Ortileb and Tubus  - Incredible Touring Gear now available

After some heated debate (not really, but it sounds good) we are now an Ortileb and Tubus dealer. Our touring business took off last summer so we added some selection to the touring bikes we carry. We in turn added some expedition worthy front and rear racks. Now, we have some of the best racks, bags and panniers on hand. If you haven’t heard of Ortlieb, or Tubus for that matter, do a little searching  about touring. Their name and reputation is top notch.

What do that mean to you? Well, we are the only bike shop in the area, possibly this part of the state that stocks true touring equipment. We have the knowledge to assist you in your important gear decisions. Plus, we like talking about it. Good luck finding that anywhere else.

Feel free to call, email or come by with any questions about touring (or whatever else is on your mind).

My name is Steve and I am your local bike shop.

Yes; if you love great bikes, and like getting more for your money.  Yes, if you like having options that put a premium on comfort, and durability.  And yes, if you’d prefer a beautiful bike that stands out from the cookie-cutter crowd.

The Jamis Aurora is great example of a good all-around road bike, and is quickly becoming a local favorite.  Its steel frame is both shock-absorbing, and durable.   Its frame geometry produces a stable, predictable bike, with a comfortable riding position.  It comes spec’d with larger-than-average, smooth-riding, puncture-resistant tires.  And its low gears will get you up most any hill, whether you’re touring cross-country or riding cross-town.  And it looks like this:

Just looking for a decent bike to get you around town?  You should definitely check out the Jamis Citizen 1.  At only $300, it’s a real bargain.  Upright handlebars and a cushy seat make for a comfortable commuter, while the steel frame mutes road noise.  And the zippy 700c wheels make a ride through the country no problem, too.  And it’s a sharp bike, regardless of price:

Is Jamis really that different from the other great bike manufacturers?  Absolutely not.  Like other standout bike producers, they offer a wide range of styles and models, at a broad variety of price points.  They make a great product, but here’s the thing–there are lot of good bikes out there.  But a good bike is only good if it’s right for YOU.  And that’s where we come in.  At Cycle 9, we have the expertise to put you on the right bike, with the right spec, and make sure it fits you properly, too.  And that’s what make a good bike a GREAT bike.  And that’s the real reason to buy your new bike at Cycle 9.  Though a sweet Jamis makes the choice that much better.

So please, come on by, and let us work our magic.  My name is Tod, and I’m your local bike shop.

Have you been dreaming of hitting the road one of these days?

It seems like a lot of you have based on the number that have been coming into the shop looking for the Long Haul Trucker. The “Trucker”, made by Surly bikes, has got to be the most popular touring bike ever. A recent visit by a couple of bike touring folk confirmed this when they told me that nearly every touring bike they saw on the road over their year+ long journey was a Long Haul Trucker.

Surly Long Haul Trucker

What is it that is so appealing? I don’t think it’s the understated design. Or the color selection (“Blacktacular”- anyone?”). Must be the comfort and durability of this bike that is built to go the distance (or more). From Surly’s website:

“The Long Haul Trucker was designed in all aspects to get you and your stuff to…wherever.  Its low bottom bracket and long chainstays provide comfort and stability, and those long stays increase heel clearance when carrying packed panniers.  We gave it ample tire clearance for larger tires (larger tires soak up a lot of road static) with room for fenders too.  The frame’s tubing is thicker-walled and larger-diameter than standard road and sport-touring frames, and this pre-tunes it for the weight of cargo.  And it’s got braze-ons for everything you’re likely to need, from racks to water bottle cages to spare spokes.”

Secretly (or not), I think there’s another reason this is one of hottest bikes we sell. Not only is it great for touring (and who wouldn’t want to take off for the weekend, the week or maybe a year or two), it’s also an awesome all-around bike.

If you can only have ONE bike – the LHT is your bike.

• It’s an awesome commuter – forgiving steel frame that you won’t be paranoid about getting a scratch in
• It’s the next best thing to a cargo bike for errands and trips – add bags and baskets galore to house your groceries and hardware. Or tow a trailer for those really big trips. You can even convert it to an Xtracycle, with the Free-Rad Add-on kit to go ultimate cargo.
• Friends going on a road ride? The trucker is there for you. It may not be quite as light as that $6,000 titanium custom job sported by your friend, but it’s the biker, not the bike, that makes a fast ride (and can that guy carry a case of beer home?)
• Off road-ing in the offing? This is not a mountain bike, but need to hit some dirt or gravel and you won’t need to freak out. With a bit of tire width and a ton of stability, you can tackle that gravel no problemo. (Good thing too, because I hear that roads aren’t smooth pavement everywhere in the world.)

But don’t believe me. Check out just a few of the many awesome reviews of the Trucker (no relation to us – you’ll find them on the web)

http://bikesfortherestofus.blogspot.com/2010/01/this-post-is-long-overdue.html

http://www.bicycletouring101.com/SurlyLongHaulTruckerReview.htm

http://www.ecovelo.info/2010/06/01/gallery-logans-surly-long-haul-trucker/

Why Buy your Trucker from us?

We’re not the only people around that sell Long Haul Truckers. But I bet we sell more of them locally than anyone else. Why?

• For one reason – We have bikes ON THE FLOOR, ready for you to try out. We regularly stock Truckers in 3 sizes and Cross Checks (another popular Surly bike) that you can come try out. No need to take a chance on something you haven’t tried.
• Two of our 6 employees happen to be bike touring afficianados – one (Tod) who has even crossed the continent several times on his bike. So not only do you get the bike, you get the help you need when fitting and outfitting the right bike. Just try to find that on the internet.
• We’ve also done a lot of Custom LHT builds for those who want their very own look. Want to add a Brooks saddle? We have them. Custom matching bar tape? Awesome stylish racks or heavy duty touring racks? Done that. We’ve even done complete builds from the frame up, using custom components of your choosing or recommended by our expert staff.
• If you’re looking for a bike to get around town, or a bike to get you across the world, our friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable staff won’t be beat by the competition.

Looking for other Surly Bikes?

In addition to the Long Haul Trucker, we stock the Cross Check and Big Dummy (cargo bike). We can special order and build for you any other surly bikes, including the Instigator, Karate Monkey, Pacer, Steam-Roller and 1×1.

Sophisticated, trendy, worldly, and refined.  These words pop into mind when I think of the people I encountered in my European travels.  With cycling integral to the Dutch culture, the Netherlands-based Batavus creates a city bike to couple the style of Europe with the practicality of a daily commute.  These bikes are characterized by their upright posture and low maintenance design.  They’re comfortable, relaxed, and the perfect way to get around town.  At Cycle 9, we’re pleased to bring some European elegance to North Carolina with our line of Batavus bikes.

Batavus Diva

The lowest maintenance Diva you will ever know!  With 3 speed Shimano Nexus hub gears and a fully enclosed chain ring, this bike is designed for hassle-free commuting.  The wider tires allow the Diva to carry heavy loads around town, while the aluminum frame lightens things up a bit.  The cushy seat and upright design make for a comfortable ride.  The Diva also features built in lights, fenders, and racks.  Is this diva high maintenance and demanding?  No.  Sexy and stylish?  Yes.

Cross Old Dutch style with modern biking technologies and you get the best of both worlds with the Fryslan.  Attractive and versatile, the Fryslan’s 5 speeds and aluminum frame allow travel over longer distances and up hilly terrain.  Like the Diva, the Fryslan has a fully enclosed chain ring, internal hub gears, fenders, rack, and an internal lighting system.

Batavus Fryslan

If your city commute is sprawled or hilly, the Batavus Breukelen may be up your alley.  The Breukelen has all the great commuter features of Batavus’ other bikes, but with 7 speeds, a lighter frame, and a sleeker style.

Batavus Breukelen

The award-winning design of the Batavus Utility Bike, or BUB, was inspired by a bent paperclip.  And like that little, practical, no-frills office necessity, the BUB’s form follows the function – a great, durable way to get around town.  The handlebar design allows for a front basket, and racks can be added.  Beautifully crafted, modern, and urban, the BUB is a city-slicker’s cycle.

Batavus Utility Bike

Just take a deep breath, sit back, relax, and…pedal?  Welcome to one of the most comfortable and ergonomic bikes in the business – the Journey by Day 6 Bicycles.  If you can imagine your favorite armchair sprouting wheels and pedals, you’ll picture a ride similar to this bike.

Day 6 Journey

Everything about the Journey is designed for pure comfort.  Instead of leaning forward on a tiny little seat, sink into a cushioned backrest.  Your hands will rest naturally on the fully adjustable handlebars while you sit upright.  The lightweight aluminum frame offers a smooth ride and allows for an easy step-through rather than a high leg swing.  The seven speed internal hub shifting is reliable, easy, and can operate while stationary.

If aches and pains are keeping you from cycling, it’s time to re-think your bike!  Come on in to experience the enjoyable ride of the Journey.

At Cycle 9, we love Surly’s no-nonsense approach to bicycles.  These bikes are not flashy or trendy, but are elegant and refined in their functionality.  Made from CroMoly steel, Surlys are built to last and ride beautifully.

Take the Surly Cross Check, for example.

Surly Cross Check

The versatile Cross Check handles all terrains with ease.  It’s a great commuter bike, offering a fabulously comfortable ride.  After work, go ahead and hit the trails.  You’ll love how this bike handles off-road as well.  Reviewers rave about this bike and for a good reason.  Come on in to see what all the buzz is about!

Another favorite at Cycle 9 is the Big Dummy.  Don’t let the name fool you, this bike isn’t a clunker.  It’s made for hauling a lot of stuff and it does its job gracefully.  Compatible with Xtracycle accessories, the Big Dummy can carry a week’s worth of groceries, an 8 ft ladder, passengers, or almost anything else you can think of – all while riding smoothly.  The options are endless and car-less, which makes this Big Dummy anything but dumb.

Surly Big Dummy

Ok – I quit this gig.  I’m packing up my crap and heading out West.  Peace out amigos!  While you’re watching the evening news, I’ll be riding into the sunset on Surly’s touring bike, the Long Haul Trucker.  Because the Trucker’s frame geometry is designed to carry a lot of stuff, I can make it out to there with everything I need.  The ultra durable components make me confident that my bike won’t let me down on the way.  Once I’ve reached my destination, I’ll still have a great bike to get around town.  Yup, the Long Haul Trucker is my long haul ride.  It can be yours too.  Stop by Cycle 9 to see why it’s one of our best sellers.

Surly Long Haul Trucker

Since we love beautiful bikes here, and especially beautiful bikes that aren’t outrageously expensive, we brought in some bikes from the Masi Soulville line.

Masi is an original Italian company known for the tradition of road cycling Remember the Italians in the movie Breaking Away? They weren’t no nice, but they give the idea of italians being big on biking.

The Soulville line is designed in a classic and classy style that is perfect for cruising around town on a beautiful bike. You’ll feel classy just riding these bikes. The graceful lines of the steel frames are matched with simple componentry to make your life easier, simpler, and more comfortable.

The Soulville SS –   Single Speed / Fixed Gear

Have fun and look good doing it with the Soulville SS. Flip-flop hub lets you ride single speed or fixed gear. A thrill junky at home on the road or trail, cruise the night streets and hop down to your friend’s house in no time flat. Steel frame, arc handlebar, and 700c tires offer a great ride. Comes with fender and rack mounts if you want to turn it into a real commuter.

(Reg price $697 – On Sale during April for $587)

The Soulville 7

This bike is the same great frame as the Soulville SS, but with a Shimano Nexus internal 7-speed hub. Internal hubs offer low maintenance and clean lines, without the need for derailleur adjustments and less chance of getting out of alignment. 7 speeds helps out with the hills of Chapel Hill and Carrboro. Cork grips and a retro-style saddle offer class and comfort. A perfectly simple design proves a sea of calm in an otherwise chaotic world.

Also available in a beautiful Mixte frame.

(Reg. $857 – On Sale during April starting at $697)

These bikes are now available at Cycle 9. Come in for a text ride.

At Cycle 9, you’ll find kids bikes for ages 2 through first adult bikes.

For your littlest riders, ages 2-5, we carry Balance Bikes by Kazam. What’s a balance bike? This is a short little bike that has no pedals. Your toddler sits on the seat and walks along, holding onto the handlebars. The advantage of this is they learn how to balance the bike in an upright position. As they get a little older, they can run along and cruise on the bike while picking their feet up off the ground. They get the idea of balancing right from the beginning without training wheels, and then add pedaling skill later.

Kazam balance bike

For 4-6 years old, the 16″ wheel bike is the way to go. We have bikes from Marin bike company in this category. They come with training wheels installed which can be removed once they aren’t needed anymore.

Marin Kids Bike 16"

From there, it’s leg length that determines how quickly they move up in sizes. We have 20″ wheel bikes in a mountain bike or beach cruiser style, and 24″ bikes in a mountain bike style. The 24″ bike will last until they reach their teenage growth spurts, at which point, they’ll be needing a bike with 26″ wheels, the standard wheel size for most mountain bikes. When they get to this point, look for a bike in a small frame size with adjustable seat post and handlebars to get the most years out of the bike.

The bike designs change a bit from year to year, but here are some photos of the bikes.

Kids Beach Cruiser

Marin Hidden Canyon Kids Bike

Another reason to buy a Kids bike from Cycle 9 is our Trade-Up Program. Get up to 50% of the value of the bike towards the next size up. Read more about it under our “Why Shop Cycle 9” tab.

It’s that time of year again where the holidays are what fills many people’s minds. December is a month that has changed in meaning for me as I’ve gotten older and gone through different stages in my life. In my  college years, it was about traveling home to visit with my parents, then later in my 20′s about balancing visiting of my family, spouse’s family, and my sibling’s similar scheduling issues. Throughout this time, the holidays was fun and I enjoyed picking out gifts for people, but I really didn’t get that excited about the gift opening. These times were relaxed, and laid back opportunities with a cup of tea and a tray of cookies, maybe after a big meal.

That all changed when my first child was about 2 years old. By that time, she knew what presents were, and excitement was in the air. I have to say it is infectious. Now at almost 6, she is excited about putting up a holiday tree and decorating it, making gingerbread cookies for Santa, adding holiday lights to the house, and making cards for her grandparents. But also she is excited about what she’ll get as a gift.

I think many of us can remember back to when we were kids and the excitement of getting something really special from Santa, Mom and Dad, Grandparents, or whoever our gift giver happens to be this time of year. And one of those traditional gifts that kids get at Christmas is a new bike. This tradition goes back at least to the 1940s I think, as I can picture in my mind a classic drawing of a christmas tree with a little bike under it.

Bikes are great gifts for kids because we know they will be used and appreciated. I loved the freedom and joy of riding a bike when I was a kid. Flying down a hill at what seemed like incredible speeds (and we didn’t wear helmets back then!), being able to visit my friends a couple streets over, and riding on Sundays with my parents and brother, who also liked to ride.

And unlike that latest video game, a bike actually encourages physical activity and getting outdoors. We all know how much better that makes us feel. So as you are considering presents for your children, consider that new bike!

All kids bikes by Marin are now on Sale at Cycle 9. In addition, we have our Trade-Up program, where you can recoup up to 50% of the bike’s value towards the next size up.

We have bikes starting with Balance bikes for kids age 2-5 up through all the sizes.

Are you a fan of retro steel mountain bikes? Then have a look at this….