“At the time, there was a high demand for bikes and a very low supply, so that made the bikes not only hard to get, but also very expensive,” Lapham said.
After an extensive search, Lapham was finally able to secure a bicycle, but an incident with a nearby shop that sold his preordered bike before he could pick it up left him concerned.
“If these guys are doing this, then I thought, ‘I could do a better job of offering this community a better service,’” Lapham said.
Thus, 29ers Bike Shop in Kingwood was born. The business specializes in big-wheel BMX bikes featuring 29-inch wheels, but Lapham said the shop offers an assortment of bicycles and e-bikes for riders of all ages.
Lapham said many of the bikes sold at the shop can be customized with tires of varying sizes to provide a riding experience tailored to different terrains. He also noted the business’s competitive pricing often offers cheaper prices than other vendors. Additionally, Lapham said each of the bikes sold at the shop comes with lights installed along the frame to enhance visibility and safety.
Lapham said the business has also implemented a repair service, which can be used to restore both old and new bicycles. While Lapham said he has no plans to expand the business or move to a new location, he noted he might consider those options in the future.
“The business is growing, so we’ll see what happens,” he said.
Looking back on the first year in operation, Lapham said the most rewarding aspect of owning the shop has been seeing the joy on his customers’ faces when they ride off on their new set of wheels.
“They go from being a business professional to a little kid again,” he said. “I love getting to see people’s reactions and smiles as they leave on their new bike heading straight to the trails.”
Wheeling and dealing
Bicycles come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and so do their wheels. However, different-sized tires on bicycles can produce vastly different riding outcomes depending on the terrain on which they are ridden.
700c: These tires are used for the majority of road bikes and are typically skinnier, ranging from 15-25 millimeters in width.
29er: These tires feature the same diameter as 700c’s, but their width of 2 or more inches makes them ideal for mountain biking and gaining faster speeds.
27.5 inch: These tires, which are smaller and lighter than 29ers, offer more maneuverability and are often used for downhill riding, dirt ramps and endurance racing.
29ers Bike Shop
2614 Chestnut Ridge Road, Ste. A, Kingwood
832-687-7498
www.29ersbikeshop.com
Hours: Sun.-Fri. 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
