Sumbaum Cycle: 130th Anniversary For Joliet's Enduring Bicycle Store

JOLIET — May marks National Bike Month and that means it's one of the busiest times of the year for the nation's second-oldest bicycle store — Joliet's own — Sumbaum Cycle, now marking its 130th year of business.

To commemorate Sumbaum's 130th anniversary, the bicycle store on Larkin Avenue is selling anniversary T-shirts as well as commemorative jerseys. The T-shirts are $20, and the jerseys are $99.

Since 1975, Sumbaum has operated at 114 N. Larkin Ave., and Ted Sari has owned and operated Sumbaum for the past 37 years.

Now that summer is almost here, "we're getting a lot more traffic," Sari said, referring to walk-in customers. "And the big trends are the E-bikes."

Sumbaum's electric bikes, manufactured by Trek, mostly sell for $2,000, and some go up to $10,000.

Although Sumbaum has quite a number of customers who are seasoned and experienced cyclists, Sumbaum has always strived to be known as a bicycle store geared for everybody.

"We get people that haven't been on a bike since their childhood," Sari told me during last week's interview. "And we have our regular customers that have been coming here for the last 50 years."

There are no other Sumbaum Cycle stores anywhere in the world, just the one in Joliet, Illinois.

O.F. Sumbaum opened his bicycle shop near Joliet's downtown back in 1894. During the early years of Sumbaum, the store also sold automobiles and boats, before eventually finding its niche by sticking with bicycles.

What's been Sumbaum's recipe for success?

"Talking and spending time with people and building relationships with people has been as important as it's ever been," Sari explained.

Sari said he's still contemplating the idea of opening a second storefront for Sumbaum, probably in Shorewood, but he does not expect it will happen in 2024.

"Possibly within a couple years we might do it," he said.

For decades, Sumbaum specialized in Schwinns. These days, it's Trek bicycles.

So what sets Sumbaum Cycle apart from giant retail chains that carry racks of bicycles in the sporting good sections of their department stores?

"You can't go in there needing your tire fixed," Sari pointed out. "You're not going to get that at a Dick's Sporting Goods or a Walmart."

Sumbaum carries about 125 new bicycles in stock on Larkin Avenue. Last week's interview, not surprisingly, was interrupted at times as several walk-in customers dropped by, including several people inquiring about purchasing electric bikes.

There are three different classes for E-bikes, Sari said. The Class 1 E-bikes can reach speeds of 20 mph, the Class 2 reach 25 mph and the Class 3 can go 28 mph.

In 2024, about three out of every 10 bicycles sold are E-bikes, according to Sari.

More than anything, Sari strongly urges everyone who rides a bicycle to wear a helmet and have lights for their bicycle.

"Safety first. The lights are just for people to see you," he said. "Usually the accidents happen just when you go around the block."

Now that business is back on the uptick, with summer almost here, Sari said he's hoping to hold a gathering at the store for customers to join him and celebrate Sumbaum Cycle's 130th anniversary.

"I'm thinking end of summer or early fall," he said.

Sumbaum Cycle is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The store is closed Sundays and Wednesdays.

In addition to a wide assortment of bicycles for top-level riders to beginners, Sumbaum prides itself as being the area's go-to store for accessories including helmets, gloves, jerseys, locks, baskets, lights, tire pumps and more. Sari and his long-time staff also specialize in repairs and bicycle tune-ups.

And, of course, fixing flat bicycle tires.

Sari and his colleagues often repair several bicycle flat tires every day.

For more about the store's bicycle inventory, prices and accessories, visit the Sumbaum Cycle website.

Key Dates in Sumbaum Cycle's 130-Year History:

1894: the late O.F. Sumbaum opened Sumbaum Cycling on Cass Street in 1894. The original Joliet store sold bicycles, automobiles and boats.

1943: Ted Sari's father, Gene "Mibs" Sari, (1929 - 2015) went to work for Sumbaum as a teenager.

1951: Mibs Sari purchased Sumbaum Cycle, keeping its name. Mibs went on to own Sumbaum Cycle for over 60 years, according to his obituary.

1974: Mibs Sari built Sumbaum's new storefront on Joliet's west side at 114 N. Larkin Ave. Over the years, Sumbaum Cycle sold more than 50,000 Schwinn bicycles.

2024: Sumbaum Cycle celebrates its 130th anniversary, making it the nation's second-oldest bicycle store. The oldest store is in New Jersey, and it's got us by two or three years, according to Ted Sari.

Related Joliet Patch coverage:

Sumbaum Cycle: 2nd Oldest Bicycle Shop In U.S. Has Black Friday Sale