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.

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

ONLY 3 DAYS LEFT in the Braun’s… is BICYCLES 85th Anniversary Sale!  Hurry in for these great specials before it is too late.  Sale ends this Saturday, June 26 at 5 p.m.  

15 – 25% OFF ALL BIKES

Also Beat the HST tax

*Shop early for best selection.  Limited quantities.  Instock only.

CLOTHING:  Purchase 1st item – get 2nd item at 1/2 price

 (includes shorts, jersey, jackets tights)                                     

CYCLING SHOES:  10% OFF 

CATEYE WIRELESS CYCLE COMPUTER:  $59.85 (Regular price $89.98)

SIGMA FRONT & REAR LIGHT SET: $18.85 (Regular price $49.98)   

BLACKBURN FLOOR PUMP:  $25.85 (Regular price $39.98)

BRAUN’S BOTTLE & ALLOY CAGE:  $8.85 (Regular price $18.98)

ONGUARD BULLDOG U-LOCK WITH CABLE: $28.85 (Regular price $49.98)

COMFORT SUPER GEL GLOVES:  $19.85 (Regular price $39.98)

PING BELL:  $5.85 (Regular price $9.98)

ULTIMATE WAIST PACK:  $19.85 (Regular price $49.98)

These are just some of the items that are on sale.  Drop into one of the stores (Kitchener or Guelph) to see all the sale items.  Open Thursday and Friday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Have you seen the advertisements for Braun’s is BICYCLES 85th Anniversary sale?  There are some pretty amazing deals in there.  But, have you wondered how you were ever going to fit one more thing into your week and still get some riding in?  Well, check out the sale items online under Great Deals.

These Great Deals are the same sale items being offered in our 85th Anniversary sale.  BUT….you can order them online, without leaving the comfort of your own home/office.  It’s easy and quick to arrange to have the items delivered or you can pick them up in either one of our Guelph or Kitchener Stores.

This is a brand new option.  Tell us what you think of it, what you would add and if you would like to see any changes.

Thanks

Kim

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