Messages

1

Gear Talk / Re: The Best Touring Bikes/Frames (and other parts, as well)

« on: December 05, 2009, 12:59:18 pm »

Not sure what the availability is in the USA but Dawes make very good touring bike with a good range.

In terms of panniers, have a look at Carradice.   They produce a great range of kit, panniers, bar bags saddle bags etc.   And they're totally different from the usual  Ortleib, Arkel etc.

And if they're good enough for Josie Dew...

Best of luck with the new venture.   

Dawes in the US is a crap brand, owned by BikesDirect.com  Total junk.  I wish we COULD get the UK Dawes.

I like Carradice myself, but the cost keeps them as a very, very specialised "boutique" item here.  Velo Orange has some similar style bags.  I DO sell Velo Orange stuff.

I think I'll be selling Arkel panniers and OMM racks...  Less strict terms than Ortleib, friendlier email, and I can't afford to have 2 different brands.  Not at the moment, at least.

I also picked up the Solar Monkey charger.  (Every time I read that, I think of the PG Tips "Munkey" commercials...)

2

Gear Talk / Re: touring bike

« on: November 30, 2009, 05:57:10 am »

Wheeler didn't last long in the US.  I think they only existed here from 1997-1999 or so.  I can't remember their actual home country, but I *think* they were German.  Quality was pretty decent as far as I remember.

I can find nothing on a Wheeler 3000 Crossline.  The closest I've found is a Wheeler 3600 Crossline, which was a trekking bike.  Bikepedia has no info on any of the crosslines at all.  I'm going to guess that "Crossline" = hybrid.

3

General Discussion / Re: HELP! WHAT BIKE SHOULD I GET???

« on: November 29, 2009, 02:22:29 pm »

All Treks, aside from the most expensive Madones, are made in China or Taiwan.  Trek had a chance, as the #1 bike company in the US, to ignore what everyone else was doing, and keep production in the US.  People would still buy Treks.  But they didn't.  They kept the prices high and farmed out the frame building to Asia.  I lost all respect for them then.

4

General Discussion / Re: NEED ADVICE FROM SEASONED/CRAFTY VETERANS

« on: November 29, 2009, 01:08:04 pm »

Is it Harry Potter week?

We've got Dumbledore AND Severus Snape on the board right now....

5

General Discussion / Re: HELP! WHAT BIKE SHOULD I GET???

« on: November 29, 2009, 01:04:08 pm »

I don't like the Trek.

a) it's a Trek.  They were good at one time, but those days are past.
b) The tubing is, IMO, too small.  If you look at most of the others, they have larger tubing to compensate for the additional weight of the loaded panniers.

6

Gear Talk / Re: The Best Touring Bikes/Frames (and other parts, as well)

« on: November 21, 2009, 08:45:31 am »

Re: Used Bikes.

So far, I have a beat up Gary Fisher, a pristine Bridgestone NB-26, and a decent Specialized HardRock.

I'm trying to find some more used bikes to have in here.  Plus I'll be taking trade-ins.

Have you looked into the liability issue with selling used bikes.  I know a lot of shops that won't deal with used bikes because of that possible problem.

As a touring bike specialty shop, prepare to change the gearing on any line of major brand touring bikes you sell.  Way too many of them come overgeared with things like 11T small cogs and 52 or 53T big chain rings on road cranks. 

I'll second the recommendation to make Co-Motion your specialty/custom touring bike supplier.  They do excellent work and have at least two truly well designed and spec'ed touring bikes.

I go over the bikes pretty thoroughly before I put them on the floor, so I'm pretty confident in the safety of them.  If there's a problem, however, I have 2 million in liability insurance....

7

Gear Talk / Re: The Best Touring Bikes/Frames (and other parts, as well)

« on: November 20, 2009, 06:40:53 pm »

Re: Used Bikes.

So far, I have a beat up Gary Fisher, a pristine Bridgestone NB-26, and a decent Specialized HardRock.

I'm trying to find some more used bikes to have in here.  Plus I'll be taking trade-ins.

I have a rule.  If something is ugly after three months, it's always gonna be ugly.  (ie: If no one has bought a certain product within 3 months, it isn't likely to sell.)  So, blow it out.  Sell it cheap.  Sell it for cost if you have to.  Then buy something different and try that.

My labour prices are lower than Indy, but not so low that people get the impression that I'm a hack.  If you know what I mean.  Gotta keep the doors open, and all that.  When I price products, I don't follow the "double it" rule.  I check online first and see what it sells for.  Then I add shipping.  Then I price my product at that price, if at all possible.

8

Gear Talk / Re: The Best Touring Bikes/Frames (and other parts, as well)

« on: November 18, 2009, 08:30:38 pm »

Good luck with the bike shop.  I have been in the bike business for over 20 years and still like going to work.  Here is a list of parts you might think about stocking.  BOB trailer skewer, bob pins, Fiber Fix spoke (it is a kavlar string that is used as an emergence spoke yes it really does work no need to remove the cassette or freewheel to install), Wheel MFG emergency rear derailleur  hanger, hard wear for fenders and racks.  Schwalbe Tires or other makes with a kevlar belt. I have a copy of the Adventure Cycling route that goes through my area so if some calls and needs help I have the map to help me find them.  I live in Michigan and have a list of all the rail trails in the state and map books from some of the week long tour at take place in the state.  If some one needs an idea where to ride I let them use the maps as a resource. I have a list of campgrounds and where they can pick up fuel for their camp stove.  Now that you are the owner of a bike shop do take time out ride.  I do a lot of quick, self supported over night trips in summer and have learned a lot about the sport.  GOOD LUCK

Good.  Most of the items you listed are things I had thought of.  Glad to know I'm not a total idiot.  lol.
I upgraded my AC membership to "bike shop" (it was time to renew anyway), so I hope I get some good literature from them to have in the store.  There aren't any AC routes that go through my area.  In fact, they seem to not really like the state of Indiana at all.  Still, there are a few routes that aren't "too" far away, so I'll buy copies of the maps to have on hand.

9

Gear Talk / Re: Schmidt Dyno Hub vs Shimano Alfine, N-80 or Sachs Dyno Hubs with DIWA Lights

« on: November 17, 2009, 08:59:12 pm »

I have both Shimano and SRAM dynamo hubs.  The SRAM is far superior to the Shimano, as far as drag.  It's about the same price, or a little less.

10

Gear Talk / Re: Brooks saddle break in period

« on: November 17, 2009, 08:57:33 pm »

I'm partial to my B-17 Narrow.  It fit me and was comfortable right out of the box.  I got lucky, I guess.

11

Gear Talk / Re: The Best Touring Bikes/Frames (and other parts, as well)

« on: November 17, 2009, 08:52:48 pm »

I should actually be able to ride MORE now that I have my own shop...  I've been driving to Indianapolis (60+ miles - I worked on the north-east side) for several years, which left no time to ride.  Now I work 5 blocks from my house.

I'm in Greencastle Indiana.  When the National Trail route is finished, it will be going right through here.

Greencastle is halfway between US36 and US40 on US231.  It's about 40 miles to Terre Haute, 40 miles to Bloomington, 40 miles to Lafayette, and 40 miles to the west side of Indy.

12

Gear Talk / The Best Touring Bikes/Frames (and other parts, as well)

« on: November 16, 2009, 10:23:17 pm »

I need the experience of people who actually get to tour.  As a bike shop employee (and now owner), I've never had the chance to go out for more than a day or two.  I'm opening my store in a week, and am still in the "research" phase as far as what bikes to carry.  I'll definitely have Raleigh.  Any others are still up in the air.  I want to have touring as one of my specialities.  Specifically, I want to be well-equipped for those who want to tour, as well as for those passing through who need something that can't be fixed with a Leatherman and duct tape.

What bikes (aside from the LHT) would you recommend?

What panniers do you prefer?  (I've already contacted Arkel and Ortlieb)

Jackets? Other clothing?

Basically, I'm asking what brands have a) served you well and b) you would like to see in a bike shop?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

13

Bikecentennial / Re: Wish I was there

« on: November 16, 2009, 10:14:34 pm »

I hired a guy this summer who rode the whole thing - Jim Born.

He doesn't play on the computer much, so I don't expect him to show up here.  He told some amazing stories about the trip, though.