Upstate New York bike shop-frame builder knowledge?
09-07-23, 07:01 PM
#26
Senior Member
Here's an article from 2014 about Bill Lewis' retirement from his business - Adirondack Bicycles in Scotia, NY. It states that he made custom frames as part of the business.
This is probably the frame builder that the OP was looking for.
https://dailygazette.com/2014/08/28/...-looking-forw/
This is probably the frame builder that the OP was looking for.
https://dailygazette.com/2014/08/28/...-looking-forw/
09-18-23, 07:24 PM
#28
Full Member
Here's an article from 2014 about Bill Lewis' retirement from his business - Adirondack Bicycles in Scotia, NY. It states that he made custom frames as part of the business.
This is probably the frame builder that the OP was looking for.
https://dailygazette.com/2014/08/28/...-looking-forw/
This is probably the frame builder that the OP was looking for.
https://dailygazette.com/2014/08/28/...-looking-forw/
When I came into competitive cycling in the late 1970s, Bill was aleady acknowledged as the man for custom frames in our area.
09-18-23, 07:32 PM
#29
Newbie
Yet still, it lives.
I just came on this thread looking for something else, and have to express my complete surprise:
For one thing, I grew up just outside Schenectady, later raced and trained in the area for years, now live just outside in the countryside. I thought I knew all the bike shops especially during the 80's when I was more active, and I wanted to chip in that no one mentioned Bill Lewis across the Mohawk in Scotia, a locally renowned bike builder who's now retired. His shop was Adirondack Bicycles, a one man operation. Anyway, sounds similar...
And I have to say, I have never heard of a Freewheel Bicycles, nor a shop in the heart of downtown Schenectady, although if it was short-lived during the 90's, it could be I missed it. There was a period of time then I lived out of town.
Not saying I doubt you SteelGrey, your story sounds legit, but it's got me scratching my head and who doesn't love an internet thread that never seems to die!
I just came on this thread looking for something else, and have to express my complete surprise:
For one thing, I grew up just outside Schenectady, later raced and trained in the area for years, now live just outside in the countryside. I thought I knew all the bike shops especially during the 80's when I was more active, and I wanted to chip in that no one mentioned Bill Lewis across the Mohawk in Scotia, a locally renowned bike builder who's now retired. His shop was Adirondack Bicycles, a one man operation. Anyway, sounds similar...
And I have to say, I have never heard of a Freewheel Bicycles, nor a shop in the heart of downtown Schenectady, although if it was short-lived during the 90's, it could be I missed it. There was a period of time then I lived out of town.
Not saying I doubt you SteelGrey, your story sounds legit, but it's got me scratching my head and who doesn't love an internet thread that never seems to die!
Don's shop was an early 90s thing. I recall that it was in fact "Freewheel Bicycles" however I don't specifically recall the address of the shop. I left that area of the country and while some things are still fresh in my mind, other details are lost to history.
Best-
Dave
09-18-23, 08:03 PM
#30
Senior Member
Wow, never heard of this shop so I suspect it was gone by 97. Realized it had to be an old post when someone mentioned speaking to Larry Ruff who owned a shop in the area, I worked for him starting around 99, he was a pretty cool guy to work for though I know the manager has since taken over the shop. I thought I had explored all the local shops by that time, went to SUNY Albany starting in 95. Interesting to learn a little history, I hope to move back to the area one day.
