More proof that East Texas rocks. Tyler has one of the best bike shops in the state, so if you're getting itchy for spring to hit the bike trails, check in with these experts and save a bunch of time on research.  

Don't you love it when you run across people that really know their stuff? It's such a time saver when it comes to getting more into cycling, because most of us don't really know where to start. We could walk into a big department store and buy a bike that's sitting next to footballs and baseball bats, but that doesn't really give us the chance to ask questions to a bike specialist so it's sort of a blind adventure that doesn't give us confidence that we're getting the best fit.

BestThingsTexas.com looked at bike shops across the state, and considered things like bike affordability, the quality of brands and equipment, and repairs, and decided that Tyler has a pretty awesome bike shop that rivals others in Dallas and Austin.

Elite Bicycles in Tyler landed at #5 on that list, and gained props for offering zero percent financing for six months on approved purchases, keeping bikes affordable.  I checked their website, and this Spring they've got a full tune up for $89 with code #Spring2017. They'll adjust brakes, shifting, bearings, clean the drivetrain and lubricate things we didn't know needed to be lubricated.  And if you don't want to get that old bike repaired, they'll help you find a new one.

The guys that sold my bike to me helped me understand the difference between mountain bikes, road bikes, and hybrids, and they pointed me toward the bikes that were right for my size and frame.  Things I hadn't really thought about.  Apparently all bikes are not created equal, and we can't just pick the aqua blue ones because we like that color.

The Bike Shop in Nacogdoches came in at #6 on the list of the best bike shops in Texas, and others were in Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin.  The best bike shop in the state is Aggieland Cycling in College Station, which has one location on the A&M campus and one off campus.

Now, if the weather will stay in the 60s and 70s, we'll be all set to hit the trails.

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