2-Rad Ruprecht

2-​Rad Ruprecht has an advertisement on top of Altberg, for good reason. It’s one of the closest bike shops to that choice section of singletrack, and they know it.
The Ruprecht selection is definitely skewed towards sun-​worshipping and adventure, rather than commuting — when you walk in, there are knobby-​clad fullys on the right, and sleek road racers and gravel-​path lopers on the left. You can find fenders if you need them, but it isn’t their focus.
I was here for knobbies — I’d just picked up a used mountain bike with commuter tires at the Velobourse, and needed some agressive tires for Altberg (and, the next day, Üetliberg). They had a great selection of appropriate choices (folding Schwalbes for 26″, and folding Specialized for 29″), and Michael was happy to take a moment to check what similar bikes were specced with.
This is the first of the local bike shops that reminded me of my old employers in the US — land is cheaper outside Zürich center, and there’s more room to spread the floor displays out.
They don’t have everything — still couldn’t find the extra-​long cable lock I was looking for.
I’ll definitely be back next time I need something mud-​oriented. This is definitely the Altberger Velohandler.