Bear Bikes

By PJ Marcello Staff Writer marcello13@up.edu

"Get off your bike and start riding a Bear!" That's the slogan for senior mechanical engineering major Sean Thomas' bike business.

Thomas started Bear Bikes in September 2010 out of the two-car garage at his house last year. It has since moved to a humble shack behind his new house, where he uses recycled parts to build bikes primarily for students and professors.

"It started by accident," Thomas said. "I built a bike for myself. Then Dr. Mark Kennedy asked about it, so I built him one. He was my first customer and from that point I made a business model and have been building ever since."

His "office" is a bike enthusiast's dream, filled with bikes he has made for himself, bikes he is working on for customers and a few projects he is testing to make a more aerodynamic ride.

Thomas is constantly on the lookout for parts in Portland so he can use them to make better bikes that will not empty his customers' bank account.

"I utilize Craigslist, local bike shops and any other online deals I find for new parts," Thomas said.

"I don't think you need to spend a ton of money to have a great bike."

Thomas has produced about 40 bikes, and says customers have expressed satisfaction in both the caliber and price of their Bear Bike.

"It was definitely worth it. I was enthralled about the idea of having a custom bike," graduate student David Maile said. "I was very satisfied with what I asked for and what I got."

Thomas' prices have ranged from $150-$590. He does not have a standard set price, but his prices are less expensive than buying from a storefront considering bikes at local shops generally cost upwards of $600.

"The price depends on the bike, but I charge at cost for all the parts and only a small hourly labor cost," Thomas said. "I give a quote after I get the order form, and meet the order without going over that cost, and I offer lifetime free tune ups and paint jobs on Bear Bikes."

While business is good for Thomas, it comes with a few pros and cons for his housemate, Nick Etheredge.

"His shop takes up a lot of room in the man cave," Etheredge said. " But the benefit to the business is it keeps Sean out of the house and out of my hair."

Etheredge, who does not work on the bikes, provides some contributions in other realms of the Bear Bikes business.

"I take pictures of the bikes for the site. You can say I'm the official Bear Bikes photographer," Etheredge said.

The Bear Bikes brand and logo can be seen on bikes throughout the campus marked with the Bear sticker on the frame of each custom bike.

"I've always had a thing for grizzlies and I based the name off of what would make a cool logo and what's more badass than a grizzly bear?" Thomas said.

Though he is graduating this year, Thomas is still undecided on the future of his bike shop.

"I'm playing with the idea of making it an LLC, but it probably wouldn't happen until I graduate." Thomas said. "From that point there are opportunities for expansion but right now I am focused on being a student."

To see some of Thomas' custom bikes, check out the Bear Bikes page on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bear-Bikes/129468927109147?sk=info). There is also a link to the Bear Bikes website where you can find contact information or order a custom bike online http://www.wix.com/thomas46/bear.