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Kip Chinian started Cambridge Bicycle in 1999 at 259 Massachusetts Avenue, home to bicycle shops for the past 30 years. He managed the previous shop (known as “The Bicycle Workshop” from 1969 to 1999) for several years before acquiring it in 1999 and re-naming it "Cambridge Bicycle". He tries to be creative with store design including fixtures, layout, and atmosphere - with a focus on new ideas in the Boston bicycle culture.
In 2002 Kip established a new shop, "Boston Bicycle", on Beacon Street in Boston (known as “Beacon Street Cycle” until 2002). So now Cambridge Bicycle Company runs two bike shops, the original one in Cambridge Massachusetts, and a second bike shop in Boston. Each shop has its own name and logo, but both shops are represented by "CambridgeBicycle.com".
Cambridge Bicycle and Boston Bicycle service all types of cyclists, including commuters, racers, and recreational riders. Our staff is passionate about cycling and the community surrounding it. Cambridge Bicycle seeks to be innovative with store design, product development, and a comprehensive selection of goods and services.
Many of our customers view their bike as a form of artistic expression. Cycling should be fun and the store should reflect that fun. Cambridge Bicycle offers colorful parts, custom bags and apparel, as well as personal adaptations to help a rider feel closer to their bicycle. Being comfortable on your bike promotes usage and safety. Creativity fosters an atmosphere of growth for both customers and employees. Producing bikes, fixing bikes, and encouraging cycling is all part of the business, which has been growing steadily for the last nine years.
What we do:
 repair
rentals
custom builds with staff of fixed-gear, single-speed, BMX, and track bike experts
What we sell:
huge selection of all types of new and used bicycles, including Bianchi
clothing & accessories (large selection of Kryptonite® locks)
parts (new, used, refurbished, vintage)
Both our bike shops focus on problem solving. We will customize your current bike to fit your specific needs, or work with you and your needs to create a new custom bicycle from the ground up.
We focus on efficient use of the your time. We have a strong commitment to quick and responsive bicycle repair service. We are not there primarily to sell you something. As service-oriented businesses, Cambridge Bicycle shop and Boston Bicycle shop are there to get you and your bike back on your way quickly. So if you are not looking to buy something and just need a minor repair, you can get in and out quickly.
That said, both Cambridge Bicycle and Boston Bicycle are also great retail stores. We stock a huge selection of high end bicycles and bike components, used and refurbished "budget bikes", and high quality bicycle accessories. We even have unicyles from Torker.
Kip sponsors many local bike events. Another source of pride comes from his foundation and support of the Cambridge Bicycle and Embrocation Cycling Journal race teams. Kip was born in Cambridge in 1960 and graduated from Newton North High School he received his BFA from Tufts University and his Graduate Certificate from the school of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston. He currently lives in Cambridge and Petersham Mass and has two beautiful children, Charlie 6 and Addie 3.
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WINNER Bicycle Shop
CAMBRIDGE BICYCLE
Remember the one time that snooty bike store clerk really cranked your chain? You let it completely derail you shopping trip. Switch gears with the staff at Cambridge Bicycle, servicing local riders and racers as well as the MIT cycling team. Our last visit to this Central Square spot left us pumped after a friendly female staffer guider us through a lineup of shiny new Bianchi track bikes - the store deals the line. Bring your own bike in for repairs, pick up a Campagnolo or Shimano part or custom build a fixed-gear.
[259 Mass. Ave., Central Sq., Cambridge. 617.876.6555. cambridgebicycle.com]
Runners-up: Community Bike, International Bicycle, ATA Cycle
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| WINNER Boston's best bike shop |
CAMBRIDGE BICYCLE |
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For the second straight year, readers have chosen Cambridge Bicycle as their favorite. In a town absolutely jammed with cyclists, and with more than its share of excellent indie bike shops, Cambridge Bicycle offers a full-service repair shop, refreshingly non-snob-bastard employees, bikes ranging in price from dirt cheap to god-knows-what, helmets, locks, chains and any other gears or parts you find yourself in need of, as you make your way across Boston’s treacherous roads.
They’re best known for the array of cheap used and vintage bikes they keep out front, and for the display of frames they keep in the window, which have caused many a bike fanatic to pause and drool.
[259 Mass. Ave., Cambridge. 617.876.6555]
(Runners-up: Ace Wheelworks, Broadway Bicycle, Ferris Wheels) |
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WINNER Boston's best bike shop |
CAMBRIDGE BICYCLE |
In a city known for its avid cyclists and good bike shops, Cambridge Bicycle, located on a dusty stretch of Massachusetts Avenue by MIT, has developed a dedicated following of commuters, racers, couriers and anyone looking to make the jump for gas to pedal power.
Cambridge Bicycle offers new and used bikes of all styles and price ranges, as well as bags, helmets, pumps, locks, lights, bicycle rentals, a mercifully non-snobby staff and a highly esteemed bicycle repair shop and bicycle wheel-building operation - basically everything you're going to need to survive amid the Massholes and potholes that characterize the metro Boston cycling experience.
-- Joe Keohane.
[Cambridge Bicycle, 259 Massachusetts Avenue, between MIT and Central Square, Cambridge. 617.876.6555]
Runners-up: Broadway Bicycles, ATA Cycle, Bikes Not Bombs |
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