The humble beginnings of Sid's Bikes started over 37 years ago, with a small store called Chain Auto located in the Inwood section of upper Manhattan. As the name implies, the store was an auto parts store, but in addition, locksmithing and small appliance repairs could be had.
...It started in '69 with a small assortment of bikes. By the midst of the '73 oil embargo, selling bicycles became a major part of Chain Auto. Soon, the flood of customers interested in commuting to work by bicycle, and the new trend towards exercising, made the bicycle section of the store grow beyond the other departments.
...In 1979 Chain Auto officially changed its name to Sid's Bike Corp. Sid was the nickname of the shopkeeper. Under the new focus came a new location in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. At this point the business shifted almost entirely to bicycles. In keeping with its roots, however, customers could still get locksmith service while having their bike repaired.
...In 1993, Sid's opened a second location in Manhattan's Kips Bay neighborhood. In 1997 the store moved around the corner to its current location at 235 E 34th St.
...In 2005, Sid retires, closing the original Bronx location. In May, 2007 Sid's opened a second Manhattan location at 151 West 19th Street and Seventh Avenue.