Regarding Chameleons and Ogres

Surly International Regional Headquarters has been busy dreaming up a small fleet of exciting new offerings (Moonlanders, anyone?) which we have been thoroughly jazzed about. We recently received nearly a full size run of the Surly Ogre and something about the dropouts looked so familiar...

Image of my man Rango found on chameleonforums.com.

The resemblance to a chameleon is entirely fitting for a bike so capable of morphing to suit the rider's needs. The Ogre is a 29er based off the tried-and-true geometry of the Karate Monkey but designed to accommodate your choice of drivetrains, brakes, and cargo-carrying methods. Single speed or geared, disc or cantilever brakes, Rohloff hub, trailer, racks, fenders.......

In the event that you can't decide whether you want to get all escapist and bike the Great Divide, spend a Sunday trail riding in the Wissahickon, or haul all your groceries home in that B.O.B. trailer you've been meaning to tow around - hey, why not have your cake and eat it, too? Think of all the cake you can put in that trailer. Delicious!

Completes are $1500 with everything but pedals.
Also available as a choose-your-own-adventure frameset for $535.

Merry Christmas!

Holiday cheering at the shop today.

Merry Christmas: Holiday Hours

We will be open for all of your last minute shopping needs, today (Friday) from 11-7 and tomorrow (Saturday) from 11-4.
Have a great holiday, and thank you for helping to brighten ours.

Lunar Landing, Mission Accomplished!

Just received our Surly Moonlanders today! Best bike ever.

For the Ladies

In cycling often times women's specific items are not so hot. The term "shrink it and pink it" is thrown about quite a bit. That is to say that rather than being made for women, it is a slightly smaller and PINK! version of the men's product. Add some floral motifs and you have stuff that is pretty darn unappealing to a lot of us ladies. So, here are a few items for the fairer sex that actually are up to the task. 

Women's cycling shorts, knickers, and tights. Padding where it should be for female anatomy, waistbands that don't dig in, ergonomic panel shaping. Prices vary but start about $50. Shorts can be worn all year round under the tights (no padding) or with knee/leg warmers. Knickers are great for 3 seasons, a bit warm in summer. 

Spending a lot of time on the bike can sometimes cause chafing. It is one of the less pleasant parts or riding, but it can be avoided. DZ Bliss chamois cream is made for women's skin, no really it is! It protects, and promotes healing in previously damaged skin, as well as strengthening natural biological skin defenses. All of that without the tingling that men's anti-chafe products often have. Is there anything this stuff can't do? Oh, it costs $24, by the way.

Finally, we have some incredible base layers from Modrobes. These are made from Eucalyptex which is pretty impressive stuff. I could go on and on about why it is great but the highlights are that is a natural fiber that dries quickly, is anti-bacterial, supersoft & comfortable, sustainable & biodegradable, and made in Canada. Tights and long sleeve shirts are cozy for the winter. Shorts and short sleeve shirts are great for layering all year round. They are cut for women and come in a pleasing palette of feminine and neutral colors, nothing too girly. The prices start at $30 and go up to about $50 - very reasonable for the quality.

Now get to the shop to buy yourself, or the ladies in your life, something wonderful.

Introducing: Foundry Cycles!

We had some visitors today, our good friends from QBP (Quality Bicycle Products) in Minnesota. Industry leaders and innovators, who have brought you favorites such as Surly, All-City and Salsa. Now bringing Foundry Cycles to your favorite local bike shop.

We are excited to be offered the opportunity to partner with this new brand from our favorite distributor in the cycling industry, bringing you form and function in carbon fiber.

First we have the Router, Twenty-Nine inches of off-road fun! Three solid parts package options with the finest that SRAM, Rock Shox and Avid have to offer at $2900 for X7, $3500 for X9, and $5000 for XX.

Next we have the Auger. Cyclo-Cross action with 4 build packages offering rim brakes and disc brakes, in SRAM Rival for $3000 or SRAM Red for $3400.

And last, but not least, the Ratchet. A road machine that will surely leave you breathless. Available built with SRAM Force for $3200. and SRAM Red for $4200.

All three available as frame/frameset as well, with an unprecedented 10 Year Warranty! And just because sometimes things don't go quite as planned, a crash replacement policy bringing you 30% off of a brand new frame in the event you wipe out and break your Foundry Frame.

Hard working bikes, for hard working folks!

Looking forward to some of these rolling into the shop early 2012. Stay tuned for more news.

Holiday Lights, Bells and Computers?

What could be more festive for the holidays than lights, bells and computers?

I dont know, but day 3 of our holiday gift suggestions asks the tough questions.

Winter can be dark and scary, and sometimes the holidays offer us a little light to help get us through till spring. So, here we have a couple of lights that offer safety and convenience.

The Cygolites are USB rechargeable and bright as hell! A little pricier, but money you will save in the long run in replacement batteries alone. The headlight is 170 lumens for $90, which is REALLY bright. And the tail light is 2 watts for $50, maximum visibility. Then there is the Planet Bike Blaze/Superflash combo pack. One watt headlight and mega watt tail light in one tidy little package for $60.

Bells, tell other cyclists and pedestrians that you are there and COMING THROUGH! Yet in a fun and friendly ringy dingy. All three bells shown here in stock for $15 each. The Duet with trigger action in a compact size. The Omni with a pleasant tone and rubber bracket to attach to any bike, any time and any where. And the Crane brass Suzu for classic style and maximum volume.

And last, but not least cyclometers (computers). Cateye and Knog offering 5, 9, and 12 functions in wired and wireless options. The simple and classic Cateye Velo 5 provides current speed, max speed, trip distance, odometer and time all for $20.

The Knog NERD 9 delivers current speed, clock, trip distance, average speed, max speed, relative speed, total ride time, odometer, function scanning, and low battery indicator. All for $79 in a minimalist wireless package.

Also from Knog, the NERD 12. Coming to the plate with multi bike functions, current speed, clock, trip distance, average speed, max speed, relative speed, daily distance, total ride time, odometer, function scanning, low battery indicator and backlighting. Also wireless for just $89.

Some nice gists for the super commuter or dedicated cyclist in your life.