Entry No. 37 — the Pittsburgh file — filed under: records
Bicycle Heaven
The world's largest bicycle museum and shop, housing over 6,000 vintage, rare, and neon-lit bicycles crammed floor-to-ceiling inside a Northside warehouse. The collection includes iconic movie props, rare fiberglass models, and themed pop-culture memorabilia.
The story
You don't just stumble upon 1800 Preble Avenue. You pull up to an unpretentious Northside industrial warehouse, step inside, and realize one man’s quiet obsession completely swallowed an entire building. Craig Morrow spent decades collecting anything on two wheels before opening Bicycle Heaven with his wife Mindy in 2011. What started as a private habit spiraled into the largest bicycle museum and repair shop on Earth.
Inside, over 6,000 bicycles are jammed floor-to-ceiling down tight, shadowy aisles. You aren't walking through pristine, glassed-off gallery spaces—you're squeezing past towering walls of steel frames, chrome handlebars, and vintage rubber. Stacked among thousands of classic Schwinns and rare fiberglass models are genuine pop-culture artifacts, most notably the original red-and-white custom bike Paul Reubens rode in 'Pee-wee’s Big Adventure'.
What keeps the place distinct is that it never gave up its day job. While you're tracking down movie props and navigating rooms wrapped in neon lights, working mechanics are actively turning wrenches and fixing flat tires on everyday commuters right in the middle of the floor. The line between historical archive and working garage simply doesn't exist here.
What it's like
Expect an industrial labyrinth that smells immediately of chain grease and aged rubber. It's densely packed, chaotic, and self-guided, allowing you to pick your way through narrow pathways overflowing with wheels, gears, and retro signs. Don't skip the 'Groovy Cranky Panky Sprocket' room—a trip where blacklights turn wall-to-wall bike sprockets into a glowing neon trip—and keep an eye out for mechanics moving frames through the aisles while you explore.
The move: Take a nostalgic stroll to find the original Pee-wee Herman bike from 'Pee-wee's Big Adventure' and take a trippy selfie in the neon-glowing 'Groovy Cranky Panky Sprocket' room.
- 📍 Northside
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1800 Preble Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15233
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Randyland — Follow up one Northside labor of love with another by heading 1.2 miles east to Randy Gilson's vivid folk-art yard.
- Photo Antiquities Museum of Photographic History — Stay on the Northside to trade thousands of vintage bicycles for thousands of 19th-century cameras.
- Saint Anthony's Chapel — Pair the world's largest bicycle museum with the largest collection of sacred relics outside the Vatican, 2.6 miles away in Troy Hill.
Good to know
Is Bicycle Heaven a museum or a working bike shop?
It is both. The warehouse serves as a full-service bicycle repair shop operating in the exact same space as the 6,000-bike display collection.
What is the most famous bike in the museum?
The original red-and-white bike ridden by Pee-wee Herman in 'Pee-wee's Big Adventure' is housed in the collection.
Where is Bicycle Heaven located?
It is located at 1800 Preble Avenue in the industrial section of Pittsburgh's Northside neighborhood.
Who founded Bicycle Heaven?
It was established in 2011 by Craig and Mindy Morrow to house Craig's decades-long personal bicycle collection.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · visitpittsburgh.com · roadtrippers.com · Wikipedia
last checked: 2026-07-21