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Draft Weekend update
The city’s abuzz with the upcoming NFL Draft, and we just wanted to check in about our operations April 25 to 28.
Biggest question out of the way first: We will be open! Our hours are Thursday through Sunday 11am-6pm.
We are outside the footprint of the Draft, but we do expect loads of traffic and for parking nearby to be a bit of a hassle. Takeaway: Give yourself extra time to reach us and to park if you are planning on coming down.
If you’re dropping off or picking up a bike for service, you are welcome to pull up to our curbside space at the foot of Rivard. Please note: this spot is not available for those renting a bike or taking a tour.
We have four open spaces on both Friday’s Sports Heritage Tour and Sunday’s Auto Heritage Tour.
Have a great Draft Weekend, Detroit!
Wheelhouse's Draft Weekend!
It seems quite fitting to kick off our 2024 tour season while the NFL Draft is in town.
On Friday, April 26, we are offering our unique Sports Heritage Bicycle Tour. On Saturday, in conjunction with Independent Book Store Day, is our Books & Bikes Tour and, on Sunday, our Auto Heritage Tour. In one weekend, Wheelhouse will explore historic sports sites, shop an array of independent booksellers, and visit the factories that shaped the city and the nation. More details and registration at each link.
We also encourage visitors to our city to consider renting a bike to take in some of Detroit’s wonderful, welcoming neighborhoods, the Riverfront and Dequindre Cut, and of, course, Belle Isle. Info about rentals as well as reservations can be found HERE.
We hope both locals and first-timers will take advantage of Wheelhouse this NFL Draft Weekend and Experience the Motor City on Two Wheels!
Early Season Tune-Up Deal!
If you drop your bike off for a tune-up this weekend — March 9 or 10 — you’ll receive 10 bucks off!
We have several different tune-up levels, and we promise to be super-honest about which one would be of the most value for you.
Most people will just need our Standard Tune-Up, which is typically $75. We adjust brakes, gears, and derailleur; perform a minor (on-bike) wheel true; lube and assess chain; check and tighten crank and headset; and wipe down the frame and wheels.
If your bike is single-speed, the cost is $50; for trikes and tandems, $100.
We also offer a Tune-Up Plus (typically $145) which adds in a full (off-bike) wheel true; cleaning of the bottom bracket and both derailleurs; new cables, housing, and brake pads.
Finally, a Total Overhaul is a Tune-Up Plus as well as a bearing overhaul — usually it’s $175.
We’re open Saturday and Sunday 11AM-4PM — so bring your bike in to get it all ready for Spring and save a Hamilton while you’re at it!
2024 Season Is Here! News & Specials
Hi, everyone! Hope your “Winter” went well…
We’ll be opening our doors for Season #17 (we can’t believe it either) on Saturday, March 2. For the first couple of weeks, our schedule will be: Saturdays and Sundays March 2, 3, 9, & 10 11AM to 4PM.
At that point, we’ll look at weather and staffing to set up a schedule for the remainder of March. As always, stay tuned to our website and social media for all the latest.
Now’s a really good time to drop off your bike for its Spring Tune-Up. 75 bucks gets your baby’s brakes, gears, and derailleur adjusted; a minor (on-bike) wheel true; lube; the headset and crank checked and tightened; and a wipe down.
Early season turn-around is quick. Plus, if you drop your bike off for a tune-up during our first two weeks of operation, you’ll get $10 off!
If you’d rather us pick up and deliver your bike to save you a trip, we can do that! The price for this service starts at $20 round-trip (for Greater Downtown) and will begin for the season on March 11. If you email us to schedule on or before March 10, we’ll knock 10 bucks off the delivery fee.
March is the month we will begin to craft our Tours schedule and we’ll publish them as dates get locked in. We expect to return all of our favorites and maybe even debut one or two new offerings. In the meantime, you can book a private tour or group rental while our calendar is still wide open! Early Birds! Weekday (M-Th) private tours booked for April or May will receive $50 off the base price for one to six riders.
Booking inquiries should be made to Linda at bookings@wheelhousedetroit.com.
Can’t wait to see you at the shop! Lots more news to come as we get the season rolling. - Kelli
November News: MotorCities National Heritage Area Nomination | Thank You Crew! | Sale on All 2023 In-Stock Bikes
Some quickie news hits for November:
We were very proud to be nominated for the MotorCities National Heritage Area Award of Excellence in the Heritage/Tourism Category for our Auto Heritage Bicycle Tour. Many thanks to our amazing guide, Michael Darga, and our partners at MotorCities and the Ford Piquette Plant.
I always tell people to check this tour out even if they’re not a “car person” because so many of our 20th and 21st century stories have been shaped by the automotive industry. We’re not talking about makes and models, but about industrial architecture, labor history, and neighborhood growth and decline. If you haven’t joined us — more than 1,000 people have over 13 years! — we hope you will in 2024.
I’d personally like to thank the amazing Wheelhouse crew who absolutely killed it this season. We had such good feedback on the excellence of our repairs and turn-around quickness, our overall customer service, and the quality of our tours.
Shop staff (retail and service) — Joseline, Judith, and Rob — you are all on the A-Team! Day in and day out, you achieved consistency and top-notch customer service, and that is super hard to do. You are appreciated.
Tour crew — Tera, Blake, Mike, Reg, Chris, and Dan — you all are such great stewards of Detroit’s stories. And Linda, our private tour booker, exemplifies patience, responsiveness, organization, and adaptibility. Thank you to the entire tour team for a great season.
And last but not least, our exceptional General Manager, Tatiana, whose stellar customer service is topped only by her technical expertise, her hard work, and her depth of knowledge about a lot of things. Wheelhouse would not be what it is without you!
If you’re really looking to wow someone this holiday season, check out the bikes that we still have on the floor HERE. They are all 20% off.
Shoot us an email to set up a test ride or a shopping appointment.
Other things to note are covered elsewhere in our blog, including Gift Cards & Certificates, information about Winter appointments, and our limited edition holiday swag sale!
Thank you for your continued patronage. I can’t believe it’s been 16 years and am already looking forward to #17.
Wishing you a Wonderful Winter,
Kelli B. Kavanaugh, Owner and Co-Founder
Holiday Limited Edition Swag Sale 2023
We are pleased to offer a holiday apparel sale for the 2023 season. This short run of a small sample of goods highlights our iconic city map logo in Kelly green and a special “festive” font. Orders must be placed by November 30 and will be received by December 20.
We are offering short- and long-sleeved t-shirts as well as crew neck and hoodie sweatshirts.
What’s the deal with the logo? It’s actually a map of Detroit, where the circle is Campus Martius and the spokes are the main radial streets: Fort, Michigan, Grand River, Woodward, Gratiot, and Jefferson.
Our logo was inspired by our friend Colin Hubbell, who passed away in August 2008. Read more about him and the actual "logo story" in this Model D tribute.
The sale page, which includes shipping, sizing, and material info can be found HERE.
Gift Cards & Certificates for the Cyclists on Your Holiday List!
If you’re looking to give the gift of “buying where you ride” consider the oh-so-convenient gift card or certificate from your favorite neighborhood bike shop! We’re even offering $10 off digital gift certificates for rentals and tours.
GIFT CARDS
You can purchase a gift card in any denomination. We will mail it free of charge to either the gifter or the giftee. A personalized note can be included as well.
Gift cards can be used towards any retail purchase, any bicycle service (idea: a standard tuneup is $75 so they’ll be ready to roll come Spring), or towards a private tour.
It couldn’t be easier: just fill out this handy dandy FORM and we will call you at the time you request to complete the purchase. NB: Please get us that email by December 13 so we can be sure to get your card to a post office by the recommended Christmas mailing deadline of December 15.
ONLINE GIFT CERTIFICATE
We also offer online gift certificates, which can be used to reserve a rental bike or towards a spot on a public tour. These do not expire and can be emailed to the recipient on a date that you specify.
Purchase by December 25 and receive $10 off your purchase with the Promo Code HOLIDAY23!
More info and to purchase HERE.
Cheers to a happy and healthy holiday season!
Available By Appointment During the Off-Season
While we cease regular hours of operation during our regular season, we are available by appointment. Whether to rent bikes, go shopping, place a special order, book a private tour, or you need service repair, hit us up via email!
The more notice you can give us the better, but we’ll typically get back to you within a day. If you let us know your availability, that helps move things along even more quickly.
We’re here for you even in the Winter months!
October Specials: Tours, Bikes, Rentals, Bags!
The last month of our 2023 season is upon us! In celebration — or mourning, depending on your perspective — we are offering a few specials.
All October private tours are $50 off the base price. That means that groups of 1-6 will start at $200 on weekdays (Monday through Thursday) and $250 on weekends (Friday through Saturday). Additional riders will be at the regular rate, which is dependent on rental status and length of tour. This is your chance to get your group out on a Haunted Detroit Tour! Reach out to Linda, our bookings director, HERE to get the ball rolling.
All in-stock bikes are 20% off. We’d like to start 2024 off with new bikes on the floor, so here’s your chance to score a new ride at a nice price! We have a few Giants and a couple of Konas. Check out what we’ve got HERE and come on by for a test ride.
Weekday Rentals are 25% off. Walk in, let us know where you want to ride, and we’ll get you rolling at an extra-special rate! Rates for a 2-hour rental: cruiser, $12.75; geared, $15; kids, $9.
All bags are 15% off. That’s saddle bags, panniers, frame bags, trunk bags…any bag we have in stock!
Autumn Hours of Operation
Beginning October 1, our 5-day-a-week Autumn hours will roll into effect. We will be open Wednesday through Sunday 11AM to 6PM and will be closed Monday and Tuesday.