Yes, we are bike fans, but anyone could be interested in this place. It’s a bit overwhelming when you first step in, but in a charming lunatic fringe kind of way. It has bikes and bike themed displays EVERYWHERE, from every era including the 1800’s as well as celebrity bikes. It’s the project of one guy who started collecting about 25 years ago and now it’s more like a full time obsession. 🙂 And it’s free but we gave a donation. It’s been voted the top museum in Pittsburg and the best bike shop.
They have 17 Bowden Spacelanders, the first fiberglass bike made and one of the most sought-after bicycles for collectors. Only 30 or so exist in the world.
Hanging from the ceiling and stacked in every conceivable space are close to 6,000 bicycles. They also display an extensive collection of memorabilia and theme bikes that includes The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Sports and Bobbleheads, local art work, and many other rare items to enjoy.
Some of these bikes have been in movies including: A Beautiful Mind, Super 8, Fathers & Daughters, Fences and many others. On display in the museum is a Pee-wee Herman bike from the movie Pee-wee’s Big Adventure!
I even found a bike that had intersected with my past life! When I lived in Big Bear, California one of my friends and riding partners was a guy named Dan Hanebrink. He was an inventor and mechanic who at the time was making gravity bikes – bikes that you point down a steep hill and see how fast they will go. His brand was Hutch and the bike I had seen, that he piloted to the speed of 139 miles an hour, was right in front of me. Dan died recently, which I found out as I tried to contact him. RIP Dan! You were an amazing person.
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