Bike Shop Gets By, With a Little Help From Its Friends

Ask employee  Joe Pugliese, and he'll tell you the Commack Bike and Fitness Center owes its survival to one thing: friends.

"It's a long story, but it started out as Peter's bike shop across the street. Peter was a professional biker from Argentina and he used to work with Fred Rommeney and Bob Kalinowski. Bob bought the shop from Peter in 1977 when he got laid off from Bell Telephone and then in 1990 Fred bought it when he retired from the New York City sanitation department, and it's been in his family ever since," Pugliese said.

Rommeney's son, Fred, now owns the Bike Shop since his father's death in March 2009.

But running a bike shop has its ups and downs, especially with chain-stores and a global recession to contend with.

"There have been so many changes in the industry, that's a challenge. It's just so different, but this is an upscale bike store so our competition is very minimal. You can say Sports Authority is competition, but mostly it's the bike shops in East Northport," Pugliese said.

John Otten, another employee, said the changes this year include a demand for "comfort" and "sport-hybrid bikes."

"Families want to ride together, but parents want bikes they can take off-road and still enjoy, too," Otten said.

The recession, according to Pugliese, had more of an effect last year.

"We've definitely seen a change. This year business is up, last year it was noticeably down. You see people keeping bikes longer, so more maintenance, not a lack of maintenance to save money. People also use their bikes for the commute to the Northport or Deer Park train stations from," Pugliese said.

Otten recommends the single-speed, or "commuter," bikes for such a rider.

"Single-speeds are durable, lightweight and very low-maintenance," Otten said.

Renee and Steve Rumstein are two residents, and avid cyclists, who use the advice of Otten and previously, Rommeney.

"He [Fred] knew everything about bicycles. All of his suggestions were always right on target," Mrs. Rumstein said.

The Rumsteins have been patrons of Commack Bike and Fitness Center for the past 18 years, beginning with their daughter's first bicycle baby-seat. Every year, Mrs. Rumstein also uses the shop's repair and maintenance services.

"We get the tires checked, new seats if they're needed, and the gears get cleaned. It just makes good sense when you ride a lot," she said.

Otten explained that this is "vital."

"We give it the works. Air in the tires, brake adjustments, gear job, oil, cables, greasing...everything," he said.

In the end, Pugliese notes, this service is important.

"Bike shops come and go, we have a different store," he said.