Bikeshop Candids: Marks Bicycle Shop

Remember that time a pedal fell apart while riding along the bike path up in Seattle, and being faced with a long, cold, damp, possibly dark by the end, and very slow ride back? I do. It was a great time. It also made me really appreciate bike shops that locate right alongside a bike path.

Mark's used to be located nearby, but in a more nondescript, you-would-never-know-it-was-there-unless-you-were-there spot. I hope the change of place will give them some more exposure, as well as provide an extra boost to their sales and service.

While some shops go all out, becoming a regional attraction in the process, stocking their showroom floor with the priciest, flashiest, gotta-haviest stuff on the market, Mark's has charted a slightly different path. I call places like this "community bike shops", selling what people nearby, people who live and ride in the local community want, and require, to keep their bikes moving. If that sounds like a cop-out to you, you would be wrong - top of the line does not necessarily equate to quality. Bikes categorized a rung or two below the top of the ladder, can be just as sturdy, just as dependable at a fraction of the price. Remember, only a small fraction of the people who ride bikes need a $10,000 racing machine. Mark's has good stuff that won't flatten your wallet - for instance, there are some blue hardtail Haro's in the photo below which will certainly give you some pleasurable dirt miles.

Mark's service area is well equipped to handle your repair needs. During the short time I was there, a steady flow of people wheeled bikes out after being fixed, or wheeled them in to have them fixed. I also noticed Mark go outside with the proud owner of a new bike, checking for fit as the rider rode around the parking lot, giving pointers and what not, the kind of personal attention that cements a relationship between bike shop and bike rider. 

Mark's may not be the elephant in the room, stocked floor to ceiling with eye candy, but they are every bit as worthy of your time. The new home of Mark's Bicycle Shop is 9440 Baseline Road, Rancho Cucamonga, and right on the Pacific Electric Trail; check them out the next time you are riding by, or otherwise in the area.

mountain bikes, road bike, cruiser bikes, kids bikes (not to mention all the accoutrements and components you need to go with them...

did someone way bike bells - they've got your bike bells, enough to outfit an entire bicycle orchestra...

service line - someone must do good work back there.