Zoom Bikes

Earl, Zieak, and Mike and their Redlines

Today Mike picked up a big shipment of bikes.  We have a lot of new Trek and Gary Fisher inventory but right after the shop closed we got to tearing into the boxes that concealed our new BMX bikes.  After assembly and a few tweaks we rode around a bit and then settled in on the Wells Fargo parking lot.  We started bunny hopping and easing off of curbs.

At the end of the night we had logged two and a half hours of riding, one flat tire, two banged up elbows and quite a bit of soreness.

We’re amped and plan on doing it again tomorrow!

Although we’re talking about getting and wearing helmets too of course.

In February Zieak went to Ecuador for a vacation.  In the beach town of Montanita he got to get a close look at this cargo bike and kids playing on it.

BambooSk8 is making really beautiful bamboo skate decks.  They’re running a little contest with the prize being a year of free decks.  Enter here.  Interested in Zoom carrying these boards?  Leave a comment to let us know and if we have interest we’ll pursue it!

Mike and I decided that we should go to the largest bicycle trade show in North America - Interbike. As shop owners we could attend the expo for free. I used a companion fare coupon on Alaska Airlines and shopped on Priceline for a discounted hotel roomand we made it there and stayed for under $700 each.

We had no idea what we were getting into. All we knew was Monday and Tuesday were outside and we were able to try out equipment. Wednesday through Friday were inside with exhibitors.

Some highlights:

• Zieak rode electric bikes.
• Mike crashed a $4,000 mountain bike.
• Free socks.
• More free energy drinks than you can imagine.
• Zieak found the free chafe cream handy.
• Contacts with potential new distributors.
• Hot weather.

Civia Loring

The first bike that we rode was the Civia Hyland. (not pictured above) Mike rode the 3 speed and I took the higher-ranged 8 speed bike. We loved the feel. Solid fenders and chain guard coupled with a beefy rack would make the bike ideal for commuters in Petersburg. Some models come with a dynamo front hub that powers the light on the front of the bike. We fell in love with the Loring (photo above) because of the use of the organic materials. These bikes are a bit pricey for us to carry much of a stock (MSRP of about $1,500-3,100) but they really would work well in town.

I rode an Ultramotor electric bike.  This “bike” was pretty heavy but it cruised flats at a comfortable speed.  It was heavy but i pedaled it uphill for a while just to see what a burden it would be - actually not too bad.  But using the electricity to run it uphill blew even the best road bikes away.  The shocks make the ride very comfortable and the styling hides the battery nicely.  The weight and price tag are the two biggest drawbacks to this ride.  At about 75 pounds you won’t want to carry this up a flight of stairs.  It will run more than $3,000.  So why not just get a scooter?  Because it’s electric, you can pedal it, and because it stays under 20 MPH and is electric you can ride it on bike paths.  This would be a great commuter for the lazy rider like myself.

I love the frames that Surly has.  Their beefy Pugsley and the longbike Big Dummy stand out.  I wonder if a Pugsley and the right wheels and tires could stay on top of the muskeg here.  The cargo bikes that i saw convinced me to put together one of my own.

There was much more that we saw and I hae not even seen any of the hundreds of pictures Mike was taking at the shows.  I was overwhelmed.  Next year I’ll know much more of what I’m looking at and feel much more at home.

This sticker was on the fender of a bike that was in for service earlier this week.

ZOOM Bikes would like to encourage all skateboarders to adhere to the laws of Petersburg.  Below is the section of the City code that addresses skateboard use.

11.24.190 Skateboards.

C. Every person using a skateboard upon any sidewalk or public path, where such use is not prohibited, shall use the same in a careful and prudent manner and at a rate of speed no greater than is reasonable and proper under the conditions existing at the point of operation, taking into account the amount and character of pedestrian traffic, grade and width of sidewalk or public path, and condition of surface, and shall obey all traffic-control devices. Every person using a skateboard upon a sidewalk or public path shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian thereon. (Ord. 616 §3(part), 1988).

ZOOM Bikes will soon carry Thule racks and accessories.  We won’t be able to carry a large inventory but will be able to order anything people need including bike racks, roof top carriers, kayak racks and everything else Thule makes.

ZOOM Bikes and Skate is a little bike and skate shop in downtown Petersburg, Alaska. Myself and Ryan McFarland bought the business from Petersburg Cyclery Owner Dick Longworth last year and opened up on July 16. We originally planned on eventually turning into a full bore cycle shop as well as sporting goods, winter sports gear and skateboards. That is not the case anymore though, we have scaled the shop down to just a seasonal business providing sales, service, rentals, fishing flies and skateboards to the tourists and people of the community of Petersburg. ZOOM is an authorized dealer for TREK, Gary Fisher, Redline, Torker and a variety of skate products from Element and Zero to Chocolate and Baker.

We are currently open on Tuesdays - Saturdays from 10am to 5:30pm and are closed on Sundays and Mondays. ZOOM is only open from April 1 through November 1 each year and are closed on a couple of select holidays in the summer such as Memorial Day, Independence Day and Norwegian Independence Day (May 17).

In the rental category we offer a selection of two different types of rides. Customers can choose from our 7-speed internal hub shifting Metro Torkers, which are like townies/cruisers or TREK 3700 mountain bikes with a variety of sizes to choose from.

Prices: Full day - $25; Half day - $12.50; per hour - $5

We also provide drop off and pick up at a variety of locations in Petersburg and the surrounding area for an additional charge of our labor rate at $40/hour. This often provides a way for people to get outside the city limits and view wildlife, plants, streams and a variety of other beautiful things that Alaska has to offer.

* I would recommend doing this if you have the time.

So much for now, have a great weekend and keep riding.