The Chain Link Bicycle Shop BUSINESS FEATURE
A central hub for local cyclists T he Chain Link Bicycle Shop opened in December 2011 and has since been a pillar for the New Braunfels cycling community. Shop owner Seana Rousseau carries a couple of notable bike brands, including Specialized, Reid, Sun, Surly and E11even. The Chain Link also sells bicycle accessories, including helmets, locks, baskets, cycling shoes, parts and more. They also o er a variety of mainte- nance services and service plans. The bicycle shop also has Ladies Corner, a monthly bike ride led by women. Although the pandemic put a pause on the activity, Rousseau hopes to start it again soon. Rousseau noted the bike ride is made for women who are curious about cycling to feel more comfortable. “I’ve had various female employees that were cyclists, and so it’s something for us to do together and strive to open the doors to more women that might feel intimidated by a male cycling commu- nity,” she said. The Chain Link is also an active participant in com- munity events such as the MS 150, Fiasco Wildower Ride, Livestrong Ride, Tour de Cure, Hill Country Ride for AIDS and more. The Chain Link has worked with multiple schools in the area to get bike eets for students through Outride, a nonprot organization dedicated to improving lives through cycling. The nonprot’s school-based cycling education program— Riding for Focus—uses cycling as a tool to promote physical, emotional and social well-being. The shop also has hosted weekly group rides since opening. “We started a group ride every Saturday morning, and it went from like four people to eventually ... about 40 people. The group has kind of taken on its own now,” Rousseau said. “But I think it brings that cycling community together, especially now with everyone moving to town.” BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN
The shop carries a variety of bicycle brands and oers full-service tune-ups and service plans.
Other than bicycles, the shop provides maintenance plans and sells bicycle accessories.
Owner Seana Rousseau opened the shop in 2011.
PHOTOS BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN COMMUNITY IMPACT
THE ANATOMY OF A BIKE
ROUSSEAU’S BICYCLE CARE TIPS • Keep the bike out of the weather. • Keep the tires inflated. • Keep the drivetrain clean and lubed.
These terms will help with understanding the parts of a bicycle.
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The Chain Link Bicycle Shop 139 N. Castell Ave., Ste. 400, New Braunfels 830-629-6000 www.chainlinkbikes.com Hours: Tue.-Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m., closed Sun.-Mon.
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1 Frame 2 Handle bars 3 Saddle through the crankset is called the seat tube
7 Brake levers 8 Derailleurs (move the chain back and forth across the gears) 9 Crankset (what the pedals are attached to) 10 Drivetrain (the chain, pedals, crankset and derailleurs)
4 Rear triangle 5 Two wheels
comprising rims, spokes, hubs and tires
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6 Gears and shifters
UNPLUG. UNPLU
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OVERNIGHT CAMPS FAMILY CAMPS DAYCAMPS
GROW.
TBARM.ORG
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