Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol5 no5

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol5 no5

April getting ready for May edition

This edition of the Spoken Wrench is brought to you by the Open End Wrench.  Pretty much what it sounds like, open ended to slide easily on and off of bolts.  Most of ours are metric and hang by the Box End Wrench side on the mechanic’s benches.

Its not that we don’t love April, but I could do with a little less rain and no more snow, and way more sunshine, but there’s tons going on in May that we want to tell everyone.

Ride Club
Many, if not all of you, will have seen the flyer we sent out last week, (free tube and flat repair and 20% off one accessory coupons were there).  At the top of the flyer, it mentions the new Ride Club.  So I thought perhaps, we should explain.

Ride Club will, as of 1 May, replace the club discounts lots of people are used to.  Wait, stop, read.  Then ask questions.  Instead of getting 10% off parts and accessories, that aren’t on sale, and whatnot, you will receive 5% back for all your purchases (except Labor, we don’t discount the guys in the back).  Twice a year, in March, and September, you’ll receive a gift card telling you how much you’ve earned in Ride Club Rewards.

Everyone can participate, not just club members.  It works pretty much the same way as the rewards programs you might find at REI, except, ours is free.

National Bike Month
First things first.  Every month should be bike month.  But then other forms things might miss out on their opportunity for celebration every year.  This year we’re doing things a little differently.

First, we’re looking for your stories about commuting, we’ll feature them on our homepage, in the  Spoken Wrench during May, and around the shop.  We’d like stories about the best and worst commutes you’ve experienced.

Prizes for the best ‘best commute’ and best ‘worst commute’ stories.  Fill out the for here, or email them to liz@continentalbikeshop.com.

Rules:  Individuals may submit as many entries as they would like, however they may only win one prize.  Submissions are due by 11 May 2009 at 10AM (EST).  All submissions become property of Continental Bike Shop and may be used in the Spoken Wrench, www.continentalbikeshop.com, and around the store.  Credit will be given to the writer.

We’ll also be running a Gentlemen and Ladies Contest for who commutes the most in May.  Honour system here everyone.  Please play fair.

Rules: Beginning May 1 2009 and ending May 31 2009, we will be running a Gentlemen and Ladies Commuter Challenge Contest.  There will be prizes for those who commuted the most total miles and the most days out of the month.  Please be honest.  We wont know if you’re not, but someone will, and they might tell us.  Entries due by Monday June 15 at 7PM.

You can find entry forms in the store or here.

And for those of you who don’t commute, but would like to, what would have to change?  Changes to surface streets (which we’re working on in the 2009 Complete the Streets Act), showers at work, incentives from your employer or the Feds?  We’ll pass your suggestions onto the people who need them most and see if we can’t make a bigger difference in how local road commissions view cyclists.

If you’d like to participate in any of these events and need more information, let us know at 248 545 1225 or liz@continentalbikeshop.com

Repairs, and the (Bike) Doctor is in, or is he out?
Repairs have caught up, for now.  A couple real spring sunny days, and that is sure to change.  So, now, while its cold and rainy is the time to bring in your bike.

As always the Bike Doctor is out and about doing house calls, fixing bikes from the back of the Bike Doctor Van.  House calls have a $25 house call fee, and then labor is billed at $75 an hour, in ¼ hour increments.  So if you have more than one bike to be worked on, it saves you the trip and usually a little $$ as well.

Steel its Real
Bianchi learned their lesson last year when they decided to stop making steel road bikes.  Unfortunately, they stopped making steel mountain bikes years ago.  But when they discontinued production of steel road frames, well, there was nearly a mutiny.  Our rep at the time was new, and probably still doesn’t like us.

Well, Bianchi listened to their dealers, and this year, brought the return of steel.  As Bianchi says:

Its too easy to give up on steel road bikes – for all the wrong reasons.  When its done right STEEL CAN RIVAL THE PERFORMANCE OF OTHER FRAME MATERIALS used in road bikes, particularly in the more accessible price ranges.  Bianchi’s Road Steel series isn’t flashy – it doesn’t have to be because these bikes take the foundation of steel and dial up a true blend of stability comfort durability and low weight.  The proof is in all the satisfying rides, and all the satisfied riders these bikes have supported over the years.

We couldn’t agree more.  We’ve got Vigorellis and Imolas in stock for your riding pleasure.  And they are a pleasure to ride, especially over the things we call roads around here.

‘Wrench only!
To reward our loyal ‘Wrench readers, we’re giving you a coupon for discounts on some sunglasses.  (Maybe if we all wear our sunglasses, it will be sunny?  Maybe?  Please?)  So, Serfas sunglasses are 25% off.  And just in case you plan on spending some more time on the trail than the sun allows for, or your commutes occur at hours of the morning where I fully admit I’m still asleep. We have Light ‘n Motion lights 20% off.  You MUST must must must bring in the coupon  print it off, and bring your Spoken Wrench, and you must show it to us, or uhm, no discount for you.

Burley Rain gear!
We’ve still got limited sizes of Burley Rain gear, and enough of it to survive some kind of epic Ark-style flood.  So come get yours before the limited becomes 3 sizes.

New and New and New and New and on and on and on………..

• Xtreme Sports ID: Ever think that there should be an easier way to carry all of your emergency contact information?  Or an unobtrusive way to alert emergency personnel of Medic-Alert information?  Xtreme Sports Ids are silicone wristbands that feature an 800#, 8-digit ID number, and Medic-Alert symbol.  First responders know to look for medical alert information, and can call the number and find out everything they might need to know.  They’re available in 6 colours and up to 4 sizes, for a reasonable $8.

• Jimi Wallets: Small, sleek, and easily attacked to a lanyard for security, Jimi Wallets are plastic and can hold up to 5 cards and three folded bills.  Small enough to fit in a jersey pocket, it still holds enough to be useful.

• Bike Brakes:Don’t want a kickstand, but don’t want your bike falling over or rolling away?  Put a  Bike Brake around the left grip near the front brake and extend it around the brake lever, engaging the front brake.  This keeps the front wheel from spinning, stabilizing the bicycle when placed upright against an object.  Stored on the grip while riding, Bike Brake becomes an unobtrusive part of the grip.  Unlike a rubber band, Bike Brake is made of a durable, long lasting material that will withstand the harsh, outside environment.

• Giant Defy Alliance: With an Aluminum/Carbon frame (the ‘black’ parts, are the ones that are carbon composite with a clear coat.) mostly Shimano 105 parts, traditionally laced Mavic wheels, and what giant calls an endurance riding position, (read more comfortable than your average butt up nose down racer position) the Defy Alliance is lightweight and a great ride.

• Bellwether Hightech High-vis Vests:Light and ergonomic, this is an essential item when the weather may take a turn. Extremely compact, this jacket can be compressed down to easily fit into a jersey pocket.  And its That nice high-vis yellow that’s bordering on green.  We also have matching Yellow Racer pant straps.

• EuroStyle Chamois Butt’r: Chamois Butt’r Eurostyle is formulated to produce a cooling and soothing effect for cyclists who prefer a traditional European-style chamois creme.  It contains menthol and which hazel, and is not for the faint of hear.  It even comes in the 8oz tub you see from manufacturers like Assos…

• Cateye Computers
• Velo 5: The Velo 5 is CatEye’s entry-level computer. It features a new, larger screen and a large button for easy operation. Like all CatEye’s computers, it is ultrasonically welded and highly water resistant. The universal bracket and sensor mounts allow the Velo 5 to mount nearly any handle bar and fork.  The five functions are Current speed, Maximum speed, Odometer, Trip distance, and Clock
• Velo 8: The new Velo 8 computer is CatEye’s entry-level 8 functions computer. The bracket requires no tools and is simple to use. Like the Velo 5, It features a new, larger screen and a large button for easy operation.   With all the same features and functions as the Velo 5 plus Average Speed, Trip distance, Elapsed Time, and (estimated) Calorie Consumption.
• Vectra: The Vectra is CatEye’s entry level wireless computer. With 5 unctions and one large button, it is extremely user-friendly and comes standard with one mount for both stem and handlebar set-up.  The five functions are :Current Speed, Maximum Speed, Trip Distance, Odometer, and Clock.  The Vectra also has a universal bracket and sensor mount making it easy to install no matter what size and style handlebars you have.

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol4 no12

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol4 no12
Post Interbike, in which I remove my foot from my mouth, edition.

This edition of the Spoken Wrench is brought to you by Interbike. No letters this time. There’s still plenty we haven’t talked about, and a few corrections to be made. And an assurance to Jason and Travis that, yes, I do plan on posting what they thought about the bikes….

So without further ado, I will begin with the corrections and continue onto the other important stuff.

Corrections:
1.Repair classes.
2.Schwinn.
All Women’s Clothing 40% off!!!
Interbike…
Jason’s Picks
Travis’ Picks
My Picks
What really happens in Vegas.

Correction #1: Repair Classes.
Last time, I stated that Repair Classes were 6 weeks long. No, they are not. Each session is 4 weeks long. I apologize for any confusion. Jason corrected me first this Tuesday morning, so I’m passing that on.

Correction #2: Schwinn.
Ok, first of all, Schwinn of Chicago fame, the great American bike company that everyone grew up with? Yeah, they don’t exist anymore. Somewhere in the quest for money and world domination, they sold more than their souls. So from a historical standpoint, this is a monumental year for the name. From a ’should I buy one standpoint?’ no, no you shouldn’t buy a Schwinn, you should buy a bike made by Richard Schwinn. And that’d be a Waterford.

Schwinn is not celebrating its 75th anniversary. The Paramount however, is. And its the first American made frame in, uh, decades. Two and a half of them to be exact. That frame is the one made by Mr Richard Schwinn, who happens to run Waterford and Gunnar. Its pretty and a piece of history. But not a bike we need.

Women’s Clothes!
All of our women’s clothing is 40% off. Now’s a good time to get some new jerseys, shorts, gloves, jackets and the like. Socks and shoes not included. Obviously, in stock only. Come on in ans try em on. Sale stuff like this is final.

Interbike…
Some day, we will get tired of talking about Interbike, but not yet. I had promised more commentary and reviews of stuff we liked, and that may be all well and good, but Jason also pointed out that this needs to be timely, and if we don’t talk about it now, it’ll be January before we’re done talking about new bikes. So without further ado, everyone else’s picks and then maybe some of the stuff that missed the mark.

Feel free to disagree with that last part. Actually, feel free to disagree always, at least with the opinion part of stuff.

Jason says:
Best Road Bike: Cannondale SuperSix. It’s light, stiff through the bottom bracket, responsive, and yet, won’t beat you up over Michigan roads, unlike a lot of other manufacturers who are making bikes too stiff for our roads.

Best Mountain Bike: Giant Trance XO. It’s super efficient, fast, light and has lots of travel. The Trance XO also sports the new 15mm QR standard. Yes, we admit, we thought it was a ploy. But Jason swears it tracks far better, its stiffer and its not just another QR standard.

One thing to take home: Campagnolo Super Record 11. With redesigned levers that are even more comfortable than the already super friendly Campy levers, Super Record 11 is really the next great grouppo. Who needs electronic shifting when you have 11 gears that run like butter?

Travis’ Picks

Best Mountain Bike: Kona Coilair

One Thing to take home: Truvativ HammerSchmidt. That’s a mouth full. What is it? Front derailleurs have long been the bane of lots of people’s existence. The are the first thing to go in search of less hassle, especially on a mountain bike. Well, Truvativ, as they say ‘Powered by SRAM,’ knows that. And they went in search of a better way to get two gears in the front, without all the moving parts. The HammerSchmidt has two planetary gears, like a three speed hub and works with an X-type SRAM shifter. The best part, like those three speeds, dirt, mud, muck and what not are no match for it.

My Picks. (Me being Liz.)
So, I missed Demo Days. I didn’t get to ride anything while in Vegas. I’m ok with that. Heat and dry and me didn’t get along last time anyway. So this is all the stuff I thought looked cool. And the Minxy, I’d take home in a heartbeat.

One thing to take home: Kona Minxy. I’ve never wanted a full suspension mountain bike. I have a Kona Lava Dome and I love it. But I’d take up mountain biking worthy of this bike if someone would give me a Minxy. Its a women’s specific frame. And I’m ok with that. Its not painted pink, purple, or any other unfortunate color. Its black with a nice angry looking tiger on the head and down tubes. It looks cool. I’m sure, since its a Kona and well, this is what they do, it would be perfect for the kind of riding I’m admittedly a little scared to try. But now, I really want to try it, and that’s probably the biggest hurdle to get over.

From Interbike 2008

Coolest Bike I didn’t pick to take home: That would be a tie between the Kona Kapu and the Bianchi Dolomiti. I have a soft spot for steel. I’ve never had the joy of owning a lugged steel road frame, but there is yet hope. Both the Kapu and the Dolomiti are lugged steel. And despite swearing I’d never own another yellow bike, the Kapu is growing on me. Celeste was also a color I’d really never planned on owning, but there’s something about a Campy equipped lugged steel frame that’s just perfect.

From Interbike 2008

From Interbike 2008

What really happens in Vegas.
Vegas is not necessarily where we’d choose to hold Interbike, given the chance. But, no one can come up with a better idea, and the show signed another five year contract with the Sands, so for the foreseeable future, Interbike will be in Vegas. None of us really gamble, but there’s plenty of other things we can get into. And fortunately or unfortunately, there’s usually photographic evidence.

From What really happens in Vegas

From What really happens in Vegas

From What really happens in Vegas

From What really happens in Vegas