New bike shop opens in downtown C-Falls

A7 Cycles started out in Travis Coleman’s garage. 

“I had a shop on my property and I just started telling some friends that I was working on bikes and it started slowly that way,” he said. The idea came from pursuing bikes as a hobby and eventual career. Coleman came to realize that bike repair was underserved in the Flathead Valley, and sought to fix that himself. In April of 2020 A7 Cycles — named after the Alpine 7 backcountry trail in the Swan Mountains — opened for business. 

A year later, Lynn Foster hopped onboard, venturing to become a mechanic herself and help Coleman expand into retail. 

Now co-owners, both Coleman and Foster have extensive cycling backgrounds. Coleman has raced mountain bikes and downhill biked professionally, he worked with Glacier Cyclery and on Glacier Outfitter’s rental fleet in the past. In 2018 he started the Flathead Composite NICA youth mountain bike team, which he previously coached. Foster is currently the team director for the program. 

Both serve on the Foy’s to Blacktail Trails board, a nonprofit serving to enhance and steward trail systems throughout the valley. Foster is also a BICP Level 1 mountain bike instructor.

The shop has sort of moved homes with Coleman in the past, but as of November 2023, opened its doors at 28 Fourth Street West in Columbia Falls. A7 Cycles offers full-service repair for just about any bike you can think of, including e-bikes, as well as a selection of bikes for sale, accessories, parts and clothing. Their stocked brands are Rocky Mountain, Norco, Ibis and Cannondale. 

“Those brands are either not represented in the valley or have very little representation,” Coleman explained. 

“And they’re brands we’re excited to ride,” Foster added. 

Those interested in trying a bike out can order through A7. In the future, they hope to be able to run as a demo shop, where people can try out a high-end bike before they put the money down on it. They have kids’ bikes in stock, from striders to full-blown kid-sized mountain bikes, and plan to build a stock of BMX, e-bikes, downhill and gravel bikes too. For winter, A7 Cycles has fat tire bikes for rent and can wax skis and snowboards. 

Foster pointed out that people should be thinking about getting their bikes tuned up for spring break now, and A7 Cyles provides timely walk-in service. There is a sitting area with magazines and a tv set up, where customers can see the bikes being worked on in an open floor plan attached shop. 

“Building a community is kind of what we’re based on,” Foster pointed out. A7 Cycles intends to support the nonprofits that help develop and maintain trail systems in the valley, and when the shop — still undergoing minor renovations — is complete, they plan to have a mural map of the trails and option to donate for those walking in.

Starting Feb. 7, Foster is running a basic trailside repair and mechanic clinic, which will continue throughout the winter. Signup is available at a7cycles.com. Foster hoped A7 Cycles could become a safe place for female bikers to come and get tune-ups and advice as well, noting that she is one of if not the only female mechanic in the valley. They also plan on hosting group rides in the future. 

“We are just excited to be in Columbia Falls,” Foster said. “I think it’s been a need for a while, with the new trail system at Cedar Flats coming in and getting closer and closer to full road access on the bike path to Glacier Park. We’re just looking forward to giving all the local people a place to come, whether it’s to hang out, read magazines, watch the race or get a bike tuned and get advice.”

A7 Cycles is open Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.