Giddyup!

A video posted by BicycleSPACE (@bicyclespace) on Sep 6, 2016 at 2:06pm PDT

A new staff favorite: All-City Pony Express

We've long been proponents of the flat bar steel hybrid. It's the right mix of comfort and get-up-n-go. Call it light-touring, commuter, cruiser, townie, rambler, it can take many forms. The Pony Express is a welcome addition to this category of simple, comfortable, do-it-all bikes. The Pony Express is a more affordable, more streamlined take on one of our favorite bikes of all time, the Space Horse. A 1x10 drivetrain is all most folks really need out of a bike. Rack and fender ready, the pony express can haul rain or shine. All-City's beautiful steel frame with clearance for 42's makes for a sharp bike with a smooth ride. 

Plum Crazy

Friend of the SPACE, Adam, got his girlfriend, Lauren, an old Peugot Mixte to commute on. Three years later both of them had fallen in love with the look of this classic bike, but were ready for something a little lighter and with the benefits of modern components (smoother shifting and wider range of gears). “The Mixte has beautiful classic lines that have this iconic look to them. There is something about the complex nature of the frame that really intrigues me, but it always looks really clean and elegant,” remarks Adam.  

With the Peugot as inspiration, Adam set out to build a custom bike for Lauren from the frame up. He picked a Soma Buena Vista Mixte as the foundation, a versatile frame made of Tange Prestige steel. Lauren was less then thrilled with the factory color, so they enlisted some help from a friend at work. 

“At work” as Adam says, “we have a full prototype shop that has everything (CNC machines, Paint booth, Glass bead etching and blasting for aluminum finishes, a super high end 3D printer that is accurate down to 4 microns, etc.) and Josh runs everything. He makes full prototypes of every product we build before production. The dude can make literally anything you could imagine. So we got him to try and paint the bike a very specific color, and he tried many times to custom mix the exact shade of purple, but we just ended up buying a color called Mopar Plum Crazy, which was used on Challengers in the 70’s.” 

From there it was matter of handpicking just the right amount of chromed out components to complete the build. Adam selected “VO drillium cranks matched the MKS Lambda pedals… tiagra 10spd as they still use chrome components and we didn't want to drop the dollars for campy. We paired Paul Thumbies with Dura Ace down tube shifters. Then we rounded out the build with VO grand cru brake levers, Headset, and BB.” 

Ever the pragmatic DIY cyclist, Adam selected easy serviceable parts, as well as solid set of Jerry built wheels: “H+sun TB14 rims that are super light and strong, they're double wall through eyelet rims that have a really clean badge where the valve stem goes through. And then some standard tiagra hubs and 32 spoke 3 cross unbutted spokes. They're bomb proof for DC streets and the C&O.”

Lauren, picked out the perfect crane bell, complete with purple brushstrokes and a floral pattern to match the Brooks B18 Saddle. The two of them couldn’t be happier with the build, “a solid commuter/light tourer with style!” 

An amazing and awesome double grand opening

When we say you made our double grand opening amazing and awesome, we mean it definitively.

The words are used so often that it's easy to forget their root meanings. Amazing and awesome. Suffice it to say we're inspired by a sense of wonder, gratitude and heartfelt appreciation for your support.

You've gone home with lots and lots and lots of exciting new bikes. This makes us happy unto itself and even more happy to know we'll see you back for regular check-ups. And happier still to see you again to redeem your 10% back gift certificates.  

And we'll see dozens of you to pick up bikes you ordered. We know the wait is hard, but we're excited that you'll have to visit us again. ;)

One thing we learned from our time in the pop-up shop at 5th and G Streets is that home is where the heart is. You came to us and continued to consider us your community bike shop under the most crowded, disorderly and challenging circumstances. Voting with your feet, you proved you most value our BicycleSPACE community and we couldn't be happier.

You proved it yet again during our grand opening. If we couldn't locate something right away or there was a wait for a salesperson or mechanic, you were the consummate diplomat. We noticed and appreciate your resilience.

Thanks to all our loyal customers who brought their own friends to our shops to introduce them to the BicycleSPACE difference.

We made new friends and benefitted from existing relationships during this eventful weekend. We send sincere thanks to these individuals and businesses.

Adams Morgan

Tryst donated three platters of food on Saturday afternoon, plus five gift certificates to our raffle.

Mmmmm. Thanks, Tryst!

Acme Pie Co. donated untold numbers of delectable pies to sweeten our Saturday.

The CakeRoom Bakery was the icing on the cake Sunday morning. Earlybirds enjoyed delicious cupcakes the bakery donated.

Mellow Mushroom warmed us midday Sunday with generous pizza donations.

Songbyrd Music House & Record Cafe filled our vast SPACE with music for the coolest cats in Adams Morgan both Saturday and Sunday. Plus, they raffled seriously covetable prizes.

Toro Mata hand-delivered flowers to us. They bought the lovely bouquet at neighboring Little Shop of Flowers. 

Roofers Union and a number of Adams Morgan residents welcomed us via social media.

Bromptoneers, with BicycleSPACE co-owner Phil Koopman at left, paid a visit to our Mt. Vernon Triangle shop. From there, they rode to our Adams Morgan shop then lunched at Mellow Mushroom.

The Brompton Bicycle Club created a Sunday event around our grand openings, visiting both shops then lunching at Mellow Mushroom to recycle bicyclists' consumer dollars back to a friendly business.

The Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District (AMPBID) hand-delivered the gift bags the Saturday earlybirds enjoyed. AMPBID has been a steadfast supporter all along.

We tip our cycling caps to our Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1C for their statesmanship in welcoming us to the neighborhood.

Mt. Vernon Triangle

A Baked Joint donated gift certificates to our raffle.

A Baked Joint and 5th Street Ace Hardware welcomed us to put flyers in their stores and sent good wishes via social media.

Our bicyclist Ward 6 councilman, Charles Allen, paid us a visit on Sunday afternoon.

Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen, left, with BicycleSPACE co-owner Phil Koopman, gesturing so enthusiastically his hands are blurry. We love how a gorgeous Celeste Bianchi Milano Dama photobombs at right.

The Mt. Vernon Triangle Community Improvement District and its marketing committee are supportive allies as we open shop.

We tip our cycling caps to our Advisory Neighborhood Commission 6E for their statesmanship in welcoming us to the neighborhood.

It takes a village to grow and sustain the largest bike shop in D.C. We sincerely thank our village people for investing in our amazing and awesome grand opening.

What's new?

With so much floor SPACE, we are now your one-stop shop for everything you need to bicycle your way.

Here's what's new for you:

More bikes! A wider selection of bikes that do what you want and take you where you need to go with style, function and power. From rugged off-roading to the farmers market, we have the bike for your mountain pass and career path. Bianchi, Salsa and Cannondale are just a few of the distinguished new brands we proudly carry.

NEW: Clothes! Outfit yourself in style with our curated apparel collection, featuring Search and State and more.

NEW: Shoes! Clip and click and pedal forward powerfully with a pair of cycling shoes.

NEW: Accessories and gear of distinction! Ingenious North St. bags are just one of many new finds in our expanded accessories and gear collections.

NEW: Nutrition! Your defense against bonking is now in store. Pick up some nutrition bars in Adams Morgan.

Watch for even more quality products to be added in the coming weeks and months.

10% back when you buy a bike this weekend

This one is truly a standout, so we're dedicating a post to share our valuable offer with you.

Buy any bike and we'll email you a gift certificate for 10% of its value. Your $1,000 bike nets you a $100 gift certificate.

But, wait. There's more.

This offer can be combined with 15% off bikes of $1,500 or more. 

Double dip during our Double Grand Opening!

And, double dip again by doing your own personal Tour de BicycleSPACE. Shop in one location and show your receipt at the other location for 10% off your purchase (excluding bikes and labor).

If you feel like you need a scorecard, you're right. We'll have printouts at each shop so you can see all our awesome offers on one page.

Double Grand Opening of BicycleSPACE Adams Morgan and Downtown July 10-12

Good things come to those who wait!

The wait is over, friends. Our Adams Morgan and downtown shops are having a Double Grand Opening July 10-12, 2015.

Some of the fun includes:

• Win a bike ($1,000 value)
• Buy any bike and we'll email you a gift certificate for 10% of its value ($1,000 bike = $100 gift certificate)
• 15% off bikes $1,500+ (excluding cargo, electric and folding bikes)
• Show your receipt from one shop and get 10% off at the other (excluding bikes and labor)
• photo contest
• free water bottles

The festivities take place during normal business hours:

Adams Morgan

Friday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. | Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Sunday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Downtown

Friday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. | Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. | Sunday: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Short and Sweet FAQ

What's new? All about our new bikes and products.

What about the weekend rides? Here's the schedule.

***

Thank you for keeping the faith and believing that a better BicycleSPACE was on the horizon. What was once an abstraction of architectural renderings is now a brick-and-mortar reality.

The shops are filling up with beautiful, durable, functional things and an eye-popping assortment of more bikes than ever before, e-bikes, clothes, shoes and so much more.

The most important component is you, our dear friends. We can't wait to welcome you into our new homes.

We'd love to see you at both shops and will reward you with a special offer: Show your receipt from one shop and get 10% off at the other (excluding bikes and labor).

Sign up for our newsletter and follow us on social media for updates about our Double Grand Opening Extravaganza.

Declare your independence from uphill battles: Ride an e-bike

Declare your independence from sweaty, strenuous uphill climbs. Meet two electrifying members of the BicycleSPACE family. These battery-powered bikes can be your ticket to freedom, allowing you to summit what lies ahead independently, so you can pursue your own definition of happiness.

Powerful and pretty, the Faraday electric bicycle is poetry in motion. Its hidden battery and stunning good looks have revolutionized the concept of the e-bike. The battery is discreetly housed in the downtube, concealing your secret weapon from view. Switch on the pedal assist and ride for 20+ miles. Recharge in a standard wall outlet in three hours. Arrive at your destination without breaking a sweat.

At the reins of the Limited Edition Xtracycle EdgeRunner 9E, you'll be seen as a leader of the American transportation revolution fomenting before our eyes. Goodbye, station wagon. Hello, electric cargo bike. Nine speeds plus one liberating motor will empower you to transport a family and all the cargo your lifestyle demands. 

Test ride these energetic bikes at our Adams Morgan shop this weekend.

BicycleSPACE Adams Morgan
2424 18th St NW
(202) 232-4196

Weekdays: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday, July 4: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday, July 5: 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.

In: Cherry blossom pink

With the National Cherry Blossom Festival underway now, D.C. is blooming in everything pink. We've caught blossom fever and want to afflict you with this desirable condition.

If we "ah-choo," might you ...

Accessorize your ride with a pink helmet or gloves from our special seasonal collection.

Go matchy-matchy with the glorious Bike in Bloom, a single pink bike in the Capital Bikeshare fleet. Ride it wearing a pink helmet and gloves to show your pink side with pride.

Freshen your home or office with "Bicycle Bloom" by local artist Annie Riker. 

Take the pink plunge to buy the folding bicycle you've always wanted. The exceptional craftsmanship of a Brompton Bicycle in pink is the perfect match for the season.

Happy Cherry Blossom Festival, friends. May the pink be with you.

Welcome to bicycling

Yes, you can.

You can bicycle to work, play, errands and otherwise meet life's demands.

Here are just a few of our favorite resources to get started.

• Our commuter guide
• Sweet video about urban commuting for the "bike-curious"
• How to speak bike, written by our dear friend and Chasing Mailboxes blogger, Mary
• Information for new riders from the Washington Area Bicyclist Association 

Please join our Nice & Easy beginner rides every Saturday and Sunday at 10 am. If you don't have your own bike, you can test ride one of ours or use a Capital Bikeshare trial membership. 

We encourage you to bicycle because it's an addictively joyful way to get around. Just ask the experts. Science has proven a link between bicycling and happiness, as reported here and here.

We're at your service to answer your questions and help you give bicycling a whirl.

Brompton Black Edition

One of our sleekest bikes just got sleeker. Brompton Bicycle, maker of the folding multi-modal commuter companion, has just released a special Black Edition. 

A handful of these limited-edition Bromptons will be available at BicycleSPACE in April. Options include two- or six-speed bikes with flat, upright or more upright handlebars. 

Several key components are black on these special bikes, which come in five frame colors: Black, White, Berry Crush, Lime Green and Tempest Blue.

According to Brompton, the black design is a "tribute to urban city night rides and all-weather commutes.”