Our History
Owner Brian Curran at the 2010 Super Swank Pisgah Forest NC.
Columbia's Best Bicycle Shop
Opened in 1982, Outspokin' Bicycles was one of the first "pro" shops in the Southeast, offering Italian framesets and components, expert fitting and excellent service. Outspokin' also sponsored many race teams through the years, including former LA Sheriff's pro riders Thomas Craven and Jim Copland. The Outspokin' jersey, worn by Charlotte hard man Gordon Steil, has also seen the top of the podium at the 1996 Masters Cycling National Championship. As one of the first Specialized and Trek dealers in the area, they were also the first to sell "real" mountain bikes like the Stumpjumper. Owner Brian Curran began his cycling career in 1989 at Outspokin', working in sales for founder Chris Hardwicke. Brian managed Outspokin' for fifteen years and purchased the store in 1997. He attributes Outspokin's success to its staff members' passion for cycling. "We've got one of the most diverse staffs that I've seen in the cycling industry. It's a requirement that our employees ride regularly, but what's different about Outspokin' is that we've got people on staff that range from category 1 road racer to a couple of guys who just want to enjoy the trails occasionally. It's this kind of diversity that makes shopping here easy. We've got people who can talk technical issues about bikes, and then we've got people who can talk to someone who has never ridden a bike before," Curran said. |
Our product line is second to none.
Trek, State Bicycle Co., Bontrager, Saris and Garmin are just a few of our product lines. We pride ourselves on having one of the most extensive inventories in the region. If you're looking for a hard-to-find item, or even common items, give us a call or stop by today. Chances are we'll have it, and if we don't, we'd be glad to order it for you.
And we specialize in bicycle fittings for all types of bicycles, including road, triathlon, mountain, cyclo cross, and commuter. Brian has performed thousands of fits and understands each rider has different needs according to their goals, morphology, and equipment. He is a proud graduate of the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and is Trek Level 2 and F.I.S.T certified.
Our USCF Certified Mechanics don't just turn wrenches.
Outspokin' offers a complete service section with the best-trained mechanics in the area. Our mechanics can handle all jobs, from tune-ups on any make or model, to the specialty services including wheel building or minor frame repair. We employ only the best quality repair technicians. We not only strive for excellence in our workmanship, but we also offer prompt service, accurate estimates and timely delivery.
Right: Original Outspokin mechanic Lane Phillips at the Atlanta velodrome circa 1979.