PAPERtrail Bike Cafe

I've been coming to Papertrail for 4-5 years and it has become far more than just a place to grab coffee in the Wiss. Through tireless effort Paul (the owner) has cultivated a community of like-minded bike nerds from every facet of biking dicipline. He also does great bike work for a fair price and offers a selection of builds from Rodeo Labs and Salsa. There are weekly group rides and an annual community weekend called "The Schist Show" (movie screenings, CX races, bike demos, and an arts fair). He really cares about building community around the Wiss and it feels like the shop is just the means by which he's doing that. 10/10 spot

We found this cafe exploring the nearby trails and I’m glad we did! The cappuccino was great and there are plenty of tables to sit and relax. It’s a great place to stop in a beautiful area.

Paper Trail Cafe is one of those rare places that feels like a true hidden gem—tucked right along the trail in the Rittenhouse town area of the Wissahickon, it’s the perfect pit stop for bikers, hikers, or anyone looking to enjoy a peaceful moment in nature with a great cup of coffee. Not only do they serve up delicious coffee and snacks, but they also service bikes right on-site—how cool is that? Rosael (the barista) is giving peak woods wizard vibes—she’s knowledgeable about the trails, friendly, funny, welcoming, and clearly knows how to make a great cup of coffee. One time I misspoke and ordered the wrong thing and I just told her and she made me a whole new drink and said it was no big deal at all. She rules! This is definitely my favorite meet up spot to fuel up before a ride or to chill at afterwards with friends. Paper Trail Cafe is the kind of place that makes you want to stay a little longer. It’s got strong community vibes and is just a good place to meet and chat with like minded outdoors folk. A must-visit if you’re anywhere near the Wissahickon!

Just awesome! Paul was so kind and helpful. I recently acquired my mom's very old bike and I wanted to get it tuned up so I could do some casual riding. I'm totally new to biking and Paul was very fair and understood my goals right away. I didn't want to invest a ton into it right off the bat, just needed to shake the rust off a bit so I could try it out. After some TLC, it's riding great! I will definitely be back, whether it's to fix up my bike or grab a coffee when I'm passing by on the trail. Thank you Paul!!!

A hidden jewel for good coffee nestled in Old Rittenhouse Town, Wissahickon Park. (A Beautiful area to hike or mountain bike (two separate trails) or walk your dog ). It is a coffee shop and bike shop. The surprise was the quality and freshness of the coffee. My Americano was delicious. The beans were freshly ground, and the cup was Full of flavor. The young gentleman that served me (and my dog!) was very friendly and welcoming. There are a couple of picnic tables outside to sit and enjoy your coffee and the beautiful historic Rittenhouse town.

Such a sweet place and an awesome proprietor. I don’t know much about bikes, but he seems to really know his thing especially without respect to custom bikes. Great array of snacks, including freshly baked cookies. And anything you would need for your bike on the trail even footwear.

There is something special about stopping here. The brownies are hands down the best. The coffee is always hot. Paul is always very friendly and they are extremely knowledgeable in bikes. I highly recommend stopping in.

If you’re hiking or riding through the Wissahickon and need a serious coffee fix, definitely stop at this bike cafe. Coffee and ginger aid are delicious. The barista is friendly, welcoming, and clearly passionate about both coffee and the community. Highly recommend!

This is just a super fun spot to stop for a cup of coffee and a fresh baked goodie from their little tiny oven. It's on my hiking trail, but there are also a lot of bikers there. Everyone is very friendly and the treats are warm and yummy. Definitely check it out!

It's very convenient. That's the only reason I'd get coffee there. It's not really a cafe. You can have regular coffee and a wafer bar. They do have cool little cold brew cans from Many Hands now. Cute little merch too. I'll bring a thermos and sit at the benches. What sets the place apart is the bike parts. I do not bike the trail often but they have everything you need on the fly. I love the logo.

Excellent service, advice and customer relations. I've been taking my bikes to Paper Trail for a few years, and I've always been completely satisfied by the positive interactions and experiences. Latest interaction involved a broken derailleur hanger for a Specialized bike. Paul did not have the part in stock and rather than charge me for the time it would take him to search for the specific part online and then order it, he referred me to a Specialized dealer shop that was likely to have the hanger in stock. That turned out to be the case, and I was able to get the hanger, and Paul was able to install it and complete the repair in short order. Paul is an expert mechanic/technician. I highly recommend it.

Well, yes, it's a small stone barn in historic Rittenhousetown, tucked out of sight. The first thing you see upon entering is a counter with an espresso machine behind it, and to your right is the workroom. Paul is charming, helpful and highly skilled, well-spoken; he brought my vintage Stump Jumper back into smooth working condition. Often at bike shops I have encountered a somewhat dismissive hipster-y attitude, but not here. A rare type of bike-repair establishment, and we in Germantown are lucky to have it.

My only problem with this place is that I didn't find it sooner! Apparently he's been here 3 years already. I've always said Wissahicken needed a cafe. Such a NICHE that needed to be filled. Yummy coffee and some pastries and a bike shop combo. We came during Passover and couldn't have the treats but the owner was so interested in being inclusive that he made a note that next year during Passover he would have some treats and milk alternatives that we could enjoy. Thank you for being here!

The owner is friendly and the coffee is good, all at a great location to stop by after a long hike- what more could you ask for? Definitely worth stopping by whenever you're on the Wissahickon. I'll be back for sure to try more. Can't say much about the about the bike repairs, but the guy started a successful bike wheel company, so I assume he knows his stuff.

The setting is very nice and intimate. The owner is very friendly and welcome too. Really enjoyed our scone we had. Definitely plan on coming here again