Best of 2001: Best Bygone Bicycles

Rusty Spokes Vintage Bicycles
1344 Garnet Avenue, Pacific Beach
858-581-1931

Rusty Spokes' owner Dave enjoys showing off his collection of rare wheels almost as much as he loves selling them. "I've been doing this for 15 years now -- four years in this store, and before that I operated out of my house." Buyers and browsers are welcome to salivate over bygone bikes such as an 1880 model Singer Big Wheel, designed with a huge front wheel, which lifts the rider several feet off the ground. Its price? "Four grand on a good day." A 1948 Whizzer motorbike is $6000. Rusty Spokes also has more contemporary two-wheelers built in the '60s and '70s. "Right now, I've got a bitchin' aluminum 1949 Silver King manufactured by Monarch X26, the rarest Monarch ever made. The brass is polished, the wheels are rechromed, and it's all original parts." Four thousand dollars will pry the X26 from Dave's grip. Rusty Spokes is open 10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m. every day except Monday. The shop also buys bicycles, and a full restoration service is available.