E-mail Story
Print Friendly
Send E-mail
Reprint story
Thursday, June 18, 2009
On track with bmx
By Rosalie Rayburn
Journal Staff Writer
A couple of career two-wheeler enthusiasts have opened a bicycle store aimed at the niche market for BMX bikes and for the wider public interested in simply riding for fun.
Bike mechanics and riders John Roberts and Rob Smith opened Broken Spoke Ride Shop in November. It offers a range of bicycles, helmets, clothing, equipment, spares and tools. Roberts and Smith also repair bikes of all types.
Smith said he and his business partner have backgrounds in BMX free-style riding and racing, which gives them an edge when it comes to fine tuning these small versatile bikes that primarily appeal to kids and teens.
“BMX bikes are very niche specific, and you need someone who understands them,” Smith said.
Smith and Roberts have worked in many of the bike shops in the metro area. They chose the West Side location for its proximity to skate parks in Corrales and near Cibola High School, which are popular with BMX riders. The shop is within easy biking distance from both parks.
“It was real important for us to be accessible,” Smith said.
Their goal was to have a “community” bike shop which would appeal to the families in Rio Rancho, Corrales and the West Side. Their inventory caters to a youthful market and to adults who want to ride comfortable bikes for exercise and pleasure, Smith said.
Broken Spoke carries a range of “Haro” recreational bikes with generously padded seats, frames built for a comfortable upright riding style, and wide but not chunky tires. There are also a few retro-style cruiser bikes reminiscent of the old Schwinn bicycles of the 1950s and 1960s. Smith said the retro look is enjoying a comeback in popularity.
However, the main emphasis is on BMX bikes for racing and free-style riding. Broken Spoke carries numerous makes, including DK, MCS, We the People and Kink.
Albuquerque's sunny and dry climate makes it an ideal practice ground for riders who use bicycles to leap, twist and execute tricks or race on specially constructed tracks. For example, around 2,000 BMX riders competed last month in the American Bicycle Association's Spring National event at the Albuquerque Veloport/BMX Park on Avenida Cesar Chavez, Smith said.
Broken Spoke Ride Shop
You also can send comments via our comment form
|
|
