We think that a great bike shop is essential to any solid community. First, they are avid promoters of active lifestyles, health, and well being. And, as much as cycling can be an individual pursuit, it’s definitely more fun with friends and family. So, it seems natural then, that they’re often a hub for enthusiasts and recreational cyclists alike. And, as part of their central role in their neighborhoods, they organize weekly rides, lead bicycle repair workshops, and host other amazing events. For example–some of us might be surprised to know–they even host toddler sing-along events.
Wait, that’s Tip Top Bike Shop in Temescal. And, yes, they do have Tip Top Tots, a Sing-and-Dance-Along. Awesome. And, for the big kids, they do host weekly rides on Sunday mornings. You can even test-ride bikes from the shop. Most importantly, the reward for participating in these weekly events? FREE BEER. They get a keg from Roses’ Taproom. Also, Awesome.
We hung out at this beautiful community space to observe the goings-on for quite some time the day we visited. And despite the busy pace, it had such a relaxed local vibe. Countless neighbor-cyclists rolled in with their different needs from a quick adjustment to equipment and apparel additions. David and his staff energetically handled each and every customer as if they were an important member of their own families.
After some time, David was freed up to chat with us. We couldn’t help but fall in love with him. He explained that he was the fairly new owner of this Telegraph Ave shop. It took time to “figure things out.” Based upon what we saw, he’s definitely figured those “things” out. He’s created a cyclist’s haven.
David, you give us another local treasure in Tip Top Bike Shop! Thank you.
More About Tip Top Bike Shop
This shop attends to the casual everyday cyclist (versus the racer or mountain biker) but has expertise and inventory for those who need it as well. Importantly, Tip Top has a solid inventory at all price points for bikes, equipment, apparel, and tools. Always on site: 4 or 5 mechanics to attend to, and solve, basic issues on the spot. They focus on quick turnaround times and give lifetime FREE tune-ups to cyclists who buy their bikes there.
What they offer: road bikes, first bikes and kids bikes, apparel, equipment, parts, mechanics on staff to help with quick fixes, FREE TUNEUPS (when you buy your bike there), classes, weekly rides (and FREE BEER afterwards), and, yes–toddler sing-alongs (from time to time). OMG.
