Southeast - New to BF and NC...

Hey Y'all, just moved to RTP area of NC (Go 'Heels!!!) and just looking for a good local bike shop to get aquainted with. I'm getting happy that the snow is done, and I can finally get my bike washed, lubed, and on the road.

I know that there is a Performance there in Cary but not sure about the other shops. Unfortunately for me I live to far away.

What do you mean by RTP area? Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill...I can't help you with Raleigh stores, but I can perhaps help out a bit with Chapel Hill.

Personally I like the Bicycle Chain in Chapel Hill and their sister store in Carrboro, Clean Machine.

Another vote for Clean Machine and Bike Chain (ex Franklin Street Cycles) if you on the Chapel Hill side of the triangle. Both good shops. On the Durham and Raleigh side, well there is Bike Chain again - a store in Durham, one in Apex, and one in Raleigh. I like the Raleigh store but all are pretty good. Cycles Spoken Here in Cary is also a pretty good shop, though I have not dealt with them all that much. However, they do have the biggest inventory of any shop in the Triangle. So even if you're 6'10", they will have a bike for you to demo. There is a North Raleigh Trek store also. It too is a good shop run by cycling aficionados. And there is Franks Cyclery in Briar Creek (just off 540 between Raleigh and Durham). Frank is one of the best mechanics this side of the Mississippi.

Thank you all for the suggestions! I'm still learning the verbage of the area. I'm about a mile from Southpoint mall. So I guess I'm close to the Chapel Hill area. I'll take a look at some of those stores this weekend. Lets hope for sun!

^

I think "a mile from Southpoint mall" would qualify as Durham, not Chapel Hill.

But the only time it should make a difference is about three times a year: once in late November, once in late January / early February, and once in early March.

I used to live right on "the Boulevard", right at the county line. So I have a pretty good idea where Durham is, and where Chapel Hill is.

Interestingly, the respective city limits cross the county lines in both directions. And so do the land-line phone numbers.

IMO, Neal gave you good advice on the shops.

I grew up about a mile from what is now Southpoint Mall, in a farmhouse that was built in 1878 on a lonely dirt road. My folks still live there, but now it's pretty much in the middle of a subdivision, and li'l ole Route 3 is now Grandale Drive and there are way too many folks who drive way to fast down it.

As far as I know there's no bike shop in the immediate vicinity. Chapel Hill would be your best bet. There is a shop next to Whole Foods in Durham next to Duke East Campus, but I can't remember the name of it.

.... There is a shop next to Whole Foods in Durham next to Duke East Campus, but I can't remember the name of it.I believe you will find that the shop referred to is the Durham location of the Bicycle Chain.

http://thebicyclechain.com/

http://thebicyclechain.com/map.cfm?StoreID=3

Fyi, the Chapel Hill, Durham, and Raleigh locations each used to be independent bike shops. But, one by one, their previous owners decided to "get out", and the owners of the "Clean Machine" acquired those three stores, one by one. Then Scott and Doug came up with a single name for all the stores (except the "Clean Machine"). And last year, the "Chain" opened a new store in Cary / Apex.

There's always the Durham Bike Co-op (http://www.durhambikecoop.org) if you're more of a DIY kinda guy.

And there's a new place in Cary, run by Matt Lodder, who worked as the service manager for Cary's Spin Cycle shop for the past 13 years:

www.carycyclesurgeon.com

He's running it from his home now, but should be brick & mortar soon. Just repairs and parts sales.

If you're in Raleigh Cycle Logic is the place to go.

And there's a new place in Cary, run by Matt Lodder, who worked as the service manager for Cary's Spin Cycle shop for the past 13 years:

www.carycyclesurgeon.com

He's running it from his home now, but should be brick & mortar soon. Just repairs and parts sales.I am expecting that Matt's shop will essentially be the back of a van, which is what some other "shops" / wrenches do.

However, he will almost certainly need a storefront or room in a commercial setting as an address as it apparently makes things a whole lot simpler with the State / County / City authorities (at least that is what I understand from "TLCforBikes").

If you're in Raleigh Cycle Logic is the place to go.

I have never even HEARD of this place.

you cant be serious skiff. hillsborough st near the old IHOP. cycle-logic (http://www.cycle-logic.biz/)

and, i think Matt is currently working out of his house...i'm taking my front wheel over to him to look at...

^
Not being a former "resident" of Hillsborough St., I am not too familiar with its businesses. Usually, I try to slip past NCSt on a quiet street and avoid Hillsborough St altogether. Guess I'll have to divert past there. Maybe "the Lash" knows about this place; she born & grew up in Raleigh.

If you're looking for a high-quality mechanic close to your area, check out Frank's Cyclery in Brier Creek. For good prices on parts and clothes (when on sale), Performance Bike in Chapel Hill.

The REI near Southpoint has an excellent mechanic, Curt Dobbins. Curt has been wrenching since the mid-80's when I first met him. He's also builds frames.

You might want to check out http://www.trianglecycling.com

Its specifically dedicated to road biking in the RDU area.

If you're looking for a high-quality jackass close to your area, check out Frank's Cyclery in Brier Creek. For good prices on parts and clothes (when on sale), Performance Bike in Chapel Hill.

Fixed that for you