A Better Cycle opens on SE Division
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Editor) on December 18th, 2007 at 11:15 am
(Photos © Jonathan Maus)
A new bike shop has opened its doors in Southeast Portland.
Last Saturday was the first day of business for A Better Cycle located at 2324 SE Division Street (just east of Seven Corners intersection).
I stopped on my way to work this morning and met co-owners Aaron Truman and Tim Weeks. Aaron and Tim are just two of six co-owners, (five of which are former employees of The Recyclery bike shop). The other owners of the shop are Clinton Garner, Ian Mitchell, Rachel Dominguez-Benner, and Ben “Sauce” Applebaum.
Aaron Truman (R) and Tim Weeks (L).
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The small shop doesn’t sell any new bikes and instead focuses on used bikes, parts and repairs. “We don’t have much floor space, so we try and keep a wide variety of bikes available.” A quick look at the selection showed a few vintage road bikes, several commuter-ready mixtes, and some flat-bar mountain bikes with slick tires.
My personal favorite was an old Fuji that Aaron rebuilt into a bomber commuter bike. It’s got big, 28″ tires, a two-speed “kick back” coaster brake hub, and swayed-back riser bars.
The location has a large patio area and garden space in front that Aaron and Tim plan to use as a gathering spot. “We’ll have a picnic table out here by spring,” says Tim, “and we’ll be planting edibles.”
The wooden sign and many of the fixtures inside were handmade and the owners plan on welding a large gate out of old bike frames.
A Better Cycle is open 7 days a week, 8-8 on weekdays and 10-6 on weekends. Stop by and check it out next time you’re in the neighborhood.
See a few more photos of the shop in my gallery.
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December 18th, 2007 11:43
Finally a shop that is open early enough so that I could drop my bike off on the way to work, and late enough that I could pick it up again on the way back home.
December 18th, 2007 12:06
Great shots of the shop Jonathan. I really like the warm colors, the wood, and the way they display their bikes so that you can really get in there and see them. Best of luck to Aaron, Tim, et al!
December 18th, 2007 12:21
Best of luck to the owners of this awesome new shop! They've got the skills and spirit to make it work.
December 18th, 2007 13:05
I like those hours!
December 18th, 2007 13:52
Glad to see Jonathan found you guys out. Best of luck dudes!
December 18th, 2007 17:00
uh oh, Cory's got competition now...he's not gonna like that. :)
December 18th, 2007 17:12
I've been begging shop owners for years to find a way to be open after 6pm on weekdays. FINALLY someone has risen up to the challenge. These folks will have a monopoly after the other shops close.
December 18th, 2007 17:25
The A Better Cycle shop looks real nice. love the way they display there bikes and the fact that all the bike parts are recycled. I cant wait to be back in PDX and go visit. Big props the good hearted conscious crew that put this together.
December 18th, 2007 19:52
Ive talked to the owners, they are a pretty egalitarian crew.
I wonder how many bike stores are open 7 days a week.
happy wrenching
December 18th, 2007 20:05
These guys rock. Clinton saw me on the street with a flat tire two days before they officially opened their doors to the public, and offered his services to me if I would come down to the shop. The owners are all super friendly, and actually take the time to see what your bike needs and let you know what your options are. And, I love how late they are open. I think they will do great, they are already doing great work as I had them service my old Mercier, which is now riding dreamily.
December 18th, 2007 20:15
Great news! I am so happy to see all these new bike shops opening up in our city. Proof indeed that the number of bikes out there just keeps on growing.
Can't wait to check out the shop. And yes, regarding Aaron's post, I agree for sure - let's have more bike shops that don't shut us out at 5pm!
December 19th, 2007 09:49
Best of luck to them; hopefully, their mechanical skills will improve with experience
December 19th, 2007 10:39
CityBikes has been open 7 days a week for just about forever, and til 7pm on weekdays.
December 20th, 2007 11:14
Just kiddin' above the above comment guys...welcome to the neighborhood...I'll be sure to swing in soon and say hi. Gotta love the hours too...
December 21st, 2007 23:48
I love the circle A, is that meant to be ironic considering it is a for profit business and a non-collective shop with a horrendous darn long work day?
December 21st, 2007 23:49
I might be mistaken, is it a collective? eh .
December 22nd, 2007 12:55
Thanks to everybody for the positive feedback. We are a worker owned, 100% consensus run shop. If anyone has any questions or comments, You can contact us at: ABetterCycle@gmail.com
-A Better Cycle
January 21st, 2008 17:09
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