Greenpoint Bikes

An avid biker, Adam Sosnicki was able to fulfill his dream of opening a cycle shop by posting an ad on Craigslist (yes, really). He needed a business partner with mechanical skills and used the site to connect with former competitive racer and bike messenger Pablo Airaldi. The pair now runs a full-service repair and sales shop with a special focus: Every set of wheels is vintage. “For now, we’re not carrying any new bikes at all,” Airaldi says. “There are so many bikes out there that need to be rescued and brought back to life.” As part of that resurrection, Airaldi’s team outfits the frames (mostly from the 1970s and ’80s) with cushy seats and comfortable handlebars. Much of the stock ranges from $200 to $500, although GB plans to eventually offer higher-end locally made frames. Other local nods: the shop’s murals by artist Yatika Starr and, soon, messenger totes by Greenpoint designer Mer Bags ($20–$60).