Got 14000 to spare?

Richard Sachs is cracking his piggy bank open and selling off his collection of Campy dérailleurs!

hILL cLIMB gIRL

thanks japan http://animatorexpo.com/hillclimbgirl/ #hillclimbgirl #video

Stack that stem.

Sometimes we the Legion are forced to commit crimes against humanity.
#stack that stem

Stolen Bike APB

Brodie Holeshot was recently stolen from a bike locker by dirty ne'er-do-wells. The bike can be easily identified by its gold top caps on the Marzocchi Dirt Jumper II fork, as well as gold brake levers and red Hope front hub. The bike has a black seat, not the white one pictured.

I also lost a blue Redline Device BMX with white handlebars and a black WTP helium fork. No pictures of that one unfortunately.

Please respond if you see it!!! Thanks

North American Cycling Infrastructure, A Dutch Perspective.

I

Vancouver is a cycling progressive city, but compared to the Netherlands and even Calgary we have poor, hap-hazard and insufficient infrastructure. Our (Infra) compared to many places --even America is infantile. Just listen to this Dutch perspective.


...and if you really want to know how far behind we are watch this.
The 100 year old footage of Amsterdam (about 50s in) looks like where we are today.

#cat6racer #bikeyvr #yvrbikelanes

Vancouver Police Auction/ Able Auctions 2014 - The truth

Well, it it's my least favorite time of the year, the annual VPD police auction takes place this Saturday. Shitty for me because this means that every #wobbler looking for a good deal on a bike will head down to the auction, get wrapped up in bidding and pay 500$ for a 150$ CCM that needs $200 in repairs. True story, I've seen it with my own eyes. I went once and I will never go again.You can't bid against ignorance and win. The key is realizing that most people have no idea the true value of the bikes they are biding on and even fewer are knowledgeable enough to notice the glaring and costly repairs or parts the bikes need after they are screwed and chopped back together by some crafty crackhead. 

Speaking of crack heads, most don't have great taste in bikes, they are focused on steeling what's abundant and easy. The walk through/ preview video states they have all the brands you want CCM, Kuwahara, Nishiki. Trust me these re the brans you do not want. Nishiki hasn't produced bikes for over 20 years, and CCMs are assembled by the same dude slapping BBQs together in the back of your local Canadian tire.

If you are looking for a deal on a used bike this is absolutely the worst place to buy one. In my experience I didn't see a bike sell at auction for less than what you would pay on Craigslist, and some times several times more. 

On Sunday after the auction and for the following week, bike shops are flooded with repairs from the police auctions. Often people come on looking for a tune-up to get their new bike going, and hearts are broken.  A typical tune-up in Vancouver runs about 60$/hr. plus parts labour. Most people end up paying around 75$ all said in done for incidents such as brake pads and cables.  Crackhead hacked together bikes usually fair far worse. I have seen so many brutalized bikes, mismatched wheel sizes  (add at least another $100, plus labour to your repair),  and a myriad of inexplicably botched and of course catastrophic frame damage (usually resulting from the theft). Suddenly 225$ (over-priced CCM) you purchase at the auction now needs 180$ worth of parts and labour to get it working. Not so good eh? Even worse some just aren't worth repairing, even to get them to minimum standards of safety and operation.

If you really want to see a preview of the bikes you'll be buying stand on the corner of Main and Hastings for ten minutes and watch the bikes roll by or head to the bottle depot on Hastings. These are the bike you'll be bidding on for the most part. Usually giant hunks of crap. But let's not forget about that and that sweet Rocky or Santana Cruz you scoped out in the preview or maybe the Pegerotti that your sure no one will be bidding on, your wrong. When the crowd mentality kicks and people smell a "good deal" the bidding will continue. Even if you fair okay you'll still get dinged with Able Auctions 10% premium on your bid, plus taxes. Shitty deal Braaaaah.

So what to do? You are looking for a deal on a good bike, the first thing to realize is that you get what you pay for. Deals Re not always deals, caveat emptor! If you are looking for a used bike try reliable seller such as The Bike Kitchen and Our Community Bikes which sell tuned-up used bikes with a 30 day warranty. You'll be supporting a non-profit but also getting piece of mind knowing that the bike you purchased will be fairly priced, safe and functional.

P.S. If you come across a pair of Dura Ace track hubs laced to gold Velocity Aeroheads, I want them back!

http://www.ableauctions.ca/flyer/?EventID=32AE41FD-D25D-1F5D-8DD39D7DC97BE856

#ableauctions #vpdauction #cat6racer #yourbikehatesyou

Raceface buys Easton!

In what sounds like a delayed April fools joke, Raceface has bought Eastson's cycling division. No one saw that one comming, espcialy after Raceface almost sunk. Props RF! Full story on NMSB

#bikeindustry #raceface #easton

Drumsticks

If your not having turkey for Easter, here are some drumsticks on us!

cat 6 racer cogs!

Post by Cat 6 Racer.



#bikeYVR #madeinCanada #cat6racer

Northern Standard - Shutting down operations

Sad news, Vancouver based Bicycle Polo pioneers annouced that they will cease opperation.

"As we ride off into the sunset, we thought it would be fitting to talk about some of the cool shit that Northern Standard did over the last few years. We came into this business with a mission to make the best bike polo equipment in the world. We spent thousands of hours and dollars balancing full-time jobs, relationships & personal lives trying to make this a reality. In the end, we are proud of what we accomplished and feel privileged that we got to make our mark on this sport. What you see below is far from our complete works. It's a small snippet of our innovation and brief moment in the sun." Via Northen Standard

#northernstandard #bikepolo #crazycanucks

House of Chain - Now Open for Business!

I love it when my friends open bike shops!
House of Chain is now open for business at 235-2083 Alma Street which is the Old Running Room Location just off West 4th on Alma.

In addition to being all around great guys, the founders Anton and Craig are both very knowledgeable about bikes and mechanics. Keep your eyes open for more post about House of Chain  soon.

From the House of Chain  website
"House of Chain was founded in 2013 by Anton Kochetkov and Craig Bullock.

Anton came from Kyrgystan with plans to open his own store.  Craig's been wanting to open a shop for years.  After working together at a local bike shop for over 2 years, a great partnership was born and a vision to open one of Vancouver greatest stores was realized.

Before he immigrated to Canada, Anton was the Federation of Mountain Bike Champion for his home country.  He also started his own bike shop which fueled the desire for Mountain Biking in Kyrgystan.  So many people wanted bikes that he had trouble buying them locally.  His next step was to start importing them and he became the largest distributor of Mountain Bikes.

Craig has always been in Canada. After riding bikes since childhood for some fun but mostly transportation, he got bit by the Freeride bug in the late '90s.  After a serious shoulder injury ended his hopes of a racing career he spent more time repairing and selling bikes then riding them.  Craig has over 10 years of experience in the bike industry.

Anton and Craig are not just guys who like bikes.  They love bikes but they also have vast experience in the Retail Bike Industry.  This experience has given them an insight into what other shops are failing at.  They are focusing on Inventory Management and Special Orders/Shipping."

#thehouseofchain #YVRbikeshop #bikeYVR #YVRbikelanes

Grease Mysteries Solved

While far from any Snowden liek revelations here are some industry secrets that I am able to reveal.

Fact!

While I can't reveal my source, I have 100% confirmation that Phil Wood water proof grease is a Product of Exxon Mobile.

here is a little comparison....

Exon-Mobile Mobilegrease 33

"It is made with unique synthetic base oil,  lithium complex thickener and premium additives to provide excellent corrosion and wear resistance, and operability at very low temperatures. Patent-pending technology What makes Mobilgrease 33 fundamentally different from other low-temperature airframe greases is the base oil. It contains no esters and is 100 percent polyalphaolefin (PAO). Esters are

compounds that are susceptible to hydrolysis, which is a chemical reaction with water causing decomposition and  leading to the likely production of potentially corrosive acids.  A patent for the base oil technology has been applied for by ExxonMobil and is pending.
• Unlike airframe greases containing esters, our product’s
100 percent PAO base oil will resist decomposition when
contaminated with water.
• Mobilgrease 33’s superior hydrolytic stability can provide
a higher level of protection for airframe components
operating in hot and wet environments."

...And here is what Phil Wood has to say about "their" grease:

"Phil Wood Waterproof Grease is used to pack all our Phil Spec’d bearings for maximum durability. It is tested and has achieved the “premium” lubricant classification by all major bearing manufacturers worldwide."

...not much insight. And  the MSDS

Price

Mobilegrease 33

$13.50 / 14oz.

Philwood Water Proof Grease

$10.00/3 oz.

Speculation

While this is purely speculation The Motorex Bike Grease 2000 (Fett 200) looks the same, and feels the same as Shimano Special Grease (Dura Ace)
here is what Motorex has to sayabout it:

"Fluorescent yellow calcium-based grease with remarkable and durable lubricating properties. Motorex Bike Grease 2000 is a highly water-repellent, extremely pressure-resistant grease. Provides enhanced resistance to oxidation and aging. Ideal for lubricating bearings, hubs, joints and headset. Does not attack elastomers and seals and prevents galvanic corrosion."
While no official description of the grease from Shimano could be found, I think the case can be furthuer by comparison of the Material Safety Data Sheets (Shimano & Motorex). While this isn't conclusive evidence it is a strong case.
Both greases have are calcium based, have great sticky feel and rust inhibitors. At 10$/100g Motorex and $20/100g for the Dura ace special grease, the motorex seesm like a great value.


#durace #motorex #philwood

Vancouver is this what cycling has come to?

Broadway @ Cambie this morning

And a little road cycling action to mix things up.

Cipollini



Contador

Fat bikes are the Recumbents of the MTB world.

While trying to find an article about a ridiculous fat bike I found this instead, Enjoy!

#BMXfail #bikeCRASH

Tippie for Chief

Really? My Vote goes to
#Tippieforchief

New Bike Park / Skate Park proposed for 7th and Ontario!

Funny I was almost run over at this location today when a COV badged vehicle rolled through the stop sign across Yukon.... any ways here re the details

The Vancouver Park Board is looking to provide a new skateboard park in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood because of rising skateboarding popularity in the area. 

The Park Board has secured funding for a new mid-size skateboard park in one of two proposed Mount Pleasant neighbourhood park locations:

• Jonathan Rogers Park (Manitoba Street and West 7th Avenue)

more here

#skateYvr #bikeyvr

and Just in-case you haven't seen this yet - Chris Akrigg, Freeroad / Endroad

CHRISCROSS from chris akrigg on Vimeo.

#ChrisAkrigg  #freeroad #endroad

It Lives! Coastal Crews Bike Park Now OPEN!

Not commuter centric, but I still pumped about this. Expect to see me thrashing the Green trails, possibly on a jankey road bike.

More here

#thecoastalCrew #mountainbike #sunshinecoast

Whose Lane is it Anyway

more here 

#bikeyvr #yvrbikelanes #cat6racer

This is so good it makes my head hurt

Chad Chrizmore more from #Artcrank here

Frost Bike

This week is Frost Bike, which is like QBP's in house version of interbike. There is all kinds of cool hipsterness and drinking...blah blah blah.... this is what I'm excited about

Stolen with love from here

#allcity #discnatureboy #frostbike2014 #natureboy

How a Bicycle is Made - 1945 and into the future

How a Bicycle is Made (1945) from British Council Film on Vimeo.

They sure don't make 'em like they used to..



look at that precision welding!

and of course there is this....




....and of course this monstrosity which looks like it's been "spooling" since 1996.



I find it frustrating that the most cutting edge production technique has just be used to print an archaic dually. Maybe its more of an archival project? Throw a Girvin fork on there and you're food to go!



#howitsmade #video #vintagebicycle #britishfilmcouncil #steelisreal

CX Hairs, Sveness 2.17 - Hoogerheide, Netherlands, for the 2014 UCI Cyclocross World Championship

While watching UCI races is like watching paint dry, I have to applaud CX Hairs for their excellent commentary. If you haven't watched any before don't be turned off this isn't your typical boring race footage.


#svenness #CXhairs #cyclcross

My bike is crushing hard on your stem

#Nitto B65, simple and beatiful. Spotted Outside #BudgiesBurritos on a red #Miele

#bikecrush

Mystery Park Tool, anyone know what it does?

Update: Park along with many other sources were able to identify the Mystery tool, it's for spreading old Mafac brake lever band clamps

This showed up at the shop today, no too sure what it's for any ideas?

#Parktool #vintage #inthebikeshop

Valentines Day Massacre alley cat, Sunday February 16th

North America's longest running alleycat. Check it out this Valentines Day Massacre alley cat, Sunday February 16th. Meet 1PM sharp.

More info over at StuckyLife
#vancouver #alleycat #stuckylife #Valentinesdaymassacre

Sugoi buys Sombrio!

Sugoi buys Sombrio!

#acquisition, #bicycleretailer

Taking a short break...

Does anyone know what stem this is?

found here

Ruff

Coke -Fuken-eh!

Better late than never - Murder of Courriers

After almost half a decade of hype it looks the Vancouver's "definitive courier" movie from 2008 is finally available this January the 13th. The original trailer looks like the film was shot though a potato, but the following 30 trailers are of much better quality. I'm pretty confident that at this point I've seen the ADHD version. I have screened the whole movie in 2 minute segments, despite my cynicism I am still excited to watch it one one cohesive piece.

If you live in Vancouver an part of the bike scene/ industry you will be sure to recognize at least a few familiar faces.






#murderofcourriers #Vancouver #courier #video #messenger