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This story appeared for the first time in the 2025 cycling guide, an annual special section aimed at telling the stories of companies, people and local efforts that made the corridor a cycling destination.
Dan Nidey has opened World of Bikes as a small service store on Capitol Street. Fifty years later, it is a basic food from Iowa City that continues to move forward.
World of Bikes scored 50 years of activity last year after opening in the fall of 1974. Cycling opened a world of opportunities for Nidey, taking it across the country and beyond.
“I was a student at the University of Iowa for several years, I just would not really get too involved in being a student,” said Nidey.
Nidey had worked in other cyclist stores in Iowa City before buying a few tools and a small amount of inventory in a store that closed to start his own business.
The first iteration of World of Bikes was based in a small garage with Nidey providing repair services to local cyclers. Less than two years later, Nidey moved the shop to its current location at 723 S. Gilbert St., although it has always shared the building very early. He remained focused on service, but he finally wanted to sell stocks.
“I was interested (to own a store) because I became a cyclist at that time,” recalls Nidey. “I liked to make longer rides. I realized that it was a hobby and it might be a vocation. »»
According to Nidey, the store has evolved naturally, when it appreciated the role of a community in cycling. As a university city, Iowa City had a large number of runners. Some have bike for transport, a zipping around the campus and the city center. Others have done so to have fun or to exercise, free themselves from the animated streets and on the trails and the gravel roads.
Nidey was particularly attracted by those who went up for sport, but he remained versatile, seeking to offer something for everyone.
“It has become a store concept. The family, sport and the community have been subject to that, “he said. “I realized how much the community participation bike needed. What can we do to support the community? »»
Nidey was ready to transmit the store to someone else nineteen years ago. Again, he turned to the cycling community that it was built. A former employee and cycling colleague, Ryan Baker, has become the ideal person to pass the torch.
Baker worked at World of Bikes when he was a student. Years later, he and Nidey reconnected, and Nidey saw an opportunity.
“He was one of the few people through the store who, in my opinion, had the ability, personality and perseverance, all these things,” said Nidey. “In some respects, it was similar to me with regard to our vision and how we wanted to treat people. How we are really serious about the bicycle. He wanted to encourage others in the activity. »»
Logo of the 50th anniversary of the world of bikes. (Submitted photo)
“I always said that I wanted to be out of the company at the age of 60,” added Nidey. “I was 54 years old at the time. Ryan was ready.
Nidey and Baker worked together for the first year, attenuating the transition between the owners.
Baker shares Nidey’s enthusiasm, not only for cycling, but for the cycling community. It remains strong in Iowa City, he says, with a group of gravel riders who meet in World of Bikes Weekly during the hot seasons.
The store is aimed at cyclists of all types, filled with bikes of salsa cycles, trek and other popular brands. It also offers tools, accessories and clothing.
The store also offers electric bikes, which, according to Baker, is the fastest trend for the cycling industry.
“The false idea is that they are cheating bikes or that the bike does all the work,” said Baker. “You should always pedal. This simply amplifies your pedal strokes. You can always go out and get training. We correct people and say that they allow bikes. »»
Most bikes in stock are new, but World of Bikes has a business program for children so that they can go to the appropriate bike as they grow. They can exchange their old bike for store credit to go to their next bike.
“This allows parents to keep children on good bikes,” said Baker.
World of Bikes renovates the bikes that are exchanged, giving them in the community to organizations like the Iowa City bicycle library to get more children by bike.
After more than 50 years, the store continues to provide a full suite of services, including tire repairs, suspension work, full development, diagnostics and electric bike repairs.
Baker is optimistic that World of Bikes will continue to serve cyclists in Iowa City for the next 50 years. Nidey is grateful for what cycling and the store have given it.
“I had an excellent race for more than 30 years to do so. Ryan has just been wonderful, ”said Nidey. “I could not have had a better person to come and move the company to this level according to that she had to be able to support.”