Best Bike Shop '97

Best Bike Shop

Fair Wheel Bikes
1110 East Sixth St.

READERS' PICK: Certainly Fair Wheel Bikes has most of the same merchandise--rows and rows of new mountain bikes, a few road bikes, components, rims and tires hanging from the ceiling; clothing, shoes, gloves, tools, power bars, sports drinks, accessories galore--thousands of things you never knew you needed for a simple cycling excursion. But what gives Fair Wheel the edge over other pro-oriented shops is the down-to-earth, helpful, upbeat attitude of its staff, especially in the repair shop. When you're having a repair done, or even just a tune-up, the boys in the back are more than happy to guide you into the vast expanse of the shop and carefully explain their work. Professional expertise without a holier-than-thou attitude--what's not to love about that?

READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: Shiny, happy people, service with a smile, and then more service. Rows of brightly gleaming bicycles as inspiring as a brand-new box of expensive Crayolas. Hard, shiny helmets to thump like watermelons, cycling shoes that clatter on the linoleum; bins of bottles, mini-wrench sets and fanny packs with zippers that zzzip and Velcro that zzzaps. Whatever your level of fanaticism, the guys at Speedway Bikes, 3013 E. Speedway, will give you the full range of their knowledge and enthusiasm, whether you want a new bike or suggestions on how to equip your old one with superhero powers. If it's a Saturday, there's probably a shop ride the next morning. Go ahead, ask. There are a lot of reasons to like Speedway Bikes, but the best one has gotta be that it's owned by a guy named Kermit.

1998 Winner: Full Cycle
1996 Winner: Full Cycle
1995 Winner: Fair Wheel Bikes