Bicycling back to basics

Local Cycles

307 W. Park Ave.

Long Beach

(516) 390-7085

Helping people to enjoy comfortable bicycling is one of the missions of Local Cycles. According to Nick Lalli, the shop’s owner, retro style cruisers — the simple, no frills bikes that most baby boomers grew up with — have made a huge comeback, and are perfect for riding in Long Beach. For this reason, cruisers are the mainstay of Local Cycles.

“Cruisers are simple, as opposed to mountain bikes, which have hand brakes. They are more comfortable to ride and more upright, so are easier on the back,” said Lalli, who says he was born to be a “bike guy.” He started building bicycles when he was a teenager and never stopped. When the economy changed and gas prices rose, he decided the time was right to turn his passion into a business. He opened Local Cycles around that time.

Lalli grew up in Long Beach so he was happy to cater to the local clientele. Cruisers are the best for riding on flat land, which is exactly the type of ride one gets on the boardwalk. The retro cruiser is virtually maintenance-free. There are no cables or hand brakes. You put the bike away before the winter, and when spring arrives, you just take it out, dust it off, put air in the tires, and ride.

While they specialize in cruisers for children and adults, Local Cycles will repair and/or service all types of bicycles. They also do customizations and build bikes by hand from scratch. For a one-of-a-kind bicycle, one can choose a hand built frame, different color combinations, and from a variety of rims, tires, seats and handlebars. No two bikes will look the same.

Custom styled bicycles can be stretched out and made to appear be quite different, taking cues from the motorcycle look. They carry a dozen different Ape Hanger handlebars, which people choose (according to Lalli) for the “coolness factor.”  They also sell baby seats, trailers, hats, T-shirts, parts and accessories.

Nick Lalli sees bicycles as a lifestyle rather than a business. He travels globally to bike shows and is involved with an international customized bicycling community. He has been to Amsterdam and Barcelona, this year will be in Hawaii, and is planning a trip to Moscow.

“Right now, there’s a huge customized bicycle movement in South Africa and Indonesia, where bikes are the main mode of transportation. I’ve joined clubs in other countries where I meet like-minded bicycle building and riding people, and have made friends all over the world. Often when I travel, I can be more like a local than a tourist, staying with friends. And, the Internet has helped turn it all into one large family.”

Local Cycles is open every day except Wednesday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.