Warmer weather brings bicycle season

Various styles sold at local stores

By: Sarah Koepping, Herald Times Reporter

MANITOWOC — As winter shifts into spring, bicycle shopping kicks into high gear.

"As a whole, the Midwest loves cycling," said Dave Lochmann, owner of The Bicycle and Fitness Company. "I think because you have the longer winters, people spend more time outdoors in the summer in this area than, say, in warmer climates where they take it more for granted. More bikes are sold in the Midwest than any other region in the country."

Three locations in Manitowoc specialize in bicycle sales — The Bicycle and Fitness Company, The Fitness Store and Heavy Pedal LLC. Each store offers various styles, from children's bikes to racing bikes. Costs range from $130 to about $5,000.

George Kapitz, Fitness Store manager, said other reasons may contribute to increased bike repairs and sales in the last few years.

"With the gas prices going up the past couple years, biking popularity has really increased," he said. "I've been repairing bikes for 10 years now, and just over the past couple of years, I've noticed there's a lot more demand for repairs now — just people pulling their bikes out of the garage and getting them fixed up."

Cycling is an increasingly popular sport, Lochmann said, but people are different, and so are bicycles, so it's important to get the right match. He said recumbent bikes are quickly becoming the biggest trend.

"That and the three-wheel recumbent," he said. "They are more expensive than a regular bike because they are a little more complex, but they just give another level of comfort."

Kapitz said the bikes he sells most are the comfort-style path bikes, which have smoother tires, a larger saddle and adjustable handlebars so a person can ride in the upright position.

They're just basically meant for a fun, relaxed ride," he said. "It's not a bike for someone to do a race on or go out and ride a hundred miles but ... for just a quick 4- or 5-mile ride."

Lochmann said there are many variations of cycling.

"You don't have to go out and race or ride 50 miles a day," he said. "And it's something you can do your whole life. It's just easier on your joints than running or other sports. I just had a gentleman in here the other day who was 84 to get a flat tire fixed, and he looked great."

The Bicycle and Fitness Company carries Trek, Gary Fisher and Waterford bikes. Heavy Pedal Bicycle carries the Specialized brand, and The Fitness Store features Marin brand bikes. All stores offer full service, which includes bike and accessory sales and repairs.

Dan Holsen, owner and operator of Heavy Pedal, said every customer is fitted for the bike and shown how to operate it before leaving the store.

"You have to fit it to them so they get the full effect of the bike," he said. "No one walks out of here with just a bike."

Lochmann said the he recommends customers test out many different bikes before making a purchase.

"(What bike you should get) depends on how you're proportioned, if you want something that's more comfortable, if you want something that's faster," he said. "It depends on what you're going to be using it for. Until people try different bikes, there is no way of them knowing what is going to work the best for them."

top of page