Business

Whippet’s Puts a New Spin on Adelaide Bike Stores

 

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“Just because the Tour Down Under has ridden out of town, doesn’t mean that cycling fever has died down just yet. In Adelaide, there’s been quite the hubbub around local bike store and workshop Whippet’s.
For Brett Anderson and his business partners Jason and Shane, Whippets embodies the young men’s passion for cycling and to do something against the grain.

“Cycling has always been a huge passion of ours, and we wanted to bring this to our shop,” says Brett.

“We get satisfaction out of seeing our customers happy with their bikes and enjoying what Adelaide has to offer. People like the fact that you can have a coffee, sit in our courtyard and chat about your last awesome ride without feeling pressured to make a purchase.”

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The rustic warehouse store and workspace located at Stepney (a hipster’s dream) is a welcome change from Brett’s garage, where the Whippet’s journey began.

“During my uni studies, I started servicing bikes out of my shed to earn a few extra dollars. Soon my loyal following expanded until I was too busy to fit in work and study!” he says.

Explaining the name Whippet’s, Brett says: “My first ever customer, Ron, would yell out ‘Whippet!’ over the fence when he wanted to come and get his bike serviced. Me being half his size and able to climb the hills much quicker, Whippet seemed appropriate.”

Starting Whippet’s on a less-than-dream budget, the store has grown considerably in the last 6 months, expanding their range to include Santa Cruz and KTM-brand bikes, as well as being a certified Wiggle Service Point (the only one in Adelaide, no less)

Not only that, the Whippet’s team encourages customers to bring their Internet bike part purchases in.

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“We’re a friendly bike shop, we definitely encourage customers to bring their Internet purchases in to be fitted if that’s what they’re after,” says Brett.

And if you’re not a cyclist, there’s still plenty to enjoy at Whippet’s – the laidback ambience of the workshop plus the newly set up courtyard café and D’Angelo coffee making the Stepney Street hangout the perfect place for a casual catch up just outside the CBD.

“We want the shop to be a hub for cyclists to meet, get their bikes tuned and enjoy a coffee… and my mums homemade baked goods,” says Brett.

“Cycling has really boomed in recent years,” he adds.

“It has a wide appeal – from those that enjoy commuting to the more serious road and mountain bike racing. People love the fact that anyone at any level can get outside and be involved. You can just see that at every café, there will be a group cyclists grabbing a coffee and having a chat.”

With the cycling culture in Adelaide bigger than ever, Whippet’s will be hosting events and sponsoring a number of races to support the local cycling scene.

“We’re looking at hosting a night to televise a stage of the Giro D’Italia in May, and the Tour De France in July. Stay tuned to our Facebook page and website for further details.”

Whippet’s Workshop is located at 11 Stepney St, Stepney 5069. Check them out on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/WhippetsWorkshop and follow them on Instagram – @whippetsworkshop.

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