Dublin Bicycle Shop Named One of The Best In The Bay Area

Dublin Cyclery Bikes And Repairs has been in business since 1965. In a day and age when many businesses are shutting their doors, what makes this little bike shop so special?

Owner Chuck Tyler, 82, thinks his company's success is due in part to his brand. Not the brands of bikes and accessories he carries but what he calls his store "brand" – an intangible culture and attitude that go along with his merchandise.

"We proudly advertise our 'brand' as: 'wind in your hair, sun in your face, free spirit,' " said Tyler. "We want the public to know that if they want to talk titanium, we'll talk titanium. But we'd rather them know about the wind and the sun you get when you ride, as well. Often times they'll bike and say, 'This brings me back to my youth; it makes me feel so free - like a kid on my bike.' It's the experience rather than the equipment."

This attitude and love-of-biking culture is part of what's kept this little store open on Dublin Boulevard for 45 years. It's also why, this year, the San Francisco Chronicle's Consumer Checkbook named Dublin Cyclery one of the 14 best bicycle shops in the Bay Area.

Tyler is only the third owner of the business but, perhaps more than any owner before him, loves bicycles. He's been riding almost as long as he's been married to Betty-Jean, his wife of 58 years.

 Tyler turned 82 on Sept. 26 and instead of a relaxing day of cake and ice cream at home, like many other octogenarians, he went for a 60-mile bike ride along the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.

 "The ride was sponsored by the Valley Spokesman Bike Club and it was a great ride," he said. "That day, we started from Sacramento and the end of the road was Sherman Island, where we had a barbecue lunch."

Tyler's enthusiasm for the shop hasn't waned over 32 years. At one point, he ran up to four bike shops with his son until they sold all but the original shop in 1992.

He'll be the first to admit that he doesn't run everything by himself. 

 "What allows me to do this is a fantastic staff that can run the store completely on their own so it gives me a lot of free time," he said.

It's hard to believe Tyler has any free time considering his shop usually is open seven days a week. It does close Sundays in October and November until Thanksgiving.

Dublin Cyclery s is popular because of the enthusiasm of Tyler and his staff, but also because of its large selection and customizing system that gives customers  the bike and equipment that suits them best.

 The shop has a fitting device that measures areas such as torso, arm and thigh length to ensure a comfortable bike, whether it's off the shelf or custom ordered for $7,000 or more.

"For a serious biker, the costs can be just like golfing or skiing – you're going to pay for your sport," said Tyler, although he stresses that there is something for every price point, from about $600 up.

He likes to give back to the community and fellow bicyclists. 

For example, Thursdays in May from 6 to 9 a.m., Dublin Cyclery and the cities of Dublin and Pleasanton set up an "energizer " station for bicycle commuters at Dublin BART, handing out donuts, bagels, juice drinks and energy drinks.

And Oct. 10, Tyler will be going back to school.

"We're doing an event at Dublin High to benefit the school called Keeping Sports in Our Schools," he said. "There will be a 5K run and we'll be there with our tent and merchandise promoting cycling."

Tyler says he's planning on running the shop as long as his health allows.

For more information, call Dublin Cyclery Bikes And Repairs at 925-828-8676.