Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol4 no4

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol4 no4March Madness Make the Snow Stop! Edition

This edition of the Spoken Wrench is brought to you by the letter “R,” you know, as in repair. Spring has sprung in Michigan, despite the snow, and what anyone may think. April is just around the corner, meaning that better riding weather, longer days, and longer repair turnarounds will follow close behind… We’ve tried, for as long as we’ve been here to convince people that winter, when you’re not thinking of riding, not thinking about your bike is really the best time to have it worked on. Despite our best efforts, no one seems to listen. So, spring is here, and so is the need for a repair, and, no, I’m sorry, you will have to leave your bike, and no, you can’t have it back tomorrow.

The Big Dummy is Here!

No, we’re not calling anyone names, the Big Dummy is Surly’s answer to some very high gas prices. Think you can’t commute because you’ve got too much stuff to bring with you? Surly has solved that problem. Using Xtracycle’s Freeradical frame as a starting point, the Big Dummy can carry a week’s worth of groceries, a surf board (not that you really need a surf board in Michigan), another bike, your friends, a sheepdog, or just the day’s stuff. There’s endless ways to use your Big Dummy. We’ve been using ours to get to and from lunch and everywhere else in Hazel Park.

Let Levi Ride!

In 2007 Astana ran afoul of the ASO (the people who own the Tour de France) and the UCI. For 2008, the new home of Levi Leipenheimer, and Alberto Contador, winner of the 2007 Tour, Astana hasn’t been invited to the 2008 Tour de France. If you think Levi should ride (since he’s the English speaker pushing hardest to get Astana onto the Tour) visit LetLeviRide.com and add your name to the petition. If you think that two years worth of doping scandals means that Astana shouldn’t ride, well, don’t sign the petition, and I can’t necessarily disagree with you.

April Fools!

Tuesday is April 1st. April Fools’ Day is here, and with it comes our annual sale. Spring is here, just ignore the snow, and get ready to ride. We’ll be open 8AM -7PM for the sale, so everyone has enough time to make it in. We will not be extending the sale to Wednesday, it’s a one day only event. We hope to see you there, and as always, bring a friend! Its always more fun to ride with company!

.

It’s a mountain bike! No, It’s a Hybrid!

No, it’s both. It happens to be the 2008 Cannondale 29’er 4. 29’ers have been a hot topic of conversation for a while now, and we know why. If you really are planning on mountain biking, and yet you know you’re going to need to ride your bike on the road, a 29’er is the way to go. With larger wheels, you get better momentum, and with a quick change of the tire, you’ve got a very nicely equipped hybrid that can handle, literally, everything you might want to throw at it.

In the Navy!

Kevin’s keeping busy in the Navy, in Japan. In addition to being a Hospitalman, Kevin is part of the Auxiliary Security Forces (ASF). Here’s what the Navy says:

080317-N-4649C-022 YOKOSUKA, Japan (March 17, 2008) Hospitalman Kevin Martin, a native of Gregory, Mich., stationed at U.S. Naval Hospital Yokosuka, Japan, practices knee strikes as Grove Hill, Ala.-native Postal Clerk Seaman Apprentice Charles Motes, assigned to Fleet Industrial Supply Center (CFA) Yokosuka assists during auxiliary security force (ASF) training at Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka. Sailors from various commands around Yokosuka make up the ASF team, which assists the CFA security force. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Chantel M. Clayton (Released)

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol3 no5

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol3 no5
August 2007

This edition of the Spoken Wrench was going to be brought to you by “L” for le Tour de France, but its over, and far too many people have been accused of and admitted to doping. So this edition of the Spoken Wrench is brought to you by “L” for Light & Motion. Originally, Light & Motion made lights for underwater photography, (you can see their lights in action at the Monterey Bay Aquarium) but a couple years ago, they expanded into bike lights. Tired of big bulky batteries, Light & motion introduced the Vega, a compact handlebar mounted light that was battery and light all in one. This year, they’re going a step further with the Stella, smaller, lighter and brighter than the Vega, which we’ll get to play with in September at Interbike.

Green Cruise!
Every year, around this time car cruises abound, and while I love classic cars, they aren’t the greenest of events, nor are they particularly bike friendly. For a bike driven Cruise, visit the Sierra Club Green Cruise, August 11th. The day begins at 11AM with a 20 mile bike ride, 9.5 and 5.5 mile routes are also available, and begin at 11:30. There will be a parade at 1PM, food from Whole Foods, to follow. For more information visit: http://www.sierraclub.org/grassroots/stories/00012.asp .

Gold Medals!
Antoon won not one, but all four of his events at the 2007 Summer National Senior Games, winning the 5 and 10K time trials, and 20 and 40K road races. Antoon competed in the 74-79 age range bracket at the Olympics which were held in Louisville Kentucky June 22-July 27th. Antoon also won all four of the races he entered at the Michigan Senior Olympics, held earlier this week at the Velodrome at Bloomer Park

More About 29ers!
Its hard to know everything there is to know about a given subject. 29er mountain bikes are no different. Bike-Alog, our database for all that is in the bike world, recently rolled out www.29ermtb.com, to provide everyone with a good source of unbiased information about everything that’s everything in the world of 29ers. There’s a lot of information there, from who makes parts to what frames and configurations are available. So if 29ers are your thing, or you think they might become your thing, www.29ermtb.com is the place to look.

Summer Days are Here Again….
For now. Summer’s here, and that means the days are getting shorter, though not all together cooler. (or not at all cooler, but we’re living in denial about the heat at the moment, or trying in vain to ignore it, depending on the day…) I’m not trying to remind anyone that fall is just around the corner, but it is, and the days are getting a little shorter. Please remember that if you’re going to ride on the road at night, it is state law that you have a head light and tail light. And well, all you night riding mountain bikers should know better than to that without a nice bright headlight (like a Vega…)

Congratulations to the WAM riders.
This year, like usual, the goal was to raise 1 million dollars for the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Michigan, to give them the opportunity to grant 125 wishes in the next year. This year, the WAM riders raised $1,340,995! Enough to grant 167 wishes! With three days of riding, and 300 miles to cover, the riders deserve a huge congratulations, both for their efforts in fundraising and their dedication to riding. We’ll see you all again next year.

But they’re Leather!
There is nothing like Brooks saddle, take my word for it, or more appropriately, take Dave’s word for it. We’ve got more Brooks saddles in stock than ever before, from every shape, size and color of B-17, to a special edition hand stitched Swallow that Dave has laid claim to… (If you really want one, we’ll order it for you). We also have a B-17 S, the ladies version of the classic Brooks saddle. If you want something… say softer… an aged Brooks saddle may be the way to go.

Is there a better way to fold?
Now, certainly, the answer to that is that it depends on who you’re asking, and what we’re talking about folding, but it should be obvious that I’m talking about a bike. So what happens when the folding design Dahon pioneered isn’t quite cutting it? Someone comes up with something different… something different, that we’ll be showing off as soon as we get one… Stay tuned for more!

There’s a bike on the wall!
Actually, there’s two, mostly painted track riders on the north side of our building! The mural is the work of local artist Julie Fournier (she was featured in an News/Freepress article a while back) and is only part of what we’re having done in the next few months. Stop by and take a look at our new riders and sign. Fairly soon there will be a matching sign on the other side of the building, where the faded Continental sign is now. Someday, we won’t even have grass, but a more friendly, less attention necessary plant substitute. And no more dandelions.

Continental Bike Shop Bottles!
We’ve had a fair number of requests for out bottles, and they’re finally back in stock. We’ve got both large and small bottles in clear and yellow. If you’ve purchased a bike in the last month and missed out on your free bottle, stop by between now and Labor Day and we’ll be happy to give you one!

This Month’s Tip!
So, this month is the first month, of something we I have been meaning to do, and something that’s been suggested for a while now. As with all information, if you have any questions talk with an expert. And generally, I’m not going to claim that title.

Hydration 101
So its been dreadfully warm out there lately, and humid. Hydration is important all of the time, but we seem to think about it most during the summer when we’re sweating and can see that we’re losing fluids. Generally, for every pound lost immediately during exercise, the body has lost a pint of fluid. It’s a whole lot different when you look at it that way, and far easier to quantify.

Quick tips:

• Staying hydrated means starting before you ride. Drink plenty of water before, during and after activity to keep hydrated without any of the uncomfortable consequences.
• Premixed sports drinks help, because they have sugars and salts that the body looses during exercise. They’re expensive, and sometimes taste funny. Try a few to see what you like.
• Drink consistently, don’t chug anything. That uncomfortable feeling like you’ve just been punched in the stomach means you drank the water too fast and your body can’t handle it, especially if its cold water.
• If you’ve got any other questions about hydration ask your doctor! (I’m not an expert.)

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol3 no3

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol3 no3
May 2007

This edition of the Spoken Wrench is brought to you by the letter “J” for Jaune, as in Maillot Jaune. The Yellow Jersey, awarded to the stage winner in the Tour de France. In 1919 the first Maillot Jaune was given at for the 11th stage, to Eugene Christophe. Yellow was supposedly chosen because the newspaper, l’Auto, which sponsored the tour, was printed on yellow paper. Can you tell I can’t wait for the Tour? I wonder if they award a Maillot Jaune to mountain bikers? (also brought to you by Altoids Dark Chocolate dipped Peppermints. All they need now are chocolate dipped caffeinated Penguin mints…)

Kona Midwest!
Someone conveniently forgot to mention to me that Even Leonard, long time Continental wrench, is on the Kona Midwest Team! This year the team is was spread pretty far, with members in England and Iraq, but Jon Cross is home form his 9 month tour with the Marines. A huge “Welcome home” is in order for him. While Jim Scholefield is living and working in London right now, he plans on being back for a few races, and proudly flying the Kona Midwest colors in the UK National race Series. Adam Raphael won the Pro class at the Duryea Downhill! The rest of the team, who I in no way want to slight by not mentioning, have also been performing well in their respective races. I’d post all of their respective finishes, but for that, it’s easier to just send you on to their website, http://konamidwestracing.com/, with pictures, results, and a link to the team blog, which I have to recommend as a source of great amusement. And news too…

Our Standards
Our standard is custom. So says John. We’re not talking about custom framesets and builds, (though I’ll get to those in a minute) we’re talking about fitting every stock bike that leaves the shop to the rider. Why ride a bike with handlebars that are too narrow, (you shouldn’t, because it can affect your ability to breathe deeply…) a stem that’s too long or too short, or a saddle and position that are just plain uncomfortable? We don’t think you should. Ever. When riding is painless, you do more of it, and who doesn’t want to ride more? There’s a range of changes we can make that can dramatically improve ride quality. For more information on fittings, give us a call.

And if its time for the bike, you know, the one, perhaps, a custom frame is the way to go? If so, we offer custom frames from Serotta, Independent Fabrication, Gunnar, and Waterford. If building your perfect parts kit is more your style, we can get you frames or framesets from Surly, Salsa, and Ellsworth. (don’t forget, your favorite Bianchis, Cannondales, and Konas are frequently available as framesets too…)

UBB Shop of the Month
What’s UBB you ask? Why it’s Used Bicycle Buyer (.com). They buy, as the name implies, used bikes and parts. Usually things that retailed in the +$800 range, and are in good condition. Well, it’s a great way to get some more mileage out of your bike if you’re looking to get a new one. A popular idea lately, and because of that, UBB named us the shop of the month. We’ve had the highest number of bikes, and the most accurate spec sheets! All that attention to detail has paid off! So, while we celebrate being shop of the month, if you’ve got a bike that needs a new friend, we can give UBB a try for you.

80 Years
I’d say we look pretty good for 80. (Please, no comments from the peanut gallery, I can anticipate most of them, but I choose not to go there.) Fresh paint, a shiny new awning, and, well us. The ‘us’ part being the most important part of the equation. Us and the Bikes. So come ride one, and help us celebrate! Unlike some stores that have been in business for a handful of years, we’ve really been here, and we’ve seen it all. In the next 80 years (we think) bikes should take over the world!

Back Alley Bikes Art Auction
Back Alley Bikes, Detroit’s free bike shop, is looking for submissions for their 5th Annual Bike Art Auction. Proceeds from the auction are used to fund the whole year’s projects. Any media is accepted as long as its bike related, and using bike parts isn’t required, but its encouraged. For inspiration, or for a little help, check out the BAB Art Room, every Wednesday from 5-9PM. Submissions for the auction will be accepted from Monday, July 16th through Wednesday, July 18th from 5-9PM, or by appointment. The auction itself will be on Saturday July 21st, from 6PM-Midnight. Large items will be sold at auction, while smaller jewelry and crafts will be sold at the craft table. Back Alley Bikes provides free bikes, education, repairs and education to Detroiters. If you have any parts or an old bike that mostly works, don’t throw them out! BAB can take almost anything and make it work. For more information, check out Back Alley Bike’s website, or email them.

29ers
They’re here to stay, and that’s a good thing. Bigger wheels mean its easier to roll over those roots, and stuff on the trail. Someone, who shall remain nameless, unless he figures out I’m talking about him, keeps telling me they’re the future of mountain biking. We’ve managed to find the 29er with the lowest stand over, no easy feat, it happens to be the Redline Moncog, in the small. They certainly aren’t the only future in mountain biking, but there’s no denying they’re here to stay. Multiple ideas exist about who invented the 29er, but I’m not going there. I’m telling you, you should come in and ride one. Or two, or even three. We have a growing selection of 29ers in the store, Cannondale, Kona, Redline, and Salsa to name a few… and while we can’t offer trails to test ride on, there will be 29ers to ride at Cannondale’s Demo Days… If you’re worried about parts, wheels, tires, forks, ect, to fit your new 29er, relax. We’ve got you covered.

Six-13 Team Special
I see a Six-13 in your future. A very affordable one at that. Weighing in at under $2000, with a 105 based components groupo, including crank, Shimano WH-550 wheels, and a great riding frame, what’s not to love? Available in limited sizes, and only what we have in stock, in black, black, or black, it may be the new bike for you. Or me. Or well, anyone who wants one, quickly like.
Back to the top

Liquigas: Go Green, er, Pink!
So, I know what you’re thinking. (Am I good or what?) Or at least I know what its likely you’re thinking. Liquigas wasn’t Cannondale’s team last year? Nope, they weren’t. but they are now. And its shaping up to be a very pink spring for them. Danilo Di Luca took back the maglia rosa on the fourth stage of the Giro d’Italia. Riding along the Alfani coast saw a number of crashed on the wet pavement, including Liquigas rider Enrico Gasparotto, who lost the pink jersey to Di Luca. For more, including the latest results for the Giro, check out VeloNews’ coverage.

Amsterdam, You say?
While Amsterdam is a beautiful place to visit, its an even better place to ride a bike. Just ask Electra, they found the inspiration for their latest cruiser on the streets of Amsterdam. With a lightweight frame and fork, an upright ride, and a slightly forward pedal position, the Amsterdam takes everything that is a classic street bike and makes it better. Available in two models, the Classic and the Sport, the Amsterdam is the perfect bike for riding to and from anywhere. There’s a reason why 80% of the Dutch ride their bikes for transportation, and with a bike like this, there’s no reason not to. Both bikes come with fenders, a Shimano 3 speed internal hub, coaster brakes, and a full chain guard. The Classic also includes a rear rack, a coat guard, and front and rear lights. We’ve all ridden the Amsterdam, and you should too. Its light, comfortable and just plain fun, there’s no reason not to.