Suwanee Creek Bicycles, located at the intersection of Main Street and Suwanee Dam Road, is celebrating their ten-year anniversary this year. Jeff Nalley and his wife, Wendy, have lived in Suwanee for 15 years, so when it came time to open their business they knew they wanted to “live, work, play and ride” right here in their own community.
By: RACHEL PILLOW | Photos by KARL LAMB
Along with their retail shop of road and mountain bikes, gear, shoes, attire and accessories, Suwanee Creek Bicycles specializes in all bicycle repair and service. “We offer lifetime adjustments on a bike when we sell it,” said Owner, Jeff Nalley. Unlike other retailers, especially big box stores or online shops, Suwanee Creek Bicycles does a 100-mile adjustment on all new bikes. “Initially, on a new bike, the first 100 miles or so is essentially a break-in period, so we do things like straighten up the wheels, tighten cables, make sure the gears are transitioning smoothly, and clean and lube the chains… but then after that initial adjustment you should be good for quite a while,” he explained.
A PERFECT FIT
As a seasoned cyclist himself and having completed numerous “Century Rides” of 100 miles, including one 200-mile ride, Nalley understands the importance of being properly fitted on a bike, which is why he utilizes a professional bike fitting system with the technology and tools to ensure riders’ bodies are properly aligned to prevent injury or stiffness and to achieve maximum comfort level. They even have a “bike seat demo program” where customers can try out different sizes and shapes of bike saddles free of charge. “Everyone has their own preferences and saddles are all designed differently to alleviate certain pressure points – we will put the saddle on your bike and let you try it out until you get a few rides in and a feel for it before you decide to purchase anything,” Nalley said.
accessories depending on skill level. The one
accessory that every rider needs regardless of skill level is a helmet and they offer a large selection to fit any rider.
ALL TYPES OF RIDERS SERVICED
The entire shopping process focuses on your unique needs as a cyclist. “Once we identify what type of rider you are, then we will talk about budget,” Nalley said. “The biggest difference between us and a big box store or online retailer is, A) the quality of materials you’re getting here, and B) the level of service,” he continued. Wherever you are on your biking journey: whether you are dabbling with the idea of it, just want to explore the Greenway with your family, or are a professional cyclist, the staff at Suwanee Creek Bicycles has the knowledge, expertise and products for all types of riders. Their Saturday morning group rides mirror this sentiment as they invite cyclists of all ages and skill levels to join them on the 22-mile route to Lake Lanier Islands. The Thursday evening group ride is a 26-mile faster ride with more seasoned cyclists, but everyone is welcome to join in the fun.
With miles of paved trails in parks and on The Greenway, Suwanee has become a much more bike-friendly community in the past several years and has plans to make even more improvements in the future. So, here’s to another ten years and counting, Suwanee Creek Bicycles!
Visit Suwanee Creek Bicyles at 333 Main Street, #100 Suwanee, GA or at SuwaneeCreekBicycles.com.
