So you’ve got a bike. Now what? To fully enjoy riding you will need a few accessories to help you on your way. These are my top 10 pieces of gear that will your cycling life better.
Padded Cycling Shorts
If you ride more than just around the block you’ve probably had a sore butt or chafing at some point. Padded bike shorts go a long way in reducing back side discomfort. You can get them in the classic skin tight lycra or a baggy short with the padded short built in. The fabrics are a modern wicking material that helps pull sweat from the skin to protect the skin and be more comfortable. Either way they will give the bum some more padding, reduce chafing and help manage moisture.
Pump
A pump is one of those things that isn’t very exciting until you need it. Then it’s your best friend. I recommend both a floor pump for home use and a mini pump that you can carry on your bike in case of flats while riding. The floor pump take far fewer strokes to get a tire up to pressure making it less of a pain to inflate a tire. The mini pumps work but I only use it for on the ride repairs as they have you pumping like a mad man to get up to pressure. Far better than walking but not something I want to do every few days.
Repair Kit
Like the boy scout motto goes, “Always be prepared”. Get one of the little bags that strap under your saddle and fill it with a spare inner tube, patch kit, tire levers, fold out mini tool (allen keys, screw drivers and chain breaker) and mini pump. With this kit you can take care of most of the problems you will run into while out riding.
Chain Lube and Cleaning Supplies
A clean and lubricated chain is a happy chain. You will have better shifting and longer life to all your drive train parts if you clean and lube your chain regularly. If your lazy like me you can use Pro Link Gold chain lube which clean and lubricates in one step.
Gloves
Whether for comfort, protection or warmth, cycling gloves are a must have. You can do short rides without them but just like the bike shorts, having gloves reduces pressure and chafing.
Vest and Warmers
A wind vest, arm warmers and knee warmers take a summer cycling outfit and extends the temperature range down by 10 degrees. Of particular utility is the fact that on a cool summer morning your can start with these pieces on and as it warms up can remove and store them in your jersey pocket.
Sport Glasses
You need to protect your eyes from the sun, wind and debris. In expensive sport glasses are available with interchangable lenses so one set will cover all lighting conditions. All it takes is one bug in the eye to see how important eye protection is.
Hydration System
This can be bottles and cages on the bike or a Camelbak hydration backpack. If you are riding for more than 30 minutes or it’s hot out you need to rehydrate. You need 750-1000 ml of fluid per hour of riding and you need some way to carry it.
Light Set
Even if you are a road rider who only goes out during the day light, at some point you will get caught out as the sun goes down. A small LED front and rear light can be the difference between making it home safe and getting run over. Many of the small lights will go on your bike without adding much weight or wind drag but they are there when you need them. If you ride at night regularly a more powerful front light that throws enough light to light your way.
Bike Knowledge
All of the cool accessories in the world won’t do anything if you don’t know how to use them. Check with your local bike shop or community college as they often offer bike repair courses. If you develop the skills, things like flat tires, misaligned gears and mushy brakes will be simple fixes you can do yourself and keep riding.

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

Join us at Braun’s….is Bicycle for our 85th Annual Year End Clearance Sale.  We are offering 35% off all 2010 Bikes, an opportunity for you to Pre-Order a 2011 Bike at a great discount, specials on Bike Repair Packages and a whole bunch of  Year End deals.  Keep reading to get all the details…

35% off ALL bikes*

That’s every kind, every style and every price point!

*limited quantity, instock only, does not include 2011 models - Braun’s Optional Lifetime Service Program is available at an additional cost on these bicycles

SAVE BIG when you Pre-Order your NEW 2011 Bicycle

Option #1. SAVE 28% - A  15% Discount OFF the top and then a Discount equal to the HST 13%

Payment in Full is required and your new Bicycle will arrive in the Spring of 2011 – Braun’s Optional Lifetime Service Program is INCLUDED FREE on these bicycles

Option #2.  SAVE 15% - A  15% Discount OFF the top

50% Payment is required and your new Bicycle will arrive in the Spring of 2011.  The Balance due is paid when you pick up your new bicycle.   - Braun’s Optional Lifetime Service Program is INCLUDED FREE on these bicycles

Beat the Spring Rush with a special deal on our Bike

Service Packages.  SAVE up to $100+

So, winter is over and spring is finally here (I know I’m jumping ahead a little here) and you can’t wait to get out on your bike!   You get your bike out but the gears are grumbling and the brakes are squeaking and your chain is crusty….  Why not have your bike serviced now, avoiding that wait in the spring!  We have a great deal on our Service Packages during the month of October.  

Bring in 1 – 2 bikes for repair and save $10 on each repaired bike.

Bring in 3 – 4 bikes for repair and save $15 on each repaired bike.

Bring in 5+    bikes for repair and save $20 on each repaired bike.

The savings in Labour is off of any of our Service Plans that are regularly priced at $59.98 and up.  The more repairs that you bring to us in October, the more you save.  If you can only transport 1 or 2 bikes at a time, just tell the mechanics that you will be back over the next few days with more bikes and they will see that you receive the maximum savings possible.

Year End Deals**

• 35% off all Helmets

• 25% off all CamelBak Hydration Bags

• 25% off all Cycling Shoes

• 20% off Trailers, Joggers, Strollers and their accessories

• 20% off all Bike Trainers and Rollers

• 2 for 1 Summer Cycling Clothes

• 2 for 1 on all Bike Tires

• 25% off all lights

• 25% off all Winter and Summer Cycling Gloves

• 20% off all SnowShoes and Poles

**Ltd Qty, Doesn’t include 2011 Models

A brand NEW End of Line Clothing Rack – You decide the size of Discount you want to receive  (This deal is only available in our Kitchener Store)

All of the  Items of Clothing on this rack need to go to make room for next year’s clothing

So we decided to try something different.  This Year End Sale goes to October 30, 2010.  Each week into the sale we Increase the Discount on this Specail End of Line Clothing Rack until all the clothing is GONE.

50% OFF until Oct 2

55% OFF until Oct 9

60% OFF until Oct 16

65% OFF until Oct 23

70% OFF until Oct 30

You choose your discount – BUT remember, someone else may be willing to pay more.  Shop EARLY for best selection.  All sales are final on the End of Line Clothing Rack.

The 85th Annual Year End Sale Details

1. Year End Clearance Sale is on until closing October 30, 2010
2. Unless specifically stated all the above deals are for Instock, NON 2011 models
3. Limited Quantities are available – shop early for best selection.
4. If you don’t see something you are looking for, please ask one of your sales staff and they will check our other store for inventory that we can transfer over for you.
5. These DEALS are GREAT – Don’t miss out

Hey everyone,

Okay… so maybe the title for this blog was a little bit misleading! But the info I have for you could be life saving if you find yourself stuck on the trail with a flat tire!

When it comes to getting a flat, nobody likes having to deal with it on the ride… in fact I know a few guys in the shop hmm hmm… who have even been so lazy as to call family members to pick them up so they didn’t have to change the flat on their ride. For the rest of us… the diehards… there are a few items you can pack, and a few pieces of advice you can follow to get you back up and running in no time!

As we discussed in my earlier blogs, you will want to pack: tire levers, a spare tube, a patch kit and a pump along with the rest of your gear.

The steps for this procedure are fairly simple:

1.) As discussed in prior posts, find an upright place to hang your bicycle by the seat in order to work on it. This will make the going easier.

2.) Release the brake mechanism (if applicable, a mechanic in the shop can advise you on how to do this for your bike) and remove the wheel (yeah, I guess the flat one would make sense…) from your bike.

3.) Take a pair of tire levers, and insert them between the tire and the rim on one side directly opposite the valve stem.

4.) Clip the first tire lever to the spoke as a starting point, then, using the second lever; pry the bead of the tire off the rim, and work the rest of the bead off of one side.

5.) Remove the tube from inside the tire (valve first) and inflate it slightly to determine the cause of the puncture to the tube. If the flat resulted from an internal puncture (ie a snakebite) there is little need to check the tire for foreign objects. However, if the flat has been cause by an external puncture, ensure that you check the area inside the tire that corresponds to where the tube was punctured. (Note: it never hurts to check the tire anyways, better safe than sorry!)

6.) Once the tire is clear, you next need to inflate the new tube slightly to give it shape (this will make installation easier.)

7.) Insert the new tube, starting at the valve stem, and slowing inserting the tube around the tire. (it is crucial at this step to ensure the tube is not twisted, as this will cause the tube to fail.)

8.) Once the tube is installed, you will then want to re-mount the bead of the tire to the rim. This is done using both hands, and putting the tire under the hook of the rim. Start at the valve, and seat the tire in this region first, then work your way around the tire using both hands in opposite directions (as to not lose your starting point.)

9. Once you have re-installed the tire onto the rim, slowly inflate the tube (checking that the tire is properly seating on the rim all the way around.) Inflate the tire to your preferred pressure, then once again check the bead of the tire to ensure it has seated evenly around the rim.  (If you are not happy with the way it looks, deflate, and re-inflate the tire checking the bead constantly and filling slowly.)

10.) Re-install the tire on the bike, and re-connect any brake mechanisms that were detached for removal.

11.) Pack your gear back up, hop on your bike… and head out!

Didn’t mean to mislead you guys with the title… but I’m sure you’re all glad you read this one!

Until next time,
Check your pressure regularly!

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!