Staff photo by Fritz Busch Nautilus Cycle Works owner Michael Nemer of Mankato stands in his bicycle repair shop beneath Lykke Books, 203 N. Minnesota St. Shop drop-off and pick-up hours are 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

NEW ULM — After years without a bicycle repair shop, a Mankato man recently opened Nautilus Cycle Works beneath Lykke Books on N. Minnesota St.

Repair shop owner Michael Nemer offers professional, insured bicycle service and repair, from a quick spring dust-off to complete overhauls.

“I am blown away by the local support. It’s been awesome getting bikes back on the road. Thanks again for keeping it local, New Ulm,” Nemer said.

Nemer, who also works as a book seller at Lykke Books, said he leases the shop space and bicycle repair tools from Lykke Books. He also teaches English composition at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

“Customers can park behind Lykke Books, drop off bicycles to be repaired at a bike shop counter and the rear of the store and I or a staff member will take the bike from there,” he said.

The new repair shop was good news for New Ulm Bicycle Group member Robert Beck.

“It’s great. A repair shop has been badly needed for a long time, about two decades or more,” said Beck.

Nemers worked as a bicycle repair technician in Kansas City for two years before moving to Mankato for graduate school. He graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato in May 2025 with a Masters in fine arts in creative writing.

He’s writing a play right now, likes to read, and enjoys repairing bicycles a lot too. He used to race bicycles.

Bicycle drop-off and pick-up hours are 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Special appointments can be scheduled by messaging Nautilus Cycle Works on Facebook.