Best Bike Store

Fixed-gear, single speed track bikes, are a new hot thing at Ideal. For a reasonable $300 you can get an extremely efficient bicycle, built in-house, with no cables or shifters, popular with professional messengers worldwide. And what else is going on with the multiple Best Bike Store winner? “Rentals have really increased, through tourism and the cruise industry,” says owner Dave Schuhlein, who also points to new bikes from KHS, Ridley and Fuji, and that they still do next-day service on tune-ups. And people should keep their eyes open for a second location for Ideal in 2009, offering high-end road bikes from $1,500 to $5,000. 1678 Barrington, 444-7433

1st Runner Up: Cyclesmith, 6112 Quinpool, 425-1756

2nd Runner Up: Jack Nauss Bicycle Shop Ltd., 2533 Agricola, 429-0024