Andrew Crooks, owner. Andrew has 17 years experience as a road, mountain bike, and cyclocross racer. His attraction to the sport began in 1989 after watching Greg Lemond come from behind in the last stage of the Tour de France to win by the closest margin in history. Greg’s performance, along with those of Andy Hampsten, Sean Kelly, and Lance Armstrong, inspired his cycling career. Andrew raced for Texas A&M University and Independent Fabrication, as well as teams in Houston, Omaha, and New York City. He has raced in over 20 states throughout the country, from California to New York. Andrew has been active in cycling advocacy since the beginning of his career including participating in the 2000 Journey of Hope, a 3-month, 3800 mile bike trek from San Francisco to Washington, D.C to benefit people with disabilities. As a bike shop owner, Andrew believes in philanthropy and is a committed sponsor of the 2005 Journey of Hope. In addition, he supports Transportation Alternatives and commutes by bike daily.

Andrew graduated from Texas A&M with an engineering degree. Upon arriving in NYC, he took on the streets as a bike messenger. He then went on to work for several years as a management consultant specializing in supply chain management throughout the country, always keeping his home base as NYC. In 2004, Andrew’s love of the city brought him back home full time. He spent some time with a well-known Manhattan shop before venturing out on his own. Andrew’s passion for cycling of all types and his desire to create the most customer friendly shop in the city led him to open NYC Velo.

Will Howkinson, Will started turning wrenches in Berkeley, CA when Santa Cruz Tazmons, WTB Phoenixes, and Bontrager Race Lites were the bikes to have.  His gear-head resume covers years of experience in the Bay Area, including time wrenching at Medina Cycleworks (aka Wrenchscience). Strangely enough though, Will claims to have never owned any purple anodized gear.  

After cycling (read "suffering") the Great Divide Route during the summer of 2005, Will was bitten yet again by the bike bug and now rides the local trails as much as he can.  He will also be making appearances on the regional DH racing circuit, so keep an eye out for the tall guy with the fierce race grimace.

Chris Feltman, Chris summed up his first ride in NYC by saying,"It's just like riding at home, but the trees move!" Chris moved to NYC from the Berkshires of Western MA in December 2005 to pursue a career in Geotechnical Engineering. It wasn't long before he needed to be amongst bikes and those who ride them. He started part time at NYC Velo after recovering from a St Patty's Day bender, but after only a few short months, he knew he'd much rather be riding the streets of NYC than driving anywhere else. You can now find him at the shop, on the trail, or blending in with the hipster elite in his new 'hood - Williamsburg. 

Keegan Schelling,

Plus, he's a rapper.



Michael Kowalski, Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Mike is a well-rounded addition to the shop, He has extensive experience in bike shops not only in Michigan, but in New York City, Colorado and Southern California as well. His specialties include bicycle fit (both on- and off-road) and mechanics - and he can brew up a pretty strong cup of coffee to boot. He currently lives in Western Massachusetts with his wife and dog, and finds the commute to NYC a good time to catch up on books on tape and east coast driving etiquette.

Ishmael Ubiles, Ish (as he's known around the shop) was introduced to bikes by his Dad at the tender age of six. In the ensuing years, Ish has acquired many different rides and is generally the first in the shop to try out the newest bike craze. Currently topping his list are 29er mountain bikes - like his beloved Bianchi Rita singlespeed. And while it's true that Ish likes to throw out intimidating terms like "head angle", "increased contact patch", and "kick butt descents", don't let that scare you - he's actually a big softie.

Tim Johnson, Tim comes to NYC Velo by way of Seattle. He gained his love of all things bike by helping out at a community bike shop as a youngster. Tim's second love is music, which is currently taking a backseat since arriving in New York. Alleycats, track racing, and fixed-gear trick riding
(please ask Tim about his circus bike) currently fills Tim's spare time. Tim recently completed a frame-building course with master framebuilder Koichi Yamaguchi.

 

 

 

 

 

The Bullpen - Past/semi-regular employees who pitch in from time to time.

Mike Spriggs, Mike is a longtime resident of the East Village and a former bike messenger in Boston.  An avid roadie, fixed gear rider, and all-around Euro-bike-phile, he remembers the early days of fixed gear bicycles when the only way you could find the right cog was to dig one up at an archeological site.  

You can usually find Mike around the shop thinking up new t-shirt ideas.

Ethan Benton, Ethan Laek Benton is a lifetime resident of the Northeast and has lived in the East Village for 6+ years. An all-around cyclist, Ethan loves bikes of any kind - from the sleek roadbike to the burly MTB to the fendered commuter. A creative and easily distracted sort, he channels his energies into Laek House, a small and growing clothing company.

Plus, he's a napper.

Maire, Maire represents the NYC Velo midwest contingent. She's not afraid of the cold Missouri winters and frequently hikes the snowy tundra with her best pal, Hudson.  Her first words were "Allez da-da" as her father, Todd, sufferred away in the basement on his rollers.  When she's not amazing her parents with her formidable athletic prowess, she's putting together a carbon fiber wish list for her first birthday party. Stay tuned, this girl's got the lungs of an Olympian.

Gregory Cross, A current resident of Colorado, Greg has spent almost ten years commuting by bike just about everyday, and he even raced a few seasons road racing. Ask him about cargo bikes, racks, panniers and what he can carry on a bike. You can also ask him about photography - his other passion.

Greg is now the head mechanic for TEAm Lipton, a professional team on the women's NCS circuit.  He fills in at NYC Velo when he's back on the East Coast.

Ben O, Ben's love affair with cycling began very recently - he just celebrated 24 months at the shop!  Ben is proud to be the official representative of NYC Velo when he's not sleeping or figuring out how to walk, talk, and use Ergopower levers.  Look for more of Ben as he continues his ascension through the NYC Velo ranks.