Last year, a quest for a unique custom road bike led me to Raleigh, North Carolina, a city I soon discovered is brimming with cycling passion. It all started with an unforgettable glimpse of a handcrafted road bike at a bike show. Missing the chance for a test ride sparked a journey to find its creator, Charles Thompson of Fine Bikes, right in Raleigh. My trip became more than just a bike hunt; it was an immersion into Raleigh’s vibrant cycling culture, highlighted by a visit to the iconic local bike shop, Oak City Cycling, and an exploration of the diverse mixed-surface riding the area offers. This is a story about Raleigh Bikes, community, and the thrill of discovering cycling gems in unexpected places.
The Allure of a Unique Raleigh Bike
Working at a bike shop, I’m constantly surrounded by bicycles. Hundreds pass through each month, and honestly, many start to blend together. It takes something truly special to make me stop and take notice, that feeling of excitement akin to finding a vintage treasure in a thrift store – a perfectly worn flannel or a pair of classic Levi’s. That’s exactly the feeling Charles Thompson’s custom frames evoke.
The first time I saw one of Charles Thompson’s creations, it was like finding that perfect flannel in a sea of ordinary clothes. Even unpainted, in a parking lot crowded with bikes, it stood out. A lugged steel frame, boasting classic geometry, generous clearance for 36mm tires, and a modern AXS groupset – and incredibly, it was my size. It felt like a design plucked straight from my sketchbook had materialized before my eyes.
Drawn in, I spent perhaps too long admiring the bike before Charles himself approached and introduced himself as the frame builder. His face seemed familiar, and after a brief conversation, I realized he was the manager of Oak City Cycling, a legendary Raleigh bike shop. Graciously, he offered a test ride that weekend, and we exchanged details. This Raleigh bike builder was clearly passionate about his craft and community.
Setback and a Raleigh Road Trip Beckons
Fate, however, had other plans for that weekend. The day before the scheduled ride, overconfidence and new fenders led to a cycling mishap. Leading a mixed-terrain ride in Knoxville, showcasing my local trails, a seemingly innocuous stick became my nemesis. Lodging itself in my brand-new fender, it sent me flying over the handlebars and into a rather unyielding oak tree. Helmet cracked, fender mangled, and any hopes of testing Charles’ lugged road bike that weekend were dashed.
That evening, I messaged Charles with the unfortunate news. Yet, the image of his bike lingered. Weeks passed, and I found myself still pondering the details – what tires would I choose? What paint scheme? What drivetrain? These questions, quite literally, kept me up at night. Driven by this bike-induced insomnia, I reached out to Charles again, proposing two things: a trip to Raleigh to finally test ride his bike and a serious inquiry about commissioning him to build a frame for me. Weeks later, I packed my trusty Chevy Cavalier and set course for Raleigh, eager to meet Charles, explore Oak City Cycling, and begin designing my dream Raleigh bike.
Mitchell Connell standing with his bike outside Oak City Cycling, highlighting the shop's blue awning.
Oak City Cycling: A Raleigh Cycling Hub
Pulling up to Oak City Cycling, I immediately felt a sense of belonging. Whether it was the welcoming bright blue awning or the rack of staff bikes hinting at a true cyclist community, the shop exuded a genuine warmth. Oak City Cycling isn’t just a retail space; it’s a community hub, buzzing with bike trivia nights, lively jam sessions, and regular group rides. It’s the antithesis of the generic, corporate bike shops that are becoming increasingly common – a refreshing reminder of what a local bike shop should be.
While Oak City Cycling boasts an impressive collection of high-end, boutique bicycle components – the kind often seen in Instagram’s cycling circles but rarely encountered in person – it’s the hand-drawn signs throughout the shop that truly define its character. The shop feels authentic, lived-in, and personalized, reflecting the passion of its staff rather than a corporate algorithm. This is a place where Raleigh bikes are not just sold, but celebrated.
Interior of Oak City Cycling showcasing the shop's lived-in feel and hand-drawn signs.
Riding the Diverse Terrain of Raleigh
One of the most striking takeaways from my Raleigh weekend was the sheer variety of cycling experiences accessible right from Oak City Cycling’s doorstep. On Saturday, I joined Charles, his partner Adeline, and a group of local riders from the shop. We navigated through downtown Raleigh, seamlessly linking a network of hidden trails to reach William B. Olmstead State Park. There, we transitioned to a fantastic mix of gravel roads and engaging singletrack trails. For anyone visiting Raleigh, joining a commute with the Oak City Cycling crew is a must-do. Forget typical road routes; our journey connected disc golf courses, forgotten paths, walking trails, and even a cyclocross course. The commute itself was as thrilling as the park trails.
Our trail adventure wasn’t without its hiccups. Scott, one of Oak City Cycling’s mechanics, unfortunately crashed and needed a pick-up. Ironically, the sag wagon became even more useful when Charles, pushing his gravel bike on a jump section, suffered multiple flat tires. After exhausting his spares, he too hitched a ride back to town. Our reduced group then cycled back across town, made a quick stop for camera supplies, and prepared for the next day’s road ride. Raleigh’s diverse riding truly puts all kinds of Raleigh bikes to the test.
Sunday brought the eagerly anticipated road ride and my first real experience on Charles’ Fine road bike. Scott, sporting bandages from the previous day’s off-road excursion, led a group of around 25 cyclists on a scenic road route, punctuated by a classic ice cream stop. These two rides perfectly illustrated Oak City Cycling’s ability to cater to Raleigh’s diverse cycling community. The gravel ride showcased practical, fun-focused bikes, while the road ride attracted a different crowd, with several high-performance superbikes in the mix, shifting the atmosphere from casual to more performance-oriented. Despite the different vibes, everyone was welcoming, and I finally had the chance to push Charles’ Fine road bike on a fast-paced ride.
Fine Bikes Road Bike: A Raleigh Review
Charles’ Fine road bike is a testament to thoughtful design and meticulous craftsmanship. Its traditional road geometry presents a classic silhouette, yet it cleverly integrates unique and modern build choices. Charles opted for SRAM’s intriguing AXS XPLR electronic drivetrain, paired with cable-actuated brakes. Adding another layer of uniqueness, he brazed direct-mount bosses for Paul Racer brakes. This Raleigh bike was truly something special.
Close-up of Fine Bikes road bike featuring Paul Racer brakes and SRAM AXS components.
The Paul Racer Medium brake is a standout component, offering compelling caliper brake performance. The custom brazed-on brake bosses, positioned unconventionally behind the brake-arm pivot on the fork, result in exceptional brake stiffness and lever feel. Remarkably, these brakes also accommodate up to 45mm fenders, a feat impossible with traditional caliper brakes. Even more impressively, these unique direct-mount brakes are controlled by modern SRAM Force AXS levers, seamlessly blending classic and contemporary technology in this Raleigh bike.
Charles masterfully leveraged the modularity of the SRAM AXS groupset, combining SRAM Force levers with a one-by XPLR rear derailleur and cassette. This configuration provides a gear range wide enough for fast road riding while also offering low gears suitable for mixed-surface adventures. The controls were set up with right-hand shifting up and left-hand shifting down, giving the bike a playful, race-car-like feel.
Rolling on 36mm Challenge Strada Bianca tires and .light wheels, the bike felt incredibly fast and cornered with precision. While “slammed stem” isn’t my usual preference, the bike struck a perfect balance between performance and comfort. I was thoroughly impressed, and by the ride’s end, Charles and I were already discussing a similar custom build for me – another Raleigh bike dream in the making.
The Passionate Faces Behind Raleigh Bikes at Oak City Cycling
The following morning, we returned to Oak City Cycling, not just to finalize drawings for my own dream road bike but also to capture the spirit of the shop and its people. We refined design details, settling on a dedicated road bike with rim brakes, clearance for 32mm tires, and a form-follows-function design ethos. After our design session, the mechanics at the shop generously allowed me to photograph them with their personal bikes, each reflecting their individual cycling styles and passions. These were the people who lived and breathed Raleigh bikes.
Portrait of a mechanic at Oak City Cycling posing with their personal bike.
A third group photo of Oak City Cycling team members and their bikes.
As all good things must, my Raleigh adventure came to an end, and it was time to drive home. I’m immensely grateful to the entire team at Oak City Cycling for their hospitality and for showing me the best of Raleigh’s cycling scene. Special thanks to Charles and Adeline for their warm welcome. And I’m thrilled to announce that my custom frame is now in the queue at the Fine Bikes workshop. Commissioning a custom frame is a first for me, but something about Charles’ bike, his philosophy, and the community surrounding Oak City Cycling convinced me. Every conversation about my bike build has been a pleasure, and Charles consistently emphasizes his excitement to build a bike that will be ridden hard – a promise I’m eager to keep.
If you’re interested in seeing more of Charles’ beautiful creations, follow Fine Bikes on Instagram. If you find yourself in Raleigh, make sure to visit Oak City Cycling and join one of their group rides. And most importantly, remember to support your excellent local bike shops, bag makers, and frame builders – they are the heart of the cycling community and the keepers of the Raleigh bikes spirit.
