#86 - Browse the Bikes at South Shore Bicycle and Fitness

Now that spring is here, it’s a good time to buy a bike and get in shape.

And there’s no better place to look for one than , the only bike shop in the Five Towns, which lies in the heart of Woodmere.

The store carries a big variety of top-names to suit every kind of rider and any kind of terrain, such as mountain bikes, road bikes, cruisers and kids bikes. Depending on what kind of biking you have in mind, your level of expertise and your price range, the friendly and knowledgeable staff will help you pick just the right one.

For those who want the convenience of exercising at home, they also specialize in fitness equipment, like treadmills, ellipticals and spinners, which have become an immensely popular alternative to old-fashioned stationary bikes. There’s also a big selection of accessories of all kinds, most notably riding and exercise shoes.

“We’ve probably sold more shoes this year than were sold in the past 20 years combined,” said store owner Ken Laskin, who took over the 68-year-old shop about a year ago.

If anything needs repair, South Shore's mechanics can fix all makes and models, whether you purchased it at the store or not. The same goes for bike assembly. And they promise to get it back to you fast.

The service department offers basic maintenance and complete overhaul packages, such as tune-ups, lube jobs, brake and gear adjustment, wheel-straightening and cleaning. They even offer a bike-packing service if you need it shipped somewhere. 

The comprehensive website, www.southshorebicycle.com, offers much more than just store and product descriptions. It's got information and advice about every facet of biking, as well as online forums and links to bicycling websites.

Once you’ve picked out your bike, take it for a spin around the lake at in Hewlett or the bike path at . You can even get in on the weekly group ride that departs from the bike store on Sundays.

Either way, it’s a fun way to get your exercise.