Seal of Approval

Product we like: Enduro's fork seals.  A bit more info here.

For the second time, we replaced the stock seals on about a four-year-old Fox F32 Talas Terralogic that, after years of what we'd consider hard riding on a Moots Zirkel, looked like this:

Yuck!

Enduro's upgraded seals boast dual-lip seals under the wiper that keep the muck from your favorite trail, park, or landfill off your stanchions, while keeping your fluids in the fork.  We've replaced them on a dozen or so models of Fox forks.  So far, no leakage with these blue babies:

So fresh and so clean

 

Spotlight: Bikes 4 Kids

As we're in the holiday spirit of Christmas giving, we'd like to give a nod to Kim Schaefer and his non-profit bicycle donation program, "Bikes-4-Kids."

Started in 2005, Bikes-4-Kids has steadily grown as "there are always more kids than bikes...each year we are able to reach out to more and more great children," Kim says.

Customers frequently ask us what they can do with their old kids' bikes. We offer to take them off your hands, after which we fix 'em up, and donate them to programs like Bikes-4-Kids. It's a win for everyone - you don't have to worry about leaving a bike on the curb, and people like Kim repurpose used bikes for deserving kids.

This past weekend, we donated over a dozen used and gently used bikes. Kim even had to make two trips with his truck.


So next time you're wondering what to do with that old Huffy, Diamondback, or Giant in your garage, bring it on by. It's sure to find a home.

major jake...

head tube.

i just picked up the new major jake, and i wanted to put up this shot of the head tube, esp. because of our last post.

i think you are able to really see the shaping in this picture, from the larger diameter tapering to a smaller diameter.

as stated...this frame is amazingly light, and i am very excited to build it up, and get out on it.

i have recently retired my cross bike of ten years, so this will be a drastic change for me, but one i am looking forward too.

My New Orange Crush...

...comes in full carbon. Can't get my mind off of Kona's 2011 Major Jake.

We've even displayed it in a spot that you can see from anywhere on the floor.

Let's take a look at this stunning beauty that's been turning heads since it came in the door:

First impressions:

Our Major Jake is a 53cm, paired up with a carbon Kona CX Race tapered fork/carbon steerer. The massive head tube has a 1-1/8" top and bottoms out at 1-1/2" - a nice cozy anchor for the fork.

Fork and head tube aside, the taper emerges as a total necessity if not just for extra strength when you consider the fat hexagonal down tube that's almost as wide as the BB30 bottom bracket shell.


Seamlessly bound to the flared 34.9mm seat tube and topped off with a flattened top tube (not that you'll need any extra help getting Major Jake on your shoulder), the frame heralds a whole new kind of stiffness for when you're cranking away.


Throw in some internal cable routing and warrior-like orange and white graphics on black carbon, and you've got yourself one hell of a frameset. We've weighed it in at a feathery 3.1 lbs (frame+fork). Don't worry, it won't blow away in the wind.

On the wall now in Chagrin.

2010 CRC Creek Cross Recap

Do I see a new Jake The Snake there?

Hopefully everyone's caught their breath by now after Sunday's 2010 Creek Cross CX race in Solon. Results were posted early Tuesday on Chagrin River Cycling's (CRC) site.

The weather couldn't have been better for a cross race. Sunny, cool, and little-to-no wind.

Winding through the Bartels' grassy property on the southeast corner of Richmond and Solon roads in Solon, the roughly 1.25-mile course led riders through a sinuous snarl of seemingly endless switchback turns.

With mostly dry conditions and no run-ups, riders faced only two back-to-back hurdles, a 10-yard heap of deep, wet gravel, and quick narrow tree-weaving. The spiraling course initially funneled everyone into a tight squeeze around a stack of hay -- a rabbit hole, or eye of the storm, if you will -- before spitting everyone out onto the bulk of the course.

To make things interesting, each race began with a chaotic Le Mans-style start, in which riders set up their bikes about 200 feet ahead of the starting line -- and upon "Go!" everyone ran to retrieve their rig and proceed down the course.

Here's the Category A guys at the start:

Thanks again to CRC and The Bartels for hosting the race, and to Lynn Marut for officiating. Stay tuned for more race info at Northeast Ohio Cyclocross Series.

Kona Blast Product Launch, Bellingham WA

Kona Blast 2011 Recap.

One Kona Launch in the wraps. Locating in Ferndale, Washington, we arrived in the city of Bellingham, about a two hours north of Seattle. Great location on the water and with Galbraith Mountain looking over the city. This was Kona’s 1st private launch and they did a perfect job of mixing business with killer riding. It’s always a great experience to be immersed in what I would call the “Kona Culture”. This company lives and breaths all things bike, from their Africa Bike programs to the new Operator DH, Kona is all about your ride in all sense of the word.
Kona has a stunning line up this year! New highlights include the 2x2, a Magic Link Full Floater that changes between 80 and 100 mm. perfect for N. Ohio’s XC. They have revamped the Cyclo Cross line up, with lighter Jakes and a Full Carbon Cross bike coming in at $3000. These will be on the floor just in time for cross season. One of the simple yet stunning bikes was the World Bike, a simple 3 spd. The name Nunu is back in a perfect XC hardtail machine. The 29er line up expands a bit, and a new all around full suspension bike the Tanuki comes out.
After a morning of some actual work it was out to the demo crew to get set up with bikes for the ride. One really fast group, led by Ryan Trebon and Barry Wicks ( who have got to be the most down to earth pros ever! More on that later), one medium pace ride, and one recreational ride. I am the lucky guy who gets to ride a Cadabra build for the Sea Otter Classic. Scandium frame, Sram 1x10 drive train ( I am now fully sold on 1x’s or 2x 10’s, no going back) Rock Shox Black box fork, this puppy weighed in at 23lbs for nearly 7” of travel. I settled in about mid pack of 40 or so riders an up up up up up up we went. We climbed about 1500’ of steep but relatively easy single track then the real fun began. Cory, a rep was our ride leader, took us around the trails on the top with names like intestine to ----- well you get the idea. The decent was amazing. Tight, twisty and down does not begin to describe it.! All said a great 2 ½ hour ride.
After a few celebratory beers with fellow dealers, it was off to the Kona USA HQ for some beers, BBQ, and basketball. Tons of vintage Kona’s hang on the walls marking the company’s great history. Then came the basketball game. In the first round my team of 5’8” dealers took on Ryan Trebon and Barry Wicks. I think the score was 11-0. Lets Just say they race 23” Kona Hei Hei 29ers.
The following day came meetings with all the inside Kona peeps. Kona has a great “ Family” of employee’s and dealers. It is clear they are not like any other company in the industry. The core values share many of MRC’s values. The bikes are innovative, sensible and just like MRC, it’s not just a ride around the block, it’s a way of life.
A quick stop in Seattle for the night also showed an amazing bike culture. As we sat having a beer in Olympic Park ( home to Space Needle) I watch hundreds, and I do mean hundreds of local riders coming by, listening to a free concert and socializing. This is what they do on a Friday night…..

sram xx product demo...

i was lucky enough to hit sram's product demo today. the sram van pulled up with a truck load of bikes all decked out with sram xx 2x10 mountain system.

as a shop we could get all the literature on a product. get talked up about it from our reps. but until you get a chance to ride it...that's another story.

the 2x10 system is an amazing system, and it is nice to see it already trickling down to some of sram's other groups, so you don't have the sticker shock of xx.

the advantage of the 2x10 system is:
weight. it's a lighter system than anything else out there.
cross-shifting. coming into a shop we tell you all the time not to do this. well this is what it is made for. it gets rid of the granny gear and riding big to big is not a problem.
shifting. the chainring ratio; the small ring is exactly 2/3 of the big ring. this allows crisper shifting up front. four point up shift locations. and with this ratio, the chain is always engaged on the chainrings during shifting. what does this mean? you never loose power during your shift, even under load.
cassette. the main body of the cassette is a single piece forged stainless steel piece. except for the 'low gear'; which is aluminum.
less clutter. the brake levers, shift levers, and the lock out for the shock are all able to be on one clamp with their patiented match make technology.
custom fit. the shifter levers are able to be rotated 30 degrees for reach. and the brake levers are able to be adjusted for reach also.

so if you're looking to upgrade your existing drivtrain, or interested in a new bike; i'd seriously take a look at what sram is doing, both on road and off. come on in and talk to us about it.

the beginning of...

august is never too early to start thinking about cyclocross. this is a new site that i found for the cleveland area 'cross races; neocx.

it just started up, and it will be nice to find all the races in one spot, instead of me checking at least three different sites to get the info. on all the races.

so get those cross bikes out, bring 'em in to get work on, and start riding; because cross season will be here before you know it.

Giant Product 2011, Deer Valley

Why is this a great industry?? because the people, product, and lifestyle. After a busy "Right Side" Tour on Sunday I headed out to Deer Valley, Utah; for Giants 2011 Product Launch. After Trying to pack up in the morning...do I bring the body armor..wait it won't fit ....wait what am I missing, I made the trek out.
Tues: Product meetings 8-3...then ride. That sounds like a good day! 2011 looks great! Great speech from Elysa Walk, General Manager of Giant USA. Great Trails at Deer Valley. 5 Runs in, 3 with a Giant Trance( 5" travel) 2 w/ a Faith ( 7.6 Travel). The Faith just handles like a bike that should be 28 lbs. Awesome.. Then out to Olympic Park for dinner, drinks and a killer show of future and former Olympic skiers in their training ground. It was a true athletic spectacle. Most impressive by far was Giant's General manager taking the first run. Video footage to follow, but not quite that tech savey in the mountains.
Now they have to bus all the dealers ( the top 10% of Giants Dealers mind you) back to the hotel...Back to why I love this industry. As soon as we get on the bus someone says " we need a beer run", the next guy says " we want to got to the bars on Park City's main st"...more "beer run" request follow. Mind you the driver of the big bus is just supposed to take us back to the hotel. BUT the bikers win, he will take us on a beer run and take the others to the bar, then the rest back to the hotel. After the quick drop off at the local store we emerge with beer and get back on the bus... now this is where the difference occurs...the next dealer emerges from the store and hands out ice cream bars with chocolate to every one on the bus....

hanging out at the Clinic...

last wednesday the shop was invited down to the Cleveland Clinic for, what i would call, a fitness expo. more than a dozen local fitness and health clubs and shops were on display, and M.R.C. was the only bike shop there.

i was on hand as the representative of the shop, and was talking to people about cycling in general. mostly dealing with the many different types of bikes that are available to people nowadays. bikes for commuting. fitness. the bikes that go beyond the traditional road bike and mountain bike.

also the health benefits that cycling offers. low impact cardo.

so, thanks to the Cleveland Clinic for having us, and we look forward to helping out again in the future.

Hey People

Become active in our local community!!! Safe Routes to School Chagrin Falls and the Chagrin Falls Alternative Transportaion Study NEED your help

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL:
Please take a moment today to fill out our volunteer form:
Just go to our website at this link - http://saferouteschagrin.com/main/get-involved/volunteer-to-help/ - and click on the volunteer form link. This will allow you to save it to your computer, then open it up and submit it without having to print it out or attach it to an email. (you can also access the volunteer form at this link - https://acrobat.com/#d=CX5S3LOKJlmSpJJwJtLnDA)

On the same page, you can click to view the powerpoint presentation from our last community meeting which has an overview of all our projects that were funded with the $577,000 grant.

Our next meeting has been changed to Tuesday, June 15th from 7-8 pm at the Chagrin Falls Public library. We know some of you will need to bring your kids with you, so we will have a make your own ice cream sundae party for you and your kids at the library that evening. We will also have a game for the kids to play while we have our meeting. Hope you can come and learn more about what we're doing!

TRANSPORTATION STUDY
Also, the Villages of Bentleyville, Chagrin Falls, Moreland Hills, Orange, South Russell, along with Cleveland Metroparks, Geauga Park District, South Russell Multipurpose Trail Foundation and planning consultant Behnke Associates, are studying route options for non-motorized transportation (including bicycling and walking, and they need YOUR input. Please go to the Village of Chagrin Falls website to take a short survey (it says due in may, but they still want additional responses to truly represent our community - tell your friends too!) - http://www.chagrin-falls.org/
The Safe Routes to School Chagrin Falls Team

Join Mountain Road, Felt Bicycles, and the Cleveland Tri Club for " CLUB Night" Tonight only!!!!
Where: Chagrin Location
What: Felt Demo's 3-9, the demo rig will be here full of bikes!
What: Club Night 7-9. Come meet the Tri Club, free demos and mechanical clinics, discounts, food and drink. Sponsored by Sram, Felt, and Zipp

A Classic Returns. This Sunday May 16th is the Chippewa Creek Road Race! Brecksville Reservation. The course is a 4 mile loop with three main sections. There is a 200 ft/1 mile climb, a rolling gradual ascent with several sweeping turns, and a one mile high speed descent. The FELT DEMO TRUCK full of Felts to test will be on hand!

Safe Routes Chagrin Falls Grant Awarded!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chagrin Falls Granted $577,000 in Funding from ODOT for Safe Routes to School
~ Funded Projects will Enhance Appeal of Walking and Bicycling to School ~
Chagrin Falls, April 12, 2010 – The Ohio Department of Transportation has awarded funding of up to $577,000 to the Safe Routes to School program in Chagrin Falls for specific projects to enhance safe walking and bicycling. The $11 million in federal transportation funds to be invested this year represents the most ODOT has provided through its Safe Routes program since it began in 2004. Chagrin Falls is one of 41 communities across the state to receive funds and ranks as the third highest recipient of funds, trailing just behind the City of Columbus and the City of Lancaster. Projects planned by SRTS-Chagrin Falls include new sidewalks and paths in the vicinity of the schools, a pilot crossing guard program, increased visibility of school zones and promotion of safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers through educational programs, contests and materials.
“Chagrin Falls is already well-regarded as a walking community, with a variety of shops and businesses within walking distance of homes and an attractive downtown district, and this funding allows for us to build on that strength by making it more appealing for kids to walk and bike to school,” said Mayor Thomas Brick.
“The SRTS Team is very pleased that ODOT has approved funding for nearly all of the projects we proposed in our School Travel Plan. A lot of research and creative problem-solving went into the development of our projects and the fact that ODOT is funding them is a credit to all the solid groundwork laid by our Team,” said Kathryn Garvey, SRTS-Chagrin Falls team leader. “That said there are still quite a few details to be worked out before we can be assured that our projects will go forward. For example, a final project scope agreement needs to be established with ODOT. The scope agreement will determine the final amount of funding and when these funds will be available. ”
The Safe Routes to School program in Chagrin Falls was launched by a group of parents who wanted to support the kids who enjoy walking and biking to school by making it safer and more acceptable for them to do so. A comprehensive analysis, called a School Travel Plan (STP), was completed by the Chagrin Falls Safe Routes to School team and submitted to ODOT last year. The study was based on input from over 300 parents, students, law enforcement officers, Village and school representatives, community members and traffic engineers. According to the STP, over 82% of all parents responding to a survey indicated that improvements need to be made to the walking environment for students in Chagrin Falls. The study found that about 17% or 130 students in Chagrin Falls walk to/from school on average in good weather. Of those who live close enough but do not walk, 54% would like to be able to walk to school. The STP unearthed the barriers preventing those students from walking and biking to school and proposed specific solutions.

Top Cities for biking...

Number 39 in something good...Not bad

IT HAS ARRIVED!!!!

The lastest and greatest in technology has arrived at our Chagrin Falls location. The new Felt F2 with the new Dura-ace Di2 electronic shifting!!!!! The front derailleur self trims everytime you shift to a different gear in the back. It shifts like a dream. Flawless shifting in both the front and rear. You can't get any better than that. Retail price on this baby is $5999.99. So come on down and check out this beauty.

new season...

and new toys.

the new sram XX is out. if you don't know, it's probably the biggest thing for mountain biking since the nine speed groups came out. that being said...ten speed it is.

this is a pic of the new rear derailleur that i picked up a few weeks ago, and finds itself on my cross bike; which is also fitted with new sram red levers. now their system is used with only a double up front. getting away from the triple that is normally found with mountain bike groups. the reasoning for this, is that if you're in the granny gear, you might as well walk; you'll be faster.

:hamad

consistent with sram, is their precision shifting and performance. you get your ceramic and ti all around and brings it weight to 181g.

so if it's time to upgrade stop on in. or if you just want to check out the new derailleur, hit me up and i can bring it up to the shop.

Seven Springs Mountain Bike Park

Daniel at Seven Springs on a Kona Stinky.
Can't wait for summer!!

Strongman Competition at Frostbike

Here is a video of John in the strongman competition at Frostbike. He got primed for the event by drinking 4 Dr Peppers, or was it 40? Everyone was impressed. "That's what I'm talking about!"

Look at this one...

one of our latest builds...Felt F1 Sprint Team Frameset, Campy Record 11, Zipp 404....This might just turn out fast, light and stiff...? Yah I think it might..

Hei Hei

Need a new 29er? want a great deal? What could be better then this. We have one 16" and one 19" available. 2009 Kona Hei Hei 29. Scandium frame, 80mm travel, Fox...was $2599.99..Now......wait for it.....wait for it......( yes its neil patrick harris's line but).....$1899.99

Disc Brake Facing

One thing that can be overlooked setting up a new frame or set of brakes is the contact surface on the Brake tab. Many times from the factory we will find a brake that is "just off a bit". The usual spacing adustments don't seem to be enough. This leads to one part of the disc pad dragging or not centering properly at all. Typically this is do to paint covering the mount contact point.

One of Mountain Road Cycles favorite tools is the Park DT-1 Disc Brake Mountain Facing tool. The mechanic inserts this into the front or rear axle, adjust the contact point of the cutting teeth, and remove just enough paint and frame to have a precise flat surface to mount the brake. Here is the whole process

Of coarse we do this on all custom builds and anytime it's needed. You know the saying---The right tools for the right job!