Podcast
Bike Shop Society
Hosted by Bike Shop Society · EN
Constructing a better bicycle experience. We are Bike Shop Society. Have a question or comment? Tweet it @bikeshopsociety @cyclingreporter @joegaspar Want a shoutout on the pod, do you like to write letters? Email us: mail@bikeshopsociety.com Visit our website, or don't. bikeshopsociety.com
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Stage 67 - One Year Later
Feb 1100:54:40Tap to summarizeAfter a year off the mic, Bike Shop Society is back.In this episode, we talk about why we hit pause—and why it was necessary. The last 12 months weren’t quiet… they were focused. We took a step back to reimagine the shop, remodel the space, tighten up our service program, and get clear on who we are and where we’re headed. Sometimes you’ve got to stop pedaling to build a better bike.We also introduce two new voices in the shop:🔧 Ari – our lead mechanic, wheel builder, detail-obsessed craftsman. Decades deep in bike culture and not afraid to call it how it is.🛠️ Will – our apprentice, diving into vintage overhauls and learning the fundamentals the right way. Smart, curious, Iowa roots, and already fitting right into the rhythm of the bench.Midway through the episode, things get very “bike shop.” An unexpected visitor, Alex, rolls in to pick up his wife’s beautiful vintage Peugeot mixte. We keep the mics hot and let you listen in as Will handles the interaction—real time, real shop energy. Then Alex throws on the headphones, grabs a mic, and suddenly we’ve got a three-man conversation about bikes, community, and why places like this still matter.No scripts. No polish. Just shop noise, stories, and a reminder that bike shops are more than retail—they’re culture.We close out with what’s ahead: more episodes, more consistency, more conversations about bicycle repair, and the business of running an independent bike shop.We’re back. One year later. Let’s ride. 🚲🎙️Want a shoutout on the pod, do you like to write letters?Email us: mail@bikeshopsociety.comVisit our website, or don't. bikeshopsociety.com
Transcribe →Stage 66 - Victor's Spanish Adventure
Jan 16, 202501:30:52Tap to summarizeThe new year is here, and so is a new episode of Bike Shop Society! Joe Torres kicks things off with a story about a domestic disaster. But don’t worry—Bike Shop Society is here to save the day as a friend of the shop steps in to lend a hand.Joe and Joe are joined by young Victor Aletich, a bike shop alum who’s stopping by on his way to Spain. Discover his motivation for making the move and what he plans to do while he’s there.And finally, hear the tale of how a massage therapist at the mall needed a volunteer for a group class—leading to an unsuspecting friend ending up shirtless in front of a crowd of strangers.Top off your sealant, check your air pressure one more time, and let’s ride!X us @bikeshopsociety @cyclingreporter @joegasparWant a shoutout on the pod, do you like to write letters?Email us: mail@bikeshopsociety.comVisit our website, or don't. bikeshopsociety.com
Transcribe →Stage 65 - No Crying In The Bike Shop
Dec 18, 202401:38:56Tap to summarizeBike shop employee Isa makes an appearance on today's show. Joe Torres is surprised to discover that she does more than just sit behind a computer and ring people up. Joe also shares his thoughts on trouble brewing in the world of professional bike racing—find out why he thinks the racing has become robotic and the racers lack personality. And finally, Joe took a road trip to Ohio to pick up a bike he’s been dreaming about for years. Find out what makes this bike so special that he drove over 300 miles to get it.So, check your thru axles, make sure they’re tight, and let’s roll!All this and much, much more. So lean back on your recumbent, and let’s go for a roll!X us @bikeshopsociety @cyclingreporter @joegasparWant a shoutout on the pod, do you like to write letters?Email us: mail@bikeshopsociety.comVisit our website, or don't. bikeshopsociety.com
Transcribe →Stage 64 - Bike Shop Smells
Dec 7, 202401:06:31Tap to summarizeThis stage of Bike Shop Society features a Polish man who wants to see—and smell—what’s cooking in the bike shop. Joe Torres is back with us and completely smitten by a mountain bike he encounters in the shop. Cold, rainy days seem to bring out the chatty Cathys around here, find out what they want and what they have to say.And finally, our Joe has zero sympathy for the situation some bike companies find themselves in—and he doesn’t hold back when explaining why he thinks they deserve the pain they’re going through.All this and much, much more. So lean back on your recumbent, and let’s go for a roll!X us @bikeshopsociety @cyclingreporter @joegasparWant a shoutout on the pod, do you like to write letters?Email us: mail@bikeshopsociety.comVisit our website, or don't. bikeshopsociety.com
Transcribe →Stage 63 - Grandpas Know Best, Northwestern Girls Are Smart, and Cleary Is Closed
Nov 18, 202401:54:23Tap to summarizeThings are slowing down at the bike shop, which means there's more time to sit around and talk about bikes! It's a double dose of Joes as Joe Torres joins our own Joe for another scintillating stage of Bike Shop Society.Listen in as a customer shows up while the boys are recording. But this is no ordinary customer—find out how his love for cycling led his offspring to lead a team at SRAM Corporation.An unexpected caller interrupts the show—discover what the call is all about and whether anyone in the show is in hot water.Earlier in the day, a teenage boy and his grandfather visited the shop. Find out what they needed and why Joe asked them to stop what they were doing at once.And lastly, we break the news to Joe Torres that Cleary Bikes is out of business. Joe, a big fan of Cleary Bikes, shares some heartfelt stories about his daughter learning to ride her first bike—a Cleary.So jump on the trainer, put in that earpiece, and let's go!X us @bikeshopsociety @cyclingreporter @joegasparWant a shoutout on the pod, do you like to write letters?Email us: mail@bikeshopsociety.comVisit our website, or don't. bikeshopsociety.com
Transcribe →Stage 62 - Back In The Bike Shop
Nov 6, 202401:56:41Tap to summarizeIt’s been a while, but Bike Shop Society is back on the saddle. In this episode, Joe is joined at the bike shop by a friend of the shop and podcast fan, Joe Torres. It’s been a busy year, and the two Joes haven’t had much time to catch up during the season. Listen as they reminisce about the early days of the bike shop and some of the young people who have come and gone over the years. Later in the podcast, we learn that Joe Torres has a side hustle as a basement mechanic—find out how he got started and what he thinks of vintage Schwinn bicycles. Finally, the pandemic introduced a whole new group of people to the sport of cycling. What does this mean for the future of the bike shop, and why is it such an interesting time to be in the business? So settle in and let us pour you a cup of Joe!X us @bikeshopsociety @cyclingreporter @joegasparWant a shoutout on the pod, do you like to write letters?Email us: mail@bikeshopsociety.comVisit our website, or don't. bikeshopsociety.com
Transcribe →Stage 61 - End Of Summer Roundup
Sep 2, 202401:31:16Tap to summarizeJoe and Danny are back after a month of travel and tune-ups. Danny shares some stories from his recent cyclocross training camp in Massachusetts. Find out if he made any new friends and which old friends he caught up with. Joe thinks e-bikes will play a part in the future of the bike shop; find out why he's becoming a believer and why he thinks you're missing the boat if you don't prepare for the E-Invasion. Finally, Rapha rides are happening all around the country, including Chicago. Danny joined the latest ride and gives us the scoop on his gnarly all-roading adventure. So lather yourself up with a fistful of chamois cream and vamonos!X us @bikeshopsociety @cyclingreporter @joegasparWant a shoutout on the pod, do you like to write letters?Email us: mail@bikeshopsociety.comVisit our website, or don't. bikeshopsociety.com
Transcribe →Stage 60 - Cross Camp Is Coming!
Jul 24, 202401:35:23Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Bike Shop Society, Danny hears some background noise that Joe's mic is picking up. Find out what it is and which two cycling legends make an appearance on this week's show. Joe lost another employee at the shop—not to death, but to a better-paying job. Hear why Joe is so chipper and encouraging when employees leave for greener pastures, and what his strategy is for getting them back. Finally, Danny is headed to a cyclocross training camp with the folks at Cycle-Smart. It's going to be intense, but Danny is up for the challenge. So hop to it and get on board—this ride is leaving the lot!X us @bikeshopsociety @cyclingreporter @joegasparWant a shoutout on the pod, do you like to write letters?Email us: mail@bikeshopsociety.comVisit our website, or don't. bikeshopsociety.com
Transcribe →Stage 59 - A Death At The Bike Shop
Jul 4, 202401:52:00Tap to summarizeThe boys are back with some unfortunate news regarding the death of beloved bike mechanic and friend, Earl Russell. Joe confesses that he didn't realize how much he would miss his old friend, and Danny shares some memories of Earl, the mystery man. Danny is back from a recent trip to Ireland, where the roads are narrow and the Guinness was flowing. Find out why he's rethinking his cross-country trip and where he's off to next. And finally, what are the top cities in the world to ride a bike? Danny has a list, and Joe is ready to take his best guesses. Find a fast wheel and ride the train home—let's go!Got a question or comment?X us @bikeshopsociety @cyclingreporter @joegasparWant a shoutout on the pod, do you like to write letters?Email us: mail@bikeshopsociety.comVisit our website, or don't. bikeshopsociety.com
Transcribe →Stage 58 - A Big City Gathering
Apr 19, 202401:56:24Tap to summarizeJoe and Danny are back, and they are joined by their good friend and frequent contributor, A.J. LaTrace. Danny has returned from Spain and dove straight into the Midwest racing circuit. Hear about his exciting adventure climbing up to Sa Calobra in Mallorca one week, and then jumping into a criterium on the south side of Chicago the next. A.J. is always on the hunt for cool bikes on Marketplace, and this time he scored a sweet Shinola city bike. Sure, it's a dad's bike with fenders, but he's a dad and the fenders come in handy, so why not? And finally, Joe thinks the bike industry is missing the boat on bike touring. There's an undeniable interest in it from customers at the bike shop, but why is the industry so slow to react? The boys discuss the reasons why. Hold on, keep pace, let's get on with the ride!Got a question or comment?X us @bikeshopsociety @cyclingreporter @joegasparWant a shoutout on the pod, do you like to write letters?Email us: mail@bikeshopsociety.comVisit our website, or don't. bikeshopsociety.com
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