Cycle: Portapedal Bikes Unfolds Unique Shop in Tempe
Categories: Bicycle Culture
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| photo by Jason Franz |
"We have become servants to the big-wheeled, rigid framed bikes," says Cappello.
This comment would raise an eyebrow or elicit a confused double-take if it didn't come in the middle of the store he and his partner, Jeff Looker, opened a little over a year ago focused on folding bikes.
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| photo by Jason Franz |
According to Cappello and Looker, folding bikes are based on three principals as set forth by folding bike pioneer Alex Moutlon: small wheels, stiff frame, and integral suspension. What results is a surprisingly comfortable riding experience on a machine that becomes incredibly serviceable for cyclists of any age.
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| photo by Jason Franz |
| Portapedal Bikes owners Al Capello and Jeff Looker. |
Cappello and Looker are not your typical bike shop owners. Both are architects, graduates of the ASU Design School, and have been partners designing retail and residential structures over the past 25 years. As the architecture business hit various economic recessions, they turned to a common interest of cycling to keep income flowing.
Now, their architecture firm offices have been retrofitted to house their boutique bike shop, as well as the ongoing architecture firm and their Acoustic Vibes music instrument business, and it is teeming with folding bike inventory.
Their deep selection of brands includes the top names in the folding bike market: Brompton, Moulton, Bike Friday, Tern and Montague. They also feature components and products from Brooks, Osprey, Schwalbe, Biologic and Arkel.
"We work really well with other local bike shops because the folding bike market segment is a part of the business they don't want to deal with or understand," says Looker, who says their still-young business is already performing well for them.
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| photo by Jason Franz |
| This stainless steel Moutlon Speed is decked with Campagnolo's top-end Super Record 11 racing grupo. |
The fact that they can fold down and fit into a standard suitcase that will save any bike cargo fees with the airlines means that these bikes are ready go anywhere and comfortably accommodate a bike tour of any level. Something Looker and his wife will be doing this summer as they take a couple of their models for a touring trip in Spain.
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| photo by Jason Franz |
| The Brompton, made in England, is the compact folding bike on the market. |
As for the shop, they both quickly admit that selling bikes is a bit more enjoyable than the long-standing architecture gig.
"When you get a phone call for bikes, it's always a fun call to take. When you get one for architecture, it's almost always a problem."
Portapedal Bikes is located at 2070 E. Southern Avenue.
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Portapedal Bike
2070 E. Southern Ave., Tempe, AZ
Category: General
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