New bike shop, tour company opens on N. Williams

metropolis cycle repair2

(Photos © J. Maus)

A new bike shop has opened its doors on the corner of N. Page and N. Williams Ave (map). Metropolis Cycle Repair is owned by Nathan Roll and he shares the space with his brother Todd, who operates Pedal Bike Tours.

I stopped by Metropolis on Friday and chatted with Nathan and Todd. Nathan said he lives in the neighborhood and has been looking for an opportunity to open his own shop for years. In the past two years, he’s moved Metropolis from his garage, to working out of BicyclingHub.com’s retail location in the Central Eastside, and finally to his own space.

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Offerings from Pake and Redline.
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The shop dog, Holly, befriends Elly.

The N. Williams location is a former printer parts store and is adjacent to one of the Portland’s busiest bikeways. “It’s an awesome spot,” says Nathan, “we can just look out the window and see bikes streaming by all day.”

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Todd Roll (L) and Nathan Roll.

Nathan currently stocks commuting accessories and bikes from Pake and Redline. He is also a United Bicycle Institute certified mechanic.

Nathan’s brother Todd recently launched a bike business of his own — Pedal Bike Tours.

Pedal Bike Tours offers rental bikes and knowledgeable local guides that can lead groups around Portland’s neighborhoods and attractions. Todd says he has several standard rides on his menu including a “Historic Downtown” ride, a “Hip and Homespun” ride that tours “funky new shops and edgy art galleries”, and a “Coffee Crawl” that will take folks on tasting tours and a behind the scenes look at local roasters.

Todd says he hopes his services attract new riders, families and tourists who want to explore the city on carfree paths and quiet streets. Next month, he’ll lead a ride to see the holiday lights on Peacock Lane in Northeast Southeast Portland.

Next time you’re in the neighborhood, stop by and say hi (and give the shop dog Holly some lovin’!).

    Metropolis Cycle Repair
    2249 N Williams Ave
    Portland OR 97217
    503-287-7116
    MetropolisCycles.com
    info@metropoliscycles.com
Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, contact me via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a paying subscriber.

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brewcaster
15 years ago

New bike shop+Williams+Dog?

=
Awesome

This may be my new repair shop, can’t wait to see it!

Bill Stites
15 years ago

Best of luck in the new venture.

Hopefully, Todd’s tour of Peacock Lane holiday lights will be on the 14th – that’s a newly added evening that is carfree.
All the other nights – about 2 weeks worth – are jammed with slow moving vehicles putting out tons of emissions. It’s just a poisonous atmosphere.
If the 14th is successful, they’ll do more carfree nights next year.

Pssst – it’s in SE, in the Sunnyside neighborhood, connecting Belmont and Stark [if the street had a # it would be 40th ave.].

Kristin Dahl
15 years ago

Nice!!!!

nuovorecord
nuovorecord
15 years ago

Best of luck in the new venture, guys!!!

(Are you related to Bobke Roll???)

Andrew C.
Andrew C.
15 years ago

Congratulations Nathan and Tod! Looks HOT. I hope your brother tones down your 12 hour music mix of Exploding Hearts and Three Mile Pilot. 🙂

Isaac
15 years ago

Nathan is a good guy and a good mechanic. I stopped in the Metropolis shop once when it was on 2nd and Taylor in the BicyclingHub.com shop.

Great service. Glad to hear they’re opened back up!

Lota
Lota
15 years ago

Nathan’s my mechanic too, and he does excellent work. I couldn’t be happier their shop is on my ride to and from work.

Todd
15 years ago

Thanks for the tip Bill, I checked with Peacock lane and they’re waiting for permission from the city to do the car-free night on Dec. 15. As soon as I get word it’s for sure I’ll add it on. It’ll be like a mini Sunday Parkways!

(and no, sadly we’re not related to Bob)
Todd