Killer video of the 2012 Solon CX Race!

Jacob English, owner of Mountain Road Cycles, recently visited Chagrin Falls Middle School to conduct a bicycle education course during students' physical education classes. During the introductory program, students learned about gears, brakes, maintenance, safety checks and road skills. Afterward, students practiced their bike riding skills using bikes donated by Safe Routes Chagrin. CHAGRIN FALLS--Out of 13,500 Safe Routes to School programs nationwide, Chagrin Falls stood out on the national platform as this year’s James L. Oberstar Safe Routes to School Award recipient. The award, granted by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, is the highest honor a Safe Routes to School program can receive. Safe Routes Chagrin is only the seventh program in the nation to receive this honor since the award was founded in 2007. Along with programs throughout the country, Safe Routes Chagrin works to encourage students to safely walk or bike to school instead of hopping on a bus each morning. 2012 James L. Oberstar award applicants were reviewed and selected by a committee comprising representatives from various organizations, such as the National Center for Safe Routes to School, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, the Institute of Transportation Engineers and the National PTA. Safe Routes Chagrin stood out primarily because it increased the number of Chagrin Falls student bicyclists and walkers by 50 percent since 2009. By 2011, more than 180 Chagrin Falls middle and intermediate school students chose to travel to school by foot or bike. The program was also recognized for improving safety for students through volunteer crossing guards, increased speed enforcement and ongoing safety education. Additionally, Safe Routes Chagrin was applauded for its impact in creating new partnerships among community stakeholders while making active transportation an integral part of the Chagrin Falls School District’s culture. With the help of Safe Routes Chagrin, students engage in district-endorsed events such as Walk to School Day, which has grown to more than 800 student participants. Other events endorsed by the district and village include Bike to School Day and the Chagrin Falls Police Department’s Bike-a-Palooza bike rodeo. This year, students will take part in “Walk and Roll Wednesdays,” during which they will log miles walked during recess and during their commute to and from school. Also new this year is the incorporation of bike safety and skills training in the middle and intermediate schools’ physical education classes. Safe Routes Chagrin supported this new curriculum by providing the district with a portable bike trailer and a set of 35 new Giant brand bicycles, a set of resources valued at $15,000. Last fall, Safe Routes Chagrin also made $150,000 in infrastructure improvements to areas surrounding the Chagrin Schools, including new bike and pedestrian paths and bike racks. A large portion of Safe Routes’ funding was made possible with federal money. Chagrin Falls Mayor Tom Brick said Safe Routes Chagrin is “a truly cooperative, community endeavor.” “By improving communication and making some fairly straightforward changes, like adding sidewalks to connect students in the north part of the village to their schools and providing volunteer crossing guards, we have strengthened what was already a very accessible and walkable community,” he said. An awards ceremony will be held Oct. 19 to honor Safe Routes Chagrin. Further details regarding the ceremony, including a time, are still being determined and will be announced by the Chagrin Schools in the near future.

recent work in at Berea...

We recently had this little gem in at our Berea shop for some work. It is a Royce Union Savoy. I haven't been able to find out much about the company, except that the Royce Union was a 'dept. store bike.' However this did catch my eye, because this is a full Ti frame, with a Ti handlebar and I believe a Ti fork. These were the first impressions.

I asked how old the bike was, and the customer told me around 20 years old.

Then upon further inspection, the entire bike is out fitted with XTR. (the drool started) This is full XTR. Except the XT front derailleur. No fault there.

But I'm talking hubs, brakes, rear derailleur, crankset, shifter/brake lever set.  All this stuff is at least 20 years old.

Took my time with this, and cleaned it up really nice with Pledge (hope they like orange sent).  Took it on a short little test ride, and it shifts like new.  XTR has always been like this. Always nice and smooth no matter how old. The only down fall that I found was the length of the stem. On a bike that is built for a short guy like me with a 130mm stem, it just felt jacked up. Bring down the stem length and kill the angle, and it would be a nice ride.

It could use some more work, but I only do what the customer wants and pays for.

That being said, it is kind of funny, in retrospect, riding something that old. Even taking the Kona Kilauea from '96 in the shop for a quick little ride around town to get some air is an experience. Just the overall different geometry and gearing ideas that where, even now takes some getting used to.

In any case, I hope to see this one again.

Enjoy the ride, whatever it may be, wherever you are going...

Moots Moot-X YBB w/ drop bar:

Another bike at the Berea shop turning heads is this Moots Mooto-X YBB. It is there 29er model with the YBB suspension. The YBB give the bike about an 1 1/8” of rear travel. This is just enough to take the edge off of the trail, and keep the rear tire on the ground where it belongs. With this minimal amount of travel, there is no need for a pivot. The Ti has the natural ability to flex just that much.

This is their stock 18” frame. The smallest frame size they make in this model with the YBB option.  As you can tell the build list is top of the line. The drive train is a 2x10 set up with Sram XX crankset, front & rear derailleur, and cassette (one of the most beautiful cassettes I have ever seen, so light; really a work of art), with Sram Red levers.

The wheelset is Stan’s ZTR rims laced to Hope hubs. To stop this beast are Avid BB7 road mechanical disc.

Up front is a Fox 32 Float 29; 100mm of plush goodness up front. Steering is taken care of by a Cane Creek 110.

And yes, drop bars (Salsa Bell Lap) on a mtn bike. Drop bars on a mtn bike kind of serve the same purpose as they do on a road bike. More hand position options. So you are able to move around the cockpit more as the terrain warrants.  Also getting down into the drops on some downhill sections becomes a fun feeling. Able to get lower also changes your center of gravity and how you are able to react.  Also you are able to play with your torque on some climbs. Again moving your positioning around the bike to get a different perspective on the climb.

Thanks for checking it out. 

And remember that we are the only Moots dealer north of Columbus in Ohio. So come in and talk to us about your dream Ti bike, or just about Moots in general; and it might as well be a Moots, the best Ti in the business. 

Ti is a beautiful material. The feel you get from your first ride, will be the same years from now.

This fits into this....very cool.

What custom Moots Vamoots CR with S & S couplers would be complete with out its travel case? Made by S&S this case is only 26x26x10 and is considered std luggage for all airlines..

Kona Bags

You read that right. Kona is now making bags. They partnered with http://www.brenthaven.com/ to bring you some amazing bags. You can check out their promo video here:  http://www.konaworld.com/bags.cfm

From this first pic; the shoulder strap bag or messenger bag, they have an integrated light. So you never have to worry about not having a light with you to be seen while your ride. Also metal clips to close the bag. There are magnetic side flaps to make sure no weather gets into the bag. And a front zipper pocket.

 On the inside is a fully waterproof internal dry bag. These fit 16" laptops, I'll have to give the 17" mac users an update later.  Many little pockets and places to put anything on the inside. Two zippered pockets under the flap. And one of the best key fobs I have seen in a bag. The back has a real nice padding. There is also a handle on the top if you don't want to carry it on your shoulder.

It also has a nice integrated phone case; which fits an iPhone.  A nice metal adjustable strap.
All and all, this is a very nice bomb proof bag. And for those of you that know me, know I love my bags, and this one might be taking over the top spot.

Built to last, they are made of water resistant external cordura fabric.

If you want to see one, I'll have mine on me most of the time at the Berea shop, or let the other guys know, and I could have it sent to either C.F. or Chardon for your viewing pleasure.

Thanks and take care.
Enjoy the ride...

Words from Berea:

Some exciting things have been going on at our shop in Berea. First I would like to extend a word of thanks to all the people in the Berea area that have made us feel so welcomed and at home.

We are gearing up for the season, and are in the process of planning some rides in and around Berea.  One coming up that I am planning is what has been dubbed Cleveland Cobbles, and you can find info for that here:

http://www.facebook.com/events/336465126388761/

Also, some builds have been coming along, and I have a few already to put up; but I want to start with our shop bike.

What we have is a Kona World Bike.  The bike came complete with the full front and rear fenders.  The original set up was a three speed internally gear coaster brake, with a hand-brake up front.  However; I wanted something simpler and cleaner looking.  So I took off the front brake, and I changed the internal three speed. What I put on there is from a company named Sturmey Archer (www.sturmey-archer.com), and one of the many fun options they offer is a two speed kick back coaster brake hub. No cables or wear issues, and you simply kick back just before the coaster brake grabs, to change gears. There are only two gears, so it makes it perfect for kicking around Berea to pick up lunch or just to get out for a quick spin to get some fresh air.  Again, this gives the bike the clean look with no cables or anything else on the handlebar.

 

However; what shop bike would be complete without a place to put a cup of coffee? From Portland Design Works (www.ridepdw.com) we have their bar-ista (get it?).  Perfect for grabbing that cup of joe or whatever other cup-o-bean calls; and riding back with both hands on the bars.

Also outfitted with some Blackburn lights, for those night rides in Berea; and a bell.

This is a great kick around/shop bike for Berea. So keep an eye out as we go on our lunch runs, coffee runs, or fresh air runs.

Enjoy…