Hamrat

Hi everyone, have time and time again stumbled across this forum while researching bike related stuff. So I thought I'd join and say a quick hello!

I biked a lot in my youth, I must have been pretty good because I remember being able to powerslide after bombing a hill. Ahh youth... So now I've started biking again in my mid-twenties, bought myself a Peugeot UO-8, and in my few rides around the city realized it's pretty exhilarating!

It's probably common knowledge but I should mention that this street smarts guide- https://bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm greatly improved my confidence getting around town.

I did have a couple questions, first is if anyone has any recommendations for shops? I'm going to one today that a friend likes but wondered if there were options about.

The other question is, are there any novice level races? Or is it pretty much just messenger races and hardcore roadster stuff?

jyossarian

Novice level races are the Cat 5 races. There's also the Cat 6 races amongst commuters. As for shops, what neighborhood are you in and what do you want?

Hamrat

Weird, I was just notified about your reply... Anyway, I'm in downtown Manhattan, I'd love to find one that sold cheap old parts and such. Also repair shops would be good to know, I found one near the Grand St. L train stop, but it couldn't hurt to know some closer to me.

1nterceptor

This place sells old parts and also does repairs.
The money they make goes to cycling advocacy:

https://www.recycleabicycle.org/shops

This is another good source for cheap parts, old and new:
https://newyork.craigslist.org/bik/

Hamrat

I really like the look of that recycleabicycle place! Thanks! Definitely going to try and take some of their classes when I have the money.