The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
SPOKES TO WHEELS
Oberlin Bike Shop offers service for all things bicycles to keep pedal power on the trails
Bike riders in Lorain County have a one-stop shop for bicycles and repairs in Oberlin.
Oberlin Bike Shop, located in the heart of downtown at 23 S. Main St., has all the bases covered for young and old people who love to bike.
“Business dipped a little bit, but then it has gone back up for us recently,” said Randy Houston, owner of the shop, when talking about the effect of the novel coronavirus on the business. “We’ve been hiring people to keep up with it.
“The slight dip was because I think some people didn’t know we were considered an essential business.”
Houston said a bike shop is essential for the Oberlin community.
“We’re just friendly and open, and we help people get on the bike that they want.”
— Randy Houston, owner
“Especially around here, it was good we were considered
essential because a lot of people don’t have cars,” he said. “There are also college students that can’t get home, and the cafeteria and dining areas at the College are closed. They need bicycles to get to the grocery store and to just get around.”
Houston said the bike shop has a wide range of new and used bikes.
“We have the big brands like Trek, Surly, Salsa and Wethepeople,” he said. “We sell all varieties. We get mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrid bikes and cruiserstyle bikes.
“We have a wall that is filled with customer bikes waiting to be repaired. Around 30 days ago, that wall was filled with new bikes that were all sold out. So, there is definitely a demand.
“Trek has told us they have 20 times the orders right now; they are overwhelmed. So, we are hoping to get some of their new bikes by Christmas.”
Houston said the shop also covers repairs.
“We’ll do most repairs,” he said. “Most of the things we do are just changing out inner tubes or a simple tune up. But, we do have some people that have us completely rebuild their bikes.
“For more expensive bikes, it might be better to do a $300 tune up instead of buying a new one that is thousands of dollars. We will do pretty much any repair except for an electric bike that someone bought elsewhere, or one that doesn’t have the Bosch motor that goes straight in.
“This is mainly for safety. Some electric bikes are newer, but you do have some ragtag operations out there.”
Houston said the shop is able to get new electric bikes right now.
“We actually are able to get electric bikes right now,” he said. “We have Trek electric bikes and Electra brand. The electric bikes are pedal assist. So, the harder you press the pedal, the more energy the motor gives you. If you can push a regular bike about eight to 10 miles per hour, these bikes will have you going about 20.”
Houston said the shop has a friendly atmosphere.
“We’re just friendly and open, and we help people get on the bike that they want,” he said. “I have a great staff, and they are all pretty experienced with bikes. “We like doing this; we all like bikes.”
Houston said business has been going very well in Oberlin.
“It’s been really good,” he said. “We just opened last August.
“I had worked at the previous bike shop that was in this location (Swerve Bike Shop). When it was going out of business, I told the landlord I wanted to run a shop at the spot.
“Oberlin has been really great.”