Laura finishes out 2010 just perfectly

Laura Faulkner shared this photo on our Facebook wall today, with the comment, "NO BULL !!! Finished out 2010 by meeting my cycling goal of 1000 miles. (started riding 7/20/10) A big thank you to the crew at Century Cycles (Rocky River) for getting me geared up."

Laura's goal for 2011? 2011 miles! You ROCK, Laura, and thank YOU -- we can't think of a better way to end 2010 and kick off 2011!

Closed Today: Happy New Year's Eve!

Just a reminder that we are CLOSED TODAY for computer upgrades to better serve our customers. Here's a little NYE bike humor in today's "Frazz" by our friend Jef Mallett -- may 2011 always find you in front of the person who falls off his bike!Seriously, though, we'd like to extend our sincere and grateful thanks to our customers, staff, friends, bike and accessory manufacturers, and partners for a wonderful 2010 -- may 2011 bring everyone good health, great happiness, and the best bicycling year yet!

Hot Deal #5: Achieve Your Resolutions

Cat Eye Enduro 8 Cyclo-Computer

$17.49 (regularly $34.99)

Half-off price valid Dec. 30, 2010 thru Jan. 12, 2011 only.

Resolve to track your 2011 bike mileage and save money in the new year with our most popular cyclo-computer, the Cat Eye Enduro 8, a whopping 50% off for two weeks only!

Why is the Cat Eye Enduro 8 so popular? It is super reliable and durable - tough enough even for off-road riding! The Enduro 8 is also easy to use and easy to read, with larger numbers to easily see the speedometer, odometer, and clock - plus it conveniently works with almost any fork.

Patti The Buyer's Tip O' The Day

Keeping track of your bicycle mileage helps you stay motivated and makes you a better rider. Need more motivation? Take the data your cyclo-computer gathers and log on to one of the free online mileage tracking websites, such as Cat Eye's website, www.WorldCommute.com -- one of the best online calculators for logging miles and estimating your gas and carbon savings from riding a bike for transportation. Some of the websites will even allow you to share the information with your riding partners and friends on Facebook and Twitter, to help boost everyone's motivation!

Need more advanced features than what the Cat Eye Enduro 8 provides? Check out the article 5 Tips: Selecting a Cycling Computer for what makes other cyclo-computer models different, and suggestions for which models have the features you need.

The Fine Print
This Hot Deal is good only December 30, 2010 thru January 12, 2011 while supplies last. In-store purchase only; no online or phone orders accepted. No coupon necessary.

Get Hot Deals for Cold Days delivered to your Inbox every two weeks from now through February by signing up at: 

www.centurycycles.com/get/enewsletter

 

Resolve to: Ride on 1/1/11

Many bicyclists resolve to ride a certain number of days or miles in the coming year -- a great idea to track your progress or reach new goals. If this resolution is on your list, imagine the sense of accomplishment you'll feel if you log that first day or mile on 1/1/11 -- the very first day of the year!

Our suggestion? Ride with a bunch of other crazy folks on the ABCDEFGHIJ! Ride on New Year's Day! It's fun. It's free. It's got something for everyone -- 3, 12, and 24 mile routes -- but not a lot of anything else (no SAG, no rest stops, no first aid). And the weather forecast is actually looking pretty decent this year. Just show up at the Medina Public Square to depart at noon.

(Photo Credit: Dick DeLombard - the very first ABC Ride in 1977.)

Time is running out!

TODAY is the last day of Hot Deal #4 on the Blackburn light combos and Chamois Butt'R tubes and 10-packs. (A new Hot Deal starts tomorrow on one of our most popular bike accessories, so stay tuned for that!)

TOMORROW is the last day of our Holiday Sale, to get 10% off ALL bicycles and 20% off everything else -- winter clothing, trainers, bike accessories and parts, cycling shoes, you name it!

TOMORROW is also our last hurrah of 2010 -- we are CLOSED on Friday, December 31, and Saturday, January 1. Our stores will re-open at noon on Sunday, January 2.

Resolve to: Ride with your small children

If you plan to spend more time with family and get fit in 2011, there is no better way to achieve both those resolutions than by bike-riding with your kids!

One option is to take your toddler age 1 to 4 years old along for the ride with the iBert Safe-T-Seat, an American-made, front-mounted baby carrier that provides an alternative to trailers and traditional rear-mounted child seats. With your child seated up front in the iBert, you can enjoy easier interaction with your little one and your child enjoys a better view of the ride. Other benefits: Easier and safer loading and unloading, plus no more worries about dirt, dust, rocks, or water being thrown in your child's face during the ride.

Click here to see a vast photo gallery of parents riding everything from cruisers to road bikes to mountain bikes mounted with iBert Safe-T-Seats, then come in to your local Century Cycles to check the iBert out for yourself or for any new parents you know -- it also makes a great gift for a baby shower, baby's first birthday, or Mother's/Father's Day!

Resolve to: Learn more about your bike

One of the best ways to be a better bicyclist is to get to know your bike better. Achieve this resolution by receiving a hands-on education from the best bike mechanics in town at a Century Cycles Bicycle Maintenance Class or Clinic this winter!

Our maintenance classes include Tune-Up or Women's Only Tune-Up (2 evening sessions) and Advanced Tune-Up (3 evening sessions). Each class is limited to just 5 people, each of whom brings their own bike to work on. The classes are offered at different times at each store (can't attend Medina's dates? maybe Peninsula's are better!).

Each maintenance class is offered once in January (which start next week so reserve your spot NOW if you're interested in a January session!) and again in February. For complete class information, cost, dates with times, and how to book your spot, please click here.

Do the maintenance classes sound too in-depth for you? We are also offering FREE Basic Bike Maintenance Clinics to learn how to change a flat tire, clean and lube a chain, and do a pre-ride safety check. RSVP to attend either:

• Medina: January 11 at 6:30 p.m.


• Peninsula: February 12 at 1:30 p.m.


• Rocky River: March 15 at 6:30 p.m.

Another perk of education? You'll also receive a one-time only 20% discount on all parts, tools, lubes, repair stands, accessories and clothing during your Century Cycles class or clinic!

Resolve to: Shift gears

As the new year approaches, we'll be going through several cycling resolutions to help make 2011 your best year ever on two wheels. First up? Resolve to learn how to shift your bicycle's gears. One of the most frequently-asked questions we get in the stores is "How do I know what gear I'm supposed to be in?" Even avid bicyclists are sometimes confused about how and when they should shift -- we've seen people riding the MS 150 using just a small fraction of their 27 gears.

If that sounds like you or someone you know, we recently added a helpful video to our website's bicycling tips archives called "How to Select the Right Gear" that does an excellent job of clearly explaining how bicycle gears works and how to shift them. Click here to view the video.

You can also find more information about shifting gears in "5 Tips: Climbing Hills," a blog post I wrote back in April. Let's face it -- most of time you'll be shifting because you've come to a hill (and Ohio is far hillier than people realize!). I address several key issues, including the perils of downshifting too soon and the benefits of keeping one gear in reserve.

Happy Christmas!

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." -- Charles Dickens

Holiday Hours

Just a reminder of the Century Cycles hours of operation for the days on and around the holidays:

• Friday, December 24: OPEN 10:00am - 3:00pm
• Saturday, December 25: CLOSED
• Sunday, December 26: OPEN 12:00 - 5:00pm
• Friday, December 31: CLOSED
• Saturday, January 1: CLOSED
• Sunday, January 2: OPEN 12:00 - 5:00pm

We are open for our normal hours on all other days.

Wheeth Building 101

A few years ago Don Barnett built his first wheeth (wheel + wreath), to deck our halls in cycling style (above).

Bob in the Medina store was inspired by Don's handiwork and has now taken wheeth-building to the next level by making an Advent Wheeth (begun below). On his blog, Bob takes you through the wheeth-building steps so that you, too, can express your holiday joy through your love of bicycles. Happy Wheeth Building!

Hey Santa: Pearl Izumi Thermal Hoody

Hoodys are hot and this Pearl Izumi Thermal Hoody will make any gal smile on Christmas morning.

Wool on the outside, fleece on the inside, and cozy all around for bicycling, yoga class, or just bopping around town. Need more reasons to buy than just the pretty pink color, the cool button detail, and the fact that it (like all our clothing) is 20% off for our holiday sale? How about technical features such as an internal draft flap and a zipper garage? Suffice to say, this ain't a typical sweatshirt and it won't be a typical gift, either.

Another Surly Pugsley finds a home in NE Ohio

The new 2011 model of the Surly Pugsley fat-tire bike became available to order a week or so ago. The guys at the Century Cycles store in Medina sold one to a guy from Beachwood, and he just picked it up today at the Peninsula store.

The bike looks innocent enough without its wheels in place while being assembled:

Speaking of those wheels, they are a bit more of a challenge to work on than a traditional bike wheel, as Derrick indicates with his perplexed look:

But Derrick had the tools and the know-how to make it work. He noted, however, that the Pugsley wheels come from the factory truer and in less need of tweaking than any other wheel he's seen.

Here's the bike in its final glory:

It would have looked a lot better out in its element in the actual, er, elements (i.e. the snow), but it wouldn't have been fair for the customer if he had not been the first one to get the tires dirty!

So of course, you're asking, "How can I get my hands on one of these babies?" The answer is, you can't, at least not right away. The first batch sold out from Surly as of this week. They don't expect to have some more until mid-March. If you've got a hankerin' for a bike to ride in the snow NEXT winter (or this winter, if we get a late spring, or if you're heading to the southern hemisphere in 2011), stop in and give us a deposit towards the $1,549.99 asking price so that we can grab you one AS SOON as they are available again. No, we won't have any in stock that you can look at. Don't bother calling around; nobody else will, either. Get over it.

Hey Santa: The all-new Ohio's Bicycle Trails Book

Here's another last-minute gift idea -- the all-new Ohio's Bicycle Trails by Ray Hoven. This book covers over 90 Ohio trails -- both surfaced and mountain bike -- and includes directions to trail sites, distances, points of interests, and riding tips. This stocking stuffer makes for great winter reading -- and to help plan for an awesome summer of riding!

Hey Santa: Show some handlebar love with bells, baskets & more!

Our last-minute gift ideas continue today with a few cool things that the handlebars of any bicycle would love to sport.C'mon feel the noise! Check out of extensive selection of bells and noisemakers, which are not just for kids but for anyone who wants to pass other cyclists or traffic safely. We've got everything from an Avenir Compass Bell to an Electra Eight Ball Bell to the "I Love My Bike" Bell pictured here -- certainly something right for every cyclist on your list!

Are they more of a strong silent type -- meaning a person who drinks strong coffee and commutes by bike? Get them a gift card to their favorite local coffee shop and an Origin8 Joe-2-Go Coffee Cup Holder! The Joe-2-Go clamps to most handlebars and has a no-slip liner to keep their cappuccino safe.

Maybe they need to haul more than a cup of coffee and a basket would be best. A brand-new option we just got in stock is the Sunlite Bamboo Quick Release Basket, featuring a solid-wood frame with bamboo slats. Just press a button to release the bamboo basket when you get to your destination -- it even comes with a shoulder strap to carry it!

Don't forget the current Hot Deal -- which features two light set combos that would be a useful addition to any bike's handlebars -- and our Holiday Sale, which goes through 12/30 to help with any post-Christmas shopping (and offers 20% off everything mentioned in this post)!

HOLIDAY HOURS

We are open until 8pm tonight, Wednesday and Thursday and 10-3pm on Christmas Eve. We are closed Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day, but open are open our normal store hours December 26-30.

Poem #3: Don't let an angry chcken hit you

We conclude this poetic Monday with this excerpt from Mike McIntyre's Tipoff column in today's Plain Dealer:

Bay Village Mayor Deborah Sutherland was riding her bike on vacation in Key West this month when a chicken flew at her head, knocking her from her bike. She found out Monday that her ankle is broken and she has to wear a boot.

"This chicken flew out at my head. She was being chased by a rooster," the mayor said.

It's been the source of jokes around town. One former neighbor, Kim Moore, even wrote a poem about the ordeal that ended with these lines:

No thanks to the bumbling police in the Keys
Who take their time, who live at ease,
We'll never find that vicious hen
So sure as day she'll strike again
And when she does, let's take no pity
She attacked our mayor? She attacked our city
Let's raise our glass and make a toast
And celebrate with a chicken roast
For we want justice, please, I beg
Find that chicken -- I'll take a leg.

Poem #2 - Merry Christmas Little Ones: A gift to us

This past weekend, we received a wonderful gift from Greg Olsen, a customer who sent us a poem he wrote along with his good holiday wishes. The poem moved our staff so much that we got Greg's permission to share it with all of you. Thank you, Greg!

Merry Christmas Little Ones

On this, the year’s most special day
There’s something that I’d like to say
To every little girl and boy
I wish you smiles, I wish you joy
And eyes of wonder filled with light
Reflecting your inner delight

Though it’s been said so many ways
One way stands out from all the rest
The simplest way is still the best
So, on behalf, of dads and moms
Merry Christmas little ones
Little daughters, little sons

While your lives are still so new
There are things I wish for you
A loving home and joy-filled dreams
A world at peace where you are free
To grow up in boundless love
And find your true prosperity

And as you go along your way
Many returns of Christmas Day
Grow up lovely, grow up strong
This is what I wish for you
A life of opportunity
To grow and be what you might be

And as you frolic round the tree
With those who love you immensely
I wish that it would ever be
As far as your sweet eyes can see
That peace should reign upon the earth
And Christmas find you home safely

Though it’s been said so many ways
One way stands out from all the rest
The simplest way is still the best
So, on behalf, of dads and moms
Merry Christmas little ones
Little daughters, little sons

~ Gregory L. Olsen, GLO

Poem #1 - Jukebox Miracles: Our gift to you

Last week, we wrote about how we learned that Don Barnett, Service Manager for Century Cycles in Medina, does more than wrench on bikes. He is also a writer who penned a very moving Christmas poem called "Jukebox Miracles."

That poem is too good (and our pride in Don too great) not to share it with everyone. We now have copies of "Jukebox Miracles" by Don Barnett available in each store. Or you can click on the image below to print it out at home.

All of us at Century Cycles wish all of you a very merry Christmas -- may your holiday be filled with miracles and joy!

Hey Santa: Pet Bicycle Basket

When it comes to last-minute cycling gifts, don't forget Fido or Fluffy! The Nantucket Pet Bike Basket is the way to ride in style with a small dog or cat and ride safely -- the basket features a latching steel frame that lets your pet see the sights, yet keeps them securely confined.

Hey Santa: Bottle Cap Helmet Mirror

Handmade in Findlay, Ohio, with a bicycle spoke and a recycled bottle cap, we just got these Bottle Cap Helmet Mirrors ($14.99) back in stock in all three stores. In Rocky River, we spotted a couple Great Lakes Brewing Company and Newcastle Brown Ale mirrors -- super-cool gifts for the beer-loving bicyclist on your list AND a way to save the Earth one bottle cap at a time!

We're open 12-5 today with a holiday sale that offers 10% off all bicycles and 20% off all clothing and accessories (including unique handmade Bottle Cap Helmet Mirrors), now through 12/30.

Hey Santa: Park Tool BBQ Set

As we come down to the wire for holiday shopping, we'll be sharing some last-minute gift ideas from the Century Cycles staff. First up is something we ALL reallyreallyreally want: The Park Tool BBQ Set ($29.99).

This is a fun gift for the cyclist who loves to wrench on his or her bike (and pretty much has everything else)! Bring Park Tool blue to the post-ride barbecue with a spatula modeled after a pedal wrench and tongs that are cone wrenches. Even the spatula hanger is in on the fun -- it's the handle of a spoke wrench.

The Park Tool BBQ Set is in stock in all three stores and is now 20% off during our holiday sale through 12/30.

Gift cards are a cyclists' favorite present

Heads up, gift givers! If you've got a cyclist on your list, a small card may bring the biggest smiles.

Last year we polled Northeast Ohio cyclists about what they wanted Santa to bring and 30% voted a Century Cycles Gift Card, so they could pick out exactly what they wanted. That was followed by clothing and accessories to help them keep riding through the winter (24%), a new bicycle (21%), upgraded components for the bicycle they already own (16%), and clothing and accessories to be ready to ride in the spring (9%).

No matter what you decide to give, be sure to take advantage of our staff's expertise to help you pick the right item, our holiday sale to save money, and the current Hot Deal to save even more money on our hottest products!

News Roundup: Good Luck, Lois!

Everyone at Century Cycles wishes the very best to Walk + Roll founder/director and bicycling advocate Lois Moss, who is moving to Portland, Oregon. In announcing her departure, she leaves us with some parting words about how to make Northeast Ohio better for cyclists. (Walk + Roll)

Further proof Lois is moving to America's land of milk and honey for bicyclists? In Portland, she can even have her Christmas tree delivered by bicycle! (Trees By Bike)

Real or fake: Thomas Edison, Trick Cyclist. (You Tube)

The Ethicist is asked "Is it OK to take the kids by bike?" (New York Times)

The 2011 Redbud Ride in Kentucky has begun online registration, $5 off through the holiday season. Nice pacifier they got there on their home page, for the people who complain about the ride's steep hills. (Redbud Ride)

New York City aims to "shame" bike jerks. (The NY Post)

Remember: We have a holiday sale that goes a couple days past 12/25, for all those after-Christmas shoppers. (Century Cycles)

Finally, in honor of this special time of year, we thank the Adventure Cycling Association (which has gift memberships and other cool stuff for sale). They shared the following at the start of their most recent newsletter, and we're happy to share it with all of you:

"In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season. The Christians called it ‘Christmas' and went to church; the Jews called it 'Hanukkah' and went to synagogue; the atheists went to parties and drank. People passing each other on the street would say 'Merry Christmas!' or 'Happy Hanukkah!' or (to the atheists) 'Look out for the wall!' " -- Dave Barry

Hot Deals for Cold Days #4 - Stocking Stuffers!

Blackburn
Voyager 3.3 Headlight/Mars 1.0 Taillight Combo
$16.49 (reg. $32.99)
Flea 2.0 Headlight/Taillight USB Combo
$27.49 (reg. $54.99)

Chamois Butt'r
8-ounce tube: $7.99 (reg. $15.99)
10-pack Pocket Packs: $4.99 (reg. $9.99)

BONUS: Free Chamois Butt'r Water Bottle with Hot Deal

Chamois Butt'r purchase, while supplies last!

Half-off prices valid Dec. 16-29, 2010 only.

Our hottest Hot Deal is back, plus we've added two more great stocking stuffers to the offer! The Blackburn Voyager 3.3 Headlight/Mars 1.0 Taillight Combo is our most popular Hot Deal and our best-selling light set -- a terrific choice for cyclists of all ages and bikes of all kinds. The headlight sports three super-bright LEDs with flash and steady modes, plus it easily attaches to all handlebars without tools. The Mars 1.0 taillight has four ultra-bright red LEDs with mounts that can attach to your bike, pack, or rack.

We've spotted the Blackburn Flea 2.0 Taillight/Headlight USB Combo on a few top 10 holiday gift lists this season and we agree it's a cyclist's favorite - it's easy to mount, boasts brilliant light, and has a lithium-ion battery that can be conveniently charged in a USB port.

The Chamois Butt'r will certainly put a smile on their face when they dip into their stockings on Christmas morning, but it's also a really practical gift that is the #1 skin lubricant choice for cyclists. Even if you've never had problems with chafing or saddle soreness, you won't believe how a little butt'r can make any ride better. Buy a tube to keep at home (and to use when you ride your trainer) and take the portable packs on the road or trail for reapplication (or to share with friends who are complaining about their butts!).

Patti The Buyer's Tip O' The Day

A chamois (pronounced "shammy") is the fancy term for the padding in cycling shorts. Chamois cream is specially formulated to help reduce chafing while riding, because we don't wear underpants when we wear our cycling shorts. It can be applied either to your skin or to the short's chamois - it ends up in the same place either way! Chamois cream can also be applied anywhere that friction is an issue or concern - toes, leg bands, etc. Clean up is easy with simple soap and water, which reminds me to emphasize that hygiene is critical whether you use a cream or not. Never wear the same chamois twice between washing. When you're done riding for the day, change out of your cycling shorts as soon as possible. And wash your hands before (and after) you apply the cream.

The Fine Print
This Hot Deal is good only December 16 - 29, 2010 while supplies last. In-store purchase only; no online or phone orders accepted. No coupon necessary.

Sign up to receive Hot Deals for Cold Days by e-mail (as well as our monthly eNewsletter) by going to:

www.centurycycles.com/get/enewsletter

Route Map for Nova Scotia Bicycle Tour

As we reported here earlier, two of the Century Cycles staff (Krista from Rocky River and Neil from Medina) are planning a self-supported bicycle tour in Nova Scotia in late summer/early fall of 2011.

They've mapped out a tentative route, which takes advantage of winds that are usually from the Southwest, and also lets them enjoy some of the Confederation Trail on Prince Edward Island.

Here's an image of the 883-mile route:

And, you can check out an online version on Bikely.com here:

http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/477050

Winter biking for the win in The Plain Dealer

The sight of someone riding what looks like a Bianchi Pista down Lakeside caught photographer Lisa DeJong's attention and her photo appeared on the front page of The Plain Dealer this morning. A Rocky River customer named Bruce told Scott a great biking-in-the-snow story. Bruce was one of those downtown office workers who experienced that blizzard last Wednesday -- except he had parked his car in the Flats that morning and biked to his office building. When it was time to leave work and the rest of the city was trapped in a gridlock of cars and busses, Bruce jumped on his bike. His coworkers jeered his snowy ride, until they found out he was at his car in no time flat and was cozy at home on the west side in less than 20 minutes. Winter bicyling for the win! Do you have "winter biking FTW!" story? We'd love to hear it!

Our December 2010 eNewsletter

The latest edition of the Century Cycles Monthly eNewsletter has just been sent out. If you'd like to read it online, click here. Here's what's in this issue:

• Our Holiday Sale (10% off all bikes; 20% off parts, clothing, and accessories!)
• What We Ride: Neil Adams
• How Cold is Too Cold to Ride your Bicycle?
• End-of-Year Tip: Wellness Credits
• 5 Tips: Winter Cycling Fun (on and off the bike)
• Bicycle Maintenance Classes

If you'd like to sign up to receive our eNewsletter in your own Inbox, see:

www.centurycycles.com/get/enewsletter

Behind the scenes: Century Cycles staff photo

Staff photo day dawned crisp and clear -- "clear" meaning there was lots of available light for our newest in-house photographer, Ed Meyer, and "crisp" meaning it was chilly, and since the morning coffee had yet to be served, the crowd was a little slow-moving. That said (and as you can see in the video), it was nothing that a ride or two on the Century Cycles high-wheeler couldn't cure!

Still, it IS sometimes hard to get everyone to look at the photographer....

And it is sometimes hard to get them to stop photographing the photographer....

But when it all comes together, it's magic!


Speaking of magic, we've been asked if Tom Wiseman is really on top of that Giant road bike -- being held aloft by his friends, his holiday spirit, his cycling mojo, and his love for all humankind.

The answer is....well, you gotta believe in something, right? Then believe that we all -- like Tom -- can fly on our bikes.

(Photos: The Intrepid Ed Meyer. Video: Kevin "Kevlar" Madzia.)

New Headsweats hat added to Hot Deal #3!

We already sold out of the Headsweats Winter Dome Hat in Hot Deal #3, but have no fear -- Patti the Buyer sourced another awesome hat to keep your noggin warm and save you money!

The Headsweats Alpine Reversible Beanie has medium-weight fleece on one side and the other side is made of Cocona -- a mashed-up processed pulp of the coconut shell known for its moisture-wicking properties. Coconut to protect your coconut! (Yes, I went there.) Hot-Deal-priced at 50% off, the hat is just $11.99 (regularly $23.99) and comes in either black/royal or black/olive. (I own this hat and wear it every chilly morning when I take my son to the bus stop, thus proving it is also good at covering a bad case of bedhead.)

The new hat joins the other Hot Deal #3 items to protect your extremities this winter -- popular SmartWool cycling socks for men and women (just $8.49; regularly $16.99), Avenir Comfy Gel Long Finger Gloves (just $17.49; regularly $34.99), and Avenir Comfy Gel Short Finger Gloves (just $12.49; regularly $24.99).

Hot Deal #3 prices are good only until 12/15 or (and we mean it this time) while supplies last.

2011 Raleigh XXIX with Gates belt drive

It's heeeeere -- the 2011 Raleigh XXIX singlespeed mountain bike with Gates belt drive, now in stock and ready to test ride in Medina (16-inch) and Rocky River (18-inch)!

What's the fuss? The website Twenty Nine Inches was eager to get it out of the box and out for a test ride. Closer to home, our Raleigh rep, Sean Burkey, says: "I’ve been on it for nearly a week now with 5 or 6 rides in so far and I LOVE the bike. The belt has performed better than expected and not having to worry about walking around with a 'rookie mark' on my right calf is GREAT!"

Sean recommends going directly to the Gates Belt Drive website to get your questions answered about the belt drive. The New York Times recently ran a good story, "Bicycles, Unchained and Grease-Free," about belt-driven systems for biking, which first appeared on singlespeed mountain bikes (cough, cough) but are now appearing on multi-geared commuter and city bikes as well.

Why singlespeed? For that, look no further than Kevin's comprehensive blog post back in March 2009, The Zen of Singlespeeds.

Specs for the 2011 Raleigh XXIX:

Frame: Raleigh 4130 butted-chromoly
Fork: Raleigh 4130 butted-chromoly
Rims/Wheels: Weinmann XM280
Hubs: Aluminum
Spokes: 14g stainless-steel
Tires: Geax Saguaro 29 x 2.2
Crankset: TruVativ FireX SS
Chainwheel: Gates 46T
Chain: Gates Belt Drive
Rear Cogs: Gates 28T
Handlebars: Avenir 200 Series, riser
Tape/Grips: Avenir File Lock
Stem: Avenir 200 Series
Brake Levers: Avid FR-5
Brakes: Avid BB5 mechanical-disc
Saddle: Avenir 200 Series, mountain
Seat Post: Avenir 200 Series

From the eMailbox: Servicing a crankset

Q: Over the winter, I like to keep my bike running smoothly. I can do most of the repairs myself, but the crank is one part of the bike I haven't worked with. Will your bike mechanics at Century Cycles work on just one component -- like take apart the crank and check the bearings?

A: Sure, we can do just the service that you'd like. Does your bike have an older-style bottom bracket with loose-ball or caged bearings? If so, then we'd have to take a look at it once it's taken apart to see what kind of condition they're in and whether or not they need to be replaced or just cleaned and re-greased. It would be hard to give you an estimate until we see it.

Most newer bikes have a newer cartridge-style or sealed-bearing bottom bracket. If that's the case with yours, then for about $20-$25, we can take off your crankset, take out the bottom bracket, clean and re-grease the threads, and put it all back together. If the bottom bracket is not in workable condition, then a replacement could run about $25 and up, depending on the brand/model/type.

Feel free to stop into any of our Century Cycles stores and have us take a look at it. The turn-around time will vary from store-to-store, depending on what else we have in the repair queue at the time.

Got a question about bicycle products, service or riding? Email us at info@centurycycles.com!

Century Cycles Stores Closing early on Wed. Dec. 8, 2010

PLEASE NOTE: All three Century Cycles stores will be closing earlier than usual this Wednesday, December 8, 2010. Our hours on that day will be 10:00am - 6:00pm. This is so that we may get together for our annual Staff Holiday Party! We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

We are open for our normal hours all other days this week.

Don Barnett's pen is as mighty as his wrench

Medina columnist and author John Gladden gave us a wonderful holiday gift yesterday -- a chance to get to know another side of a member of our Century Cycles family, Don Barnett. We already know Don is a devoted father and husband, a great friend, a master bicycle mechanic, a handy carpenter (as well as wheeth builder), and a Pajama Party Night Rider (at left).

Now add "talented writer" to the list. Please take a few minutes to check out John's blog post about Don, where you can also read the inspiring Christmas poem Don wrote in 1998, Jukebox Miracles.

Thanks, John. And thank you, Don -- for everything.

Hot Deals for Cold Days #3

Avenir Comfy Gel Long Finger Gloves

$17.49 (reg. $34.99)

Avenir Comfy Gel Short Finger Gloves

$12.49 (reg. $24.99)

Headsweats Winter Dome Hat

$11.99 (reg. $23.99)

SmartWool Cycling Socks (selected styles/colors)

$8.49 (reg. $15.99)

Half-off prices valid Dec. 2 - 15, 2010 only, while supplies last.

Protect your extremities and save big money on Hot Deal #3!

Avenir Comfy Gel Long Finger Gloves (color: Earth Tone/Black) and Short Finger Gloves (color: Royal Blue/Black) provide all-day riding comfort with plush gel foam in the palms and fingers to soak up vibrations and give support. Soft fabric on the thumbs is handy for wiping your face, and the Kevlar on the long finger model adds durability.

Headsweats Winter Dome Hat (in black) is constructed with two layers of Eventure moisture-wicking fleece for optimal warmth and SPF 50+ sun protection.

The Smartwool PhD Cycling Light Mini sock for women (color: graphite/natural) is ideal for road rides of any distance, in any weather. For men, the Smartwool PhD Cycling Ultra Light Mini (color: graphite/black red, shown above) is an ideal year-round mountain biking sock, and the PhD Cycling Ultra Light 3/4 Crew (color: brown/silver) is Smartwool's most popular silhouette for cycling.

Patti The Buyer's Tip of the Day

Padded cycling gloves are helpful to prevent numbness in the hands (medically known as ulnar neuropathy, and sometimes called "handlebar palsy"). It is caused by compression of the nerves passing through the heel of the hand into the palm. Besides wearing padded gloves, a frequent change of grip on the bar may also help. Short finger padded gloves are ideal for warmer months, while long finger gloves are good for cold weather - and at this Hot Deal price, both will fit into your budget!

The Fine Print

This Hot Deal is good only December 2 - 15, 2010 while supplies last. In-store purchase only; no online or phone orders accepted. No coupon necessary. Half-off price is only available on the styles, sizes, and colors described above.

Click here to sign up to receive Hot Deals for Cold Days by e-mail in your Inbox! We'll have a new Hot Deal every two weeks from now through the end of February!

Happy Holidays - Everything on Sale!

In extending holiday cheer and good wishes from the Century Cycles family to yours, we're offering 10% off all bicycles and 20% off all clothing and accessories, plus save up to $20 on a Tune-Up service! See below for printable coupons.

Layaway!

 Gift Cards!(Click here to buy them online.)

Free Bicycle Delivery!(within our service area)

Free Gift Bicycle Storage ('til Dec. 24)

Give With Confidence!
Buying a bicycle as a gift? Our policy has always been that the lucky recipient is welcome to exchange it for a different size, style, or color!