New Year, New Ideas...Shop Update

So resolutions are abound this time of year and my biggest is that pending any real job offers, I am going to open a bike store in Mission. It is going to be a lot of work and truly the patronage from the public last year has convinced me to move ahead. I don't know where the shop will be located yet, but I am calling around to various open store spots for possible rental space.

That being said my hand has healed as well as it probably will, and I can go back to doing repairs. I have an old Schwinn in my garage for repairs, but do not know where I am going to find all the parts to make it work again. Other than that I have time to repair bikes again, but my garage and therefore my shop is ice cold so I can't promise anything with any speed. I have been over coming this with a little propane heater but a pair of Coleman canisters only last a day so I can go through a lot. So if there is any work anyone needs I am going to charge an extra $6 to pay for the canisters for the day. I hope that isn't an issue.

In preparation of the store, I have been purchasing and thoroughly overhauling bikes to resale in the store. This will hopefully help me afford my first few months rent until I can convince a bicycle company to allow me to be a retailer. I have five bikes right now, and would like to get closer to the 20 bike range but we will see. I thought as a teaser I would let you know what I have found, these will not be available until the store opens so be advised. Remember that all these bikes have been completely overhauled including repacking bearings, drivetrain tuning, brake repair, and truing wheels. (Pictures to come)

2001 Jamis Aurora touring bike in nearly new condition. Absolutely ready perfect shape for your first tour. The color is kind of a purplish-blue. Only change to it was a Terry brand anatomic seat, everything else is stock. Highlights include 36 spoke Ritchey Wheels (Hub and Rims, offset rear rim), SLR Brifters, cantilever brakes, and Reynolds 520 frame and fork. Stout and ready for the long road including all the little touring and fender mount eyelets needed. Size is a 53cm.

1997 Specialized Rockhopper cromoly steel mountain bike in nearly new condition. This bike come in a Ferarri Red color and is ready for offroading, rail-trailing, campus life, or as a commuter conversion. One of the last high end steel frames that Specialized made, included Ritchey dropouts, fender and touring tabs, and modern threadless headset. Highlights other than the frame include gripshift, Shimano/Ritchey wheels, super knobby Specialized Team Tires, Specialized Strongarm Crank (made by Sugino), and V-brakes. Just a great bike, size is 17in.

Late 80's / Early 90's Schwinn World Sport ladies (or low slung top tube) road bike in nearly new condition. Would be an excellent commuter or campus bike. Beautiful deep blue, lugged, 4130 steel frame. Highlights include new tires, Shimano SIS 14spd drivetrain with stem shifters, ergonomic bend handlebars, and quick release wheels. I haven't measured the frame size but it is small, meant for someone less the 5' 8" to ride.

1984 Vintage Trek 500 Road Bike that is currently being restored. I am in the middle of rebuilding this bike now and it is going to turn out great. It will be like owning a Rivendell Roadie or Bridgestone road bike, except this model was made in the USA in Waterloo, Wisconsin. Frame is in good shape, but definitely shows some surface rust in spots from its age, metallic silver paint job. Made of Reynolds 501 steel on a classic lugged frame. The Mallaird hub bearings / race and headset bearings / cups are in excellent shape and have been repacked with Paul's Waterproof Grease for long life. Rear hub is the infamous Heliomatic hub. Most of the bike will remain stock with exception of a new seat, tires, tubes, cables, housing, and maybe a chain. Just a really cool old Trek that upon finish of the restoration, I am going to send pictures to Vintage-Trek.com for permanent record. Size is a 22.5in (or 57cm). Click the first link for the original Trek catalog details.

Early to mid 80's Schwinn World Traveler ladies road bike that is up next for restoration. Grey in color from the Panasonic made frame Schwinn era. Frame is lugged 4130 steel. Everything is in good shape just needs a good cleaning. Bike would be at home as a commuter or campus bike. Size will be 19in (or 48cm).

How I typically do Tune-ups...

For those of you that have stumbled upon this website and wonder how I typically do things, I would like to share how it typically works.

First off for a true complete tune-up I charge $35 and it typically takes me about two hours (yes, I am kind of slow), but I am thorough and typically do more than a shop can afford to do for that price. I start with your wheels, repack the bearings, clean rims, and true wheels. I then clean up brake pads (replace if needed), replace wheels, adjust brakes (replace brake cables if needed), and start in on the shifting. I always start with the rear derailleur, replace the cable if needed, lube moving joints, then adjust for proper shifting. Next is the front derailleur, replace cable if needed, lube moving joints, then adjust for proper shifting. Then I check the handlebar setup for anything out of place, realignment if needed, replace grip if needed, and move on. I then disassemble the headset and repack bearings and put everything back together, and tighten the headset. About here I remember that I haven't repacked the bottom bracket and do so if I feel it is needed.

I think I forgot to add that if I don't replace your cables, I always still lube the cable to improve shifting. The last thing I will do is ride your bike over and over around the block until everything is shifting and braking smoothly. My neighbor can tell you how silly I look when I am cruising around on a kid's cruiser or some huge bike.

If things go easy then I charge less than $35, never more than that unless you are wanting me to fix something that it very old or just in terrible shape. Those bikes typically take me much more time than two hours and I charge $50 for those.

Again, I typically do not make any money on parts I replace, so anything I am telling you that I think is replaceable is typically for your best interest. You can ask my previous customers, I will tell you what to look out for, what really needs to be replaced, and what is just fine.

Here is another thing, I don't mind if you want to go to a store instead for this or that, or if you want to find your specific tire, or you want to purchase something on craigslist, or if you don't use me for anything at all. I am doing this to simply build extra income for myself and build a customer base. I do have a pretty good knowledge of bikes, parts, and what works. What I don't know I will tell you, no b.s. If you want to know my strengths it would be all bikes from the late 90's and older and road bikes from any period. I have twice built a recumbent from nothing into a working bike for school projects, I have built fairings out of carbon fiber, machined hubs, and more.

Lastly timing, it typically takes me two days to get to your bike and finish repairs. I typically have only 4 working hours a day to work on bikes which only allows 2-4 bikes to get completed in the time period. Thus, if you drop your bike off and nothing is in front of it, I will probably have it done two days later. If there is 4 bikes in front, then maybe it will not be finished for 3 to 4 days. I am a quality over quantity guy. It should be said though, that if you need your bike done quickly for a race or triathlon, I will try and get your bike put ahead of the line. I can't always guarantee that though.

Again, any questions feel free to get in touch. My contact information is above.