About Jon & The Downtown Ferndale Bike Shop:

When Jon Hughes was 12 years old he was the best salesperson in the family bike shop - surprising customers with his wealth of knowledge (for someone so young!) and perfectly putting customers on bikes they loved riding. That's probably because bicycling is part of Jon's DNA. He's the third generation to make bicycling a profession and he's at it for one simple reason: He loves bikes - riding them, racing them, selling them, making them work perfectly.

Hughes spent his early life on bikes, he learned to ride two-wheeled at the age of three - something that made his parents very proud. He later began racing as a junior and won serious titles in multiple US Championships. He went on to work with his father (who owned multiple shops of his own) building fixed-gear racing bikes and eventually traveled throughout Asia, Europe and the Middle East building tracks, coaching and repairing bikes. After becoming one of the nation’s top-ten riders, Hughes spent years as both head mechanic and manager of several shops. “I ended up working more than I was riding for a while, and it just came time to open up my own place.”

The Downtown Ferndale Bike Shop opened in the Spring of 2010, right in the middle of Woodward's suburban bicycle scene: Downtown Ferndale (right on the main stripe, 9 mile, about one block west of Woodward). All kinds of riders are seen makeing it through the shop - from the grocery getting tricyclists to the electric whizzers, the BMX hard-bodies to the touring elites. You can find all kinds of bikes on sale at the shop - pannier clad commuters, mountain back 29ers, BMX, tour racing, track, vintage. DFBS specializes in solid Fixed Gear track bikes bikes, made to order. Jon stocks with GT, Jamis, Redline, Torqure, & Leader parts and accessories. It's a small nook local biz right in town, it is sure to have what you need and if Jon doesn't have it, he will gladly order it for you.

Jon's employees are accomplished cycling professionals - Luke is the shop's seasoned track expert. Luke works at the shop during day & races at night. He also lays claim to some of the best cross-country records in the state. Luke attended Virginia Tech, majored in Bicycling... Rob, the tall guy, he is the mechanical instrumentalist. Rob majored in music, he can sing, he can play almost every instrument and he is highly skilled in the bicycle trade. He travels skilled as a bike pro tech and is currently studying to be a teacher. Rob rides traditional - he will help you find the simple classic, pefectly fitting ride. Now Dave, he's the All BMX Hardbody. You should see him wheel his thing around; one leg hoping over the other, front wheel stands, jumping every which way. Dave handles the BMX @ the shop. He Builds em, rides em. He knows the suit. Dave also knows how to get you fitted on the bike fit just right for you.

DFBS sponsors some of the best local pros, events and non-profits, as well as some of the top national teams around the country. Every week the local riders get together and stroll the streets of Royal Oak, Oak Park, Hazel Park, ect.. There's also a group ride that leaves the shop every last Friday of every month and cruises to Detroit's Critical Mass. Jon and his employees also conduct all around tune-up mechanic classes, they also host the occasional in-house trick sessions!

There's a lot more to this story - just ask Jon - but at the end of the day his decision to open the Downtown Ferndale Bike Shop was driven by his passion for bicycle perfection. He hopes to share it, spread it and place it where he feels at home.