Bike Shop Spotlight: Spokesman Cycles

Image via Complex Original

Spokesman Cycles does sales, service and repairs on bikes in their three NYC locations. Their Atlas Park location in Glendale, Queens is definitely one of the largest bike shops we've ever set foot into, yet they still manage to be super friendly and helpful. On a daily basis, the store manager, Max fields questions from everyone from the curious novice to expert riders trying to build up their perfect bike. They carry everything in about 10 different categories ranging from hybrids, beach cruisers, BMX, mountain, foldable, road, and fixed-gear bikes, as well as women's bikes, kids bikes, and even a section just for biking jerseys. We had a chat with Max and asked him what some of his shops top picks were.

BMX Bikes

While it used to be the largest section in the store, the BMX section has shrunk down exponentially as the rise in popularity of other categories of bikes (namely, the road and fixed-gear) have grown. Being located in a suburban area, BMX is still a popular category for Spokesman, particularly with the ages 8-20. Max recommends checking out Eastern's Boss, and Grim Reaper models.

Women's Bikes

Although it is most common for women to come into the shop and just go for a men's bike, Spokesman Cycles does have a section specifically for women's bikes. This section condenses the wide variety of categories found in the store in women's versions.

Foldable Bikes

The foldable bikes section is probably the smallest in the shop, and foldable bikes are definitely marketed to a very niche market—the urban commuter who'd genereally rather ride a bike to the train than take a bus. Here are the specs on the Dahon Mu P8, one of the shops top sellers in the foldable bikes category:

• Sizes: 1


• Folding Size: 30 x 79 x 66 cm (11.7" x 30.8" x 25.7")


• Weight: 11.2 kg (24.7 lb)


• Frame: PA Series, 7005 butted aluminum alloy, custom-drawn Sonus tubing, Lattice forged hinge, patented Fusion and V-Clamp technologies


• Fork: Dahon SlipStream, Puro U7 aluminum, patented Fusion technology, double butted tubing


• Handlebar: Kinetix Comp, flat, double butted 6061


• Stem: Dahon Fusion+, zero stack, cartridge bearings


• Saddle: BioLogic Aria


• Crankset: Kinetix Supra, forged 6061 cranks, 6061 chain ring, alloy CNC chainguard

In the fixed-gear category, which Max tells us is the fastest growing section in the store, the Bianchi Pista Brera is definitely something to keep an eye out for. Here are some specs:

• Sizes: 49-51-53-55-57-59-61


• Frame: Bianchi CrMo (Steel) butted


• Fork: CrMo (Steel) butted 1"


• Handlebar: Silver anodized, 540 mm. Bar bore 25.4 mm, no logo


• Saddle: Bianchi Suede (mocka) cover Light Brown


• Crankset: FSA model Gimondi CK-633S - 48T


• Rims: Jalco DRX 2000 alloy- shinny Silver 32H

One of Max's top picks in the road bikes section, the Cannondale Super Six.

• Frame: SuperSix EVO, Ballisteck Hi-MOD Carbon, Speed SAVE, PressFit BB30


• Fork: Super Six Evo Speed Save, Ballistic Hi-Mod Full Carbon 1-1/8" TO 1-1/4" Steerer


• Handlebar: FSA K-Force Carbon Nano


• Crankset: Cannondle Hollowgram SL, BB30, FSA DA79 RINGS, 53/39 (50/34 Rings and Spider Included)


• Saddle: FI'ZI:K Antares, Braided Carbon Rails 


• Headset: Supersix EVO, 1-1/4" Lower Bearing, 25mm Carbon Top Cover

The Scott Scale 10 mountain bike:

• Sizes: S, M, L, XL


• Frame: Scott Scale Carbon CR1 technology / HMX, custom disc dropout, replacable dropout, hanger, SDS shock damping system


• Fork: Fox 32 F100RLC / Air spring, alloy steer / reb. & comp. adj / Lockout, Quad taperd lowers / 100 mm travel


• Handlebar: Ritchey Carbon WCS, Flat / 600 mm


• Saddle: Selle Italy SLR XP Kevlar / Vanox rails


• Crankset: Shimano XTR FC-M970, hollowtech 2, 44Ax32Ax22A T


• Headset: Ritchey WCS Carbon 1 1/8", semi integrated 44/50mm

 The Cannondale Trail SL 4 mountain bike:

• Frame: Trail SL, Optimized 6061 alloy, SAVE, 1.5" headtube


• Fork: RST Deuce TNL, 100mm, coil/elastomer, lockout, 1.5"


• Handlebar: Cannondale C3 riser 20mm, 6061, 680mm


• Saddle: Cannondale Stage 2


• Crankset: Shimiano FC-M361, 42/32/22


• Headset: Tange Custom 1.5"

 The Jamis Durango 1 mountain bike:

• Sizes: 13”, 15”, 17”, 19”, 21”


• Frame: 6061 triple-butted aluminum main tubes, over-sized seat tube, sloping radius top tube, S-bend down tube, zero-stack head tube, over-sized stays, replaceable derailleur hanger


• Fork: RST Gila Pro, MCU/coil spring with lock out, external preload adjustor, 100mm travel


• Handlebar: Jamis XC alloy riser, 31.8mm x 6º sweep x 13mm rise x 620mm


• Saddle: Jamis Trail with pressure relief channel, wide tail platform and scuff-resistant corners


• Crankset: Shimano Alivio M430, 44/32/22, 170mm (13-15”), 175mm (17-21”)


• Headset: Zero-stack internal cup threadless, 25mm shim stack, 1 1/8”

 The Fuji SST road bike:

• Sizes: 50cm, 53cm, 56cm, 59cm, 62cm


• Frame: Monocoque High Modulus C-7 carbon with custom weave carbon strands and aero shaped tubes, Integrated aluminum cupped head tube


• Fork: FC-440 Fuji Carbon Monocoque Integrated 1 1/8" Carbon steerer


• Handlebar: FSA Wing Pro compact, 31.8mm


• Saddle: San Marco Ponza


• Headset: Cane Creek IS-2i 1 1/8" Integrated, w/Carbon convex topcap and Oversized lower bearing