Fairfax Bike Summit

Tim's at the first ever Fairfax Bike Summit today!

2012 Halloween Parade!

Daniel at the 2011 parade.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!!  It's one week until the Vienna Halloween Parade!  That's right, Wednesday, October 24th is the big night.  Come one, come all.  We can set you up on one of our bikes or trikes if you can't bring your own!  We're meeting at the shop at 6:00 pm to get ready, then riding to the start point around 7:00.  Food and beverages afterwards at the shop!

Some New Dahon Models!

 There's been a lot of buzz on the internet, and in the industry as a whole, about Tern, the new folding bike company founded by Josh Hon (son of David Hon, founder of Dahon). And there's good reason for that... they've produced some fine bikes in their first year of business.

But let's not forget Dahon! This year brought several new models, and more is in the works for 2013.  Here's a look at some of the new offerings we have here at bikes@vienna.

 First up is the Mu N-360. Based on their proven and popular aluminum Mu frameset, the N-360 comes equipped with the NuVinci N360 "the first continuously variable transmission for bicycles."

What's that mean? Well, unlike other shifting systems, there are no distinct "clicks" relating to specific sprocket combinations. Rather, the ratio of pedal to wheel revolutions is seamless... think of it like a volume nob on your radio. You can see the shifter to the right... instead of numbers, there's a little graphic of a bike and the "terrain" the ratio is appropriate for; in this case, climbing a hill.  It's a neat system, and worth checking out.

Next is the Ios S9, a 24" wheel folder with a high quality set of components, including SRAM X9 derailleur, Schwalbe Kojak tires, and Avid hydraulic disc brakes, a rarity in folding bikes. This bike also features Dahon's Flat Pak stem and Ergon grips with bar ends, which allows you to fine tune your riding position. The 24" wheels provide a "big wheel" feel in a bike that folds down into a remarkably small package.




Finally, we have the Jifo 16, a totally new design from Dahon that folds down to a tiny package in a matter of seconds. With a single speed drivetrain for simplicity and reliability, the Jifo might be just the right choice for your commute by bus, train, or subway.

To the right is the bike folded and ready to carry.

And here it is, unfolded and ready to ride!



Folding bikes just keep getting better, and it's a great time to include one in your life. You'll be amazed how handy they can be.  So come on in for a test ride soon!

Halloween is coming!

Thanks to Daniel, we now have our first Halloween decoration out front... spooky!  And fun.

And a great opportunity to let folks know that we want all of you here to ride in our little part of the Vienna Halloween Parade!  That's right, on Wednesday, October 24th, Vienna is continuing a 65+ year old tradition, where Maple Ave. is shut down and all manner of groups walk and ride their way down the street. We encourage you to bring whatever bike or trike you ride, or you can borrow one of ours. Folding bikes, recumbents, trikes, even trike trains are welcome and encouraged!  Watch this space for more news as it develops!

New Hours For Fall!

Please note, starting on Sunday, September 30th, we will be opening at NOON on Sundays.  So that makes our hours:

Sun: Noon - 5pm
Mon: CLOSED
Tue: CLOSED
Wed: 10am - 7pm
Thu:  10am - 7pm
Fri:  10am - 7pm
Sat:  10am - 6pm

Interbike 2012: Brompton News

One of the reasons to go to Interbike is to find out what changes and new features bike companies are introducing in the coming year. Those of you who are familiar with the Brompton folding bicycle (or have heard my spiel about them) know that they don't make broad, sweeping changes in their bikes from year to year.  A few years ago, the biggest technical change introduced was changing the rails on the seat from solid steel rod to hollow steel tubing... a change that nobody noticed, unless they were told.

But this year, Brompton HAS introduced some new things... both changes to the bikes themselves, and new accessories for them!

So what's coming in 2013 for Brompton buyers?  First, let's address the changes to the bikes...

2013 Brake lever - click to enlarge.

Probably the most obvious change will be the new brake levers, shown here. As you can see, they are now of all alloy construction, and a very different shape from the 2012 and earlier levers. The new shape is intended to improve the ergonomics of the levers, while at the same time maintaining the compact Brompton fold. Earlier lever designs had to be mounted nearly vertically, to allow for the fold, and the resulting position bothered some folks. The new levers should remedy that. In addition, the mechanism itself has a cam-action to it that should improve both power and modulation of the brakes.  Finally, doing away with the plastic lever bodies of the older models enhances the overall sense of quality of the bike.

2013 Crankset - click to enlarge.

The next most obvious change will be the new crankset (or chainset, as the Brits would say). The new unit has a number of nice features, starting with the main arms being a much more elegant and solid forged piece. In addition, the new model will have a separate chain ring, allowing you to replace just that part, rather than the entire crankset, in order to modify the gear ratios or replace a worn piece. And anyone who has ever had a Brompton chainring guard come loose or crack will be happy to know the new ones are more substantial and attach with screws, rather than being a press fit.

2013 Rims - click to enlarge.

Not as readily noticed by the eye, another significant change is in the wheel rims... Brompton is now going to be using a "box" section rim, with a different profile, that should both be stronger and make it easier to mount and dismount tires. And if you've ever had problems with the blue rubbery rim strip on a Brompton, these rims should eliminate those issues. In addition, the rear rim will be drilled in a manner that will reduce stresses on the spokes caused by the extreme angles inherent in spoking small wheels.

Two other, less significant changes are with the handlebar grips and tires. The former will now be black instead of grey, and the M, H, and S grips are changing shape slightly to make them more comfortable. In keeping with that change, the standard Brompton tires will now be solid black, instead of black and grey, and will have the 100psi inflation pressure prominently displayed in white lettering on the sidewall.  I wish all tires would make that information as obvious as that!

2013 Dynamo light - click to enlarge.

One last technical change in the bikes only applies to bikes equipped with the Shimano dynamo hub. Previously, those bikes were shipped with an older style halogen headlight, but starting in 2013 they will have a B&M Lyt LED unit, which should be a fair bit brighter. As an added bonus, the LEDs won't burn out periodically the way a halogen lamp will. Given that I had made this very recommendation to Brompton earlier this year, it's great to see they are making this change.  I know others have made the same request, and it's clear that Brompton was listening.

Now, about the new accessories...

2013 Tool kit - click to enlarge.

Most intriguing is the new toolkit, shown here. As you can see, it comes with the basic tools you need on the road on a Brompton... tire levers, patch kit, allen wrenches, and box end wrenches, including a 15mm for the axle nuts.  What sets this toolkit apart, however, is the manner in which it's designed to be carried.  If you look closely at the photo, you might be able to see it... the kit fits into a plastic holder that then slides into the forward section of the main frame, just ahead of the main hinge! When fully put together and installed, the "eye" of the 15mm wrench sticks out to act as a handle which you grasp to remove the unit from the frame. So if you have a flat tire or other mechanical problem, you simply stop, open the main hinge, and pull out the tool kit. Very clever.

2013 Bottle mount - click to enlarge.

Also clever is the new bottle mount. You can't really see what's going on in the photo, I'm sorry to say, but the mount clamps to the handlebar stem just below the bars, and is so small it doesn't interfere with the fold in any way. Looking at it, you might be wondering just what holds the bottle in place... well, it can't be seen here, but there's a rare earth magnet on the bottle mount that holds the bottle to the mount. It's a strong enough hold to keep the bottle in place until you need it, but still allows you to easily grab the bottle and take a drink while you ride.

For a company known for making few if any changes from year to year, 2013 promises some truly interesting and useful new developments.

Now, some of you may be wondering... "What about the rumors of an electric assist bike from Brompton?"  Well, while it's true that it's in the works, progress has been slower than they'd hoped, and it's unlikely we'll see such a bike until 2014 at the earliest, and it's like to be later than that. Brompton is firmly resolved to "get it right" when they enter the e-bike market, and would rather delay the introduction than offer an unsatisfactory product. So, if you have your heart set on such a bike, you'll have to be patient a while longer. We'll keep you posted if we hear anything new.  Meanwhile, watch for the 2013 Bromptons to start arriving here just before the end of the year! And come check out our 2012 stock while it lasts!

Interbike 2012 Folder Frolic

Well, this morning started off with the annual Folder Frolic, a fun ride around Vegas at 7am, followed by a parking ramp hill climb sprint... capped off with a toast on the roof of the parking garage!  A great event, and a fun opportunity to gather with fellow folder enthusiasts.  You won't see as many folding bikes ridden together in very many other places.  All manner of bikes, all manner of riders.

Here's a photo of the group lined up in front of the Venetian Hotel before the start.  I'm almost dead center in the black bikes@vienna shirt.  Bruce is to the left of me in the orange shirt. This was his first Frolic, and I think my third or fourth. Folks here from a bunch of dealers as well as reps for each of the major folding bike companies... Dahon, Tern, Brompton. There was even a Moulton rider in the group.  More photos will be posted on Flickr soon.

Interbike

Starting off with the Industry Breakfast. Talking about the future of cycling.

Interbike 2012!

Tim will be away this week, checking out the biggest bicycle trade show in the USA - Interbike!  I'll be posting info as I can, throughout the week and when I return, so watch this space and our Facebook page.

Basic Maintenance and Repair Class This Weekend!

We still have a few spots left in our Basic Repair and Maintenance Class this Sunday! Learn how to fix a flat tire, as well as how to give your bike a basic gear and brake tuneup... all for less than the cost of such a tuneup!  In addition, you'll receive a small tool kit that normally sells for $25. Class meets from 6 to 8 pm on Sunday, September 9th. Learn skills now that you can use to get your bike ready for spring, and beat the usual spring rush at the shop.

New Hours for Fall!

Well, the kids are back in school, our summer help has gone back to college, and Fall is on the near horizon.  So as of September 9th, we will be changing our hours.  Please make a note of the new times:

Sunday: 10 - 5
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: CLOSED
Wednesday: 10 - 7
Thursday: 10 - 7
Friday: 10 - 7
Saturday: 10 - 6

And remember, Fall is a great time to ride in the mid-Atlantic, with cooler weather and Fall colors. Now's the perfect time to buy a new bike or trike, like one of the shiny new Bromptons above!

Tim Away

Tim is going to be away from Friday, July 27th until Saturday August 4th. The rest of our staff will be happy to help you however, and Tim will be checking in while he's gone.

Hase Pino Tandem

We have a new Hase Pino in the store, and "the boys" (Daniel and Robert) took it for a test ride to "bed in" the disc brakes and give it a good checkover.  Here they are zooming past the shop.  Looks like fun, doesn't it? The great things about this design are:

• Both riders get a good view (no staring at your partner's back).
• Communication between captain and stoker is easier.
• The captain can keep an eye on the stoker... this can be handy with children or a stoker with a disability.
• It's just plain fun!

If you've been thinking about a tandem, you should come on in and give it a try.

Linus Bikes are Here!

That's right! Our first batch of Linus Bikes have arrived, and we've assembled one of each model so far.

 From left to right, you see the Mixte 8, Roadster 8, and Dutchi 8. Each has the Shimano Nexus 8 speed internally geared drivetrain for reliability and ease of use, fenders to keep crud off you and the bike, and a rear rack to carry your things. The Mixte uses a classic "unisex" frame design first made popular in the 60s and 70s, the Roadster is like an updated version of your (or maybe your parents') old English 3-speed, and the Dutchi is Linus' interpretation of the laid back, upright, comfy position of a classic Dutch city bike. Very classy looking bikes, and fun to ride too!

We'll be getting in some of Linus' stylish bags, baskets and racks soon too. Check out their website for more info - http://www.linusbike.com/  And come on by to try out the bikes!

New Summer Hours!

Starting this weekend, we will be open from 10 to 5 on Sundays!

So that means our summer hours are:

Sunday: 10 - 5
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 10 - 7
Wednesday: 10 - 7
Thursday: 10 - 7
Friday: 10 - 7
Saturday: 10 - 6

A fun event for the 4th of July!

One of our trike customers got the inspiration to get a group of recumbent riders together to ride in Fairfax City's Fourth of July Parade!  It's from 9:15am to noon on the Fourth.  For more info contact: recumbents@cox.net

Or click on the image for more info!

Travels with Bromptons

Bromptons overlooking Church Bay, Bermuda

If you came by the shop near the end of May, you probably heard that Tim was away on a family cruise, to celebrate his mom's 85th birthday. What you might not have learned was that he and his girlfriend carried their two Brompton folding bikes on the cruise ship, and did a good bit of exploring on Bermuda by bike! We only had one full day and two half days ashore, but I think we managed to squeeze a lot in, thanks in large part to traveling under our own power, on our own timetable. Watch this space for more info about this trip, and general tips on traveling with your bike in future posts.

Diamond Jubilee Bromptons are here!

That's right folks, just in time for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, the special edition Jubilee Bromptons have arrived.  Only 500 were made, and we ordered two of them, so they won't last long. They come in a special three color scheme - white main frame, blue rear frame, and red fork and handlebar stem. All nicely set off by white fenders and a blue Brooks leather saddle, and a S-type front bag with a Union Jack design.  Come on in and check them out!  And while you're here, visit our friends next door at the Pure Pasty Company, who are having their own special events for the Jubilee.

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.