Photo: KBJR-TV

By Alex Libby of KBJR-TV- March 27, 2021

Last year at this time, many people were looking for new things to do outside, and biking was a popular choice. This year the demand is still high, but the supply isn't keeping up.

Twin Ports Cyclery in Duluth's Lincoln Park neighborhood has been bustling with customers. Some are having a hard time finding the right bike.

"The last shop I visited didn't have anything left, so I'm working my way down the road," said Ault.

Russell Ault used to ride 3 or 4 days a week when he was younger and is trying to get back at it, but not because of the pandemic.

"I've got a knee replacement and a bad knee. My chiropractor suggested that biking riding might be more beneficial than just walking," said Ault.

Bonnie Verdugo is helping her sister find a new bike.

"There was one that she liked that was sold, and they looked online and said you won't be able to get it, period," said Verdugo.

Like Ault, this was their second stop today, and Owner of Twin Ports Cyclery Denis Sauve says this is very common, and he knows why.

"Last year, most shops had a complement of bikes, and the pipeline was partially full. This year we have all run out of bikes, and the pipeline is empty," said Sauve.

With demand as high as the bike boom in the 1970s, Sauve has had to get creative.

"They happened to have some really nice frames, so we've been putting the bikes together based on those framesets," said Sauve.

He says miss matching frames with parts he already has, along with keeping prices within reason, has kept his customers happy.

"There are shops that are upping the prices because they think they can, well that tends to bite them in the butt," said Sauve.

Like his customers, Sauve has had to remain patient.

"Normally, it's about 18 weeks when we see the orders come in. This year it's probably about 30 weeks," said Sauve.

To watch a video version of this report, follow this link to the KBJR-TV website.  https://kbjr6.com/2021/03/27/bike-shortage-force-local-shops-to-get-creative/