Have you noticed the amount of bicycles sold during Covid? Most of our bicycles shops in Calgary are barren. Even their parts supplies are short. Dirt bike sales are also very high compared to previous years. Bike shop workers and owners I’ve spoken with have never seen anything like it. As an avid cyclist it’s great to see. Have you purchased a bike? What recreational activities have you started doing more of or seeing others do more of? Even roller blade sales are way up.
Bicycle sales (and dirt bike sales) are through the roof
I haven't purchased anything new but I have been doing a fair bit of work on my custom builds.
But yeah, the local shops are empty and there are lots more people on the bike paths.
The only down side I have is there are heaps of kids and teens on new MTBs racing around and through my local park playground - at the same time as it's being used by toddlers and mums.
I have stopped them a few times and said, "C'mon fellas - this is really dangerous", they are good kids - but as soon as I ride on they are hard back at it - so the mums tell me.
Next stage of Fatso is done. New apes and cables. There is still work to do on a better rear wheel hub and spokes.
The Electra cruiser is pretty much finished except for some sealed headset bearings that are on the way in the post.
I just fitted new forks and a 29" front wheel to get more of a chopper look.
I do have a 29" SE BMX and a Kona MTB that are fully kitted as well.
it looks awesome. How does it ride?
My mountain bike had a back brake suddenly fail as I was descending a steep gravelly hill last week and I couldn't apply enough on the front given the loose gravel, so I ended up crashing into some bushes that looked like they were soft enough that I could live.
I dunno wth is wrong with the hydraulic disk brake because I am not Danger Dave. The bike needs a tuneup anyway, so I started calling the usual bike shops to see if I could bring it in. I had to book a month in advance! They said it's because everyone is out biking now.
maybe try a mechanic off a site like Craig’s list. Sounds like you need a brake bleed.
You *can* fix it yourself Chris.
I'm no mechanic either, but bicycles are pretty easy.
I started by pulling some bikes that people had thrown away to bits to see how they worked, then began modifying them and putting back together.
Everything you need is on You Tube, Google, Ebay and Amazon.
You have to buy some tools, but in the end it works out cheaper than the bike shop.
Typical cruiser. Comfortable and feel-good enjoyable. Climbing isn't its strong suit.
that blue bike looks awesome. Chris king, bear trap pedals, incredible stem... But that frame is the gem of it all.
Cheers - I've done a bit to it.
"My biggest fear is that when I die, my wife will sell my bikes for what she thinks they cost me" - Unknown.
Well the hydraulic disk brake assembly looked like a bomb went off inside and I wasn't sure how to replace brake pistons, assembly, etc., so I took it to the bike shop. They called me and said yeah, it blew up and took everything with it, including the disk. The bad news is they can't get parts for it this year. With Covid there is such a boom in bicycling that nobody can get parts anymore.
Also, he said the fork seals were shot. Didn't I know they needed replacing every 100 hours of riding? Also, chain.
Sounds like a new bike is in your future. Other option is to find a friend who knows how to do bike repairs and search Craig’s list.
Or a set of Deores
Chain Reaction in UK is my go to online bike shop. Reasonably quick even from overseas during covid. Jenson USA is an American online bike shop I’ve also used during covid and was happy with things. You used to be able to get cheap Shimano group sets from overseas because of the direct taxes and so on but Shimano put and end to that :(
This is what my brake unit looks like. My neighbor said I overheated it because it’s a small disk (160mm) and that I need to fit it with a bigger disk like I have on the front (180mm).
That's easy enough. You just need to get a 180mm Rear adapter bracket too. Coupla bucks. That disk sure is toast.
And yeah - Chain Reaction is good. Very quick for parts. They are/were in Northern Island but deliver to Aus in about 3 days. Sometimes 2. The parent company is wiggle.co.uk - same deal.
'Northern Island'. Doh - check the bloke that lived in New Zealand for 11 years.
Northern Ireland!
Okay, I actually bought new Shimanos with rotors:
Doesn't look like installation is too hard. 👍 We'll see if there be tears.
Oh crap: bleeding kit and fluid?
And 'How To' videos on YT.
