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

A very common question I get asked at the shop is “What can I do to alleviate wrist pain or numb hands when riding?”  Although the answer is sometimes not simple and could be a host of issues with both bike set up, type of rider and size of bike, something that will never hinder your comfort is a good set of cycling gloves.

Our friends at Louis Garneau have always had a solid glove line up in addition to their performance apparel and gear and this year they have a new model called the Vent Flex.

Before we get started  talking about how awesome the addition of the L/G Vent Flex can be to your ride, let’s briefly discuss the differences between various types of gloves themselves so we’re all on the same page.  Generally you have two types:  half finger and full finger.  Usually a full finger gloved is used by off road cyclists as it gives a more aggressive grip and offers further hand and knuckle protection against tree branches and other obstacles.  Full finger gloves usually have less padding in the palm area because off road cyclists demand a solid grip and ride with hands that are constantly moving and adjusting the weight of the body based on terrain.

Half finger gloves typically suit the more recreational cyclist or those that enjoy road riding  as these cyclists tend to adopt a more static hand posture for  longer periods of time thus increased padding in the palm with a light and breathable back.

When temperatures change, some of the qualities of both gloves can be transferable i.e some off road cyclists prefer half finger gloves in really hot temperatures and road riders will source long finger gloves when riding early or late in the season etc.  Essentially, there aren’t any hard and fast rules for gloves in a general sense. Use what is comfortable and  works for you.

Now with the background complete on to the product!

The L/G Vent Flex, available in men’s or women’s, came to mind when discussing gloves because they have really made a big comfort difference to my ride this season.  My former gloves were a bit worn out and the padding was compressed and worn…great excuse for an upgrade!

Referring to my previous statements, L/G Vent Flex would be classified as mostly a road riding glove.  It’s construction and padding placement leans more towards the rider that is going to be using a drop handlebar style.  That is what they are designed for.  They will, of course, work for other cyclists.

The Vent Flex is a very light weight glove that features 5 mm thick gel foam palm padding and L/G’s “air zone” construction,  meaning the glove is very breathable.  The upper thumb is made of a really nice microfiber cloth for wicking away sweat, bug guts and all that nice stuff from the face.

One clever feature that I like is the rubberized pull tabs on the fingers.  These are designed so that it is a lot easier to get the glove off, rather than pulling them inside out all the time.  The material that the gloves are made of is fully washable too but they should be air dried rather than piling them in a dryer.

So if you’re a roadie and you are  tired of numb hands or you’re a cyclist that just wants a better, super comfortable glove then stop by one of our locations and try a pair of Louis Garneau Vent Flex glove.  Your hands will thank you!

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,

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.

For LIFE – Really?  Like for more than a year or two?  YES – for the entire time that the original owner owns the bicycle.  Maybe 3 years, or 5 or whatever.  When Braun’s says Lifetime we mean it (We’ve been in the bicycle business for 85 years now).

There are two main components to our Lifetime Service Program.

• The New Bike Break-in Check
• Service Package (as described below)

Our Service Package Includes the following

1. Adjustment of front and rear braking systems
2. Adjustment of front and rear shifting systems
3. Adjustment of the headset bearings
4. Adjustment of the bottom bracket bearings
5. Tire Pressure check
6. External lubrication of the drive-train
7. Minor wheel truing (straightening of wheels on the bicycle)
8. Visual tire inspection

When you have purchased the OPTIONAL Lifetime Service for your new bicycle from Braun’s you may enjoy any of the above services in one of our service departments whenever you need to.  Just bring the bike in when you can leave it with us.  We’ll do the rest.

For the life of your bicycle.

Now what do you do if you made the mistake of picking up your new bicycle and not purchasing the optional Lifetime Service Program?  We allow you 30 days from the date of pickup of your new bicycle to make the decision to get the optional Lifetime Service Program.  You may either call or drop into one of our retail stores and we will get you signed up.  You will need to bring your copy of the bicycle invoice so that we can complete this for you quickly.  If you desire to do this over the phone, then we will need you to also give us your credit card information to process your purchase of this program.

Braun’s Lifetime Service Program is one of the many reasons that families have been purchasing bicycles from our family for many generations.

See one of our stores for all of the details.