Njaco
The Pop-Tart Whisperer
As if having a hobby shop mere feet away from my new home, now this! man, I'm really loving this town! Models, coffee and bikes!! wooohooo!
New Pitman shop offers bikes over a cup of joe - NJ.com
New Pitman shop offers bikes over a cup of joe
Saturday, December 12, 2009
By Jessica Driscoll
[email protected]
PITMAN Steve Blackman's passion is cycling and a few weeks ago he was able to make a dream come true in his hometown opening a custom bike shop with a relaxed atmosphere that caters to everyone from the cycling pro to the new rider.
"I've been into cycling since I was about 3 and I always wanted to open my own shop," said Blackman, owner of The Caffeinated Cyclist, which opened on Broadway on Black Friday. "After college I started working at a bike shop and I learned the industry. I grew up here and live here now and the town really seems to be coming around for businesses with the theater and all the new restaurants. There's a lot of foot traffic and it's a central location."
Blackman said he has a lot of "loyal followers" who followed him from his old job to the new shop as well as teammates he races road bikes with and their friends. He's looking forward to developing a wider customer base through word of mouth from happy buyers.
As for the name, "I'm always caffeinated," said Blackman. "I just enjoy coffee. I'm kind of obsessed with it and I can't not drink it. I also always liked the idea of having a bike shop that wasn't so sterile so I've got a couch and free coffee and people can sit and watch me work on their bikes if they want. I don't have a closed shop."
Blackman said he believes the atmosphere is "more inviting" and takes pride in his responsibility for each cycle sold.
"Being a small place and an owner-run shop, I'm the one to build a customer's bike and to fit them so anything that happens with the bike is my responsibility."
The shop sells mostly road and mountain bikes and also carries some hybrid and comfort styles. Blackman can also order kids' BMX bikes but he doesn't carry them in the shop.
"Bikes start at just over $400 for people who are maybe just getting into cycling and they run into the thousands," said Blackman. "When customers come in, I first ask what they want out of a bike, whether it's mountain biking or riding 100 miles on a road. The hybrids can go on regular roads and dirt roads but don't have the high performance of the others. Then, we focus on what model they're looking for and I adjust the bike so it fits them properly."
In his shop, Blackman has a computerized trainer that attaches to the bike and the television to give customers a virtual cycling experience. The trainer allows customers to learn to shift gears and allows Blackman to fit the bike to the right specifications.
"I sold two women road bikes last week and they didn't know how to shift gears so the trainer was very important," said Blackman. "It monitors your rpms and you want to stay in a certain range."
Fitting the bike to the rider ensures maximum efficiency and minimizes injuries and strain to the back and knees.
"It makes riding a more enjoyable experience, which encourages people to cycle more often," he said.
Blackman has been working on bikes for more than 14 years and will repair and adjust bikes from his own shop and others. All of his bikes come with a lifetime service warranty.
The store also sells cycling accessories like helmets, lights, water bottles, locks, air towers and attire.
He coordinates group rides out of the shop a 40-mile road ride on Saturday mornings at 8 a.m. and a mountain bike ride Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. in Ceres Park in Mantua and also allows visitors to pay $10 for virtual timed-trial races on the CompuTrainer. He's also a certified cycling coach who can use the trainer to do fitness tests for customers.
"It's tough for shops in busy areas to offer group areas, so it's a good location for that," said Blackman. "The town has also been really supportive. I joined the chamber of commerce and all the business owners seem to really support each other and are eager to get the word out. I'm glad I chose Pitman."
New Pitman shop offers bikes over a cup of joe - NJ.com
New Pitman shop offers bikes over a cup of joe
Saturday, December 12, 2009
By Jessica Driscoll
[email protected]
PITMAN Steve Blackman's passion is cycling and a few weeks ago he was able to make a dream come true in his hometown opening a custom bike shop with a relaxed atmosphere that caters to everyone from the cycling pro to the new rider.
"I've been into cycling since I was about 3 and I always wanted to open my own shop," said Blackman, owner of The Caffeinated Cyclist, which opened on Broadway on Black Friday. "After college I started working at a bike shop and I learned the industry. I grew up here and live here now and the town really seems to be coming around for businesses with the theater and all the new restaurants. There's a lot of foot traffic and it's a central location."
Blackman said he has a lot of "loyal followers" who followed him from his old job to the new shop as well as teammates he races road bikes with and their friends. He's looking forward to developing a wider customer base through word of mouth from happy buyers.
As for the name, "I'm always caffeinated," said Blackman. "I just enjoy coffee. I'm kind of obsessed with it and I can't not drink it. I also always liked the idea of having a bike shop that wasn't so sterile so I've got a couch and free coffee and people can sit and watch me work on their bikes if they want. I don't have a closed shop."
Blackman said he believes the atmosphere is "more inviting" and takes pride in his responsibility for each cycle sold.
"Being a small place and an owner-run shop, I'm the one to build a customer's bike and to fit them so anything that happens with the bike is my responsibility."
The shop sells mostly road and mountain bikes and also carries some hybrid and comfort styles. Blackman can also order kids' BMX bikes but he doesn't carry them in the shop.
"Bikes start at just over $400 for people who are maybe just getting into cycling and they run into the thousands," said Blackman. "When customers come in, I first ask what they want out of a bike, whether it's mountain biking or riding 100 miles on a road. The hybrids can go on regular roads and dirt roads but don't have the high performance of the others. Then, we focus on what model they're looking for and I adjust the bike so it fits them properly."
In his shop, Blackman has a computerized trainer that attaches to the bike and the television to give customers a virtual cycling experience. The trainer allows customers to learn to shift gears and allows Blackman to fit the bike to the right specifications.
"I sold two women road bikes last week and they didn't know how to shift gears so the trainer was very important," said Blackman. "It monitors your rpms and you want to stay in a certain range."
Fitting the bike to the rider ensures maximum efficiency and minimizes injuries and strain to the back and knees.
"It makes riding a more enjoyable experience, which encourages people to cycle more often," he said.
Blackman has been working on bikes for more than 14 years and will repair and adjust bikes from his own shop and others. All of his bikes come with a lifetime service warranty.
The store also sells cycling accessories like helmets, lights, water bottles, locks, air towers and attire.
He coordinates group rides out of the shop a 40-mile road ride on Saturday mornings at 8 a.m. and a mountain bike ride Tuesday nights at 7 p.m. in Ceres Park in Mantua and also allows visitors to pay $10 for virtual timed-trial races on the CompuTrainer. He's also a certified cycling coach who can use the trainer to do fitness tests for customers.
"It's tough for shops in busy areas to offer group areas, so it's a good location for that," said Blackman. "The town has also been really supportive. I joined the chamber of commerce and all the business owners seem to really support each other and are eager to get the word out. I'm glad I chose Pitman."