Well, here was the response from Jef Mallet in "Frazz" on Saturday:
Monday, July 13, 2009
Cycling smackdown in the comics
Remember this little comics gem from Stephan Pastis in "Pearls Before Swine?"
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Our Latest eNewsletter
Our latest e-mail newsletter was sent out this past Thursday evening. If you didn't receive it, you can read it online here. If you'd like to sign up to receive it in your Inbox in the future (and catch up on archived past issues), you can do so here.
Highlights from the latest issue include:
- Pictures and wrap-up of our last Night Ride on the Towpath Trail.
- Bicycle Touring Travelers Visit Ohio
- Two upcoming events sponsored by Century Cycles: Ice Cream Odyssey and Cycle Canalway
- HOT Product - Keen Cycling Sandals
- Staff Profile: Tom Wiseman
- Burley Trailers on Sale
- TechTalk: Freewheels vs. Freehubs
Friday, July 10, 2009
Spend the weekend on your bike!
TONIGHT: Join us in Peninsula for the Night Ride! Always free, always fun, and no registration necessary. Plus need something last-minute before the Night Ride? The Peninsula store is open until the ride starts at 8 p.m. for gloves, energy bars, sunglasses, bike lights, and all those little things that make life worth living.SATURDAY AND SUNDAY: Ride your bike to the Ingenuity Festival this weekend and save 50% on your admission ticket! (Or enter "BIKE" as the promotion code when buying tix online.) ClevelandBikes will have free, safe, secure bike parking off Prospect Avenue just west of E. 14th Street.
SATURDAY JULY 18: Walk+Roll Old Brooklyn at Brooklyn Centre! The Old Brooklyn Community Development Corp is bringing bicycling and walking to the All Access Home and Bicycle Tour this year. The event will not involve a street closing, but it will include free bicycle tours, walking tours, trolley tours, local businesses, historic homes and cemeteries in one of Cleveland's most interesting neighborhoods. More info here.
AND ALSO THE 22nd ICE CREAM ODYSSEY ON JULY 18. Medina. Bicycle outing on a summer's day through quaint small towns over scenic, rolling terrain. Routes of 25/42/62 miles are fully-supported; barbeque lunch at finish. Free tee shirts to first 150 registered. Register online through Web site. Medina County Bicycle Club. (330) 421-1987. MedinaBikeClub.org
Go to our website for even more great rides and listings!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Friday Night Ride on the Towpath
Recently listed by The Plain Dealer as one of the region's free and fun attractions, Century Cycles Night Rides on the Towpath Trail are a great way to enjoy a summer night without breaking the bank! Tomorrow's Night Ride starts at 8 p.m. in the parking lot of the Peninsula store. Bike at your own pace for a 12-15 mile ride that takes about two hours. Bike lights and helmets are required.Can't join us tomorrow? Then plan to join us in the future! The remaining dates for 2009: July 25, August 8, August 28, September 19, or October 9.
(Photo by Doug Charnock.)
Staff Profile: Tom Wiseman
The Medina store’s Tom Wiseman has a 12-year history with Century Cycles, yet has only four years’ tenure as an employee. He was on staff from 1997 to 1999, then came back into the Century Cycles fold in 2007. Tom has a strong background in mountain bike racing, but he is no slouch when it comes to road racing, either. He recently came in second in the 35-39 age group in the Twin Sizzler, a 27-mile bike race that’s an annual July 4th tradition in Medina. Q: Congratulations on coming in second in your age group! How did the race go?
A: I’m used to mountain bike races. When I compete in road bike races, I never save anything for the end sprint. With a race that short, the whole thing is a sprint. I have a Polar cycling computer that’s also a heart rate monitor and it told me I burned 1,600 calories in the one hour and 10 minutes of the race. I went home afterwards and took a nap, then ate burgers and beer -- it was July 4th! (Polar computers are available by special order from Century Cycles.)
Q: What is your biggest accomplishment on a bicycle?
A: Any ride that I don’t crash or break my bike.
Q: Not Alaska?! (Tom and a friend came in first place in the 2007 Fireweed 400, also known as the Great Alaska Double Century, in the Men’s Duo category.)
A: The Fireweed 400 is probably my most memorable race, but it’s not my biggest accomplishment on a bike. I was in Alaska to support the team as a mechanic, but instead of wrenching I ended up riding. It certainly was the best five-day trip I’ve ever had, but I’ve had more exciting races and wins closer to home. I’m much more proud of my mountain bike racing.
Q: What’s your biggest accomplishment in mountain bike racing?
A: I competed in the Ohio Mountain Bike Racing Series from 1996 until 2006, and I spent four of those years ranked in the top 10. It was a much bigger field of competitors and there was much more adversity to overcome to be successful. Those races are what are really at the top of my accomplishments. But it’s not about racing.
Q: What’s it about?
A: It’s about friends.
Q: What bike did you ride in the Twin Sizzler and how many bikes do you own?
A: I rode a Raleigh Prestige road bike in the Twin Sizzler. I’m down to four bikes now. I had 12, but I had to put my wife through nursing school.
Q: Do you have a favorite bike?
A: No. I go through them pretty quickly, getting a new bike every 18 months or so. I’ve owned every manufacturer. Probably the bike I most fondly remember is a Schwinn Homegrown from the mid-1990s.
Q: What was your first bike?
A: My first “real” bike was a Diamondback Apex, which I got as a freshman in college at Kent State.
Q: What’s the best mountain bike on the floor at Century Cycles right now?
A: I really like the Giant Anthem. I’ve been on it for two years and am not planning to replace it, which is unusual for me. Its durability and ride quality are good. It’s a well-engineered bike. The whole package.
Q: What’s your favorite local trail or ride?
A: Vulture’s Knob. I was part of the group that helped Mark Condry build a large percentage of it. He and I are good friends.
Q: What three words describe how you feel on a bike?
A: Just. Three. Words?!
Q: Dirt or road?
A: Definitely dirt.
Q: When you’re not riding a bike or working at Century Cycles, what do you like to do?
A: I like to spend time with my wife and family. Just relax. Read. I’m a history buff. Anything that helps me get my mind off the everyday stuff.
Q: What’s your favorite beer?
A: A beer brewed by a guy I grew up with – Hoppin’ Frog Brewery’s Black & Tan. I also really like Hoppin’ Frog Brewery Boris the Crusher, a dark stout. I remember when he used to brew beer in his basement and now he has a brewery near the Goodyear blimp hangar in Akron.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?
A: I was in a race a long time ago and a guy passed me like I was standing still. I asked him, “when do you rest?” He said, “I rest at home.” I do the same thing now – give it everything I’ve got and no rest until I get home.
Q: What piece of advice do you try to share with customers?
A: Spend the extra now and you’ll thank yourself later. If you think you want it, you do. The only thing worse than buyer’s remorse is losing in a sprint.
Twin Sizzler Superstars!
Besides Tom Wiseman, other Century Cycles employees who competed in the Twin Sizzler on July 4th and deserve hearty congratulations include Adam Rady, 1st place in the 20-24 age group; Andrew Copenhavel, 4th place in the 15-19 age group; Drew Rady, 4th place in the 30-34 age group; and Kevin Madzia, 15th place in the 40-44 age group. Way to go!!
TechTalk: Freewheels vs. Freehubs
Most people like to take a break from pedaling once in a while during their bike ride and just coast along, either to cruise down a hill or catch their breath for a few moments on a smooth, flat stretch of road. Many people don't understand the inner workings of the mechanism that allows you to coast. What keeps your feet from having to keep moving with the wheels? The answer is either a freewheel or a freehub.
All modern multi-speed bikes use either a freewheel or a freehub system on the rear wheel, unless they are using an internally geared rear hub. Most bikes with 7 gears or less on the rear wheel use a freewheel; most bike with 8 gears or more on the rear wheel use a freehub, although there are some 7-speed freehub systems in use. The outward appearance of a freewheel and a freehub is not noticeably different to the average bicycle owner.
In both cases, inside the freewheel or freehub is a set of bearings that are separate from the bearings inside the wheel's main axle. Working in conjunction with these bearings is a set of spring-loaded pawls. When you pedal forward, the pawls lock into position to turn the wheel forward. When you stop pedaling, the pawls release, causing the clicking sound that you usually hear when coasting.
The difference between a freewheel system and a freehub system is in the location of the coasting mechanism.
On a freewheel system, the coasting mechanism is built into the gear cluster. The term "freewheel" refers to the whole gear cluster with the coasting mechanism inside. The freewheel is screwed onto a set of threads on the right-hand side of the wheel's hub.
On a freehub system, the coasting mechanism is a sub-assembly of the wheel's hub. The gear cluster is a unit with non-moving parts, and is referred to as a cassette. The cassette slides into place onto the freehub body and is held in position by a series of ridges, or splines, and locked in place using a cassette lockring.
The diagram below highlights the differences between freehub system (top) and a freewheel system (bottom).
The red dots indicate the position of the main hub's axle bearings. Notice how they are more widely spaced on the freehub axle compared to the freewheel axle. The freewheel bearing placement worked great for decades and was durable enough for most applications. However, when mountain biking exploded in the 1980's, riders experienced frequent problems with their axles snapping in half. This led to the development of the more durable freehub system, and it's used on most better bikes (road as well as mountain) priced over $400. You are still likely to find the less-expensive freewheel system on bikes under $400.
A 6-speed freewheel
When the mechanism wears out in a freewheel, you just replace the entire freewheel (with gear cluster). When the freehub mechanism wears out, you can remove the cassette, replace the freehub, then re-install the cassette.
A 10-speed road bike cassette
These days, since freewheels are mostly used on kid's bikes and less-expensive adult bikes, the quality level of most replacement freewheels available are pretty much equivalent. However, there are a wide range of freehubs available from a variety of manufacturers today. One of the things that makes one freehub better than another is the number of pawls in the freehub mechanism, and the number of engagement points for the pawls. Increasing the number of pawls and/or engagement points makes the freehub engage faster when you start pedaling, with less free "spinning" before the force of your legs gets put to use.
For single-speed drive trains, both the freewheel and and freehub mechanisms are in common use. The working principle for both is the same as their multi-speed brethren. A single-speed freewheel has the coasting mechanism built inside a single cog that is bolted onto the wheel's main hub. These are common on BMX bikes, most single-speed kid's bikes, and many single-speed mountain bikes (both high- and low-end).
A single-speed freewheel
A single-speed freehub has the same type of splines as a multi-speed freehub; the freehub body is just shorter to accomodate a single cassette cog. The are common on many single-speed mountain bikes (both high- and low-end).
A single-speed cassette cog
All modern multi-speed bikes use either a freewheel or a freehub system on the rear wheel, unless they are using an internally geared rear hub. Most bikes with 7 gears or less on the rear wheel use a freewheel; most bike with 8 gears or more on the rear wheel use a freehub, although there are some 7-speed freehub systems in use. The outward appearance of a freewheel and a freehub is not noticeably different to the average bicycle owner.
In both cases, inside the freewheel or freehub is a set of bearings that are separate from the bearings inside the wheel's main axle. Working in conjunction with these bearings is a set of spring-loaded pawls. When you pedal forward, the pawls lock into position to turn the wheel forward. When you stop pedaling, the pawls release, causing the clicking sound that you usually hear when coasting.
The difference between a freewheel system and a freehub system is in the location of the coasting mechanism.
On a freewheel system, the coasting mechanism is built into the gear cluster. The term "freewheel" refers to the whole gear cluster with the coasting mechanism inside. The freewheel is screwed onto a set of threads on the right-hand side of the wheel's hub.
On a freehub system, the coasting mechanism is a sub-assembly of the wheel's hub. The gear cluster is a unit with non-moving parts, and is referred to as a cassette. The cassette slides into place onto the freehub body and is held in position by a series of ridges, or splines, and locked in place using a cassette lockring.
The diagram below highlights the differences between freehub system (top) and a freewheel system (bottom).
The red dots indicate the position of the main hub's axle bearings. Notice how they are more widely spaced on the freehub axle compared to the freewheel axle. The freewheel bearing placement worked great for decades and was durable enough for most applications. However, when mountain biking exploded in the 1980's, riders experienced frequent problems with their axles snapping in half. This led to the development of the more durable freehub system, and it's used on most better bikes (road as well as mountain) priced over $400. You are still likely to find the less-expensive freewheel system on bikes under $400.
A 6-speed freewheelWhen the mechanism wears out in a freewheel, you just replace the entire freewheel (with gear cluster). When the freehub mechanism wears out, you can remove the cassette, replace the freehub, then re-install the cassette.
A 10-speed road bike cassetteThese days, since freewheels are mostly used on kid's bikes and less-expensive adult bikes, the quality level of most replacement freewheels available are pretty much equivalent. However, there are a wide range of freehubs available from a variety of manufacturers today. One of the things that makes one freehub better than another is the number of pawls in the freehub mechanism, and the number of engagement points for the pawls. Increasing the number of pawls and/or engagement points makes the freehub engage faster when you start pedaling, with less free "spinning" before the force of your legs gets put to use.
For single-speed drive trains, both the freewheel and and freehub mechanisms are in common use. The working principle for both is the same as their multi-speed brethren. A single-speed freewheel has the coasting mechanism built inside a single cog that is bolted onto the wheel's main hub. These are common on BMX bikes, most single-speed kid's bikes, and many single-speed mountain bikes (both high- and low-end).
A single-speed freewheelA single-speed freehub has the same type of splines as a multi-speed freehub; the freehub body is just shorter to accomodate a single cassette cog. The are common on many single-speed mountain bikes (both high- and low-end).
A single-speed cassette cogWednesday, July 8, 2009
"Super Dave" tours the Midwest and East Coast
The latest long-distance bicycle tourist to stop in the Peninsula store yesterday is this guy, with his home-made snowmobile-shaped cargo trailer, weighing in at 75lbs!
His name is Dave; although I didn't catch his last name, he said all of his friends and the bike shops in his home of Marquette, Michigan (on the Upper Peninsula) know him as "Super Dave." He does a long ride every summer; this year, he's riding through the Midwest, and will proceed through Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, and then continue down the East Coast to Florida.
He's raising money for The Smile Train, an organization that funds corrective surgery for children afflicted with cleft palate.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy Independence Day
In honor of Independence Day, here are two stories about bicyclists who helped to defend our country's freedom. Both stories come to us courtesy of the Adventure Cycling Association.
The first is the story of the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps, an all-black regiment in the segregated 19th-century US Army. Based in Ft. Missoula, Montana, the regiment traveled by bicycle from there to St. Louis, Missouri, a total of 1,900 miles in 41 days during 1897. The purpose of the trip was to experiment to see whether the bicycle could serve a useful purpose in the Army.
You can read a day-by-day account of the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps at: http://www.bicyclecorps.blogspot.com
Fast forward to World War II for the next story. A folding military bike was used by some of the British paratroopers deployed in the D-Day invasion on the coast of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Shown here is a re-enactor on a replica model. You can read more details here.
This last story is not bicycle-related, but I thought it was cool. Take one high school class project, a disappointing grade, and a couple dozen calls and letters to the White House. What you get is the story behind our current 50-star flag came to be. Listen to online at NPR's StoryCorps.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July!
The first is the story of the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps, an all-black regiment in the segregated 19th-century US Army. Based in Ft. Missoula, Montana, the regiment traveled by bicycle from there to St. Louis, Missouri, a total of 1,900 miles in 41 days during 1897. The purpose of the trip was to experiment to see whether the bicycle could serve a useful purpose in the Army.You can read a day-by-day account of the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps at: http://www.bicyclecorps.blogspot.com
Fast forward to World War II for the next story. A folding military bike was used by some of the British paratroopers deployed in the D-Day invasion on the coast of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Shown here is a re-enactor on a replica model. You can read more details here.
This last story is not bicycle-related, but I thought it was cool. Take one high school class project, a disappointing grade, and a couple dozen calls and letters to the White House. What you get is the story behind our current 50-star flag came to be. Listen to online at NPR's StoryCorps.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July!
Friday, July 3, 2009
Top 10 Reasons Geeks Should Love the Tour
The Tour de France begins tomorrow, and that means it's time to reduce my Netflix subscription down to one DVD, for there is no movie-watching in our house in July.Instead, we'll spend the next three weeks with Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen, who are reason #5 on this awesome list of Top Ten Reasons That Geeks Should Love the Tour de France. Doug Cornelius has it right -- the Tour is filled with geeky goodness. It's also filled with enough drama and humor that I don't miss movies one bit while it's on.
The derailleurs that inspired "Disraeli Gears"
Every week I look forward to the Tuesday Trivia email quiz from the legendary geek hero Ken Jennings. Two weeks ago, here was a Q and Ken's A:5. Derailleur systems are the "gears" on what type of device? A derailleur is the system that includes the gears (sprockets, actually) on a bicycle. I just found out this week that the classic Cream album Disraeli Gears is named for a roadie's mispronunciation of the word "derailleur." Cool, right?
Cool is right, Ken! But I wanted more details. Off to Wikipedia!
The title of the album was taken from an inside joke. Eric Clapton had been thinking of buying a racing bicycle and was discussing it with Ginger Baker, when a roadie named Mick Turner commented, "it's got them Disraeli Gears", meaning to say "derailleur gears", but instead alluding to 19th Century British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli. The band thought this was hilarious, and decided that it should be the title of their next album. Had it not been for Mick, the album would simply have been entitled Cream.
The album, which featured "Strange Brew" and "Sunshine of Your Love," went on to be a huge seller in both the UK and America.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Bike donated to the Bay Skate and Bike Park Foundation
If you go to Bay Days this holiday weekend to partake of the carnival food and rides, be sure to stop by the Bay Skate and Bike Park Foundation booth. They are selling raffle tickets now through Saturday to win this Electra Navy cruiser donated by Century Cycles. The proceeds go to BSBP, which is trying to move heaven and earth and local politics to create a place for west side kids to enjoy their skateboards and bicycles.Or: Save yourself 3,000 elephant-ear calories and a stomachache from the Roundup by just donating to BSBP here. It's a tax-deductible act of civic altruism to add to your July 4th festivities, plus founder and BSBP grand poobah Lawrence Kuh (below left) and his crew of skate and bike kids will really appreciate the help.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Night Ride Photos from June 27, 2009
Our pictures from this past Saturday's record-breaking Night Ride on the Towpath Trail are now available!
Thanks to Brent, Doug, and Petch for the great photos!
Thanks to Brent, Doug, and Petch for the great photos!
Bike Sales Higher Than Car Sales in 2009
During the first quarter of 2009, more bicycles were sold in the US than cars and trucks!
Read more details in this article on the "Energy Boom" web site.(Thanks to Brent for the link.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
