Introduction to Local Bike Shops
and New Products

by Bill Rogers

October 1998

The new bikes are starting to show up on the shop floors.  For a change of pace, I thought we'd take a look at our area shops, some of the new technology, as well as some of the new products. Of course, all of the shops carry a full line of road bikes, but, since this is a mountain bike column, we'll just concentrate on mountain bikes and related products. This is part one of a two part series.

OWEN CYCLERY, located in Hixson, TN, has been in business for a long time. Tom, Eric, and the gang have a big line of first-rate bikes. Trek, Cannondale, GT, and Schwinn are all among the best-selling bikes made today. Here are some of the highlights:

TREK - A new dual suspension bike called theVRX is available in both cross country and long travel versions.

CANNONDALE - The 'Dales new tubing is called Cad 4. Lighter & stronger than last year's Cad 3, it is also supposed to deliver a smoother ride.

GT - Maybe the most exciting news of the year is the new GT I-Drieve, a revolutionary dual suspension concept. A combination unified rear triangle and linkage bike, it's getting rave reviews from all the magazines

RIVER CITY BICYCLES, located in the North Shore in downtown Chattanooga, features Raleigh, Gary Fischer, Litespeed, and Specialized.

LITESPEED - The latest offering is the Tsali, a revamped version of the Ocoee with a massive 6/4 downtube. Strictly for racing, this is the top of the line in a lightweight, dual suspension cross country bike.

SPECIALIZED - Again, the news here is a lightweight full suspension cross country race bike, called the FSR XC PRO. Reportedly, it weighs less than 25 lbs., and has gotten outstanding reviews.

The Bike Shop, located on Frazier Avenue in downtown Chattanooga, carries Schwinn, Jamis, and Ibis.

SCHWINN - This company is on a come back trail. The Homegrown series has everything from a top of the line hardtail to the new four-banger dual suspension bike.

JAMIS - The 1998 Mountain Biking Magazine "Bike of the Year" is the Jamis Dakota - 'nuff said.

Next month lookfor what's new at East Ridge Bicycles, Spindogs, and Dalton Bicycle Works.

See you on the trail!   Bill

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