Central Austin Bike Shops

[TheRealBizHorn]

Can anyone recommend a bike shop in central Austin? I work downtown and live south-central. I've got a a quasi-hybrid - a fairly large framed mountain bike with slicks that I use to commute home from work now and then. Lately it has been slipping out of gear, which I'm guessing is due to corroded cable and/or a defective derailleur/pulley. In the past I've used Sport Shop without any problems but I'm always open to somewhere cheaper & faster. Any ideas?

 

[accuratehorn]

Freewheeling is great. You should go there. Long time locally owned, and their tee-shirts are designed by Jim Franklin.

 

[horn4life]

Have you adjusted the cable? they do stretch over time or the connection slips.

But Freewheelin is a good place

 

[idigTexas]

As the poster above mentioned, cables stretch over time. Today's bikes are built to allow you to make small adjustments as needed.

Crouch down behind your rear derailleur. The top pulley should be inline with the cassette cog for the gear that you are in. If it isn't, turn the little barrel adjuster that is located where the cable enters the derailleur. Turning it right or left should cause the derailleur to move...right or left.

That will be $50.

Seriously, that should fix the problem. If not, Sport Shop has always been good to me, though I haven't lived in Austin in 3 years, so things may have changed. I also found Freewheeling's service to be pretty decent, though they may not be as convenient (San Gabriel and 24th). There are several other shops that I'm sure are every bit is good. Damn, I miss Austin.

 

[idigTexas]

I forgot to mention that it is best to make adjustments when you are not in the largest or smallest gear.

 

[TheRealBizHorn]

Thanks All!

 

[locohorn93]

A clean and lubed chain makes a big difference, too. Rock n' Roll Gold is a great chain lube for the conditions around here.
If you can hear it, clean and lube it.