Shop Ride Tonight is Doubtful due to Weather

Today is the day reserved for our shop ride at 5:30 - going to be a lot of no shows if weather is as forecast.  We will see if anyone shows - so don't be disappointed if we wave-off tonight.

2012 Madone 5.9

Eli built-up the shop's first 2012 Madone 5.9 with Ultegra Di2 today.  The Ultegra version uses the same motors and processor as the Dura Ace system, but does not use all of the same materials and weighs slightly more.   That being said, it also costs about $1,600 less than the Dura Ace group.

We have had a lot of experience with the Dura Ace Di2 so we were anxiously awaiting the first Trek stock bike to be available for those not wanting to purchase a Project One bike.  The Ultegra is solid and nicely finished as we have come to expect from the Shimano road components. 

 The shifting is every bit as fast and precise as the Dura Ace and will certainly bring a smile to your face each tme you ride.  One nice surprise is the use of Ultegra tubless wheels - a very nice upgrade to an already well equipped bike.

Come in and check it out for yourself.

Shop Ride Thursday, April 19th - 5:30pm

The weather looks as if it will cooperate for the shop ride tomorrow (April 19th) at 5:30 pm.  Last week had a good turnout which generated some good stories.  We may even see some of the mountain bike riders who moved their group ride from Wednesday nights to Thursday night - Ahem....

A Peek at the New Storefront

As we announced last week, Two Wheel Transit will be relocating to the South Perry Street District in the fall of 2012.  Here is an artist's rendering of what the new storefront will look like.  We will keep you updated as the project develops.

Now it will be interesting to see who leases next store to us.

See you on the road.

Meet Eli

We are pleased to announce the addition of Elijah McConnell-Perkins to the staff of Two Wheel Transit as a mechanic and sales support.  Eli as he likes to be called, most recently worked as a bicycle frame builder for Co-Motion Cycles in Eugene, OR and has experence as lead mechanic at Hutch's Bicycle Shop and Outdoor Dept Manager for Copeland Sports, both also in Eugene.

He also has a degree in political science from UO, so he will bring a fresh perspective to the lively political debates we have each afternoon over tea.

Eli has an easy-going personality and an attention to detail that will fit in well with crew and the high level of service and technical expertise you have come to expect from the shop.  We expect that you will also see him racing in the local road scene and helping-out with various community activities this summer.

Monday, April 16 is his first day, so be sure to make a point and get in the shop so he can get to know our customers.

Welcome Eli!

Maybe he was Late for Church...

Imagine getting a call at 5:46 am on Sunday morning from the alarm company regarding a tripped motion detector at your shop located 12 miles away.  That was how our Sunday started-off at Two Wheel Transit.  Someone smashed through reinforced glass and ripped a 2012 Trek Lush through the hole and rode off.  The force with which they broke the glass sent shards 30 feet into the shop just short of the cash register.

A witness called the police but the guy was long gone by the time they could respond.  Afterwards Tomas did a wonderful job of cleaning-up from flying glass.  Bruce and I boarded-up the window and sealed things up from the elements until the insurance company can get someone here. 

Since the witness said the perpetrator was a male, the joke is on him - it was a women's mountain bike.

See you on the road.

New Employee - Mr. X

Mr. X will start as a mechanic at Two Wheel Transit on Monday, April 16.  He brings bike frame manufacturing experience and significant bike shop mechanical background to the job.  The shop elves have been busy provisioning his workbench and workstation (complete with dual screens) to ensure he feels at home and hits the ground running.

We have even heard rumors that he likes to race and will be entered in various events through the season.

Our next installment will unveil this mystery mechanic and introduce him as a member of the Two Wheel Transit Team.

Focused on the Present with an Eye on the Future

The 2012 cycling season is off to a great start in terms of weather and activity in the shop.  Everyday is like a family reunion with only a little of the dysfunction as people we have not seen in months come in to say "hello" or get their bikes tuned.  We are stoked about the prospect of weather cooperating this year and serving our customers during a solid season at 1405 W. 1st Ave.

That being said, there have been rumors about us moving the shop to another location.  Doing so would involve a lot of analysis and finding the right location - nothing to take lightly.  We were approached about moving to several locations, but none of them had the right combination to justify a move.  One area that we had been eyeing for a while was the Perry District, but some issues made it tough to put a deal together.  That and our current lessor graciously offered to extend our lease when it matures in November 2012 led us to believe we would stay in the current location for the foreseeable future.

Thanks to some help from talented and experienced commercial brokers and attorneys, things finally fell into place and we are pleased to announce the shop will move to 817 S Perry Street in the fall of 2012.  We want to stress that it is business as usual at our current location until the season slows and we can make a seamless move to minimize disruptions to our customers. 

Change is always hard, but we think this is the best for our customers and the shop for the long-run.  Having the same great service from Tomas, Dave, Tom and soon to be announced Mr. X makes it the shop people have come to know and trust regardless of the physical location.

We are looking forward to meeting our new neighbors and already know some on S Perry Street like South Perry Pizza and Title Nine, but we are focused on taking care of our customers right where we are for this season and then we will move when it is least disruptive for all of you.

Thanks for all of your support.  See you on the road.

The Downside of Di2

I have finally discovered a downside to Di2.  I have been riding Di2 for about a year and have found nothing that it really can't do.  Shift under load, no problem - whatever I ask it does.  The problem is that is creates very unrealistic expectations for my other components.  I have just become accustomed to getting what I want when I ask.

Case in point: here is my Dura Ace 7800 front derailleur after I asked it to downshift at the top of a hill yesterday.

No, the cage is not supposed to stick-up in air in two pieces like that.

Was I upset that I was still 12 miles from home?  Not really, I just had to man-up and ride home in the larger chainring.  The drive train does not owe me much after almost 17,000 miles of service.  I just need to remember that all bikes components are not equal and I need to adjust accordingly when I swing my leg over a trusty steed.