Bike Service and Repair

A Word From The Owner

When I was 6 I taught myself how to ride a bike. I wouldn't let my dad help me so I crashed all day until I figured it out. I was instantly hooked. In the winter my mom wouldn't let me ride outside so I would ride my bike in circles in our basement.
When I was 12 I took my bike apart, painted it, and put it back together. There were parts left over but it still worked.
At 13 I bought my first road bike with my own money. I mowed lawns, walked dogs, painted houses, and did any other odd job I could find for a year to save up for it. It was too big, but I didn't care. On my first ride the police stopped me because they thought I'd stolen it. I managed to convince them otherwise and they let me go.
In high school, when everyone was getting their first car, I got my first mountain bike. I went off road for the first time at Palos and fell in love with mountain biking. I still can't get enough of it 20 years later.
In the army I was the only soldier riding a bike to work. In full uniform, doing wheelies the whole way. I got in trouble for that a few times, but it was worth it. Apparently being stuck in traffic is behavior more appropriate for a soldier.
In 2001 I walked into Johnny Sprockets to buy shoes and I never left. In 2008 I took on a loan to buy the business.
People often ask me how my bike shop is different. I usually answer that by talking about the quality and level of our service, our products, our support, stuff like that. But that's not really it.
The difference is this: This is my life. It's not a job. It's not an investment. It's not a hobby. Cycling is my life. What drives everything I do is simple: Treat my customers and staff with respect and integrity. Constantly work to create the best bike shop I possibly can. Be a resource to our community that people can trust and a place that I can be proud of. That is what makes my shop different. I freaking love it!

-Manuel