🚲✨ Bike Shop Tour! ✨🚲

Back in the early days of the pandemic—just before Bike Story Night was even an idea—I started a little project called Bike Shop Tour. With so many people rediscovering their love for cycling, I wanted to help them find and connect with local bike shops.

Every so often, I’ll highlight a different shop, giving you a peek inside and maybe even a little backstory on how it all began.

Let’s keep exploring and supporting the shops that keep us rolling! Be sure to like, follow, and leave them a Google review—every little bit helps these local businesses thrive.

🚴‍♀️ Stay tuned for more Bike Shop Tour stops, and thanks for being part of the ride!

#BikeShopTour #SupportLocalShops #CyclingCommunity #VARUCreative #BikeStoryNight

Clown Dog Bikes is one of those places that instantly makes you feel like you belong. At just 300 square feet, there’s no missing the fact that you’re deep in the heart of a true bike shop. With the University of Texas just down the street, the space often buzzes with student commuters dropping by for quick repairs or their next ride. How lucky to have a place like this so close. It’s a cozy hub for folks on the move, where fast, affordable repairs and good vibes rule. Clown Dog is all about steel bikes, solid service, and creating a space where every person who rolls through the door feels supported.

Named after the hot dog joint in Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter’s Dead, it's also known as Austin’s oldest bike shop, and it’s powered by a small but mighty crew who genuinely love what they do.

A Shop Built on Kindness and Grit

When John and his friend Bryce started Clown Dog Bikes, neither had experience working in a bike shop. “We were working at pizza joints and just wanted to do something more meaningful,” John shared. One day, after being laughed at in a bike shop for calling a chainring a "sprocket," they left thinking, screw those guys ... let's open a shop where no one ever gets laughed at for not knowing bike lingo.

That moment sparked the intention to start an independent bike shop. “We thought the big shops would hate on us,” John admits. “But instead, they sent us the bikes they didn’t want to fix, department store bikes, student bikes, whatever. To us, they were just bikes that needed help.”

With support from Vytas of Ozone Bikes, the Clown Dog crew started out selling used bikes and fixing whatever came through the door. There was no ad in the phone book, no brand-name bikes or inventory, only a commitment to treating people right.

Orange Bike Project has been on my list of must-visit bike shops for a while, and I finally had the chance to check it out. Tucked away on the ground floor of the 27th St. parking garage, finding the shop felt like uncovering a secret underground lair, a hidden gem for students and bike lovers alike.

I was lucky to catch the shop manager, Eddy, who generously took the time to chat and answer my questions. I also met another Eddie, a student who has been coming to OBP for years and loves working on his bike in the shop. Talking with both of them, I felt a strong sense of community and a real commitment to keeping students mobile while at UT.

What makes Orange Bike Project special is that their mechanics aren’t just there to fix bikes. They’re there to empower cyclists. They teach riders the skills they need to perform their own repairs, stay self-sufficient, and stay connected to the cycling community. It’s a refreshing, hands-on approach that left me feeling hopeful for the future of bike culture at UT and beyond.

OBP will be joining us at Bike Story Night at UT on March 29th! If you’re curious about what they do, it’s a great chance to hear from them directly. And if you’re a student, I highly recommend stopping by the shop to check them out, whether you need help with a repair or just want to meet some friendly folks who love bikes as much as you do. 🚲💛

Inspired by Austin’s Yellow Bike Project, the Orange Bike Project aims to empower the UT community’s mobility on and off campus. It provides affordable bike rentals and repairs to students and staff to keep UT riding.

Year Established: 2008

🏁 Shop Mission:

The Orange Bike Project isn’t just a bike shop. OBP’s mission is to make cycling accessible to a diverse community who may be intimidated by perceived dangers of cycling and high costs associated with ordinary bike shops. We rent and service ordinary, everyday bikes at a price point that keeps people rolling instead of putting off maintenance.

🚲 Fun Fact: 

When OBP mechanics graduate from UT, we mar k their name and height on the wall by our front door!

IG handle: @brooklyn_bike_doctor

Address:  2709 E 5 st. #130A Austin, TX 78702

Phone: 512-537-9632 (call or text) 

Website: https://www.brooklynbikedoctor.com/

🚴‍♂️ Brooklyn Bike Doctor is now in Austin, Texas! 🌟 Originally established in Brooklyn in 2000, this shop is dedicated to meticulous repairs and custom-built bicycles. Alex the shop owner offers a wide range of services including frame alignment, thread cutting, and professional assembly and shipping.  

This charming bike shop is conveniently situated on one of the most used bike paths in Austin, near 5th and Pleasant Valley, just behind the corner store. It's also close to a familiar landmark, HEB on E. 7th. The shop is open every day except Sunday, making it accessible for most of the week.

When you walk into Brooklyn Bike Doctor, you're greeted with high ceilings, natural light and, of course, bikes galore. The shop is well-stocked with a variety of bike parts and accessories, ensuring you'll find what you need. Take a closer look and you'll discover cool artwork and intriguing bike memorabilia that add to the shop's unique character. The overall vibe is one of dedication to bikes, making it clear that you're in expert hands. And if you're lucky, you might even get to meet the friendly shop dog!

I highly recommend you take some time to visit this local gem soon. Whether you're in need of repairs, custom builds, or just want to browse, Brooklyn Bike Doctor is the place to go.

It was a pleasure exploring the diverse selection of bike accessories at BIKEALOT. They offer a fantastic array of options to meet all your biking needs, including a current sale with helmets currently at 20% off.

Getting to know Jeni, Brad, and their friendly pup Pashley was so lovely. They shared insights into their family-owned shop in South Austin, where a warm and welcoming atmosphere awaits every visitor. The shop's ambiance resonates with their love for bikes and nature, evident from the repurposed wood floors sourced from a school gym, which adds a unique charm to the space. The wall adorned with posters showcasing bike art spanning over a century adds to the shop's character as well.

Located in the Crockett Shopping Center, in between Reverie Book Store and Lazydaze cafe, BIKEALOT is conveniently located for enthusiasts of both cycling, literature and sweet treats.

Their website is a treasure trove of information covering everything from the bikes they carry to the services they offer alongside valuable bike-related resources. 

Established in 2012 on Pack Saddle Pass, BIKEALOT is driven by a mission to share and spread the joy of cycling within the community. They proudly showcase bikes from reputable brands like KONA, Fairdale, and their newest addition, Breezer.

As an added bonus, enjoy a 15% discount off your purchase by entering promo code "BIKEMONTH" when shopping online via their website throughout May!

Hours of Operation: Tuesday to Friday: 12-6 / Saturday: 12-5 / Closed Sunday & Monday

Scroll through the photos below for a glance inside the shop or be sure to stop in and check it out soon!

Stay tuned for more "Bike Shop Tours" and feel free to reach out if you have a bike shop you'd like to see featured here soon!