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Dispatches from The Daily Rider

October Update

With expanded guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have modified our operations to keep our staff and customers safe. While we previously operated in a “zero-contact” manner, we are allowing brief interactions with customers outside. We require masks to be worn when interacting with our staff outside. Please call or text when arriving. We anticipate reopening for walk-in sales and service on a limited basis once we can install barriers.

The effects of the bike boom in the US has bike shops and manufacturers trying hard to keep up. We’re in the same situation and are taking steps to ensure that we can complete the repairs we currently have.

Schedule a repair by email or phone call:

Our current first available repair date has come down to two weeks. Please call or email for an appointment. All major repairs are being scheduled in this manner.

We now offer limited day-of repairs for minor issues such as flat tires. We take them each day on a first-call, first-serve basis. These will be accepted until we reach capacity (usually before 11:30AM) and are generally completed the same day.

Bike Availability (Updated October 14th)

Please call or email for a test ride appointment.

Some large sized (19″ and 21″) Fuji Nevada 1.9   and small (15″ and 17″) Fuji Adventures remain in stock. These basic mountain bikes can prove useful on DC’s streets and are capable of handling some off-road detours. The models pictured on the Fuji site are prior year models so paint colors have changed somewhat. See our Instagram page for the actual bikes we have in stock.

The Biria (Citibike Stepthrough 8) has recently arrived in stock and we have them in both sizes in red, celeste, and black.

We have received a full selection of the Breezer Midtown, which is a new model to us, and is well suited to urban biking. It has wide 27.5 tires to take on imperfect pavement and to smooth out the ride around town. If you’re looking for a basic bike for fitness riding and transportation or family outings, come take the Midtown for a test ride.

Our selection of electric cargo bikes is decent for the moment, but we are seeing stock shortages there as well in certain sizes.

If you were looking for a Tern HSD, we now have the S8i back in stock as well as the S+, which when we first rode it changed our perception of biking.

BICYCLE PARTS SHORTAGES

This year our entire industry has seen incredible demand for parts and accessories. So many people are taking their old bikes out of storage and riding them. This is great! But it wasn’t anticipated, and our distributors stocked for a normal year. These parts are starting to arrive back in stock, but supplies are limited, so we’re having to compete with every other shop in the US to get at this supply. If you have called another bike store looking for a certain part and they’re out of stock, we are likely out as well. Common parts that we are currently out of and cannot order are:

  • 26″ tubes in presta valve
  • 26″ tires
  • 700×28-32 presta valve tubes
  • some 7, 8, and 9 speed drivetrain parts (cassettes, freewheels, chainrings)
  • 7, 8, and 9 speed shifters and derailleurs
  • some basic home repair tools
  • some repair grade wheels

CURRENT HOURS OF OPERATION


Sunday: 12-4

Monday: Closed

Tuesday-Saturday: 10-6


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Can I come inside the shop to show you a problem my bike is having or to take a look at your bike selection?

A: Unfortunately, we’re not allowing anyone inside the shop except employees or delivery personnel, but we’re able to discuss your problem by phone or provide guidance by text or email. This is a great time to learn about working on your own bike. This series of videos by Park Tool is a great starting point for step by step instructions to common repairs.

Q: So, are you open?

A: We’re working on bikes and taking sales requests by phone, but no customer has been inside of our shop since March.

Q: Do you have any bikes in stock?

A: As we mention above, we have models from several brands available, but this can change rapidly.

Q: When will the bike that I see on your site be in stock?

A:  The Marin Fairfax line will not return to our shop until mid-October. We do not have accurate estimates for most other models from brands like Fairdale .

Q: Can I test ride a bike you have in stock?

A: You can test ride a bike we have in stock by making an appointment with us. Please call or email to set that up. We’ll need to make sure the bike is assembled and ready to ride. Bring your ID and credit card to hand off at the door.

Q: Can I purchase a tube, or other small item from you?

A: Absolutely! We’re taking orders by phone or text (the shop number is text enabled) and put items for pickup outside on the white table by the door.

Q: How does the repair drop-off and pickup procedure work?

On the day of your appointment or the day before, we’ll reach out by text to let you know we’re ready to accept your bike for repair. We will ask you to give us some advance notification so that we can assign one of our combination chain locks to you. They are located outside of the shop and are locked onto the public bike racks next to the curb. Lock up your bike and walk away. We’ll retrieve it within minutes and take it inside for the repair.

Q: How long will you have my bike?

Usually, we like to get your bike back on the day of your appointment, but with this new arrangement we’re not able to assess the condition of bikes prior to doing the repair. Sometimes we discover issues that require parts that we don’t have on hand and need to order. Often, we find things that you may not have seen or noticed. We’ll point them out to you and provide an estimate. Our current turn-around time is between 1-5 days of drop off.

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