You may have noticed in the past couple weeks the sudden appearance of hundreds of like bikes. Dark blue and yellow, light blue, and silver and orange bicycles have popped up everywhere. Dozens clutter corners and street sides no matter where you are in the city. So who’s bikes are these anyway?
These bicycles belong to three separate companies that have launched on-the-fly bike share programs. The three bike share programs that have launched within Chengdu are 1 Step Bike, Youon and Mobike. The first two, 1 Step and Youon are utter garbage, which we’ll explain further in a separate review. However, after reviewing each program and it’s bikes our professional endorsement is behind Mobike.
Below we’ll discuss the merits, the utility, and the setbacks of the Mobike program as well as provide concise directions for downloading, installing, registering and making use of it all. Furthermore we’ll take a look at some of the other rules and regulations that users should be aware of, some of the grey areas users should be aware of, and easily our favorite part, a detailed look at the design and practicality of the bikes.
Read more
Winter’s here. This means cold weather and short days. And for the first time ever, it also means shortened hours at Natooke. Starting the first week of December our hours will be as such.
Monday/Tuesday – CLOSED
Wednesday through Sunday – 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For individual events please refer to the times included with the event listing. Some events, such as the Friday Night Ride and other morning/evening rides will still operate outside of our standard shop hours.
Any questions about our operating hours or other sales and services we may be able to provide or schedule for you, please contact the shop.
Join us this Friday for our beloved FNR. It’s also our shop manager, Anne’s last ride in which she’s required to help us outfit our friends with rental bikes and beer. Unfortunately for the Natooke team she had to go and get a real job! Despite the fact we will tease her constantly she’ll be sorely missed!
Stop by early to wish Anne well and stick around for a fresh mix of new music and cool vibes to match December’s cooler weather.
Finally, if you haven’t already voted, check out Chengdu Expat’s current “Best of Chengdu” competition and be sure to choose “Natooke Friday Night Rides” as Chengdu’s “Best Reoccurring Event”! Read more
At this time of year the days are at their shortest, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still get out and ride. For December we’ve got a couple of special events going on that we are really looking forward to. Our fourth ever Santa-saturated Christmas ride, a full moon ride, and a ride in collaboration with Blue Roof art gallery.
Also, in a first for our shop we’ll be trimming back our hours for the winter. Starting the first week of December we’ll be closed both Mondays and Tuesdays and closing an hour earlier. Our adjusted hours will be Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Read more
Al Capone was a famous organised crime syndicate from the prohibition era in the USA in the 1920s and is linked to the deaths of thousands of people. Callum is a dignified gentleman from Her Majesty’s Kingdom currently residing in Chengdu. The only thing these two share is the former’s surname and likeness and tommy gun on the later’s new badass bike.
Made from high quality CrMo steel, Capone single speed frames take all the gangster-style abuse you can throw at it. Paired with black bits and pieces throughout, not to mention the fatty 32c road tires to smooth out Chengdu’s streets, this bike looks as intimidating as its brand-name bestows.
If you see the bike or its owner tearing around town, fear not. Just send a wave and a smile and you’ll likely get returned in kind.
Read more
Over the years we’ve collected a lot of random parts. Everything from handlebars and stems to tires, hubs and rims or tools. We’ve tried our best to reduce our collection and breathe a new life into these parts by using them in more affordable used builds, but we still have lots and we’re looking to do a little cleaning.
And we’re not the only ones. Many of you bike fanatics likely have a number of random bits and pieces (or even a complete bike) floating around that you may have decided its best to get rid of it.
If this describes you, bring your parts or pieces (please, cycling related components or accessories only—clothing is acceptable if it is in new/like-new condition, we don’t want your dirty tattered cycling shorts) to the shop this Friday, November 25. To sweeten the deal, if you bring 2 or more items to sell/swap we’ll hook it up with a free drink. Read more
Looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of the citystreets? Sign up for this Saturday’scountryside ride.We’ll be starting out from nearby the LOHAS green way justsouth of the city and near to Flower Town .Our route will take us through thesleepy rolling roads of Chengdu’s untouched countryside before ending up in thesatellite town of Taiping at the edge of the Longquan mountains.
Winter is settling in on us but cooler weather makes forgreat riding! Don’t expect to sweat oroverheat. Ride and stay warm in the brisk weather.As usual this ride is paid ¥240 but cost covers transportationto and from the ride, water, snacks and a post-ride meal. Need to borrow a bike? An additional ¥100 will reserve a touringbicycle, purpose-built for this type of ride.
Be sure to arrive at Natooke by 7:30 a.m and for departure by 8 0’clock onSaturday the 26th. Come with breakfast in your belly and if you’re riding your own bike see to it that yourbike is in good riding condition! Read more
This new pursuit bike is perfect for anyone looking to aggressively assault the streets of Chengdu or beyond. Built on a steel 52cm frame with metallic silver finish, this frames set has a peculiar curved seat tube to help shorten the wheel-base and get the rider both lower and further back over the rear wheel. Why, you ask? Speed and aerodynamics, of course.
It has flip-flop single speed/fixed gear rear wheel to match whatever drivetrain suits your riding style. This machine is light and fast, regardless.
The mixed and matched red and silver wheel set complement the silver of the frame well and the steep angle on the stem keeps the riding posture comfortable. Some high quality used parts (pedals, champion chain, brake calliper, and Flying Banana hubset) on this great entry-level bike help soften the blow to the wallet too. Come by and give it a test spin! Read more
Getting more riders on the road riding bicycles that express a part, big or small, of their personal style is something we take great pride in. Over the years we’ve had the pleasure of building some beautiful bikes for folks, most designed by their owners piece by piece, looking to the Natooke staff only for a subtle nod of approval with regard to part compatibility or something technical. Style is all theirs.
Occasionally we take the opportunity to the same. Sometimes with completely new bikes we think would look super cool whizzing around the streets of Chengdu. Sometimes a more economical option, mixed and matched with new and used parts that whispers (loudly) the style, class, and elegance we try to imbue with everything we do. This bike is one of those such examples.
The awesomeness of this bike starts with the frame’s finish. Its Leopard print. The awesomeness continues with the leopard print saddle. The durable alloy wheels and oversized 31.8mm alloy handlebars add more to the awesomeness. The mildly used Flying Banana crankset is the only used part on this otherwise new complete 50cm single speed that is most definitely priced to go at ¥1111, marked down from the original $1780 MSRP.
Come by and give it a test ride. Read more
The past three weeks have seen a few dozen women through a difficult competition. Fueled only by motivation and the hope of glory (and some sweet prizes), these women made the effort to ride a minimum of 50 kilometers per week.
In fact some went far and beyond expectation and averaged over 350 kilometers per week, riding almost daily for the entire three week period. We have only the deepest gratitude and admiration for all of the participants. You’ve inspired those around you to ride more.
Here are the winners for each category:
Below is the complete list of women who have completed the Queen of the Bike competition. They’ve ridden the minimum requirement of 50 kilometers per week over the past three weeks.
We’ll be contacting the winners within the next week about prizes. Ride on!
