Business Of The Week: Woodinville Bicycle

On the surface, seems nondescript.

There is nothing about the signage or design of the shop, on Woodinville's main drag at 13210 NE 175th St., that distinguishes it from surrounding businesses or other bike stores in the Puget Sound area.

So what makes it special? Passion.

Each of the four employees, as well as owner Mike Rabas, is an avid cyclist. Their knowledge and enthusiasm rubs off on customers.

"I've been in other shops where everyone rode bikes," said Ron Bishop, mechanic at the shop the past four years. "But there wasn't a passion for them. It's kind of neat."

Not only does the store sell bikes, it also custom-fits the bicycle to its new owner's body. It's like altering a new suit, Rabas explained.

"We want you to get on your bike and be happy about it. A fitting will go a long way to help alleviate pains," he said.

Once you've bought a bicycle, Rabas and crew offer plenty of chances to try it out. Employees take turns leading informal bike rides -- as many as three times a week in the summer -- for all levels of cyclists.

They assist with training rides for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and have helped stage fundraising rides for Cystic Fibrosis. Every year, the store sponsors a downtown Woodinville road race, where top cyclists compete on streets closed to cars.

"We're here for the community," Rabas said.

Maybe that's why the shop didn't feel much sting from the recession, according to Rabas. Or maybe it's because Woodinville Bicycle sits about 500 feet from the biker-friendly Burke-Gilman Trail.

The store sells only new bicycles, and carries just two brands: Giant and Specialized. There are kids' bikes, road bikes and mountain bikes. Each comes with a lifetime warranty on the frame, and a one-year warranty on parts.

Bikes are stacked from cement floor to ceiling on large wooden racks. Children's bikes, tires and rims hang from hooks on the ceiling. In addition, the shop has an array of accessories -- shoes, gloves, helmets and various types of energy drinks and bars.

A repair area is in the back of the store. Repairs comprise about 25 percent of the business, Rabas said. Mechanic Bishop was a former construction welder and fabricator who downscaled his life to help a friend who owned a bike shop.

"It's pretty slow this time of year," he said. "Summer is just insane."

Business has been good in general, said Rabas, and is picking up lately. He said Woodinville is a great location because of its bike trails and the city's commitment to expand bicycle lanes.

Rabas, a Bothell resident who was born in the Czech Republic, has been cycling since he was 7. He worked as a mechanic and sales representative before buying Woodinville Bicycle.

"It's a new challenge every day. It's never the same," he said. "Our biggest challenge is making sure everybody leaves here happy."