Hey everyone,

It has been a busy week at the shop and I have been helping my parents redo their deck, which, with our weather taking a turn for the better leaves me wishing I were out on the trails more. I figured I would offer some advice on how to get your bike back up and running if you happen to have chain problems on the trail.

To begin… as unfortunate as it is… everyone will break or damage a chain at some point in time.  In the case of mountain riding, too much tension on a climb, or catching a log while in the big ring can damage the chain and result in breakage or a stiff link. Not to worry, as both concerns can be resolved.  For the roadie type… an over exerted chain resulting from a missed shift or shifting error can cause similar problems.

-Seen above is an example of a stiff link that can be found in a chain (this will cause shifting and riding difficulties).

Follow these steps and your problems will be solved.

1.) To this problem there is one simple solution… get your rig back up and running at the side of the road without losing too much time off your ride.

2.) In order to resolve this problem you will need the following tools:

-A decent chain tool
-A quick link connecter
-Some patience (the latter of the three being the most important!)

3.) When you have a chain concern, your best option (be it road or mountain) is to pause your ride and stop where you can suspend your bike in an upright position:
-using the surroundings available, i.e. a tree, bench, guardrail, etc.
(This allows work to be more easily performed on the bicycle as it is upright and will function similar as to when you are riding it! (try not to work on your bike upside down.)

4.) Next, using your Park CT-3 (seen above) or similar tool, remove the stiff link, or fabricate two female ends to prep the installation of a quick link. This will allow the fastest, no issue install.
It is easiest to make these adjustments when the chain is not highly tensioned, so shifting the chain into the smallest rings (front and rear) will make it easier to repair the bike.

-When fixing a stiff or broken link it is important to remove the damaged portion (even if it makes the chain too short). This will help to ensure tensile strength in the chain.

5.) Check your regular riding  gears to ensure it will not cause any shifting problems and that you have removed any other stiff links.

*Note* For fixing broken chains: you are best to use a powerlink when your chain is new, however, pushing the pin on a link is better when your chain is aged. On those weekend trips up to the trails it never hurts to bring an extra chain along… just in case you have one of those days!

Until next time, keep your chain stressed, but not your nerves!

Bryan!

Hey everyone,

Hope you’ve all been enjoying our unseasonably wet spring!

It has been a busy week at the shop, and finding time to write these posts seems increasingly more difficult. The one thing on my side at the moment is all the (for the most part) unwanted rain we have been receiving in the past few weeks. For those who prefer not to ride in the rain… they may have to put the bike back on the hook and focus on indoor activities. However, for us devotees out there, there is a way to continue to enjoy riding, even when the weather is unfavorable.

Indoor Trainers and Rollers offer all the physical benefits and enjoyment of a ride, without having to leave the comfort of your own living room! Pictured above is an example of a Tacx rear wheel, fixed bicycle trainer. These styles of trainers attach to the quick release of your rear wheel, and a resistance roller is placed in contact with either, the running surface or sidewall of your tire. These trainers are great as they allow you to pedal the bicycle without having to maintain balance. They do require the use of a specially formulated trainer tire, which is designed for the repetitive contact on the running surface or sidewall and will not deform or fatigue as a result of the heat generated. These tires are available in both 26″ and 700c sizes. You will also need a riser block for the front wheel, as the trainer raises the back wheel off the ground. The riser blocks are available in varying heights and are adjustable so that climbs and descents can be simulated on the trainer. As a result of this unseasonably wet weather and being a respectful rider and not wanting to damage the trails, I elected to install my trainer tire back on one of my rigs in order to be able to enjoy cycling no matter the outside conditions.

Rollers (as mentioned earlier and seen in the above photo) work on a similar premise. However, the bike is not fixed to the rollers and the rider is responsible for maintaining balance on the bike. They provide a much more realistic riding experience but they do require far more concentration when using inside the home.

The best part about either style is that they allow you to maintain your regular riding schedule, no matter the weather conditions and do so in the comfort and convenience of your own home. I personally find setting up the trainer in view of a TV and catching part of a game, or throwing a movie on, is the best way to stay motivated. There are also simulation ride DVDs in a first person point of view which can be purchased in order to keep you even more involved in your exercise.

There are those times however, where there is nothing better then going out for a nice ride in the cool rain on a quiet afternoon and if the forcast is correct thats what my ride may end up being. Make sure you check out the trainers, but remember there is a lot of world out there… and you want to see as much of it as you can!

Until next time, make sure you stay on the rollers!

Bryan

Hey everyone,

It has been a long and rainy week, and I have not been able to enjoy as many rides as I normally do. This has allowed me to further appreciate my morning commutes into the shop and made me analyze the many different styles of bikes available and the different applications they are designed for.

In this post, I hope to identify and distinguish between the different bikes that are available and the applications and riding styles for which they are designed. This can be significant when looking at purchasing a bike or when determining if the bike you have is the correct one for you.

There are 4-6 different styles of bikes available depending on how you divide up the styles.  However, I will break them down into the 6 full categories to give you the best comparison between them.

First, there are what are known as Road bikes (see above): these bikes typically have 700C or 650C wheels and are designed with an attack geometry to favour speed, over comfort or functionality. These bikes are fully rigid and can be made of materials from Steel to Carbon Fibre. They are available in all component levels and can extend from recreational to race or competitive models. Road bikes are designed strictly for road riding as their narrow tires and low gearing range promote high levels of speed on back country roads or the track.

Second, there are devoted Mountain bikes (seen above): these bikes typically consist of wheel sizes from 26″ to 29″ and are designed for durability and speed for use off roads on technical trail sections. These bikes are available in rigid models, front suspension models and full suspension models, depending on your preference. Further, these bikes are available in all component levels and can extend from recreational or entry level models, to racing or endurance models. Mountain bikes are best for trail riding, as they have  knobby tires and a high gearing range to make clearing all obstacles a possibility.

The third style of bicycle is known as Hybrid bikes (seen above): these bikes typically consist of a 700c wheel size, but are equipped with wider tires, and front suspension (to the riders preference) to make them more practical in multiple riding conditions. These bikes are very common for commuting as they are designed with gearing ratios for in city riding and can be equipped with internal gearing components to make them year round reliable transportation rigs.

The fourth style of bicycle is what`s known as a Cross Bike (seen above):  these bikes are designed with 700c wheels and road components, with gearing ratios to support on road riding  and speed. Similar to road bikes they are fully rigid. However, these bikes are considered cross bikes as a result of their ability to cross over into the mountain trails because of their design with re-inforced wheels and knobby tires which provide grip and control on single track trails. These bikes still have drop bars in a road bike fashion, yet they are equipped with mountain levers to offer better control in multiple riding conditions.

The fifth style of bicycle available is what is known as Comfort Bikes (seen above): these bikes are designed typically with 26` wheels and large volume tires to make the ride as smooth as possible. These bikes are typically designed with front suspension and suspension seat posts to make the ride as smooth and enjoyable as possible for the user. These styles of bikes are currently designed for style as well as function with step-through frames for women, and wooden racks and fenders for style.

The sixth style and final style of bicycle is actually a tricycle! These bikes are known as Adult Trikes (seen above): they are designed with wheel sizes from 20-26″ and are built with two rear wheels and a single front wheel to increase stability. These bikes are designed for light on road use, typically by the elderly or those who have trouble with balance or stability. These bikes have a relaxed riding position and can accommodate all styles of riders to make them multi-functional.

Now that I have discussed the Main styles of bicycles, it is your job to decipher which one best suits your riding style and how you intend to use the bicycle. If you are like myself, one bike will not fit all applications and you will end up with a garage full and have a different one for each day of the week, just like the clothes in your closet.

If you did not see a style of bicycle above that suits your needs, you may fit into a specific category that I did not discuss in this post. These styles of bikes are typically more unique and although widely used… are not as highly demanded as the others. If you have any questions about the styles of bikes I discussed, or what else is available from our retail stores, just ask me in a comment or contact either of our stores!

As always… I hope to see you out there and remember to be careful when riding!

Bryan

Hey everyone!

Now I know that I am supposed to be discussing bike service techniques, and advice on how to get the most out of your bike components. However there are all these topics that I feel are crucial in order for everyone to enjoy riding even more! Once I knock the main ones off the list, I will discuss more service topics, and filter in my professional experience.

Today’s post is all about how to transport your bike!! Now… no matter what type of bike you have, or what vehicle your driving, there is a right and wrong way to transport your ride and I’m here to help you find the best way to move yours.

As always, we will begin with the basics and go from there…

You can either transport your bike inside your vehicle or on the outside. The preferred method is on the outside of the vehicle, as it helps to keep mud and water from damaging the interior of your vehicle, and it helps to keep from damaging the bicycles components.

However, if you must transport your bicycle inside the vehicle, do so with the drivetrain components facing upwards, and be sure to prepare the vehicles interior (with a blanket, or rug) to protect it.

The preferred way to transport your rig is on the outside using one of various styles of bicycle auto racks. In this category, there are three different styles: first, trunk mount racks, second, hitch mounted racks and finally roof mounted bicycle racks. All of which have benefits, and are preferrable for different styles.

Trunk Mounted racks, such as the Saris Bones 3 Rack (seen above) are an excellent option for people who occasionally transport recreational style bicycles, on multiple vehicles. The versatility of a trunk mounted rack is that it allows for use on multiple vehicles, and can be adjusted to fit vehicles of almost every style. Trunk mounted racks are capable of carrying anywhere from 1 to 4 bikes that are able to be mounted by the frame.
That is where trunk mounted racks are limited, as they require the frame to be hung onto the rack for transport, and will not accommodate small frame sizes, step through frames, downhill frames, or freeride bikes. Further, it is important to remember that the weight of the bicycles is being carried by the trunk lid, and transporting too many heavy bicycles in this manner can cause damage to the vehicle.

The next possibility for transport is to use a hitch mounted rack. These types of racks mount into the receiver on the vehicle and can carry bikes in either a hanging or platform fashion. The latter of which being the preferred, as it allows almost all styles of bicycles to be transported. A rack such as the Thule T2platform rack is compatible with both 1 1/4″ and 2″ receivers, and can transport from 2 to 4 bikes on a platform. The rack does not make contact with the frame, and secures the bikes using the wheels. This allows it to transport bikes with wheel sizes from 20-29″and any style of frame (from road to downhill). The platform style rack is also lockable, both the rack to the hitch, and the bikes to the rack, which allows you to ensure that your bikes are secure. There are few limitations to these racks, aside from the requirement of having a hitch.

The final style of rack which is good for securely transporting your rig is roof mounted racks. In this case, load bars are attached to the vehicles factory roof rack, or an aftermarket Thule fit kit is added to the vehicle to make almost any vehicle compatible with a roof style bike rack. Bikes mounted onto Thule load bars can be done so in either a fork mounted or upright position. The roof rack method of transport offers a variety of options, and many different units can be used together in an effort to transport a variety of bikes at one time. Fork mounted racks do not make contact with the bicycles frame, and mount to the fork and rear wheel. These racks are excellent as they do not contact the frame, but are not compatible with 20mm axles (found on downhill, dirt jumping, and freeride bikes). Upright racks can either attach to the frame, or can hold the bike via the wheels (an example is the Thule Sidearm Rack).

It is important to consider all factors when determining which style of rack is best for you. A key consideration is if you tow a trailer when transporting bikes (as this directs you towards a roof transport style rack) or if you constantly need to access the hatch of your vehicle…

Any of our sales associates at Braun’s Kitchener or Guelph locations can help to find the perfect rack for all your transport needs. Feel free to drop by the store, and we can further explain all the options to you!

Take care, and until next time, be sure to double check the straps!

Bryan

Hey everyone,

As I was preparing my gear for a ride earlier this week, I began to think… what an awesome topic to touch on as there are so many scenarios to consider when preparing your gear!  Quite often people ride with either far too much gear, or far too little.  Both of which can greatly impact your safety and the enjoyment of your ride!

For this post I will discuss the necessary items for both road and trail rides and help to make sure you have all the essential items. I will break things down into two separate lists, as some of the gear overlaps, but many items differ depending on genre of riding.

Let’s begin with the basics, as these topics will apply to both road and mountain riding. You need a helmet, no questions asked… they are called accidents for a reason!  Depending on the length of your ride, you will want water accordingly. This can be carried in either a CAMELBAK, (more mountain) or in bottles mounted to the frame (more road). (It is important to note that when using camelbaks you only take as much water as you will need, it can be tempting to simply fill the bladder.) Second, you should consider nutrition.  Hammer Gels (make sure you check out Pats post on them!) or granola bars serve as sources of energy when you begin to slow down. Packing food should once again be based on the duration and intensity of your ride.

The gear list for trail riders is all based on the premise that things can and will go wrong.  While preparing for my last ride, I debated if I needed my chain tool (as it was quite warm and boy did I want to squeeze in that Gatorade bottle) but I was glad I fit that tool in!  On one of the last challenging climbs at Puslinch, I snapped my chain, and was glad I had my chain tool to get my rig up and running again. For reasons such as this, you want to ensure you have the right tools and spare parts to fix problems that may arise. My recommendation is a quality multi-tool, such as the Park Rescue Tool MTB-3C. Tools such as this and other multi-tools provide all the necessities you will need to make adjustments and repairs while on your ride.  If you do not have a multi tool, you will want to pack a 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8mm hex wrenches, a #2 philips screwdriver, a slot screwdriver, a chain tool, tire levers, a three way spoke wrench and 8, 9 and 10mm open wrenches. The final things to pack include a quick link, a spare tube (as the tire levers are no good without it), a high capacity pump, and a patch kit (just in case you have a really unlucky day!)  This list is crucial, as having the right tools can really get you out of a jam and all this can be carried in your CAMELBAK or in your seat bag… that one, is up to you.

For road riders, it is somewhat reassuring that there is less that can potentially go wrong, and therefore, the amount of gear you need to carry is smaller. The likeliness of needing a chain tool, or spoke wrenches is far smaller while riding on the road. The gear list can still include a multi tool, but a more simplistic one may serve more practical for you. Regardless, when heading out for a road ride, you will want to carry 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6mm hex wrenches, a Philips and flat head screw driver, tire levers, Park GP-2 Super Patch Kit and a compact pump.

Ensuring you have the right gear packed can make the difference between an enjoyable ride and a long walk back to the car.  A few questionable items include gloves (as these can be used to your preference) and your cell phone. Although I would not recommend texting and riding, being able to contact the appropriate services can  be very important in case you are stranded due to a blow out or a serious situation is to arise.  I made good use of mine on a road adventure last fall when I had to call a friend to rescue me from a violent thunderstorm about 10km north of Aurora.

Is there anything you take on your rides that you would like to recommend?  What about things you have found you don’t need?

As for me, it’s about time I get ready for my ride into the shop. Let’s hope it’s smooth sailing and a flat free morning!

Until next time… Keep your pack light, but take the gear you need!

Bryan

How’s it goin EH ?  First off, let me just get this off my chest GO CANADA GO!!  Today was a great day to be Canadian.  Canada and Canadian Olympic athletes had a smashing day taking home 3 Gold and 1 Bronze Medal.  This, after an incredible win in Ladies Hockey yesterday and the list just goes on.  This brings Canada to 14 Gold medals total, which is the most of any competing country right now!

Well to say the least, I was inspired to share my jubilance with everyone and tie it into my first product post.  I looked around the shop today for something to fit the bill and one thing stood out in all it’s circa 1990′s anodized glory! The Lezyne Alloy Drive Pump in four catchy colors.  Of course, the two that stood out the most was, you guessed it… Red and Gold!!!!!!

For those not familiar with Lezyne, they are a relatively new company in name but certainly not in design experience.  The company was founded by Micki Kozuscheck who was the founder and  point man for Truvativ before it was sold to SRAM.

As I mentioned, the Alloy Drive boasts 4 silky anodized color options which just scream PICK ME UP!  to any cyclist but it’s when you actually touch the pump that you notice it’s seemingly bomb proof construction.  The pump is entirely, 100 % CNC machined aluminum construction.  For us mountain bikers that means you can shove it in a jersey or camelbak and not have to worry about it being banged up from a few stray branches, or day I say an  all inclusive vacation over your handlebars.

The Alloy Drive is wider barrel, lower volume pump and will get you to a max pressure of 90 PSI which means it’s mainly directed towards the mountain bike, hybrid, comfort bike crowd or really any tire running less than 80 PSI.  Don’t worry my skinny tire, road warrior brethren, you’ll have your pump reviews too!

Lezyne was also very clever in the way in which the hose attaches to your tire valve.  The hose itself is stored inside the pump and threads on the end of the pump when in use.  It’s soft rubber, flexible design makes pumping simple and quick with a lot less stress on your valve stem.  Lezyne claims a 30% reduction in pump strokes than any other pump.  Presta valve? Schrader? no problem.  Simply reverse the end of the hose and thread on whatever end you need.  Like most pumps it also comes with a plastic bracket so that you may mount the pump to your seat tube or down tube of your bike via the water bottle screws on your bike frame.

Although a newer company, Lezyne has been attracting a lot of attention with this pump, winning multiple bike industry awards.

So who knows, maybe all that talk of CNC machined aluminum and sweet anodized colors reminiscent of mountain bike culture of old will talk you into an upgrade or maybe just an addition to the gear chest… if JUST for the eye candy.

back to Canada vs USA Men’s Hockey count down…

P