Monday, January 30, 2017

Bike MS: Registration fee increases at midnight tonight!

The Bike MS Buckeye Breakaway is a two-day, 150-mile ride from Brunswick to Ashland, Ohio on August 5-6, 2017. The event is a fundraiser for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Ohio Buckeye Chapter to support research and services for the thousands of Ohioans afflicted with Multiple Sclerosis. There are one-day 30-mile and 75-mile options if you don't feel up to riding the full 150 miles!

At midnight tonight (Monday, January 30), the registration fee increases from $30 to $40, so if you've been on the fence, NOW is the time to sign up!

If you've never ridden the Bike MS ride before, you can sign up for FREE using the code NEWRIDER17.

CLICK HERE to register ... but WAIT! Before you do that, do you want to join the coolest team on the ride? Do you want to wear the coolest custom-designed team jersey? Do you want to be able to attend social rides with FREE refreshments provided by sponsors Left Hand Brewing Company, Justin's Peanut Butter, and NUUN Hydration? Of course you do! Then FIRST, go to www.teamlefthand.com/ohio/ to join Team Left Hand/Century Cycles! After you complete the team registration process, you'll be redirected back to the Bike MS site to complete your registration for the event.


Thursday, January 26, 2017

Fattyshack III - Snow Bike Demo is back again at Brandywine Country Club, February 18, 2017!

Century Cycles partners with Brandywine Country Club to bring this unique event back! Brandywine is opening up their terrain for snow bike / fat bike riders. Demo a snow bike from Century Cycles, or if you've already got a snow bike of your own, bring it to ride the course!

When: Saturday, February 18, 2017 12:00noon - 4:00pm

Where: Brandywine Country Club, 5555 Akron-Peninsula Road, Peninsula, Ohio 44264

Cost: FREE for demo riders; $5 for course access if you have your own fat bike

We'll have two courses marked, a short trail on the Par 3 golf course for demo rides, and a longer trail on the main golf course for open riding if you've got your own bike.

In-between fat bike rides, you can join us as we huddle for warmth around the fire pit. You can purchase beverages and snacks at the Brandy Wine Bar.

Rain or a lack of snow will cancel the event. Check the event page on Facebook for the latest updates.

Participants will be required to sign a Waiver & Release Form. All riders must wear a CPSC-approved helmet. Helmets will be provided with Century Cycles demo bikes; riders with their own snow bikes must have their own helmets. All bicycles must have tires of 3.7 inches wide or wider.



Friday, January 20, 2017

Vote for Century Cycles for the 2017 Best of the West

Voting is now OPEN for the 2017 edition of Cleveland Magazine's Best of the West! Century Cycles is proud that our Rocky River store has been awarded this honor for the past nine years -- thank you to all of our customers and friends for your past support!

To cast your vote, go to:


Be sure to follow the rules to make sure your vote is counted:

  • You must have votes entered for at least half of the listed categories
  • Please include the full name and city of the business you are voting for (e.g. Century Cycles, Rocky River).

Thursday, January 19, 2017

Buy Where You Ride

From your child’s first bike to your latest ride, your
local bike shop is so much more than just bikes,
tubes and energy bars: A meeting place where rides
begin, stories are told, friendships are made and
laughter echoes off the walls.

It's a cornerstone of your community that provides
trained staff to keep your bike running smoothly,
experts to answer your questions, and exudes
passion for the sport. Bike shops support your local
charity ride or sponsor your local race team. They
work to keep your trails and roads safe, accessible
and fun and are always there with a smile when it’s
your time to play.

Support your local bike shop, support your
local community.

Buy Where You Ride.

Monday, January 16, 2017

Show your flair with the Electra Bottlecap Bicycle Bell

Every bike needs a bell! And what better way to show off your own personal style than with the Electra Bottlecap Bicycle Bell? It comes with a mounting clamp that fits most mountain and hybrid bicycle handlebars, and makes a the traditional "ring-a-ling" bike bell sound to alert folks that you're passing.

Now, you may ask, how do I get one with the cap from my favorite bottled beverage? Does it come with different caps? Actually, it doesn't come with any cap at all! Here is how you customize it to suit your own taste:

  1. Ride your bike to your favorite grocery store.
  2. Purchase your favorite bottled beverage.
  3. Carefully carry said beverage as you ride home.
  4. Carefully remove the cap from said beverage using your favorite beverage cap removal tool. You don't want to remove it in one fell swoop like you usually do. You want to pry the sides of the cap a little at a time without denting the top. Go around the sides little by little until it's loose enough to pry off with your fingers.
  5. Joyfully consume the beverage from the bottle.
  6. Place bottle in recycling bin.
  7. Press bottle cap onto the top of the Electra Bottlecap Bicycle Bell.
  8. Now go ride again!
The Electra Bottlecap Bicycle Bell is IN STOCK in all three Century Cycles stores! And, with our Winter Sale, take 10% OFF the regular price of $9.99 -- that makes it $8.99 plus sales tax! Bring your bike and we'll install it for no extra charge! Bonus points if you bring your favorite bottled beverage to share with us!

Sunday, January 15, 2017

Snow Bikin' Down on the Farm - RESCHEDULED to Sunday, February 12, 2017


Since the long-range weather forecast for the coming week and next weekend are not looking good for snow or fat biking, we have decided to utilize our back-up date for this event.

All "Hale" the Fat Bike!

Century Cycles joins Hale Farm & Village a property of the Western Reserve Historical Society to bring you a NEW event for 2017! Whether you are a snow biking enthusiast or curious about winter biking, come on down to experience all that Hale Farm & Village has to offer!

When: Sunday, February 12, 2017, 12:00 - 4:00pm
Where: Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath, OH 44264

Bring your own fat bike, or if you don't have one, you can try one from our demo/rental fleet! Either way, the cost to ride is FREE! Bikes must have tires at least 3.7 inches or more wide. Our demo bikes are suitable for older children and adults approximately 5 feet in height or taller.

We'll have two bicycle courses set up -- a short course for those trying our demo bikes, and a longer course around Hale Farm's wooded trails for those who bring their own bikes.

The cafe at Hale Farm & Village will be open to purchase food and beverages. Huddle around the fire in between bike rides to trade stories of past snow biking adventures!

No pre-registration is necessary. Participants must sign a waiver of responsibility.

If weather conditions are not suitable for bicycling (not enough snow, ground too soft, etc.), the event may be canceled. Check the event on Facebook for the latest news and updates.

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

In Stock: Salsa Timberjack Mountain Bike

I wrote a blog post last year about plus-sized bike tires ("Plus-Sized Tires: Just Because You Can"). Having ridden the new Salsa Timberjack 27.5+, it has solidified my opinion that a 27.5+ hardtail is the mountain bike for me, for the places I ride and my riding style.

I had the opportunity to ride the Salsa Timberjack on real mountain bike trails at Northstar-at-Tahoe resort, during a dealer open house event that Salsa, Surly, and other QBP bike brands held last summer.

Let me start by saying that the Timberjack was the only bike that I crashed on this trip, but it was the very last bike I rode, after two solid days of riding in the desert-like heat. So I chalk that crash up to my weariness, and no shortcoming of the bike itself.

The Timberjack 27.5+ checks off all the right boxes when it comes to a modern trail bike. Mid-range 120mm travel fork, short chainstays to keep your weigh over the back wheel, hydraulic brakes, boost hub spacing, tubeless-ready rims, 1x11 drive train, and of course, those meaty 27.5x3-inch tires.

What's with the 1x11 drive train, you ask? There's only one chainring up front near the pedals, so you only have one shifter on your handlebar (on the right), to shift among you 11 speeds on the back wheel. The wide-range 11-42 cassette gives you plenty low gears to crank up any hills you'll find. In the two days of test-riding, probably three-fourths of the bike I rode used this setup. I was literally climbing up a mountain on these bikes, never did I miss having that "granny gear." You will see this gearing configuration on more and more mountain bikes in the coming years (including on the custom Surly Pugsley that we currently have in stock).

So, once I got uphill, how did it feel coming back down? Like a magic carpet. The trails were a mixture of all types of mountain biking terrain, from downhill, to cross-country, to flow trails. The Timberjack 27.5+ let me cruise through it all, from crushing the rough stuff to railing the corners.

The plus-tire concept has been as popular as Salsa hoped, so much so that these bikes are hard to come by. We received one Salsa Timberjack 27.5+ in Large, and it was sold in less than a week. We still have one in stock in Medium, and are expecting a Small any day now. A well-decked-out mountain bike at an attractive price of $1,399.99!
Salsa Timberjack 27.5+
The Timberjack also comes in a 29er version, and we've got one of those in stock in Large. The Salsa Timberjack 29 has the same great trail geometry as the Timberjack 27.5+ in a more "traditional" 29-inch tire format, and a budget-friendly price of only $999.99.
Salsa Timberjack 29

Sunday, January 8, 2017

In Stock: Bikepacking gear recommended by Men's Journal


Bikepacking is the concept of multi-day bicycle touring on mountain bike trails. The idea seems to have hit the mainstream, with a recent article in Men's Journal about how to get started.

Lo and behold, out of the 11 items that the article recommends, we've got 5 of them in stock!

Regardless of the bike you choose (and we've got a number of good candidates available), Blackburn Design has you covered when it comes to carrying your stuff. The Blackburn Outpost Handlbar Roll with Dry Bag features a versatile handlebar clamp with quick release and waterproof stuff sack.

The Blackburn Outpost Seat Pack with Dry Bag takes the place of your usual under-seat tool kit, providing space for sleeping gear, clothing, and more!

Not mentioned in the article, but we've also got the Blackburn Outpost Top Tube Bag, and Blackburn Outpost Cargo Cage for more storage options!

The Revelate Designs Mountain Feedbag provides an easy-to-reach spot on your cockpit for a spare water bottle, or snacks, or your phone, camera, or other electronics.


The Lezyne Micro Floor Drive High Pressure with Gauge gives you top-quality floor pump features in a lightweight, durable, and portable package.

The Salsa Anything Bag gives you 4.5 liters of waterproof storage, with a roll-top and flat bottom that sits well on the ground or a table. And, it's designed to fit perfectly in the Salsa Anything Cage or Salsa Anything Cage HD!

Friday, January 6, 2017

Event: Snow Bikin' Down on the Farm - Jan. 21, 2017

All "Hale" the Fat Bike!

Century Cycles joins Hale Farm & Village a property of the Western Reserve Historical Society to bring you a NEW event for 2017! Whether you are a snow biking enthusiast or curious about winter biking, come on down to experience all that Hale Farm & Village has to offer!

When: Saturday, January 21, 2017, 12:00 - 4:00pm
Where: Hale Farm & Village, 2686 Oak Hill Road, Bath, OH 44264

Bring your own fat bike, or if you don't have one, you can try one from our demo/rental fleet! Either way, the cost to ride is FREE! Bikes must have tires at least 3.7 inches or more wide. Our demo bikes are suitable for older children and adults approximately 5 feet in height or taller.

We'll have two bicycle courses set up -- a short course for those trying our demo bikes, and a longer course around Hale Farm's wooded trails for those who bring their own bikes.

The cafe at Hale Farm & Village will be open to purchase food and beverages. Huddle around the fire in between bike rides to trade stories of past snow biking adventures!

No pre-registration is necessary. Participants must sign a waiver of responsibility.

If weather conditions are not suitable for bicycling (not enough snow, ground too soft, etc.), the event may be postponed or canceled. A backup date of February 12 is planned. Check the event on Facebook for the latest news and updates.


Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Winter Sale! 10% OFF bikes, clothing, & accessories, now thru Feb. 28!

Don't let Old Man Winter get you down!

Stock up on bicycling essentials to be ready for the Spring riding season. Or, if you enjoy riding year-round, find great deals on winter clothing and accessories!

Take 10% OFF all regularly-priced clothing and accessories!

Take 10% OFF all bicycles, including those already on sale!

No coupons necessary!

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Winteriffic! at Cleveland Metroparks - Sunday, January 8, 2017

Winteriffic! is the Cleveland Metroparks' annual celebration of all of the wonderful winter activities you can enjoy in the winter, to help you get outside in our beautiful NE Ohio parks year-round!

There will be ice fishing demonstrations, snowshoe rentals, winter hikes, horse-drawn wagon rides, dog sled demonstrations, ice carving, crafts, and more.

Of course, Century Cycles will be there with our fat bike/snow bike demo/rental fleet to provide FREE snow biking test-rides!

When: Sunday, January 8, 2017, 12:00 - 5:00pm
Where: The Chalet in the Mill Stream Run Reservation, 16200 Valley Parkway, Strongsville, OH 44136

Be sure to check the event on Facebook for any last-minute updates or cancellations due to weather.