Barrons.com – The Benefits of a Signature Fit

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Signature

Journalist Alexander Eule recently had a fit at Signature Cycles and wrote about how his experience dramatically improved his comfort and performance.

Alex had lost 15 pounds and was ready to hit the roads and reconnect with his passion for cycling, but even after getting a fit from another shop and buying a new bike, he was plagued with pain in his right knee. The bottom line after working with Signature’s Paul Levine and Abraham Soler:

“One month in, the pain is gone. I still finish rides physically spent but it’s because of those big hills, not my knees.”

Below is a video clip of Alex during his fit process at Signature. Check out his full article, “How to End That Ache When Cycling”, featured in Barrons Magazine.

Bikeside Manner

Posted on March 15, 2015 by Paul Levine

The landscape of Bike fitting has become populated with technologies that weren’t conceivable fifteen years ago, when I first conducted the Serotta School of Cycling Ergonomics. Advanced technologies should always be embraced and integrated whenever possible into today’s methodologies. However, we are at a time in Bike Fitting where technology has trumped the technician. We can now measure within microns of a millimeter and virtually eliminate the human from the equation in finding the best bike fit. Or can we?

I have spent the past several years attending seminars and sitting on industry panels watching how Bike Fitting services are becoming automated and made to be as simple as plug-and-play. Let a machine determine where you should be on the bike and then wait for it to spit out the best-fit options in terms of position, components and bikes. I am sorry; I need to call “Bullshit”. We have crossed the line and have allowed programmers to make assumptions based on the quickest filtering down system to produce an output to get a cyclist out the door and on their way in the least amount of time. Many of today’s Bike Fitting systems have taken the human connection out of the equation.

Signature Cycles has always emphasized the importance of our one-on-one approach to understanding you as a cyclist. We learn how you got to where you are today and where you want to be, in the short and long term future. We built our reputation on our bedside manner; call it “bikeside” manner, where no secret handshake or race credentials are needed to receive unconditional advice on what is best for you. We discover, understand and accommodate for your limitations on the bike and as a cyclist. Signature Cycles is determined to always offer the best in customer respect, caring, connection and community.

Embracing the latest technologies is imperative to stay current and relevant. We choose our Bike Fitting technology to compliment our technicians’ expertise, all along enhancing your understanding of what it takes for you to become a better cyclist. Let’s not lose the best of our human connection by replacing empathy and understanding with measuring microns. The landscape in the Bike Fitting field is wide enough to offer the best of both worlds, Bikeside manner and the latest technology.

Contact us to discuss how we can make your cycling experiences the most enjoyable by starting with a Professional Bike Fitting.

Signature Cycles welcomes Mosaic Cycles: Q & A

Posted on December 2, 2014 by Blake Bedoya

Signature Cycles welcomes Mosaic Bespoke Bicycles

There is something special about the hand-made bike industry. It is dynamic, innovative, and expanding. Every year we see the rise and fall of dozens of small builders each trying to establish themselves as a legitimate brand. Like every small business, natural talent and drive are just a small, albeit necessary, part of a successful company. One of my favorite quotes come from Professional Triathlete Sergio Marques: “An overnight sensation usually takes about 10 years”. No where is this more relevant than in the cycling industry. Today, Signature Cycles welcomes Mosaic Cycles as the newest addition to our remarkable lineup of brands. While their biggest breakthrough came in 2013 when Mosaic won the NAHBS “Best Cyclocross Bicycle” category for their stunning XT-1d Titanium Cyclocross bike, I can assure you their seemingly overnight success took years of experience and growth. We spoke with the team of the Boulder, CO based company to get a better understanding on who they are and what they bring to our lineup.

Who is Mosaic?

Mosaic Cycles is a bespoke titanium and steel bicycle manufacturer based out of Boulder, CO. It is comprised of a committed group of individuals who all share a passion for cycling and the hand built process.

Continue reading →

World Bicycle Relief Fundraiser Results

Posted on November 25, 2014 by Soren Klingsporn

Our fundraiser event for World Bicycle Relief broke all records thanks to our partner The Movado Group and our generous family of donors. We raised $107,000, providing 800 specially designed, locally assembled Buffalo Bicycles to students, healthcare workers and entrepreneurs in rural Africa. These bikes will help connect them with education, healthcare and economic opportunities.

Thank you all for your support,
The Team at Signature Cycles

Left to right: Bob Parlee (Parlee Cycles), Efraim Grinberg (The Movado Group), & F.K. Day (Founder of World Bicycle Relief) at our WBR fundraising event.

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Lori Hoefer

Dear Friends,

Lori-headshot One of my favorite women in history, Eleanor Roosevelt, said, “Do one thing everyday that scares you.”

For the last 17 years I have worked in the bicycle industry and have enjoyed an abundance of fruitful experiences. I have worked for one of the most renowned custom builders, Ben Serotta. I have owned my own retail business, Cycling Specifics in North Carolina. I have been a bike fitter, a frame designer, a sales person, a marketer, an event planner, a tour guide, a consultant, an educator, and hopefully, a mentor. I have grown as a professional in an industry that I hold great passion for. I have been privileged to work with the very best.

I’ve come to realize that the only thing that scares me these days is my daily commute on I-95. Who’s going to cut me off? Is there already an accident? Will I be late? These are not the questions that stoke my sense of wonderment.

With the recent relocation of Signature Cycles Manhattan, Paul is finally in a position to breathe easy and spend more time developing his business. He will be able to spend more time at our Greenwich studio, already a successful business, but one that has yet to reach it’s full potential. This gives me a new freedom to explore the many other interests and passions I have. I’m not sure if this comes with age, but I have an intense feeling that “I’m not done yet”. There are more amazing opportunities ahead that need to be explored … I haven’t finished living my personal legend.

Lori-Saturday-Ride And so with good health, bountiful experiences and a confident attitude, I will be leaving Signature Cycles at the end of October. People often say as a gesture of encouragement, “I’m sure you’ll land on your feet”. I believe I will too, maybe after first landing on my knees a few times. ☺

What does this mean for you? It means you’ll continue to have the pinnacle in cycling services, products and experiences. Signature Cycles was built on best practices using the best products and the best people. Justin, Abraham and Paul have been my friends, my colleagues and my mentors. I don’t need to tell you how good they are … you already know that.

One of the greatest gifts we have is the gift of Wonder. We see it in children’s eyes, we see it as our dogs sniff the ground and dig the earth. I’m off to chase my Wonder. Thanks to each of you for adding to my incredible experience at Signature Cycles. I am absolutely sure that when we meet again and you ask how I am, I’ll say “Wonder- Full”.

I am honored that I had a hand in making your cycling dreams come true.

See you on the road,

Lori

Lori can be reached at (203) 485-0500 or her personal email, lorihoefer@gmail.com.

Edie (left) and Paco, the outgoing shop dogs of Signature Cycles Greenwich.

Fall Foliage Ride – Sunday October 19th

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Signature

Our favorite ride of the year is the ever-popular Signature Cycles Fall Foliage Ride. This year the 5th Annual Fall Foliage Ride is scheduled for Sunday, October 19th.

The scenic 40-mile ride through Fairfield and Westchester counties will begin at Signature Cycles’ Greenwich location at 14 Railroad Ave. The incredibly scenic ride will wind its way up to Armonk, NY with a rest stop at Adopt A Dog. After a brief refueling and “puppy fix” riders will ride back to Greenwich on some of the best roads the area has to offer.

Ride leaders will accompany various groups accommodating paces starting at 14mph and up. Road bikes are required for all group riders. Cue sheets will be available for any riders wishing the tackle the route on their own.

Registration begins at 7:30am at Signature Cycles, 14 Railroad Ave. A $50 donation will go directly to Adopt A Dog to support their untiring efforts to provide dogs a safe haven until they find their furr-ever home .

RSVP/Questions : lori@signaturecycles.com

We’re Moved! Our New Soho Studio is Open!

Posted on July 1, 2014 by Signature

For the past fifteen years you have reminded each of us, every day, why we continue to choose the business that we are in. Time and again, you came into our 80 West End location, and trusted us with your cycling needs, challenges and desires. You have trusted us with your friends, family, and peers. For this we give you our heartfelt gratitude and thank you for being a part of the Signature Cycles family.

We wanted to give you the exclusive opportunity to see what is to come.

Laser focus on what, when, and where is best for you, your schedule, and your cycling goals.

By Appointment Only:

Your time is valuable. The more time you can spend on your bike and less time worrying about your bike, the more you will enjoy your cycling experiences.

Concierge:

Don’t lift a finger, let us come to you. We have partnered with NYC’s leading courier service to bring you another first. We redefine door to door service in cycling style.

Service:

Built from the ground up, a cutting edge Shimano Service Center equipped for today’s evolving electronic innovations. Leading the industry in technology, skill and professionalism. You deserve the best.

Focus:

Our Focus is you.

You are the foundation of our success, and we want you to know how much we appreciate your business. We look forward to making your cycling experiences the most enjoyable ever.

Looking forward to seeing you at our new location,

The Signature Cycles Team

131 Varick @ Spring St

New York, NY 10013

212-706-0025

For Directions Click HERE!

Where Does Your Bike Sleep?

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Signature

We all have to find the right spot to store our bikes when we’re not riding them and depending on where you live and the logistics of your space, bike storage can require a bit of creativity.

Whether you’re a city flat dweller, have a 3 car garage, or need to navigate stairs to get your bike on and off the street, you want a safe and easily accessible location so nothing discourages you from getting your bike out on the road.

Do you have a cool storage system or DIY solution? Does your bike sleep in your bedroom? Do you hang it from the ceiling? Do you squeeze it into a closet? We want to know – Where Does Your Bike Sleep?

Send us a photo and description of your bike and we’ll share it in our Signature Cycles #wheredoesyourbikesleep album. You can upload your photo directly to our Facebook wall or send us an email at info@signaturecycles.com . Please include your name, a description of your bike and anything else you’d like to share about your personal bike storage solutions.

Winter: An argument for the “All-Road” bicycle

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Blake Bedoya

Let’s face it, this winter is never-ending!
I feel I can safely speak for everyone when I say, I’m ready for Spring.
Here at Signature, our road bikes are either collecting dust in the corner of our homes, or the look like they’ve been dragged through a war zone, covered in mud and salt.

Our beautiful Parlees, Passonis, and Gurus are sitting on the sidelines, like high-performance sports cars, garaged because of this weather. So what are we left with to ride? Well, that’s an interesting question, lets introduce our “other” bikes.

This past year, Justin and I decided to go “outside of the box” with our next builds, and began to explore all the interesting technologies the industry had to offer; including disc brakes, hydraulic options, electronic shifting, and more. The result; two bikes that didn’t quite fit the mold, however turned out to be everything we could ask for in this winter weather.
Continue reading →

2013 Bike of the Year Contest

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Signature

We had the pleasure of building over 200 beautiful one-off custom bikes for our clients in 2013 and each week we chose one of our favorites to feature on our website. Now we need your help choosing the 2013 BIKE OF THE YEAR. Take a look on our Facebook page and LIKE to vote for your favorite bike. We’ll be featuring the winner on our website and the winner will receive a pair of Assos Zegho eye protection glasses. Contest ends Feb. 15th

VOTE HERE