West End Bicycles-Houston, Texas:About Us

The Shop
The first thing you notice as you come upon West End Bicycles is that it's not in the middle of a bustling mall or part of a strip center with a crowded parking lot. Rather it's a simple unassuming building nestled in the heart of the West End district of Houston amidst old homes and new townhouses. As you walk to the front door you'll probably see at least a couple of cats resting under the trees and on the window ledges.

Once inside, you realize you're not in an average bike store. Just inside is the bike museum, an interesting exhibit of bikes that includes old cruisers, custom-made mountain bikes and even a gas-powered bicycle. Then there's the large spacious showroom where almost every bike is sitting on the floor. Here you can take your time and look over each bike, pick them up, and sit on them. Also, accessories, clothing and components are easy to find--neatly organized and out in the open.

The People
Start talking to the people at West End Bicycles and you'll notice a difference. They take the time to listen, answer questions and help you make informed decisions. You'll discover that these are people who live and breath bicycles that love to share their knowledge. Most important, they urge you to take your time, ride a few different bikes and come back as many times as necessary.

The shop owner, Daniel Murphy, has been in the bike industry since 1979 and opened West End Bicycles in 1985. He offers a great deal of experience and wisdom to customers. His soft-spoken and mild mannered tone liken him to a wise old sage. He wants to know about you and your interest in cycling, and from that, will offer you the best choices to fit your needs and budget. Above all, he demands quality and value and offers you products and solutions that are reliable and proven.

He looks for products he can stand behind and is never quick to accept the latest and greatest. He tests things out himself and wants feedback from customers. If you have any questions about a particular product, its value and performance, be sure to contact the shop. They can usually tell you all about it.

All in the family
At West End Bicycles we believe a good bicycle shop does more than sell bikes. We have a large group of regular customers that keep coming back because of a relationship built on trust and a shared passion for cycling. At almost any time, you can find one or more of the "regulars" hanging out at the shop, checking out bikes, and talking with the staff. They're quick to offer advice and information.

Also, we like to consider our regulars as "family" and urge anyone to join in. We have bi-weekly and weekend rides, and often get together for dinners, birthday parties, and other occasions. Our group isn't a bunch of testosterone-driven tight lipped road jockeys, but rather just good people getting together for good exercise and friendship. You can look at it as a social circle that's good for your heart (literally) and soul. Just ask Daniel the next time you come in or see the Rides and Events page.