About Company

Founded circa 1981 by the infamous Tom and John Gallager, Bike Express got it's start as a small shop located just off of Main on Crosby Street. While Bike Express continued to grow and prosper, other shops came and went . In 1991, Bike Express left Crosby Street to set up shop on West Street where you will find it today! We are still downtown, close to the mall and only a mile from the highway. Best of all, you can still ride a bike to the store although we do have plenty of parking for those of you who choose to drive!

I met Tom Gallager back in the early days. I was just one of those pesky little kids that found my niche hanging around the store (that is when I wasn't on my bicycle!) I haven't changed much since then. There is just something about a bike. I think its the perspective. Akin to a motorcycle...wind in the hair...wide open road...freedom...But dare I say a bit more pure without the roar of the motor, knowing that you're the engine working every mile along the way. It is the love of the bicycle!

But...you don't have to love bicycles to come to Bike Express. We have grown accustomed to the strange looks we get when we find ourselves caught, weepy eyed over the latest Campagnolo carbon hoosie whatsit. So, why tell you all this??? Well it's my website so I can. And over my last 20 years in the bicycle business, I've sold thousands of bikes, most to people who didn't love bikes. In many cases, these folks have come to love them. People who dragged themselves off of the couch, bought a bike, loved to ride, lost weight, started running, took up golf...dare I say that a bike changed those people's lives!

Bikes are not like washing machines or toasters. Bikes need love...and service. Things break, wear out, or just require replacement with that new part we, "just have to have". Our customers come back to see us and we love that. They share their

Reasons We Ride.

There are always friends and roads that you haven't ridden (with) ....Yet
Rain is just hitting the showers early.
Passing cars stuck in traffic
Not everyone else does it.
Better than a $100/hr anger management session
Coming home exhausted.
Once in a while when things are just right. Hands forward head down, flying over the ground......you feel like superman.

stories of that last great ride, the first bike they ever had, their worst crash and those horrible stories about thugs stealing their two wheeled babies.

Should I use this section to toot our own horn? Why not!? If you are looking for a store with the most experience and knowledge, here we are. Each year, we strive to offer you, our customer, the best products available. As for our service, others don't compare to the quality, value and timeliness of Bike Express.

The Other Side.

The driving force at Bike Express is that it is not always about the bike...It's about riding the bike. Whether it's your first set of wheels, clearing that jump, being "green" or discovering unknown places off the map or within yourself. A bike is the perfect vehicle to take you there. What separates us, is not that we ride. nor what bike we ride or even how fast we ride. It is using all those things to help our customers. Riding a bike is fun , so why shouldn't buying and servicing one be any different.

Sunday fun in Hartford.