BLOG
Wheelhouse Is Named One of America's Best Bike Shops!
The National Bicycle Dealers Association has released its list of America’s Best Bike Shops for 2019, and we are ecstatic to announce that both locations of Wheelhouse made the cut!
For Rivertown, it’s the 5th year running and, for Hamtramck, it was our first year applying and so we are pretty stoked to see it be so designated for the first time.
The application process required us to outline our processes, document our community commitment, and — perhaps most importantly — be secret shopped. Both locations were called, emailed, and visited by an anonymous shopper and each interaction is rated. What makes all of this especially helpful to Wheelhouse, as a business always striving to improve, is that we receive a copy of the secret shopper’s reports, enabling us to take their comments and build them into a constructive critique so we can do even better in the future.
We would also like to congratulate our fellow Michigan shops on the list: Pedal in Kalamazoo and Portage, ACF in Macomb, Fraser Bicycle in Fraser, McLain in Traverse City, and Macomb Bicycle in Warren. As the holidays approach, we encourage anyone in the market for cycling equipment and bicycles to shop local. These are the shops that you can trust with your repairs and to support your local charity rides. Amazon and big box stores, not so much. Buy Where You Ride!
For more info about the ABBS program and to see the complete list of winners, head right HERE.
October Sale: Kryptonite Lights
15% all KRYPTONITE lights; Hamtramck shop only!
Get ready to get lit this October! We have just started carrying these products (we already loved their locks) and are really impressed with the quality. Come see for yourself!
They are USB-rechargeable and bright as heck.
SO BRIGHT!
Winter Bike Sale
Wheelhouse Hamtramck will be having a Winter Bike Sale beginning November 1st.
ALL NEW BIKES will be at least 15% off. We carry the following brands: Kona, Brooklyn Bicycle Co., Del Sol, Haro, and Giant. Find out more about the brands we carry and what we have in stock HERE.
Come in for a free test ride! Want to see you on the bike of your dreams, and are happy to make suggestions and adjustments. All new bike purchases include a complimentary water bottle and cage as well as one free tuneup ($60 value).
#shoplocal #shophamtramck #buywhereyouride
Thanks from the Owner
As our 12th Season on the Riverfront comes to a close, I wanted to take an opportunity to thank all the wonderful customers that keep us so busy! One of my favorite things about the Wheelhouse is the diversity of our customers; we see everyone from native Detroiters to newer city dwellers to suburbanites to folks from all over the country and the world. We LOVE Detroit and helping people Experience the Motor City on Two Wheels is our privilege and passion.
We look forward to a lucky season number 13 at Cullen Plaza beginning in April 2020!
I would also like to thank my fantastic staff, who deliver stellar customer service waaaaay more often than not! It can be a tough job with a wide variety of interactions, and there is a lot to know about bikes and Detroit and I am so proud of the work they do. It can be difficult to staff a seasonal business and I feel truly lucky to have the crew that I do working at the Wheelhouse.
Finally, people often ask me what I do over the winter. “Work less, sleep more!” is my typical answer — and that is certainly true. But myself and our amazing general manager, Tatiana, also spend a lot of time plotting to make our next season happen. We will be planning tours and events and you can find us at the Hamtramck shop as well. Feel free to keep in touch by swinging by and/or shoot us an email at info@wheelhousedetroit.com.
With sincere gratitude,
Kelli
Coming in November: Hamtramck Winter Hours
Beginning November 1, our new hours at the Hamtramck location will be:
Tues | Weds | Thurs 1pm to 7pm
Fri | Sat 11am to 5pm
Commuters take note! We will have a mechanic on staff 4 days a week for speedy turn-around, and on-the-spot flat fixes will be available all 5 days that we are open.
Stay tuned for info about our winter scheduling, including rides, First Friday Happy Hours, classes and more. We are going to give you plenty of reasons to come visit this Winter!
Rivertown End-of-Season Sale
As the 12th Season at our Rivertown location comes to a close, we are excited to announce that all in-stock merchandise at our Cullen Plaza/Rivertown location is marked down 25% for our last four days of business for the season.
That includes all the lovely bicycle goodies that you see on this wall and more! We have helmets, locks, lights, pedals, tubes, tires, bags, and much, much more.
Come on by and see us one last time on the Riverfront in 2019!
Friday, October 25 + Saturday, October 26 + Monday, October 28 11am-7pm
Sunday, October 27 11am-5pm
August 2019 E-Blast
The End of August is Here?!?!?
Looking at the calendar, the season's end ominously hangs over the horizon. We wanted to send you a quick note about what we are up to over the next couple of weeks so you can maybe squeeze in some biking fun time with us!
Check out this calendar through mid-September:
Complimentary Bicycle Valet
Hamtramck Labor Day Festival | Saturday 8/31-Monday 9/2 | 12-10pm
Detroit Jazz Fest | Saturday 8/31-Monday 9/2 | 12-11pm
Detroit City Football Club vs. Philadelphia Fury | Saturday 8/31 | 7:30pm
Soiree on the Greenway | Friday 9/13 | 6-10pm
Historic Places of Worship | Saturday 8/31 | 10am-1pm | Last one of the season! Only 1 open spot!
Palmer Park | Sunday 9/1 | 1-4pm | Last one of the season!
Eastern Market | Saturday 9/7 | 10am-1pm | 2 left this season!
Southwest | Saturday 9/7 | 1-4pm | 2 left this season! This one includes a private docent-led tour of Fort Wayne!
Corktown | Sunday 9/8 | 12-3pm | 2 left this season!
Ride Support
Tour de Cure | 9/8
Tour de Troit | 9/14
Join us for our September First Friday Happy Hour!
In support of Sleeping Dog Studios
May 2019 E-Blast
Experience the Motor City on Two Wheels!
Our 2019 tour season is underway, and we couldn't be more excited to ride and share with you. We are continuing to offer quality, experiential, and safe tours -- but we have some new tricks up our sleeves!
Our Architecture and Public Art tours have new guides this season. We will miss Francisco and Marc greatly, but Chris and Amanda are putting some new spins on these tours, which are two of our most popular. Meet all of our tour guides on our Crew page!
New for 2019 is "Head's Up!" This unique offering employs binoculars (we can provide or bring your own) to examine architectural details on many of our most beautiful buildings in New Center, Midtown, and Downtown.
We are partnering with Detroit Greenways Coalition to offer two tours of the under-development Joe Louis Greenway. These are also fundraisers for DGC.
Our Southwest Detroit tour includes a new partnership with the Fort Wayne Coalition that will provide an even deeper dive into one of Detroit's most unique historical treasures.
This weekend's roster features Southwest Detroit, Corktown, and Palmer Park. Join us!
We also offer private tours for groups up to 20 in size. Find out more at our Group Bookings page.
The whole family can experience the Riverwalk and Dequindre Cut with rentals from Wheelhouse Detroit
Now Open Friday, Saturday, & Sunday...Open 7 Days a Week Beginning May 10.
We are finally into the heart of bike season in Detroit! Here are the events that we are supporting in the coming month:
May 13: Adaptive Mogo Launch (Program Partner)
May 15: Ride of Silence (Ride Support)
May 17: Bike to Work Day (Bicycle Valet @ Spirit Plaza)
May 19: Detroit City FC vs Kalamazoo FC (Bicycle Valet @ Keyworth Stadium)
May 24: Detroit City FC vs AFC Ann Arbor (Bicycle Valet @ Keyworth Stadium)
May 25-27: Movement Festival (Bicycle Valet)
June 1: Tour D'Eastside (Ride Support)
Hope to see you at any or all of the above!
Join us for our May First Friday Happy Hour!
In support of the Gwiazda Polish Dancers and featuring food from Srodek's and Evaline Street Food Co.
Next Up: June 7, Kelli's B-Day!
Whether we are performing a simple flat change or a full tuneup, helping you select a bike for life, outfitting you for a two-hour rental, or guiding you on a three-hour tour, we aim to provide exceptional customer service. We care about you and your bike and look forward to seeing you out on these streets!
Sincerely,
Kelli & the entire Wheelhouse crew: Tatiana, Linda, Blake, Malik, Joseline, Ryan A., Ryan G., Henry, Reg, Amanda, Chris, Joe G., & Rob
For Sale: Violet Bianchi Sport SX
We have a very unique road bike for sale: a Bianchi Sport SX from the early 80’s in an unusual color (especially for Bianchi!) and exceptional condition.
Kelli was looking for a touring bike a few years back when this beauty came up in her search. Emphatically not a touring bike, she fell in love and enjoyed some excellent riding (including the Ride Around Torch Lake - which should be a bucket list ride for all Michiganders!). It’s the prettiest, fastest bike she’s ever ridden. But she found the touring bike of her dreams and sadly, Violet didn’t get out nearly enough last season and so, the tough decision to put her out on the market has been made. Hopefully, the right home is found for this very special bike with lots and lots of miles to be had.
Details:
56cm CR-MO frame | [New] 700 x 25C Continental Gator Hardshell tires | [New] Shimano Sora Trigger Shifter/Brake Lever (18 gears) | Shimano FDZ206 derailleur | Org. Chain Ring & Crank | [New] Shimano Ultegra Rear Derailleur | [New-ish] pedals - cannot remember brand/model but they are pretty basic flat/clipless | Bianchi saddle | [New] Brake and shifting cables and housing | [New] black bar wrap
This is the original paint job! The only place on the bike where the paint has any flaws is the interior of the chain stay.
Light wear aesthetically, but it rides like a brand new bike.
$800
Spring is Coming...& We Got Tours & Savings for Ya!
Experience the Motor City on Two Wheels!
We are so excited for our 2019 tour season to kick off next month and have been busy behind the scenes getting ready for our best year yet. Since it is still a bit wintery out there, we are offering two great ways that early birds can save by booking now!
Save $5 a spot off a Public Tour by using the code "SPRINGFEVER" at checkout. This offer is good through March 31. You can see what dates are confirmed and read details about all of the tours that we offer atwheelhousedetroit.com/tours. Whatever topic might interest you, we guarantee we've got a tour that checks that box. (Cemeteries? Yup.)
The booker of any Private Tour will enjoy a FREE SPOT. This applies to all groups that have reserved a date for this season by the end of March. To find out more about booking a private outing, head over HERE. It's a great team-building exercise, reunion or wedding activity, or afternoon adventure for any group!
Our tours are led by Detroiters who are passionate and knowledgable. We only take out small groups to ensure a safe, personal experience. We've been at this since 2008, so we've had plenty of time to become experts at bike touring in Detroit! Join us for an experience that you will always remember.
Our 12th Season on the Detroit Riverfront kicks off April 5!
Our April hours will be Noon to 6PM Friday, Saturday, & Sunday.
AT WHEELHOUSE HAMTRAMCK...
All 2018 & older model bicycles are AT LEAST 15% OFF!
WE NOW CARRY DCFC GEAR & TICKETS!
AT WHEELHOUSE HAMTRAMCK THRU MARCH 31...
Save 10 bucks on any Tune Up package
20% off all in-stock tires
Join us for our monthly Happy Hour!
April's will support the Detroit Theatre Collective. More info HERE.
Next Up: May 3, Gwiazda Polish Dancers
It's been a long winter (aren't they all!?) and we are very much looking forward to seeing all of our hibernating friends. And to those of you who did manage to pop in every now and again to say "hey" during these grey months, we appreciate you!
Sincerely,
Kelli, Tatiana, Linda, Rob, & the entire Wheelhouse crew