The BUZZ: Expansion CYCLE

Rib Mountain Cycles 11_17_16

B.C. Kowalski/City Pages

Rib Mountain Cycles 11_17_16

Randy Lackman says the expansion of cycling infrastructure and mountain biking trails, along with the popularity of fat bikes, has only helped his business as the store expands for the second time this year.

Randy Lackman, owner of Rib Mountain Cycles, is launching the second of two expansions this year, thanks to the explosion mountain biking and fat biking throughout the region.

The first space, former home to Lackman Chiropractic, was converted into a bike fitting room earlier this year.

Then, a month ago, Lackman started a second remodel and expansion, this time after neighboring business Pro Cuts closed its doors. When the project concludes, most likely in spring, the store will have expanded to 4,000 square feet and will take up all but one storefront in the strip mall location on Rib Mountain Drive.

Project completion will coincide with the store’s 20th anniversary, Lackman says. The massive gains mountain biking has made in the area during that time, plus the fat biking craze, is keeping business hopping, even with several other bikes shops in town, Lackman says. In fact, one of the main reasons for the expansion will be getting bikes and other accessories out on the floor. Much of his inventory is hidden in storage because there simply isn’t enough space. T

Read more in this week’s City Pages, on stands Thursday.