Bike, Board and Ski Shop Opens In Montclair

A new business has opened in Upper Montclair— the Sir Isaac, a bike, board, and ski shop.

Already Sir Isaac is renting and selling bicyles, mostly Linus and Brooklyn cruiser brands that are nice for pleasure riding around town, as well as a wide variety of accessories such as helmets, baskets, and locks.

Owner Ray Smith, who owned on Valley Road for 15 years before selling it six years ago, also owns Ray's Bike Rentals at Sandy Hook.

He said his bike rental fees at the new Montclair shop will be similar to those charged at Ray's: adult bikes rent for $12 for 90 minutes, $16 for three hours, and $25 for a full day. Children's bikes rent for $10 for 90 minutes, $14 for three hours, and $20 for a full day.

The shop will start peddling snowboards and skis in October and also will perform ski and board tune-ups as well as bike repairs.

The store will not, Smith noted, sell or rent skateboards.

When asked why he chose Upper Montclair for his new shop—located in the space on Bellevue Avenue just off Valley Road that was formerly occupied by Little Angels—Smith said he believed the neighborhood could support a bike, board, and ski shop.

"I know that people here don't always want to drive to Bloomfield Avenue to shop," he said. "And I also wanted a small space because I wanted to keep everything very simple." 

Smith said he has over 20 years of experience in the biking industry as a bike store owner and bike race promoter. He has facilitated many biking events including fundraising and Bike&Walk Montclair, a non-profit initiative to introduce bike paths in Montclair. He himself is a rider and former New Jersey State Champion bike racer who said he understands the importance of a safe and well-run facility.

When it comes to Sir Isaac, Smith noted the foot traffic that will be generated by the new Razz Berry Frozen Swirl yogurt shop set to open soon next door at 197 Bellevue Avenue, as

Both Razz Berry and Sir Isaac are just a few doors down from the Bellevue branch of the Montclair Public Library and also Mount Hebron Middle School, home to a lot of cyclists.

So check out Sir Isaac. The store will be open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.