We're serious about our manifesto.  We mean it when we say that if you tell us what you want, we'll listen.  And we heard from you time and again that you were looking for an affordable, and attractive bike to ride around the city that wouldn't break the bank.  Enter, Papillionaire Bicycles. 

Papillionaire (a riff on the Latin word for butterfly, Papilio) is a new bicycle company founded by a brother and sister team in Austrailia and based in Brooklyn, NY that offers beautiful, strong and smart vintage-style bicycles.  We're proud to be Portland's first dealer.

Why we love them:

• Every bike is equipped with a color-matched rear rack, chainguard and fenders, a bell and kickstand.
• All are internally geared, which makes for a cleaner, more reliable and lower-maintenance city riding experience.
• All frames are lugged and made from Cro-Moly steel.
• They come with high quality components: Shimano hubs, Tektro dual pivot brakes and leather grips.
• They look as good as they ride. And sometimes that matters just as much.

We are currently stocking the following models. Stop on by for a test ride sometime!

1. The Classic ($600)- A sleek diamond-style frame with mid-rise handlebars and 3-speed Shimano internal gearing.

2. The Mixte ($600-800)- A mixte (pronounced 'mixtee' or 'meext' depending on how French you want to sound) is a frame style that lies between a traditional diamond-shaped frame and a full step through, providing the perfect balance between strength, efficiency and style. Available with 3 or 8-speed Shimano internal gearing.

3. The Sommer ($600)- An upright dutch-style bike that's equal parts comfort and beauty. With 3-speed Shimano internal gearing.

In May Gladys Bikes will be moving to 2905 NE Alberta St!

Secrets are hard. Especially ones that make you so happy that all you want to do is scream from the hilltops and tell everyone you know. And so, we're incredibly excited that the time has come for us to stop keeping secrets and share that as of May 2014 Gladys Bikes will be moving northeast to a bigger, street front location 2905 NE Alberta Street. Our cozy little space on Williams has served as a perfect 'starter home' for the past few months, but the time has come for us to grow into a larger space.  And we couldn't be happier. 

Gladys will be sharing the building with cork wine shop which will re-open soon with a new layout and will feature bottles from Viola Wines, a new urban winery. The owner of cork and Viola, Darryl, is an avid cyclist who has traveled wine regions in Italy, France, Spain and Northern California by bike. We think he will add some helpful insights to those of you that want to learn about touring wine regions while sipping great wine!

We're thrilled to be moving onto such a vibrant street and active community, and are especially looking forward to being closer to our friends at the Community Cycling Center, down the street from our pals at Sip, a block away from The Sugar Cube (dangerous!), a hop-skip-and-a-jump from our favorite dress shop, Amelia, and in the mix with a slew of other great, locally-owned businesses. We think it's a perfect community for us to settle in to as we begin to expand our offerings: Three cheers for more bikes, more clothing that's made to fit our bodies and more fun events!  We think you're going to love it too.

Gladys Bikes will continue to operate out of 3808 N Williams until the end of April, so be sure to visit us here in the meantime and stay tuned for info about the upcoming bike move (SAVE THE DATE: May 3), a moving sale and grand (re)opening party!

Saturday March 8th - Saturday March 15th

Out with the old so we can bring in the new!

• 50% off all bags and accessories

• 50% off clothing

• 30% off fenders 

• 25% off floor models semi-custom bikes

• 25% off helmets 

• 10% off all service 

Yoga for Bike Riders: Part Three

The third in our series of beginning yoga for bike riders classes, this one will focus on yoga poses that benefit the shoulders. Through a serious of stretches and gentle backbends we will bring new flexibility and strength into our hard-working shoulders! This 1.5 hour class includes a relaxation phase and a short meditation. Welcome all!

When: Sunday, March 23, 10am - 11:30am

Where:  Gladys BIkes

Cost: $10 (sliding scale, cash only)

RSVP:  Space is limited to 9 participants. Please RSVP at [email protected]

Bonus! Purchase Pedal, Stretch, Breathe The Yoga of Bicycling by Kelli Refer from Gladys after yoga and get a complimentary yoga journal.

You are cordially invited by Quick Study Clothing & Gladys Bikes to Dress Like Your Bike!

When: Wednesday, Feb 12, 7-9pm

Where: Gladys Bikes

You know that thing where people kind of look like their pets? Well, we think the same is true for bikes. That’s why Quick Study and Gladys Bikes are throwing a party to celebrate the unique style shared by you and your ride!

Dress Like Your Bike on Wednesday February 12 and cruise by Gladys (3808 N Williams, Suite 132) from 7-9pm for bubbly, snacks, and a free formal bike portraits for the first 24 RSVPS from Shot by Shola.*

Whether you ride a spotless custom gem that you’ve spent ages fine-tuning or the splatter painted Huffy you got for your 11th birthday, don’t you think it’s time your bike didn’t have to wait for you outside? We know you already have an outfit.

One lucky person/bike pair in attendance will win a $50 Quick Study / $50 Gladys Bikes gift certificate package!  Winner will be selected and announced on 2/14/14 via Facebook and Instagram.

*To sign up to get your portrait with your bike, head over the to Facebook event page and post a short description of your bike.

Yoga for Bike Riders

Whether you are a racer, a roadie, a commuter... no matter how you ride yoga is the best accompaniment to make your pedaling smooth and pain-free. Come and practice the best bicyclists' yoga poses with April Streeter at Gladys - we provide the mats and the props, you provide the body! Suitable for beginners, this 1.5 hour class will include a relaxation phase and a short meditation. 

When: Sunday, February 16, 10am - 11:30am

Where:  Gladys BIkes

Cost: $10 (cash only, please)

RSVP:  Space is limited to 9 participants. Please RSVP at [email protected]

Bonus! Purchase Pedal, Stretch, Breathe The Yoga of Bicycling by Kelli Refer from Gladys after yoga and get a complimentary yoga journal.

We'll be giving ourselves a little break for the holidays and closing the shop Wednesday, December 25 (aka Christmas) through Friday, December 27.

We'll be open and back to our normal hours on Saturday, December 28. And closed again on January 1 to celebrate the New Year. 

Happy Holidays!

Meet Jim, Gladys Bikes' bicycle mechanic extraordinaire. 

Beyond being a skilled and meticulous mechanic, he's a patient teacher, a kind and non-judgmental advisor, and also, apparently, quite the dancer.

p.s. He's the one wearing the jean jacket and cap. Choreography by Corinn Dewaard.

Meet our newest semi-custom build.

Can't wait for her owner to see her. I'm predicting love at first sight.

Did somebody say 20% off?

Can't decide what to get for the bicycle riders in your life? Have no fear - we're here to help.

(P.S. All products available at Gladys, of course.)

Stocking Stuffers.

Little packages that make for big smiles.

1. Knog Bike Lights- Adorable, multi-colored lights that add just a touch more fun (and safety) to any bicycle they live on.
2. Portland Design Works 'Bird Cage' Water Bottle Cage- Embrace the Portland stereotype and and 'put a bird on it'. 
3. Crane Bicycle Bells- Classic, lovely design that produces the perfect "ding".

Portland Made. 

Support your local makers.

1. Double Darn Wool Cycling Caps- Keep your noggin' warm and stylish.
2. North St Bags- Locally-designed and sewn panniers and convertible backpacks.
3. Taking the Lane Press- Run by Elly Blue, Bikenomics expert and publisher of feminist non-fiction about bicyling.

Women-Owned Companies.

Awesome gals making awesome products. 

1. PoCampo Bags- Practical and stylish bags that are designed to transition beautifully from your commute to your office.
2. Sweet Spot Skirts- Fun and flirty coverup skirts, made locally and loved everywhere.  
3. Vespertine- Fashionable reflective gear to keep you safe a lookin' good.

When I was in my early twenties Idealist.org was a big part of my life. As I attempted to piece together who I was, who I wanted to be and where I fit in, I spent hours (upon hours) on idealist in search of the perfect job that would allow me to not only earn a paycheck, but also make a difference in people's lives. 

I found hundreds of jobs I wanted, and applied for dozens that ranged in location from Wisconsin and Pennsylvania to Guatemala and Chile. I crafted beautiful cover letters and resumes that artfully inflated my minimal work experience through flowery prose and impeccable formatting. I sent them out with pride and complete confidence in my chances. 

I never got one of those jobs from idealist. Truth be told, I'm not sure I ever even got an interview from one of them. (Likely because I was massively under-qualified for all the impressive-sounding positions I was applying for.) 

But today, I got the next best thing. Perhaps even a better thing.  Thanks for the great article, Idealist.org. 

You don't have to be a bike mechanic to ride a bike. We're here to help you keep your bike in tip-top condition.

But some of you want more. You want to feel the grease under your fingernails.  You want to hold the wrench.  So, due to popular demand, we're now offering a space for you to build your skills. 

Every Thursday from here on out, we'll opening up our doors to y'all to provide a time and space for you to come in to learn about how to work on your own bicycle! 

What: Open Shop Night
When:  Every Thursday, 6pm-8pm
Where: Gladys Bikes

To make the most of your time come in with a specific project or question in mind -- whether it be fixing a flat, lubing your chain, or replacing brake cables/housing, etc -- and we'll have a friendly and experienced mechanic on hand to answer your questions and help you gain the skills to work on your bike in a relaxed and welcoming environment. 

Hope to see some of you in the coming weeks!