Ray's Bike Shop

Bike and eBike shop, repair and rentals · Near City Forest, Midland, MI

Ray's only Midland store, on Eastman Avenue near the City Forest mountain bike trails. It sells eBikes from Aventon, Trek, Benno, Serfas and Electra, rents Class 1 or 2 eBikes and analog bikes, and posts its repair prices, including a $35 eBike firmware update.

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What Ray's does

Ray Dornbusch started the shop as a teenager in the late 1970s in his parents' garage on Ashman Street. He sold it in 1985, and it changed owners and locations several times before settling downtown at 301 McDonald St. The Eastman Avenue store opened in 2018 near the City Forest trails. It is three times the size of the downtown shop, and in 2023 Ray's closed the downtown location and moved everything here. Ray's also has a store in Bay City.

eBikes on the site include the Aventon Pace and Aventure 3, the Benno eScout and the Serfas eDASH. Trek is represented by the FX+, Verve+ and Powerfly FS+ 4, and Electra by the Townie Go! and Loft Go!. For non-electric bikes, it carries Trek, Salsa, Surly, Cervelo and Electra.

Repairs and prices

Estimates are free and done while you wait. For times you cannot be without a bike, Ray's offers loaner bikes, rush service, appointments, and pickup and delivery inside city limits for $30 a trip. There are three tune-up levels, recommended every 25, 50 and 100 hours of riding. Level 3 includes an ultrasonic drivetrain service. Posted à la carte prices include $18 to install a tire or tube, $40 for a hydraulic brake bleed, and $35 for eBike service or a firmware update. Fork service is $135, rear shock service $80, and assembling a new eBike $299. The minimum service charge is $25, and the shop does not work on anything with a gas engine.

Rentals and where eBikes can ride

Ray's rents electric-assist (Class 1 or 2) and standard versions of its most popular bikes, including fat bikes. A helmet and lock are included. Rentals are kept at this store, so call (989) 486-9490 ahead to reserve the right size. If you buy a new bike within 30 days, up to a week of rental fees counts toward the price.

Check the class before you ride. On Ray's trail page, only Class 1 pedal-assist eBikes are allowed on the Mid-Michigan Community College trail and the paved Pere Marquette Rail-Trail. Class 2 and 3 eBikes are prohibited there. The Pere Marquette runs 28 miles through Midland and Isabella counties. Ray's other local picks are the City Forest mountain bike trails and the Burns Road and Stubway trails.

What reviewers mention

Ray's has a 4.9 rating from 398 Google reviews. Reviewers describe friendly, knowledgeable staff who like talking bikes and will order in hard-to-find parts. They also mention reasonable prices and a riders' lounge that makes a good start and finish point for City Forest rides. Some mention the shop dog.

Compare other bike shops in Midland or plan a ride with the Midland County eBike guide.

Frequently Asked Questions