The Wheel World

NYC Velo
The biggest Surly dealer in the Northeast, this is the place to go if you want to buy—or repair—a lightweight but durable bike that’ll also absorb the city’s harsh road conditions. “We once saw a bike that had fallen off a roof rack at 65 miles per hour and all it needed was a new seat and grip,” explains Chris Feltman, the shop’s manager. Stop in to check out the single-speed Steam Roller (starts at $720) or the multispeed Cross Check (starts at $1,095), or to hang out in the lounge and chat about derailleurs. They also have a Calfee sizer to make sure your bike is the Goldilocks kind of just right. 64 Second Ave between 3rd and 4th Sts (212-253-7771, nycvelo.com)

Roy’s Sheepshead Bay Cycle
With more than 100 Specialized bikes in stock, it’s the shop’s number-one-selling brand, but manager Ilya Nikhamin says that may be because it makes more models than any other brand in the industry. “But it’s not about brand, it’s all about the fit,” says Nikhamin, who believes it’s his job to find a bike that fits the needs, taste and budget of the customer. And for that reason, each buyer is carefully fitted and sent out on a test ride on the residential Avenue X. And what about that budget? Specialized bikes start at $369 and top out with the ridiculously high-end $8,500 models. 2679 Coney Island Ave at Ave X, Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn (718- 648-1440) roysbikes.com

Spokesman Cycles
The Long Island City shop may be conveniently near the 7 train, but we suggest making the trek out to the recently opened location in the Atlas Park mall. With 6,000 square feet, it’s the largest bike shop in town, and proudly displays a few hundred bicycles. “We sell more Bianchi bikes than anyone else in the city,” says co-owner Carlos Dall’Orso, before pointing out two stellar models. “The fixed-gear Bianchi Pista ($749) is one of our most popular bikes and the one you’re seeing all over the city right now. The Bianchi Milano Alfine ($899) is an internal eight-speed city bike that’s stable and easy to maneuver in traffic.” The shop also has an extensive selection of accessories—wheels, cranks, steams, seat posts and more—that allow you to personalize your bike. 80-16 Cooper Ave at 80th St, Glendale, Queens (718-366-0450, spokesmancycles.com)

Tread Bike Shop
Employees at this Inwood shop are friendly and shun the up-selling that sometimes happens in more convenient Manhattan stores. We called around looking for the cheapest Cannondale Quick, a commuter bike that combines road-bike speed with mountain-bike utility, and found it here for just $460. 250 Dyckman St between Payson and Seaman Aves (212-544-7055)

Bicycle Habitat
Trek bikes—the brand Lance uses!—account for 30 percent of sales at this Soho shop. The Trek 7000 is $360 and the store has a wide selection of WSD bikes (starting at $500), which are designed specially for ladies. “Men tend to have a longer torso and shorter legs,” explains store manager Derek DeBoer, “but women tend to be the opposite, and these bikes account for that.” Go for a test ride on the Trainer so that the staff can evaluate your form and help you find the best fit. It’s like that saying: different spokes for different folks. 244 Lafayette St between Prince and Spring Sts (212-431-3315, bicyclehabitat.com)

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