In Stock

We have as many used bikes ready to go right now as we probably will until next fall, so if you are looking for a commuter, mountain bike, kids bike, tandem or road bike check out the page and see if there is something there for you.

We just bulked up the Newbaum’s made in the USA bar tape. So many colors it took 2 photos to fit them all in.

A new shop jersey and shorts order is almost ready and will be going into production soon. We still have a few of the old design, and Surly wool jerseys in stock as well, at great prices.

Wake Up Iowa City’s newest locally roasted offering, 3oth Century Bicycle Golden Gear Chain is right here on the counter waiting for you as well.

Grab a pound to GO!

 

The Bikes Are Blooming

Bright new color from Bianchi on the 2013 Cortina, plant yourself on one! And we sprouted a new bike tree to show off more bikes on the floor, we started with just the one but are getting a nice little grove going now. Lots of Masi road bikes to check out on those branches. Cross bikes, Surly Truckers and the Bianchi Iseo, too.

And Bianchi celeste springs eternal, here on the revamped Milano.

Bianchi celeste is one of the most recognized colors in the world (right?) and here you can read a little bit about why. Whatever color your bike, spring is coming and it is time to ride it!

 

Winter Projects

Everyone asks, “Pretty slow this time of year?”

Nope. First there was the construction and painting of these here walls. Then trying to figure out where everything should go. Xtracycle get their own chunk of wall so all the longtail stuff is in one place, saddles and folding tires, too. And that cascades over to the pannier selection which is now less cramped and looking to expand.

There are also some that choose to flee the cold and dark of Iowa for sunnier warmer lands so some bikes get boxed and shipped away.

We can Xtracycle that.

Then it always seems that there are projects people save up til winter to spring on us also. Like the customer that decided he had finally had enough of sew ups on his hi flange 5 speed freewheel Dura Ace wheelset and his 6 speed freewheeling Campagnolo Record wheelset. So he hunted up some classic clincher rims for us to rebuild them.

And then the new stuff starts showing up, like boxes and boxes of Lazer helmets, and Masi Road bikes next week.

And then there is some travel, like going to Cyclocross World Championships and then taking the train out to NAHBS. And the 30¢ Squad took a zipcar up to Dubuque and did the Triple D last weekend. Pretty slow this time of year? Never!

 

Happy This Year!

And we are back. The break was good, and needed, and many miles were ridden and beers drank and coffees too. And a couple of few (five?) bike crashes as well. The good life! But it was not all relaxation, there was some work, too. Like coming into the shop for a day to build up this Surly Disc Trucker with purdy MK Fenders. A great bike for the last build of 2012.

And the first bike of 2013 to be built up was this stunningly light and purdy Masi Evoluzione with 11 speed Dura Ace group. This is a bike that looks good leaning against a cardboard box!

Wowsers, 15 lbs 13 oz with reflectors computer cages and pedals according to the shop scale.

Back to the heavy lifters (which are more our style) we did some remodling in the shop here and so had to gather some materials with the zero emission Xtracyle / Bikes at Work / Super Duty- Dual Piston-Overhead Cam-Sport Utility Vehicle with onboard safety and navigation “Brain”. Which is an actual human brain.

A bigger and better repair area along with more display space.

All over but the painting. And another year of work of course. Hope to see you soon!

 

Cycling Door to Door

We inherited a few too many doors with our expanded shop space.

After looking at them for 8 months we decided to move them out so someone who could actually use them could have them. We also had a bit of recycling that needed to go, so loaded up the Xtracycle, hooked up the Bikes at Work Trailer, and made for the Iowa City ReStore!

Right up to the donation doors, luckily they accepted them – but who can pass up a Porsche / Quaker State poster?

Then over to the recycle bins to unload some more.

 

Always rock star parking for the bikes. Got some bike hooks at a great price, and a new door, (sigh), and got to ride it all back to the shop in the pouring rain. Door to door!

 

Picture This

Too busy to blog around here, so we will just share some photos of the happenings!

Xtracycle on a Klein? Yes!

Beauty! Michelin World Tour tires, natural cork grips and a shiny WALD rack.

Full custom install, drilling holes, cutting stuff, drilling other holes.

Our bigger space is filling right up, today we are building new Bacchetta recumbents to take up even more floor space! These will be in stock and on the floor, so if you are interested in recumbents come take a test ride.

 

Thanks & Please

Now that we are past our 3 year birthday it is time to write the thank you cards. Thanks for the beer deliveries! And them pastries, too! But most of all thanks for bringing your business here and giving us the opportunity to do what we love. We have said it before, we could not do this without You. So thanks, You, and here is looking forward to more years, like about 25 more and we can retire. Ugh!

Now to the please part. You may have heard that right next door to us a new restaurant just opened last week? The Trumpet Blossom Cafe is all vegan awesomeness! Owner Katy used to be part owner of the Red Avocado but when that got run over by the bulldozer of “progress” she set out on her own, and landed right here. We loved the Red Avocado and were big supporters of everything they did, and now Trumpet Blossom is serving up more of the same, along with a bar, patio, lots of live music, and great espresso roasted locally by our old neighbor Wake Up Iowa City. So please help us build this little community down here and give the Trumpet Blossom a try, you’ll be glad you did!

 

3 Year Anniversary Sale: Go!

As we continue to figure out our new space things are changing faster than bike industry marketing trends. For instance, our version of a disco ball, call it a disco bar.

This-hi-vis-aero-extreme component was the precursor to this kind of thing. And is not for sale! We also got a lever style doorknob to access the storage area.

Okay, pretty boring to look at, but easy operation for when the hands are full gets us all excited. And we also put up a couple of shelves for bike in window display, plants, and parts washer.

Starting to look the way we hoped it could, and just in time for our 3 year anniversary! Yep, this Saturday will mark 3 years since we pumped up our tires and opened our doors. To celebrate we are having a sale. In addition to the stuff on our Sales & Specials page we are marking all in stock Marins down 15%! And all in stock Arkel bags 15% as well. Sale is on until we close on Saturday, so come on down and see us. And while you are here you can check out our new neighbor, the Trumpet Blossom Cafe, opening on Wednesday this week, for all your “that was the best meal I ever had in my whole life” needs.

 

Art Around the Corner

For those of you who don’t know yet, or forgot, or never knew, our shop expanded. As such, our old smudged up and cramped little space has been vacant for a bit.

Enter the artist.

Framebuilder most extraordinary, sculptor par excellent Dana Haugaard transformed the grunge and grime into clean and shine. Mirrors, too. Come check it out, you’ll be glad you did!

Gallery Hours:
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 12-5pm
and by appointment

RECEPTION (Party Time)
March 24th
6-8pm
Adult Beverages provided (as well as some fizzy water too, I’m sure)

 

No Stopping Us

Which of these bike boxes are not like the others?

People can argue and debate the aero benefits and features of different bike designs all they like, but put the boxes they come in on a bike trailer and take them to recycle in a stiff crosswind and the pros and cons are moot points.

Oh yeah, disaster can even strike the car free liver! But (after a photo for blog purposes) there is no need for a scene, a tow truck, a call to the insurance company or even the police. Kicker the tractor, flip the trailer back up and on you are on your way, hoping the wind does not gust again this trip. (it did)