Manhattan Bike Shops?

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10-18-2010, 04:14 PM
pinkbikes

Manhattan Bike Shops?

Hi. I've been a bit quiet on TE lately, mainly because my DH got a brain tumour and I quit doing pretty much everything but nurse him for the past few months. I had enough energy to come and read what was going on on TE now and again (enjoyed Catrin's experiences) but no energy left to post. Unfortunately the brain tumour got him and he passed away in late September.:(

So now DD and I are on our own (except for our gorgeous new Miniature Schnauzer Oliver, who is keeping us smiling) and we have decided to get away for our first Christmas on our own. I asked DD where she wanted to go for Christmas, and her response was "Paris or New York." Do you think we might have traipsed her around the world a bit too much for a twelve year-old?:o I was thinking somewhere a bit closer to home!!

But after a bit of a think, I decided on New York, because I have been there before (albeit 14 years ago) and people speak English there! These are both really useful things if you are planning a trip to the other side of the world with limited time to plan and execute. Besides - I REALLY loved New York the last time - it was the highlight of our trip.:)

So this time, our focus will be quite different, since we will probably shop more and look at architecture and history a little less than on my last trip with DH. DD likes history and architecture, but there is a limit to her patience when what she really wants to do is buy shoes with the money she has saved!:eek:

But all this shopping is no good if you can't buy bike goodies! And the Aussie Dollar is so nice right now that bike goodies are definitely on the shopping list. So what I really need to know is where to go in Manhattan (or somewhere easily accessible by public transport - I'll have a Metrocard) to find some good LBS for gazing on gadgets, clothes, really anything bike-ish that can separate me from my money!:D A girl can never have too many jerseys, right? A new bike seat? A nice pannier I can use as a carry-on to get home?:rolleyes: Anything really! This isn't about what I NEED for my bikes (they lack nothing really) - more about some retail therapy to make me happy!:)

And maybe a NY Bikesnob something?
10-18-2010, 04:42 PM
PamNY

I'm so sorry about your loss. How lovely that you and your daughter are planning something special for the holiday.

There are lots of bike shops in Manhattan. Here are a few that I know. All of these are easy to reach by subway.

http://bicyclehabitat.com/

http://www.paragonsports.com/
Large store with a bike section that's worth visiting. Lots of outdoor
clothing, too.

http://www.sidsbikes.com/

http://www.adelineadeline.com/
Downtown in Tribeca. Very, very upscale but fun. They have Yakkay helmets.

http://www.chelseabicycles.net/
Where I get repairs done. Small, crowded and funky, but nice people.

http://outlier.cc/
Outlier has a showroom in Brooklyn. I haven't been there, but it might be interesting if you are in Brooklyn.

Hope you have a great trip!
10-18-2010, 04:58 PM
warneral

I can't help you with your question but I am sorry to hear of your loss. Have fun planning your trip!
10-18-2010, 05:05 PM
Pedal Wench

So sorry for your lost.

I know that REI is opening a new store in Manhattan this November! Fun stuff!!!

And, a friend's husband owns a shop: Al's Cycle Solutions
10-18-2010, 05:33 PM
crazycanuck

o

PB, i'm sorry to hear about your DH's passing :(.

HOpefully the Aussie dollar will keep rising against the greenback so you can buy more :D. (I love the exchange rate at the moment..can buy more Cliff stuff from REI :o)

I loved NYC & really want to go back but there are other places to see...

Have fun!
10-18-2010, 05:45 PM
OakLeaf

Pink, I'm so sorry for your loss.

But no help on your trip. Hope you and your daughter have a great time.
10-18-2010, 06:50 PM
badgercat

I'm so sorry for your loss (and the struggles you must have endured during the few months preceding). I think taking a special mother-daughter trip for the holidays is a wonderful idea.

I've only been to NYC once as an adult, and it was very brief and in the summer so I unfortunately don't have many ideas to offer. I would say if you tire of shopping (impossible!? ;)) spend some time in Central Park--I was amazed at how when I was wandering through it, I forgot I was right in the middle of the big city--but I'm not sure what that's like in the winter (or how fond you are of being out in the cold. :o I love it, personally, but I know it's not for all!

Here's hoping you find plenty of great places to shop and sightsee, and that the exchange rate stays firmly in your favor!
10-19-2010, 02:20 AM
pinkbikes

Quote:

Originally Posted by PamNY

I'm so sorry about your loss. How lovely that you and your daughter are planning something special for the holiday.

There are lots of bike shops in Manhattan. Here are a few that I know. All of these are easy to reach by subway.

http://bicyclehabitat.com/

http://www.paragonsports.com/
Large store with a bike section that's worth visiting. Lots of outdoor
clothing, too.

http://www.sidsbikes.com/

http://www.adelineadeline.com/
Downtown in Tribeca. Very, very upscale but fun. They have Yakkay helmets.

http://www.chelseabicycles.net/
Where I get repairs done. Small, crowded and funky, but nice people.

http://outlier.cc/
Outlier has a showroom in Brooklyn. I haven't been there, but it might be interesting if you are in Brooklyn.

Hope you have a great trip!

Oooh goody - thank you lots PamNY!:) I had seen Paragon in the guidebook but they didn't mention cycling in the many sports they catered for, so was unsure whether they carried any bike stuff. This gives me plenty of bike stuff to bore the DD with!
10-19-2010, 02:24 AM
pinkbikes

And thanks to all of you for your kind thoughts. It was pretty crappy, but we are doing pretty well all things considered and we are looking forward to our trip. And yes - spending all those nice AU$ CC!

And yes badgercat - we LOVE the cold. In the past we regularly did house exchanges with Canadians for a couple of months over Christmas. We love to ski and they loved to get away to somewhere warm for the winter! So we will love wandering around in the cold of NY winter.:D
10-19-2010, 02:35 AM
Catrin

Pink, I am very sorry to hear about your loss. I can't help with NY shopping ideas, but am glad that you and your DD are able to take this special trip. Hopefully for your sake there will be a favorable exchange rate ;)
10-19-2010, 02:57 AM
Bike Chick

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. How very sad for you:(

I can't help you with your trip--I've never been to NY but I hope you have a very enjoyable trip to the old U S of A!
10-19-2010, 04:02 AM
DMC

I'm so sorry for your loss.

Two of my favorite shops are:

my neighborhood shop, NYC Velo

My tri-team shop & close to Central Park stop,
Toga Cycling

Both have beautiful bikes, lots of fun stuff to look at, and the staff is super nice.

Get the most awesome NYC related jerseys at Toga!

My favorite gotham jersey

The brooklyn brewery jersey is pretty cool too!

Oh, and while its not as fancy as Toga or Velo, Continuum Cycles has a resident frame builder if you'd like to check them out. Jeff is a super nice guy and its fascinating to talk to him about frames and see what vintage bikes he's got hidden. Shop is a little crusty and you'll have to push your way past a bunch of messengers to get in, but if you'd like to check out a custom bike, stop in here.

Enjoy your visit!
10-19-2010, 04:28 AM
hebe

I am so very sorry for your loss, Pink. I hope you and your girl are ok.

I haven't been to New York, but it sounds like you'll have a grand trip. I hope that you find lots of great bike gear bargains and that your daughter finds some beautiful shoes to blow her savings on. I love city breaks in the cold too, the best bit is coming in out of the cold for a hot chocolate and cake.
10-19-2010, 06:57 AM
NbyNW

Just wanted to express condolences. I hope you have a wonderful trip!
10-19-2010, 06:58 AM
PamNY

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkbikes

And yes badgercat - we LOVE the cold. In the past we regularly did house exchanges with Canadians for a couple of months over Christmas. We love to ski and they loved to get away to somewhere warm for the winter! So we will love wandering around in the cold of NY winter.:D

You might consider renting bikes if the weather is not too severe (and it usually isn't). I'll ask around about winter rentals if you are interested.

The greenway along the Hudson River is level, easy and beautiful. You can see the Statue of Liberty, the piers where cruise ships come in, Riverside Park, and the George Washington Bridge among other things.
10-19-2010, 07:21 AM
maillotpois

Pink - I am so sorry for your family's loss. Big hugs to both of you.

I cannot imagine a more magical place to spend Christmas than NYC. You and your daughter are going to have a wonderful time. Be sure to have some hot roasted chestnuts out on the street and plan to spend plenty of time wandering through Macy's and Bloomingdales and all the decorated shops. FAO Schwartz would also be wonderful at Christmastime.

Oh - and ice skate at Rockefeller Center!

Have a marvelous time planning!
10-20-2010, 03:52 AM
nikkoblu2

Pink...I'm so sorry to hear of the loss you and your daughter are experiencing. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Even though I'm only across the river I don't do any cycling in the Big Apple. But, I just wanted to remind you to swing by Rockefeller Center and see the gorgeous Christmas tree and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Maybe a little hot chocolate...mmm.

Have a wonderful Christmas:o
10-20-2010, 04:36 AM
ccnyc

I'm so sorry for your loss. And happy to hear that you and DD are doing okay.

Another bike shop to check out is http://signaturecycles.com/document/111633
Lots of bling. Lots of fancy clothing including women's.
It's literally right around the corner from Toga Bikes.
10-21-2010, 01:12 PM
pinkbikes

Oh - I am in so much trouble!:eek:

I just started looking a the websites for all these lovely bike shops you've told me about. And the bargains to be had (compared to prices out here) are wonderful! I am starting to wonder how I can fit a bike into my suitcase.:confused: Or even two?:o

Please tell me that the prices quoted are exclusive of taxes and that the taxes are HUGE! Maybe then I will blink first.:)
10-21-2010, 03:05 PM
crazycanuck

plan

Hey PB, how much tax will you be charged when you fly back into Australia with say..a couple of new bikes? Or is that tax only charged when you have said item sent to you..???

Just a thought :o.
10-22-2010, 02:45 AM
pinkbikes

My mind has gone there already CC!:o

Well there would be duties, but I would be able to use my duty free threshold (and DD's) which you only get access to for goods carried through customs (not for stuff mailed) and then I'd only have to pay duty on the remainder! Be still my heart!:D

Actually the website says if you exceed the threshold you have to pay duty on the lot, but I've never seen that happen if you are honest and tell them everything you have.
10-22-2010, 03:22 AM
Catrin

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkbikes

My mind has gone there already CC!:o

Well there would be duties, but I would be able to use my duty free threshold (and DD's) which you only get access to for goods carried through customs (not for stuff mailed) and then I'd only have to pay duty on the remainder! Be still my heart!:D

Actually the website says if you exceed the threshold you have to pay duty on the lot, but I've never seen that happen if you are honest and tell them everything you have.

Sweet! You will have fun shopping :)
12-26-2010, 06:13 PM
crazycanuck

snow

hey PBS..hope your trip's going well & you're spending up a storm w the Aus-US exchange rate at the moment :cool:

The weather in QLD at the moment is blah :(

Take care & have a safe journey home!
12-27-2010, 12:35 PM
redrhodie

Central Park had its sixth highest snowfall total ever yesterday! NY is magical in the snow, but I suppose a lot of things are closed. I hope you're having fun, pink.
12-28-2010, 12:47 PM
pinkbikes

Spend spend spend spend spend.....

Hi CC and Red (and all)

Well DD and I are happy as clams in New York and I think we are single-handedly spending enough to end any claims of recession, GFC etc.

We spent the first few days in Upper West Side at the Excelsior so that we would be close to the Museum of Natural History (spent a whole day there) and Central Park.

And yes (to those with whom I share the techno nerd geek gene:o) I did bring my Garmin running watch just so I could go for a run in Central Park and watch it talk to the satellites and reset itself to NY time and record a run in Central Park! Of course it was a really crappy run since I forgot to take ventolin and despite wearing two layers of clothing I didn't cover my ears and they were COLD!!!! But it was in Central Park and I ran past the Guggenheim!!!:D

We made a side trip down to Washington DC and looked at Smithsonians and monuments. I sat next to the most delightful old geezer on the train back - 80-something and a retired writer from the Washington Post with many entertaining stories to tell.

We have spent the rest of the time wandering the streets of New York, eating at NY Delis, shopping up a storm and being snowbound in our hotel room! Most of our shopping has, in the time-honoured fashion, been shoes! Shoes, shoes, shoes! We really pay so much for shoes in Oz that I kind of go nuts anytime I visit the States and come home with truckloads of them. So far I have a pair of nice black Nine West boots (to replace the ones I bought before I got pregnant with DD 13 years ago) two pairs of runners (because they are half the price of at home) a pair of converse (because they are red) and a nice pair of Sidi MTB shoes (because I've been lusting after them for ages and they were on sale). And that's just mine - haven't started on DD's!:o

And then there is the usual collection of IHeartNY tshirts, trinkets and so forth for friends and family, spoils from M&M World and a really cute "build your own MuppetWhatNot" from FAO Schwarz.

And, lest we think this is hijacking the cycling thread, I have visited some of the excellent cycling shops you all offered up! So far I have been to Chelsea Bicycles (it is right across the road from our hotel - really nice people) Gotham Cycles (was a beastly day but a really nice shop) AdelineAdeline (took a few tries due to the weather but have several LadyBug bells for gifts - very retro and cool) and Paragon Sports (walked through the snow to get there and could have stayed there all day if I had not been worried about not making it back - but one pair of Sidis and a pair of toe covers and a running fuel belt later...). Tomorrow I am hoping to catch the rest up on West Avenue and Cycle Renaissance on Columbus.:)

All in all, it is a really good thing that we left the land of Oz with only 12kg and 18kg in our suitcases, and an extra bag stashed inside one of them. I do not look forward to packing for the trip home!:o

Thanks to eveybody for all the wonderful suggestions for bike shopping! And of course I am sitting here at the hotel expecting my Fedex package from TE anytime now, with my new Detours High Tail Bike Bag!