What an awful screeching sound it must have made when these disc brake pads wore through the pad and half-way through the metal back plate. One can only imagine. The damage that these pads wrought to the rotor and the pistons was pretty incredible, though. But, one caliper overhaul, two new pistons and seals, a […]
Filed under: Working on bikes
When it rains, it pours. Not long ago, bikeradar.com had pictures and an interview with me on-line. And now in the May 2009 issue of Mountain Bike Action, there is a page with some info and pictures of the shop! My buddy Jimmy Mac (thanks!) was visiting over New Year’s and stopped by the shop. […]
Filed under: Uncategorized
In my quest to promote the shop a bit more, I’ve received a bunch of pint glasses emblazoned with the Black Mountain Cycles logo as well as frame stickers, the kind bike shops put on new bike builds, and decals for custom wheel builds. Pint glasses! These fine, clear mixers have a 16 oz. capacity […]
Filed under: Uncategorized
I’ve always had a somewhat eclectic taste in music. However, country was never really one of those tastes. Oh sure, there were the classics like Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Hank Williams Sr. But I never really got into it deeper that those. So it shocked me as much as anyone that I found myself listening […]
Filed under: Uncategorized
Talk about a bike that was created pretty much out of thin air that has captured the hearts of bike riders everywhere. The Salsa Fargo is a niche-of-a-niche bike. But it has proven to be very capable of doing a lot of different things pretty darn good. This is the epitome of an adventure bike. […]
Filed under: Mixed Terrain, New in the shop
Welp, I hired someone to clean bikes. Only problem is she only cleans aluminum bikes made in Farifax. The work’s kind of hit and miss, but they do show up on occasion. Seriously, Jacquie Phelan and her Dutch friend Erik (with a ‘k’) stopped by before and after a ride a couple of days ago. […]
Filed under: Visitors
Oxymorons are pretty fun(ny). Jumbo Shrimp, freezer burn, tragic comedy, found missing… So it is ironic that another can be added to the list – Fixie Inc. Chip Race. Let me explain. Fixie Inc. is a German company who’s name also tells you what they do. They make fixies or fixed gear road bikes. Or […]
Filed under: Rant
I’m beat. Putting 18 bikes back on the rack is much more difficult than taking them down. Even more so after I inflated 36 tires that had aired down over the past many months. Inflated them with a hand pump. But, they’re up and I mounted three bikes on the wall behind the bikes making […]
Filed under: Shop stuff
I’ve read some posts from other dealers stating now is the time to re-energize your bike shop, update your marketing plan, refocus your efforts, invest in yourself… I think, if you have the resources, this is a great time for a makeover. I mean, what can go wrong, the economy already sucks (but don’t tell […]
Filed under: Shop stuff
Read this great interview of Andy Hampsten on Belgium Knee Warmers. (What’s playing: KWMR: Community Radio for West Marin)
Filed under: Uncategorized
I think my all-time favorite derailleur for a mountain bike is the M950 series XTR derailleur. It’s just, well, it’s just a great looking mountain bike derailleur. Rugged and tough looking. One of the neatest features about it, though, is it’s spring tension adjustment. Theres a little Phillips head screw that increases spring tension in […]
Filed under: Things I like, What's in the stand
This was never intentional in my move to Point Reyes to open a bike shop. However, I ain’t complaining. I don’t know why, but I seem to be a magnet for old bikes. Now, there’s old bikes and then there’s old bikes and then there’s old Steve Potts bikes. And it’s old Potts bikes that […]
Filed under: Uncategorized