Editor’s note: Made in Tarrant is an occasional Q&A series on small businesses started in Tarrant County. Submit your business here. 

Roque Puente started Bicycle Center of Fort Worth around two decades ago. A lifelong bicycler, he’s seen a lot of changes in the bike business given the increased interest in getting around on two wheels. He learned the tricks of trade by working at many bike stores, and is dedicated to providing bikes to people who are just starting to ride, helping them to find a bicycle that fits their needs and budget. Puente talked to Fort Worth Report’s Shomial Ahmad about how he got started, how the business has changed, and the best places to explore by bicycle.

Contact information:

Store location: 5434 River Oaks Blvd., River Oaks

Phone: 817-377-1925

Email: Bicylecenterfw@sbcglobal.net

Shomial Ahmad: How did you get started in the bike business? What drew you into starting a bike shop?

Roque Puente: As a kid, I was always into bikes and dreamed about having my own business, either an outdoors store or bike shop. I began mountain biking after high school and got a job at the local bike shop to support my mountain biking passion. I went back to school with a focus on retail and business management. I continued working at bike shops — almost all of them — to learn all I could about the bike business. In February 2004, after years of preparation, I decided to make the move and open my own business.

Ahmad: What kinds of bikes do you sell? And what’s the price range?

Puente: Bicycle Center of Fort Worth has always focused on beginning level riders. I love getting someone hooked on a healthy habit that becomes a lifestyle. With that in mind, my inventory focuses on bikes under $1,000. 

When I started 20 years ago that $1,000 went a lot further than it does now but people’s buying habits haven’t changed. I carry used bikes to meet the needs of that budget shopper. 

In new bikes, I carry Fuji, Marin, and Sun Bicycles, which gives me a good mix. A new trend that’s been going on is the ship-to-store option from our suppliers. If you shop on the manufacturer’s official website, you can purchase the bike from them online and they ship it to us to build and deliver to the customer. We get credit for the sale. This helps keep inventory lower and our online cost down.

I also deal in vintage bikes. Some people prefer vintage because of their quality and craftsmanship, or they want the bike they couldn’t have as a kid.

Over the years I have accumulated a nice collection of vintage bikes and parts that I mostly sell on eBay or to other collectors.

Ahmad: How has your business responded to bike buying trends, from increased competition from an online marketplace to pandemic surges in buying bikes? 

Puente: During the pandemic, things went wild. Bikes and bike parts were selling out across the world. Repairs were way up, just like bicycle prices, and they both haven’t come down yet.

Since then, repairs and used bikes sales have increased.

I advertise used bikes on Craigslist and try to keep a presence there. I sometimes post on Facebook Marketplace. 

Ridership in the Fort Worth area is strong thanks to the Trinity Trails and improvements to the bicycling infrastructure that began under former Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price. 

Also e-bikes have opened up the thought of riding a bike to people that wouldn’t put down their Budweiser long enough for it to get warm. Good or bad — like them or not — it’s people riding and these are bikes to service. Just a word of caution about e-bikes. You have to have some next-level riding skills to be safe, because they can put you in a situation you may not be ready for. Enough about that.

Ahmad: What are some of your favorite places to go on a bike ride in the area?

Puente: I live near the Burton Hill Trinity Trails neighborhood that is surrounded by trails. Naturally, I like riding in that area. My favorite mountain bike trail has to be Dinosaur Valley State Park near Glen Rose. It’s a great trail with scenic views and long climbs. 

Shomial Ahmad is a higher education reporter for the Fort Worth Report, in partnership with Open Campus. Contact her at shomial.ahmad@fortworthreport.org.