AFFORDABILITY | Upcycles Bike Shop

In the last 20 years, the inflation-corrected price of entry-level bicycles in bike shops has doubled, while hte price of big-box store bikes has dropped. This is has produced a two tier bicycle marketplace, with bike shops offering only high performance, high-priced bikes starting around $1000, and department stores offering extremely low quality bicycles which offer little more than their shiny appearance. Upcycles Bike shop fills the void between these two options by refurbishing and selling used bikes originating from the bike shop universe. We combine our good judgement of bike flesh with our painstaking overhauls and upgrades to bring you bikes which are BETTER THAN NEW at the 1/3 the cost of new in bike shops.

Upcycles Bike shop is not a thrift store or a bike flipper. We are a bicycle remanufacturer. We build the eight models of bikes below, constructing them from quality used frames and parts. All of our bikes are a pleasure to ride, simple, and durable. All come with our standard, one-year warranty.

If we do not have a model of bike in your size fully refurbished, you may pick out a untouched bike for a standard build or a frame and parts for custom build with the flourishes you specify. We will keep a fleet of test ride bikes so you will know what you are getting if you order us to build a bike not yet in stock. Remember the cardinal rule of the bike business, "Strong, light, cheap: pick two." I have tried to break down the trade-offs a little further below. All of our bikes should make you feel like you are flying, but the subtle differences are worth considering and comparing.

Riding position: speed vs. comfort. Low, dropped racing handlebars are more aerodynamic, allowing greater speed. But most riders find the upright position more immediately comfortable for the first 25 miles or so. There is, therefore, a trade-off between comfort and speed. Dropped handlebars begin gaining the advantage for rides longer than 25 miles, since they offer a greater number of hand positions.

Liveliness: speed vs. stability. Lighter wheels and narrower, smoother tires are faster because they produce less rolling resistance, while wider ones are more stable because they are less affected by bumps in the road. knobby tires are necessary only for riding on loose dirt, gravel or snow. Mechanical friction differences between bikes are almost undetectable, although bikes with external (derailleur) gearing systems lose A LOT of mechanical efficiency if allowed to collect dirt and grime.

Versatility: the lightest, fastest bikes are stripped down to the barest essentials, while with fatter tires offer more comfort, wider gear options conquer steeper hills, accommodations for fenders and racks make all weather riding with luggage load more feasible.

Maintenance interval is our estimate based on riding 150 miles a week on asphalt, you will need to clean more frequently is you ride the towpath or off-road dirt and gravel. Longevity is mostly a function of drive train (chain, gears and gear shift mechanisms) vulnerability to dirt, grit and grime. The more that moving parts are exposed to whatever the tires are throwing up, the more grit the parts will accumulate, causing them to drag more and wear out sooner.

Hybrid Bikes

(14-27 Speed Derailleur)

$299-$599

These versatile bikes excel for comfort and climbing.

Frame: Chromoly steel or aluminum

Cranks: Alloy cotterless

Front Gears: derailleur 2-3 chainrings

Rear Gears: derailleur 7-, 8-, or 9-speed with indexed twist shifters

or friction thumb shifters
Wheels & Tires: Cassette freehub, alloy rims, stainless steel spokes,

and choice of street tires (26" or 700c × 32-45 mm)

Brakes: Alloy cantilever or V-brake calipers with mountain hand levers
Contact points: Flat handlebars with rubber grips & touring saddle

Weight: 26-30 lbs

Cleaning every: 1-2 months

Tune-up every 6 months

Variations: Disc Brakes +$50; Push-button Indexed shifters +$40; Handbuilt wheels +$90; More than 8-speed rear wheel +$40/speed; High-end suspension fork +$50-90; Powder coating +$70; Freewheel hub -$25

Road Bikes

(12-27 Speed Derailleur)

$299

These fast, light bikes excel at speed and liveliness.

Frame: Chromoly steel or aluminum
Cranks: Alloy cotterless

Front Gears: derailleur 2-3 chainrings

Rear Gears: derailleur 7- or 8-speed with friction down tube shift levers
Wheels & Tires: Cassette freehub, alloy rims, stainless steel spokes

and customer choice of tires (700c × 23-32 mm)

Contact points: Alloy drop handlebars & racing saddle
Weight: 19-22 lbs (53 cm)

Cleaning every: 1-2 months

Tune-up every 6 months

Variations: Disc Brakes +$50-$100; Integrated brake/shifters +$90-$150; Indexed bar-end shifters +$50; More than 8-speed rear wheel +$40/speed; Handbuilt wheels +$90; Handbuilt frame + >$100; Powder coating +$70; Freewheel hub -$25;

Commuting/Urban Bikes

City (3 Speed Internal)

$249

The ultimate urban ally, these super reliable bikes work day-in, day-out in all weather with minimal maintenance. We set them up with fenders and chain guard to keep your clothes cleaner when riding.

Frame: Steel lugged or Schwinn welded frame and fork

Cranks: Steel cottered crank arms, single chainring

Gears: Sturmey-Archer 3 speed internal gear hub with indexed trigger shifter
Wheels & Tires: Chromed Steel 26' X 1-3/8" rims and road tires

Brakes: Alloy or steel sidepull calipers with mountain hand levers

Contact points: Steel all-rounder handlebars & touring saddle

Includes: Steel fenders and chainguard

Weight:30-35 lbs (53 cm)

Tune-up/cleaning every: 12 months

City Bike Variations: Chromoly frame + $50; Disc Brakes +$50; Push-button or bar-end shifters +$40; Tubular steel (strong) or alloy (light) rims, + $50, Hand-built wheels +$90, Lightweight plastic fenders +$40; Powder coating +$70

Metro (8 Speed Internal)

$399

Same advantages as the 3-speed, but with a wide enough range to gears to ride anywhere you could go on a derailleur hybrid (well, technically James can only vouch for this type of bike for 200 hilly miles, because that is the farthest he has ridden one in one day...)

Frame: Chromoly steel frame

Cranks: Alloy cotterless crank arms, single chainring

Gears: Shimano or Sturmey-Archer-8 speed internal gear hub

Double wall alloy rims with stainless steel spokes and 700C × 32- 35 mm tires
Brakes: Alloy dual-pivot calipers with mountain hand levers

Contact points: Alloy city bar, black rubber grips & black touring saddle
Weight: 28-32 lbs (53 cm)

Tune-up/cleaning every: 12 months

Metro Bike Variations: Disc Brakes +$50; Push-button or bar-end shifters +$40;

Hand-built wheels +$90, Powder coating +$70, Fenders +$40, Rear rack + $20-$40

Fixed Gear/Single-Speed Bikes

$299

See the rants elsewhere on this site about fixed gears...

Frame: Chromoly Steel or aluminum alloy frame and fork

Cranks: Alloy cotterless crank arms, single chainring

Gears: Single speed freewheel and/or fixed (with flip-flop hub)
Wheels & Tires: Alloy rims, stainless steel spokes 700c × 23-32 mm tires

Brakes: Alloy sidepull calipers
Contact points: Flat or drop handlebar & racing saddle
Weight: 19-27 lbs (53 cm)

Tune-up/cleaning every: 12 months

Variations: Handbuilt wheels +$90, Powder coating +$70

Upvalued Bikes

As reliable and comfortable as their more expensive counterparts, at the cost of greater weight and slower performance.

Neighborhood (1 Speed)

$100

Frame: Steel frame and fork

Cranks: Steel one-piece crank arms, steel chainring(s)

Gears: 1 speed with coaster brake
Wheels & Tires: Alloy front rims with hand brake and black tires (26" × 1.75"-2.125")
Contact points: Cruiser handlebars with black rubber grips & wide saddle

Weight: 30-35 lbs (53 cm)

Tune-up/cleaning every: 12 months

Errand (3 Speed)

$180

Frame: 1970's welded USA Steel frame and fork

Cranks: Steel one piece crank arms, steel chainring(s)

Gears: Shimano 3 speed internal gear hub with indexed trigger shifter
Brakes: Steel hand brakes or front hand brake and rear coaster brake

Wheels & Tires: Steel rims and new26" × 1-3/8" tires
Contact points: Steel all-rounder handlebars with rubber grips & touring saddle

Accessorites: Steel Fenders and Chainguard

Tune-up/cleaning every: 12 months

Weight: 30-35 lbs (53 cm)

Variations: No fenders or Chainguard -$30

Derailleur Road or Mountain Bike

$160

Frame: Steel frame and fork

Cranks: Steel crank arms,

Front Gears: derailleur 2-3 chainrings

Gears: 5-14 speed with indexed twist shifters or friction stem shifters
Wheels & Tires: Steel wheels and street tires (26" or 27" × 1.25"-2")
Brakes: Steel hand brakes

Contact points: Steel handlebars with black rubber wrap & touring saddle

Cleaning every: 1-2 months

Tune-up every 6 months

Weight: 30-35 lbs (53 cm)

Variations: Push-button Indexed shifters +$20; Modern Walmart bike -$50