The return of Revel Cycles
A familiar face in a new space in the Barlow
You might remember the name Revel Cycles—and, no, I’m not talking about the expensive carbon-fiber mountain bike brand. Revel Cycles was a bike store in south Sebastopol from 2018 to 2021. COVID put it out of business.
But now Revel Cycles and its owner Daniel Howes are back—this time in a beautiful, light-filled shop in the Barlow. Howes, who runs the shop, owns it with his older brother, Dominic, who lives in Minnesota but comes back periodically to help out with the store. Howes’ younger brother, Martine, designed the store’s handsome new logo—a bear made of bike tools (which you see on the wall in the photo above.)
Howes and his brothers grew up in Sebastopol.
After Howes’ first bike store closed, he helped his father run the family’s crystal import business. They have a small wholesale store in town, as well as Endless Energy Crystals in the Barlow.
“During COVID, that business really just went crazy, and we were very busy with that,” Howes said. “Now that’s calm downed a bit, and so I was able to reopen the bike store.”
The store opened in the Barlow in March, right next to the Punchdown and across the street from Sarmentine.
“So we have electric bikes and traditional bikes that we rent, we do service and repair work, and then we sell parts and accessories. And now we're starting to add in more new bikes,” Howes said.
In terms of new bikes, the store sells the following brands: Ride1Up e-bikes, Wilde Bikes, Ibis Bikes, Breezer Bikes and, for kids, Early Rider Bikes.
Regarding his business model, Howes said he’d like it to be “about 25% —that’s probably the goal: 25% rental, 25% service, 25% parts and accessories, and 25% new bikes,” he said.
Like all new businesses, Howes knows that getting the word out about your existence is part of the challenge. “We just got a partnership with the Fairfield Inn in town. They're going to be putting our flyers into all the welcome packets for their guests,” he said. “We also just partnered with the Inn at Occidental; they're gonna be offering room stays, along with an e-bike rental. We're also working with Balletto Winery at developing an e-bike rental option at their property for their guests.”
He rents both regular cruiser-style bikes and e-bikes.
The folks that just want to pedal around town often rent the cruisers, but Howes said most of the folks head for the Joe Rodota Trail that goes to Forestville “because it's a very nice route, and it's primarily on a dedicated bike path for 75% or more of the route. The bike path is just a couple of blocks away, and it’s very easy to access from here.”
You can find Revel Cycles at 6770 Mckinley St, Ste. 120, Sebastopol, or check them out at revelcycles.com.
Had my bike tuned up there a few weeks ago. They did a good job and didn't try to upsell me, which other bike shops have done; Daniel was honest about what my bike needed and what was just fine (it had been in storage for awhile). I plan on going back there if I need any repairs, etc.
Please report too on the other bike store in near the Barlow