These bikes look cool. Well, maybe “cool” is a stretch depending on your style.  But they certainly stand out.  Reasonably the most striking thing about the program it’s unique visual appeal.  We’ve seen countless pictures on our social media over the past weeks of a full long line of these bikes, sitting, awaiting riders.

The handlebars feature a super funky, curved U-shape unlike anything we’ve seen before.  The frame is unique, and asymmetric with a single, fat tube substituted for your standard “triangle”.  Furthermore the front and back where the wheels mount are mono-stay, meaning there is only one tube of the frame on one side to connect with the wheels.  It looks futuristic and as though it defies balance. Read more

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.

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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.

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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 26^th.  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