If you’re interested in what’s new, what’s on sale, what’s happening and when, cycling news & Braun’s stuff — stay tuned to our tweets, blog posts, facebook page & newsletters for all the details.  

There are many ways that you may receive cycling info and deals.  It just takes a few clicks and you’ll be all set up.

Deals & Specials
	Sign up for our Specials Newsletter (monthly)
	Follow @BraunsDeals (daily)

.

Cycling Stuff How To’s, Product Reviews, View from the Shop Floor, Events & Opinions
	Sign up for our Blog by Email (twice/week)
	Follow @BraunsBicycles (daily)
	Like us on Facebook

Click on one or more of the above links to receive your selected cycling information and deals.

Thanks! — The team at Brauns

You are invited to our VIP Night

Tuesday April 5th (in our Kitchener Store)

from 6 till 8pm - 2 hours of VIP Deals.

We are sorry – In one of our posts we made the error of saying – Monday April 5th (Monday IS WRONG)  – The correct date is TUESDAY March 5th

So just to make sure that everyone has all the correct information – here it is again.  Sorry for the extra post and email

Braun’s VIP Night is almost here!  Bring a friend or two, enjoy a coffee, see the NEW 2011 Bicycles and Cycling Toys, get a great deal and maybe win the door prize!

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Door Prize – Vetta Heart Rate & Bicycle Computer

A value of $119.98

Someone who comes to our Kitchener Store April 5th, between 6 and 8 pm will win this.

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VIP Pricing is Great! 

There are LOTS of Deals.  Too many to list here.  But we listed just a few, to get you thinking …

Spring → Braun’s → Cycling → Freedom →→→Yes!

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All of the below specials are available all week except for this …

Every Instock Regular Priced Item is 20% OFF

Every Special Order Item is available at 15% OFF

Tuesday Night for 2 hours only.  Thanks for being our customer!

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All the following items are available all week long while supplies last.

Example #1 – 2010 BMX Bicycles – VIP Pricing 40% Off  (special buy)

Example #2 - All Other 2010 Bicycles – VIP Pricing 35% Off

Example #3 – All In stock Swagman Bicycle Hitch Racks for your car, truck or van – VIP Pricing 25% Off

Example #4 – Blackburn AirFix Multitool & Co2 Inflator – Reg $49 – VIP Pricing $19.99

Example #5 – Kryptonite Evolution U-Lock with 12 mm cable lock set – Reg $99 – VIP Pricing $39.99

Example #6 – Bicycle Trainers, Rollers and Options – VIP Pricing 50% Off

Example #7 – Winter Cycling Gloves & Winter Clothing – VIP Pricing 50% Off

These are great for early/late rides this time of year

Example #8 – Snow Shoes - VIP Pricing 50% Off

Example #9 - Selected Tires & All Steel Studded Tires – VIP Pricing 50% Off

 … and so on.  Tons of Great Deals, on lots of fun cycling items, to help make getting outdoors fun and easy.

Can you FEEL the Freedom?

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The Details:

Ltd In stock Qty, Can’t be combined with any other offers, Shop early for best selection.

Tuesday evening 6 to 8pm is – Kitchener Store ONLY,  Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat during normal store hours is Both Kitchener & Guelph stores.  The chance to WIN the Door Prize is ONLY in our Kitchener Retail Store  Tuesday April 5th from 6 to 8pm.

For a chance to win the Door prize you must come into the Kitchener Store between 6 – 8pm April 5th and fill out a ballet.  No purchase is necessary.

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Thanks again

for the opportunity to meet your cycling needs!

The Braun Team in Kitchener, Guelph, Online & EBay

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Riverside Park in Guelph, Ontario

100 of different models of bicycles, a dozen brands and lots of different types and styles of bikes to test ride       

 Some of the Bikes that will be available to ride:

and many more…

We’ll be there to help you in your quest to find the perfect bicycle. Stop by our tents and say hi.    

Put May 15th into your calendar and get your helmet ready to ride.    

If you ever wanted to try them all out – This may be the closest you ever get to it!   

Thanks to the Gorba Group in Guelph who have organized this great event

 

• Bring Your Helmet
• Starts 10 am – come any time in the following hours to experience
• You’ll see us and everyone else behind the Bandshell
• Wear appropriate clothing/footwear to go riding in the park

  See you there!        

Now On till March 26th

It’s Spring Time and to Celebrate we put some great cycling ideas on sale

2010 Bicycles

• All on Sale – and Priced to move at 25% OFF

2011 Bicycles

• included – FREE Lifetime Service
• included – FREE Layaway
• included – $20 Accessory Coupon with 2011 bike purchase
• included – $20 Helmet Coupon with 2011 bike purchase

Auto Racks for Cars, Vans, Trucks & SUVs

• Thule Trunk Rack #962 (3 bike) Reg $159.98 –> $99.99
• Save $25 on Hitch Racks
• Save $25 on Trunk Racks
• Save $25 on Roof Racks systems

Trailers & Strollers 

• Save $50 on kid trailers & strollers
• Save $50 on Pet trailers
• Save $50 on Cargo trailers

Service Plans

• Save $20 on any of our bicycle repair Service Plans

 Braun’s Think Spring flyer

… click to see a copy

Ltd Qty so Shop early for best selection, see stores for details

We’ve Extended our Biggest Sale of the Year until this coming Saturday – Jan 8, 2011

There are still Lots of great deals available!

Like…

Every 2010 in stock Bicycle is

50% OFF *

And we have lots of Great Specials instock in our Retail Stores in Kitchener & in Gueph. 

 No time – No problem - go Online and make your selections and place your order.  Then pick-up your order at either store whenever you are going by!  Of course there is also home/office delivery available as well.

Check us out – You will be glad you did every time you go riding this spring.

We understand!  You have this loved one that’s a cyclist.  They want a thingy for their bike that looks like, like … uh … well what does it look like any ways?   It’s a thing, for their bike, you know. 

YES quite likely we do.  or We’ll help you sort it out.

No Problem.  That’s why we are here.

If all else fails – we have Gift Cards that any cyclist will absolutely love to receive this Christmas.

Gift Cards from $10 to $250

Any size from $10 to $250 (cdn)

Or just come by for some advice.  We are glad to help.

Hey Everyone!

It’s that time of year. The kids are back to school.  The days are starting to get shorter and the perfect time for riding is approaching us.  The mild temperatures of fall allow for excellent conditions no matter what riding style you enjoy.  The cooler temperatures and autumn breezes help to keep you cool and push your potential every ride!

This week’s post is going to be application specific and may relate to either you directly or someone you know who is unsure of the best upgrade for their rig. One question which is often posed to me in the shop is:

“I ride both on the road and on the community trails… although I find my knobby tires really slow on pavement I do not want to sacrifice the loss of traction I would experience on the trails for the gain in speed.  What should I do?”

Okay, well maybe the question isn’t quite this perfectly worded… but this is typically what I conclude after a short conversation with a customer in this dilemma. With my previous experience in tire selection, there is now no debate in answering this question! Companies such as Continental and Schwable have risen to the call of consumers and produced tires for these applications! They can be identified by many names such as: semi slicks, commuter tires, hybrid tires, cross tires, etc. I personally find “semi slick” to be the best definition as it describes the tread pattern of these tires perfectly. Tires such as the Continental Travel Contact and the Schwable Mararthon Cross are both designed with a raised centre ridge for less rolling resistance on hard packed surfaces and knobbed sections on the edges of the tire for better traction on lose terrain.

Differences between the two are minimal.  However, as a result of the variations in tread pattern, the Schwable would handle loose terrain. This is due to the traction ridges built into the drive ridges of the tread pattern. In contrast, the Continental tire would be better for higher percentage road use due to the solid centre ridge which would practically eliminate rolling resistance on the road.

The Schwable and the Continental both offer excellent traction for exploring the trails and will allow you to maximize your potential on the road when you are negotiating with only a single rig. It is a cost effective alternative to multiple wheel sets and does not force you to sacrifice speed for traction or vice versa.

The Schwable and Continental are available in both 700c and 26″ sizes which means there is sure to be one to help update your rig!
(26 x 1.75, and 700 x 38c and 700 x 37c respectively)

If you have any questions about either the Schwable or Continental be sure to drop by the shop or drop me a line and hopefully I can clear up and questions you may have.

Until next time,
Keep a grip so things don’t get away from you!

Bryan

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!

Check out these new bags by Louis Garneau – a pannier that looks like a briefcase or how about a pannier for your bike that “looks” nice enough to carry as a purse. 

Louis Garneau Beverly 2 Bag/Pannier:   A single pannier that doubles as a purse with an adjustable shoulder strap. 

Louis Garneau Santa Cruz Bag/Pannier:  A stylish bag/pannier.

3-mm and 2-mm inner plastic

Adjustable flap opening with adjustable buckles

Louis Garneau Oxford Handlebar Bag:  A small handlebar bag.

Handlebar bracket: Circumference from 25.4 mm to 31.8 mm

Louis Garneau Cambridge Bag/Pannier:  A pannier that looks like a briefcase with an adjustable shoulder strap for ease of carrying.

Fabric 600 deniers

Quick clips B-2

Great new product for cyclists…..practical and stylish!

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

You know when you want that special bike thing.  We have a very extensive inventory.  However it is impossible to have everything.  For example sometimes you need a very unique  part for your beloved bike, or size 50 cycling shoes, or HOT pink cork handlebar tape, or the newest most amazing whatever, etc, etc.  – you know – the stuff a normal bike store just can’t usually stock, what do you do?  Well we have the solution. 

It’s called our Special Ordering System.  Practically every single day we have someone needing something that isn’t normally available.  NO Problem!  We have an extensive supplier network based all over North America.  They in turn have supply networks all over the world.  If it is not in our stock and it is still available in a warehouse somewhere, we likely will find it for you.  Sometimes it may take some time, but we mostly succeed.  We literally fulfill 100′s of Special Orders most weeks.  And we don’t mind doing it.  Just ask us! 

So often we meet cyclists who are shocked that we will take the time to solve their unique special needs for them.  We believe that old fashion customer service is still important and it will always be available at Braun’s.

The “Special Order” Process

1. We figure out with you what it is that you need. 
2. If we don’t know what the Special Order item will cost, then we will either give you a ball park price range or we will do some research, and bring back a price for you to approve. 
3. Once you have approved either the price or price range, than you will be required to put down a minimum deposit of 50%.  Balances are due upon pickup of the Special Order or prior to us shipping it to you. 
4. We order the item(s) for you and call you when they are in if you are picking them up, else we ship them to you.

It can be that simple.  Our purchasing department does all the “hard” work.

Just come into one of the stores, or email us at either kitchener@brauns.com or guelph@brauns.com