Comments for Braun's Bicycle Blog http://blog.brauns.com ... courtesy of Braun's is Bicycles Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:08:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on Speed Factory – Making friends with Kurt will make you faster this winter by Winston http://blog.brauns.com/2012/01/30/speed-factory-making-friends-with-kurt-will-make-you-faster-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-2380 Winston Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:08:28 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4926#comment-2380 We're going to get one set up and we'll post how it works with the Speed Factory training protocols. Cheap, accurate power measurement is key to more people being able to train effectively. We’re going to get one set up and we’ll post how it works with the Speed Factory training protocols. Cheap, accurate power measurement is key to more people being able to train effectively.

]]> Comment on Speed Factory – Making friends with Kurt will make you faster this winter by Robert Emrich http://blog.brauns.com/2012/01/30/speed-factory-making-friends-with-kurt-will-make-you-faster-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-2361 Robert Emrich Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:12:03 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4926#comment-2361 I just signed up the other day. If you have a modern wireless computer that uses the ANT+ protocol (most Garmin products), you need an ANT+ receiver USB dongle. Even if you don't have a computer, grab an ANT+ speed/cadence sensor and the dongle and for ~75 you have power based training and a nice interface! I just signed up the other day.

If you have a modern wireless computer that uses the ANT+ protocol (most Garmin products), you need an ANT+ receiver USB dongle.

Even if you don’t have a computer, grab an ANT+ speed/cadence sensor and the dongle and for ~75 you have power based training and a nice interface!

]]> Comment on Speed Factory – Making friends with Kurt will make you faster this winter by Winston http://blog.brauns.com/2012/01/30/speed-factory-making-friends-with-kurt-will-make-you-faster-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-2344 Winston Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:43:13 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4926#comment-2344 Luke I've been to their website but how do you tie in the speed reading to the computer? I couldn't find out what hardware was needed to make this work. I love the idea but I'm not clear how to make it work. It says you can use an ant+ speed sensor but do they have a receiver that hooks into your computer? Luke

I’ve been to their website but how do you tie in the speed reading to the computer? I couldn’t find out what hardware was needed to make this work. I love the idea but I’m not clear how to make it work. It says you can use an ant+ speed sensor but do they have a receiver that hooks into your computer?

]]> Comment on Speed Factory – Making friends with Kurt will make you faster this winter by Luke Ehgoetz http://blog.brauns.com/2012/01/30/speed-factory-making-friends-with-kurt-will-make-you-faster-this-winter/comment-page-1/#comment-2343 Luke Ehgoetz Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:17:50 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4926#comment-2343 And something even better than this is to use TrainerRoad software. www.trainerroad.com And something even better than this is to use TrainerRoad software. http://www.trainerroad.com

]]> Comment on Bike Review – 2012 Rocky Mountain Element 950 29″er by Winston http://blog.brauns.com/2011/09/27/bike-review-2012-rocky-mountain-element-950-29er/comment-page-1/#comment-2285 Winston Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:45:32 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4269#comment-2285 That's what I liked about the Element 950. I rode it back to back with the 70 msl and found the ride very similiar. I could flick it through the twisties but had the advantage of the big wheels on the climbs and going through roots and rocks. The 950 has a higher bottom bracket so I didn't bang my pedals into the ground which I did on the MSL. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have more questions. Winston That’s what I liked about the Element 950. I rode it back to back with the 70 msl and found the ride very similiar. I could flick it through the twisties but had the advantage of the big wheels on the climbs and going through roots and rocks. The 950 has a higher bottom bracket so I didn’t bang my pedals into the ground which I did on the MSL.

Hope that helps. Let me know if you have more questions.

Winston

]]> Comment on Bike Review – 2012 Rocky Mountain Element 950 29″er by John http://blog.brauns.com/2011/09/27/bike-review-2012-rocky-mountain-element-950-29er/comment-page-1/#comment-2284 John Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:30:38 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4269#comment-2284 Winston, thanks for the great write up. I'm thinking of making this my next ride or going back to 26" on the 70 msl element. Maybe you could help me out? Currently I'm on a big mama but I just borrowed a friend's mach 4 and miss the playfulness of the 26" wheel. I've always ridden with a lot of body english and miss that on my big wheel bike. Does the element 29ers lend itself to being thrown around out on the trails or is that more an issue of the bigger wheels gyroscopic effect? Thanks man. I hope to hear from you. Winston, thanks for the great write up. I’m thinking of making this my next ride or going back to 26″ on the 70 msl element. Maybe you could help me out?

Currently I’m on a big mama but I just borrowed a friend’s mach 4 and miss the playfulness of the 26″ wheel. I’ve always ridden with a lot of body english and miss that on my big wheel bike. Does the element 29ers lend itself to being thrown around out on the trails or is that more an issue of the bigger wheels gyroscopic effect? Thanks man. I hope to hear from you.

]]> Comment on 5 Easy Ways to Make Your Bike Ride Like New by Winston http://blog.brauns.com/2012/01/16/5-easy-ways-to-make-your-bike-ride-like-new-2/comment-page-1/#comment-2197 Winston Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:22:51 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4894#comment-2197 Recycling is important. Recycling is important.

]]> Comment on 5 Easy Ways to Make Your Bike Ride Like New by Graham http://blog.brauns.com/2012/01/16/5-easy-ways-to-make-your-bike-ride-like-new-2/comment-page-1/#comment-2183 Graham Tue, 17 Jan 2012 01:58:08 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4894#comment-2183 A good useful post (even if it's a repost from a few months ago). Thanks (more like this one!) A good useful post (even if it’s a repost from a few months ago).

Thanks (more like this one!)

]]> Comment on How to Be a Better Hill Climber by darcy http://blog.brauns.com/2011/12/02/how-to-be-a-better-hill-climber/comment-page-1/#comment-1859 darcy Mon, 26 Dec 2011 14:10:19 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4768#comment-1859 Grand Ridge, Beke Road and Shep's Subdivision are 3 good hills that tie in nicely with W. River Road. Grand Ridge, Beke Road and Shep’s Subdivision are 3 good hills that tie in nicely with W. River Road.

]]> Comment on How to Be a Better Hill Climber by Winston http://blog.brauns.com/2011/12/02/how-to-be-a-better-hill-climber/comment-page-1/#comment-1784 Winston Mon, 12 Dec 2011 19:55:12 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4768#comment-1784 I'm from Cambridge so we use the following hills regularly in training. - West River Road south of Cambridge. Good long one from river level to the top of the valley. - Watson Road south of the 401. This is south of Guelph. - Chicopee ski hill. Great for off road hill climb training. - Cheese Factory Road south of Cambridge. Lots of rolling hills that lead into others. - St. George area. German School road and harrisberg road have good climbs. - Fountain st. up from Preston. Busy intersection but one of the toughest climbs in the area. Someone else chime in on Waterloo hills. I know there are good hills up Hawksville road area but I've only ridden them a few times. I’m from Cambridge so we use the following hills regularly in training.
- West River Road south of Cambridge. Good long one from river level to the top of the valley.
- Watson Road south of the 401. This is south of Guelph.
- Chicopee ski hill. Great for off road hill climb training.
- Cheese Factory Road south of Cambridge. Lots of rolling hills that lead into others.
- St. George area. German School road and harrisberg road have good climbs.
- Fountain st. up from Preston. Busy intersection but one of the toughest climbs in the area.

Someone else chime in on Waterloo hills. I know there are good hills up Hawksville road area but I’ve only ridden them a few times.

]]> Comment on Winter is here, Time for an Indoor Bike Trainer by Winston http://blog.brauns.com/2011/12/09/winter-is-here-time-for-an-indoor-bike-trainer/comment-page-1/#comment-1772 Winston Sat, 10 Dec 2011 20:10:03 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4773#comment-1772 Graham Over the years we've been involved in a lot of advocacy programs but there is only so much energy. We're moving two of our locations and working on a fourth so over the last while we haven't been as vocal but we will again. I ride all winter myself and if you are from this area you will note that there have been a lot of improvements over the last 10 years. It's the sad part of regional politics that nothing happens quickly. Keep flying the flag and get involved any way you can. The move to more cycling friendly communities is a life long fight. Winston Graham

Over the years we’ve been involved in a lot of advocacy programs but there is only so much energy. We’re moving two of our locations and working on a fourth so over the last while we haven’t been as vocal but we will again.

I ride all winter myself and if you are from this area you will note that there have been a lot of improvements over the last 10 years. It’s the sad part of regional politics that nothing happens quickly.

Keep flying the flag and get involved any way you can. The move to more cycling friendly communities is a life long fight.

Winston

]]> Comment on Winter is here, Time for an Indoor Bike Trainer by Graham http://blog.brauns.com/2011/12/09/winter-is-here-time-for-an-indoor-bike-trainer/comment-page-1/#comment-1762 Graham Sat, 10 Dec 2011 01:47:18 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4773#comment-1762 Comon' you guys need to open your eyes. Lots of winter cyclist's here in Waterloo region. Is there a reason Braun's doesn't have a voice for regional infrastructure improvements for cyclists? You guys (and the rest of the bike stores) are pretty silent. Comon’ you guys need to open your eyes. Lots of winter cyclist’s here in Waterloo region.

Is there a reason Braun’s doesn’t have a voice for regional infrastructure improvements for cyclists?

You guys (and the rest of the bike stores) are pretty silent.

]]> Comment on How to Be a Better Hill Climber by Graham http://blog.brauns.com/2011/12/02/how-to-be-a-better-hill-climber/comment-page-1/#comment-1711 Graham Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:38:44 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4768#comment-1711 So what are the best hills in the region? So what are the best hills in the region?

]]> Comment on Braun’s Guelph is now open on Woodlawn Road by peter wilson http://blog.brauns.com/2011/11/28/brauns-guelph-is-now-open-on-woodlawn/comment-page-1/#comment-1687 peter wilson Tue, 29 Nov 2011 07:50:19 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4758#comment-1687 it looks like I will be going to the new guelph brauns store on dec3 by bicycle waterloo to guelph I will see how the road works with bicycles I will be taking photos of the store and the road it looks like I will be going to the new guelph brauns store on dec3 by bicycle
waterloo to guelph
I will see how the road works with bicycles
I will be taking photos of the store and the road

]]> Comment on Braun’s Guelph is now open on Woodlawn Road by Winston http://blog.brauns.com/2011/11/28/brauns-guelph-is-now-open-on-woodlawn/comment-page-1/#comment-1686 Winston Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:37:24 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4758#comment-1686 While we liked the downtown location for being bike friendly, most of our customers drive in and have complained for years about parking. We're hoping the new location doesn't turn off people coming by bike. We'll keep people posted how it works out. While we liked the downtown location for being bike friendly, most of our customers drive in and have complained for years about parking. We’re hoping the new location doesn’t turn off people coming by bike.

We’ll keep people posted how it works out.

]]> Comment on Braun’s Guelph is now open on Woodlawn Road by Graham http://blog.brauns.com/2011/11/28/brauns-guelph-is-now-open-on-woodlawn/comment-page-1/#comment-1684 Graham Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:08:26 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4758#comment-1684 What's the rationale on the location change? The new location doesn't seem very friendly to bicycles. Where as your previous Guelph location was that in spades. Just asking :) What’s the rationale on the location change? The new location doesn’t seem very friendly to bicycles. Where as your previous Guelph location was that in spades.

Just asking :)

]]> Comment on Ministry of Transportation-Safety information for Bicycles and E-Bikes by Wolf Braun http://blog.brauns.com/2010/07/19/ministry-of-transportation-safety-information-for-bicycles-and-e-bikes/comment-page-1/#comment-1683 Wolf Braun Mon, 28 Nov 2011 20:10:09 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=1676#comment-1683 Are there any regulations concerning alcohol with ebikes OR are they same as with cars? If I ride my ebike and visit wineries in Niagara do I take the same precautions as with a car? Are the rules for alcohol the same as for standard bikes as well? Are there any regulations concerning alcohol with ebikes OR are they same as with cars?

If I ride my ebike and visit wineries in Niagara do I take the same precautions as with a car?

Are the rules for alcohol the same as for standard bikes as well?

]]> Comment on Kurt Kinetics Power Training Package by Jon Friesen http://blog.brauns.com/2011/11/25/kurt-kinetics-power-training-package/comment-page-1/#comment-1666 Jon Friesen Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:08:09 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4530#comment-1666 I love my Kurt Road Machine with my computer. It really helps me train and gives me a benchmark to aim for. What an awesome training tool and well worth the money!!! Don't think, just buy this deal! You won't be sorry!! I love my Kurt Road Machine with my computer. It really helps me train and gives me a benchmark to aim for. What an awesome training tool and well worth the money!!! Don’t think, just buy this deal! You won’t be sorry!!

]]> Comment on Kurt Kinetics Power Training Package by Winston http://blog.brauns.com/2011/11/25/kurt-kinetics-power-training-package/comment-page-1/#comment-1664 Winston Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:15:32 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4530#comment-1664 Thanks for the link. They need to be more clear on what computer you need to make it work. Digging around it seems that only the Garmin is supported. Thanks for the link. They need to be more clear on what computer you need to make it work. Digging around it seems that only the Garmin is supported.

]]> Comment on Kurt Kinetics Power Training Package by Luke Ehgoetz http://blog.brauns.com/2011/11/25/kurt-kinetics-power-training-package/comment-page-1/#comment-1663 Luke Ehgoetz Fri, 25 Nov 2011 14:41:47 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4530#comment-1663 The KK trainer is one of the best out there for sure, but I'd highly recommend going with an amazing program called Trainer Road which uses the same concept as the KK computer to give you power data, but in a significantly more user friendly and useful format. Check them out at www.trainerroad.com The KK trainer is one of the best out there for sure, but I’d highly recommend going with an amazing program called Trainer Road which uses the same concept as the KK computer to give you power data, but in a significantly more user friendly and useful format. Check them out at http://www.trainerroad.com

]]> Comment on Bike Review – 2012 Rocky Mountain Element 950 29″er by Winston http://blog.brauns.com/2011/09/27/bike-review-2012-rocky-mountain-element-950-29er/comment-page-1/#comment-1655 Winston Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:13:41 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4269#comment-1655 I'm 5'8" and rode the 17". What I liked about the shorter travel fork is it dropped the front end so the bar was lower. I could have done the same thing with stem and bar but wasn't going to do that on a demo ride. Adjusting the fork was an easy way to adjust the fit. The handling was a tad quicker at the low setting as well making for a very lively ride without sacrificing stability. Hope that helps Win I’m 5’8″ and rode the 17″. What I liked about the shorter travel fork is it dropped the front end so the bar was lower. I could have done the same thing with stem and bar but wasn’t going to do that on a demo ride. Adjusting the fork was an easy way to adjust the fit. The handling was a tad quicker at the low setting as well making for a very lively ride without sacrificing stability.

Hope that helps

Win

]]> Comment on Bike Review – 2012 Rocky Mountain Element 950 29″er by Wade holiday http://blog.brauns.com/2011/09/27/bike-review-2012-rocky-mountain-element-950-29er/comment-page-1/#comment-1635 Wade holiday Sat, 19 Nov 2011 19:14:51 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=4269#comment-1635 Hi There, nice review. you mentioned you liked the travel at the low point. i'm very interested in this bike, and am debating the 950 to the 970, and was concerned that most reviews were of the 950 w/ the 120mm fork while hte 970 has the 100. i like the other upgrades and weight of the 970. how tall are you? did you feel the bike was playful in the low setting? Thx for any thoughts. impossible to find demos yet. Cheers, Holiday Hi There,
nice review.
you mentioned you liked the travel at the low point. i’m very interested in this bike, and am debating the 950 to the 970, and was concerned that most reviews were of the 950 w/ the 120mm fork while hte 970 has the 100. i like the other upgrades and weight of the 970.
how tall are you?
did you feel the bike was playful in the low setting?

Thx for any thoughts. impossible to find demos yet.
Cheers,
Holiday

]]> Comment on Rotor Q-Rings Elliptical Chainrings – Do They Make You Faster? by Dan H http://blog.brauns.com/2011/07/07/rotor-q-rings-elliptical-chainrings-do-they-make-you-faster/comment-page-1/#comment-1624 Dan H Thu, 17 Nov 2011 15:25:03 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=3914#comment-1624 The only Shimano Cranks you have to OCP 3 rings to are the compact versions..... I've installed non OCP rings onto 7900 & 6700 cranks. I've trained and raced on Rotor Q's (aero 53/39's) this year and have found them to be great. My knees have suffered less than they used to with round rings, this was the reason for trying them despite my pedalling being pretty smooth. They are not cheap, but for me the investment has been well worthwhile. The only Shimano Cranks you have to OCP 3 rings to are the compact versions….. I’ve installed non OCP rings onto 7900 & 6700 cranks.

I’ve trained and raced on Rotor Q’s (aero 53/39′s) this year and have found them to be great. My knees have suffered less than they used to with round rings, this was the reason for trying them despite my pedalling being pretty smooth.

They are not cheap, but for me the investment has been well worthwhile.

]]> Comment on Rotor Q-Rings Elliptical Chainrings – Do They Make You Faster? by Winston http://blog.brauns.com/2011/07/07/rotor-q-rings-elliptical-chainrings-do-they-make-you-faster/comment-page-1/#comment-1616 Winston Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:00:27 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=3914#comment-1616 The biggest thing I have found is less fatigue later in a ride. I don't pedal squares when I'm tired with the Rotor Rings. The biggest thing I have found is less fatigue later in a ride. I don’t pedal squares when I’m tired with the Rotor Rings.

]]> Comment on Rotor Q-Rings Elliptical Chainrings – Do They Make You Faster? by Rich http://blog.brauns.com/2011/07/07/rotor-q-rings-elliptical-chainrings-do-they-make-you-faster/comment-page-1/#comment-1614 Rich Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:47:28 +0000 http://blog.brauns.com/?p=3914#comment-1614 I found them to be a bit of a farce to be honest - if your pedal stroke is already quite smooth there's really no benefit. They certainly don't make you faster - that's more placebo effect than anything! I found them to be a bit of a farce to be honest – if your pedal stroke is already quite smooth there’s really no benefit.

They certainly don’t make you faster – that’s more placebo effect than anything!

]]>