Basic maintenance class next Sunday June 3

There is plenty of room in our basic bicycle maintenance class scheduled for Sunday, June 3 from 6-8pm. The class costs $45, which includes a simple tool kit worth $22.

Topics covered include flat repair, brake and gear adjustments, basic lubrication, and performing a safety check on your bicycle. In addition, we'll discuss tools and equipment needed to work on your bike. Call 703-938-8900, contact Bruce at bikecommuter@gmail.com, or stop by the store and sign up. Please arrange to pay in advance so we know how many people to expect.

Welcome back!

This week marks the return of several of our staff who have been away at college this year. Nathan, who started with us last year, will be starting to work again this week, coming in on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday for now. He'll be with us all summer.

Robert, who has been with us now for four years, on and off, will be making a brief surprise return engagement here this week and next. It's a long, involved story (ask him about the ice axe), but he will be helping us out while he waits for what's next for him this summer.  If you want to catch up with him, you'll have to come by before June 1st, as he heads back west then.

Finally, I should have alerted folks a few weeks ago that Reed, longtime employee at bikes@vienna (I believe he has the longest history with the shop of anyone currently here) is working for us again until July.

Free goodies!

One of our grab baskets of free stuff we're giving away today.

Bike to Work Day

Here are a few of the early birds today. We are at the Vienna pit stop this morning giving out free stuff. Come on by!

New Breezer Uptown Infinity

We just got in a new (to us) version of Breezer's Uptown commuter bike... the Uptown Infinity! What's so special about this model? Well, it uses the NuVinci N360 continuously variable planetary gear hub. What the heck does that mean?

Most bicycle gearing systems today have distinct "steps", specific click stops for each individual gear, corresponding some some combination of sprockets and such that alters the amount of your effort and speed. The NuVinci system, in contrast, is infinitely variable... there are NO clicks.  You just twist the shifter, and feel a smooth increase or decrease in force required to turn the pedals. And instead of a numbered sequence of distinct "gears", the shifter shows you a graphic of a bike traveling on a line that ranges from flat to sloped like a hill. Pretty cool. 

Like the Uptown 8, the Infinity comes ready to ride, ready to commute or shop.  Rack, fenders, bell, built in dynamo powered lighting system, this bike has it all... AND a very cool shifting system.  At $1219, it's a good buy, and a handsome bike.  Available in both standard and "step through" frames.  Come on in and check it out!

Bromptons come in many colors...

... and now some of their bags come in colors too!

Here's a "his and hers" pair of Bromptons recently bought by a couple who have been our customers for a long time. They came in wanting bikes to carry on their boat when traveling, and the Brompton's small size and great ride fit the bill perfectly. Both bikes are the new "H-Type" (say "haytch" if you want to sound authentically British) with the extended handlebar stem, with six speed drive trains and rear racks and front carrier blocks. "Her" bike has the Brompton/Ortlieb "O-Bag" in pink and black, and "his" has the new-for-2012 Brompton/Ortlieb "Mini O-Bag" in arctic blue and black.  Both are completely waterproof and go on and off the bike in a flash.

Brompton offers about 15 different colors, and you can get any two on a bike. There are now four different handlebar configurations, four distinct drivetrain options (plus "higher" and "lower" options), and six different front bags and one rear bag. Add to all that the superlative B-Bag for carrying the bike, and the Bike Cover for those quick Metro trips, with it's own saddle bag, and you have a complete system of bikes and accessories that add up to a  terrific bicycle to take with you anywhere and everywhere. So come on in and give them a try!

Easter Sunday

We will be closed, Easter Sunday, April 8th. We hope you and your families have a wonderful day.

Folding Bikes on Metrobus Racks?

A post and comments on the Chasing Mailboxes blog today reminded me that I've been meaning to post these photos for some time now.  We get asked now and then about whether or not a folding bike can fit on the racks that are mounted on the front of Metro buses, and Charles shared his experience with me, and took these pictures. The answer, at least in the case of a Brompton, is yes! I suspect other folding bikes can be mounted on the racks in much the same manner, but you may want to pick a less busy time to try it out, so you're not tying up a bunch of anxious commuters!

Check out the pictures and attached video to see how it's done!

Things We Like - Episode 1: Pumps

We're going to try something new here... periodically posting a "Things We Like" post on some bike, trike, part or accessory that we've had particularly good experience with. As a rule, we stock things we like, but these will be items that really stand out, or are things we are frequently asked about.

So today we're starting with floor pumps. Everyone who rides a bike should own a floor pump, as it's really the best way to maintain proper tire pressure. You may not realize it, but ALL bicycle tires lose air over time, often a significant amount in as little as a week. And many of us have had the annoying experience of using a poor quality pump which does more to raise your blood pressure than the tire pressure.

These two pumps are the ones we've settled on as the best to carry in the store.  On the left is the Topeak Joe Blow Sport II, a solid, reliable pump with a steel body and versatile locking "Twin Head" that works with both Schaeder (like your car) and Presta valves (those skinny valves unique to bikes).  At about $45, it's a good pump at a reasonable price.

The pump on the right is one of the Lezyne Floor Drive series of pumps, which retail at around $70 or so. Depending on the specific version, these have steel or alloy bodies, a sturdy metal base, comfortable and stylish wooden handle, and a very well designed head that works on both types of valves as well. An extra feature of the Lezyne head is that it is very compact, so it fits into tight spaces, such as the small wheels of a folding bike, recumbent, or child's bike. The Floor Drive is the pump we use the most in our service area, so you know we like it.

One feature common to both pumps is that they are serviceable and spare parts are available for them in case things wear out. That being said, you should be able to get years of use out of either of them with little to no maintenance.

And two more Tern models arrive!

We just received two more models of Terns, the Link P7i with 7 speed internally geared hub, dynamo lighting system, fenders, and rack, and the Link P24h with 3 speed hub and 8 speed derailleur combined to give you 24 gears. The P7i is priced at $1200 and the P24h is $950.

P7i on the left, P24h on the right.

And a few folding bikes from Breezer!

As mentioned here a while back, we are once again selling Breezer bikes. In addition to the commuting models we've had in the past, they also offer a few folding bike models, two of which we just got in... the Zig 7 and the Zag 8. Now, if they look a lot like Dahons, that's because they are made for Breezer by Dahon. Not really a big surprise, a variety of bike companies have sold "re-badged" Dahons under their own names (Trek probably being the best known).

By way of comparison, the Zig 7 is very similar to the Dahon Speed D7, but with an aluminum frame instead of steel, and priced at $499, compared to the Speed D7 at $639.  The Zag 8, shown above, is very much like a Dahon Speed P8, but again with an aluminum frame, and priced at $799 vs. $879 for the Speed P8.

More Terns!

We now have a total of four models of Tern folding bikes in the shop, with more to come as time goes by.

In the photo, we have, from left to right:

Link P9 (available in black with red graphics, as shown) - $900
Link D7i  (available in black with grey graphics, as shown) - $800
Link D8 (available in grey with orange graphics, as shown, or black with blue graphics) - $600
Link C7 (available in white with blue graphics, as shown, or black with grey graphics) - $450

All are very well made and sweet riding bikes. With a very well thought out fold.  Check out the links (no pun intended) above to find out more.  Better yet, come on in and give them a test ride!

Attention All Brompton Fans!

Are you an avid lover of all things Brompton? Do you ever wonder how this marvelous little machine came to be? Wonder about the people behind it?

Well, here's your chance to learn all about one of the finest folding bikes made to date - The Brompton Bicycle, by David Henshaw, is now in its second edition, and we have it here at bikes@vienna! Priced at $24, the book is a fascinating look into the story of the Brompton, as well as a good overview of folding bikes through the years.

David Henshaw is the editor of A to B Magazine, an excellent little publication devoted to folding bikes and electric bikes. It's available in an electronic edition via Exact Editions, and is quite informative and fun to read.

A good review of the first edition is here:


http://hadland.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/brompton-bicycle-new-book-by-david-henshaw/

And a brief followup on the second:


http://hadland.wordpress.com/2011/11/17/new-edition-of-brompton-book/

Holiday Hours this coming weekend!

Our hours this weekend -

Saturday, Christmas Eve: 10am - 3pm

Sunday, Christmas Day: CLOSED - Have a wonderful holiday!

Monday and Tuesday, we will be closed as usual.

Opening again at 10am Wednesday the 28th.

Please join us for the Christmas Eve Luminaria Ride, at 7pm at the shop.

Gift Certificates!

The holiday season is here, so now is the perfect time to come in and get a gift for the cyclist on your "nice" list! And if you don't know what to get them, it's the perfect time for a gift certificate!

We offer general-purpose certificates, made out to any denomination, personalized for the recipient, and valid for any purchase at the store.

Now we are also offering "Tuneup Certificates", good for the LABOR charges only, for a "standard tuneup" here at bikes@vienna. A standard tuneup covers a wipe-down and inspection of the frame and wheels, adjustment of the brake and gear systems, wheel truing, and adjustment of any bearing assemblies that require adjustment. Any parts needed would be at additional cost. These certificates sell for $60, which is $20 off the normal cost of a standard tuneup. The only catch is that the bearer of the certificate must use it by April 1st, 2012. This will hopefully reduce the mad rush we typically get in April, and make it more likely the gift recipient will get their bike back quickly!

So come on in and take care of your holiday shopping today!

A heartwarming project

Now and then we get a bike in for service that has a story to it, and those are always a fun experience for both the owner and us.

Well, recently we were asked to fix up the little bike you see to the left here. It's an unusual bike in its own right, being a child's bike built with lugs, in the mixte frame style (two thin sloping top tubes). I've never laid eyes on such a bike before. It was clearly very well made, a quality bicycle, and very stylish with an elaborate, yet classy paint scheme. And look at the fenders and chain guard! The bike was made in Switzerland in the 70s, and while it arrived a bit grungy with dried out tires, you can see it cleaned up really well, and looks great.

What takes it beyond being merely "another pretty bike" is the story behind it. The fellow who brought it in to us told us his parents had bought it for him from the Jean Brun shop in Geneva, Switzerland, when he was a little boy in the 70s. He was bringing it to us to fix up so his own son could now ride it! Needless to say, we were happy and honored to be a part of the project, resurrecting a fine old bike for the next generation.

One challenge right off was the tires... a size never marketed in the US, as near as I can tell, and difficult to find even in Europe, where they were primarily used on Dutch bikes, I think. Some sleuthing on the part of the father ensued, and one day he arrived with brand new Michelins, shipped from Ireland! Then it was in Daniel's hands, and he did a marvelous job of cleaning and lubing everything, making the bike ready to ride and looking great. He even managed to revive the original bell, much to everyone's surprise.

The best part of the whole project though was when the whole family came to pick up the bike when it was finished. Mom, Dad, older sister Madeleine, and of course Avi, the young boy eagerly waiting for the bike. Even the family dog, Wolfie the toy poodle came along! Everyone was really excited and happy to take part in the "unveiling"... all of my staff as well as the family were all smiles and laughter. It was a really wonderful day. We all wish Avi many, many happy adventures with his "new" bike!

You can see more photos of the bike at:  Jean Brun Bike

2011 Luminaria Ride!

Mark your calendars! On Christmas Eve, at 7pm, we'll have our annual Holiday Luminaria Ride. For those of you who might not know, homeowners on the eastern end of town put out luminaria (lighted candles in bags) on Christmas Eve, and it's a lovely sight. We'll have snacks and beverages afterwards, so come join in the fun!

Tern Folding Bikes have arrived!!!!

Well, our first Tern folding bicycles are in! We've gotten the first few unboxed and assembled, and given them test rides. The consensus around the shop is that they are winners! Very nice bikes... sharp looking, well built, and fun to ride. First to arrive are the Link D8 ($600) and the Link D7i ($800). Come check them out!

Tern Link D7i ready to ride

Link D7i folded

Vienna Holiday Stroll Next Monday!

Hey gang! It's that time of year again, for the Vienna Holiday Stroll, on Monday, November 28th. Come on down to Church Street to see Santa and watch the Mayor light the town tree. While you're enjoying the holiday spirit, stop by your favorite stores and do some gift shopping for your loved ones and friends. We'll be here from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, with hot drinks and snacks. We've also decided to extend our specials on lights, cycle computers and car racks through Monday evening, so come on by!

More info can be found here:

Church Street Holiday Stroll – Monday NOVEMBER 28, 2011 – 6-9 pm

Great Guilt Reduction Ride

Well, this year we were very fortunate weather-wise, and had a beautiful morning to ride. Bright sun, no appreciable wind, and while it was a bit chilly, it was nice once we got going. A small group of about a half dozen riders, which made keeping folks together simple. We'd been warned that a 5K run might cause traffic problems for us on the trail here in town, but the timing worked out such that we didn't really have any issues.

Here's a photo of us at the Herndon train station... Left to right - Tim, Alan, Bruce, Kerie, Noreen and Roy. And special thanks to the runner who took this picture for us!