Light It Up!

Now that the time change has occurred and it's getting dark out sooner, people feel that their riding time is cut short. We would like to let you know that isn't the case, and yes, you can ride in the dark!
For successful night riding, a strong light is a must have. You do not want to be out on the mountain bike trails with a light that doesn't illuminate your way.

Yes, a good light is pricey, but once you know the benefits of a good light, it's well worth the money invested! A quality light will be durable and allow you to re-charge it without having to purchase expensive batteries. Also? You will have multiple brightness options as well as high lumins to ensure your safety.

Below you will find a product review from Josie (Life on Two Wheels.)
She and Travis tested out two fantastic lights and both can be ordered at Decorah Bicycles!
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This year Travis has introduced me to night riding, and in true form, made sure I would have an excellent helmet light. The two lights I’ll talk about in this post are the NiteRider Pro 1800 and Light & Motion Seca 2000 Race.

The first light I is the NiteRider Pro 1800, which is said to have the one of the category’s best power to weight ratios.
It has 5 levels of light, flash mode, 4 cell Li-Ion battery, and has a really neat/handy battery indicator that lets you know where you’re at charge-wise.

The battery pack can go into your camelbak and the light also comes with an extension cord so you are sure to have enough room to move freely and comfortably.

To change the light beams, you hit the button at the top to alternate from strongest to lightest-similar to the light I use on my handlebar to get home (NiteRider Lumina 650)

The second light, Light & Motion Seca 2000 Race is a little smaller but packs a powerful punch.

The Seca 2000 has a 6 LED with 3 levels of brightness (High, Med, and Low) also you will find that the beam pattern is wide, extending outward with a stronger focus of light in the middle.

I found the NiteRider Pro 1800 had a strong beam of light that focused straight ahead where the Seca 2000 had more of a diamond shape. The makers of the Seca 2000 mention that the beam pattern of their light maximizes the riders’ depth perception and eliminates the snowball effect.

The chord for the light and battery pack is sufficient in length, no extension cords were provided.
The battery pack can also be hooked onto your shorts or through any sort of belt loop. I opted to keep the battery pack in my camelbak to avoid falling on it directly (if I were to fall.)

Travis originally installed the NiteRider Pro 1800 on my helmet, but I was able to easily install the Light & Motion Seca 2000 light without any directions. Perhaps luck was on my side, but it was simple to loop and strap, then hook on the light.

Another feature that is different is that the Seca starts off on the brightest setting vs. lowest. It threw me off at first because I’m used to pushing buttons to achieve a brighter light vs. lower.

Both lights worked great for me and were not uncomfortable when installed on my helmet. You will find that the NiteRider Pro 1800 is a little heavier than the Light & Motion Seca 2000, and the battery pack has to be in a larger pocket or camelbak.

I liked that the NiteRider Pro 1800 had a charge indicator on the top of the light that was really easy to read.

NiteRider Pro 1800 charge indicator

You will find that the power button for the Seca 2000 is larger and more easily found for non-visual pushing than the NiteRider Pro 1800.

I highly recommend either of these lights for your night riding needs. The trails I ride here in Decorah have a variety of challenges including close trees, roots, and rocks. Having a strong light that allows me to see, without question, is a huge confidence builder and I would recommend investing in a quality light from the start. You do not have to use the highest setting, and often times you may find that the medium setting or sometimes the lowest will work for your ride (depending on the trail, if you are ahead or behind another rider with a strong light, etc.)

When investing in a light you are putting money toward a product that should last a long time, a product that holds a charge, one that gives you multiple lighting options, and something that can be recharged easily without the use of buying excess batteries. (More eco-friendly!)

It's an investment in your safety. 

For a positive night riding experience check out either of these two lights so you can find your way in the dark!

As mentioned, we use our lights on our helmets so we can move and have the light follow. I feel more comfortable having the light on my helmet vs. just handlebars. 

(Some people use just a handlebar light.)
Some riders recommend both a light on your helmet and one on your handlebars.
(I do keep a spare light in my bag that should have enough charge to get me home legally, if worse came to worse and my light died.)
Stop by Decorah Bicycles and they can fill you in on the various setups so you can make the best decision possible for your riding experience!

Cold Outside? No Problem!

Decorah Bicycles brought in a great selection of cold weather items for men and women this year, stop in and check them out!
From winter helmets, balaclavas, shoe covers, and so much more- there is something for everyone. (Keep an eye out for reviews!)

This year, Josie was able to test out Bontrager's RXL Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey. 

Layering is vital for outdoor recreation in the fall/winter months. This is a fantastic article of clothing that can be used for cycling, skiing, etc. Consider it a multi-purpose garment for your outdoor activities!

You can wear this jersey solo or add in a combo of wind jacket/base layer/thicker coat depending on the season and temperature.

On Saturday night when temps were in the low 20's Josie wore a base layer, thermal jersey, and a water/windproof jacket when she went out fatbiking. No bulky layers and she was very comfortable!

Functional and effective, this is a jersey everyone should consider if they want to keep riding during the colder months.
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When the weather starts turning and summer waltzes closer to the fall and winter months, people start thinking more of putting their bikes away for the season rather than riding. Who says that riding has to stop as soon as the air turns brisk? Not I!

To someone new to cycling, the idea of purchasing accessories and clothing for various types of weather (rain, snow, cold) can be intimidating. It is an investment-but once you have a few choice pieces you can no longer say weather is a reason to not be on your bike!

Think of it as a few select pieces to put the puzzle together!

Travis introduced me to Bontrager’s RXL Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey this year and I love it!
The jersey is made from Profila Thermal fabric which is super effective at trapping in valuable heat.
The first thing I noticed when I put it on was how long the sleeves were. I would say I’d like this jersey slightly more if there were thumb loops or holes; however, it is not a deal breaker for me.

The length of the sleeves keep your wrist area warm-gloves or not. The fabric easily stretches so I can move it up and over where my gloves hit on my wrists to prevent any gaps that would allow cold air in. The bands at the wrists fit snug and firm, no worries of your gloves popping out from under your sleeves!

The fabric of the jersey wicks away moisture, dries quickly, and has a fitted cut to prevent excess bunching that can be uncomfortable or create cold air pockets. Another enhanced feature is the zipper has a draft flap; this keeps cold air from sneaking in.

You will find that the front of the jersey creates a smooth profile and has a comfortable fit when bent over. The back of the jersey is a little longer to keep you covered and has a gripper band to keep things in place. You will find 3 rear, open pockets and one zippered security pocket. You will also find some reflective elements on the rear of the jersey to enhance visibility.

(Since writing the review) I’ve worn this jersey when it’s been high 30’s, anywhere in the 40’s, and low 50’s. The warmer the temps allows me to wear the jersey alone. When it’s getting cooler I will add in a base layer for added warmth. If it’s windy and closer to the low-mid 40’s, I will wear a wind jacket to assist with keeping me comfortable. When it’s closer to the mid-low 30’s and below I will wear a softshell over the thermal jersey. When even cooler weather hits I’ll be trying out a winter jacket over the top to see how that works.
(Yes! You can wear a regular winter coat! Not all clothing has to be "bike specific" but it is helpful to have a few technical pieces to keep you warm in the in-between temps and beyond.)
There is much riding to be had this winter season, so I will be experimenting a lot with layering.

I'll be honest, layering is something that I still find confusing at times; it is an art that you learn through trial and error. I also run on the cooler side so I sometimes end up overdressing!

I’ve learned that 45 can feel cold and the next day 45 can feel almost pleasant. A lot depends on wind, sun, moisture, etc.

One benefit that I have is with mountain biking I often times have a Camelbak on which allows me to shed a layer if necessary. Many times I’ll lose the wind jacket after I get in the woods, because most times the trees are the perfect shield. I’ve also gone out a few times and actually ditched the thermal jersey for a simple base layer/wind jacket combo.

If you can increase comfort for your ride so you can extend your personal cycling season, why don't you? It is an investment, but once you have those pieces of clothing and accessories, you can layer up to combat the coldest temps without an issue. After that it’s down to convincing yourself that you have the gear, now you just need to wear it and go for a ride! 

I can say from experience, biking in cold weather is more mental than anything. If you recreate in the winter you know that once you're out moving around, you warm up. It's all about having the appropriate clothing to wear. Cycling is just the same!
So get the items that will keep you cozy and enjoy the ride! (Maybe rent a fatbike this year, too!)

Decorah Bicycles has several colors and sizes of this jersey in stock.
Stop in and check out their selection of cooler-weather riding gear including jackets, winter helmets, gloves, tights...everything you need to keep yourself toasty!
They have a great selection of items for men or women who want to overcome the cold temps and keep on riding all winter long!

Spring is here and so is our Spring Sale!

Our Spring Sale at Decorah Bicycles happens just once a year!

This is a fantastic opportunity for all of you who are wondering about purchasing a new bike this year.

This is also a great opportunity for one to update some accessories or perhaps try something new!




You can get 15% off store wide on regularly priced items that we have in store or on special orders. Yes! If we are out of stock on something or perhaps we do not carry it, we can likely order it in for you. No problem!

Items excluded are those already discounted or custom bike builds.
You can also find out if you qualify for 12 month financing! Stop in for details.

Shopping for a new bike is a big deal, it's exciting but also a little stressful. Check out a previous blog post on shopping for a new bike. It's loaded with tips, suggestions, and some details to the various bike options available. Tips and Information on Bike Shopping

So stop on in and see what we have, ask us questions, and perhaps find that new ride or product you've been waiting for!

Now would be a great time to update your helmet, keep yourself safe! If your helmet is over 5 years old you should replace it. Keep those tires aired up with a new tire pump, properly aired tires will make your ride more comfortable. Maybe it's finally time to invest in clipless shoes-we have several options available! Whatever you're looking for, we'll be here to help you find the right product to fit your needs.

It's Spring Sale Time!

Our Annual Spring Sale starts today! You can get 15% off store wide on regular priced items (excluding sale items/custom builds)

This is a great opportunity for you to come in and check out what we have for bikes and accessories. Have you been thinking about a new bike for commuting this year? Perhaps a new mountain bike for our awesome trails? Maybe you found a need for speed and need a new road bike. Whatever you're thinking about, we're here to help you!

Have something in mind but we don't have it in stock? Ask us about ordering it for you!

Tips and information on shopping for a new bike

Are you looking to invest in a new bicycle this year? Maybe you’ve found the need for another type of bicycle. Perhaps your bike just needs to be replaced with one that is more comfortable for you. Maybe your cycling skills have grown and it’s simply time to upgrade to a bike that lets you reach your full potential. Whatever the reasons, here is a simple guide on helping you chose the bike you need.

First off if you choose to buy through your local bike shop, be prepared to answer a few questions to help them understand what your needs are. Even though they know a lot about bikes, they do not know a lot about you yet. Any questions they ask are simply meant to help you be successful on two wheels. =D

-What surfaces do you plan to ride on?  Roads or streets? Off-road or gravel? Possibly snow?
-Are you riding with anyone? Group rides or friends? What do they ride?
-What have you liked about your bike(s) in the past?
-What have you disliked about your bike(s) in the past? Are there things you would like to change?
-Do you have any goals that you are working towards accomplishing, like a triathlon for example?

It’s very helpful for you to be open with the sales people and provide answers so they can assist with finding you the best bike to fit your needs. It’s also important to have a realistic sense of what a $500 bike can provide you vs. a $900+ bike. Like most things in life, bike prices have risen over the years and for most people it’s been quite awhile since they purchased a bike. These prices may be a bit of an eye opener, but the old phrase still applies “you get what you pay for.”  The least expensive bike in the store may seem very attractive relative to its price; however, it will come with limitations. The sales people make it their goal to find you the least expensive bicycle that will do the job for you and meet your needs, and most times it will not be the least expensive bike in the store.

There will be multiple types of bicycles to choose from, so here’s a rundown of the different styles that you can expect to choose from.

Road bikes: commonly referred to as 10 speeds, or racing/touring bikes. Surprisingly most do not get raced our toured on, but simply used for riding on the roads to go a long distance with the least amount of effort. These bikes will have the narrowest tires and the most aggressive body position, which makes them the most efficient style for speed and distance. Due to their tire width they will have limitations as to what surfaces they can safely be ridden on.

Cyclocross bikes: these bikes are very similar to road bikes, yet the major difference is the size of the tire. Cyclocross tires are slightly wider than road tires, have moderately deep tread, and are designed for off road use such as gravel roads or dirt track cyclocross racing. Gear ratios will generally be slightly lower than a road bike. A very common alternative use for these bikes is for commuting by changing to a smoother tread and adding full coverage fenders.

Fitness bikes: similar to road bikes but have flat traditional styled handlebars, slightly wider tires, along with different gearing. The top end speed of these can be just as fast as a road bike, yet they will generally have lower gear ratios as well to help with climbing hills. They are ideal for those who are looking for a bike that is very easy to ride on hard surfaces yet may wish to sit slightly more upright than a road bike. They also make for a good, lightweight, and fast commuter bike. These would be classified as performance hybrids as well.

Hybrid bikes: also known as cross bikes or cross trainers. For paved trail riding with an upright body position these are the most common bikes you will see on the trails. They are made for recreational, paved trail, town, and gravel trail usage. Designed to be comfortable yet lightweight and easy to pedal with gearing designed to allow you to go fast yet be able to climb most hills with ease. The tires will be slightly wider than that of a fitness bike and be a nice, happy medium between a road and a mountain bike. Hence the term hybrid as it’s a cross between two things.

Comfort bikes: just as the term states, these bikes are designed to be comfortable, and give a very plush Cadillac ride. For comfort features these bikes have front suspension to soak up the bumps, the widest, most padded seats, along with suspension in the seat posts and wide tires with a slight amount of tread. The wider tires help give new riders confidence, along with extra traction and a more cushioned ride due to lower air pressures and higher air volume. Think of old, balloon tired bikes, like Schwinn cruisers. Big tires ride soft. The trade-off for all these comfort features is that they add weight, which requires extra effort to pedal, but the gear ratios are lower than hybrids or road bikes to compensate for this. Top end speed will be slower but most times these bikes will be ridden rather casually.

Feet First/Crank Forward bikes: the most confidence inspiring bikes for beginner riders or those who haven’t ridden in many years or for those who have balance and stability challenges. These bikes have lowest to the ground seat height, along with the most upright body position possible. As the term states, crank forward means just that. Your cranks are out in front of you more compared to other bikes where they are directly below you. With this design you still achieve an efficient extension of your legs while pedaling, yet have a seat height that allows one to stay seated and put their feet on the ground when they come to a stop. No other type of bike will allow that without compromising your leg extension while pedaling. These bikes will be lighter than comfort bikes, and for gearing most have a limited number of gears, such as three or seven speeds, sometimes even basic single speeds with pedal brakes. These could be considered the modern day cruiser bikes.

Mountain bikes: Designed for the off road scene, these bikes are very versatile and can be used for much more than just off road. These bikes will come equipped with wide, deeply treaded tires, lower gear ratios for navigating hills off road, and sturdier front suspension. Some bikes have only front suspension some have both front and rear, and some do not have any at all, which is called rigid. The body position is similar to that of a fitness bike in that you will lean over somewhat aggressively in order to balance your weight distribution.  Mountain bikes can be considered an all purpose bike that can be used for recreational purposes as well as year round commuting.

Fatbikes: Designed with tires twice as wide as a typical mountain bike, these are like mountain bikes on steroids, designed for maximum flotation on surfaces such as snow or sand.  They are most commonly used by mountain bikers who wish to continue riding off road throughout the winter and need increased traction and flotation.  Many find these bikes to be the most fun to ride, even for beginners, by giving extra confidence for rolling over obstacles and having the traction available to navigate challenging technical sections.  Much lower air pressures allow the big tires to conform and grip the terrain much better, yet still roll very easily.  Because of the very soft tires, these bikes also provide a very cushioned ride even without any mechanical suspension. 

Once you have an understanding of the different types of bikes that are offered, you will be able to determine what styles make most sense for your riding needs.  At that point, you are ready for the next step in the process:  the test ride.

Throughout the process of selecting a bike, one should expect to go out on numerous test rides in order to gain a sense of different body positions one could have, and to determine things that one likes or dislikes that can then be communicated to the shop employee. Many times bikes can be tailored to fit you better if they don’t yet feel quite right, and through communication with the staff, they will be able to help you achieve a comfortable fit, and in the end, a much more enjoyable ride. This is where communication is key, so don’t be afraid to speak up and tell them what you feel, or ask questions; even if you feel they might be dumb questions. The staff is dedicated to helping you achieve your goals and having as much fun on two wheels as possible. Anyone working at a shop who rides bikes has also been through the learning process of buying a bike so they can all relate to where you’re at. Rest assured that more often than not, they work with beginners who are just getting started in the world of cycling, and they are used to these types of questions.

Often times a person is so focused on the purchase of the bicycle that they forget to factor into their budget adequate room for additional accessories that will help make the cycling experience much more enjoyable and safe. Bikes don’t come from the factory with any accessories installed, and most bikes don’t even come with kickstands anymore, but whatever accessories you choose can be installed at the time of purchase. Many times shops will offer a discount on accessories with the purchase of your bike. As an added bonus, the maintenance of your bike will be free for the first year so that you can be assured that your bike continues to run properly throughout its wear-in period.

So now with a bit of knowledge on your side to help you understand how it all works, you’ll be able to shop with confidence and end up with a new bike that you will enjoy for many years to come. We’re all looking forward to another fun riding season, so to all of you from all of us at Decorah Bicycles, happy trails and thanks for riding bikes!

Tune-up Time is Now!

As we enter February, it reminds us that spring is right around the corner, and our shop will be overflowing with repairs. We have really stressed this year for people to think ahead and start bringing bikes in early for a tune up.

This will also be a particularly busy year as Ragbrai will be so close to Northeast Iowa, and many individuals living in Decorah and the surrounding areas will want to attend. We do expect an influx of individuals coming in for Ragbrai tune-ups.

The question is: how long do you want to wait for your bike? There is no way to know how long turn-around time will be for the summer months. We can guarantee you that if you brought your bike in now, you would get it back within a couple days. In doing so, you won’t be missing those awesome riding days while we’re working on your bike. 

Now that we’ve told you about the benefits of bringing your bike in early for a tune-up, you’ll want to know what it entails.
Our tune-up rates are $55.00 
We will give your bike a thorough cleaning, and if you choose, you can have your drive train cleaned for extra $15.00
Wheel truing (straightening)
All bearing adjustments
Shifting and brake adjustments
Safety check all of the components
All necessary lubrication
Tire inflation
Parts replacement is extra, but you will not be charged for additional labor for installing parts or accessories.

Here are some helpful tips on how to check for some of the most common issues-

Hub bearings: grab your wheel and shake side to side. It should not have any play at all and if there is any play, you need an adjustment.
Front end bearing: squeeze left brake while rocking bike, if there is play an adjustment is needed.
Crank/Bottom bracket bearings: hold on to one of the crank arms and wiggle side to side-if any play you will need an adjustment.
Wobbly Wheels: lift your bike up to spin the wheel. Watch the

rim while it goes past the brake pads, if it goes side to side it is not straight and needs to be trued. 
Worn brake pads: make sure they are not too worn/thin.
Worn out/sticky grips: grips are important for holding on and maintaining control of your bike, worn grips will make this more difficult for you. Replacing grips are inexpensive and an easy way to freshen up the look of your bike.

Worn/cracked tires: Look at the tread for balled or worn spots and look at the side of your tire for cracked/fraying sidewalls. It is possible to prolong the life of your tire with a tire rotation (moving back tire to the front). You wouldn’t drive your vehicle on extremely worn or cracked tires, so why would you ride your bike on unsafe tires?

With your bike tuned up, you can be confident that you know everything is safe and functioning properly. It’s an important part of taking care of your ride and getting the most out of your bike riding experience. 

For you future annual tune-up needs, consider having your bike tuned up at the end of the season. In doing so, you can be ready for that first nice day of the bike season. Your bike mechanic will appreciate working on your bike during a slower time of the year and you won’t be missing your bike when you want it the most!

Skratch Hydration

"I’ve seen this Skratch stuff around, what is it exactly? Somethin’ to help with itchin’?”

Nope, not quite. It’s one of the best sport hydration mixes around, and we now stock Skratch at Decorah Bicycles. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Skratch, here’s the lowdown on what they are all about.

Skratch is a small, independently run business based out of Boulder, Colorado. 

It was started in 2008, when Dr. Allen Lim kept having athletes complain to him about their sports drinks. Many of the drinks out on the market are made with artificial flavors, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and excess sugar. People were experiencing upset stomachs or “gut rot” from ingesting these sports drinks. To counteract the sugary sweetness, athletes would water down their drinks. Unfortunately that would dilute the electrolytes and you drink a sports drink to replace what you lose in sweat. 

All of these contributed to Dr. Allen’s research and study into making an all natural drink that was free of all the nasty artificial colors, preservatives, and excess sugar. He literally started out of his kitchen, mixing and matching various ingredients and flavors to find a solution to this ongoing problem.

This “Secret Drink Mix” was made with natural ingredients; it had less sugar, more sodium, and nothing artificial. Eventually due to high demand and popularity, along with the desire to educate individuals on consuming healthier options, Dr. Allen and a few close friends started Skratch Labs.

The mission of Skratch Labs is simple-“to develop and sell food and drink products based on real world science and practice that taste great, that are made from real ingredients, and that optimize performance for both sport and life. Most importantly, we intend to educate and continue to learn and grow ourselves- to help our customers improve and thrive as they help us do the same. We know we have a lot of work to do to fulfill this mission and we are the first to acknowledge that we are a work in progress- that things won’t always be perfect. But there’s no better time to start than now.” –Dr. Allen Lim

Skratch Exercise Hydration is also made without any wheat, gluten, soy, or dairy; a good thing to be aware of if you have intolerances to those ingredients.
Skratch boasts packaging made 100% in the U.S.A.

Decorah Bicycles carries Skratch Exercise Hydration in 1 lb bags as well as single serve packets. We have Raspberry and Lemon/Lime available in 1 lb bags for $19.50
We have Raspberry, Orange, Pineapple, and Lemon/Lime for our single serve packets and they are priced at $1.99 each.
We also carry single packets of Daily Hydration in Lemon/Lime; this will eventually change to Daily Electrolyte Mix and be available in Raspberry and Lemon/Lime. They are priced at $1.99 each

Exercise Hydration mix is used for athletes as a healthy hydration drink; it replaces your electrolytes with enough calories to fuel your muscles.
Daily Hydration/Daily Electrolyte mix is for the average person who isn’t exercising at the moment, but wants to hydrate themselves without drinking plain water. Consider this a good option instead of the artificially flavored sugar-mixes you can add to plain water for flavor. It has half the calories and 1/3^rd
the sodium of Exercise Hydration.
Hyper Hydration mix is for individuals who need to over-hydrate before a sporting event or physical activity in extreme conditions. This drink is meant for those who will sweat out more fluid than they can take in. It has the same amount of sodium as a bag of potato chips; do not use this drink for general hydration purposes. It will be available in Mango flavor. 

Socks-We have 'em!

Simple and understated title for this post, because I'm going to let the socks do all the talking! Travis got in a fun-filled order of Sockguy socks and we're super stoked over them.

 The one thing I love about Sockguy socks are the fun designs and overall attitude. I can't imagine how much creativity goes into making so many different and fun sock designs! You can find a pair of socks for each and every friend; truly there is a sock for everyone!

 Sockguy socks are comfortable as well. Plus you get something much nicer than the standard blah white crew sock in a bag. Socks are such a fun and simple way to show some attitude without being over the top.
With this order we have some SGX socks. They provide a compression fit, performance ribbing, enhanced ventilation, and reduced friction. Great for the athletic person; Stretch-to-Fit sizing and reinforced toe and heal provide long-lasting comfort.

 Do you have a female friend that loves running or yoga? Well we have socks for them as well! A fun fact about the Love2Run sock is that it is one of the Channel Air socks. Channel Air socks are super comfortable and have a nice amount of cushion and arch support. They are designed with 5 channels of padded cushion and 4 channels of mesh for increased airflow. Your feet will not overheat and you will not have the discomfort you would typically have from other bulky socks.

Who doesn't love Colorado? Now share your love for the state with some new socks!

Perhaps you originate from Colorado or maybe you visited. Maybe you have a family member who lives there and want to send them a surprise gift. Whatever reason you love Colorado, you are represented now with our socks. Awesome!

 From basic to fun, to crazy and insane; everyone loves a good pair of socks. What do you get when you cross a bear with a deer?

I have a soft spot for cozy wool socks, especially in the winter months when temps are frigid. Now you can rock out some sweet wool goodness while boasting a Sasquatch! It's random, it's fun, and it's beyond comfortable.





So come on in and take a look at our Sockguy display! It's fun, it's fresh, and it's sure to keep your feet feeling comfortable and looking stylish.

Thank You from Decorah Bicycles!

Trek Stache 8

We at Decorah Bicycles would like to thank our customers for a great year!

Our business wouldn’t be here and successful without each and every customer. Whether or not you purchased a bike or an accessory, as a customer you contributed to our success and growth.

Travis has continued to make improvements to the building and sale displays. His attention to detail expands beyond just bike builds and mechanical issues.

We are sure you noticed the green Fixit station out in front of the store, now you can do basic improvements, tune-ups, or pump your tires regardless if we are open or not! Also we have a nice bike rack out front as well.

We expanded our bike rental and included some great upgrades to our rental fleet! Check out the Trek Stache 8 for your next mountain bike rental. We added some new fitness bikes to our fleet as well; you now have the option of riding either the Specialized Sirrus Sport Disk or the Vita Sport Disc. Kids have a nice option as well; Specialized Hotrock 24 ST for both boys and girls.
Tandem you say? We have the Trek T900 tandem available for rent! 

Fatbike Rental Fleet

We also offer fatbike rental! This investment brings forth bike-related fun for the winter months. Each bike was custom built, so you aren’t riding an out-of-the-box feature; you get an experience above and beyond standard.

As you can see, we put money right back into our business. We pride ourselves on bringing you quality product and a positive experience. This is a positive effect of what happens when the community supports a small business; you help us expand, grow, and better support the cycling community.

So we want to extend a thank you to all of you who have supported us this past year and we hope that we can continue to support you and whatever your needs are.

Sincerely,

All of us at

Decorah Bicycles

Specialized Hotrock 24 ST 

Specialized Hotrock 24 ST

Specialized Sirrus Sport Disk

Specialized Vita Sport Disc

Trek T900 Tandem

Time is ticking-get your bikes in!

Time is ticking, January is here and March is inching around the corner; this means it’s Tune Up Time!

It happens every year, once people experience the first nice riding day of the year, our shop floods with bikes. Everyone wants their bike tuned up or repaired and they want it done right now and our repair boards are more than flooded with individuals wanting to have a positive riding experience on their bike.

When January hits everyone starts making resolutions to better their lives. Why not promise yourself a great riding season by getting your bike in right now? The weather is going to be chilly and you certainly won’t miss your bike. If you are using your bike for indoor training, have no fear! Turn-around time for bike repairs and tune-ups is very quick; you can expect your bike back within the next business day if there are no major repairs.

If you bring your bike in now, you are saving yourself wait time to get your bike back. Once repairs and tune-ups flood in, there is undoubtedly a wait time that we constantly struggle to eliminate. Not only are you doing yourself a favor you are doing us a service as well! During the bitterly cold days of the winter customers aren’t interested in skiing, skating, snowshoeing, or renting fatbikes. We would love to put our hands on your bike and whip it into shape for the coming bike season!

Spread the word and let your friends know; bring your bike in now for the quickest turn-around time this year will offer!