Thanks for the support of all who invested in and supported the Partner Project
 

The Partner Bicycle Story

A few years ago a small group of enthusiastic bicycle dealers got together and formed a cooperative - a friendly and proactive group whose mission it was to exchange useful ideas in order to better serve their clients, employees, communities, and the sport of bicycling. These dealers were among the most passionate and excited of their breed. The original charter members were experienced cyclists with prosperous bicycle stores stretching from coast to coast. Though they were doing well in their field, they wanted more: they wanted to bring their clients and friends the best equipment, service, news, and up to date techniques to help them get the most out of their cycling experience.

They wanted to sponsor activities, rides, and events to help fan the flames of the sport and keep the 'ride' moving.

Goals and mission included introducing the sport to a public that might be missing something that would make their lives healthier and happier, and a sport that would ultimately help our sustainability as a planet and promote a more peaceful world- a world that would be free from some of the strife that has erupted due to the clutching dependence on oil and less renewable energy.

The small core of charter dealers grew to a nationwide cooperative of several hundred.

Larry Black and the staffs of College Park and Mt Airy Bicycles had the vision and foresight to join the YaYa Bicycle coop, www.yayabike.com among the earliest charter members and have been proud of the accomplishments.

A core group of members decided that they would commission their own bicycle, a bike that would be what Henry Ford envisioned his earliest cars to be - practical and economical. The new Partner bicycle was the brainchild and continues to be one of the most practical bikes our shops have carried. What did we do? Well, we first decided that there would be no brochure, no advertising, and no extra-party distributors. The Partner Y100 is more than a hybrid, more than a comfort bike. It's a bike built upon a 26" wheel - the most widely used size in this country since the 1920's. Tires from a skinny one-inch to a massive 3" will fit on the popular rim. Why didn't more companies use the 26" for their hybrids? Years ago, to protect the domestic department store brands, the US Government assessed a duty on all 26"-wheeled bikes twice that of the road bike size of 27". Bridgestone was the only company that stood by and made their city and hybrid bikes with 26", paying the extra tariffs.

Outstanding Features from saddle to tires, axle to axle
Our Partner comes with a choice of several tires, tailoring it to the comfort, hybrid, or mountain bike needs of the buyer - this is an exclusive program at our shops.

We also chose a 4-feature seat comfort system. Few if any other modern bikes have this. In addition to a padded air/foam/gel topping, the seat has an innerspring like a mattress, coils underneath, and a suspension seat post.

For those who want LESS comfort, our shops offer several narrower and firmer seats, as well as the extra wide 'Cloud Nine' that some say is like a King Size bed.

Instead of a generic off-brand front shock fork, we chose a special model Rock Shox- it has a 'moderate-travel' feature that allows more of the foot to touch the ground at stops, while allowing efficient leg extension while pedaling, and still takes the uncomfortable bumps from curbs, logs, and other obstacles.

Our Partner frame is made by one of the best and most reputable family-owned companies around, and we were able to have it have it made of high quality aircraft-style aluminum, maintain the highest quality, and still not have to go to China, where most manufacturers, including major 'bike shop' brands, are made.

We offer a choice of several other options- some low cost some no cost. The value of the Partner, when compared to other bikes with such service and features, is around $$450. We offer it for $350 - fair pricing for such quality. We give an expert assembly, a 30-day follow-up adjustment, and ongoing free tuning for the first year. If, after that first year the owner shows that they have given the bike proper care and feeding, we have been known to extend the free servicing or life. We have been around over 27 years and have serviced hundreds of thousands of bikes in addition to the 50,000 we have sold.

One bike for So many people?
There are sizes ranging from 15" to 19". The 15" has been known to safely fit kids down to 10 years old, making it the perfect bike for the growing youngster.

How strong are the Partners?
A husband and wife recently visited suffering from severe obesity. Their goal was to use the bike to aid their dietary program to lose weight. The man was 450 lb and we suggested the Partners for both of them With only a change of seat, post, and rear wheel upgrade, we were able to get him going. Her bike had only a saddle change. She lost 14lb last week and he lost 15.
Because obesity is a disease that was threatening their lives, they were issued a budget to buy the bikes and stayed well below it. The cost of surgical means was 40 times that of one of the bikes.

Quantities are limited because this was a once-only run and we bought all the remaining bikes from their warehouse.

NEW FOR 2005:
Because of the successful first-run of Partners, the manufacturer made available a new model with similar value and savings.. New name, new Graphics, new Rock Shox, 24 gears instead of 21, and extended sizing from 13" (we have fit 8-year-olds with these) to a huge 21" that can fit cyclists well over 6'. Because we were the largest Partner dealer in the US last year, we were able to get a terrific price and are passing it through to customers. We held the difference to just $39, and are able to offer a limited number for just $389, and still have a few limited sizes in the original that are still $349.

Come in today to try one out.
An extended test ride (take all day and enjoy a long trip) should convince anyone how great these bikes ride.