News from the Shop

Hey y’all,

Think back… if you learned to ride a bike with training wheels, you probably remember the wobble (and maybe the spills) when those extra wheels finally came off. These days, there’s an alternative, dare I say better way to to teach kids how to ride: the balance bike method.

Instead of training wheels, kids start on bikes without pedals scooting with their feet, learning to balance, then gliding. Once they’ve got that down, pedaling comes easy. It’s simple, builds confidence, and makes learning fun.

Do you have questions about teaching your kid to ride? Stop by the shop & we’ll help you find the right bike and gear to get started. Thinking ahead? We’ve always got affordable & durable Strider Balance Bikes in stock and can also order these fancy Specialized Hotwalks.

Already have a balance bike? Check out this great guide from Wirecutter for more tips: The Secret to Teaching Your Kid to Ride a Bike

Speaking of what’s in stock at the shop, we’re running a special this month unlike anything we’ve ever done before.

Effective October 1st, we’re running a Buy One, Get One special on all in-stock SMITH helmets and glasses. If you’ve been needing an upgrade, now’s the time!

Available in-store only. Only applies to helmets and glasses that are currently in-stock. Special orders are not included in this sale.

As we roll into October — whether you’re teaching a kid to ride, upgrading your gear or just pulling your own bike out after a break, the Bike Tech team is here to help. Bring your bike in for a tune-up, and we’ll get you “race ready” and Lou loves to say. New parts and accessories arrive weekly, so if you’re looking for something specific, check with us first (we’re always happy to help with special orders).

This month’s newsletter is packed with local rides, updates, and gear we’re excited about. If we missed something or if you’ve got a story to share, reply and let us know, we read them all.

Before we wrap up, don’t forget: follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Strava, and don’t miss our Crank to Coffee ride every Saturday. Whether it’s in the shop or on the trail, thanks for being part of the Bike Tech crew.

– 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*

Customer Review Spotlight

We love hearing from riders in our community — and this recent Google review made our day!

A huge thanks to Clell (and everyone else) who’s taken the time to share their experience. Your words mean the world to our little shop — and they help other riders find us, too.

Got a Bike Tech story of your own? We’d love to hear it.

Caption Contest Winner!

If you are following along on social media, we threw up a fun caption contest for this picture. After reviewing all the entries (Facebook & Instagram), the winning comment has been included with the original post. Well done, JB!

Thanks to everyone who participated!

Got something cool to share this month: Specialized just rolled out an Apple Watch app that brings the essentials from the Specialized mobile app straight to your wrist. No fishing for your phone mid-ride—just tap your watch to start, pause, or finish a ride and keep your eyes on the trail.

On-wrist, you’ll see real-time stats like heart rate, speed, moving time, and distance so that you can stay focused and informed. When you’re done, your ride auto-syncs to the Specialized app and your favorite platforms—Apple Health, Strava, Komoot, and more.

We love anything that helps riders train smarter, ride stronger, and stay connected, and this is a slick little upgrade for anyone already in the Apple Watch ecosystem.

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?

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.
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)

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:

Comfort-first design for long or casual rides
UL Certified battery safety & reliability
High-quality build at an affordable price
Test rides available—come feel the difference
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…

2022 Sunday Model C BMX 24"

Size: OSFM | Color: Black
Details: Sunday’s Model C created the modern standard in 24” BMX. With its proven 20” inspired geometry, this bike can be ridden with a greater sense of control at full speed. Bigger/taller riders will notice its advantages right away. Comes with an awesome Odyssey/Sunday parts package. Includes upgraded/non-stock saddle, grips & pedals. Overall great condition. Just went through the service department and is ready to ride.
Asking: $550 (MSRP $670)

Gravel Bike Route: Big O – 27 miles +/- 1,227 elevation +/-
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!

Specialized Wins #1 Bike to Buy

Big news: VitalMTB Magazine named Specialized the #1 Bike to Buy in 2025. Thousands of riders voted, and Specialized came out on top for innovation, reliability, and pure trail fun.

👉 See the VitalMTB Survey Results

Stop by the shop to check out why Specialized keeps leading the pack.

Speaking of Specialized, have you seen the new Diverge 4 lineup yet…