We like to break down accessories into two categories: Essentials and Recommended.

Let’s start with the essentials:

Helmet: You’ve got alot going on inside of your skull.  You’ve spent years accumulating things inside of it, and it would be a shame to let that go to waste.  Buy a helmet.  They are inexpensive, comfortable, and a lifesaver.

Flat Kit: You are going to get a flat tire.  This is an inescapable fact of cycling.  Think about your last ride. Fun yes?  Now imagine having to walk the bike back with a flat tire……Not as much fun.  A flat kit is a small bag (we let you pick the color and style) with everything you’ll need to fix a flat tire.  Fixing a flat tire is a simple, easy process that we would be glad to teach you.  Stop by the shop on the first Thursday of the month at 6PM for our free monthly repair clinic!

Floor Pump: The flat kit is essential for emergencies on the bike, but for everyday use you’ll want a floor pump. It’ll make short work of airing your tires and save wear and tear on the frame pump.

Lights: If you plan on riding your bicycle anywhere near traffic, including sidewalk riding, please pick up a set of lights.  They are inexpensive, easy to use, and will make you much more visible on your bike.

Lock: Security for your bike is important if you are ever going to leave it unattended. Get a good lock and always use it correctly to prevent the heartbreak of bike theft.

Well that covers most of the essential items!  That wasn’t so bad, was it?  Now onto recommended items.  These are things that while not essential for riding are generally a good idea!

Computer: One of the joys of cycling is being able to cover lots of ground and a computer can tell you how far, how fast and how long you’ve ridden. Some even have extra functions such as heart rate, cadence (how fast you’re pedaling), altitude, and temperature. There are even GPS models! Now you’ll be able to tell your friends just how far and how fast you really did ride this weekend (you’re still allowed to fib, we won’t tell)

Hydration System: We live in the South.  it gets hot here, REALLY hot! Water bottles and cages are great for carrying drinks. Hydration packs are a another great option for quenching your thirst.  The capacity on larger systems is almost twice as much as you can carry in two large water bottles, and the packs fit comfortably on your back.  Also, the hydration pack provides a place to stash food, ID, small tools and more.

Bike Rack:  The trails or roads you bike aren’t always riding distance away, so you may want a rack designed to safely transport your bike on your vehicle. Which one you get depends on how many bikes you’ll carry and on the type of vehicle you drive.

Bike Shorts: Bike shorts offer better padding, ventilation, and comfort than riding in regular street clothing.  We carry a variety of styles, colors, and sizes of shorts.  Don’t skimp on shorts, as they will make a big difference in the comfort level of your rides.

Eyewear: Don’t forget to protect your eyes with sunglasses designed for cycling. It’s not just glare you should be concerned about; airborne debris from passing vehicles is hazardous, too. Quality shades provide increased safety, including slightly higher brow coverage for when you’re bent over. And the UV protection means less fatigue at the end of long days in the saddle.

Socks: Even something as simple as socks can enhance your riding if they’re specifically made for cycling. Ours are, and they’re designed to provide low-friction comfort for logging the miles on your new steed. They also look very cool.

Cargo Racks & Bags: Bikes are fun.  Errands are not.  I think we can all agree on that. So why not try and combine the two?  The vasy majority of errands we run are less than two miles away. For an absurdly small amount of money you can easily outfit most bicycles with a small cargo rack.  These racks allow you to mount any number of bags, baskets, and do-dads to the back or front of your bicycle.  Now you can stop by the video store, pick up groceries, do some shopping, or ride to and from the gym with everything you need neatly packed in bags on your bike!  I know it sounds odd, but errands seem less unpleasant when you’re doing them on your bike!  We stock a great selection of racks, baskets, and bags at the shop.

We just scratched the surface of what we carry at the shop.  Come by and take a look for yourself! We would be glad to help you find more ways to enjoy your bike, and the time you get to spend riding it. Our staff can suggest other great accessories and help guide you towards what is right for you.

New for 2009, the Trek Allant is truly an incredible bike that is already changing how we think of commuter bikes.  Built for the city, but comfortable on the greenway, or for casual rides though the neighborhood, the Allant is one of the most versatile bikes on the road today.  With it’s upright riding position, wide tires, ergonomic grips, and comfortable leather saddle, the Allant is a welcoming machine, ready to take you about town in both comfort and style.  Matching full coverage fenders, a cargo rack, and kickstand also give the Allant a nice balance of function, as well as fun.

Rarely have we found a bike that combines the utility and flexibility of a traditional hybrid bicycle with such and incredibly fun ride.  Under $500, this bicycle will have you out of your car, and enjoying the neighborhood in no time! Feel free to stop by the shop and take one on a test ride and see what you’ve been missing!

Best rear lights we've ever used

The Planet Bike Superflash is an incredible little light. Visible for up to one mile, it features a half watt led along with two smaller led’s in a small, lightweight rear light. Simply put, it is the single best rear light any of us have ever used, and Planet Bike donates 25% of their profits to cycling advocacy.

• ½-watt Blaze™ LED plus 2 eXtreme LEDs for visibility up to 1 mile
• Unique, eye-catching flash pattern
• Flashing and steady mode
• “SuperFlash” mode is highly visible, even in daylight
• Ultra compact vertical design is weatherproof, lightweight and durable
• Includes bike mounts and clip mount for multiple mounting options
• Up to 100 hours of run time on 2 AAA batteries (included)

Ok. Welcome back.  Do you have a number in mind?  Good. Now, how much did you spend having the bike professionally fitted? Was it done at all?  If you did have the bike fitted to you, how long ago was it done?  Are you the same rider that you were when the fitting was done?

A professional bicycle fitting is not a luxury, only suitable for high end road bikes or people with too much money.  Whether you ride a three hundred dollar hybrid on the Mcalpine Greenway, or Assault Mtn Mitchell on a five thousand dollar carbon road bike, you deserve a bicycle that fits you.  You deserve a bicycle that you can ride comfortably and efficiently.

A quick informal round of calls to local shops shows that a proper fitting will run anywhere from $60 to $150.  There are a variety of schools of thought on exactly how to fit a bicycle, incorporating everything from lasers and computers, to standing over a spring loaded stick that crams into your….well…you get the idea.  The good news is that no matter what kind of fitting service you go to, the end result is almost the same: a properly fit bicycle.  I have met almost every bicycle fitter in Charlotte, and have not met a single one that I would not trust to personally fit me to any of my bicycles.  You will be in good hands, no matter where you go.

We offer fittings by appointment, for $59.99.  That price includes any follow up sessions that may be required for 12 months, free of charge.  We have three professionally trained, and certified, bicycle fitters on staff, and can schedule a fitting around your schedule, not ours.  We can make you faster, more powerful, and more comfortable on your bicycle.  Please stop by the shop or call to ask us about the service and setting up an appointment.

Michael King

Now is the best time of year to get your bike ready for the warmer weather that Spring will bring with it.  We have a variety of tune up packages to help get your bike back in shape to get you back in shape as well.

While the bike is getting brought back to life, it is a good time to make a checklist of your bike gear to make sure that you have everything you need for this season:  How are your gloves, socks, and shorts holding up?  Has your tires, bar tape/grips, or saddle seen better days?  We are stocked up and ready to help get you rolling again in style!