Looking for a bicycle in Beijing? Here is a list of some of the best shops in the city.

The past decade has seen wealth and luxury descend upon the middle class Chinese citizen like never before, and as a result there has been an automobile explosion, particularly in Beijing. And along with the joy of air-conditioning and talk radio during their morning commute, drivers also get the privilege of partaking in Beijing’s gridlocked traffic, road-raged drivers, very expensive automobile liability insurance, fuel and maintenance bills, toll roads and talk of congestion charges, and the constant hunt for legal parking. Not to mention the right to contribute to Beijing’s already dismal air quality.

This is not to say that cars are evil; they definitely have their place and purpose. It is simply apt to point out that in Beijing a car is not always the right tool for the job when it comes to making short trips and local commuting, in much the same way as a 20-pound hammer is a useful tool yet quite right for every repair job.

Thus, today the humble bicycle is still a very relevant and common form of transport, even in the China’s wealthy capitol. If you are in the market for a new set of people-powered wheels, here is a quick rundown of some of the best sources for your first, or next, bike in Beijing.

The Local Players

Since nearly every bicycle bought in the last half century was made in China (at least it seems that way), it could be argued that almost any bike is “local” to the country. But if you are in the bicycle buying mood and looking to support Beijing’s own local city economy, here are several shops that will fit the bill nicely.

Serk Cycles:

Serk is often referred to as a bike shop/cocktail and coffee bar, though the moniker could be just as easily be reversed since their beverages are nearly as nice as their bicycles. So if you feel like doing some seriously relaxed and serious hip bike shopping, this is the first place to head to. Serk Cycles is like a cool Euro café that shares space with a cool Euro cyclist hangout spot, so anyone is welcome. Plus, the staff are super knowledgeable and helpful and they only sell high quality, top name road, mountain, cruiser and fixed gear bikes. Prices aren’t cheap, but remember that you get what you pay for when it comes to bikes in China. Serk also provides service and repair, and even host rides and bicycle awareness and advocacy events and lectures; pretty brainy stuff really. They also have rental bikes available by the day if you just want to test out the traffic.

Serk Cycles

Beixinqiao San Tiao No. 40-2, Dongcheng District (东城区北新桥三条40-2)

Phone: +86-13426474634 (English), +86-13501225775 (Chinese)

Web: www.serk.cc

Natooke Bike Shop:

The original (or so they claim) fixed-gear boutique shop in Beijing, Natooke builds single speed track-style bikes ranging from mild to wild, and every bike is custom made to the new owner’s personal taste and preferences. Natooke uses high quality local and overseas sourced parts and has a good reputation among the local “fixie” riders for sturdy bikes and great service.Sort of on the other end of the spectrum from the cool, calm and understated environs of Serk, Natooke is more like a bunch of high energy peddle-junkies who run a shop to make sure that other peddle-junkies have a fun, hip place to meet up at and buy good stuff with which to traverse the city. It’s just plain old fun people serving fun people. The recipe is obviously a success, as there is now a second location in Chengdu. They also seem to have a tangent for juggling, so if you are also in the market for juggling equipment, you could take care of two errands at one shop. From time to time Natooke also sells used bikes, has rental unit fixed-gears available, and organizes group rides and tours.

Natooke Bike Shop

Wudaoying Hutong 19-1, Dongcheng District (东城区东城区五道营胡同甲19-1号)

Phone: +86-01084026925

Web: www.natooke.com

Windspeed Bike Shop:

For anyone used to a big bike enthusiast outfitter superstore, this is the place for you. Windspeed Bike Shop is the proverbial one-stop shop for road, racing, mountain, cruiser and bmx bikes and gear in Beijing. Windspeed stocks tons of parts, accessories and apparel, sourced both from China and abroad, and can also perform, service, tune-ups, and repair for both everyday use and high-performance bicycles. Those services might be useful if you consider your bike too valuable to take to the wooden repair cart set up on the street corner.

Windspeed Bike Shop

Ritan Jinghua No. 10, 1F, Chaoyang District (朝阳区日坛晶华10号1层)

Phone: +86-01085622509

Web: www.windspeedcycling.com

Central Beijing’s Bicycle Sales District:

Every specialty item from toilet seats to fake watches tends to be sold in singular locations or neighborhoods with all the competing shops lined up next to each other, which can make finding the area that sells the item you need difficult. The situation with bicycles in China is no different. On the other hand though, it makes comparison shopping easier. The “bike street” in central Beijing is centered around the intersections of Jiaodoukou Dong Jie and Dongsi Bei Dajie, and there are about a dozen small bike shops with everything from cheap local knockoffs to legit iconic brands like Flying Pigeon and China Postal. These are some of the most budget-friendly options for a new bike in Beijing; just bring cash and be prepared to haggle over the price.

Central Beijing’s Bicycle Sales District

Jiaodoukou Dong Jie and Dongsi Bei Dajie, (东城区交道口东街，东四北大街)

Phone: Ask for a business card when you get there if you like what you see.

Mr. Chen/Liu/Zhang/Zhou/Li's Bike Repair:

No matter how hard you try, you will not get more local than Mr. Chen/Liu/Zhang/Zhou/Li's bike shop who is President, CEO, and perennial employee of the year of his little bicycle repair stand/used bike shop that has occupied the same street corner for as long as anyone can remember. If you are looking for nothing more than a set of wheels, a chain, two pedals, some brakes, handlebars and a seat, this guy can likely fix you up on the cheap. A basket for the front could likely even be arranged for the right price. And don’t think you won’t get a warranty, because even though these bikes look a bit tired, he has gently nurtured them back to life and will usually throw in a free six-month warranty on any failed parts. So for the cheap, quick, basic and simple solution to your bike needs, just look out your window.

Mr. Chen/Liu/Zhang/Zhou/Li's Bike Repair

Phone: In his pocket, but you shouldn’t need it because he is always there.

The Big Brands

Not feeling like supporting the locals today? There are also plenty of international brand name bikes that have stores and shops in and around the city for you to check out as well. The list below shows the flagship store for each brand in Beijing, which stocks the largest selection of bicycles, parts and accessories.\

Asahi:

Japanese brand Asahi (no relation to Asahi beer) builds very exclusive high-tech racing and performance bikes, with high-quality and high prices to match.

Asahi

Xibahe Dongli No. 83, Chaoyang District (朝阳区西坝河东里83号)

Phone: +86-01064602271

Web: www.asahibike.com

Dahon:

Dahon is the most popular folding bicycle brand in the world, and for good reason, as they offer a wide variety of very comfortable, well-made minibikes at reasonable prices.

Dahon

North Third Ring East Road No. 6, Chaoyang District (朝阳区北三环东路6号)

Phone: +86-01064679522

Web: www.dahon.com

Giant Bicycles:

Taiwanese bike company Giant is one of the largest manufacturers of bicycles in the world, and offers nearly every popular style of bicycle imaginable in a wide range of prices.

Giant Bicycles

Sanyuanli Nanxiaojie No. 12, Chaoyang District (朝阳区三源里南小街12号)

Phone: +86-01084489271 or +86-01064697827

Web: www.giant-bicycles.com

Specialized:

American bike brand Specialized sells high-end road and mountain bikes that are perfectly suited to the avid enthusiast, along with lots of parts and accessories. Prices aren’t cheap, but quality is excellent.

Specialized

Xinjiekou Nandajie Ding 113, Xicheng District (西城区新街口南大街丁113)

Phone: +86-01066562246

Web: www.specialized.com

Trek:

Trek sells a wide range of high-quality American-made bicycles for daily or high performance use. Again, not cheap, but very good.

Trek

Di’anmen Dong Dajie No. 66, Dongcheng District 东城区地安门东大街66号

Phone: +86-01084036967

Web: www.trekbikes.com

Don’t Know Where to Ride?

Don’t worry. Check out our upcoming Best Beijing Bike Escapes for some great suggestions.