Sumbaum Cycle: 2nd Oldest Bicycle Shop In U.S. Has Black Friday Sale

(Editor's Note: I am a regular customer at Sumbaum Cycle, having purchased a bicycle, accessories and getting numerous flat tires repaired in 2023.)

JOLIET, IL —As winter nears, bicycle riding season is winding down, but that doesn't mean business is slowing at Joliet's Sumbaum Cycle, the nation's second-oldest bicycle store. Years before Henry Ford introduced the Model T automobile to the world, O.M. Sumbaum began selling bicycles in 1894 out of his Joliet storefront along Cass Street.

Since 1975, Sumbaum has operated at 114 N. Larkin Ave., and Ted Sari has owned and operated Sumbaum the past 36 years. The Joliet bicycle store on the city's west side has four employees, including Jeff Webber, who has worked at Sumbaum for about 20 years.

"We're the second-oldest bicycle store in the United States," Sari remarked during Tuesday's interview. "The oldest store is in New Jersey, and it's got us by two or three years."

How has Sumbaum Cycle managed to last in Joliet for 129 years and counting?

"We treat people the right way, and we have a relationship with everybody," Sari explained. "We're more of a family atmosphere. We're not geared just for high-end stuff."

Some bicycles on Sumbaum's website sell for more than $10,000. "We sell a few, but not many," Sari said.

Most of his bicycles are priced in the hundreds of dollars to around $5,000 to $6,000.

Sumbaum's regular inventory includes about 150 bicycles inside the store.

"We cater to anybody as far as any type of riding you want to do," Sari explained. "More than half of our business is service and repairs."

Bicycle Tune-Up Season

Sumbaum recommends people bring their bicycle in over the winter months for a tune-up and service repair. The level 1 tune up is $100 and the level 2 deluxe tune-up is between $185 and $225.

"The level 2 is more detailed cleaning the bike," Sari explained. "The chain and cassette is also included."

Customers can also leave their bicycle at Sumbaum Cycle over the winter for no extra cost. "As long as it's winter, and it's paid in full," Sari said of the tune-up. "If you pay for a tune-up, you can leave it here until spring. We have a lot of room they can store it until March."

Sumbaum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. It's closed Sunday and Wednesday.

According to Sari, cycling around Joliet continues to grow in popularity. He attributes the sport's growth partly due to the coronavirus pandemic. "It kept people home where they had to find something to do," he said.

Safety Precautions

"All should have a safety helmet and lights," Sari explained. "Even lights during the day, and we have those that are made even for daylight.

"But a helmet is most important, and the lights will keep someone from hitting you."

Electric Bikes

Electric bicycles have also spurred business growth at Sumbaum in recent years.

About 20 to 25 percent of sales are electric bicycles, according to the Joliet cycling store owner. Nowadays, Trek is the most popular bicycle sold at Sumbaum. Years ago, it was Schwinn.

"I have one, and we have a blast," Sari said of electric bicycles. "Eventually, they will be half" of our sales.

Sari said the electric bicycles can travel 28 mph. Many of them sell for $2,000 and go up to $10,000, he said.

"The electric bikes are just fun," he said. "You can go farther."

Second Location Down The Road?

Sari said he has no plans to leave Joliet. However, the idea has crossed his mind about adding a second location, perhaps in the Shorewood area.

"I'm thinking about going west," Sari said.

As for Larkin Avenue, "This would be hard to give up," he said. "We draw from the east, from New Lenox and Frankfort, and we get Minooka and Morris, and obviously Shorewood, Channahon and Romeoville, then we get Plainfield."

Bicycle Lanes For Joliet?

Sari said he is optimistic about Joliet's future, especially with Terry D'Arcy as new mayor. As D'Arcy focuses on enhancing Joliet's image and drawing more people from other communities to visit the third-largest city in Illinois, the owner of Sumbaum wants Joliet city officials to consider creating designated bicycle lanes.

"There's so many people I see on Black Road," Sari said.

He suggests Joliet consider creating designated bicycle lanes along Black Road from the Cathedral Area all the way to the dog park at Hammel Woods near Shorewood.

"I think Black Road would be a lot easier. That gets you to a trail," Sari said. "I think that would be ideal. It would be great for the town, and definitely helpful for people moving here. It's a big plus. I believe that there is grant money in the state of Illinois if they look into that."

One of Sari's favorite trails in the Joliet area is the Old Plank Road Trail. It begins on Washington Street on Joliet's industrial east side, and goes all the way to Western Avenue in Park Forest. The entire 20-mile-long trail is paved with asphalt.

"I have to say, we do have some nice trails. I do like the Old Plank," Sari said. "That and the I&M is nice, too."

Black Friday Sale

Sumbaum is closed Thanksgiving and back open Friday. The bicycle shop's Black Friday sale will offer 10 percent off all bicycles over $1,000. "We'll probably extend the sale through the holidays," Sari said.

Where Should You Start?

If you want to stay active and take up cycling for recreation and exercise, what type of bicycle should you get?

"Someone starting, I would steer them toward a hybrid bike," Sari said. "It's more for recreation, and it's a good starter."

Do You Have A Bell?

Although most cyclists do not have a bell on their bicycle, Sari urges everyone to buy one. They cost about $10, and he sells them at his store.

When cyclists approach a large group of walkers or people walking multiple dogs on leashes, having a bell to alert them you're about to pass them from behind is better than yelling out, "on your left" or "on your right" and not knowing what direction they will choose.

"It's a great thing to have, especially for a bike path," he said.

For more about the store's bicycle inventory, prices and accessories, visit the Sumbaum Cycle website.