds himself with good people.
Unfortunately, there are idiots who still intimidate others. Somebody shot our house with a paintball gun. Can't imagine what it must have felt like to actually get hit with one.
I was going to say how terrible it is that this is all we have but it turns out how wonderful it is that we have this. Some times my perspective is askew. Like when I'm riding and am targeted by one and given the courtesy by a dozen. Hard to remember the dozen.
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