Table of Contents
*This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Founded in 1964 as one of Marin County’s first Schwinn dealers, Mike’s Bikes has expanded to include 12 stores serving cycling enthusiasts in the Bay Area. Although the technology has changed radically since the first shop opened, the staff at Mike’s Bikes has never strayed from their total dedication to the sport of cycling.
The Mike’s Bikes Story
Photo credit by: glassdoor.co.uk
For most of his life, Ken Martin has been selling bikes; upon finishing school made his passion a career. He began by moving to California to the heart of Marin County to manage a single store called Mike’s Bikes. Located in San Rafael near the epicenter of mountain biking – Mount Tam – Ken quickly led his store to record sales and achieving a solid reputation among the locals.
Soon, the company, owned by Dave Kaplan, would expand with the purchase of Sausalito Cyclery. When Dave decided to move on, Ken carried on the tradition by teaming up with his friend, Mike Gabrys, to manage both stores. Soon, they invited their general manager, Matt Adams to join as a partner, and Mike’s Bikes began an expansion that eventually included the twelve locations they have today.
These local Mike’s Bikes shops draw customers from all across the Bay Area, creating thousands of new cycling devotees each year. It is this expansion and growing customer base that has actually positioned Mike’s Bikes as the largest independent bike dealer in the United States.
Friendly Family Staff of Enthusiasts
Mike’s Bikes has a staff of over 250 cycling professionals dedicated to the sport they love, ensuring that customers enjoy a family atmosphere of knowledgeable service. You can find Mike’s Bikes all over the Bay Area including Petaluma, Folsom, San Rafael, Sausalito, San Francisco, Berkeley, Palo Alto, Los Gatos, Sacramento, Walnut Creek, San Jose, and Pleasanton.
Unlike many other “bike” shops Mike’s Bikes doesn’t sell canoes, tennis rackets, skis, or football cleats. They only sell bikes for the recreational rider or serious professional. In fact, the friendly staff at Mike’s Bikes likes to think their mission in life is to get as many people into cycling as possible. In other words, if you walk into Mike’s they want you to leave on a bike! Let’s look at what any Mike’s Bikes location has to offer.
A Great Inventory
Whether you are a road enthusiast, a mountain biker, a commuter, or maybe just someone who wants to get a little exercise after work and on the weekends, Mike’s Bikes has you covered. We can first look at the Road Bike selection at Mike’s Bikes where you will find everything from entry-level to professional frames and custom builds. Mike’s carries all the top brands like Trek, Specialized, and Giant, as well assome more exotic names you might not have heard of.
Road Bikes
Photo credit by: mikesbikes.com
If you have ever watched the Tour de France race or maybe even stood on the sidelines as professional team riders whizzed past you in a local race or national tour such as the Amgen Tour of California, then you’ve seen many of the same racing machines that Mike’s Bikes has on hand and sells every day. As mentioned earlier, cycling technology has changed over the years. Today’s road bikes are incredibly light and strong, but the concept remains the same: get from point A to point B faster than the next rider.
The same technology used by pro teams and riders is now available to riders who also want the latest and greatest for themselves. If you look and feel the part, it goes a long way to encouraging you to train harder given the fact that you’ve got the same equipment that the pros use. Advancements in frame design, gears and shifting options mean that features once reserved only for more expensive, professional-level bikes are now offered to the average cyclist at affordable prices. Here are a few of the popular brands of road bikes offered by Mike’s Bikes at any of their 12 locations in the Bay Area.
Specialized
Specialized is a California company that started out producing mountain bikes and still does, but now also builds top-line bikes used by professional racing teams the world over. Some popular Specialized models include:
Langster
Photo credit by: mikesbikes.com
Built with a lightweight, responsive A1 Premium aluminum frame and FACT carbon fork with track geometry so you can race it in the velodrome or rip it in the streets. The 48/17 one-speed gearing with a flip-flop rear hub is ideal for training, riding around town and even commuting. Quality components and attention to detail mean you will enjoy this cool machine for years to come. Suggested retail: $$
Diverge
Photo credit by: pinterest.ch
The Diverge is a hybrid bike that brings you the best of both worlds for both road and trail riding. This bike can tackle both with ease and gives the rider a great amount of flexibility. Quality components that are not only durable, but will perform over the long run—Shimano Tiagra shifting paired with hydraulic disc brakes, 700x38mm Sawtooth tires, and dependable Axis Sport Disc wheels. Suggested retail: $$$
Amira SL4 Pro Race (Women’s)
Photo credit by: mikesbikes.com
Specialized used all that they’ve learned from designing pro road bikes to build top-line racing bike tailored to women athletes. The FACT 10r carbon frame and fork fly up steep climbs, soar across the flats, and dive through tricky descents with ease. Meanwhile, Specialized’s women’s-specific geometry keeps the rider feeling great even when the pace is high. Roval CL 40 wheels are light, fast, and hug the corners while sticky Specialized tires inspire confidence on fast descents. Mike’s Bikes offers free delivery for this bike anywhere in the Bay Area. Suggested retail: $$$
Felt
Photo credit by: mikesbikes.com
Another California manufacturer, San Diego’s Felt has been making bikes for pro riders and the public for a few years now. Mike’s Bikes carries a full line of Felt bikes.
If you have a spare $15,000 lying around and you want to own the best performing aero road bike in the world then Mike’s Bikes will deliver this beauty to you for free! The AR FRD has delivered many wins in road races and criteriums at the professional level. Developed using CFD software and perfected in the wind tunnel, this aero road bike is up to 31% faster than typical round tube road frames.
With a Felt UHC Ultimate carbon fiber frame, a Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 drivetrain and super-light Zipp wheels the AR FRD is a freakishly fast speed machine, ready to deliver you to the top tier of the podium or at least get you to work a lot quicker each morning if that’s your thing. Suggested retail price: $$$
Mountain Bikes
Photo credit by: mikesbikes.com
Mountain biking was born in Northern California when early 70s daredevils charged down Mount Tamalpais (San Rafael) on modified Schwinn Sting-Rays. Mountain biking has come a long way since then, but the goal is still the same; get up and down the mountain as quickly as possible while having a ton of fun and respecting nature. Mike’s Bikes was born at the epicenter of the mountain bike movement and today is the premier dealer for top brands. Let’s see what’s been cooking.
Santa Cruz
Photo credit by: bicyclebuysell.com
Building top-quality bikes since 1994 in, you guessed it, Santa Cruz, California. This cool and environmentally-conscious company is a mainstay at Mike’s.
5010 AL S+ – The 5010 Aluminum S+ is Santa Cruz’s top-of-the-line model in the aluminum-frame lineup and features more performance-oriented components to match an aggressive riding style. SRAM Guide R hydraulic disc brakes and a GX Eagle 1×12 drivetrain provide accurate speed control while the 27.5+ tubeless-ready Race Face wheels and Maxxis Minion tire combo put more fun in every backcountry adventure. Suggested retail: $$
Juliana
Photo credit by: julianabicycle.com
Started in 1999 by former professional mountain bike racer Juli Furtado, Juliana makes bikes specifically for women and they build really nice machines for pro riders and weekend warriors alike.
Furtado Aluminum D+ 2019 – Suitable for many riders and trails and built with components found on bikes costing twice as much this machine rocks. A wide Race Face handlebar and short stem combo deliver precise steering control that’s followed by the RockShox Recon’s 130mm of smooth suspension travel. A Fox DPS rear shock makes easy work of technical descents, letting you pedal through the gravel with confidence. Juliana’s own grips and saddle round out this excellent trail machine. Suggested retail price: $2,700
Conclusion
Offering quality bikes for road racers, mountain bikers, commuters, and exercise enthusiasts, Mike’s Bikes also combines an unparalleled selection with world-quality customer service and advice on everything from the best local trails, club rides, nutrition, and repair tips. In fact, every Tuesday night they feature free Tech Nights where their mechanics teach you how to wrench like a pro. Group ride directories, professional bike fit technicians, and a 5-year maintenance plan round out just some cool things you can expect when you become a member of the Mike’s Bike family.
