During the past 30 years, Pete Buck, owner of Buck's Bikes Super Store, has turned a hobby from his youth into two bike shops that, at about 7,000 square feet each, are worthy of the title "super store."
"We don't try to focus on electric power or gasoline-operated vehicles," Buck said. "It's all pedal power."
The Northwest Austin location, on Research Boulevard at Oak Knoll Drive, is stocked with top-brand bicycles of a variety of styles and with prices ranging from $100 to $3,000. Buck's Bikes also carries a selection of apparel and products. Some styles include BMX, road bikes and even tricycles.
The shop also has a full-service maintenance shop that provides tuneups and repairs for bikes regardless of brand or where the bike was purchased.
Buck and his father started fixing and selling used bikes in a three-car garage in 1979 as a mutual hobby and fundraiser for their church.
Four years later, the two opened the first Buck's Bikes on Spring Dale Road, only a mile down the street from the original three-car garage.
Buck has since sold the Spring Dale location, but not before opening the Round Rock store in 1987 and the Research Boulevard location in 1995.
Location is not all that has changed throughout the years. Instead of working alongside his father, Buck works closely with his daughter, Krystal Buck-Brown, who has risen from floor sales to being the Round Rock store manager.
Family has always been what Buck calls "the bread and butter" of Buck's Bikes. This mindset carries over to his relationship with customers. Even as the store has expanded, Buck said it is not uncommon to find him on the floor engaging shoppers.
"I'm here today, and I've been here for 30 years," he said. "I plan to be here until the day I retire."