When you first get a new bike it feels crisp and tight.  Everything is smooth and it just flows when you pedals.  Due to wear and tear this feeling slowly goes away.  Your bike still works OK but it doesn’t have that new bike feel.  Don’t despair, you can get that loving feeling back.

Most of the things that slowly wear are easy to adjust or replace as needed.  Some of my suggestions require specialty bike tools which you can get or get your local shop to take care of it for you.

Clean and Lube your Drive Train and cables

Grit in your chain and cables increases drag and noise. Give you chain a good cleaning on the bike with a snap on chain cleaning device or take your chain off the bike to clean it.  If you take your chain off, put it in a plastic tub with varsol, put on the lid and gently shake to work out the dirt. If your chain is particularly dirty then your may have to repeat this a couple of times with clean varsol.

As far as you cables go you can drip lube on the cables where they go into the housings.  It helps to tip the bike so that gravity will pull the lube into the housing.  When you do this, shift through your gears and squeeze your brakes to get the lube to work into the housing.  Make sure to wipe off any excess that is on the exposed cables and housing.

Adjust Brakes and Gears

As cables stretch and things get a little out of alignment you’ll find your brakes and gears don’t feel like they didn’t when your bike is new. If your bike shifts but sounds a little noisy then often a half turn counter clockwise on the rear derailleur barrel adjuster will realign things to work much smoother. If your chain rubs on the front derailleur in some gears it’s often just in need of some cable tightening.

Check to see if your brakes are dragging. A little bit of brake drag is noisy and will make it harder to pedal.  Depending on the type of brake you have, how you recenter them will vary but you want the wheel or disc rotor running freely without drag.

Replace your chain and cassette

When lubing your chain and adjusting your gears doesn’t get your drivetrain purring like new you probably need to replace your chain and cassette.  Chains wear at the pins causing a lengthening know as chain stretch.  Once a chain is worn too much it doesn’t mesh with the gears properly.  This leads to rough shifting and the chain skipping on the gears.  If you replace your chain regularly you can probably avoid replacing your cassette. Check chain wear with a chain checker or measure across the pins with a ruler.  12 full links should be 12 inches.  Once it’s more than 3 mm beyond that you need to replace your chain.  If your chain is worn beyond this then a new chain won’t mesh with your old gears and your have to replace both.  To do this yourself you will need a chain tool, a chain whip and a cassette tool.

Put on a New Pair of Tires

Tires wear just like anything else. Nothing makes a bike ride better than new set of tires. When you replace your tires, it’s a smart move to upgrade them over the stock tires that come on the bike. It’s beyond the scope of this article to get into what tires to go to but choose a set with a high thread count casing (120 TPI) and good rubber.  For a road bike, going from the stock tires that come on most bikes to a fast race tire like the Continental GP 4000 S makes the bike roll faster, ride smoother and corner better.

Replace your cables with a sealed cable system

When lubing your cables doesn’t get them working like new consider upgrading to a high quality cable system like the Jagwire Ripcord or Gore Ride-On cable systems.  The combination of sealed cable housing and coated cables really decrease cable drag for shifting and braking. The added bonus with sealed systems is that they tend to last longer because they keep out the crud that fouls up cables.  Friction is the enemy on a bike(except your brakes) so we want to reduce it where ever we can.

Overview

Sometimes when you are craving a new bike it’s because your old one just needs some tender loving care.  Follow these tips and you’ll get many more happy years out of your current bike.

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.

You are invited to our VIP Night

Tuesday April 5th (in our Kitchener Store)

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

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!

——————————————————————————————

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.

——————————————————————————————

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!

——————————————————————————————

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!

——————————————————————————————

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?

——————————————————————————————

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.

——————————————————————————————

Thanks again

for the opportunity to meet your cycling needs!

The Braun Team in Kitchener, Guelph, Online & EBay

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Hey everyone,

This past holiday season was extremely busy for me and it probably was for you too.  Well it’s time to get back into you routine. To help keep us active and in shape, one of the major sellers this year was indoor bicycle trainers. These trainers mount to the rear axle of a standard bicycle and offer resistance to simulate a real riding experience. They are an excellent training tool and are very popular for cyclists of all skill levels. (The Blackburn Tech Fluid Trainer, is seen below)

Trainers are an excellent way to stay in shape during the winter months and maintain your time in the saddle. They offer the familiarity of your own bicycle, however allow you to ride without an indoor track! There are several factors to consider when utilizing a trainer: these are the set up and performance components.

It is crucial that you accurately simulate your riding position when using a trainer. In order to do this, “training blocks” must be used to balance, raise and lower the height of the front wheel to simulate climbs, descents and flat terrain riding conditions. The trainer raises the rear wheel off the ground several inches, and therefore training blocks allow riders to adjust the angle of their bike by altering the height of the front wheel. The Blackburn training block offers three different heights in order to customize your ride.

Secondly, and most importantly is the use of a trainer specific tire. Using trainers for extended periods of time generates significant amounts of heat as a result of the tire contacting the steel roller. A standard bicycle tire is not designed to withstand this large amount of heat and is susceptible to fail as a result of fatigue. In addition, standard bicycle tires are also not designed for repetitive contact on a single patch of tire, and therefore will develop flat spots on the centre running surface if used on a trainer.

The solution for all these problems is simple! You need a “Trainer Tire”. (Such as the Continental Ultrasport Hometrainer.) These tires are specifically designed to dissipate the increased heat generated by trainer use and are designed to last longer due to repetitive contact on the centre running surface.

Trainer tires are available in both 26″and 700c tire sizes and are excellent replacements for both standard road tires, but an even better replacement for knobby mountain bike tires as these offer poor performance and resistance when riding on the trainer.

*** It is important to note that trainer tires are not suitable for outdoor use and should be swapped seasonally to ensure a safe riding experience. ***

With the cold winter days we have been having, it is still nice to be able to “get out for a ride”even in the comfort of your own family room.

Until next time, keep the cranks turning!

Bryan

Well ladies and gentlemen…

This is what we like to call the dead of winter. All the spirit and festivities of the Holidays has worn off, all the hockey tournaments and ski trips are done and it is simply back to the grind stone. Lets be honest, when you look out the window and it looks like this:

Your first inspiration is not to strap on your riding shoes and pedal down main street for a leisure ride. More than likely, you are thinking that a warm cup of coffee and a good book inside the warm dry house are the best way to fill your Sunday afternoon. Well folks… you could not be more mistaken! Actually, you are not fully mistaken. Staying inside is most likely the safest option, however continuing to train and maintain your fitness levels during the winter months is crucial as it reduces the transition required once the summer weather returns.

Therefore, on those days when you would rather be hiding away in your basement than out shoveling the driveway… go for it! But get yourself set up on your trainer and ride for several hours. In the shop, we get a lot of questions on ways to make training in the winter fun. This is a very simple question to answer. A lot of it has to do with being in the correct mind frame before beginning your training session.

Preparing varies by the rider, and normally requires getting away from it all… or connecting with it all. Riders who like to get away from it all would be best suited to situate their trainer in their basement. They could potentially put on some music and use the tempo of the songs to keep a high cadence and devotion to training. For others, situating the trainer near a panoramic window is a good alternative which allows them to watch the birds and squirrels and rabbits carry out their daily activities as they ride through their training session.

For people who complain of bordem, I often suggest an engaging activity. Placing the trainer in front of the television may seem like a bad idea, but there are several potential benefits. First, training videos are available (and we do have some in the shop) that feature both training tips and techniques and point of view riding experiences so the rider can simulate a road race or trail ride from the comfort of their family room  while spinning on the trainer. For those who need a little less inspiration, often riding while watching a hockey or football game is an excellent way to keep your intensity up and push yourself to train harder.

Although their isn’t a blanket answer to that question, the fact remains that there is a solution for each rider that will increase their enjoyment on the trainer and their success in maintaining their fitness levels through the winter months.

Until next time, keep the rear wheel spinning!

Bryan

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.

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,

Hope you’re all enjoying the frosty mornings and cool evenings that have quickly crept up on us. For some people, the first signs of snow and ice are the end to the riding season… they pack their gear away, store their bike in their basement and wait for the snow to melt before they get back out there. 

For others, the winter season offers a unique and enjoyable experience in the area of winter riding. Many people commute year round, and this group comprises the majority of the winter category. The smaller portion continue to ride through the winter for personal enjoyment, with the smallest portion continuing to trail ride year round!

No matter which style of winter riding you choose to participate in there are many factors that need to be carefully considered before doing so, choices such as clothing, gloves, footwear, and hydration are all vital factors in enjoying your winter ride. More importantly though, is making sure that your bike is up to the challenge. There is various maintenance that should be performed during the winter season, and I will cover these aspects throughout the season as the weather dictates. For today… I am going to focus on Studded Tires!

Studded tires are just that, tires with metal studs (can be made from various steels, carbite, etc) mounted in them to incresase traction, handling and control during the winter season. Similar to the concept of snow tires on a car, they also utilize a softer rubber compound to enhance grip on ice and frozen surfaces.  Studded tires are available in both 26″ and 700c sizes with various profiles to ensure fitment on just about every ride. There are various different styles of studded tires, from full stud, to partial stud, and I will help to differentiate between them.

Full Studded Tires have a what is considered a full studded pattern where metal studs are found on both the running surface (center of the tire) and the shoulders (the edges of the tire). The studs on the shoulders are to provide grip when cornering and the running surface studs provide increased traction for accelerating and braking. These tires are designed for more extreme riding conditions, and typically utilize 260-300+ studs per tire to provide the ultimate traction abilities. An example of a full studded tire is the Schwable Ice Spiker Pro, which is a heavily studded tire design for trail and extreme use.  

Partial Studded tires consist of either running surface or shoulder studs. They are designed to be used on predominately ice and predominately pavement respectively. Partial studded tires offer benefits for riders whose roads are normally plowed and salted and those who are always fighting with a road less travelled. These tires can be used in pairs, as well as in split sets (one drive tire, one directional tire).

Shoulder studded tires are desgined for those who commute on roads that are well maintained. They have metal studs on the edges to provide traction while cornering, but not reduce rolling resistance while on plowed surfaces. These tires are best for city commuters whose road is normally well maintained.

The 700c Schwable Snow Stud Tire is a good example of this.

In contrast, the centre ridge studded tire is designed for those riders whose road consists of that which is normally covered in ice. It has cente ridge studs that provide excellent traction during acceleration and braking. An example of this is the Schwable Marathon Winter tire is a good example of this.

It is important to note that many other different styles and manufactuers of tires exist, and that those listed only represent a fraction of those available. Partially studded tires can be used in matching and staggered pairs to tailor your style of winter riding.

No matter what, do not forget to adjust to your riding conditions, obey the rules of the road and always wear a helmet.

Until next time…

Always consider that the ability of the rider, greatly outweighs the capability of the parts.

Bryan!

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,

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

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

Safety Equipment

Safety Check

Basic Bicycle Safety Checklist:

Bolts/Quick release levers

Check that bolts and/or quick release levers on the seat, seat post, handlebar stem and axles are tight.

Headset

Check that it turns freely and doesn’t rattle.

Brakes

Check that the nuts on the brakes are tight. Brake pads should not touch the rims unless you are squeezing the brakes. Brake levers should stop at least 2.5 centimetres from the handlebars when the brakes are fully applied.

Axles

Check bearings for looseness by shaking the wheel side to side. Make sure quick release levers are clamped tight.

Shift Levers

Derailleur levers should move easily only when shifting. A screw or butterfly nut or similar device lets you adjust the movement of some types of shifter levers.

Derailleur Movement

On derailleur bikes, try shifting through all your gears and make sure your derailleur does not throw the chain off the sprockets.

Tires

Inflate to the recommended tire pressure as shown on the tire.

Spokes

Check for and replace loose, bent or broken spokes.

Wheels

Make sure wheels are centred in the forks and not touching the brake blocks. Check the rim for side-to-side wobbles and up and down hops by watching the wheel spin past the brakes or frame. More than half a centimetre of wobble is cause for concern.

Coaster Brakes

Check that the bolt holding the brake arm to the frame clip is tight.

Helmet

             Make sure that your helmet meets safety standards (e.g. Snell, CSA, ANSI,   ASTM, BSI, SAA, CPSC) and has not been damaged in a collision.

Keep your bike secure

Always carry a quality bicycle lock when riding and always lock your bike and quick release items like your wheels and seat to something solid.

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Over the next number of blogs we will cover Safety Equipment (Sizing, Safety Check, Helmets, Visibility), Handling Skills, Riding in Traffic (Where, Intersections, Signs and traffic signals, Dealing with trucks and buses), Obstacles and Road surfaces, Cycling and the Law and Electric Bicycles.  Stay tuned for the next few weeks as we cover some important information to keep YOU safe while cycling!

Watch for” CYCLING SKILLS (Safe Cycling)  Part 3 – Safety Equipment -Helmets” in the Blog on Monday, August 2nd.

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The above information is taken from the Government of Ontario website and addresses “Ontario’s Guide to Safe Cycling”.  For more information please see http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/pubs/cycling-guide/index.shtml .

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