News & Events

Welcome to our online news and events Web page—always with a fresh update on a special Milton property and real estate news that could make you a smarter buyer or seller. Send your feedback to lauracahill@lauracahill.com.

Great Milton Find: Cycling Savvy and Customer Service at Dave’s Bike Infirmary

If you’re new to Milton, you may have missed the unobtrusive sign that marks Dave’s Bike Infirmary, located in East Milton just off Route 93 North’s Exit 9.

But, like riding a bike, Dave Forsyth’s place is unforgettable once you get there: Through good instincts and hard work, Dave’s shop has survived and thrived for three decades and now stocks the latest gear-for-sale on the retail side, while adopting hi-tech tools on the repair side of the shop. In fact, the team of Dave and his sons Jesse and Scott—who mountain bike and complete the occasional 100-mile road race—recently attended the Barnett Bicycle Institute in Colorado, a mecca for bike experts and serious enthusiasts.

The business began when, after retiring from firefighting, Dave opened a bike pick-up and delivery repair business out of his basement. The first bike that Dave sold, he says, was to a neighbor down the street for his son: It was a $99, red, Ross 10-speed, Dave recalls. Since then, he’s sold more than 70 brands of bikes and fixed at least as many. “If we can’t fix it, it probably can’t be fixed,” Dave says.

Now selling bikes to a third generation of Miltonians, Dave can also trace the trends: the BMX bikes of the 80s to the mountain bikes of the 90s to the road bikes, recently popularized in part by Lance Armstrong. He notes that “comfort bikes” offer a smooth and stable ride for many Baby Boomers. Dave’s son, Scott, also points to growth in specialty bikes such as the “Globe Traveler” from Koga-Miyata. “Each bike is made in Holland by a single person who trains for two years before building a Koga-Miyata,” he says. Another trend in bicycling is the proliferation of “transportation” or “town” bikes that are light-weight aluminum and feature 26-inch wheels, fenders, and internal gears for year-round use as an environmentally friendly commuting alternative. The shop also stocks recumbent bikes for those who prefer to sit upright and want a fuller seat, as well as bikes for the very young: a 2- or 3-year-old can begin on a bike with 12-inch wheels. Adult bikes cost from $229 to over $3,000.

The shop also stocks accoutrements including gel saddles, biking shorts, cycling computers, bike racks and locks, helmets, gloves, sun glasses, water bottles, spinning shoes and more.

Customers appreciate the continuity the shop offer’s Milton. Keeping up with the evolving industry is one of the obvious reasons that the family business has succeeded. Convenience is another: The family is committed to servicing what they sell, and for doing that competently, at a fair price and with great convenience to customers: You can often have a flat tire fixed while you wait.

“We have bikes for the whole family,” says Jesse, who hopes that kids will shun TV and video games in favor of outdoor exercise. “We like what we do, and consider it an honor and privilege to have the Milton community as customers.”

As impressive and perhaps even more telling than customer loyalty is employee retention: Jim Thorne has worked part time for Dave’s Bike Infirmary since the late 70’s; another employee, a relative newbie, joined the Forsyths in 1980.

For more information, go to www.daves-bike.com. During the spring and summer, the shop at 440 Granite Ave. is open seven days a week, with hours until 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.

What You Might Not Know

Sales of existing homes were at the second-highest pace on record in May 2005, according to the National Association of Realtors.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce in April 2005, there were an estimated 123.3 million housing units in the United States in the first quarter of 2005. Approximately 107.8 million housing units were occupied: 74.5 million by owners and 33.3 million by renters.

What’s your home worth? People want to know how much to offer for a house, and sellers want to know at what price to list their house. Age, size, condition and other amenities determine a home’s market value. Call 617-947-6219 to ask Laura for a free, no-obligation market analysis.

First-time homebuyers are welcome here: Laura Cahill is experienced at walking you through the steps of becoming a first-time homeowner. Call us to get more information on how to understand what you can afford; how to make an offer; and how to apply for a mortgage.

Laura Cahill is the Milton Expert. Her real estate expertise also extends to Boston and the South Shore. Call with your home-selling and -buying needs. Relocating? Laura can also refer you to great real estate agents outside our area.