With vast experience and renowned names behind them, these establishments give visitors a glimpse of cycling history while offering high-quality products, expert advice, and more. Let’s explore some of the best bicycle shops owned by former pros.
The Service Course – Chris Meier, Girona, Spain
The Service Course in Girona, Spain, is the brainchild of Canadian cyclist Chris Meier and his wife Amber. Chris came to Girona as a budding pro and never left. He rode in all three Grand Tours as a professional from 2005 to 2016, ending his last four years in the pro-peloton with the GreenEDGE team.
Girona has grown into a place where many pros live and train thanks to its geographic location and surrounding quiet roads. As a result, it has become an international destination for serious cyclists of every nationality. At its inception, The Service Course filled a gap in the local market that catered to these professionals and visiting cyclists.
Rent a high-end road bike, fix yours, buy a new cycling kit, get a massage, find lodging, book a full-service cycling camp for groups and more. Their success was obvious and caught the attention of outside investors who helped take the brand international. It’s a roadies only shop if that saves any dirt-lovers a trip.
Zobrazit příspěvek na Instagramu
Andy Schleck Cycles – Itzig and Mertert, Luxembourg
The Luxembourger Andy Schleck was a professional between 2005 and 2014. During that time, he won the Tour de France (2010) and earned the distinctive White Jersey for the best young rider three times. He has multiple TDF stage victories too, finished second in the 2007 Giro d’Italia and stood on the top step of the podium of the 2009 Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Andy was a TDF runner-up twice in 2009 and 2011. He comes from a cycling family. His brother Fränk was also a pro, and their father before them.
Andy announced his retirement in 2014 and founded Andy Schleck Cycles in Itzig, Luxembourg in 2016. There is now a second location in Mertert, Luxembourg that opened in 2022. They offer many leading brands, accessories, and service for every type of two-wheel discipline. Andy even shares his knowledge through workshops he occasionally holds during the year called “Body/Mind/Bike”. While you’re there, visit the museum that showcases some of Andy’s famous awards and bikes.
Zobrazit příspěvek na Instagramu
The Bike Shop – Philippe Gilbert, Monaco
With an extensive list of major wins to his name, including the 2012 World Road Race Championship title, the Belgian classics and one-day specialist rider Philippe Gilbert doesn’t need much of an introduction. He’s one of only two pros to have won the three Ardennes classics, Amstel Gold, La Flèche Wallonne, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège in a single season (2011).
A resident of Monaco, he’s turned some of his time and attention to The Bike Shop Monaco. They offer e- and rental bikes, nutrition, clothing, accessories, bike fitting, maintenance and simple advice! So whether you’re a seasoned rider or a novice, the next time, or the first, you’re in Monaco, stop by. Even just a visit is worth some cool bragging points at your next local ride.
Zobrazit příspěvek na Instagramu
The Bike Tailor – Stephen Roche, Brighton and London, England
Irishman Stephen Roche spent 13 years in the pro peloton between 1980 and 1993 with 58 career wins to his palmares. His best year was 1987 when he became the second cyclist, the first being Eddy Merckx, to win the coveted Triple Crown of the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia and the World Road Race Championship in the same year. Stephen suffered from chronic knee pain in future seasons that kept him out of the Grand Tours. Stephen’s son, Nicolas Roche, was a pro too, and his nephew is now retired pro, Dan Martin.
The Bike Tailor is more than a traditional bike shop. It also offers the important service of a professional bike fit at three price points. Whether you’re into road, track, cyclo-cross, triathlon or mountain biking, the shop uses Velogic 3D video capture to find your ideal position and cleat placement. A proper bike fit helps riders find their next bike size and model, before purchase. The Bike Tailor partners with a handful of high-end bespoke brands to get you on the bike of your dreams that fits! They even offer aerodynamic wind tunnel testing in the nearby Silverstone Racecourse complex to dial in your sweet spot for those important marginal gains.
Owned by an ex-pro or not, bike shops offer more than just a place to buy bikes and gear. Someone behind the scene has a passion for the sport they want to share. Whether you’re seeking expert advice, premium products, or a sense of community, bike shops have something to offer every cyclist. So, the next time you find yourself near the ones listed here, or your favourite local shop, take the time to stop by and support yours. Where would we be without bike shops?
