A Busy Summer in the Shop and on the Road
The past few months have been some of the busiest we’ve had at Natural State Carbon Repair, and we couldn’t be more grateful. Between tackling unique carbon fiber repair projects, getting back into racing bikes for the first time in 5 years, and spending time with bike shops and riders around the region, it’s been a reminder of why we love being part of the cycling community.
One of the best parts of this business is that there are so many incredible riders that we get to service from across the country. We had the pleasure of organically running into a couple great customers while we were in Chicago a couple of months back that we had repaired frames for a couple of years ago. Even though we service the whole country, it feels like such a small community. We are never more than a couple degrees of separation from some of you and that is so cool to be able to connect the dots. Every week brings something different through the shop—road bikes with race damage, gravel bikes that have seen one too many rocky descents, mountain bikes with battle scars from technical trails, and the occasional project that really makes us stop and think. All of these have a rider and a story connected to it. Solving those challenges and returning bikes to service is what keeps every day interesting.
We’ve also been fortunate to spend more time at cycling events this season. Whether we’re pinning on a number ourselves or simply talking with riders before and after races, there’s no substitute for being part of the community we’re here to serve. We had to take a step back from racing while launching this business and it feels so good to be back. Racing gives us a firsthand appreciation for what modern carbon bikes endure, and those conversations often turn into valuable insights that help us better serve our customers and of course seeing our customers back on the starting line after trusting us to get their race bike back in working order.
Outside of races, we’ve been continuing to make an effort to visit more local bike shops and dealers across the country. Building relationships with shops, cycling groups, and individual riders is one of the most rewarding aspects of growing the business. For a few days every couple months, I load our van with my bike and hit the road to make new connections. Our business is built on relationships. Bike shops would rather send a damaged carbon frame to someone they trust than tell a customer their only option is to replace an expensive bike. Our goal is to be that trusted repair partner, providing honest evaluations, clear and quick communication, quality craftmanship, and quick turnaround times. When you break your frame, we are going to take care of you the very same way we do when we work with our teammates.
As our shop has grown, so has the variety of work we’re taking on. While structural carbon fiber repairs remain our specialty, we’ve also been completing more cosmetic restorations and paint projects. Bringing a damaged frame back to life—both structurally and visually—is incredibly satisfying, especially when the finished product looks like the damage never happened. I couldn’t be more excited to be able to work with our riders to bring their visions to life. When I first started Natural State Carbon Repair, I was still working a full time job for Specialized and commuting an hour round trip every day. Being able to step away from my day job and start diving deeper into growing this company by offering more extensive service options was incredible and it’s all because of our great customers. What started off as a side business to not let my niche skillset go to waste has turned into something so much larger. To everyone who has trusted us with a repair, recommended us to a friend, or stopped by to say hello at an event—thank you. Your support has allowed a small Arkansas shop to repair bikes for riders all over the country, and we’re excited to see where the next big pedal stoke brings us.
Looking ahead, we’re excited for the rest of the riding season. We’ll continue traveling to races, connecting with more bike shops, and helping riders get their favorite bikes back on the road or trail. If you have a damaged carbon bike and aren’t sure whether it’s worth repairing, reach out for a quote. Many frames that appear to be beyond saving can often be repaired safely, professionally, and for a fraction of the cost of replacement.
Want to see us on your home turf? Send us an email and we would love to join your local group ride, visit your favorite shop, or support the race that’s on your home trails. We look forward to seeing you on the trails, at the races, or in the shop.