News from the Shop
Howdy, friends!
Before sitting down to put this month’s newsletter together, I watched a short film that instantly made me want to grab my bike — JACKO’S VACATION. It’s nothing but high-speed, technical mountain riding done with style and precision. I may not be able to ride like this, but it is a good kick in the pants to get out there and ride! It’s worth the 4 minutes to watch…
We’ve made it to peak riding season here in Macon. If your bike’s been sitting for a while, bring it by the shop for a quick checkup or schedule a service online — we’ll get you rolling again. We’re getting new parts and accessories in weekly, so if you are looking for something and want to shop local, we’re here for you.
We hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter — it’s packed with rides, shop updates, and gear we’re excited about. If we’re missing something or you’ve got a story to share, hit reply. We read them all.
Before we sign off, a quick reminder: follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Strava, and join us for Crank to Coffee every Saturday. Whether we see you in the shop or on the trail, thanks for riding with us and supporting your local bike shop!
– Bobby, Lou, Jeff, Rod & Chris
Ride with us on Saturdays!
Crank to Coffee - Saturday Mornings
Start your weekend with a mellow ride and good company. We roll out from the shop, cruise for about 10+ miles at party pace (avg. 11+ mph), and end with coffee and bagels.
When: Saturday @ 8:00am (wheels down @ 8:15am)
Route: 10+ miles at Party Pace (avg. 11+ mph)
Start/End: Bike Tech, Downtown Macon, GA
Notes: Bring your bike (in good working condition), helmet, bright rear light and $ for coffee/bagels
*Only thing that cancels the ride is rain or ice on the roads*
📸: @a_walk_in_the_woods8783
Customer Review Spotlight
We love hearing from riders in our community — and this recent Google review made our day!
Huge thanks to Jhena (and everyone else) who’s taken the time to leave us a review. Your words mean the world to our little shop — and they help other riders find us, too.
Have a Bike Tech story to share?
New Service at Bike Tech - Chain Waxing
Ready to ride smoother, cleaner, and with better efficiency? Our new chain-waxing service gives your bike a nearly silent, ultra-slick drivetrain that reduces friction (saving 2–8 watts), keeps you cleaner, and extends the life of expensive drivetrain parts. After one full clean and immersion wax, all it takes is a quick wipe between services—less mess, less cost, and more miles from every chain.
Jeff has been perfecting the art of chain waxing over the last few months and has been excited about the results. If you reach out ahead of time, we’ll work you into the schedule so downtime will be minimal. Because of the process, plan to leave your bike with us for a day.
Why Consider Chain Waxing for Your Bike?
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Smoother, Faster Rides with Less Friction
Immersion chain waxing significantly reduces drivetrain friction—saving between 2 to 8 watts of riding power compared to conventional lubes. -
Extended Drivetrain Life & Lower Long-Term Cost
Hot‑waxed chains wear much more slowly than oiled chains. In real‑world testing, a waxed chain remains far from the replacement threshold even after 5,000 miles, whereas traditional lubes can quickly wear out multiple chains and cassettes. -
Cleaner Bikes and Cleaner Hands
Because wax is a “dry” lubricant, it doesn’t attract gunk. No more greasy chains, black “tattoo” stains on your legs, or messy fingerprints during rides or bike cleaning. Just a simple wipe-down is all that’s needed.This isn’t a do it once and forget it process. After the initial cleaning and waxing, maintenance is easy: just wipe clean and/or top off with wax-compatible drips.
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Quieter and More Refined Riding Experience
Waxed chains offer an ultra-quiet ride and incredibly smooth shifting.
Why It’s Not for Everyone (And Why That’s Okay)
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Initial Effort & Equipment
The process requires full chain removal, careful degreasing, and heating wax. It’s more involved than just applying wet lube. It’s ideal to do with a new chain and cassette but old once can be stripped using our Ultrasonic Cleaner for a strong initial application. We recommend new chain quick links when taking your chain off as well.
Velotric eBikes at Bike Tech!
Velotric eBikes are available in store at Bike Tech! After years of testing, researching, and riding countless eBikes, we finally found one that checks all the boxes: comfort, quality, safety, and price. Even better? You can test ride one today.
Built by a team of engineers and designers from Lime, Giant, Specialized, and Decathlon, Velotric is led by Adam Zhang, hardware co-founder of Lime. Their mission is simple: to make ebikes that are elegant, reliable, and fun to ride—without breaking the bank.
Every Velotric eBike is UL 2271 & UL 2849 Certified, ensuring the highest standard of safety and battery performance. Whether you’re commuting, cruising, or just enjoying the ride, you’ll appreciate the smooth handling and sharp design.
Why Velotric:
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Comfort-first design for long or casual rides
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UL Certified battery safety & reliability
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High-quality build at an affordable price
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Test rides available—come feel the difference
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We’ll help you pick the perfect model—even if it’s not in stock today
Come by the shop and see why we’re excited to welcome Velotric into the Bike Tech lineup. Let’s get you rolling—with power and style.
Give Your Old Bike New Life
What’s stored in your garage these days? Be honest—do you have an older, bike shop-quality ride just gathering dust in the corner? Maybe a sweet road bike you haven’t ridden since you ‘upgraded’ or that mountain bike from your glory days that deserves a second shot at life?
Well, we’ve got good news! At Bike Tech, we love helping great bikes find new homes. If you’ve got something quality you’re not using, bring it by! Whether you’re looking to sell it or trade it in toward something shiny and new, we’re here to help. And hey, if you’re on the hunt for a solid used bike, check out what we’ve got in stock—it changes all the time. Let’s make sure those bikes see some action instead of collecting cobwebs!
Here is an example of what is currently in stock…
Trailhead Access: 626 Jarrell Plantation Road, Juliette, GA
*Park at the Ranger Station
It’s highly likely that many of you have already tackled this route – many do each week. If not, it is a fun one to check out and once you’ve mastered this route, there are tons of ways to spice up your ride by venturing down new roads along this route. And if you don’t know, the name comes from the fact that you’ll end up cruising past Otis Redding’s Ranch!
Rack It Up: Why a Quality Bike Rack (Like Kuat) is Worth It
Planning a summer road trip with the family? Heading to the mountains for cooler temps and singletrack? Or just trying to make it out to The Pig Trail without cramming bikes inside the back of your SUV like a Tetris game gone wrong?
This is your sign to invest in a proper bike rack.
We carry Kuat racks at Bike Tech because they make hauling bikes actually enjoyable. They’re secure, easy to use, and built to last. Whether you’re loading up the kids’ bikes, your eBike, or your full-suspension trail weapon, Kuat racks get your crew there safely and stress-free.
Some perks worth mentioning:
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Tool-free install and tilt features make loading/unloading a breeze
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Built-in security (locks included!) for peace of mind on pit stops
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Options for 1 to 4 bikes, including eBike-compatible racks
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Looks sharp (Yes, it’s okay to care what your rack looks like. We do.)
A quality rack means fewer scratches, no tangled cables, and no bike yoga just to fit everything inside your vehicle. Best of all? It gets you to the fun faster.
Come check out the lineup in person or reach out if you want help finding the right one for your car and bikes. We’ve got you covered.
Here’s what we’re reading/watching/listening to!
We dig through a lot of content so you don’t have to — here’s what kept us clicking between rides this month.
How To Watch Cycling (via Defector)
A Love Letter to Adventure Racing: Britt Mason’s USARA National Championship Recap (via Salsa Cycles)
8 Tips for Thriving – Not Just Surviving at Marji Gesick (via Salsa Cycles)
Does Drinking Pickle Juice Actually Help with Muscle Cramps?
(via EatingWell)
Want To Protect Your Brain As You Age? Research Says To Start Pedaling
(via Mindbodygreen)
Exploring New York City’s Hidden Culinary Gems: Cooking Goat Brains, Lobster & MORE | DIRT NYC (via Huckberry)
Upcoming Rides/Events
Crank to Coffee – Weekly on Saturdays
Thomson Bikes Demo Day – September 6th
Macon Bike Party – September 11th
Open Streets Macon – September 29th
Macon Bike Party – October 9th
Journey Ride – November 1st
Macon Bike Party: Cranksgiving – November 13th
Macon Bike Party – December 4th
Open Streets Macon – December 7th
OMBA Chat – Varies (Check out their Facebook page for upcoming events)
*Have an event you want listed here? Reply with the details…