Bikes

Ride With Us

We've teamed up with the SoundCyclists Bicycle Club to offer weekly Sunday rides led by our staff and SCBC Members. These rides will leave from the store parking lot every week, at 8 am riding anywhere from 20-30 miles. Once you get the swing of things, you should join the SoundCyclists Bicycle Club to get access to other hundreds of group rides and routes, maps, and directions. Only $25/per year! Please join our Facebook group to receive all of our Group Ride updates. We encourage everyone to RSVP to our Facebook invitations for the Sunday morning rides so that we can have an idea of how many people will be joining us.

For those who prefer the trail, join us every Wednesday night for a group MTB ride. 
We will be alternating locations each week between, riding Wilton Woods and Trout Brook Valley Preserve.Our meeting location will be posted on our Facebook group each week, but rides always take place at 6:15 pm.  Open to all ability levels. We will be riding a no drop ride, at a social pace. Expect to ride for up to 2 hours, since we have the daylight for it. Group rides will run every week until September 15th.  Rides are lead by Outdoor Sports Center employees: Brad Fries, PJ Vogric, Kevin Stefani and Shane McCabe. Make sure to stay well hydrated, pack extra water, tubes and bug spray. See you out there!

Here's some helpful details.

When:
Road Rides: Every Sunday, Starting June 10th
Arrive by: 7:45am
Leave at: 8:00am Sharp

MTB Rides: Every Wednesday, Starting July 11th
Arrive by: 6:15pm
Leave at: 6:30pm

Where:
Road Rides: Outdoor Sports Center parking lot
80 Danbury Road
Wilton, CT 06897

MTB Rides: Location varies, check our Facebook group.

Road Rides:
C+ | ~30mi | 14-16mph | led by Ed Benision
C | ~20mi | 13-14mph | led by Kevin Stefani

What to bring:

• Appropriate attire (Road jersey, bib, etc.) if unavailable, purchase at OSC or wear sport-oriented high vis clothing.
• Water bottle
• Extra tube
• CO2/Frame Pump
• Tire lever
• Helmet
• Multitool

About Sound Cyclist Bicycle Club 
The club schedules social activities throughout the year and regularly hosts clinics that feature speakers from cycling and sports-related professions. More than 30 bike shops in the tri-state area offer free bike safety check-ups and a range of discounted prices to members. 

Sound Cyclists hosts the very popular Bloomin' Metric® every Spring, a premier cycling event offering rides from 15 to 60 miles that draws riders from near and far. This year’s event was held May 20 and once again received rave reviews from participants. 

In addition to being a community of cyclists that share a passion for cycling, Sound Cyclists is an advocate of safe cycling in Fairfield County and the State of Connecticut and actively supports cycling and related charitable activities in the area. 

Why Tune Your Bike?

Getting your bike tuned is absolutely necessary if you want it to perform as safely and efficiently as possible. We created a short 2-minute video that explains how we tune your bike and why the process is so important. Not sure if you need a tune-up? We've put together a list of four telltale signs that your bike needs some love, below: 

How Do I Know When to Get My Bike Tuned?

1. If you can't remember the last time you did it. You should get your bike tuned yearly, even if it sat in the garage all season or if you were riding it every day. The last thing you want is to go for your first ride of the season and find out parts are misaligned, tires are flat, or worse, your brakes aren't working.
2. If you feel your brakes getting "sticky." Sticky brakes happen when the brake lever doesn't spring back to its original position after you depress it. Disc and padded brakes can wear differently, but regardless, all brakes must have well-lubricated parts to prevent lag and maximize safety. Your pad brakes might wear down quicker, but they'll be cheaper to replace.

3. Difficulty shifting. If your bike is taking a long time to shift between gears, your front or rear derailleurs could be out of alignment. Your shifting cables could be stretched too. Our mechanics will determine the exact cause and consult with you before they replace any parts that might cost extra.
4. Strange reoccurring noises from the wheels. This could be your wheel coming out of alignment and make braking uneven. In some cases a strange noise can be solved by truing the wheels, which is included in our tune. 

How To: Bike to Work

May 12-18th is Bike to Work Week, ending on National Bike to Work Day, Friday the 18th. We're all for ditching the car to get out and pump our pedals, so Outdoor Sports Center employees have pledged to ride a total of NN miles on Bike to Work Day.

If you're looking to join the cause and don't have a bike or your commute is long, consider checking out an E-Bike, like the Specialized Turbo Vado 6.0. It has 3 boost settings, meaning it’ll make your commute a breeze and get you to the office on time. Built-in powerful headlights in the front and rear means cars will be able to see you on the road even if you have late nights at the office.  Whether you’re riding through the trail or on the road, the Turbo Vado 6.0 can conquer both. Plus, climbing a dreaded hill is a breeze with its assisted pedaling.

To help you have a safe commute, we've put together 5 helpful tips for Bike to Work Day below.

How can I carry everything I need for the day?
Narrow it down to the essentials by planning ahead the day before you ride and leave a change of clothes at work, with your toiletry bag and an extra pair of shoes. Remember to bring plenty of water, and stay safe with a helmet, a GPS, sunscreen, sunglasses to block bugs, and biking gloves. If you still need to bring your lunch and paperwork we recommend a backpack that is sturdy, and clips over your chest to prevent slipping down. For the ladies, try not to carry a purse while riding, because they can easily throw off your balance and cause distractions.

How can I make myself presentable before the work day begins?
The best bet is to leave extra time in the morning to allow your heart rate to lower, so you can cool down and then freshen up. Lucky for you there are tons of products that allow you to skip the shower and still look and smell presentable. We recommend keeping body wipes, deodorant, dry shampoo and extra socks at the office for just this! Don't forget to stretch, to prevent sore muscles and help your body recover.

How can I make sure I'm safe?
It goes without saying that you should always wear a helmet! Other than that, alert your co-workers the day before that you will be biking to work, so they know where you are. On the off chance that anything should happen, it is also a good idea to wear a Roadrunner ID bracelet. Listening to your headphones while biking can be dangerous, but if you want to listen to music or your GPS, keep the volume low and only use one earbud.

What if I have to ride home in the dark?
The more visible you are on the road, the safer you'll be. By law, you are required to have a light on your bike after sundown. We suggest a blinking light on both the front and back of your bike. It is also just as important to wear reflective gear, on your helmet or jacket.

What hand signals do I need to know?
Always use your left hand when signaling to cars when you are making a turn. Holding your left arm out straight means you are turning left, and holding your hand up with your elbow bent 90 degrees means you are turning right. When coming to a stop, hold your left hand down with your elbow bent 90 degrees.
 

Staff Mountain Bikes

We've zeroed in on a few of our most avid mountain bikers here at the store to learn more about their most prized possession: their bikes. Read on to find out what styles they ride, what custom pieces are they love the most, and their favorite parks and trails.

Specialized Demo Custom (2014)

Type: Downhill

Owner: Eric Gance

What do you love about this bike?
As soon as you throw a leg over this majestic steed, you're bound to get weird. It has full frontal & rear air suspension which means it's tunable, which is nice. I love the aluminum spokes too. It's a weird combination in that it's a 26" whereas most new downhill bikes are 27.5", but I personally enjoy it. 

What parts of this bike are custom?
Everything on this bike is custom. I started with just the frame and went from there. Some interesting things about it are while most downhill bikes come with a 1x9 drivetrain, I put a 1x10 on mine. 

What will your next purchase be for this bike?
Nothing. This bike is perfect. The next purchase of mine would be a new bike altogether if this thing ever failed (which it won't).

What is your favorite spot to ride?
Highland Mountain in New Hampshire.

How much time do you spend working on your bike?
I spend about an hour every two weeks making minor adjustments and tuning.

How long have you had this bike and how many runs have you done?
I got it in November of 2014, and I've ridden hundreds of runs, and have ridden countless miles and hours on it.

Specialized Ruze Women's (2015)

Type: Trail Bike

Owner: Heidi Smith

What do you love about this bike?
I like the 3 inch tires because I can run a lower tire pressure and basically ride over anything. I also just started playing around with using the dropper post. I'm happy that the guys in the bike shop convinced me to spend the extra dough, because it really makes a difference in balance and technique. It allows me to lean back and center myself while going downhill.

What parts of this bike are custom?
I got studded pedals, but nothing else yet. 

What will be your next purchase for this bike?
Accessories. While it's not necessarily for the bike itself, I definitely want a hydration pack so I can carry tools, and nutrition on the trails. I also would like a new helmet. 

What's your favorite spot to ride?
Kingdom trails in Burke, VT.

How much time do you spend working on your bike?
I usually have the shop guys work on it for me. They really know what they're doing. 

When did you get this bike and how many miles have you ridden?
I got it 3 years ago and I'd say I've ridden every two weeks for trips so I've definitely racked up a good amount of miles on it.  

Santa Cruz Tall Boy LT (2015)

Type: Trail Bike

Owner: Will Maxwell

What do you love about this bike?
It's a great all-around bike that can do anything and go anywhere. It has a dropper seat post with a trigger to adjust the seat while you ride, so you can adjust for uphill or downhill riding. It's got a carbon frame, making it super light - only 26 pounds.

What parts of this bike are custom?
The entire bike is custom; I bought the frame with the fork and added every other piece, all from different brands. The most significant of these components are the handlebars, the cranks, the 29-inch I9 wheels, and the SRAM X11 drivetrain.

What is your favorite spot to ride?
The Wilton Town Forest is my favorite local spot, but overall, Highland Mountain in New Hampshire.

What will be your next purchase for this bike?
It's perfect! It needs nothing.

How much time do you spend working on your bike?
I spend about a half hour a week cleaning, tuning, and making minor adjustments. I ride a few times a week so I always try to make all the necessary adjustments to keep it in good shape for the next ride.

How long have you had this bike and how many miles have you ridden?
I built it in September of 2014 and have put about 500 miles on it. 

Specialized Fat Boy (2015)

Type: Trail Bike

Owner: Tyler Stowell

What do you love about this bike?
The fat tires have an unbelievable amount of grip. They make this thing unstoppable in any weather, not to mention really fun to ride.

What will your next purchase be for this bike?
Right now the plan is to get a Dropper Post at some point for the bike.

What parts of this bike are custom?
The drive train and the brakes are both custom.

What is your favorite spot to ride?
My favorite spot is definitely Farrington Woods in Danbury, CT.

How much time do you spend working on your bike?
I don't spend a ton of time working on my bike but I definitely take care of it for the amount of riding hours and miles I put on it.

How long have you had this bike and how many miles have you ridden?
This thing was built to last for sure. I bought it back in 2015 and have put at least 100 miles on it, if not more. I'm just glad we have great guys in our bike shop to work on it, too.

Specialized Stump Jumper 29er Elite FSR (2015)

Type: Trail Bike

Owner: Shane McCabe

What do you love about this bike?
The full suspension is great; FSR is Specialized's patented full suspension system. It has 29-inch wheels which help the bike keep its speed up.

What will your next purchase be for this bike?
Right now I like it how it is, but things can always be improved.

What parts of this bike are custom?
So far, the seatpost, brakes, drive train, handlebar, and stem are all custom. They're all working out really well for me thus far.

What is your favorite spot to ride?
Farrington Woods in Danbury, CT.

How much time do you spend working on your bike?
I work on my bike once a week, washing it and doing maintenance so it lasts as long as possible.

How long have you had this bike and how many miles have you ridden?
I got it in April of 2014 and have put a whopping 700 miles on it so far. If I keep up my maintenance it will be many more.

Our bike shop staff is a team of dedicated experts who can help you find the perfect mountain bike for your style of riding. We sell top brand mountain bikes, from cyclocross to park bikes and everything in between. Our mechanics can help you customize your bike any way you want, and are always here whenever you need a tune-up or a repair.

Bike Service Pick-up

Let us take the hassle out of bike repairs. Schedule a time for us to pick up your bike right from your home for a faster and more convenient service than ever before. The best part is our pick-up service comes to you at no additional cost. Call today to book an appointment.

All Neighboring Towns
Our pick-up service is avaialble in Wilton, Ridgefield, Redding, Weston, Westport, Norwalk, New Canaan, Lewisboro and Pound Ridge. Not sure if you fall in our service area? Give us a call at (203) 762-8797

Easy Scheduling
We know life gets busy, so let us pick up your bike right from your home to make bike tune ups and repairs, hassle free. Our certified bike mechanics will diagnose your bicycle at the shop and call you with a quote. Once you have approved the quote, they will fix your bike and let you know when its ready. Our van pick up is operating during regular business hours Monday–Friday 10 am to 6 pm.

Put safety first without sacrificing your schedule and get the whole family's bikes tuned for spring. Our Outdoors Sports Center van can easily fit all of your family's bikes secured in the back. Check Out our Full Bike Service Rates.