So a couple weeks ago I got to meet Nate Stinson of Down South Cyclery, Atlanta’s only mobile bike repair service. Nate is a mountain biker with a pretty sweet set-up that makes bike work painless and I’m pretty much sold on the concept now. It’s convenient, affordable, and educational – what more can you ask for?
In terms of convenience, mobile bike repair is the way to go. I don’t know how your LBS operates but at my local shop any repair job more complicated than changing a tire or installing a chain means you gotta leave your rig for a few days. For those who ride nearly every day of the week, this can be like giving up your first born child, and for me it’s meant delaying necessary repairs that just get worse with time (kinda like avoiding the dentist). Down South Cyclery comes to you and gets the repair done on the spot – separation anxiety avoided.
With low overhead, Nate is also able to charge a little less for repairs than you might expect to pay at your LBS. The Down South website offers a full menu of services and prices so you always know what a job is going to cost up front. For example, installing a suspension fork will set you back just $25 and hydraulic brake bleeding is just $15 per brake. There’s a minimum $35 charge for Nate to come out to your place but I promise you’ll get a ton of work out of that $35!
Nate is a Barnett-trained bike mechanic and clearly he knows his stuff. I sorta talked his ear off while he was working on my bike but Nate didn’t seem to mind. I learned a ton just by watching him install a fresh set of Gore RideOn cables on my Redline 29er and he even helped me diagnose a chronic problem with my rear derailleur.
The Down South Cyclery repair truck is a serious rig stocked full of any and every bike tool you can imagine. Apparently the truck is still being outfitted but the great thing is that Nate has a built-in work space in the back of the truck so he can work no matter where he’s parked. He’ll even meet you at work if that’s more convenient!
Anyway, if you’re in the Atlanta area and need some bike work done, don’t hesitate to call or email Nate and Down South Cyclery. If you’re not in Atlanta, check your local listings for mobile bike repair services – I highly recommend it!
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