We’re elated to help announce that a long-running institution here, the Broken Spoke bike shop, has new ownership. What’s exciting is that The Radavist’s contributor, Kyle Klain, purchased the shop from its founder, Mike Chapman, and has some big plans for the shop. Read on for a letter from Mike Chapman and Kyle Klain below…
A Note from Mike Chapman, Broken Spoke Founder
In 2008, I started the Broken Spoke as a solo operation with the vision of creating a welcoming space with a simple mantra: “There are no stupid questions.” Initially, the shop was focused on used bikes and repairs, but I soon saw that Santa Fe needed more, and The Broken Spoke expanded to meet those needs. Quite frankly, before I knew it, the business had taken on a life of its own. While I have remained the one steering the ship, credit goes to the dedicated and long-tenured staff members for building The Broken Spoke into what it is today.
While this “thing” has been an incredibly rewarding experience for me, I have long been saying to myself that this isn’t what I’m going to do for the rest of my working life. And for most of you who know me, I have made it no secret that for the last two years, I have been actively trying to sell the business. Throughout this process, there has been some interest and even an offer made, but it didn’t feel right. Out of concern for the business, the staff, and our clientele, I have been biding my time in hopes that the right person would come along.
Well, I am over the moon to report that this “right person” has, in fact, come along! About six months ago, a very good friend of mine came forward. A riding buddy, a local Santa Feán, and honestly one of the smartest and most driven people I know, threw his hat in the ring.
This person has great plans for The Broken Spoke 2.0, and I am confident that my baby is in good hands. I will be sticking around for a while to ensure a smooth transition, so sorry to say, you all won’t be getting rid of me that quickly.
So without further ado, I introduce you all to my very good friend, Mr. Kyle Klain.
A Note from Kyle Klain, Broken Spoke New Owner
Mike invited me to help around the shop about a decade ago, and ever since, I’ve been a small part of the Broken Spoke team. We’ve raced together, built trails together, and hosted local cycling events, so when Mike started talking to me about the future of the Spoke, it felt less like a business opportunity and more like a natural next step.
Some of you know me from my time as president of the Santa Fe Fat Tire Society or maybe might have seen some of my photos and stories from The Radavist. Either way, I’ve been part of this riding community for a long time and I don’t take this lightly.
Mike built something unusual here: a shop where nobody gets talked down to, where the advice is honest, and where it doesn’t matter what kind of rider you are or what kind of bike you show up on. That doesn’t happen without an incredible staff and mechanics who have kept Santa Fe riding all these years, and I’m honored to be working beside them.
Our job is to support every rider who walks through the door, whatever their version of cycling looks like.
I look forward to seeing so many familiar faces around the shop in the coming weeks as we finish up this transition and get to work on Spoke 2.0. Bear with us in the meantime, because we’re also preparing for a big move to the Railyard, where we’ll be joining a handful of other cycling stores, outdoor retailers, and the home of events like the Santa Fe Century. We’re excited to see the Railyard grow into a true cycling hub for the whole city.
My wife Kim, many of you know her already, has always been by my side, and she couldn’t be more excited to be a big part of this, too. So when you see her out on the trails, say hello! Thanks for being part of this journey. Lots more to come, and I hope you’re as excited as we are.
Kyle Klain, New Owner
The Radavist Wishes The Broken Spoke the Best
John here. Since Cari and I moved to Santa Fe in 2020, right before a global pandemic set in, we’ve been forever indebted to the love and friendship the Klains have shown us. From backpacking in Canyonlands with medium format cameras, to bike touring the CDT, countless photoshoots in the Southern Rockies, packrafting, bike fishing, and yes, even hunting. Kim and Kyle have shown us the ropes of what it means to experience outdoor life here in Northern New Mexico.
Taking over a bike shop in the throes of an industry searching for a stable footing might seem ill-advised, but Kyle has the uncanny ability to analyze business systems and work them toward better efficiencies. How do I know? He’s one of the reasons this website is still here today. After Cari and I got the company back, he helped us streamline, trimming expenses and investing where it matters: into our people.
I’ve also been working with Kyle to design the new Broken Spoke space, flexing some of my dormant architecture muscles, and am excited to share the results when it opens.
Santa Fe is a vibrant city with a thriving cycling community, and I’m stoked for the Klains to be a more concrete part of that with their new ownership of the Broken Spoke.
John Watson
Follow along on Broken Spoke’s Instagram.