Long Island: Visentin Bicycle Shop (Oyster Bay) Closing
03-07-19, 06:35 AM
#1
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Long Island: Visentin Bicycle Shop (Oyster Bay) Closing
This quirky place has been my favorite bicycle shop for several years. As a die-hard sucker for my 1996 GT Outpost MTB, I have really enjoyed having a place to go for parts that most other stores no longer carry. Yesterday, I heard that Dan is closing this generations-old store and that all inventory is 50% off. If you are looking for odds and ends you can't find anywhere else, you might want to stop in and check it out.
NOTE: I don't want to mislead anyone into expecting any high-end gear. This was never a boutique shop, but it was loaded with the kind of stuff cyclists like me love.
NOTE: I don't want to mislead anyone into expecting any high-end gear. This was never a boutique shop, but it was loaded with the kind of stuff cyclists like me love.
Last edited by Papa Tom; 03-07-19 at 06:39 AM.
03-07-19, 07:40 PM
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In the late 1970's and early 1980's, the shop may not have been boutique, but covered a wide range of price points with plenty of Campagnolo and Dura Ace around. Lou and Claudia were great folks, always welcoming to all and always helpful.
03-13-19, 07:53 AM
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I stopped in Visentin last spring. I needed a campy 39t chainring to lower my gear ratio for the "Fools Classic" in PA. He didn't have a Campy which was fine with me but did have a decent quality USA made 135mm chain bolt dia 39t ring. He saved my ass on that ride. The retail floor was a mess and the repair shop was a disaster. It wasn't the "Visentin" I remember back in the day. TImes have changed with internet sales and now retail needs to be on its game or you'll be left in the dust.
03-13-19, 11:46 AM
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It was my go-to for high-end and classic parts since '80 or so, and yeah it's been tough watching the decline.
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
03-27-19, 02:42 PM
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Sorry to hear this news. I went there in the late '70's and early '80's for higher end parts and stuff (and just to ogle at stuff that I could one day dream to afford). One of the few shops back then that had stuff for racers like tubulars.
10-30-19, 10:59 AM
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The doors are closing with in the next couple of weeks. Very sad, but I feel lucky to have gotten a chance to rummage around a museum with 50 years of bicycling history. Rumor has it there will be a garage sale as a grande finale.
10-30-19, 02:28 PM
#7
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I think Dan is packing it all into a truck and having a "garage sale" somewhere down south. Makes no sense to me, actually. I've been trying to get him to organize what's left into various bins, each with a price tag, and open the doors for a close-out. I guess there's too much stuff and/or it's too much work. I'm sure there are still lots of things I can use from that store, but I just don't have the time to pick through the back room and the basement.
Yeah, I'm sad he's leaving, too. As a rebel cyclist who shuns everything about modern bike shops, I don't know where I'm going to go for parts and accessories now.
Yeah, I'm sad he's leaving, too. As a rebel cyclist who shuns everything about modern bike shops, I don't know where I'm going to go for parts and accessories now.
10-30-19, 05:26 PM
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Ray Diaz, the repair shop manager at Brands is my go to guy for stuff that’s a bit old. He’s been fixing bikes for 30+ years or so, always give good advice and never an attitude if your bike is almost as old as you might be.
10-31-19, 06:36 PM
#9
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Yeah, I agree about Ray, and about Brands repair shop, in general. I'm just spoiled by all the stuff - and all the service - Dan has given me for next-to-nothing all these years.
I picked a few items from his 50% **** Sale, but I'm sure I could have found more if I'd had the time to really dig. I really hope he has an organized "bin" sale in the next couple of weeks and doesn't have to buy that truck!
I picked a few items from his 50% **** Sale, but I'm sure I could have found more if I'd had the time to really dig. I really hope he has an organized "bin" sale in the next couple of weeks and doesn't have to buy that truck!
11-02-19, 06:56 PM
#10
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Was at Visentin today for, probably, the last time before he closes. The place is still filled with a lot of odds and ends and Dan is looking to clear as much out as he can. I got some amazing deals today.
11-05-19, 12:16 PM
#11
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Meanwhile, as all this was going on, Williams Cyclery in Plainview also closed up shop. I had no idea he was leaving, and even figured that Williams would be my new go-to place after Visentin is gone.
Williams Cyclery is my last connection to the "old neighborhood," when it was inside Williams Discount Store, a post-WWII era variety store (in what is now Plainview Trader Joe's) where my parents bought everything from bicycles to patio furniture to pizza. Of course, the last proprietors of the cycle shop on Woodbury Road had no connection to the Williams of my childhood, but passing by that store always made me nostalgic. I guess my "passing by" is part of what put them out of business.
Williams Cyclery is my last connection to the "old neighborhood," when it was inside Williams Discount Store, a post-WWII era variety store (in what is now Plainview Trader Joe's) where my parents bought everything from bicycles to patio furniture to pizza. Of course, the last proprietors of the cycle shop on Woodbury Road had no connection to the Williams of my childhood, but passing by that store always made me nostalgic. I guess my "passing by" is part of what put them out of business.
Last edited by Papa Tom; 11-05-19 at 07:31 PM.
11-05-19, 07:38 PM
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I was there a handful of times, but I didn't get a sense that they had much C&V stock.
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1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport
11-06-19, 04:36 PM
#13
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Sorry...what is "C&V stock?" (I'll probably figure it out right after I hit the POST REPLY button, but just in case...)
09-11-20, 03:10 PM
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Visentin was the best...!
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
09-11-20, 06:19 PM
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09-14-20, 03:46 PM
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