Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol5 no8

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol5 no8

August, What’s up with this weather? (again) Edition

This edition of the Spoken Wrench is brought to you by the Spanner Wrench. Most of the time spanners are used to remove bottom bracket parts, especially the cups. Red Park spanner wrenches are used to take apart Cannondale Headshoks, to rebuild, service, or otherwise make your Headshok do its thing a little better. Green Park spanner wrenches can also be used to service some Mavic hubs. Spanners have a variety of important and interesting uses outside of bottom cups.

Closed Monday!

Seeing as Monday is a national holiday, and we’re closed for those, (bank holidays don’t count) we will be closed on monday, enjoying weather that we should have been having most of the summer, like warm and sunny. We’ll see you on Tuesday bright and early at 10AM.

Get Ready for Fall!

Fall in Michigan provides some of the best and most beautiful riding of the whole season. Gone are most of the threats of 90 degree heat and 90% humidity, and here are the clear days with low humidity and beautiful fall colour changes. If its been a while since you rode your bike, or maybe you rode it more than you expected this summer, bring it in and we’ll take care of what ever might ail your bike.

2010 You Say?

Every year about this time, we in the shop begin looking at, drooling over, and wishing for all the cool new stuff we’re seeing. It also means that what we have, what we can get, and what’s no longer available are constantly in flux. So here are a few of the things we think are especially cool.

Lefty’s for All!

Cannondale has long been doing things its own way. Long being, you know, since they first made an aluminum frame back before aluminum was cool (but after Klein). They brought us zero pivot, four-inch-travel Scalpels, BB30, and of course, the best reason they’re cool, Head Shoks. So, you own a great frame, but the new 3D forged Lefty looks great, its light, and has lots of travel, what’s a mountain biker to do?

Kona Magic Link

In the middle of 2008 Kona developed a new suspension design, called the Magic Link. They used it first on the Coil Air, a 7″ travel full suspension bike, and it did everything they wanted it to. There were some issues, it was heavy, and the back end had some tracking issues. But otherwise, the Magic Link allowed the Coil Air to morph between a 6.4″ and 7″ trail bike. For 2010 the Newly redesigned Magic Link moves behind the crank, (supports Truvativ’s Hammershmidt) looks much less like a squid is attacking your frame, and now allows for suspenssion that morphs from 5″ to 7.7″. It also shaves 2.6 pounds off the the bike. For more on what’s new at Kona, check out www.konaworld.com and for more on the Magic Link http://bikemag.com/gallery/kona-2010-magic-link-bikes/.

Sidi Shoe Sale

There is nothing better than a pair of bike shoes that fit well, are light weight, and on sale. If Sidi shoes have always been a little out of budget, or your old shoes are on their last legs, maybe now’s the time to get new ones? We’ve got limited sizes in some models, and less limited in others, and they won’t last too particularly long at 20% off. The sale applies to all in stock shoes, no special orders at sale prices.

Road Bike Sale!

Fall is the best time to ride in Michigan, still plenty of light and warm days, without the sweltering 90s that August served up. So, if a road bike is in your future, we’ve got an idea for you. We’re offering 15% off all in stock road bikes, and 10% off all special orders. (You’ve got to pre-pay your special order in full, up front, but you get 10% off.)

Light ‘N Motion Sale!

Lights are essential for riding anywhere in Michigan after dark. Not only is it a good idea, its state law.  In an effort to make law-abiding riding easier, and more fun, we’ve got all Light ‘N Motion lights on sale, 20% off.  So whether you’re looking for a better commuting light and want to see where you’re going, or you need a light for that epic, 24 hour race you’ve always wanted to do, we’ve got the lights for you.  (Valid on in stock lights only.  No Special Orders.)

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol5 no6

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol5 no6

May, National Bike Month!

This edition of the Spoken Wrench is brought to you by the Adjustable Wrench. They are pretty much what they say they are, adjustable open end wrenches, that are great for hitch rack installations, seat clamp bolts, and much more.

Ride Club

National Bike Month

-Ride to Work Week

-Gentleman and Ladies Commuter Challenge

-Best and Worst Commute Stories Contest

Repairs, and the (Bike) Doctor is in, or is he out?.

Steel its Real

Burley Rain gear!

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

• Xtreme Sports ID

• Jimi Wallets

• Bike Brakes

• Giant Defy Alliance

• Bellwether Hightech High-vis Vests

• EuroStyle Chamois Butt’r

• Cateye Computers

Ride Club

Many, if not all of you, will have seen the flyer we sent out, (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.

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.

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 functions 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 vol5 no3

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol5 no3

March, Spring Might really be here, Edition.

This edition of the Spoken Wrench is brought to you by the Spoke Wrench (haha, Probably should have started with the Spoke Wrench…). Sometimes we all need a little help with a wobbly wheel, and the best way to get it, is with a spoke wrench, in one of about 4 standard sizes if you’ve got pretty standard laced 3- or 4-cross wheels. If you’re wheels are sporting a bladed spoke, something even more exotic, or you’re running Mavic wheels, you might need a less standard spoke wrench. No matter what, if you\’d like to take a spoke wrench home with you, bring your wheel in, so we can see what size you need.

• Michigan Bike Summit!
• News and Notes
• Burley Rain Gear’s Here!
• Procrastination, or the Doctor is in.
• Spring and Mountain Bike Trails

Michigan Bike Summit

The LMB(link) is hosting their annual Bike Summit in Lansing. Its a great way to get involved and make Michigan a bike friendly place. Its on Saturday March 28^th, so we won’t be there, even though we’d kinda like to be. Here’s what Rich Moller, Executive Director of the LMB, has to say:

From: Rich Moeller

Subject: LMB Board: Michigan Bicycle Summit

Reply-To: Board@lmb.org

Time is running out to register for the 2009 Michigan Bicycle Summit. It will be on Saturday, March 28, 2009 in Lansing. Registration information is now online at: http://www.lmb.org/2009BikeSummit.pdf. This Summit is designed for you, the bicyclist. There is new momentum nationwide for bicycling with the new administration and the recognition that bicyclists are a legitimate road user. After the National Bicycle Summit last week, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, posted the following on his blog: “I am committed to investing in programs that encourage bikes to coexist with other modes and to safely share our roads and bridges.” I hope you will plan to come and share this momentum with other bicyclists from across Michigan.

Our goal for this year is 100. I/we need your help. Please distribute the attached notice to any list serve or Google group you may be on.

Encourage your friends and folks from your club to attend.

Thank you

Rich Moeller

LMB

National Bike Summit

“They have no beer in Washington.”

But they do have legislatures, Congress, the Senate, and lots of staff. And no place to park the Bike Doctor van. (which Randy found out the hard way.)

Despite having a hard time parking the van, Randy made the most of the Bike Summit, meeting with Michigan representatives to talk about how to get more federal funding for fixing our existing roads, adding bike lanes, supporting mountain biking, and just about anything else bike and legislation related.

For more advocacy related stuff, you’ll find a whole new section of the website dedicated to advocacy and ways you can get involved. (It’s HERE, and a work in progress.)

Just in time for Spring

We’ve got limited, and I stress the LIMITED part of this, Burley Rain Gear, at 30% off! Not a lot, and in some pretty limited sizes, but we’ve got it. Come and get some new rain gear while the getting’s good.

Procrastination, or The Doctor is In.

Well, I think it’s safe to say we’ve spent every winter for at least the past three years trying to convince people to bring their bikes in while the weather is cold and no one’s thinking about riding. But, because no one’s thinking about riding, they never do. Right now, repairs are a week out. So if you bring it in today, Thursday 19 March, we’ll get it back to you next Thursday, 26 March. And it won’t be long until it will be a little longer than a week for repairs….

So, perhaps, this is our way of saying, you have procrastinated too long if you want to your bike back tomorrow, or by this weekend.

Never fear, we’ve got more than one way to do repairs. If you don’t want to be without your bike for a week, perhaps, you should call Randy, the Bicycle Doctor, and have him come out and take a look at your bike. For more information give him a call or email him, bicycledoctor@sbcglobal.net.

Mountain Bikes and Spring Thaw

While we think its spring, the mountain bike trails around aren’t quite thawed. The trails are mostly thawed, but until they’re totally thawed and the ground and rain water have no place to go and the trails are especially susceptible to erosion. Here’s what the MMBA has to say:

Don’t give yourself or other mountain bikers a bad name by riding on trails during the spring thaw.

The recent warm weather may have melted the snow, but the sub-surface layers of soil are still partially frozen. Trails are critically sensitive to erosion damage at this time.

Please ride on pavement or gravel roads for a few more weeks, until the trails have properly thawed and dried out. A good rule of thumb is that when the earthworms begin to emerge, the ground is suitably thawed for trail activities (usually by mid-April).

Help us keep trails open to mountain biking by riding in an environmentally sound manner.

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol5 no2

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol5 no2

February, Really, Enough with the Winter, Edition. Please.

This edition of the Spoken Wrench is brought to you by the Torx Wrench. Not to be confused with the torque wrench, the Torx is a six sided driver designed to eliminate the rounded edges that wear out normal allen wrenches. The most common place to find a torx is on disc brakes, where you really want to make sure they’re not going anywhere. Usually, they drivers are found on larger multi tools, but sometimes that means giving up the pocket knife and bottle opener that get way more usage.

We’re Sick of Winter and Snow and Cold Sale!

We’re utterly done with winter. It could be done tomorrow, and that still wouldn’t be soon enough. But it won’t be, and we know that. (And winter and cold and freezing is good for the water levels in the Great Lakes, so its not all bad.) So we’re having a sale, on February 28th. A Gambler’s Sale. Do you like to gamble? Such a funny question coming from the girl who hates going to Vegas because it’s all casino’s and gambling, but this is so much more fun.

So here’s the details, its a progressive sale.

• From 10am to 12Noon, parts and accessories will be 15% off, and 08 and older bikes will be 10% off!
• From 12Noon to 2PM, parts and accessories will be 30% off, and 08 and older bikes will be 15% off.
• From 2PM to 4Pm, pats and accessories will be 40% off, and 08 and older bikes will be 20% off.
• From 4Pm to 5Pm, parts and accessories will be 50% off, and 08 and older bikes will be ?!?!% off! We’ll surprise you!

So here’s where the gamble comes in, you’ll save more later on, but we can’t say what will still be around come 4PM.

The NOT so Fine Print: ALL SALES ARE FINAL. All of em. Its on sale, and we’d really like you to keep it. 08 and older bikes are on sale. 09 are not. Parts and accessories means almost everything that’s not a bike. Labour’s not a part of that. Supplies are limited to what we have in the store, on hand, in stock. Special order stuff is not on sale. Any other questions? Call the shop and ask for Randy.

Repairs, Repairs, Repairs, They’re Everywhere.

We have returned to that time of year, when everyone is itching for whatever warmth we can find, and want to ride the minute it thaws and the snow’s gone, and the temperature is above freezing for more than a half an hour. So, bring your repair in now, while there might still be some snow on the ground, and before the MAD FIX MY BIKE NOW! rush starts. Please? Thanks.

Continental Bike Shop Presents The Spoken Wrench, vol5 no1

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol5 no1
January, is winter over yet? Edition.

This edition of the Spoken Wrench is brought to you by the Torque Wrench. Crank bolts, bottom bracket bolts, any bolt that has contact or clamps around a carbon surface, your wheel nuts… etc, use a torque wrench to tighten the bolt to spec, so nothing gets over tightened and cracks or some other such unpleasantness.

Advanced Repair Classes
If you’ve ever wanted to get down and dirty with your bike, in a much more detailed way than in the Basic Repair Class, we offer Advanced Repair Classes. The differences break down to the difference between a tune up and an overhaul, well, and you have to take the Basic Repair Class before you take the Advanced Repair class.

You’ll overhaul your bottom bracket, headset, hubs, replace a couple spokes, and a drive train clean. There’s not a whole lot you won’t be removing from your bike this time around.

Classes will run Thursday nights at 7PM, February 19th, 26th, March 5th, and 12th. Cost is $150 for 4 classes, and that covers the class and shop supplies, and us holding on to the pieces and parts that will rejoin your frame at a latter date. Like usual, a $50 deposit holds your spot. We’ve got room for 4-6 people… so if this is your cup of tea, or ball of wax, or… the bike related analogy fails me right now… let us know, and quick.

If you have any questions, please email us, liz@continentalbikeshop.com, or give us a call.

Closed February 9th.
We’ll be closed February 9th, its a Monday. Time for some shop bonding, a little training and general shop-ness. We’ll see you back on Tuesday February 10th.

‘Wrench ONLY Specials
Cannondale has a limited number of 2008 bikes left, and they’re on sale. Prices for 2009 have gone up substantially. And there’s a few bikes they’re not making any more. Ever wanted a Six-13, now’s the last time to get one. If any of these Cannondale’s look like something you’d be interested in, let us know.

The not so fine print: These are closeouts bikes, so they’re limited in number. Once they’re gone, they’re gone. Call to check availability. First come first serve. Must be paid for in full at the time of order. The full list of what they have is available.  It’s current as of Thursday January 29th.

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol4 no13

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol4 no13
Repair classes and one last Interbike moment, and things, edition.

This edition of the Spoken Wrench is brought to you by the letter ‘Y,’ for Yellow Jersey, young, youthful, yucky drive trains, snow yetis, and possibly others, but I’m almost to the end of the alphabet and you can bet we’ll find some other thing to start the newsletter with. These last few letters have been difficult to come up with.

Is your drive train yucky? Making noise? Grinding, or making other noises that make your riding buddies grimace and laugh behind your back? Perhaps its time for a drive train clean. They really do make everything better.

Repair Classes!
Randy’s take on Interbike
Call for slide shows!
Lights!
Women’s Clothing
Holidays and Stocking Stuffers.

Repair Classes
Right now we have two sessions scheduled, and if we get enough interest, we can always add more.

The first session runs November 11, 18, 25, and December 2.
The second session runs January 13, 20, 27, and February 3.

Classes are $125 and include 4 weeks and the Park Tool School Manual. They’re on Tuesdays at 7PM, and are approximately 2 to 3 hours long depending on how much everyone talks.
If you’d like to RSVP for a class, you can email me back, and I’ll put you on the list, or give us a call and we’ll put you on the list. Either way, in the fairly near future, we’ll be needing (at least) a $50 deposit to hold your spot. Which you can call in a credit card number for, or mail us a check. We’ll happily accept either.

If you have any further questions, let us know!

Randy’s take on Interbike
I can’t leave our fearless leader out of this, so the one thing that Randy wanted to bring home, followed by the things he really did bring home.

One thing: Randy’s all for the Bianchi Dolomiti. Why? Did you look at those beautiful lugs last time? It doesn’t hurt that Bianchi is known as a road bike company, celeste is their traditional colour, and its steel. As Randy put it, the bike is gorgeous, and he appreciates classic workmanship and unique design. He’s not big on the cookie cutter look a lot of bikes have. Nor, is he big on ipods.

Things he really did bring home:
Sometime in the middle of the summer, early summer maybe, earlier this year at least, we got new repair stand clamps. They’re yellow. We really like ‘em. They were custom painted for us by Bret Flemming of Efficient Velo Tools. Bret’s the service manager at Bike Gallery in Portland, OR. We see a lot of bikes come through here. They are in a league of their own, with six stores in the number one bike commuting city in the country. Bret makes tools because he got tired of crappy tools.

They’re designed with mechanics in mind, well thought out, and as Jason said, ’shop tools for shop guys.’ We’re expecting a new head set press, because the one we have, well,.we’ve met some frames lately that have too tall of a head tube to use it, a new wheel dishing gage, and new presta valve core removers. We’ve also got replacement Silca washers that never need to be replaced.

Call for Slide Shows
Every winter we try to have one or two, and sometimes three or more slide shows featuring some of the super cool places people ride. Frequently these are populated by whatever epic ride Dave did this past year. We’d like to get more slide shows, more rides, just more great bike things to do in the winter. So, if you’ve got photos and you’d like to tell us all about your ride, give us a call and talk to Randy, or email me back and we’ll set something up. I suppose, if you’ve got video, we can probably figure that one out too, we just need a little extra advance warning.

Slide shows around here usually involve slides, some talking, some eating, and some drinking, and make for a fun time all around.

Lights!
Try as I might to ignore the onset of fall, and the rapidly approaching end of Daylight Savings Time, it seems unavoidable that its getting darker earlier and faster and for longer amounts of time. To best combat this, you need a head light. (tail light too.) Light ‘N Motion is still our favorite with their Stella, Seca, and Vega lights. Vega’s are one piece, battery and light all in one. Stella’s range from the Double ‘EH’ which uses AA batteries, to the 200n with a long lasting rechargeable battery. Seca’s range from the very bright and long lasting to the less bright and long lasting. All of these are lights you can see by, not just to be seen and street legal, but especially in the fall and winter, being street legal means that cars can see you more than when their headlights hit your reflectors.

Women’s Clothing!
Women’s clothing is still 40% off, basically till its outta here. And there are signs now, and every one knows what’s going on. Shoes aren’t included. Gloves, jerseys, jackets, shorts, those are all included.

Holidays and Stocking Stuffers.
We at the shop, individually and collectively, collect pint glasses. We’re certain there must be others around who also collect pint glasses, or pilsners, or coffee mugs. If you know someone who likes bikes, collects or uses glasses and mugs and might like one, they make great presents. Also, before the holiday’s roll around, we will be entering the 20th century and getting gift cards. Actual plastic cards. We’ll let you know when they get here!!

That’s all for this edition of the Spoken Wrench. Here follows the legal mumbo Jumbo.

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol4 no11

Continental Bike Shop presents the Spoken Wrench vol4 no11
Post Interbike, Hot Hot Heat edition

This edition of the Spoken Wrench is brought to you by the letter “X” for Xtracylce, Time ATAC XE pedals, Shimano XTR and Deore XT. In 2007 XT celebrated its 25th anniversary, and it was almost spiffier than XTR, almost. All of SRAM’s mountain bike components are X-(something), X-5, X-7, X-9 and X-0. SRAM numbers them so that the higher the number, the better the stuff. So think of X-0 like its X-10. At least until they decide they need something better than X-0, and then, all bets are off with numbering.

Interbike in Review
Dave’s favorite
Cool Weather, Warm Clothes.
Teach a man to fish, and he will eat for life, or something…
Repairs. Again.

Interbike in Review
In case any one was wondering, it was freaking hot in Vegas while we were there. Hot and dry is completely different than hot and humid. And only better if you like it, and like feeling like the purpose of your existence is to give the air around you a little extra moisture.

The show however, was usually rather chilly. Better than not chilly in a giant convention center with thousands of your closest friends and associates. There was so much Interbike this year that none of us saw anywhere near all of it. But we’ve all got things we like best and think are cool, and then, the one thing we’d like to take home with us. Only one thing each makes us think. And wonder what exactly is the best thing we saw.

We’ll give a little of what we think was the best of Interbike in a couple of different categories in the next few Spoken Wrenches.

Dave’s Favorite.

In addition to this year being the 75th anniversary of Schwinn, and a Schwinn actually making the 75th anniversary frame, Waterford, Richard Schwinn’s frame company, created, because when you see this thing, ‘made’ just doesn’t do it justice, one of the most beautiful frames we’ve ever seen. Not much can do this frame justice, and even the pictures don’t really give you the full effect.

So without further ado, we give you the Waterford frame. One of the coolest and most beautiful frames of Interbike. Or, you know, ever.

Oh, and all those musical notes are 3-d raised metal work. And freaking awesome.

From Interbike 2008

From Interbike 2008

From Interbike 2008

Cool Weather, Warm Clothes.
Clothes make the rider. Well, maybe not entirely, but they will make the rider more comfortable, and warm enough to ride whatever the weather throws at you, and as we all know, in Michigan, what doesn’t it throw at us? So, arm warmers, tights, leg warmers, balaclavas (not reccomended for use while shopping at 7-11) and other goodies are here. Because riding’s great, frostbite’s not.

Give a man a fish and he’ll eat for a day, teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime… or something like that…(aka, profound thoughts on repair classes.)
I am aware that I’ve absconded with a fairly famous saying about fishing. But here’s how it works. If you can fish, you can feed yourself. If you learn to work on your bike, you can work on your bike. I know, the fish saying is more refined, but I’m not planning on being that profound right now.

Its beginning to look a lot like fall, and we’ve been thinking about repair classes. Specifically, how many of them we might need to run, whether we have enough interest to run a set of classes soon, and again in the new year. We’re pretty much open to any commentary you might have about repair classes.

Classes are $125 for six weeks and a Park Big Blue School Manual (or whatever they call it now). You work on your own bike, which we store for you during the class, since you’ll be pretty much tearing it down and putting it back together week by week.

If you’re interested in repair classes, email us and let us know these four things:
1.Your Name
2.Your phone number. The best one to reach you at to let you know more details.
3.Whether you’d prefer class now, in early 2009, or you don’t care?
4.How many people you’re RSVPing for? Just you, you and a friend? (its still $125 a person even if you RSVP for two.)

You can also give us a call and let us know you’re interested in repair classes. When we get more feed back, I’ll let you know what the plan is. Tentatively, we should have dates when we we send out the next Spoken Wrench. Maybe in about two weeks, so start thinking about repair classes. Please.

Repairs. For the record.
I know, this is by far the best riding season Michigan offers. Especially when Fall is actually Fall and not Indian Summer followed directly by WINTER. That doesn’t mean I’m not going to think about winter yet. For two reasons, one, as mentioned, clothes make the rider, and two, why not bring your bike in while we’re less busy, and get it back way faster than in the spring when everyone’s thinking about riding. All you have to do when the first nice day rolls around is put some air in those tires and ride! Pretty please? Some day, we might actually tire of reminding everyone that winter is the best repair season. But I kind of doubt it.