Six years ago, a group of volunteers from Princeton Freewheelers Bike Club got together and started the Trenton Bike Exchange, which collects and refurbishes donated used bicycles, selling them at affordable prices (to serve low and moderate income families), and raising funds for the Boys and Girls Club of Trenton & Mercer County. The shop is run entirely by volunteers and by student interns in the Club’s Job-Ready program. It’s a great cause, but it’s also a great place to get an inexpensive bike.

Knapp’s has been around since 1944, and the current owner, Pete Garnich, started working at the shop, for Mr. Knapp, in the late 1970’s. He bought it around 10 years ago. The shop is pleasant, with a good selection of bikes for kids and adults, mountain and racing. I’ve bought 6 bikes as an adult for myself, and 4 for members of my family. I’ve never experienced the care and expertise that Knapp’s brought to the table when I bought my current road bike.