Sic Transit Cycles--located in Lower Town ("Lowertown") Ann Arbor--was one of the first places I had in mind when considering businesses to feature on this website. While it would be fun to proclaim the reason for this was that I am a "serious cyclist", it would also be a joke. Luckily, Sic Transit Cycles has a great deal of appeal on several levels, and welcomed me into their beautifully-designed showroom this past summer, despite my rolling up on a bike that--unbeknownst to me--was worth about one penny.
On that sweaty August afternoon, Sic Transit Cylces was overflowing with Ann Arborites of all ages; some browsing, some considering their next ride, others inquiring about repairs. When I started contemplating this article, I was hesitant to approach owners Michael Firn and Joe Bollinger, as I wasn't sure what it meant to feature a bike shop as we all prepare for a Michigan winter. After asking these bike enthusiasts some questions particular to Ann Arbor, however, I realized that some of these sentiments are more timely than ever.
Until recent years, I had been schlepping my father's 1980-something Schwinn road bike around, crossing my fingers that he'd never ask for it back. It wasn't until my move to Seattle and the threat of distance that my father realized how great the Schwinn was, and reclaimed it. After this, I would buy $200 used bikes, and gift them to friends whenever I'd decide to relocate. When I first stepped into Sic Transit Cycles, I realized that I can very easily have a romantic feeling towards an inanimate object--a beautiful bike has magical powers.
Unfortunately for me, I take things like love pretty seriously and haven't yet made my first NEW bike purchase (though I know exactly who I'm looking for come Spring). I do, however, feel really excited about the fact that the same people who carry the Surly Straggler are also willing to repair the (non-existent) brakes on the aforementioned worthless heap of metal I currently ride as a bike.
For those who have not yet stepped into Sic Transit Cycles, do yourself a favor: go. This shop is curated with extreme care; it is as easy for one to seriously consider their new set of wheels as it is to make an impulse accessory buy. There is a beautiful rustic and industrial aesthetic in the Sic Transit showroom, which is coupled with a proud, knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff, making it a great pit-stop any time one is in the Lowertown area. I believe that Sic Transit Cycles is a gemstone in this beautiful part of Ann Arbor, and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to interview them.
For those who have not yet stepped into Sic Transit Cycles, do yourself a favor: go. This shop is curated with extreme care; it is as easy for one to seriously consider their new set of wheels as it is to make an impulse accessory buy. There is a beautiful rustic and industrial aesthetic in the Sic Transit showroom, which is coupled with a proud, knowledgeable and enthusiastic staff, making it a great pit-stop any time one is in the Lowertown area. I believe that Sic Transit Cycles is a gemstone in this beautiful part of Ann Arbor, and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to interview them.
How did Sic Transit get started? How has it evolved into what it is today?
The origins of the shop go back to 2005 when when I met Joe. We were living in the same duplex with a shared garage. Joe had one bay dedicated to bicycles, and would tinker on his own bikes and tune up friends' bicycles. As our friendship grew, I expressed interest in getting a bike again and learning more about how they worked. He surprised me one day with a bike he bought on Craigslist, and in a way, our shop can be traced back to that moment.
We started buying and collecting vintage bikes, reconditioning them one at a time, and reselling them on Craigslist and EBay. Fast-forward a few years, and the entire garage was filled with project bikes. We began to entertain the idea of looking for a small commercial space to continue our hobby in a better, more comfortable environment. That search led us to what is now our service shop at the corner of Broadway and Maiden Lane. It was only ever meant to be a private work space, but the visibility on the corner, and the interest of the neighborhood inspired us to slowly grow into a small repair shop. We continued to nurture the business for four years as we both worked full-time elsewhere. As the years went by, we expanded the retail portion of the business as much as possible in our small space, but quickly outgrew it.
The origins of the shop go back to 2005 when when I met Joe. We were living in the same duplex with a shared garage. Joe had one bay dedicated to bicycles, and would tinker on his own bikes and tune up friends' bicycles. As our friendship grew, I expressed interest in getting a bike again and learning more about how they worked. He surprised me one day with a bike he bought on Craigslist, and in a way, our shop can be traced back to that moment.
We started buying and collecting vintage bikes, reconditioning them one at a time, and reselling them on Craigslist and EBay. Fast-forward a few years, and the entire garage was filled with project bikes. We began to entertain the idea of looking for a small commercial space to continue our hobby in a better, more comfortable environment. That search led us to what is now our service shop at the corner of Broadway and Maiden Lane. It was only ever meant to be a private work space, but the visibility on the corner, and the interest of the neighborhood inspired us to slowly grow into a small repair shop. We continued to nurture the business for four years as we both worked full-time elsewhere. As the years went by, we expanded the retail portion of the business as much as possible in our small space, but quickly outgrew it.
At the end of 2013, we made the decision to expand the shop and build a full retail showroom. A building on the other side of the block opened up (what many people in town have long known as Adrian's T-Shirt Printing), and we jumped at the chance to grow while staying in our beloved Lowertown neighborhood. Coinciding with the expansion, we both stepped away from our jobs to dedicate ourselves to the shop.
We now stock six brands of new bicycles in addition to a small selection of reconditioned used and vintage bikes, as well as a carefully-chosen group of high-quality accessories.
Do you feel that the two of you work well together in terms of strengths and weaknesses?
This is one area where we feel extremely lucky. We both wear a lot of different hats, but Joe is much more mechanically inclined and is a natural problem-solver. He prefers to run the service side of the business and is very good at it. I love interacting with our customers on the sales side and enjoy building the retail aspect of the business. We sometimes relate it to the restaurant business; Joe is the the chef and I'm the maÎtre d'.
How do you feel Sic Transit fits in Ann Arbor?
We really fit well with Ann Arbor. We were both born and raised here and care deeply about our hometown. We love cultivating a close and personal relationship with our customers.
We are lucky this is a community that values small business and loves supporting entrepreneurs. With our focus on urban cycling and transportation, we tend to have a very broad customer base. Predominantly, these are people who simply want to incorporate a bicycle into their lifestyle. Whether it's an everyday commute, pleasure rides with friends and family on the weekend, or for sport and fitness after work, we think of our customers as simply "people on bikes".
We believe deeply in the bicycle way of life. To see it grow and flourish here in our hometown makes us proud. We feel like we're making a very positive impact on the future of the town in addition to doing what we love.
We now stock six brands of new bicycles in addition to a small selection of reconditioned used and vintage bikes, as well as a carefully-chosen group of high-quality accessories.
Do you feel that the two of you work well together in terms of strengths and weaknesses?
This is one area where we feel extremely lucky. We both wear a lot of different hats, but Joe is much more mechanically inclined and is a natural problem-solver. He prefers to run the service side of the business and is very good at it. I love interacting with our customers on the sales side and enjoy building the retail aspect of the business. We sometimes relate it to the restaurant business; Joe is the the chef and I'm the maÎtre d'.
How do you feel Sic Transit fits in Ann Arbor?
We really fit well with Ann Arbor. We were both born and raised here and care deeply about our hometown. We love cultivating a close and personal relationship with our customers.
We are lucky this is a community that values small business and loves supporting entrepreneurs. With our focus on urban cycling and transportation, we tend to have a very broad customer base. Predominantly, these are people who simply want to incorporate a bicycle into their lifestyle. Whether it's an everyday commute, pleasure rides with friends and family on the weekend, or for sport and fitness after work, we think of our customers as simply "people on bikes".
We believe deeply in the bicycle way of life. To see it grow and flourish here in our hometown makes us proud. We feel like we're making a very positive impact on the future of the town in addition to doing what we love.
What do you find has been the biggest challenge of having a bike shop in Ann Arbor?
We would say the biggest challenge for us is the seasonal nature of the business here. It's not so much specific to Ann Arbor, but the cycling culture here still has a lot of room to grown beyond what people consider biking season. We look at places like Madison and Minneapolis as see how much room for growth there is.
What is the dreamiest bike in the shop right now? Favorite accessory?
We're very fond of both the All-City Macho Man Disc and the Surly Straggler. Our favorite accessory this year is the Spurcycle Bell from San Francisco. The small bell is beautifully-crafted in the USA and has a powerful, lovely ring. It's been great to see what started as a Kickstarter project become a fully-realized product on the market.
We would say the biggest challenge for us is the seasonal nature of the business here. It's not so much specific to Ann Arbor, but the cycling culture here still has a lot of room to grown beyond what people consider biking season. We look at places like Madison and Minneapolis as see how much room for growth there is.
What is the dreamiest bike in the shop right now? Favorite accessory?
We're very fond of both the All-City Macho Man Disc and the Surly Straggler. Our favorite accessory this year is the Spurcycle Bell from San Francisco. The small bell is beautifully-crafted in the USA and has a powerful, lovely ring. It's been great to see what started as a Kickstarter project become a fully-realized product on the market.
A little bird told me that you plan to expand into the upstairs of the building which houses your showroom?
Your little bird is well-informed. We are currently remodeling the upstairs to include a expanded bicycle showroom and fitting area, in addition to a changing room and bicycle storage area for our employees. Also, we'll finally have an office!
Your little bird is well-informed. We are currently remodeling the upstairs to include a expanded bicycle showroom and fitting area, in addition to a changing room and bicycle storage area for our employees. Also, we'll finally have an office!
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