Repair Classes!

When we originally scheduled repair classes, we figured both sessions would be on Tuesdays. Well, it turns out that Tuesdays’ have a prior commitment, and our January/February session has new dates:

January 15, 22, 29, and February 5.

Also, they have plenty of space, so if you’d still like to sign up, let us know!

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol4 no5

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol4 no5
Spring Has Sprung April, No, you can’t have your repair back tomorrow Edition.

Just a small note to say that, well, we told you so. Spring has finally landed in Michigan, and for once, we’re pretty sure it might stay awhile, at least until May rolls around and summer suddenly appears out of nowhere. Repairs are a little behind schedule. Actually a lot more behind schedule than we like, but well, there is a reason that throughout the long winter months we ask nicely, and repeatedly that everyone bring their repairs in while there’s still snow on the ground.

So, we’re about a week for turn around on repairs. But the sooner you bring it in, the sooner you’ll get it back. Just saying…

And, If you happen to have a bike that’s already here, and done, we’d really like for you to come pick it up, and uhm, help us make a little more space.
This Month’s Tip
Bring your bike in for repair while there’s still snow on the ground, and there’s a reasonable expectation of there being more snow before you get a chance to ride the bike.

Now that that’s over, on to the real advice for the month, small things to do to make the season better:

• Make sure your tires are properly aired up ever before every ride. We know it sounds like something we shouldn’t have to mention, but properly airing your tires does a world of good. Fewer flats, (the glass-and-pothole-induced-flats aren’t included in this because, well, that stuff just needs to be avoided), better ride, and more efficiency. Basically everything they tell you about your car tires, sort of applies to bike tires.
• In the same vein, wear a helmet. Something like an 85% reduction in head injuries just from wearing a helmet. Helmets, however are not a license to do stupid sh*t..
• Lube your chain when it needs it, like if its making noise, or looking like you might be able to enter it in the “most rusted” contest. We use T-9 from Boesheild. Its waxy and doesn’t build up the way some of its competitors do. *cough*white lightning*cough* If you are going to lube your chain, with T-9, spray or drip it on, wait at least two hours, and wipe the excess off. Voila. Well lubed chain.
• Bring a multi tool, patch kit and/or new tube, tire levers and some sort of inflationary device with you. Just because you never know what you might run into, literally and figuratively, on a ride.

News and Notes
In 2007 the League of Michigan Bicyclists asked cyclists about both their impression of the LMB and how well (or possibly not) they were doing with bicycle advocacy and at the same time, asked what bike shops the preferred. Well, we’re happy to announce that we’ve been named one of the LMB’s Consumer’s Choice Bike Shop for 2007. Makes us happy. We love winning awards for doing what we do, but getting a consumer award, instead of an industry one rocks! So we wanted to say thanks for thinking of us as your bike shop, and if the LMB asks again this year, vote for us again! Thanks for making us your bike shop.