North Adams Man Has Bicycles Built Like New

By Jen Thomas - April 16, 2008
iBerkshires Staff

One of Richard DeSanty's refurbished Miele bikes.

NORTH ADAMS — For as long as he can remember, Richard DeSanty has had an eye for a good bargain. Collecting movie memorabilia, sports cards and valuable books for years, the city native offers up a treasure trove of "quality used items" and collectibles from his home.

DeSanty's Web site, Berkshire Vintage Treasures (started earlier this year), gives potential buyers a chance to browse the collection in DeSanty's possession, including details, pictures and shipping information.

"Everything I sell on the Web site is not new but the idea behind it is to see collectibles," said DeSanty. "I like to base my decisions on what other people are paying. I always check out my competition and try to stay lower."

A self-proclaimed "movie buff," DeSanty is a retired small-business owner and former security guard who just enjoys providing a rare product to fellow collectors at what he calls a "reasonable price." His home shop boasts everything from vintage movie posters and first-edition books to gold rings.

What DeSanty is most proud of, though, is his bicycle rehabilitation and repair projects.

"The idea behind the bikes is that sometimes underprivileged people or kids just can't afford bikes. If you buy a bike in stores today, they're so expensive, so I repair them to give to families," he said.

DeSanty said he always has between 20 and 40 bikes (1- to 21-speed and 8-inch to 27-inch) in stock and he prices them by taking their retail price and cutting it in half. He purchases used bikes at tag sales and uses the parts to create a new, road-ready bike.

"I love making kids happy," DeSanty said. "All my bikes are not new but they look new and I give them all the finishing touches. I'm proud of my work and my bikes. I don't sell anything that looks like junk."

With everything from kids' bikes to mountain bikes and racers, DeSanty's bike shop has more than 20 bikes "ready to go" and 10 that will be finished by the first signs of summer. Ensuring that each bicycle's "ridability" is of the highest quality, the collector said he works hard to guarantee each customer walks away satisfied.

"In my spare time, I do this stuff and it just gives me something to do that makes people happy," DeSanty said.

Inspired to rebuild bikes after the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail was first constructed, DeSanty said he expects the popularity of biking to increase as people become more and more frustrated by continually soaring gas prices.

"You're going to start seeing more bikes," he said.

To find out more about DeSanty's products and bikes, call 663-7133 or e-mail him at rkv2@verizon.net.