I’ve gotten more immersed in the Los Angeles bike culture since moving here, and finally decided to invest in a bike! I’ve gotten asked many questions about what type of bike I bought – what a better way to spread the love than with a blog post?!
I got my bike from a local spot in downtown LA called Just Ride LA. The employees at the shop were extremely helpful and accommodating. They also offer free tune-ups if your purchase a bike here, and just make you feel very comfortable. They are also reasonably priced and have a great selection of products. I will say they do try to get you to invest in quite a bit of accessories that may not be necessary, haha! I got my helmet here, but ended up buying my lock, bike cover, etc online.
After looking at a variety of options, I decided on a Mantra single speed from Retrospec. I have it set up as a free wheel, not fixed gear (with the option to make it a fixed gear). I also got a rear brake installed rather than just relying on the front brake. I think this was the perfect option for me as a beginner. They actually had to custom order the size for me (as I was too short for the smallest size they had!). My bike is a size 43 (cm) in a custom matte black finish with purple rimmed tires. I decided to name her Midnight! Let me know if you have any questions if you’re in the market for a new bike. Happy Riding 🙂
Midnight || Photos by Quinnton Parker
allison kehoe 