Midweek Mugging: Cyclesmith

This week’s Midweek Mugging recipient is Andrew Feenstra, owner of Cyclesmith.

Located at 2553 Agricola St., Cyclesmith sells bicycles and accessories along with offering bike fittings and repairs.

Feenstra said he has around 700 to 800 bikes in store, including kid’s bikes, road bikes, mountain bikes and hybrids.

“Every type of bike you could ever imagine,” he said. “We’re the family store of bikes, so if there’s anything with two wheels, we pretty much have [it].”

He said the most popular bike is the hybrid style that can be used on trails and on the road.

Cyclesmith also sells many children’s bikes. The store recently launched a junior exchange program. This allows parents to exchange any bike they bought from the store within three years for the next size up, with half the cost of the first bike being put towards the new one. The program can be used until children reach their first adult-sized bike.

“The advantage of that is that the kids can be riding the right-size bike, instead of buying a bike that, ‘Ok, well Johnny will grow into it in a year,’ …but he’s not safe for the first year, he doesn’t feel in control of the bike, so he’s not going to want to ride the bike,” Feenstra said. “We want to get young kids riding bikes that they feel comfortable and in control of, and then that’s going to ultimately make them cyclists for life, because they feel confident riding the bike.”

Feenstra said the store sees a mix of competitive cyclists, families and commuters.

“We’re all inclusive, it doesn’t matter,” he said. “If you’ve got a bike we’ll help you out with it. We just want to get more people riding bikes in the city.”

With seven mechanics, some of whom have been at the shop for around 20 years, Feenstra said there’s few bike repairs his team can’t solve.

Cyclesmith is also involved in supporting programs throughout the cycling and local community, including races like the MS Bike Tour and fundraising initiatives in Halifax’s north end.

“The business is built in this community and we feel very connected to the community, so we always help,” Feenstra said.

Feenstra himself said he’s always had an interest in bikes. He got his start working in a bike repair shop when he was younger, and said he’s loved working with bikes right from the beginning.

“When people are coming in, the bike is a sense of freedom for everybody,” Feenstra said. “Whether you’re the top professional in the world or you’re like, ‘I’m just scraping by as a student,’ your bike is freedom…and that’s what everybody’s buying the bike for.

“That’s what’s fun about this job. Everyone’s coming in going, ‘I want some freedom.’”