New owners in the saddle at Freewheeler Bicycle Center
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After celebrating its 50th anniversary in August, Davis’ Freewheeler Bicycle Center is changing hands.
The new owners are Ron Jackman and Abbie Sambrano. Though I’ve been getting tips about this for months, I agreed not to share the news until the sale was finalized.
Jackman has a background in customer service, marketing and tech. His life partner Sambrano has experience in office management, administration and accounting. They live in Solano County.
Jackman said they have some ideas to creatively expand the business but don’t want to change its staff or relationship with area cyclists.
“There is a very deep service to the community that is provided here,” he said. “You can feel it and see it in the interactions.”
Frank Hein opened the bike shop at 703 Second St. in 1975. His three sons, Jeff, Eric and Kevin have all worked there but Kevin and Jeff were involved in day-to-day operations. Jeff’s daughter Sheri Rey was the next generation to join. Frank died in 2024 at age 88, and Jeff retired last year.
“It remind(s) me of a barbershop from back in the day,” Jackman said. “Yes, you would go primarily for the service or product but you’re also going … for the experience, for the laughs, for the knowledge, the connection. Those things – the relationships, the value that is beyond the quality of the products – will fundamentally stay the same.”
He commended the staff’s commitment. “The desire to do what’s right shines in every interaction. To be fair, I see some wonderful reviews on some of the other bike shops as well. It makes me happy to know that the passion is strong throughout the city.”
He said that when a business is run correctly, “you’ll notice that everything flows in a calm and natural way. That was the case with this one.”
When they met Kevin and Sheri, “We were absolutely floored by the professionalism, humor and overall skills. … We saw a really genuine connection between the customers and the staff as well. We loved the culture and wanted to be a part of it.”
They are excited to get into the bicycle business. Jackman said he rode bikes a lot as a child but stopped when he bought a car. When he picked it up again as an adult, all the feelings of freedom and fun rushed back. Today, he enjoys cycling with their son, 7. They also have a 12-year-old daughter, and Sambrano has an adult son.
Rey said she and her uncle Kevin will stay for a few months to help with the transition.
Rey added, “It’s been the Hein family’s absolute pleasure to be part of the Davis bicycle community for the past 50 years. To all of our many wonderful customers, neighbors and friends: Thank you! It’s been a great ride.”