Our History
The Bicycle Doctor Nordic Ski shop started out as a repair business in a Delafield garage over thirty years ago.
Tom "the Doc" Klein had realized the difference in performance from a good position versus bad position on the bike while riding with some of the most competitive cyclists in the area. Over the years, the Bicycle Doctor has built a reputation for selling bikes, skis, and accessories that are a perfect fit for the customer, and has passionately applied that knowledge to educate customers on the importance of correct fit and function. Brad Dettman, who purchased the business from Tom in 2019, has this same passion for excellence.
The Bicycle Doctor is just what you imagine a local bicycle and ski shop to be -- friendly staff and a welcoming atmosphere. Ask staff about favorite bike routes or what trails we have been skiing. Our mechanics can give your bike a quick fix or a full tune-up. Stop by our trail-side bar for a great selection of micro brews and refueling energy drinks. You can find us having happy hour after many of the group rides hosted by the store.
The Bicycle Doctor is located along the Glacial Drumlin state trail, just a short 30 minute drive from Milwaukee, 45 mins from Madison, and 15 minutes from Waukesha.
Origin Story
“In 1973 Barb (Doc’s wife) was attending Nicolet college in Rhinelander, Wisconsin. Nordic skiing was one of her classes. She told me I was going to have to give it a try, so when I went up to visit her over the holidays, I brought a brand new pair of wooden skis along with me.
As I went down the first hill on my first ski, I broke one! Not wanting to miss out over the rest of the visit, I ran into Merrill to get another set. With three skis now, I was able to rotate. Anytime I had a problem with one ski, I always had a back-up ski.
Really, the credit for Bicycle Doctor Nordic Ski Shop goes to Barb - she is the one who got me into skiing in the first place.”
Bicycle Doctor Nordic Ski shop began as a bike and ski business - Doc (and Barb!) were passionate about both sports. Most bike shops carry skis on the side as a way to keep busy during the winter, but not Doc! He and Barb had raced his first Birkie before starting the business. While traveling with his band, Doc always brought his nordic skis. He skied golf courses everywhere, even in 35-degrees-below-zero weather in North Dakota.
He became known as “the Doc” doing work out of his garage in Delafield and then more officially in his first shop in Oconomowoc in 1985. In all of its locations, Bicycle Doctor has been a community ski shop. People stopped by to learn from Doc, not just to make a purchase. Doc had an old Volkswagon bus branded with the Bike Doc name and drove it to the ski races. The big hitters in the ski world got to know Doc and his work.
Doc sank time into getting to know the feel of ski flex with all of his skiing adventures. His curiosity and love of learning and experiencing gives him an understanding of the nuances of the whole sport of nordic skiing. Watch a ski race with Doc, and you’ll have a new understanding of it’s depth. Doc knows the science behind the core of the ski and the base from years of researching and experimenting on his own. There’s a select few who can masterfully wax classic race skis. It takes years upon years of trial and error. Doc is one of those people.
Doc ensured that the shop has kept that hometown vibe with expert knowledge that makes it a destination spot. On winter evenings and weekends, the shop is humming with skiers. Long-time skiers stop by to catch up on the latest equipment, ski trail conditions, and training plan recommendations. New skiers can expect just as much attention from Doc’s staff - everyone should be equipped with the knowledge to have a great experience on skis.
Doc has always invested in the local ski community. When the Wednesday night race series launched, Doc supplied the bibs. He has been a major sponsor of the Lapham Loppet, a seasonal fundraiser for Lapham Peak snowmaking, from the beginning. As Peak Nordic formed and grew, Doc diligently shopped ski products for the team to find the best skis at the best value - and still does!
As Doc said during his retirement announcement last year, “The shop is a place where Barb and I have spent more than half our lives. I feel, over the years, we've developed the best staff in the bicycle and ski retail industry. I'm confident it will continue, and only get better."