A new bike shop in Avon Lake is bringing a laid-back, community-focused approach to cycling along the lakeshore.
Encore Cycles bike shop officially opened its doors March 17 at 296 Moore Road, offering a range of bikes and repair services with an emphasis on accessibility for everyday riders.
Encore Cycles bike shop officially opened its doors March 17 at 296 Moore Road, offering a range of bikes and repair services with an emphasis on accessibility for everyday riders. (Clara Wicinski — The Morning Journal)
Owner Dan Sirkin said the shop is the result of a lifelong connection to biking.
“I kind of started my bike journey at 12,” Sirkin said. “I saw some kids doing tricks on bikes, and it blew my mind, and I became obsessed.”
That early passion led Sirkin to become a sponsored rider and compete across the country before transitioning into the business side of the industry.
Over the years, he has worked in bike shops, served as a manufacturer’s representative and owned multiple bike-related businesses, including a long-running shop in Solon.
After selling that business and taking a year off, Sirkin said he decided to open Encore as a simpler, more personal venture.
“I just wanted to keep it simple,” he said. “It’s a one-man shop … this is kind of my encore.”
Dan Sirkin, owner of Encore Cycles bike shop, said the shop is the result of a lifelong connection to biking that began at a young age. (Clara Wicinski — The Morning Journal)
The shop offers what Sirkin calls the “commodities of the bike shop,” which focuses on practical options rather than high-end specialty bikes.
“We do everything that works in a modern-day bike shop and nothing that doesn’t,” he said. “I just wanted to focus on family bikes … people who just want to have fun on a bike.”
Inventory includes electric bikes, which Sirkin describes as “premium recreational,” along with traditional bikes and accessories.
The shop also provides full-service repairs, from quick fixes to complete tune-ups.
“There’s something really enjoyable in fixing someone’s bike and giving it back to them, and they’re smiling,” Sirkin said. “There’s just a magic in a bike store.”
Sirkin said he hopes the shop stands out as a welcoming, judgment-free space, especially for those who may feel intimidated in more technical environments.
“You go into most shops, and it can be a little bit intimidating,” he said. “People talk in a lot of bike jargon.
“My rule has always been the opposite.”
Instead, Sirkin said he focuses on clear, approachable communication.
“I’m not going to say technical terms most people don’t understand,” he said. “We don’t want to ever be talking down to anyone; we want people to feel welcome.”
Looking ahead, Sirkin said he is not focused on rapid expansion, but rather maintaining a steady, manageable operation.
“I’ll be happy if it’s just like this,” he said. “I don’t need massive growth; I just want to keep it manageable.”
Sirkin said his goal is to create a space where people can enjoy biking, share stories and feel comfortable coming back.
“There’s an excitement and energy that bike shops have that’s unlike anywhere else,” he said. “People just want to have fun.”
For more information on Encore Cycles, visit https://www.encorecycles.com/.
