By David Esteppe
Fresh off a nod from “Best of the Blue Ridge” magazine as one of the best bicycle shops in the Southeast, Stu Schwab has completed the transition from the Hill and Holler location to open Lewisburg’s new Appalachian Bicycle Company (ABC).
The new bike shop is located next to Greenbrier Valley Theatre on Washington Street downtown.
Schwab, as a graduate of the United Bicycle Institute in Oregon, is a certified bicycle technician offering tubeless installs, gear and brake adjustments and hydraulic brake bleeds. Other bike maintenance services include wheel true, wheel build, basic suspension and rebuild. “I work with each client to meet their cycling wants, needs and goals while developing a strong, professional relationship. This is the benefit of an owner-operated shop and knowing your mechanic,” says Schwab.
Schwab’s philosophy and mission is printed on the front window of the shop, “Service Sales Community.” am offering a selection of quality bikes, components, and equipment that help you connect to nature, friends and yourself. If I do not have something in stock, I will special order it, and I am certainly open to suggestions on your favorite products too,” he added. Some of the product brands ABC is carrying include TREK, ibis. Bontrager, Saris, Shimano, Electra, FOX, SRAM and Garmin.
ABC will also be selling bikes on consignment.
Schwab says his inspiration for ABC comes from a really cool bike shop in San Francisco called City and County Bicycle Company. “It is a small, owner operated bike shop with great ties to the community. This shop is like that. I am a part of this community, and this community is a part of me. I can give people trail suggestions throughout Greenbrier County and the state. My business is going to go beyond these four walls. I participate heavily in our community. “I’ll be participating Wheels of Hope in July,” he adds.
Schwab will soon announce dates and times for a series of service classes. He will be teaching some basics of bicycle maintenance that lay-people can use themselves.
You can reach the Appalachian Bicycle Company at 304-520-6442. The website is www.appalachianbicycleco.com. The shop is open Tuesday-Friday from 10-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10-4 p.m.
