published: Thursday, January 31, 2013

Legacy Bicycles spins wheels on Kenilworth Boulevard

By CHRISTOPHER TUFFLEY

christopher.tuffley@newssun.com

SEBRING -- Legacy Bicycles, a new bicycle store at 2821 Kenilworth Blvd., one block behind the Kenilworth Lodge, celebrates with a grand opening Saturday and Sunday.

Hamburgers, hotdogs and drinks will be available. There will be storewide specials, owners Aaron Brown and Dan Andrews say. Brown is the general manager, and Andrews is the lead mechanic. Both men invite bicyclers, possible cyclers, and the curious to the party.

They say a lot of thought has gone into their store. They visited other similar shops picking the ideas they liked best and adding more of their own.

"We offer an environment that welcomes cyclists of all types," said Brown, "from the average guy to the guy in spandex who's in training."

"We want our store to be a one-stop and all-inclusive," Brown says, adding the business does more than repair and sell bicycles for all ages, sizes, and level of rider.

Legacy Bicycles has a full line of accessories -- from replacement gears, saddles, spandex jerseys, water bottles, goggles, nutrition drinks to different electronic mileage monitoring units.

Their knowledge, Brown says, is free. He and Andrews have extensive bicycling and triathlon experience. They plan seminars about road safety, maintenance and repair, the different challenges of individual triathlon courses.

"We know what we're talking about," said Brown, "because we didn't read it in a book. We lived it. Knowing the sport, we know what a customer needs." He added conversation is encouraged. A large couch sits on the sales floor, and the repair station is out in the open.

Andrews is the only certified mechanic in Highlands or Hardee County. He attended an eight-week class program at Barnett Bicycle Institute and has years of experience. "I can repair all brands," he said. "I pay attention to detail."

Legacy Bicycles puts a special emphasis on being a part of the community, Brown and Andrews said, especially when it comes to promoting healthy living. Both will be actively promoting and helping to support triathlon and other races.

Legacy is open from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays, 9:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and by appointment.

For more information email sales@legacy
bicycle.com, visit LegacyBicycle.com or on Facebook .com/legacybicycles. The telephone number is 471-2453.