About Handlebar Bike & Board Shop
Handlebar Bike & Board Shop is a rider-owned shop on Elk Avenue in the heart of downtown Crested Butte, specialising in mountain bikes, snowboards, and skateboards with a laid-back, core-sport attitude that reflects the town's countercultural roots. Located in Somarak Plaza at 319 Elk Avenue, Handlebar has earned a loyal following among locals and visiting riders who appreciate their no-nonsense approach to gear — high-quality performance equipment, honest advice, and none of the upsell pressure that plagues resort-town shops.
The rental fleet features high-performance Norco mountain bikes in a range of sizes, from hardtails for casual trail rides to full-suspension enduro rigs built for Crested Butte's famously technical singletrack. All rentals include a free helmet, and body armour, neck braces, and leg protection are available for riders tackling the mountain bike park's downhill lines. In winter, Handlebar switches to snowboard and ski rentals, with a focus on freeride and park setups rather than generic resort packages. The shop also handles repairs, tune-ups, and custom builds year-round.
What makes Handlebar special is its authenticity in a town that values the real thing. The staff ride the trails and ski the mountain daily, so their recommendations come from firsthand experience rather than a sales script. The shop sponsors local riders, hosts community events, and serves as an informal gathering point for Crested Butte's tight-knit mountain sports community. For visitors who want to rent from people who genuinely live and breathe bikes and boards, Handlebar is the Crested Butte shop that feels like home.
