SALISBURY — Skinny Wheels Pedals & Pints has a new owner, but he’s definitely not new to the bicycle industry.

Porter Baker, a native of Spencer, officially became the owner of the downtown Salisbury bike shop, located at 111 W. Innes St., on Dec. 3, which is when he said the deal was closed.

Bikes have always been a part of his family, Baker said, noting he has been riding his entire life, and his mom’s brothers actually traveled the country and raced bikes in the ’70s. Instead of watching NASCAR, he said, they watched the Tour de France growing up.

Not only has he been riding bikes, but he taught himself how to fix them, and in time attended mechanics school, the United Bicycle Institute in Oregon.

In his career, Baker has worked for professional race teams, a job he said he applied for as a “shot in the dark” not knowing how things would work out, and while he never went to the Tour de France himself, he did become a bicycle mechanic for approximately seven cyclists who went on to race in it.

Just as there are levels when it comes to other sports, there are different tiers in the cycling world, and the professional team he was with, he said, was like “a minor league team, but they were professional here in the United States,” traveling all over the country, Canada and some parts of South America.

Born and raised in Rowan County, Baker graduated from North Rowan High School. 

“I’m a RoCo person,” he said. “Salisbury is in my blood.”

And so when he was approached by Eric Phillips, former owner of Skinny Wheels Pedals & Pints, Baker, who was working at a bike shop in Statesville at the time, said he “was excited to come back to Salisbury and work in my hometown and be involved with people that I know and faces that I know and being a part of my community.”

It was a year ago that Phillips asked him to come work at the shop with the plan to take over eventually; however, he said with a laugh, “I didn’t know it was going to happen that quick.”

Baker said right now he is the only official employee at the shop; however, he does have some good family and friends that are helping him, with his fiancee Candice Brown being one of those.

While he plans to put his own little twist on the business, he doesn’t plan on making dramatic changes.

“I like what Eric had going,” said Baker “There’s a reason I’m keeping the name and keeping the whole vibe, because I like what he had going.”

When he first started working at the bike shop, his duties were similar to other shops he has worked at including turning wrenches and getting people’s bikes fixed, with an added job of “pouring beer, which was different,” he said, along with talking to people, “and sometimes you’re a therapist.”

This social aspect is one thing that Baker said he enjoys and encourages people if they want to come in and socialize, have a cold beer and just talk to “go for it.” 

He said people “don’t have to be a major cyclist. You can just be an enthusiast.”

As for what is offered at the shop, Baker said they service, repair and sell bikes, parts, accessories, clothes, lights, locks, “the whole thing.”

Those needing to have their bike repaired can drop it off at the shop and he tries to get it back out in at least 48 hours, usually quicker, he said, adding that he provides full service and repair, no matter the make, brand, model or style.

Bikes sold there include mountain bikes, road bikes, hybrids, kids’ bikes and E-bikes, something everyone is wanting right now. The E-bikes use a 110 outlet and usually last about 55 miles on a charge. In time he might add some higher end bikes to the inventory.

Spring and summer group rides are another feature the shop offers the community. Phillips began these rides, said Baker, and he plans to continue them. 

Usually twice a week when the weather allows, men and women go out for a ride to the country, going about 20 miles and then returning to the shop for a social hour afterwards.

They are definitely open to something for beginners too, he said, “different paces and distances, something to cater to everyone.” And he would like to try some mountain bike rides. Details about the rides will be posted on social media when they start back up 

Baker said he can work on a lot of things, but he feels the “simplicity of it, the smaller nature of the mechanics of a bike is what draws me to it.”

And he not only likes to work on the bikes, but he continues to, as the saying goes, practice what he preaches as he does lots of riding.

In fact, Brown shared, he rides his bike to work everyday from Spencer when he can, also adding how proud she is of him.

He rides through various parks and uses “just about every piece of infrastructure I can think of coming to work,” when possible, he said, noting however that the cold and rain isn’t so nice.

Riding a bike has lots of benefits, he said, including he doesn’t have to find parking, pay for gas, insure a vehicle or pay taxes plus it has health benefits.

“It’s not just competition and sport and going fast, it’s about being a part of your community and doing transportation in a different way,” said Baker.

While she isn’t quite ready to join him on these rides, Brown said she is learning and wants to make riding bikes a family thing, adding that her daughter loves to go riding with him. 

As for what advice he would pass along to bike riders, he said, “I’m big on safety,” so making sure people have what they need including helmets and lights are important.

“If you buy a bike from me, I want you to go out and have everything,” he said. “I’m not trying to be a pushy salesman, I just want you to have everything you need to have a fun time.”

Shop hours are Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For additional information visit them on the website, Facebook and Instagram.