Santa Cruz has no shortage of bike shops. This sleepy little beach town might be known for its surfing and pesky vampires, but the road and mountain riding is exceptional. With a myriad of dirt and paved roads snaking their way through coastal redwoods, and dusty, steep mountain bike trails, any cyclist can spend days upon days exploring the terrain. Spokesman Bicycles is one of the powerhouse shops in Santa Cruz and just recently opened up what they’re calling Outpost on the West Side of town, right next to their friends Sawyer and Co, a surfing lifestyle shop.
The Outpost serves as a satellite location for their main shop across town and focuses less on service and more on components, accessories, and custom builds. From Rock Lobsters to custom-painted Ibis frames, they can build a bike for any of the aforementioned local activities. On my way out of town, I met up with the shop’s manager, Gene, and got a tour of this quaint little shop. Immediately, I couldn’t help but notice the custom builds they had on display…
W H Bradford Dirt Machine
Wow. W H Bradford has had some crazy bikes featured here over the years yet I don’t think I’ve seen any this clever. That little Outer Shell pouch on the Ritchey Bullmoose houses the Di2 junction box.
Gene’s Own Ibis Hakka MX with Di2
With the number of gravel races underway in California this fall, Gene wanted to build himself an Ibis Hakka with a bit of Di2 trickery. He took the TRP Hydro levers and affixed Shimano’s blips to the inside of the hoods, allowing him to shift the group.
Camo Ibis Hakka MX frame
This frame just arrived from the painters and will be built up shortly for in-store display. It is also available for a customer to purchase for a custom build.
OD Green Ibis DV9 Hardtail
This Ibis DV9 was custom painted in town and built with all the fixins. SRAM Eagle XX1, ENVE, and a Fox 34, the bike is mean, lean, green, and ready to climb.
The Spokesman Outpost also demos the full Ibis fleet on the weekend, so you can now rent an Ibis on your days off and ride right from the shop to the area’s best trails. When you’re finished, a plethora of bars and food options surround the shop in the West Side’s busiest shopping centers.
Didn’t bring your helmet, gear, or tools? They’ve got piles of stock ready to roll and if they don’t have something, they can get it from the main shop across town.
While Spokesman might not be a full-service shop, they’ve packed a hefty punch into this small, intimate space, filled with all kinds of accessories to make your ride more enjoyable. Next time you find yourself in Santa Cruz, be sure to swing by!
Spokesman Bicycles West Side
402 Ingalls Street, Suite 9
Santa Cruz, Ca
95060
Hours:
Mon-Sun 10 am – 5 pm