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Bikes for Sale at the WH
We are just getting our 2012 bikes in for sale...Here is a rundown of what we have at the moment. Konas are due in next week.
From Sun Bikes:
Origin8 Cutler. This bike has won us over with its steady handling and recession-friendly pricing. Black 7-Speed $330 - 47, 52, 56, 59 cm in stock; Grey Single Speed $300 56 cm in stock.

Origin8 Folding Bike. 3-Speed In Stock. Perfect for a boat or a frequent traveler!$369

Origin8 Bully. 7-Speed 20". Aggressive styling with a compact design for easy in-and-out of your apartment, house or office.$359

Cruz 7. 7-Speed cruiser in a sharp orange! 18 in$349

Drifter. Classic styling belies its ultra-light frame. Best of both worlds. $360. 16" female frame in stock in pink. 7 speeds.

And, left over from 2011:
Origin8 Brutus. Enormous 700x40 tires. Flip-flop hub. Battleship navy blue roughed-up paint job. $499SALE PRICE: $375 - 54 cm in stock.

March E-Blast
Here is our March E-Blast. It has info about the upcoming season and special tune-up prices and bike sales. If you like what you read, you should sign up on our website! We send out emails once a month that let you know what's up at the Wheelhouse and in the greater world of Detroit cycling. Happy spring, dear Wheelhouser!
We are so thrilled to be kicking off our 2012 season this weekend! We officially open our doors at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 16 and we'll be open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. through April -- we go to a seven-day-a-week schedule beginning May 1. Roll on down and say hello!
Show your bike some love Whether your trusty cycle has spent the winter lonely and unused or you took full advantage of the mild winter, it more than likely needs a tune-up! This weekend only, we are offering an extra-special deal in honor of the 3rd Annual Marche du Nain Rouge, which will take place Sunday, March 25 at 1 p.m. in the Cass Corridor. Drop your bike off and utter the magic phrase, "Get that Nain off my back!" and a full tune-up will run you just 35 Bucks!
For the remainder of our spring season, a tune-up will cost $40 and in May, it jumps up to our regular price of $50.
A tune-up entails a complete inspection, adjustment and lubrication of your bicycle. We adjust gears and brakes, true wheels, adjust the headset and bottom bracket and check all nuts and bolts. We will also lube your bike as needed. We will perform all repairs necessary to put your bike into the best shape it can be for safe and reliable operation. If your bike needs any new parts, we will let you know, but parts and installation labor are not included in the initial fee. We recommend tune-ups once a year at a minimum for all bikes.
Shop local, shop Wheelhouse! In the market for a new ride? Our 2012 stock will be arriving in the next month, so we have slashed prices on any 2011 bikes that remain in stock including an Origin 8 Cutler 7-speed for $255 (Reg. $330) and a single speed for $225 (Reg. $299); Sun Drifter 7-speed step-through in blue for just $310 (Reg. $360); single speed Sun adult trike in white for $330 (Reg. $370); Origin 8 Brutus for just $375 (Reg. $500); Kona Smoke for $350 (Reg. $429); and Kona Jake for $599 (Reg. $899).
We also have a robust selection of tubes, lights, bags, racks, locks, helmets, tires and more so come by and shop Wheelhouse for those accessories your bike has its heart set on!
As featured in National Geographic Traveler! Over the last four years, we have learned what works and what doesn't in terms of bike touring and are committed to fun, informative and safe outings that enhance the communities that we visit. This year, we have over 90 tours on our calendar. Where will we pedal? Southwest Detroit, Hamtramck, Eastern Market, Belle Isle, Indian Village, Palmer Park, the Conner Creek Greenway....and many other fascinating Detroit neighborhoods. What will we discover? Architecture, Urban Farming, Automotive Heritage, Public Art, Underground Railroad History...and lots of other compelling aspects of Detroit's history -- and present.
Last year, most sold tours out, so we recommend visiting our Tours Page today to peruse our calendar of offerings and reserve your spot today. You can also download a handy-dandy one-pager listing here.
We also want to make sure you know that we do private group tours, which are great as a corporate team-building exercise, non-profit fund-raiser, conference activity or pre-wedding excursion. Group rentals are also available at a discounted rate with an advance reservation. Give us a call at 313-656-2453 and we'll set something up!
What's in the works for 2012 At the shop, you'll see a mix of familiar and new faces. Of course, Karen and Kelli are back, along with Alex, Ron and Rob and our team of amazing tour staff: Brian, Mike D., Todd, Patrick, Mike G., Paul, Marc, Tiffany, Melissa and Jeremy. You'll also be meeting some new employees, including Sarah, Tatiana and Mari in the coming weeks, so be sure to stop by and introduce yourself!
We have a ton of plans for the season, culminating with the Eleventh Annual Tour de Troit, which is set for September 15. There's also the inaugural Detroit Up North on June 8 and Compuware's Motor City Bike Ride on August 25 for starters, so we will be sure to let you know about registration opportunities for them as well as others that are still in the works.
We will also be hosting a FREE bi-weekly Wednesday night ride in partnership with FitnessWorks. Also bi-weekly, but on Tuesdays, we'll be holding low-cost maintenance workshops in partnership with Fender Bender. More details to come!
Last but not least, we are super-excited to be a sponsor of Detroit Bike City at Cobo Center on March 24. We will have a vendor booth at the show and will also be providing free attended bike parking. Hope to see you there!
In closing, we can't thank you enough for your past support of Wheelhouse, and are really looking forward to another year exploring the Motor City on two wheels.
Sincerely, Your Friends at Wheelhouse Detroit
1340 E. Atwater Detroit, MI 48207 313-656-BIKE (2453) www.wheelhousedetroit.com wheelhousedetroit.wordpress.com Become a Facebook Fan of Wheelhouse Detroit Bike Shop!
Holiday News from Wheelhouse Detroit
Dear Friend-of-Wheelhouse, By now, you are probably exhausted from shopping, baking, cooking, eating and drinking but, if you are anything like us, there is still a few more gifts to be gotten. Enter -- we hereby humbly offer -- Wheelhouse Detroit's Holiday Sale!
There are four more days for our Downtown Holiday Pop-Up Shop in the Compuware Building, and we are offering a bunch of deals as we bid a farewell to our holiday pop-up location and, most of all, entice you to spend some of your final holiday dollars with us! We are open Wednesday 12/21 through Friday 12/23, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 12/24 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Best of all, we offer parking validation with any purchase for up to three hours , so come by and shop Wheelhouse before a meal at Texas de Brazil or ice skating at Campus Martius!
It might not be bike-riding weather for most of us softies, but it sure is prime bike-buying season! We have cut prices on any remaining bikes so drastically that it is almost scary. If there is someone on your list with a hankering for a new ride, this really is the most logical time to make that purchase. Here is a rundown on what we currently have available:
- The Origin 8 Cutler is sleek, simple and affordable. We have a 56cm 7-speed for $255 (Reg. $330) and a 56cm single speed for $225. (Reg. $299)
- The Sun Drifter is comfortable and surprisingly light. We have a 7-speed step-through in blue for just $310. (Reg. $360).
- Sun also makes an adult trike perfect for an active senior looking for stability. We have a single-speed with a rear basket in pearl white for $330. (Reg. $370) It can be made into a 3‐speed for an additional $120, or into a 5‐speed for an additional $160.
- Looking for a perfect bike to travel with? How about an Origin 8 Folding Bike? We have a 7-speed for just $300 in-stock! (Reg. $320)
- The Origin 8 Brutus has a hub that can flip between single speed and fixed-gear. It is strong and solid, and you can nab it for just $375. (Reg. $500 - yup, that's $125 off!)
- We love Kona bikes, especially their "Asphalt" line. We ride them, we rent them, we sell them. We have two excellent hybrids in stock: a 46cm Dew for $375 (Reg. $429) and a 22in Smoke (with fenders) for $350 (Reg. $429).
- We also have a super-sharp Kona cyclocross, a Jake, in 58cm marked down to $599!!! (Reg. $899)
And for the rest of our stock, all this week, everything is marked down 20%! That's accessories from Planet Bike and Dimension; locks from Master and Kryptonite; bags from Jandd and Timbuk2; baskets from Wald and Dimension; bike racks from Topeak and Axiom; auto racks from Saris; tools and pumps from Pedro's and Park; tires from Kenda and Continental; and tubes from Michelin and Q...and much, much more. To get some good gift ideas, check out a sampling of our in-stock products...all on sale!
We are also carrying some locally designed bike-themed t-shirts -- from Wound, Bikes & Murder and Detroit Bicycle Co. -- and handmade basket liners and scarves, great gift ideas!
Gift Certificates! Give the Gift of a Wheelhouse Bike Tour
Looking for a great holiday gift? We offer gift certificates that you can purchase at our pop-up shop that are good for any Wheelhouse item or service: retail, repair, rentals or tours.
You can also buy a gift certificate on-line that can be used towards any tour in our sure-to-be-spectacular 2012 tour series! Most tours cost $25 or $35 with a bike rental, so you can choose the number of people and/or tours that you want to gift! For example, two people on a tour riding their own bikes would be $50. One person using one of our bikes? $35. Head to www.wheelhousedetroit.com to purchase with Paypal or any major credit card! Give the gift of Experiencing the Motor City on Two Wheels to your favorite cyclist, explorer or Detroit-lover!
We can't thank our customers enough for a wonderful 2011, and we can't wait to see what 2012 has in store for us!
Have a wonderful and peaceful holiday season, Your Friends at Wheelhouse Detroit
Map to the Compuware Building wheelhousedetroit.com Keep up-to-date at Wheelhouse Detroit Bike Shop's Facebook Page!
Bikes In-Stock
Folks, here is the price list of bikes we currently have in stock at our Compuware Holiday Pop-Up Shop. These are new 2010 and 2011 bikes that are waaaaay marked down.
Detroit Complete Streets Symposiums
Detroit Complete Streets Coalition is hosting a symposium on Complete Streets. There are two identical sessions, so plan to attend the one most convenient for you! About this event Participants will learn about complete streets, discover some local examples of complete streets and understand what Detroit is doing to implement this kind of infrastructure. They will also learn how they can become more active in the process. Detroit area organizations doing work related to complete streets will have tables at both events with information for the public.
Tuesday • November 1, 2011 10:00am – 12noon Northeast Guidance Center 2900 Conner - Building A Detroit, MI 48215
Wednesday • November 2, 2011 5:00pm – 7:00pm Focus: HOPE Family Learning Center (located inside of the Center for Technology) 1400 Oakman Blvd. Detroit, MI 48238
Speakers Todd Scott: Detroit Greenways Coordinator, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance Hannah Kelley: Detroit Department of Transportation
Refreshments will be served! RSVP – Call 1-877-926-8300 Questions – Email Myra at mmtetteh@gmail.com
Final tour spots remaining for 2011
This Friday, 10/14, ABC in the D will explore brewing culture in the city -- past and present! It's an official Detroit Beer Week event, and it takes off at 5:30 p.m. Saturday 10/15 at noon, some last-minute cancellations have opened up a handful of spots on our perennially sold-out Eastern Market tour. This one is only about five miles by bike and includes a stop in Lafayette Market, a cruise down the Dequindre Cut, an overview of the market's history and development plans...plus a slice of extra-delicious Supino Pizza!
While the vast majority of spots on our October-only Haunted Detroit tours have been long-snapped up, there are some Friday slots available on 10/21 and 10/28, both at 5:30 p.m. This tour have been generating a ton of buzz -- or boos! -- so come see what all the hype is about!
On 10/21 at noon, we will head Southwest to Delray, one of Detroit's most-interesting and unknown neighborhoods. As an extra bonus, our visit to historic Fort Wayne will include a chance to check out the annual Mad Anthony Cyclocross race! Note: Only two spots remain on this one.
Last chance of the year: Join us at 11 a.m. on 10/29 for a long ride up to Palmer Park and then a cruise through Palmer Woods, Sherwood Forest, University District, Green Acres and University of Detroit Mercy. This one is for experienced riders only!
Reserve your spot today at wheelhousedtroit.com/tours!
October E-Blast
It's that time of year folks and, sadly, we are moving into our Fall Hours. Beginning Saturday, October 1, we will be open Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our last day of business for 2011 (sniff) will be Sunday, October 30. Retail We would love to end this year with every single bike we have in stock finding a home. So we are slashing prices, etc. etc. Here's what we got on the floor:
- 2011 Origin 8 Cutler single-speed in 52 and 56 cm for $250;
- 2011 Origin 8 Cutler 7 in 56 cm for $280;
- 2011 Origin 8 Brutus with a flip-flop hub (single-speed OR fixie) and fattie tires (700x40cm) in 54 cm for $450;
- 2011 46 cm Kona Dew aluminum hybrid for $399;
- 2011 22 in Kona Smoke hybrid for $360;
- 2010 cyclocross Kona Jake 58 cm for $699; and
- 2010 Kona AfricaBike single-speed cruiser for $299.
Remember, each and every bike purchased from the Wheelhouse is entitled to a free tuneup with no expiration date!
One last shopping enticement: Our entire stock of helmets is 20% off. We carry Giro, Bell, Lazer and ProTech in traditional cycling styles as well as BMX. We have kids' helmets too!
Service If you've ridden your bike hard this season, it might be a good idea to get a tuneup before it starts sitting. Just sayin'.
Last Month of Tours There are a few spots remaining on tonight's Tuesday Eastern Market tour (special food truck edition!) as well as the following through the rest of the month: Green Water Infrastructure with the Sierra Club 10/2, Architecture 10/8, Urban Agriculture 10/9, Murals of Southwest Detroit 10/9, Delray 10/22, Auto Heritage 10/23 and Masters Series: Palmer Park 10/29. Don't delay, head to wheelhousedetroit.com/tours to reserve your spot today!
What's up for October Fall is such a great time for riding, so hope to see you around town at one of these great rides!
- Tuesday, October 11 is Fender Bender's third Full Moon Bike Ride. Meet at Roosevelt Park at 9 p.m. for a chill ride in the night light;
- October 15 at 9 a.m., the Detroit Institute of Arts is hosting an Inside-Out ride that will showcase the Museum's masterworks that have been reproduced and are on display in Eastern Market, the Dequindre Cut and the RiverWalk;
- The Third Annual Mad Anthony Cyclocross will hit Fort Wayne on October 22; and
- Last but not least, our friends at Bikes & Murder continue their Slow Roll to Slow Jams each and every Monday night, leaving from Woodbridge Pub at 7:30 p.m.
Our final maintenance class with Fender Bender is tomorrow night, September 28. You'll learn about basic maintenance and commuter safety and you'll walk away with a patch kit -- and knowledge! -- for just $5. It starts at 6 p.m. and runs for two hours.
Thank you for making our fourth year our best year yet. Hope to see you this month!
Thanks, Your Friends at Wheelhouse Detroit
1340 E. Atwater Rivard Plaza, Detroit RiverFront Detroit, MI 48207 313-656-BIKE (2453) www.wheelhousedetroit.com wheelhousedetroit.wordpress.com Become a Facebook Fan of Wheelhouse Detroit Bike Shop!
Misc. Musings
- This weekend holiday hours: Monday, July 4, noon to 5 p.m. Closed Tuesday, July 5. Regular hours resume June 6.
- Don't forget to sign up for Compuware's Motor City Bike Ride! It's a great ride out to Metro Beach and Back plus lunch! Raises funds for kids health and wellness.
- Will be updating our Bikes for Sale page this week, but for now you should know we've got a new ride in stock: The Origin 8 Brutus. It's got a single speed/fixed gear hub and a wicked dark night blue paint job. $500.

- This weekend's tours are all sold out, so press forward to July 9 if you are looking for one!
- We've been busier than ever, thanks for your support!
Hubbell Ride + Compuware Motor City
It's not too late to sign up for the Third Annual Colin Hubbell Bike Ride this Saturday! Head to http://bikedetroit.eventbrite.com/ now for a great ride for an even greater cause!
The ride starts and finishes at Traffic Jam & Snug and includes lunch! The Colin Hubbell Fund supports small businesses in Midtown.
Compuware Corporation’s
Motor City Bike Ride
benefitting Danialle Karmanos’ Work It Out Saturday, July 16 Starts at Campus Martius Park
It’s time again to tune up your bikes and ride to support Danialle Karmanos’ Work It Out. In its second year, this fun-filled, one-day ride raises funds for to provide healthy programming for Michigan youth.
Riders start from Campus Martius Park, with a “Ride Rally” from 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. The team will then ride to Metro Beach, where lunch will be served between 11 a.m. and noon. After lunch, riders will return to Campus Martius Park for a celebration!
There are only have spots for 150 riders, so don’t wait to register. Sign up now at: Compuware Corporation's Motor City Bike Ride 2011.
The registration fee of $50 covers your rider number and your sure-to-be-cool official ride jersey.
Founded in 2005, Danialle Karmanos’ Work It Out (DKWIO) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit program, DKWIO uses a holistic and yoga-based approach to deliver quality programming and wellness resources that give kids and families the tools to make healthy choices.
The Week Ahead @ Wheelhouse!
Well, this week will sure keep us hopping over at the Wheelhouse. But that's cool, sleep is for the weak! Tuesday night at 6p.m., we'll have our Maintenance Class with Fender Bender! This 2-hour course is designed to get you comfortable making minor adjustments and repairs -- like fixing a flat -- and getting you on the road to regular commuting! It costs just $5 and you walk away with some knowledge and your own patch kit!
We are offering four tours this holiday weekend: Del Ray and Civil War History on Saturday; a long Techno route on Sunday; and a short Techno route on Monday. Last weekend, two out of three tours sold out, so make your reservation today! Find out more and sign-up at www.wheelhousedetroit.com/tours.
Hey, techno tourists! Movement Festival wristband-wearers get rental discounts all weekend long!
$10 2 hours (reg. $15)
$18 1/2 day (reg. $25)
$25 full day (reg. $35)
$40 2 days (reg. $50)
$60 3 days (reg. $75)
$75 full week (reg. $99)
Monday, May 30, Memorial Day, we will be open holiday hours of Noon to 5 p.m. We will be closed on Tuesday, May 31 for employee observance of Memorial Day!