Liberty Bicycles, a longstanding pillar of Asheville’s cycling community, is entering a new era as ownership transitions from founders Claudia and Mike Nix to Ben and Bonnie Hamrick and longtime general manager Sam White. The change marks a significant milestone for the shop, which has been serving cyclists in Western North Carolina since 1980.

Liberty Bicycles started on the Nixes’ front porch and has seen a number of iterations since then under the couple’s leadership. As founders of the Blue Ridge Bicycle Club and the Asheville Bicycle Racing Club, the pair leave behind a legacy of excellence that extends beyond the shop itself. 

"We have provided quality service to our customers by listening to them and finding the right bike that fits properly and enables them to enjoy their style of riding," Claudia Nix said. She is confident in the new owners’ ability to carry on that tradition. "Since Ben has been a long-time customer," she said, “he understands our way of working with customers and we are sure he will continue and improve on it.”

The Hamricks, longtime Liberty customers, bring both a deep personal connection and business acumen to the new ownership structure. Ben Hamrick started frequenting Liberty just a few years after they opened, at the store's namesake location on Asheville's Liberty Street. "Over the many years, Liberty has taken good care of all of the cycling for me and my family," he says. "It is really an outstanding team of very talented and dedicated individuals." 

Bonnie Hamrick has run a business for 34 years and will bring that financial and strategic skill to Liberty Bicycles. “I’ll be behind the scenes trying to keep the business side running smoothly,” she said.

Ben notes that, while there is little growth or decline in the cycling industry currently, there is solid regional opportunity in the sector. "We feel that WNC will continue to be driven by outdoor activities," he said. "Our challenge will be to be consistent in delivering excellent products combined with the expertise of helping customers select the bike or accessory that best meets their needs, making sure they have the right fit to fully enjoy cycling. Having the right fit is so important to enhancing the cycling experience."

Fit and service have long been hallmarks of Liberty Bicycles. In the 1980s, Mike Nix worked in the Olympic Training Center fitting junior Olympians to their bikes. "Mike brought this back to Asheville when fit was very general in nature," says Ben. "Sam White has developed further expertise and is training our other team members."  

White, who has spent nearly four decades in the cycling industry, first engaged with Liberty Bicycles as a teenager. "Cycling has been a lifelong passion of mine," White said. "In the early 1980s, I frequented Liberty Bicycles, eagerly awaiting free, expired cycling magazines. I could not have foreseen that I would eventually work at Liberty during my late college years, and now find myself in the position of ownership. With 39 years in the cycling industry, it is truly my passion and expertise."

Despite the excitement surrounding the transition, White acknowledges the challenges facing independent bike shops. "The cycling industry has never been easy," he said. "Liberty Bicycles will face many of the same struggles as other independent businesses, most prominently the erosion of sales from Amazon and the internet. However, I believe customers have the greatest opportunity to benefit from their cycling experience by working with their local independent bicycle dealer. At Liberty, we see the downsides of internet bike purchases every week—bikes that are simply not the correct fit for the customer.”

Looking ahead, the new owners aim to maintain Liberty’s deep ties to the cycling community. "Liberty has been a key player in bicycle advocacy in the region and beyond," said Ben. "We hope to continue to deliver to the cycling community and the entire community in a meaningful way. We will be involved in events related to outdoors and other community events and will seek to make connections across WNC." 

With decades of experience and a steadfast commitment to service, the new leadership team is poised to honor Liberty Bicycles' legacy while steering it toward a thriving future. Meanwhile, the Nixes are looking forward to their own adventure. "Now that we have sold the business," said Claudia, "we are planning to travel around the country in our camper van with our bicycles and check out all the great places to ride."

Liberty Bicycles is located at 1378 Hendersonville Road, Suite G, Asheville. Learn more at LibertyBikes.com.