Trend We Love: Bike Shop Cafés

Triathletes love their caffeine. Lucky for us, more bike-café hybrids are popping up across the nation. Instead of sauntering into a Starbucks (or brewpub) in Lycra and bike shoes, stop by one of these local spots and you’ll feel right at home.

Angry Catfish Bicycle + Coffee Bar – Minneapolis

“I knew I’d be spending a lot of time in the shop, so why not surround myself with the best coffee in town?” says owner Joshua Klauck.
Bikes: Colnago, BMC, Focus, plus the less-common Independent Fabrications, Pegoretti and Capricorn brands.
Menu: Its Intelligentsia single-cup brews are popular, using alternative methods such as pour-overs, siphons and chemex.
Angrycatfishbicycle.com

Uphill Grind Bicycle and Coffee – Cross Plains, Wis.

Uphill Grind lives up to its name: It’s a store specializing in hill climbing, featuring cassettes and corresponding derailleurs for those who prefer to hammer the hills. “We are at the gateway of western Dane County with the best hills in the country,” says owner Lee Sorensen. Worth noting: Ironman Wisconsin goes right past Uphill Grind’s front door.
Bikes: It carries Focus, Kona, Masi and Haro.
Menu: A big hit is the iced coffee made with a blend of custom-roasted beans. Ask for a free sample.
Uphillgrind.net

HandleBar – Baltimore

Badass mountain bike pro Marla Streb says her new café (opening this fall) will focus on “cycling as a complete lifestyle. I want it to be green, healthy, economical and community-oriented.”
Bikes: New and used bikes, with free indoor parking, plus spin classes in 2012.
Menu: Fresh roasted coffee (including some from Costa Rica, where Streb lives part-time), light fare and beer/wine/liquor.

Mojo Bicycle Café – San Francisco

By day, Mojo is a bike and coffee shop, featuring creative sandwiches such as the Le Croque-Mojo. By night, it’s a mellow bar with locally brewed Big Daddy IPA on tap.
Bikes: A small selection of road and mountain bikes, but the main focus is city riders—“providing them with practical, fun, cool bikes for getting around,” says owner Remy Nelson.
Menu: Popular items include cappuccino, the Breakfast Bagel (egg, avocado, cheddar and sausage) and, of course, Big Daddy IPA.
Mojobicyclecafe.com

Dutch Bike Co. – Seattle

Why wouldn’t the most caffeinated city in the U.S. sell coffee at a bike shop? “We are selling a lifestyle,” says owner David Schmidt. “We are for those looking to use bikes as a major transportation tool rather than just an exercise tool.”
Bikes: Many European-style bikes, including Linus and Roadsters and mixte frames.
Menu: In keeping with the European theme, it offers unique French wines and Belgian beers in addition to coffee.
Dutchbikeco.com

Mellow Johnny’s – Austin

Lance Armstrong’s shop is an Austin staple, with plenty of group rides (including the Friday Truancy Ride and Mellow Mountain Ride), maintenance clinics, yoga classes and more.
Bikes: The shop is stocked with Trek and Pinarello racing bikes, as well as a selection of mountain, urban and kids’ bikes.
Menu: The Juan Pelota Café names its coffees after past cycling heroes, alpine climbs and even its own mechanics. The signature blends are roasted in East Austin.
Mellowjohnnys.com

Trailhead Bike Café – Phoenix

Trailhead has well-attended group rides and is located next to a popular running canal, allowing triathletes convenient brick sessions with a little R&R afterward. “I wanted to create a bike shop conducive to hanging out. We have a sofa, seating area and patio,” says owner Kiel Marley.
Bikes: Major brands include Felt, Pivot and BH.
Menu: Locally roasted espresso, sandwiches, omelets and smoothies. The most popular item is the “Don” Gobbler with roasted turkey, cream cheese and homemade pesto.
Trailheadbikecafe.com