Carrera Cycles Coming to Glen Rock

Drive train a problem with your high-end road bike? Problems with your unicycle, perhaps? Juan Mejia has the answer.

The wizard mechanic is opening up a new full-service bicycle shop at 235 Rock Road this winter and he says he can fix just about anything with wheels that isn't a car.

"I've been working basically forever in this business," Mejia, owner of Carrera Cycles, said from inside his store. In fact, he said, he's locally famous for his mechanic skills.

The native of the Dominican Republic has been a wrenching fixture in New York City and North Jersey for over a decade, and he's ready to provide his hands to the growing cycling population in the Ridgewood/Glen Rock area.

Mejia had been working at Cycle Sport in Park Ridge before the move, but also has hopped around at the former Ridgewood bike shop, Get Outside, and also New York at Sid's Bike Shop on 34th St.

Before forging out on his own, he'd also built up a steady client base nearby at his Fair Lawn home.

"I had about 260 clients going to my house," the father of two said. "Next thing you know, I said, 'It's time to make a move.' It hasn't been easy but it's not supposed to be easy. If it were, everyone would do it."

Mejia was waltzing down Rock Road en route to to ship items to a client when he saw his golden opportunity.

"I saw this sign outside – 'For rent' – and I said, 'Wow, that looks excellent.' So I saw the phone number, made an appointment, called and next thing you know, I'm in."

Carrera Cycles will be offering a full line of service from low end to high end bicycles, of any make or model. "If it's got two wheels or three wheels, I'll service it. Anything with wheels except cars – even motorcycles I can do," he said.

His full service option – $85 – includes taking off the drive train and completely adjusting it, including the breaks and gears. A basic service, which does not include a drive train tinkering, will cost $65.

For $30, he'll do a quick tuneup for a customer if he has the time, he said. The mechanic and new business owner is hoping he won't have to do too many of those if business takes off as planned.

Mejia initially planned on doing service and with some storefront dedicated to carrying accessories, but a friend convinced him to also carry a bike line. As a result, there's now a line of Giant bicycles up for sale.

True to Glen Rock spirit, it'll be a family operation. In addition to a couple employees, you can expect to see Mejia's wife and two kids at Carrera Cycles when it opens, either in December or early January.

"I know a lot of customers that come to me from this town," he said. "I'm so excited to come to Glen Rock."