Holiday E-Blast

Hey, everyone! Hope you are staying sane during this crazy season!

Our Eastern Market winter location is up and running and we’d love for you to come visit. We are selling Detroit Bikes as well as a variety of American-made bicycle products.

We’re located in a shipping container (which, honestly, is worth a vist in and of itself) in Eastern Market’s Shed 4, located near the intersection of Russell and Division (MAP).

Our hours through the winter are as follows:

Friday & Monday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Saturday: 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. — Sunday: Noon to 5 p.m.

We’re also open this Thursday, 12/19, from 5 to 9 p.m. in conjuntion with Eastern Market’s Third Thursday. Shed 5 will be host to a bunch of local vendors, food trucks and beer…Plus a visit from Kris Kringle…Perfect for some last-minute shopping!

We are really pleased with the high-quality, reasonably priced US-made products that we’ve found to offer at our shop. They include Wald baskets (KY); King Cage bottle cages, flask cages and bells (CO); Kabeltek lock cables (AZ); Wilson Bohannan padlocks (OH); Greenfield kickstands (NY); Walnut Studiolo leather accessories (OR); Detroit Cargo bicycle luggage (MI); Jogalite lights (NH); Park Tool bicycle-specific tools (MN); Trixie & Milo Fine Flasks (OR); panniers from Ironweed Bicycle Products (OR); Green Guru upcycled panniers and pouches (CO); pedal-powered all-natural Just Soap (MA); and embroidered wool Walz Caps (CA).

You can view a photo album that features many of our products HERE.

The Detroit Bikes A-Type 3-speed commuter bicycle has a lightweight chromoly-steel frame and a durable, matte-black powder-coat finish. Each of its frames is manufactured from steel tubing cut, coped, welded and painted in its factory on Detroit’s westside. Wheelhouse will also be offering an “A+” model that includes American-made lights, lock, kickstand, mirror, bottle cage and bell for the consumer that wants to ride away with a bike that is fully-loaded. The A-Type retails for $550; the A+ for $700.

Easy Gift Ideas:

1. Gift Certificate! You can buy a tour gift certificate online or you can buy a standard gift card good for retail, service, rentals or tours at the winter shop.
2. T-Shirt! We have short- and long-sleeved t-shirts. You can buy in-person ($15/$22.49) or online ($20, short-sleeved only, shipping included). Our shirts are American Apparel brand printed locally by ESP.

Procrastinator Reward! 

So you’ve waited ’til this weekend to do your shopping? Don’t feel bad, you’ve just had other stuff on your plate. Now it’s time for your just deserts!

From Thursday 12/19 to Monday 12/23, each purchase of $25 or over gets a choice of a $10 gift card to be redeemed in 2014 OR a handmade tree ornament!

Lest we forget…Rentals and repair service are also available. If you ever need anything outside our winter hours, please email us atinfo@wheelhousedetroit.com and we’ll figure something out that is convenient for you.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,
Karen, Kelli & the Wheelhouse Crew

November News!

We have some exciting news to share: We will be open through the winter!

Our current Riverfont location at 1340 E. Atwater will remain in operation through Monday, November 25. Hours are Friday, Saturday & Monday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Then what?

Wheelhouse Detroit Bike Shop and Detroit Bikes are preparing to launch a retail residency in Eastern Market that will open on November 26, in concert with Eastern Market Corporation‘s Thanksgiving Market.

 

This unique collaboration will focus on quality American-made products, with the Detroit Bikes A-Type leading the way. We will also be offering an “A+” model that includes American-made lights, lock, kickstand, bottle cage and bell for the consumer that wants to ride away with a bike that is fully loaded. The A-Type retails for $550; the A+ for $700.

 

Other brands that will be featured include Wald baskets (KY); King Cage bottle cages, flask cages and bells (CO); Kabeltek lock cables (AZ); Wilson Bohannan locks (OH); Greenfield kickstands (NY); Walnut Studiolo leather accessories (OR); Detroit Cargo bicycle luggage (MI); Jogalite lights (NH); Park Tool bicycle-specific tools (MN); Trixie & Milo Fine Flasks bicycle-themed flasks (OR); and panniers from Ironweed Bicycle Products (OR) and Detroit Denim Co. (MI).

 

The bicycle boutique will be housed in a shipping container located in Shed 4, at Russell and Division. Hours will be Friday and Monday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Bicycle rental and drop-off repair service will also be available.

Looking forward to another exciting chapter in the Wheelhouse story!

Sincerely,
Karen, Kelli & the Wheelhouse Crew

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!

October Mini E-Blast

Just wanted to drop you a real quick note before we get too far into the month! Our hours in October are Friday, Saturday & Monday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

RETAIL


Bike Sale! We are having a sale of all current floor model bikes. 20% off the following bikes:

Brooklyn Cruiser Driggs 3-speed 52cm in black and white; Willow 3-speed 52cm in blue. Was $579 NOW $463.

Origin 8 Intersect 7-speed 52cm. Was $425 NOW $348.

Kona Dew Deluxe 2012 49cm Was $849 NOW $543. Dew 56 cm in black. WAS $489 NOW $391.

We have Detroit Bikes A-Type in stock! The minimalist bike has three-speed internal gears, a lightweight chromoly-steel frame and a durable, matte-black powder-coat finish. Detroit Bikes manufactures each of its frames from steel tubing cut, coped, welded and painted in its 50,000 square-foot factory on Detroit’s westside. The company also builds wheels and manufactures the bike’s rear rack and chain guard on-site. It retails for $550, a significant fact because a mass-produced American-made bike at a modest price point is something that hasn’t been in existence since the Reagan era. We do have a demo if you want to give it a spin.

We have other makes of models of bikes in-stock, including Kona Dews of other sizes and colors and additional Brooklyn Cruiser models. These remain at their regular prices; see our blog for more info. Plus, tires, helmets, auto racks, bike racks, frame & floor pumps, tools, lights, water bottles & bottle cages, bags, locks, pedals, bells, handlebar grips & tape, tubes, baskets…and if we don’t have what you are seeking, we’d be happy to help you pick something out. We have a wide range of distributors that we work with, and a quick turn-around on special orders.


SERVICE

Our full menu of service prices can be found here. Please note that, in almost every case, service requires that you drop off your bike. We also offer Service Delivery! We can pick-up and/or drop-off your wounded cycle anywhere in Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park and the inner ring suburbs. For pricing, please visit our Service Page.

TOURS

Most of our tours for the month are sold out, but have no fear, we still have a few options for you!

1. Openings remain on our Halloween Haunted Tour!

2. Book a private tour (Haunted, perhaps?) with a group! Our rates start at $180 for up to six people, including bikes. Each additional person is $25/$35 with rental. Email info@wheelhousedetroit.com to get moving on setting one up! We have great availability on weekdays and a couple of weekend slots remain.

3. Join our just-added Detroit Beer Week Dining Tour! We will enjoy a delicious course at three stops: soup at Mudgie’s Deli, sliders at St. Cece’s and dessert at Jefferson House. The cost of $46 ($56 with rental) includes food, a beverage at each stop and gratuity!

Please scroll our Tours Page for more details and to make reservations.

We have some big news that we hope to announce before the end of the month. Until then, keep riding and hope to see you 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!

August E-Blast, feat. Detroit Bikes Launch

We can’t believe it is already August! This summer has been rolling by at a racing pace, but we wanted to take a quick minute to fill you in on some Wheelhouse happenings.

Remember, we are here for you seven-days-a-week: Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

RETAIL


We couldn’t be more thrilled to be the local purveyor of the Detroit-manufactured Detroit Bikes. The commuter A-Type, pictured, is launching into the universe with a party at The Old Miami this Friday, 8/16, from 4 to 8 PM, featuring a performance by the Detroit Cobras.

The minimalist bike has three-speed internal gears, a lightweight chromoly-steel frame and a durable, matte-black powder-coat finish. Detroit Bikes manufactures each of its frames from steel tubing cut, coped, welded and painted in its 50,000 square-foot factory on Detroit’s westside. The company also builds wheels and manufactures the bike’s rear rack and chain guard on-site. It retails for $550, a significant fact because a mass-produced American-made bike at a modest price point is something that hasn’t been in existence since the Reagan era. So this is pretty awesome.

We’ll have ten bikes for sale at the launch party, and are also taking deposits for the next shipment. To receive an email with details about the shipment schedule and making a deposit, email info@wheelhousedetroit.com.

We will continue to carry the following brands and products: Sun cruisers, comfort hybrids & adult trikes; Origin 8 urban commuters & folding bikes; Kona hybrids & cyclocross; and the classically-styled Brooklyn Cruiser. Plus, tires, helmets, auto racks, bike racks, frame & floor pumps, tools, lights, water bottles & bottle cages, bags, locks, pedals, bells, handlebar grips & tape, tubes, baskets…and if we don’t have what you are seeking, we’d be happy to help you pick something out. We have a wide range of distributors that we work with, and a quick turn-around on special orders.

SERVICE 


Our full menu of service prices can be found here. Please note that, in almost every case, service requires that you drop off your bike. We also offer Service Delivery! We can pick-up and/or drop-off your wounded cycle anywhere in Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park and the inner ring suburbs. For pricing, please visit our Service Page.

TOURS

If you’ve been meaning to take a Wheelhouse tour, now’s your chance! We have a full season through the end of October. Curious as to what they’re about? Check out this recent article in the Windsor Star, “Grab your bike and go see Detroit,” or watch this CriticCar Detroit video of two visitors from Milwaukee that recently rode our Hamtramck tour here. Please scroll our Tours Page for details of our full roster of offerings and to make reservat ions.

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

RENTALS

We’ve got ya covered, whatever kind of Detroit cycling experience you are looking for. Chill ride along the RiverFront and Dequindre Cut? Cruiser, check. Bit of a workout while you loop Belle Isle? A Kona Smoke is ready for you. Explore Midtown without breaking a sweat? We recommend a Sun Ruskin. Balance issues? We’ve got an adult trike with your name on it. A romantic pedal? Try a tandem! Family outing? We’ve got kids bikes, trailers, tag-alongs and a baby seat. In town for a few days and want to ride like a local? Try a vintage Schwinn. Whatever your selection, booking ahead saves you a dime: Online advance reservations receive a 10% discount. And reservations are recommended, particularly on weekends, as we sometimes do run out of bikes at peak hours.

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 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.

ETC.

The Tour de Troit is coming up quick, on September 21, so sign up now before the price jumps at the end of the month. We’ll be back in touch soon with more info about all the great rides happening in September.

We don’t want you to crash when you’re riding around town, so we’re proud purveyors of some great and healthy snacks, including locally produced Simply Suzanne Granola and Wyoming-based Kate’s Real Food bars. Both are all-natural organic choices that will get you rolllin’ again!

Hope to see you soon and that you’re getting in many, many miles!

Holiday News from Wheelhouse Detroit

Dear Friend-of-Wheelhouse,

By now, you are probably exhausted from shopping, baking, cooking, eating and drinking but, if you are anything like us, there is still a few more gifts to be gotten. Enter — we hereby humbly offer — Wheelhouse Detroit’s Holiday Sale!

There are four more days for our Downtown Holiday Pop-Up Shop in the Compuware Building, and we are offering a bunch of deals as we bid a farewell to our holiday pop-up location and, most of all, entice you to spend some of your final holiday dollars with us! We are open Wednesday 12/21 through Friday 12/23, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 12/24 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Best of all, we offer parking validation with any purchase for up to three hours , so come by and shop Wheelhouse before a meal at Texas de Brazil or ice skating at Campus Martius!

It might not be bike-riding weather for most of us softies, but it sure is prime bike-buying season! We have cut prices on any remaining bikes so drastically that it is almost scary. If there is someone on your list with a hankering for a new ride, this really is the most logical time to make that purchase. Here is a rundown on what we currently have available:

• The Origin 8 Cutler is sleek, simple and affordable. We have a 56cm 7-speed for $255 (Reg. $330) and a 56cm single speed for $225. (Reg. $299)
• The Sun Drifter is comfortable and surprisingly light. We have a 7-speed step-through in blue for just $310. (Reg. $360).
• Sun also makes an adult trike perfect for an active senior looking for stability. We have a single-speed with a rear basket in pearl white for $330. (Reg. $370) It can be made into a 3‐speed for an additional $120, or into a 5‐speed for an additional $160.
• Looking for a perfect bike to travel with? How about an Origin 8 Folding Bike? We have a 7-speed for just $300 in-stock! (Reg. $320)
• The Origin 8 Brutus has a hub that can flip between single speed and fixed-gear. It is strong and solid, and you can nab it for just $375. (Reg. $500 – yup, that’s $125 off!)
• We love Kona bikes, especially their “Asphalt” line. We ride them, we rent them, we sell them. We have two excellent hybrids in stock: a 46cm Dew for $375 (Reg. $429) and a 22in Smoke (with fenders) for $350 (Reg. $429).
• We also have a super-sharp Kona cyclocross, a Jake, in 58cm marked down to $599!!! (Reg. $899)

And for the rest of our stock, all this week, everything is marked down 20%! That’s accessories from Planet Bike and Dimension; locks from Master and Kryptonite; bags from Jandd and Timbuk2; baskets from Wald and Dimension; bike racks from Topeak and Axiom; auto racks from Saris; tools and pumps from Pedro’s and Park; tires from Kenda and Continental; and tubes from Michelin and Q…and much, much more. To get some good gift ideas, check out a sampling of our in-stock products…all on sale!

We are also carrying some locally designed bike-themed t-shirts — from Wound, Bikes & Murder and Detroit Bicycle Co. — and handmade basket liners and scarves, great gift ideas!

Gift Certificates! Give the Gift of a Wheelhouse Bike Tour

Looking for a great holiday gift? We offer gift certificates that you can purchase at our pop-up shop that are good for any Wheelhouse item or service: retail, repair, rentals or tours.

You can also buy a gift certificate on-line that can be used towards any tour in our sure-to-be-spectacular 2012 tour series! Most tours cost $25 or $35 with a bike rental, so you can choose the number of people and/or tours that you want to gift! For example, two people on a tour riding their own bikes would be $50. One person using one of our bikes? $35. Head to www.wheelhousedetroit.com to purchase with Paypal or any major credit card! Give the gift of Experiencing the Motor City on Two Wheels to your favorite cyclist, explorer or Detroit-lover!

We can’t thank our customers enough for a wonderful 2011, and we can’t wait to see what 2012 has in store for us!

Have a wonderful and peaceful holiday season,
Your Friends at Wheelhouse Detroit

Map to the Compuware Building
wheelhousedetroit.com
Keep up-to-date at Wheelhouse Detroit Bike Shop‘s Facebook Page!

Do you think Wheelhouse is a Bicycle Friendly Business?

Wheelhouse Detroit has an application pending with the good people at League of American Bicyclists to be recognized as a Bicycle Friendly Business. The review process includes a local survey that is open to customers, employees, etc. It is available online at http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e367rwaxgh55tu8f/start and should only take about five to 10 minutes.

If you’d like, feel free to check out our application and the BFB scoring guidelines. You can download them as PDFs at the embedded links.

Please note: the deadline to participate is Feb. 11. We really appreciate your input and support!

Sale This Friday @ GifteD

We have two more Fridays to go at GifteD – A Holiday Boutique, located at 99 Monroe Street, between Farmer and Broadway, just east of the Compuware Building.

To entice you to come visit, we are holding a crazy one-day sale this Friday, Dec. 17, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. What’s so nuts about it? Well, all bikes are $100 off, all accessories are 25% off and gift certificates? Well, you pay us $40 and we will hand over one that is good for $50 worth of products, services, rentals or tours!

Bikes in stock include Kona Smoke (reg. $425 – $325 12/17 only); Kona Honky Tonk (61 cm – Reg. $899 – $799 12/17 only); Kona Humu (Reg. $425 – $325 12/17 only); Sun Drifter 7 (reg. $360 – $260 12/17 only); Sun Kruizer (reg. $330 – $230 12/17 only); and Origin8 Cutler 7 (reg. $300, $200 12/17 only). Photos and information on each of these bikes can be found at Bikes For Sale page.

Additionally, Wheelhouse’s entire stock of accessories is marked down. That means helmets from Bell, Lazer and Protech; locks from Kryptonite and Master; saddlebags from Axiom and Jandd; auto racks from Saris; and lights from Knog and Planet Bike. There is also a selection of tubes, patch kits, bells, racks, baskets, gloves and more that is guaranteed to satisfy any cyclist. Find more details about our products at our Facebook Page, which includes photos and (pre-sale!) prices.

Stopping by means that you can also get great presents from the other GifteD retailers, including Bureau of Urban Living; Re:View Contemporary Gallery;City Bird; Rags; DSE @ Grand; Wound Menswear and Motor City Sewing; and
Leopold’s Books.

Keep up-to-date with the pop-up shop at the GifteD Facebook Page. Remaining hours of operation for GifteD are Friday, December 17, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday, December 24, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. So, yeah, we will be open for last-minute Christmas Eve shopping and…you know what, the sale prices will still apply then, too! It’s total madness, we know.

Ride Reports

Three rides went off this week worth noting:

• Our fourth Wednesday night ride hit Brush Park, Wayne State, Woodbridge and North Corktown, across the cool corkscrew pedestrian bridge and then – bam – right up to the gaping hole at Tiger Stadium. highly recommended perspective for maximum emotional impact. We finished up by riding down the “old” riverwalk that runs between Rosa Parks and 8th. Remember, 9 p.m. every Wednesday at the Wheelhouse

• The Bike Riders United victory ride on Friday toured downtown with approximately 25 riders – including Chief of Police Ella Bully-Cummings. Check out m-bike’s slideshow. Next step: drafting language to amend the city’s bike licensing ordinance.

• On Saturday, Karen rode in the send-off for Rock CF‘s City to City Ride. After coffee at Campus Martius, about 30 cyclists headed down Michigan Ave. to send off Emily and Kevin to Chicago. Be sure to check in to Rock CF’s site to read about their progress!

City to City Ride August 2

Join us Saturday, August 2, 2008 on Detroit’s Ride for Cystic Fibrosis !

Beginning at Campus Martius Park in Detroit, participants will ride to Dearborn for a 20-25 mile group ride along Michigan Avenue and then loop back to Detroit. What a great reason to get out on your bike on a summer Saturday morning! Check in begins at 8:00 am and and the Ride begins at 9:00 am. Helmets are mandatory!

This is your chance to help make a difference in the fight against CF. Come out and be a part of a great Detroit event. Register today.

Parking liberation

Breaking News: The parking lot adjacent to Rivard Plaza is back to free!