Why we are so far out
08/02/08 10:06 Filed in: Store
The title may
have made it sound like we were going to talk about
our groovy 70’s inspired psychedelic lava lamps...
but no.
Actually, the title refers to the more concrete issue of our location. We are kind of “far out,” in terms of being out of town.
Why did we do that? Well, when we opened the shop, we weren’t sure how ready this area was for a bicycle shop like ours. We figured that it might be a while before walk-in traffic really pays for itself, and that in the meantime we’d continue doing the web business. So we looked for a location that had a relatively low rent, but was still close enough to Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and the NC Triangle that people who want to visit can visit us. We didn’t want to start out in the high-rent district, if we were going to have to pay the rent out of our own pockets. Fortunately, that hasn’t happened.
The good thing about being a small business is that we are flexible and can adapt quickly. We have had the store open for a few months now, and it is clear there is interest from the local community. It is also pretty clear that this kind of store is needed and wanted in this area. So we are looking strongly at a move that would bring the shop into town (probably Carrboro).
Besides, there are some other reasons we’d like to be in town:
- It is kind of ironic to have a transportation-focused bike shop, to which most people end up driving to get there!
- We like the idea of being part of a community, and community events. Being in town would make that a lot easier
- It can get a bit lonely out in the “middle of nowhere” as one customer put it
So, anyway, we’ll post more here as soon as we know more. We are looking for a suitable space with reasonable rent. If anyone has any great ideas on that, please drop us a line!
Actually, the title refers to the more concrete issue of our location. We are kind of “far out,” in terms of being out of town.
Why did we do that? Well, when we opened the shop, we weren’t sure how ready this area was for a bicycle shop like ours. We figured that it might be a while before walk-in traffic really pays for itself, and that in the meantime we’d continue doing the web business. So we looked for a location that had a relatively low rent, but was still close enough to Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and the NC Triangle that people who want to visit can visit us. We didn’t want to start out in the high-rent district, if we were going to have to pay the rent out of our own pockets. Fortunately, that hasn’t happened.
The good thing about being a small business is that we are flexible and can adapt quickly. We have had the store open for a few months now, and it is clear there is interest from the local community. It is also pretty clear that this kind of store is needed and wanted in this area. So we are looking strongly at a move that would bring the shop into town (probably Carrboro).
Besides, there are some other reasons we’d like to be in town:
- It is kind of ironic to have a transportation-focused bike shop, to which most people end up driving to get there!
- We like the idea of being part of a community, and community events. Being in town would make that a lot easier
- It can get a bit lonely out in the “middle of nowhere” as one customer put it
So, anyway, we’ll post more here as soon as we know more. We are looking for a suitable space with reasonable rent. If anyone has any great ideas on that, please drop us a line!
Grand Opening Celebration
05/26/08 23:53 Filed in: Party!
We're going to have a modest little grand opening
celebration at the store on Saturday, May 31, 2008,
from 11AM-5PM (or whenever people are sick of us).
We'll have some music playing on the stereo, some free refreshments and snacks, and most importantly, a sale (one day, in store purchases only).
Xtracycle Freeradical kits complete .... $370 (only 2 in stock, and they're in limited supply countrywide!)
Tubes...$2 (limit 5/customer)
Planet Bike Superflash Blinky
tail lights ... $17 (regularly $22)
KARMA PRO BLACK-LI
ON LITHIUM ION PLUS CHARGER...$109
(regularly $149)
Nite Ize Spoke lights (they
sound a bit dorky, but cars will definitely
see you!)... $7 (Regularly $10)
Come visit us, and experience how fun it is to ride a bike with an electric kit. See how easy it is to load and ride a cargo bike or take a passenger for a ride. Watch a folding bike demonstration that reveals how you can combine a folding bike with public transportation or even travel by plane with no additional charge for bringing a bike.
We'll have some music playing on the stereo, some free refreshments and snacks, and most importantly, a sale (one day, in store purchases only).
Xtracycle Freeradical kits complete .... $370 (only 2 in stock, and they're in limited supply countrywide!)
Tubes...$2 (limit 5/customer)
Planet Bike Superflash Blinky
tail lights ... $17 (regularly $22)
KARMA PRO BLACK-LI
ON LITHIUM ION PLUS CHARGER...$109
(regularly $149)
Nite Ize Spoke lights (they
sound a bit dorky, but cars will definitely
see you!)... $7 (Regularly $10)
Come visit us, and experience how fun it is to ride a bike with an electric kit. See how easy it is to load and ride a cargo bike or take a passenger for a ride. Watch a folding bike demonstration that reveals how you can combine a folding bike with public transportation or even travel by plane with no additional charge for bringing a bike.
Why do we exist?
05/17/08 22:27 Filed in: Store
Ok, so the title makes it sound like we're going to
get all existential here about the meaning of life
and all. But we'll save that for the book Morgan is
working on. In the meantime, we've got a much simpler
blog post in store for you....
We've got the store open at Cycle 9. Given all the long hours we've put in, its a good time to reflect on why we're doing this. Basically, we were frustrated with the focus of the bicycle industry on racing and recreational products. It's not that we don't like recreational riding (we do, especially mountain biking!), its just that the products ideal for everyday commuting are not the same as the ones promoted by the industry for recreational riding. Recreational bikes are often purpose built - road bikes to be very light weight, and mountain bikes to have suspension, knobby tires, etc - none of which is good for commuting every day of the year, rain or shine. Most recreational road cyclists wouldn't be caught dead with a chain guard or fenders on their bikes - those would just add ounces and slow the bike down by a fraction of a mile per hour. And racks? Forget it. That's pounds. Why would someone add 1/2 pound to their bike, when they just paid $5k or more to shave a few ounces off their bike (and while they are at it, the hair off their legs, too!)?
Our focus is different. We promote racks to haul gear, fenders to keep the rider dry, and chain guards to keep clothes clean. Sure, they add pounds to the bike. But they also add practicality, so that you can ride to the grocery store - or ride when it is raining, or ride with your fancy work duds.
And we also promote electric assist bicycles for people who think it would encourage them to ride more often. The electric assist is not for everyone. Some people are happy waking up every day with the energy to pedal their bike up the hills, rain or shine, healthy or sick, whatever. But most of us real mortals have days we don't feel like pedaling. Or we are carrying a big load of groceries on our Xtracycle, and don't feel like dragging it up a long hill in the 95 degree weather. Or we don't want to get to work drenched in sweat. Electric bikes are great for those reasons and more. Our electric bikes encourage us to ride more often, instead of taking the car. And, since riding an electric bike is very energy efficient (they get the equivalent of over 500 miles per gallon), it is inexpensive and environmentally friendly.
As we look forward, we're considering what other products we might want to introduce here that fit with our core mission. We welcome feedback on this topic. We're definitely interested in the recumbent bicycle scene, and also think trikes would be great for load hauling. Then there are the Bakfiets, which is the Dutch way to carry tons of stuff. We're also enamored of simple, long lasting steel frames made by the likes of Soma and Surly, so we might be setting up a test ride or two in those. And, we love alternative handlebars - go into most bike shops, and you'd think the only types of bars made are either flat (mountain bikes) or drop bars (road bikes). But there is a world of other handlebar configurations out there, many of which are better suited for commuting. My (Morgan's) personal favorite are the Nitto Albatross bars. But there are many other great ones.
Last but not least, we need to give a huge thanks to the two Gregs, our first official employees. Greg T is a young cycling enthusiast who has poured his energy into getting the shop open. And Greg F has brought a treasure trove of cycling industry knowledge to bear, which has been highly valuable. Most importantly, both clicked with our core mission from the start - both of them love cycling in all forms, but like us, want to see more of the practical everyday cycling gear promoted and sold to the general public. We don't need to promote cycling for more Lance wannabes - we need to promote more people to get out of their cars and ride their bikes, walk, ride public transit, or whatever it takes to make our cities more peaceful, quiet, and clean, while reducing our dependency on foreign oil.
So, please come visit our shop - or send us email with your wishes for the type of cycling shop you'd like to see. We want to hear from you!
We've got the store open at Cycle 9. Given all the long hours we've put in, its a good time to reflect on why we're doing this. Basically, we were frustrated with the focus of the bicycle industry on racing and recreational products. It's not that we don't like recreational riding (we do, especially mountain biking!), its just that the products ideal for everyday commuting are not the same as the ones promoted by the industry for recreational riding. Recreational bikes are often purpose built - road bikes to be very light weight, and mountain bikes to have suspension, knobby tires, etc - none of which is good for commuting every day of the year, rain or shine. Most recreational road cyclists wouldn't be caught dead with a chain guard or fenders on their bikes - those would just add ounces and slow the bike down by a fraction of a mile per hour. And racks? Forget it. That's pounds. Why would someone add 1/2 pound to their bike, when they just paid $5k or more to shave a few ounces off their bike (and while they are at it, the hair off their legs, too!)?
Our focus is different. We promote racks to haul gear, fenders to keep the rider dry, and chain guards to keep clothes clean. Sure, they add pounds to the bike. But they also add practicality, so that you can ride to the grocery store - or ride when it is raining, or ride with your fancy work duds.
And we also promote electric assist bicycles for people who think it would encourage them to ride more often. The electric assist is not for everyone. Some people are happy waking up every day with the energy to pedal their bike up the hills, rain or shine, healthy or sick, whatever. But most of us real mortals have days we don't feel like pedaling. Or we are carrying a big load of groceries on our Xtracycle, and don't feel like dragging it up a long hill in the 95 degree weather. Or we don't want to get to work drenched in sweat. Electric bikes are great for those reasons and more. Our electric bikes encourage us to ride more often, instead of taking the car. And, since riding an electric bike is very energy efficient (they get the equivalent of over 500 miles per gallon), it is inexpensive and environmentally friendly.
As we look forward, we're considering what other products we might want to introduce here that fit with our core mission. We welcome feedback on this topic. We're definitely interested in the recumbent bicycle scene, and also think trikes would be great for load hauling. Then there are the Bakfiets, which is the Dutch way to carry tons of stuff. We're also enamored of simple, long lasting steel frames made by the likes of Soma and Surly, so we might be setting up a test ride or two in those. And, we love alternative handlebars - go into most bike shops, and you'd think the only types of bars made are either flat (mountain bikes) or drop bars (road bikes). But there is a world of other handlebar configurations out there, many of which are better suited for commuting. My (Morgan's) personal favorite are the Nitto Albatross bars. But there are many other great ones.
Last but not least, we need to give a huge thanks to the two Gregs, our first official employees. Greg T is a young cycling enthusiast who has poured his energy into getting the shop open. And Greg F has brought a treasure trove of cycling industry knowledge to bear, which has been highly valuable. Most importantly, both clicked with our core mission from the start - both of them love cycling in all forms, but like us, want to see more of the practical everyday cycling gear promoted and sold to the general public. We don't need to promote cycling for more Lance wannabes - we need to promote more people to get out of their cars and ride their bikes, walk, ride public transit, or whatever it takes to make our cities more peaceful, quiet, and clean, while reducing our dependency on foreign oil.
So, please come visit our shop - or send us email with your wishes for the type of cycling shop you'd like to see. We want to hear from you!
Store Hours
05/10/08 07:29 Filed in: Store
We're pleased to announce our regular operating
hours:
W 12-7 PM
Th 12-6 PM
F 12-6 PM
Sa 11-5 PM
Su 1-4 PM
You can find us at:
3501 Hwy 54
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
This is about 6 miles West of Carrboro Plaza on Highway 54, towards Burlington. It is very close to the Fiesta Grill, in the back of the old White Cross School building. It is right by the intersection of White Cross Road and Hwy 54.
Come see our electric assist bikes, sports utility/cargo bicycles, folding bicycles, bicycle stereos, bicycle safety gear, and more.
We'll announce a grand opening celebration/date soon!
W 12-7 PM
Th 12-6 PM
F 12-6 PM
Sa 11-5 PM
Su 1-4 PM
You can find us at:
3501 Hwy 54
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
This is about 6 miles West of Carrboro Plaza on Highway 54, towards Burlington. It is very close to the Fiesta Grill, in the back of the old White Cross School building. It is right by the intersection of White Cross Road and Hwy 54.
Come see our electric assist bikes, sports utility/cargo bicycles, folding bicycles, bicycle stereos, bicycle safety gear, and more.
We'll announce a grand opening celebration/date soon!
Hurray, we now have an online store!
03/04/08 23:50 Filed in: Sales
Cycle 9 now has an online store, please have a look
and let us know what you think.
Unfortunately, we are already sold out on the eZee hub motors. That's a nice setup, so we'll be sure to get more, hopefully they will arrive early April.
In other news, we now are carrying the Downtube folding bikes, for local sales. These are the bikes we took with us on a recent bike tour of Tuscany, Italy, and they're great bikes. However, we're only selling those locally, due to an agreement with Downtube.
We also have the Anyrider line of folding bikes on the way. These are a great, basic, low cost folding bike for someone on the go.
Unfortunately, we are already sold out on the eZee hub motors. That's a nice setup, so we'll be sure to get more, hopefully they will arrive early April.
In other news, we now are carrying the Downtube folding bikes, for local sales. These are the bikes we took with us on a recent bike tour of Tuscany, Italy, and they're great bikes. However, we're only selling those locally, due to an agreement with Downtube.
We also have the Anyrider line of folding bikes on the way. These are a great, basic, low cost folding bike for someone on the go.