“Dad taught us, as kids growing up in the bike shop, how to build bikes first, then how to work on them, and finally how to sell bikes,” says John Pavlisin, Jr. (second from left) with his mom June (far left), sisters Vikki and Kim and Vikki’s son Derrick.

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Orange Cycle

Founded in 1969 by John Pavlisin Sr. and his wife June, Orange Cycle was born out of a father’s desire to keep his family rooted in Orange.  Working in aerospace, John Sr. was facing a transfer to Long Beach when fate intervened.  He walked into a local bike shop to buy a tube for his daughter’s bike and walked out having purchased the entire business for $35,000.

Later he would pay $40,000 in 1972 for the old Atlantic Richfield gas station on the corner of Glassell and Almond that was being used for George McGovern’s campaign headquarters.  He followed that in 1973-1974 when he paid $200,000 to construct the building on Almond and Glassell that they still occupy today.

“Dad didn’t know anything about bikes,” says son John Jr., who now runs Orange Cycle alongside sisters Vikki and Kim, and their 94-year-old mother, June.  “So, his first hire was a mechanic.”

In those early days, Schwinn was the big name in bicycles, and Orange Cycle quickly became known as “the Schwinn Store.”  When the “bike boom” of the early 1970s hit—fueled by gas shortages—John Sr. used his forecasting skills to predict skyrocketing demand.  He ordered 900 bikes in advance, and every single one sold before they even arrived.  That success enabled him to purchase the corner lot at Almond and Glassell.

“The shop was unlike any other at that time,” says John, Jr. “No bike shop had carpet or a kitchen.  It was like a showroom.”

All four Pavlisin children, who attended St. John’s and Orange High Schools, grew up working in the business—building, fixing and selling bikes.

Over the decades, Orange Cycle has kept pace with changing trends—from Schwinn 10-speeds and Stingrays to mountain bikes, BMX, road bikes and now electric bikes.

“Seventy-five percent of our sales today are E-bikes,” says Vikki.  “They’re the hot Christmas gift this year for adults, kids, and even retirees.”

“We cater to all ages and abilities,” says Kim, who manages the floor.  “We have the little kids’ bikes, adult tricycles, bikes for teenagers and pros.  We are comprehensive, covering every generation and different styles.”

The shop offers everything from tune-ups to trade-ins.

“‘Give the people what they want.  The market will dictate what you need to do.  Follow the market,” says John Jr., quoting his dad’s business philosophy.

But beyond bikes, Orange Cycle has always been about faith and community.  “We’re a faith-based family,” says Kim.  “We really believe this was God’s divine plan for us.”

After more than five decades, they have sold first bikes to multiple generations in the same families.

“Everyone remembers their first bike—or the one they found under the Christmas tree,” says John Jr.  “That’s the magic of it.  We’ve been part of that memory for generations.”

Orange Cycle
210 South Glassell St., Old Towne Orange, CA 92866  /  714-532-6838