To that end, we are offering discounts to anyone wearing a Movement festival wristband all weekend long. So whether you are looking for a quick ride to Eastern Market for lunch, a trip to Belle Isle for a swim, or want a bike for transportation the entire weekend, we’ve gotcha covered!

MOVEMENT FESTIVAL-GOER RENTAL RATES (CRUISERS)
$10/2 hours (reg. $15)
$18/half-day/4 hours (reg. $25)
$25/full day (reg. $35)
$40/2 days (reg. $50)
$60/3 days (reg. $75)
$75/full week (reg. $99)

You can call 313-656-2453 to reserve a bike at these rates.

We also offer a couple of techno-themed tours that delve into Detroit’s epic electronic music history.

The first tour will be Sunday, May 26 from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. It will be the “short” tour. A rider will see landmarks such as The Music Institute, Underground Resistance HQ, and the East Riverfront Warehouse District. The tour price is $25; with bike rental, it’s $35.

The second will be on Monday, May 27 from noon to 4 p.m. It will be the “long” tour that will go for as many as 21 miles, taking riders past historic electronic music sites like The Music Institute, Underground Resistance HQ, and the Packard Plant. The tour price is $30; with bike rental, it’s $40. This “long” tour is recommended for more experienced riders.

If you are on Facebook, you can check out a great album of photos taken on one of previous Long Tours. As you can see, the stop at Underground Resistance HQ is pretty amazing.

We are also offering a Music Heritage tour on Saturday at 1 p.m. that will cover not just techno, but Motown, punk, soul, rock and many of the city’s historic venues.

If you are looking for a break from music altogether, we are offering our popular Architecture Tour on Saturday at 10 a.m. It’s a great overview of the Greater Downtown area and some of the city’s built gems. On Sunday, we’ll explore Detroit’s Auto Heritage with a great tour that includes a stop at the Packard Plant and the Model T-Plex.

You can register for any of of these tours at wheelhousedetroit.com/tours. In 2012, most of our tours sold out, so don’t wait too long!

Looking forward to seeing you at the Wheelhouse over Memorial Day weekend!

Wheelhouse Detroit Bike Shop began operations on May 8, 2008. We are now entering our sixth year of business…in some ways, it seems like just yesterday that we opened our doors and, in others, decades ago! As that wise man Bob Dylan once sang, “I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.”

We’d like to sincerely thank you for being a part of the Wheelhouse family. We would not be here without you, and that’s the plain truth.

We have been working hard to make this year our biggest and best ever and, therefore, this E-Blast might be our longest ever. Bear with us, we have some great news to share!

RETAIL

Wheelhouse strives to sell bicycles that are well-suited for urban riding; straddle the line of value and quality; and are made by a reputable manufacturer. We carry the following brands:

• Sun – cruisers, comfort hybrids & adult trikes.
• Origin 8 – Sun’s urban offshoot; urban commuters, folding.
• Kona – hybrids, cyclocross.
• Brooklyn Cruiser – retro-styled cruisers.
• Detroit Bikes – locally manufactured urban commuters (avail. in July).

Wheelhouse might be small in square footage, but we’ve become pretty adept at keeping a robust array of bike goodies on hand for all of your needs and wants. We stock a full range of top bike accessory brands such as Continental, Topeak, Planet Bike, Bell, Giro, Axiom, Saris, Kenda, Park Tool, Knog, Michelin, Timbuk2, Kryptonite, Master Lock, Pedros and Jandd. What do you need? A tube, tire, saddle, bag, basket, pump, mirror, helmet…We’ve gotcha covered! And if you’re in the market for a sharp Wheelhouse t-shirt, you can grab one of those on your next visit, or snap one up online.

SERVICE

We recently installed a new POS system, which was an opportune time for us to review our service prices. Rather than merely increasing them, we’ve broken them down in a way that we believe to be transparent. There’s no man behind the curtain here! Check out our full menu of service prices here. Please note that, in almost every case, service requires that you drop off your bike. We will do our best to let you know when it will be ready for pick-up. We all want to see you back riding as soon as possible, but to do things right can sometimes take some time.

We are excited to announce that we now offer Service Delivery! Yep, we can pick-up and/or drop-off your wounded cycle. For pricing, please visit our Service Page.

TOURS

Our tour schedule for 2013 is finalized! A couple of notes worth mentioning: Our Underground Railroad Tour has added a stop at the Detroit Historical Museum to visit their recently renovated Doorway to Freedom exhibit; the Belle Isle tour has included a stop at the Acquarium to the roster; and we’ve developed a Music Heritage Tour that spans genres — techno, rock, rap, soul, punk and Motown. You can scroll our Tours Page for details and to make reservations.

We also offer private tours, which are great as a corporate team-building exercise, non-profit fund-raiser, conference activity or pre-wedding excursion. A downloadable PDF with more info can be found here.

RENTALS

We are expanding our rental fleet, adding more cruisers, some comfort hybrids, an adult tricycle and an additional kids trailer. We will also soon have a couple of  Autobikes! Online advance reservations available for a 10% discount.

WEEKDAY WALK-IN SPECIAL: On Tuesdays and Thursdays, a 2-hour cruiser rental is half-off, just $7.50. Fine print: cruisers only, no reservations, subject to availability.

GOT A GROUP? We offer discounts to groups of six to 20 with advance notice and a deposit. More info available at Wheelhouse Group Rentals and Schools & Scouts. We can also deliver bikes to your event; inquire at info@wheelhousedetroit.com.

EVENTS

We have a lot going on, which might be an understatement. Read on…

It’s great to see so many health-oriented businesses sprouting up around town, and we are partnering with several of them for some fantastic fun-n-fit activities through the summer months. We have Wheelhouse Workouts every other Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m., a free 12-15MPH ride; bi-weekly Endurance Thursdays, a free group ride that will be paced at 15-18MPH from 6-8 p.m. held in partnership with Detroit Endurance Lab; and a series of fitness tours with True Body Fitness. More info here.

We are also offering Cycle + Stretch with Midtown Yoga Shelter on May 19, register for that on our Tours Page.

A couple of annual rides that we are helping out with is the Ride of Silence on May 15 at 7 p.m. on Belle Isle and Cycle Into Spring on May 18 at Maheras Gentry Park.

Our Basic Maintenance Classes w/Fender Bender are back! This two-hour class will teach you some basic mechanics like changing a flat and go over some basic rules of the road and commuting tips. Classes cost just $5 and include a patch kit. Dates for the year: May 30 – Jun 13 – Jun 27 – Jul 11 – Jul 25 – Aug 8 – Aug 22 – Sep 12 – Sep 2.

As biking becomes more and more visible as a form of transportation, more and more events are adding bike parking as an amenity, and we are happy to help out! You’ll find us at Detroit City FC home matches at Cass Tech; Detroit Tigers Bike to the Ballpark on May 22, and Riviere 28‘s Light up the Riverfront on June 6 and Soiree on the Greenway on July 18. More to come!

We’re going to venture up to Port Austin for the weekend of June 7 for Detroit Up North – Take Two. More info about the 75- and 150-mile options, camping and more here!

Hope we see you soon — and that we’ve given plenty of reasons for that to occur. Ride often and well.

Thanks,
Your Friends at Wheelhouse Detroit

Why bother tracking wildlife in the city? It could pay off. Each week one lucky winner will receive a FitBit pedometer to track the miles you’ve covered on the Detroit Riverwalk, courtesy of Verizon Wireless in the GM Renaissance Center. But there’s more!

Each week, a small group of GM Ren Cen judges will choose one best photo. All photos populated with the hashtag #RenCenWildlife will then be compiled and housed on the GM Ren Cen Flickr page (as possible). Winners will be notified via email of their prize, and recognized on all GM Ren Cen social platforms.

On May 13 one lucky winner will receive a Fitbit Zip and a gift certificate redeemable for a segway rental from Segways2U located at the GM Renaissance Center. On May 20, we will give away a FitBit and a guided bicycle tour for two, courtesy of Wheelhouse Detroit!

From May 1-19, 2013, Wheelhouse Detroit will offer participants a #RenCenWildlife discount of $8 for 1 hour rides, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday, if you mention you’re in the area taking photos to enter in the #RenCenWildlife contest. Please remember to hashtag #wheelhouse_det on those images.

Official rules can be found here and Here’s the Facebook App!

Wheelhouse Detroit Bike Shop is seeking a qualified, motivated individual to join its team in 2013 as Shop Staff. This is a seasonal part-time job (approx. 20 hours/week) with varying shifts that will include nights, weekends and holidays. The job will run through October.

Wheelhouse Detroit’s mission is “Experience the Motor City on Two Wheels!” and all employees are asked to share in this goal. We aim to be a friendly and accessible bike shop experience for customers of all ages, genders, sexual orientations, races and ethnicities.  This can be a fast-paced environment that requires frequent customer interaction.

Tasks will include, but not be limited, to the following:

RETAIL
Successfully complete orientation and training period
Share product knowledge and enthusiasm for bikes with customers
Direct customers through entire sales process
Build and maintain relationships with customers
Complete a multitude of daily housekeeping and office tasks

RENTALS
Process customer bike rentals including payment and waivers
Provide customer with directions and destinations as required
Select and size customer bikes
Maintain working knowledge of reservations

TOURS
Maintain working knowledge of tours and reservations
Sign in tour customers that arrive for a scheduled tour
Assist tour staff with tour departure and arrival

SERVICE
Assist service staff with bike intake and pick-up
Maintain special order records

Additional hours are possible, including staffing off-site events (sponsored rides, promotional booths and bike-parking); distribution of promotional materials; and tour sweeping.

Candidate should be personable, punctual and self-motivated. This job is perfect for someone that is flexible, independent and enthusiastic. An edge would be given to a cyclist with knowledge of Detroit. Compensation will begin at $9 per hour. Hours per week will vary depending on the season.

Please submit a resume and three references to info@wheelhousedetroit.com for consideration of the position. No calls, please.

It feels like we are still waiting for spring to begin, doesn’t it? Now is the best time to bring your bike in for service, before you want to ride it, so it’s ready for you when the weather turns. Plus, a basic tune-up is on special for just $40 for the rest of the month!

RETAIL

Wheelhouse carries the following bicycle brands: Sun and its urban offshoot, Origin 8; Kona; and, new for 2013, Brooklyn Cruiser and Detroit Bikes. Brooklyn Cruisers (pictured) come in single-, three- and seven-speeds and will begin arriving next week. Detroit Bikes, much like the Model T, are manufactured here and come in one color: black. They’re expected to be here in July.

Every bike purchased from Wheelhouse is assembled by a trained mechanic, professionally fit and granted one free tune-up – with no expiration date. Prices slashed on all 2012 bikes and 2013 bikes are now arriving!

Want to ride more? You might need lights, a rack or fenders to make your ride safer and more comfortable. And guess what? We stock a full range of top bike accessory brands such as Continental, Topeak, Planet Bike, Bell, Giro, Axiom, Saris, Kenda, Park Tool, Knog, Michelin, Timbuk2, Kryptonite, Master Lock, Pedros and Jandd. What do you need? A tube, tire, saddle, bag, basket, pump, mirror, helmet…We’ve gotcha covered!

TOURS & RENTALS

This weather has caused us to postpone the start of our tour season a week, so we’ll kick off the season with a tour of Belle Isle on April 20. Visit wheelhousedetroit.com/tours to read up on our offerings and make a reservation.

We also offer private 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. A downloadable PDF with more info can be found here and you can email us at info@wheelhousedetroit.com to set something up.

COMING UP…

There are so many amazing things approaching on the horizon…May will see the start of our fitness rides and maintenance classes and the Detroit City FC will kick off its season…June is Detroit Up North, River Days and the Motor City Bike Ride…July will be Bike the Bridge…and Tour de Troit is September 21…whew!

Also, stay tuned for info about our 5th Anniversary party in early May…You’re invited!

Warmer weather is on its way, and we are looking forward to another great season here on the Riverfront.

Thanks,
Your Friends at Wheelhouse Detroit

1340 E. Atwater
Rivard Plaza, Detroit RiverFront
Detroit, MI 48207
313-656-BIKE (2453)
www.wheelhousedetroit.com
Follow us on Twitter @wheelhouse_det
Become a Facebook Fan of Wheelhouse Detroit Bike Shop!

There will be a cycling focus group meeting next Wednesday, April 17th at noon to discuss how Woodward can be made more bike friendly. The focus will be primarily on the portion from McNichols to Ferndale, but other feedback is welcomed. Lunch will be provided. The location is the St. James Catholic Church on Woodward in Ferndale (241 Pearson at Woodward).

There are other opportunities to get involved in the Woodward Complete Streets project. The attached brochure lists the complete agenda, which runs from April 17 to 19.

Woodward Complete Streets_Flyer_2013-04-17.

We have a ton of exciting things in the works for you this year but, for now, we just want to say a quick “hello” and let you know what is happening in this early spring season.

SPRING HOURS

Through March, we will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Starting in April, we will also be open on Mondays and we’ll go to seven days a week in May.

RETAIL

Wheelhouse carries the following bicycle brands: Sun and its urban offshoot, Origin 8; Kona; and, new for 2013, we are thrilled to announce that we will be adding Brooklyn Cruiser and Detroit Bikes to the roster! Every bike purchased from Wheelhouse is assembled by a trained mechanic, professionally fit and granted one free tune-up – with no expiration date. Prices now slashed on all 2012 bikes. 2013 bikes will begin arriving in April, just two weeks away!

We stock a full range of top bike accessory brands such as Continental, Topeak, Planet Bike, Bell, Giro, Axiom, Saris, Kenda, Park Tool, Knog, Michelin, Timbuk2, Kryptonite, Master Lock, Pedros and Jandd. What do you need? A tube, tire, saddle, bag, basket, fenders, pump, mirror, helmet…We’ve gotcha covered!

SERVICE

We have a couple of early-season specials on standard tune-ups:

Next weekend, we have a March du Nain Rouge Special — a Tune-Up for just $35 with a small catch: you have to say, “Get that Nain off my back!” to get the deal! This is good only for bikes brought in March 22 to 24.

The remainder of Spring, we will perform tune-ups for $40, with the price resetting to regular ($50) starting May 1.

For the second year running, Wheelhouse is teaming up with Fender Bender to offer regular “Maintenance 101” classes! Learn how to change a flat and make adjustments to your bike. We’ll also review Rules of the Road and discuss commuting tips. Classes will begin in May and run through September.

TOURS

We will be returning all of our tours from 2012 – including Architecture, Belle Isle, Eastern Market, Public Art, Hamtramck, Auto Heritage, Urban Agriculture, Murals of SW Detroit and Underground Railroad – and we’re working on a couple of new ones too! Tours start at $25 per person or $35 with a bike rental.

Look for our calendar to publish in early April. In the meantime, if you’d like to schedule a tour for your group (work, church, school, family, friends, whatever!) shoot us an email at info@wheelhousedetroit.com!

RENTALS

Bike rentals start at $15 for 2 hours and $35 for a full day. We can also accommodate multi-day rentals and we do offer accessories such as child trailer or seat or an auto rack.

Group rentals are a great outing! We do offer a price-break for groups of six to 20 with an advance reservation. Email info@wheelhousedetroit.com to book your date!

RIDE

Starting in May, we will be hosting a couple of regular fitness rides. One will be at a 12-16 mph pace and is co-sponsored by the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy and Fitness Works. The other will be a 16-20 mph pace and will be co-presented by Detroit Endurance Lab.

Also stay tuned for Yoga + Ride with Midtown Yoga Shelter Sundays in May, the Ride of Silence (5/15), Detroit Up North (6/7 to 6/9), bike-parking at Detroit City FC home matches…and lots, lots more! 

We look forward to seeing you and your bike very soon.

Thanks,
Your Friends at Wheelhouse Detroit

1340 E. Atwater
Rivard Plaza, Detroit RiverFront
Detroit, MI 48207
313-656-BIKE (2453)
www.wheelhousedetroit.com
Follow us on Twitter @wheelhouse_det
Become a Facebook Fan of Wheelhouse Detroit Bike Shop!

There is nothing we appreciate more here at the Wheelhouse than you! Your patronage is very important to us, and we hope that we’ve earned it.

Retail+Service
Through the end of the month, we are throwing in a Planet Bike Blinky light set with the purchase of any new bike! We carry cruisers and hybrids from Kona, Sun and Origin 8. Any bike purchased from Wheelhouse Detroit comes with a free tune-up with no expiration date.

Now you can wear the Wheelhouse! You can pick up one of our t-shirts for just $15 at the shop or $20, including shipping, via our website.

We aim to provide fast, fair and quality service. To do so, we require bikes to be dropped off, so that we can work on them in the order that they are received. We do not perform on-the-spot repairs. Depending on the day, we can get it back to you in a few hours or by the next day — but it can take longer if we need to order parts or there is a backlog. We do our best to communicate whatever the situation and timeline might be. Thanks for the opportunity to work on your beloved steed!

Tour the city with Wheelhouse!
Our tours continue to be a big hit. What’s so great about them? Well, they are developed in concert with the community that we visit or with an expert in the area that we will be discussing. To provide a safe ride and so that everyone can hear the guide, we limit our group size to 15 riders — which is why so many of our tours sell out. But you’re in luck! We do have spots open for Hamtramck and Eastern Market this Saturday, two of our most popular tours…so here’s your chance if you’ve been “meaning to take one!” Check out our roster and make your reservation at wheelhousedetroit.com/tours.

We do offer private group tours, which are great as a corporate team-building exercise, non-profit fund-raiser, conference activity or pre-wedding excursion. We’ve worked with Compuware, Quicken Loans, University of Detroit Mercy, Wayne State University, University of Louisville, Seco Tools…and lots of random groups of friends and families! Group rentals are also available at a discounted rate with an advance reservation. We’ll even throw in helmets and locks! Give us a call at 313-656-2453 or email Kelli to set something up.

What’s up for July
Our bi-weekly maintenance classes with Fender Bender are scheduled for July 24, August 14 & 28 and September 11 and 25. They start at 6 p.m. and last two hours. You’ll learn a little something about fixing your ride and commuter safety. Classes cost just $5 and include a patch kit.

We also have Wheelhouse Workouts every other Wednesday — July 18, August 1 & 15 and September 5 & 19. We aim to pedal 15 miles an hour, up to 20 miles. These rides are free, fast and fun!

For whatever reason, there aren’t a ton of cycling events in Detroit in July, but the rest of the season is jam-packed. Mark your calendars for the 4th Annual Colin Hubbell Memorial Ride (8/11), J-Cycle (8/19), Compuware Motor City Bike Ride (8/25), PEAC’s Celebration of Cycling (9/8), Tour de Ford (9/9), and of course, the big one, Tour de Troit (9/15)!

In closing, remember that Wheelhouse is open everyday, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hope to see you soon!

Thanks,
Your Friends at Wheelhouse Detroit

Please accept our apologies for being so super late with our monthly e-blast but, guess what? We’ve been busy! So here’s a brief note to get us through the Fourth of July holiday and then hopefully we will get back on schedule!

We are open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the following exceptions: We are closed on Monday, June 25 due to the Fireworks. We will be open holiday hours of 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 4.

2012 Detroit River Days Festival
If you are visiting the shop this weekend, please be mindful that that the 2012 River Days Festival will be in full swing, happening June 22-24, 2012! Thousands of Detroiters and visitors will be visiting the Detroit International Riverfront with the return of the this fantastic festival, so anticipate pedestrian traffic on your ride over, or increased vehicular traffic if you are driving (please note that the Rivard Plaza parking lot adjacent to our shop is closed for festival staging).

Tour Info
Be sure to visit wheelhousedetroit.com/tours to read up on our complete roster of offerings and to make a reservation as many of them do sell out. We cap registration at 15 riders to ensure a safe ride and that everyone can hear the guide!

We also book private tours, some with families and friends, others for work outings. Just a heads-up, we are now booking for the end of July and beyond, so keep that in mind if you are planning an outing. Give us a call at 313-656-2453 or email us at info@wheelhousedetroit.com to set one up!

Classes & Workouts!
Mark your calendars for our bi-weekly bike maintenance classes taught by our friends at Fender Bender! The two-hour Tuesday workshops includes instruction on how to change a flat, patch a tube, adjust your seat and handlebars plus some trouble-shooting tips, Rules of the Road discussion and commuting guidelines. Classes cost just $5 and include a patch kit. Remaining dates are June 26; July 10 and 24; August 14 and 28; and September 11 and 25. They start at 6 p.m. sharp and are first-come, first-serve.

Every other Wednesday, join us for Wheelhouse Workouts, a 20-mile fitness ride at a moderate pace (12 to 15 mph) with a varying route. This ride is offered in conjunction with our friends at FitnessWorks, who will kindly provide participants with a rest and water stop. Remaining dates are July 18; August 1 and 15; and September 5 and 19. This ride is FREE!

Wear Wheelhouse!
Our sharp Wheelhouse t-shirts are available at the shop for $15, or you can pick one up online here for $20 (as modeled by Wheelhouse’s own Adam Bedell, starting defender for Detroit City FC).

Other Great Bike Happenings
Coming up on June 30 is The Thunderdrome! a two-wheeled race (both motorized and non- in several different classes) that takes place at the until-recently abandoned Dorais Velodrome in northeast Detroit. It costs 5 bucks to spectate, and that enters you into a raffle for this new bike provided by none other than the Wheelhouse! It should be a fun event to ride or watch!

Registration is open for the Eleventh Annual Tour de Troit. This year, the date is September 15. Early bird registration is open through June; the price starts to jump after that! More info in future editions about the Colin Hubbell Memorial Ride (August 11), Jcycle II (August 19) and Compuware Motor City Bike Ride (August 25).

Don’t forget! Wheelhouse provides free bike valet at all Detroit City FC home games, which are held at Cass Tech. You can find us on the south end of the field. The remaining games are 23 and July 1, with playoffs expected. If you haven’t made it to a match yet, you are really missing something special. We love Le Rouge!

Here at the Wheelhouse, we strive to provide a great offering of bike-related retail stock and exceptional bike service. We turn bikes around typically in one to six days and are still carrying an array of new bikes and bike accessories at what we consider to be fair prices!

Thanks for your patronage,
Your Friends at Wheelhouse Detroit

To that end, we are offering discounts to anyone wearing a Movement festival wristband all weekend long. So whether you are looking for a quick ride to Eastern Market for lunch, a trip to Belle Isle for a swim, or want a bike for transportation the entire weekend, we’ve gotcha covered!

MOVEMENT FESTIVAL-GOER RENTAL RATES
$10/2 hours (reg. $15)
$18/half-day/4 hours (reg. $25)
$25/full day (reg. $35)
$40/2 days (reg. $50)
$60/3 days (reg. $75)
$75/full week (reg. $99)

You can call 313-656-2453 to reserve a bike at these rates.

We also offer a couple of techno-themed tours that delve into Detroit’s epic electronic music history.

The first tour will be on Sunday, May 27 from noon to 4 p.m. It will be the “long” tour that will go for as many as 21 miles, taking riders past historic electronic music sites like The Music Institute, Underground Resistance HQ, and the Packard Plant. The tour price is $30; with bike rental, it’s $40. This “long” tour is recommended for more experienced riders.

The second tour will be Monday, May 28 from noon until 3 p.m. It will be the “short” tour. A rider will see landmarks such as The Music Institute, Underground Resistance HQ, and the East Riverfront Warehouse District. The tour price is $25; with bike rental, it’s $35.

If you are on Facebook, you can check out a great album of photos taken at last year’s Long Tour. As you can see, the stop at Underground Resistance HQ was pretty amazing.

We do offer a tour of Southwest Detroit on Saturday and one of Detroit’s Public Art on Sunday if you are interested in experiencing other aspects of the city. You can register for any of them at wheelhousedetroit.com/tours. In 2011, most of our tours sold out, so don’t wait too long!

Looking forward to seeing you at the Wheelhouse over Memorial Day weekend!