The business of bikes
By Irvine City News staff
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Irvine is consistently rated as one of the best places to live for an active outdoor lifestyle, with much of that acclaim due to the opportunities for bicycle riding in the city. What is perhaps less well known is that a business segment that serves cyclists based here. It includes retail , design and manufacture, as well as nonprofits, clubs and other organizations dedicated to education, outreach and group rides.
Design and Manufacture
The U.S. headquarters for global brand Shimano is in Irvine. The manufacturer of bicycle parts and components has long been a supporter of bike trails in Irvine.
Local entrepreneurs started SureStop after being inspired to make bicycle brakes safer and easier to use. Their solution was simple: one hand lever instead of two, which stops bikes faster and makes going over the handlebars (kids call it an “endo”) much less likely. The company expanded some four months ago to include a bike brand dedicated to kids, the Guardian Bicycle Company. Its mission is “to build the world’s safest kids bikes,” with the bonus that the design of the bikes is influenced by OC’s cool surf apparel industry.
Felt Bicycles designs and manufactures a broad range of bikes, from beach cruisers and mountain bikes to racers seen in world-class events, such as the Olympics. The company also makes the orange bikes given away gratis to every new homeowner in the Great Park Neighborhoods.
Retail and Repair
ARB Cyclery • arbcyclery.com
Bike Religion • bikereligion.com
Irvine Bicycles • irvinebicycles.com
Jax Bicycle Center • jaxbicycles.com
Rock N’ Road Cyclery • rocknroadcyclery.net
Trails End Cycling Center • trailsendcc.com
Clubs and Organizations
Bicycle Club of Irvine
This recreational group’s membership spans all levels and ages, and includes weekend rides leaving Deerfield Community Park. bikeirvine.org
Orange County Rebel Riders
The group’s rides, which include different lengths and difficulties, start at Windrow Community Park. ocrebelriders.com
Irvine Bicycle Trails Committee
The group was an early advocate for Irvine’s bicycle trail infrastructure, backed bond issues and influenced the city and developers to support the grade separated trail system citizens enjoy today. Last year part of the Quail Hill Trail was renamed for Juanita Moe, a key leader of the committee’s efforts.
Design and Manufacture
The U.S. headquarters for global brand Shimano is in Irvine. The manufacturer of bicycle parts and components has long been a supporter of bike trails in Irvine.
Local entrepreneurs started SureStop after being inspired to make bicycle brakes safer and easier to use. Their solution was simple: one hand lever instead of two, which stops bikes faster and makes going over the handlebars (kids call it an “endo”) much less likely. The company expanded some four months ago to include a bike brand dedicated to kids, the Guardian Bicycle Company. Its mission is “to build the world’s safest kids bikes,” with the bonus that the design of the bikes is influenced by OC’s cool surf apparel industry.
Felt Bicycles designs and manufactures a broad range of bikes, from beach cruisers and mountain bikes to racers seen in world-class events, such as the Olympics. The company also makes the orange bikes given away gratis to every new homeowner in the Great Park Neighborhoods.
Retail and Repair
ARB Cyclery • arbcyclery.com
Bike Religion • bikereligion.com
Irvine Bicycles • irvinebicycles.com
Jax Bicycle Center • jaxbicycles.com
Rock N’ Road Cyclery • rocknroadcyclery.net
Trails End Cycling Center • trailsendcc.com
Clubs and Organizations
Bicycle Club of Irvine
This recreational group’s membership spans all levels and ages, and includes weekend rides leaving Deerfield Community Park. bikeirvine.org
Orange County Rebel Riders
The group’s rides, which include different lengths and difficulties, start at Windrow Community Park. ocrebelriders.com
Irvine Bicycle Trails Committee
The group was an early advocate for Irvine’s bicycle trail infrastructure, backed bond issues and influenced the city and developers to support the grade separated trail system citizens enjoy today. Last year part of the Quail Hill Trail was renamed for Juanita Moe, a key leader of the committee’s efforts.