San Mateo’s latest bike shop, Zack’s Performance Bikes, most likely gained’t be the go-to for lycra-clad execs on $5,000 street bikes.
The shop, which opened in downtown San Mateo final month, is targeted on inclusivity, with family-friendly choices at reasonably priced costs. It’s additionally maybe the one shop within the space embracing bike life — a rising motion credited with introducing a brand new era of various riders to bikes.
“We’re the only ones that really promote bike life on the Peninsula,” proprietor Mark Nachlis mentioned. “Bike life covers kids that are 2 years old to people that are 72 years old. It covers people who are lawyers and doctors to Hells Angels and everything in between.”
The motion is predicated largely round outsized BMX bikes, referred to as Big Rippers, popularized by stunt riders in locations like Harlem, Baltimore and Oakland within the 2010s and more and more well-liked amongst younger cyclists worldwide. The stylish two-wheelers produced by producer SE Bikes are the bread and butter of Mark Nachlis’ operation — although he mentioned the loosely outlined subculture encompasses many bicycle kinds and welcomes all riders.
Mark Nachlis’ different choices embrace cruisers, cheap mountain and hybrid bikes, and electrical bikes and scooters, largely for below $1,500. Mark Nachlis mentioned it was vital to him to have choices for the entire household with out the high-end value tags discovered in lots of retailers within the space. The SE bikes are largely below $1,000.
“There’s really no one else that’s focused on family, everybody wants to hit you for two grand and above,” Mark Nachlis mentioned, including that he additionally presents used choices and has helps these in want with an excellent deal.
The San Mateo shop is Zack’s Performance Bikes’ second location. The first Mark Nachlis opened in 2020 as a service-only shop in Belmont. Faced with an absence of area for retail, he opened his new location Nov. 20.
The shop is called after Mark Nachlis’s son, Zack Nachlis, a highschool junior who helps run the enterprise after college. Mark Nachlis and his son determined to open the shop after Zack Nachlis was laid off from his job initially of the pandemic as a motorbike mechanic at a distinct shop.
Mark Nachlis recollects being motivated to open his personal shop partly by decrease pricing on components afforded to sellers — however shortly realized the huge demand for bikes amid the pandemic.
“We got a dealer’s account to get [Zack Nachlis] parts because he was breaking stuff right and left on his mountain bikes, his road bike,” he mentioned.
Mark Nachlis describes his son as a grasp mechanic, nevertheless, Zack Nachlis mentioned now he’s studying extra about working a enterprise than engaged on bikes.
The duo hope to increase the shop’s choices to different electrical mobility gadgets like more and more well-liked Onewheels and electrical skateboards.
But SE bikes stay entrance and heart within the showroom, and Mark Nachlis mentioned the bike life market has but to be absolutely tapped on the Peninsula, noting a motorbike life group experience he helped sponsor in August that drew almost 5,000 riders.
He emphasised the inclusivity such rides provide and the flexibility of the motion to introduce youthful generations to biking.
“When you’re in a crowd of 1,000, 1,500 people riding a bike, your socioeconomic and personal status is out the door, you’re just part of a bike life family and you’re out there together,” he mentioned.
While the phrase carries a detrimental connotation for some who affiliate bike life with reckless using of each bicycles and bikes, others see it in its place pastime for youth who would possibly in any other case flip to gangs or medicine. Though Mark Nachlis acknowledges there are points he doesn’t condone, like harmful stunts close to oncoming visitors, he mentioned the motion is overwhelmingly optimistic.
“The streets are built for everybody, just have some respect for people and go ride, that’s the premise of bike life,” he mentioned.
Zack’s Performance Bikes’ San Mateo location is at 250 Main St. and is open Monday via Saturday, midday to 8 p.m.