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Our History

Company History & Information

Charles Durst started Durst Cycle in 1935 by selling used bicycles and we have supplied many newspaper carriers with route bikes since 1939. We have always been in Urbana, adjacent to the University of Illinois campus. We expanded with a 2nd store in 1970 in Western Champaign to serve the needs of new residential areas. We have dealt in many retail products associated with wheels, including mopeds, wheelchairs, strollers, trailers, skateboards, inline skates, and way back in our history ... lawnmowers.

Currently, we offer a wide selection of most types of bicycles, including used bikes, new two-wheelers, adult trikes, tandems, unicycles, child joggers, trailers, tandem trailers, recumbents and a complete skateboard department at our Champaign location. Also, electric toy trains (at our Urbana location) are sold and serviced since 1947. Antique bicycle restoration service is also available. Service is the bedrock of Durst Cycle in that we "only sell what we can service". Durst Cycle is currently managed since 1977 by Ronald W. Durst, son of the founder.

In the interest of improving health and providing fitness for people of all ages, Durst Cycle also offers fitness equipment as a complement to bicycling or for stand-alone exercise. These include:  

  • Cardio systems for general overall fitness, heart health, and rehabilitation:   
    • Treadmills, Ellipticals, Rowers, Upright Cycles, Recumbent Cycles, and Dual-action Cycles 
  • Weight gym systems and benches for toning and strength building. 
  • Commercial equipment for health clubs, hotels, and clinics.
  • Accessories:  
    • Tread Mats and Bike Mats
    • Lubes
    • Wind screens
    • Heart Rate Monitors
    • Fitness Balls
    • Dumbbell Racks
    • Resistance Cables

We only sell brands we can service and we service everything we sell. See our bicycle and fitness services.