For the sake of this article let’s assume you have an nice carbon fiber road bike such as an Argon 18 Krypton. It’s not freaky high end by any means but a good solid bike. You love how it rides but now want to make it faster. Do you need to get a new frame or upgrade your groupo? What about wheels? Will a stiffer crank give you more speed? If I make my bike lighter, how much faster will I be?

While people obsess over weight the best ways to faster are put out more power, reduce rolling drag and reduce wind drag. The three upgrades I recommend cover these areas

Here’s the 3 equipment upgrades to make your road bike faster.

Rotor Q-Rings

These are non-round rings that have been optimized to match the power curve of your legs. The road version have 5 settings so you can adjust the position of the power stroke. A simple chainring upgrade will yield a power increase of 4-5% and a decrease in fatigue. This is one of my favourite upgrades as you notice it from the first ride. You have just a little more going up hill and it never feels like your are pedaling squares no matter how tired you get.

Tires

Most road bikes come with relatively cheap tires. The stock tires have a lower thread count to the casing and denser, slower rolling rubber. Upgrading your tires can make a big difference in both speed and the ride quality of your bike. Now there are a number of high quality clincher tires that roll fast and are pretty puncture resistant. A great choice is the Continental GP 4000. They are light, roll fast and have good puncture resistance.

Wheels

Most road bikes have pretty heavy wheels that come stock on them. A lot of companies put the Mavic Aksiums which are pretty tough but they weigh a ton. In addition to the weight, most stock wheels aren’t very aerodynamic. What a bad combination. Upgrading to a deeper aero wheel set that is also lighter will feel like a totally different bike. For speed the deeper the better up to around 60mm. Beyond that will be good for time trials and triathlons but be harsh riding and poor in cross winds. Rims this deep will almost always be make of carbon fiber. This allows companies to make deep rims are still light. Good options are available from Edge Composites, Zipp and Spinergy. Expect to pay a lot more for a set of carbon fiber wheels but they are lighter for the hill climbs and much more aerodynamic the rest of the time. And on top of it all the deep wheels look cool.

A set of 58 mm deep aero wheels will be a couple minutes faster over 40 km. This will make a difference in both long road races and crits.

Summary

Increase power output, reduce rolling resistance and cut wind drag. These areas will give you the most bang for your bike buck. As you can see none of this is focused on weight as a pound makes very little difference on flat to rolling terrain. If you climb the mountains then a bit of weight off your bike will make a difference but until you can see your abs, don’t worry about the weight of your bike.

Thursday Feb 17 to Saturday Feb 26th, 2011

It’s time to clearout our winter products just before Winter is gone. 

 Some great deals on winter products that you still get some winter use of this year.

→Roof Rack Ski Racks

Ski & Snowboard Attachments for roof racks

Save 50% OFF

→Winter Cycling Clothing

Jackets, Tights, Arm & Leg Warmers, Bella Clavas, Booties and Winter Cycling Gloves

Save 40% OFF

→Steel Studded Tires

26″ and 700c sizes

Save 40% OFF

→SnowShoes

Snowshoes, Poles & Gaiters

Save 30% OFF

→Bike Trainers

Trainers, Rollers, Trainer accessories & Trainer tires

Save 25% OFF

→2010 Bicycles

Includes Lifetime Service

Save 20% OFF

→Bike Service Plans

Deluxe – Reg $79.98 Special $49.99

Full – Reg $189.98    Special $99.99

The Details

Instore and Instock Inventory, Ltd Qty, The sale pricing will only be available in our Retail Stores while supplies last.. Sale ends Saturday Feb 26th, 2011

Follow our Deals on twitter

Our Biggest Sale of the Year!

It starts today Monday Dec 27, 2010 @ 10am

Click here for our Boxing Week Sale 4 page flyer  

The Details:

Every 2010 in stock Bicycle

is 50% OFF *

And we have lots of Great In Store Specials. Here are some samples of the Deals…

Pump Reg $29.98 – Boxing Sale $16.99

Tire Reg $69.98 - Boxing Sale $39.99

Bottle Reg $24.98 – Boxing Sale $13.99

Hitch Rack Reg $429.98 - Boxing Sale $239.99

U Lock Reg $99.98 – Boxing Sale $39.99

Multitool Reg $49.98 - Boxing Sale $25.99

Helmet Reg $39.98 – Boxing Sale $24.99

Anti-Puncture tires Reg $59.98 - Boxing Sale $34.99

U-Lock Reg $49.98 – Boxing Sale $25.99

Bell Reg $6.98 - Boxing Sale $3.99

Helmet Reg $49.98 – Boxing Sale $29.99

Hey everyone,

As I continue to direct my posts towards bike service and maintenance I found it coincidental that I had a customer in the other afternoon who was in need of some tools in order to service various aspects of his bike. This got me thinking: some people may not even know the tools required, let alone what they are called. I hope to outline the name and functions of these various tools today, as well as some tips which can make their use easier. In the post I will outline a variety of tools  from Park Tool. They are a highly innovative company and have designed many of the tools used in everyday service applications. They are also our tool of choice in the service department at Brauns. There are many other tools available and what I am showing you is only an example of each. Be sure to speak to any of our technicians in the service department to ensure you select the correct tool for the job. A link to Park Tool’s website can be reached by clicking the highlighted name.

Hex Wrenches:

-Hex wrenches are used to adjust and install various components on the bike.
- 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5 ,6, 8 & 10mm Hex wrenches are the sizes most commonly used in maintenance.
- The Park P-handle Hex Wrench Set(ph-1)is perfect for all service applications.

Pedal Wrench:

-Pedal wrenches are low profile 15mm wrenches used for the installation and removal of pedals
-The Park Pedal Wrench (pw-3) is an excellent tool offering significant torque to free even seized pedals.

Crank Puller:

-A Crank Puller does exactly as its name implies. This tool is used to remove both the drive and non drive crank arms from the bottom bracket spindle. This tool is available both with and without attached handles and for both splined and square tapered spindles.
-The Park Tool Crank Puller (CCP-2C) is a self functioning multi-purpose crank remover.

Bottom Bracket Tool:

-This tool is difficult to describe. We will ignore non sealed bottom brackets and deal with them at a later time because the tools required and procedures necessary are far more difficult. For sealed bottom brackets, there are two types of tools: external bottom bracket tools, and internal bearing bottom bracket tools.
-The Park Bottom Bracket Tool (BBT-9) removes external bearings while the Park Cartridge Bottom Bracket Tool (BBT-2) is designed for servicing internal bearing bottom brackets.

Freewheel tool:

-A freewheel or cassette tool is used either individually or in combination with a chain whip to remove a cassette or freewheel.
-Freewheel tools are used to spin the freewheel off a threaded section of the hub. Cassette tools are used to remove the cassette lockring so that the cassette can be slid off the spline of the freehub body.
-The Braun Cassette Tool has become a personal favourite in the service department!

Chain Whip:

-A chain whip is used in combination with a cassette tool to spin the lockring off the freehub body so that the cassette can be removed.
-The Park Sprocket Remover (SR-1) provides excellent grip on the cassette to aid in removal.

Cone Wrenches:

-Cone wrenches are available in a range of sizes from 13-19mm and are used for adjusting the cones on hubs for smooth rolling bearings. Cone wrenches are required to be used in sets, and can be double sided for maximum efficiency.
-The Park Shop Cone Wrench (SCW) are the best in the business!

Chain Tool:

-Chain tools are used for cutting and sizing chains, and installing pins for connecting the ends of a chain. The tool required varies depending on the number of speeds the chain is designed for. (10 speed chains require specialized tools in order to remove and install links)
- The Park Screw Type Chain Tool (CT-3) offers excellent feel for pushing pins into chains for a stiff free connection.

Proper Chain Lubricants:

-By proper, I mean to imply that although that synthetic 5W-30 you run through your engine does it wonders, the chain on your bike would beg to differ! Selecting the correct lubricant for your bike chain requires some knowledge of your riding habits, as well as your maintenance habits. A consultation with one of our service technicians can help you select the best lubricant for your riding and service habits!

-Teflon Dry, Wet Based and Wax Based lubricants highlight just a few of those available for use.

-Teflon Dry is our shops house lubricant and is the best “all around” lubricant on the market.

Proper degreasers:

-Proper degreasers are equally as important as proper lubricants as they help to prep the surface and remove grime. There are both citrus and acid based degreasers which will both effectively clean drivetrain components and chains. Aerosol degreasers tend to be most effective in hard to reach areas and liquid degreasers tend to be better with cassette and chain cleaning.

Finishline Aerosol Degreasers simplify the process!

Tire Levers:

-Tire levers assist in removing difficult tires with tight beads from the rim in order to change punctured inner tubes or install new tires. Tire levers are most effectively used in pairs, and are often sold this way.

-Pedro’s makes the best ones on the market! They offer a Lifetime Warranty and have a no questions asked replacement policy! We have trouble keeping these things in stock! A must have for your pack or tool box at home.

Spoke Wrenches:

Spoke wrenches are specialized wrenches that fit in the nipples of spokes to adjust spoke tension and effectively true the wheels on your bike. There are three different standard sizes of spoke wrenches and several specialized sizes for performance and classic wheels. Major wheel truing should be left to trained professionals, however, being able to temporarily straighten your wheel can really get you out of a jam!

-The Park Spoke Wrenches (SW-0 – SW-3) is one of the biggest bangs for your buck when it comes to at home tools!

If there are any tools you feel I should have included, let me know and I will highlight them in one of my upcoming posts. Just remember that not everyone will make use of a Park Tools Bottom Bracket Facing Tool at home.

Until next time…
I hope to see you out there. Drop by and visit at the shop!

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

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,

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

Most of us are familiar with the bell brand name.  Be it motocross, race cars or of course bicycles, Bell has been making protection for your melon since 1954.

For 2010 Bell has a lot of cool new helmet designs, but one that stood out right away for me, was the Bell Sequence.

The Bell Sequence tops up Bell’s Mountain Bike category this year further narrowing the gap between the mountain race helmet and the trail bike helmet.  Bell touts the sequence as “somewhere between full-on XC racing and just riding for the huck of it” and I think that’s a pretty accurate tag line.

Being a Bell Variant and Influx owner myself, I could see a little bit of inspiration from both helmets in the Sequence with a few higher end features.

Without even putting the helmet on your head you can’t help but notice how well ventilated the  construction is, in fact, the Sequence boasts no less than 24 flow tuned vents.  This is gonna be the Cat’s meow in the summer months because the venting system will channel air around your noggen at climbing or descent speeds.

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

Hey World Wide Web  – I’m Pat.  Although we probably don’t know one another I bet you we still have a few things in common… say like… the love for shiny new bike stuff ? ya thought so.

So welcome to “Hot Off The Truck” where I’m going to be talking about gear, tons of glorious new, mouth watering gear! and other things that come across my desk that will make your ride even better.  Everything from performance cycling apparel to bicycle trainers to cool new accessories, hear about the latest from yours truly.

Stay glued.

P