Daily Grind: Ozzie Perez & Tread Bike Shop

PHOTO BY: B.E HEARD

Tread Bike Shop

250 Dyckman Street
New York, NY 10034-5354
(212) 544-7055

UPTOWN COLLECTIVE: Where are you from?

OZZIE PEREZ, TREAD BIKE SHOP OWNER: I want to say I’m from 183rd, 184th, 189th.

What is Tread Bike Shop?

The shop is a place created to give Uptown the cycling service we (uptowners) deserve. Before Tread we had to go downtown to get the kind of service my boys and I needed due to our cycling ability and the quality of our bikes.

How did Tread Bike Shop come to be?

A few friends and I were doing a public access TV show on Mountain biking called Tread DOGZ and the shop sponsoring the show was on 88St.( my friend worked there, we’ll get back to him later) . I thought to myself, we have to go all the way downtown for real service, that was wack. Another friend of ours lived on Seaman Ave. and told us about the block where we originally open was almost completely empty, I could probably get a store front for cheap. I said Dyckman would be perfect cause it would be smack in the middle of the 2 shops that were uptown at that moment(1998).which were SID’S @ 230St./ Bway & Victors Bike repair 175St./ Bway. And so it was written, I had some savings and I went for it. Second year in business I had to invest some more money but from then, it was on.

PHOTO BY: B.E HEARD

Who are your customers?

My custies are from everywhere/ all over, from a local kid with a busted ass bike he scooped out of the garbage, looking at us all teary eyed when tell him it’s  about $87 to fix, to a Dutch Group who rented 75 bikes from us to ride from the The point in Inwood park were there is a Plaque commemorating the purchase of Manhattan Island from the Indians for a few bucks. Down to Battery Park which I then had to setup a truck to pick up the bikes from there.

When is the favorite part of the work day for you and why?

Usually about 4 o’clock, when everyone is at work, were all joking around and the store is busy. Time flies when we’re busy.

Why aren’t there more bike shops uptown?

It’s a very seasonal business so shops don’t last long, If your not good at saving, budgeting and forecasting it’s a problem. Now I’m not saying I’m all that cause there are lots of other smaller variables that come into play but it isn’t easy. The off season is very stressful.

PHOTO BY: B.E HEARD

What’s the best bike riding route uptown?

I want to say the Greenway, which is the Westside Highway trail. Imagine starting from Dyckman St straight to Battery Park, this is amazing when you stop and think of the size and complexity of this city. A 14 mile ride that stretches the whole length of Manhattan,NYC who don’t forget is the Capital of the world;)

What do you love about having your business Uptown?

Easy question, “It’s were I’m from” Just like Digable Planet said:)

What was the very first bike business experience you ever had?

I had a crash course , I opened without bike shop experience, but my boy worked at a shop(88St) and he guided me through the vendor process which made all the difference in the world, ironically he opened a business Uptown also. He deals in the import car accessory market, his shop is called VRaceworks, his name is Roberto Ventura. I don’t think he knows what a help he was, I guess he’ll know now.

PHOTO BY: B.E HEARD

Do you think you’ve reached that success you are aiming for? Why or why not?

Nah, I  had no plan. I just thought damn if I could work or create a business of something I love , life would be good. Have I reached my goals? Nope. I now feel I must keep chugging along growing, changing and moving forward. I believe that goals are a live thing, meaning it’s something that must continue to move just out of your reach cause when you meet them. Then what? Now if your goals continually move foward then you can surpass supposed goals and continue on to bigger and better things(hopefully), without skipping a beat. A good example of this is when my old school boys say damn who ever thought the store would be so big and so well know. Deep inside Im saying the same thing about it as if I have nothing to do with the shop. Damn be this place has blown the f… up dude.business
In closing, I want to say one thing without it being asked of me. I would like everyone reading this to never think that something they are imagining isn’t possible. Nothing is impossible. NOTHING. If it’s positive and serves a purpose or fills a niche in society go for it. Deep down inside me I believe in, will. You can will it to happen, please don’t think this is stupid. You can, just will it!



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  • Eudes
    July 22, 2010 at 12:53 pm

    From an insiders perspective, I have never imagined Tread Bike Shop to look this cool. When one is inside the store one is overwhelmed by all the Bicycles, Accessories, Clothing, Shoes etc…all in all I am Happy to be a part of the shop. Changing peoples lives one bike at a time.

  • Alex Pena
    July 22, 2010 at 6:07 pm

    Very well said, good luck an plenty if prosperety in the up coming future.

  • Annie
    July 22, 2010 at 10:31 pm

    Very happy and proud of you. May you continue with your success 🙂

  • Weazil
    July 23, 2010 at 11:36 am

    Yo Oz U brought tears to my eyes. ( :

  • Rob
    August 24, 2010 at 6:41 pm

    Thanks Ozzie for the love………….

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  • jesseG
    April 19, 2011 at 5:44 am

    Great write-up, Ozzie has been great for a community on the transform, offering an alternative and creating a subculture where people meet others of the same like mindedness. The community feeds off his energy, and most of all he truly cares about them. He’s genuine and that just comes out his pores. Let’s not forget the awesome people he has working for him at tread, they also deserve a lot of credit.

    Ozzie and staff, truly awesome!

    • Alastair
      March 22, 2015 at 10:44 am

      Nailed it.

  • Alastair
    March 22, 2015 at 10:42 am

    Tread & the uptown bike scene are a big part of why I have stuck around Inwood since I moved here in 99.

    A bike shop owned by bikers, passionate about bikes – employees who love their jobs. Nelson has been the head mechanic since opening in 98, who can figure out that problem no one else can and build 20 wheels with his eyes closed while eating a sandwich. Robert, the other head mechanic, has the most complete tool set and skill set; if you are that obsessive high end equipment fanatic – you can trust he will have the correct tool, know how to use it, and get it right every time (Mountain or road). If you have a rusty 2nd hand Pacific, you will still get the same treatment.

    Sixteen years later and there’s still Ray and Eudes, and too many more long timers and on and off staff to name. (Stephanie, Lance, Oscar, Sergio, Xavier, Edison….) They’re honest, know they’re stuff, and help you figure out whats right for you and get it to you for a good price.

    I guess you could say I like the place! They’re good, they’re REAL and you should make it a point to check them out, if not make them your LBS of choice. There are other good bike shops in NYC, but there are definitely none better. The culture here and in the area seal the deal.

    Oh yeah, Ozzie’s Ok too I guess…community oriented successful dude, props! More success due.

  • Juan Carlos Uribe
    January 17, 2021 at 8:30 am

    Tread is my go to bike shop…
    You guys take care of business..no BS!!
    It’s great to have you guys available for my biking needs 🤘🏼
    https://media2.giphy.com/media/LYDNZAzOqrez6/giphy.gif