Best Bike Shops In Minnesota
Minneapolis has been named the best bike city in America more than once, and with bike havens like the Midtown Greenway, soon to be connected to St. Paul, it's no wonder why. From countless lanes dedicated to bikes, to trails in and out of the metro, the Twin Cities seem built for those traveling by two wheels. Even through cold, snowy winters, Minnesota's biking community stays pedaling no matter what the weather does. Where do you go to get in on the action? There are plenty of places. The following bike shops are pedal paradise for those looking for a new bike, to tune up an old one or just immerse themselves in the wild world of local biking.
When you're finished here, take a look at the previous list here: Best Bike Shops in the Twin Cities.
Lowertown Bike Shop
253 E. 4th St.
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 222-0775
www.lowertownbikeshop.com
Run entirely by volunteers, the tiny bike shop hidden inside a Lowertown warehouse has not only a great selection of bikes to choose from, but also the most knowledgeable and friendly staff you'll encounter. They are volunteers, after all. You can find the perfect set of wheels in any price range, pick up whatever amenities you want to add on and ride off into the downtown skyline and beyond.
Cycles for Change
712 University Ave. E.
St. Paul, MN 55104
(651) 222-2080
www.cyclesforchange.org
On the Green Line (a train is much more attune to the needs of bikers than those clunky fold-down racks on the front of buses), a little bike shop makes its name in the midst of a bustling stretch of University Avenue filled with ethnic restaurants, grocery stores and other small businesses. In addition to providing an excellent selection of bikes and gear, Cycles for Change lets those without the money to buy a set of wheels earn a bike. By committing to the Earn-a-Bike Program, volunteers learnt the art of bicycle maintenance, put in hours at a great local business and earn a bike at the end of it.
Freewheel Midtown Bike Center
2834 10th Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55407
(612) 238-4447
www.freewheelbike.com
Take a detour from the Midtown Greenway and check out this bike emporium. Its close proximity to the best bike trail in the state makes it a natural choice for bike enthusiasts, but that doesn't mean the staff at Freewheel doesn't go above and beyond. Since its inception into the local biking scene in 1974, the bike shop has set the standard for product and service. There are classes offered, plenty of events to take part in and more than one or two happy employees ready to work closely with you to make sure your biking experience is as good as it should be.
The Hub Bike Shop
3020 Minnehaha Ave.
Minneapolis, MN 55406
(612) 729-0437
www.thehubbikecoop.org
Being the bike city that it is, Minneapolis wants to provide the best bike shops at every corner of the city. The Hub's three Minneapolis locations means you'll never have to travel far to find one of its stores, and all of the magnificent bicycling goods inside. Committed to the community, The Hub donates a portion of its profits to the People and Planet Fund. Allowing The Hub to take care of your bicycle needs means you're supporting people and the planet.
Behind Bars
208 13th Ave. N.E.
Minneapolis, MN 55413
(612) 436-0255
www.behind-bars.com
There's no place better to service your bike than Behind Bars. One of the newer bike shops in town, Behind Bars gives Northeast Minneapolis a top-notch place to buy a bike, and fix it up after wearing it down. Classes are offered as well, so you'll be able to take care of repairs while on longer trips and especially during the rough winter months. To find out about sales and discounts, follow Behind Bars' blog. You might find the bike of your dreams for a whole lot cheaper than you thought.
Adrian Schramm is a resident Saint Paul writer with a passion for all things local. Through his work with Saint Paul Almanac and Minneapolis Examiner at Examiner.com, as well as in the kitchens of bars and restaurants around town, he has discovered what truly makes the Twin Cities tick.
