Okay, January started off slow. But hey, I’m 100% ahead of where I was last January ;-). I figure January is time for personal projects. I’ve got a few bikes that are in need of work and a couple of frames that are in need of building up. So, here’s Project #1. I built this […]
Filed under: Uncategorized
This neat old Land Shark was in recently for fenders. Originally, it was just going to get the strap-on fenders front and rear because there was no clearance under the brake calipers for any type of fender. The owner is a hard-core commuter. The strap-on fenders are pretty inadequate if you are riding in any […]
Filed under: Uncategorized
I just got a call from Patrick Cruz (he sounded a little like Apu, though). He asked me if I accepted credit cards. I said I did. He then went on to say that my business has been approved for $250,000! I immediately thanked him, said I can’t wait to get the money and then […]
Filed under: Uncategorized
Some things might seem difficult at first, but in the end are really pretty easy to do. Take my sign for instance. How does a retail establishment get a sign up in the first place? Easy, pick up the phone and call another business who’s specialty is sign making. Give them the design or parameters […]
Filed under: Uncategorized
Recently, it seemed like it was ti times. I had an early Merlin road bike and an early 90s Merlin mountain bike in for some work and a Steve Potts frame in for a complete build up. The Merlin road bike initially came in during a ride for a disturbing “clunk” in the front end […]
Filed under: Uncategorized
Recently, I visited with Mark Slate of WTB fame. His passion for bikes extends beyond tires and seats. As a side project, he created OS Bikes and a very clean, sweet single-speed 29″ wheel mountain bike. As many 29er fans know, Mark is one of the few reasons why the 29″ wheel bicycle exists today. […]
Filed under: Uncategorized
In the book of retail, it is said that thou shalt have a sign announcing your shop or else… I’ve been open for four months without a sign. I’ve thought about getting it done, but something would always come up and delay the process. Initially, I had someone who was going to paint it for […]
Filed under: Uncategorized
This old Ritchey came in for some work. It didn’t really need anything at first glance, but the owner wanted to ditch the newish brake pads and I suggested replacing the straddle cables with something more vintage looking if he was going for maintaining the vintage look. I installed a set of original Shimano canti […]
Filed under: Uncategorized
Let’s just not project that image. I’m from Southern California. For the past many years, I wore shorts year-round. Rarely wore a jacket. The toughest decision about riding my bike during the winter months was if I wanted to wear a long sleeve jersey or short sleeve with arm warmers. Now, I’m 500 miles north, […]
Filed under: Uncategorized
Especially when it comes to trying to truing up a 29″ wheel with tire in a Park TS-2. It just don’t work. With the tire, the wheel is too big for the truing caliper arms to get even remotely close to the rim. Oh sure, I could buy the handy extension arms Park conveniently now […]
Filed under: Uncategorized
It’s amazing how fast time goes by as you get older. I remember being a kid and thinking Christmas will never get here. I’m reminded that this feeling is still in existence today as my son is expressing the same sentiment. As you get older, you wonder, how the heck did it get to be […]
Filed under: Uncategorized
I’ve been getting quite a few compact and triple conversions – four in the last couple weeks. Seems folks aren’t as keen on turning pedals on old 52/42 cranksets or even 53/39. Out here in West Marin, we’ve got our fare share of hills that, except for the exceptionally fit, are nicely tamed with compact […]
Filed under: Uncategorized