25 April  2024 - The Spring Rush

Wow, I've been delinquent in updating my blog.  I guess it's mainly because I've recently gotten involved with a few local biking groups, and that's been my social outlet for all things cycling lately.  With the weather getting better, the spring rush is on, and I'm getting to the point where appointments are scheduled a few days 3-4 days in advance because I'm otherwise full.  I average 2-3 appointments per day, but that varies depending on how many bikes are involved, how much work is required, and what my personal schedule is that day.  Learning from last year, servicing up to 10 bikes daily, I ran out of space quickly, which consumed my day. (This is great, but servicing bikes is not the only thing I have going on.)  So, I'm trying a more measured approach this year, and it's been working out so far.  I still can get most bikes in and out within 24 hours, which is the goal, but without consuming all the other obligations around me.

10 July 2023 - Budget Bike Brands Addendum

An additional piece I neglected to mention about budget bikes is that they often are "one size fits all" models, which, in reality, is a terrible convention.  The 26" in an adult bike refers to only the wheel size, which is essential in separating adult bikes from junior or youth bikes. Still, within the adult category, the frame size matters much more than the wheel sizes (adult wheel sizes run from 26 to 29 inches). In adult bikes, wheel size determines how the bike will be used, what terrain it will be on, and the desired handling characteristics (not the rider's size, although smaller riders tend to ride on smaller wheels).  Frame size compensates for the height of an adult rider, from Extra Small to Extra Large (possibly even XXL).  It dramatically affects the rider's position on the bike and how comfortable it is.  Budget brands often do not have sizes for their bikes beyond "26", setting the frame size as Medium or possibly even smaller. If that is the correct size for you, that would be great.  But if not (a medium bike would generally fit a 5'6" rider plus or minus 1-2 inches), you're starting to sacrifice comfort for cost.  You should be on a bike the correct size for your body.

18 May 2023 - Budget Bike Brands and the Problems They Cause

I've wanted to write about this for a while but avoided it because it involves money, and I know not everyone is on the same level of what affordability means.  So, I'll say that above everything else, I'm about to say that buying the bike you can afford, not the one you can't, is the overriding factor to any purchase.  However, with that in mind, I think there are still good alternatives for everyone's budget.

The vast majority of bikes I see in the shop and on the road are what I label as budget brands.  Hundreds of brands fit into this category, but the most common are Schwinn, Huffy, Hyper, and Mongoose.  Typically, these bikes sell for under $400.  If a bike comes from a big box store (Meijer, Walmart, Dick's, Amazon, etc) and not a biking-specific store, it's a budget brand.  I know that sounds very elitist, but hear me out first.

One of the problems with these bikes is that, to cut costs, they're made so poorly that they're more disposable commodities than repairable.  They use budget componentry that is more liable to break, more susceptible to quality issues that lead to poor biking performance, and more cost effective to replace than repair.  I think a good analogy is to compare budget bikes to the fast fashion industry - products are made to appeal at a low cost and to provide the appearance of following the current trends. Still, they are poorly made and not durable, so they are discarded much sooner than a traditional product from that industry.  I've sent a handful of budget bikes to the recycler because buying a new one was more cost-effective than repairing it.  I haven't done it once for a non-budget brand.  While recycling is better than a landfill, this is still a problem because 1) it's not 100% recyclable, some components still end up in the landfill, and 2) keeping it in use will trump any disposal and replacement method.

There are other issues these budget bikes have that I won't detail here for brevity but summarize into two categories: performance and total ownership cost.  I often hear, "I just ride casually; performance isn't a factor to me," but that's a misinformed opinion.  Factors like comfort, ride quality, and weight are more important to riders of any ability than most people realize.  I could do a whole post on how critical weight is to the casual rider.  Likewise, I'd argue that the total ownership cost for a budget brand is on par or perhaps higher than a quality bike.  Yes, the initial cost is less.  However, maintenance costs over the coming years will be marginal for your traditional brands (Trek, Specialized, Giant, Cannondale, etc.).  Let me offer you this anecdote: A typical budget bike I see (with about 100-200 miles ridden on it) needs an annual tuneup, a cable or two replaced, and, in some extreme cases, a new shifter or derailleur.  Typical non-budget doesn't need anything at 200 miles; it might need a tuneup around 500-1000 miles and multi-thousands of miles before replacement of parts becomes a question.  You end up paying the difference trying to keep the bike (which wasn't designed for longevity) running.  Also, there's a point where it'll be nonviable to repair, and you'll need to buy new, whereas a non-budget bike will easily last 30 years or more.

All that being said, what DO I recommend people do?  The top recommendation is to buy from your local bike shop.  The price for an adult bike starts around $600, yes, 3x what you can find one at Walmart for, but that price difference is not just markup; you're getting a material benefit in the product itself.  If that's too high, other retailers sell quality bikes next.  I think very highly of the Co-op brand at REI.  They start around $400 if I recall.  Some online retailers probably follow a direct-to-consumer model to save costs, which is good, too, although I don't know of any specifically.  I'd be wary of anything less than $400 because the only way the price gets that low is by sacrificing needed quality (don't be fooled by it saying "Shimano-equipped"; Shimano runs the gamut from terrible to high performance, and you're not necessarily actually getting anything other than a label).  Also, just because the shifter and derailleur are branded Shimano doesn't mean all the pieces between those two parts are of the same quality.  If that's still too expensive, I suggest looking for a used quality brand instead of buying a budget brand.  The average quality brand hybrid bike runs between $100 and $300 depending on year.  That's on par with buying a new budget brand, and what you're getting in performance, quality, and reliability is markedly better.  

15 May 2023 - Fighting Through the Spring Rush

It's been a busy spring.  I've been averaging about ten bikes per week while work has sent me all over the country weekly for various events. I'm doing my best to turn around bikes in 24 hours, but I ask for patience as I try to manage my work schedule, repair requests, and the amount of storage I have available.  To that last point, I appreciate all customers who can pick up within 24 hours of completing the work.  I understand this is not always possible, and I will make due if that's the situation.  However, I can only store about four bikes at a time. Beyond that, bikes start taking up shop space, which is already tight.  

24 April 2023 - 2023 Race Season Has Begun

I opened my racing season two weekends ago with my first gravel race, Barry-Roubaix, in Hastings, MI.  My ego wanted to sign up for the 62-mile race, but I chose the 36-mile version more reasonably, and I'm glad I did.  After a fast start, I'm in the lead pack of 200-300 bikes, all within a few feet of each other, doing 26+ mph on a dirt road with so much dust you can't see 10 feet in front.  It was exciting and terrifying at the same time.  About 7 miles in, the person in front of me had a chain issue, and I ran into him; not enough to do any serious damage, but it skewed my handlebars off center a bit.  My least favorite moment was when the race turned into a two-track trail and became rough; I didn't have the technical skill to negotiate through at the race pace. But I made it through the full distance, setting up a fast sprint finish where I passed most of the group I was with.  Finished 8th out of 100 in Age Group and 69th of 1800 overall.   I did the Willow Time Trial, a max-effort event solo event, and my specialty two days ago.  13.2 miles as fast as you can go, and no help from the draft of others.  I completed the course in 30:51, averaging a speedy 25.9 mph overall. 2nd in Division and 5th fastest overall, out of 80.  Now, I have a month of no races until the triathlon season starts in June.

22 January 2023 - My First Race Bike Starting to Show Its Age

Back when I was hit by a car in Rochester while riding (May 2022), I was riding my 2010 Cannondale Slice 5, the first race-quality bike I ever owned.   The bike itself wasn't destroyed in the accident, per se, but since it is a carbon fiber, the frame was considered compromised, so I relegated it to indoor use only just to be safe.  With about 1500 miles on it since its last major service, it was time to put it on the stand, disassemble, clean, inspect, and service.  During my inspection, I found two areas where I suspected the carbon fiber was cracked or on its way to cracking. I can't recall if that damage occurred after my May crash. I vaguely remember there was some notable damage, but nothing that was past the paint.  I can now see the carbon fiber core in one area, which I'm pretty sure was not exposed in May (although it was likely exacerbated by the accident).  It shows that not all things, even high-end bikes, last forever.  To be clear, I'm still going to ride this one until it becomes unsafe to ride indoors (I probably would have to break a chainstay clear off to get to that point), but those days are at least countable at this point.  How many are left?  I have no idea. I hope to be a year or two, but I'm still thinking about what end of life means on this bike.   What do you do with an end-of-life carbon fiber frame?  Putting it on the curb with the rest of the garbage seems wrong.

3 January 2023 - I am thankful for all of you

 as the new year comes in; I wanted to express my gratitude and appreciation for each of my customers over the past year as I started this business.  I appreciate each of you who took the time to write a Google review of your experience.  I've tried to provide high-quality service faster and cheaper than the industry.  Your reviews help me keep that goal in mind while helping me get the word out about what I offer.  I have dreams of one day growing this into a full-time activity, and when that happens, I will not forget those who were with me from the beginning.

19 December 2022 - Pricing Changes for 2023

After a great inaugural year, I will make some pricing adjustments to some of my services, effective January 1, 2023.  A lot of thought and a few factors have gone into this decision that I'll briefly explain here, but I wanted to start by stating I still am true to my vision: being a trusted, low-cost mechanic focused on high quality, fast turn-around work.  I still plan on keeping my annual tuneup service at $35 because I think it's a fair price, even though it's well below what I could charge.  However, some changes are necessary, either due to rising costs of tools/materials or other factors I did not anticipate. 

Full Detail Service will be $75.  Frankly, $50 was ridiculous in the first place, considering what goes into it (tools, soap, towels, degreaser, lube, etc), never mind the time it took to disassemble a bike. ($15 more than the annual tune when I put $10 of supplies into it?) Occasionally, I'd receive bikes that were a mess or have a bunch of small nooks and crannies that took double or triple the normal time.  So, I will add two surcharges of $25 if the bike is excessively dirty or excessively complex (I'm looking at you, Full Suspension MTBs!)

Wheel Truing.  I don't think the three tiers I have now work well.  It doesn't describe the actual effort involved, the tools' expense, or how I think tuning is a unique process for each bike and its rider.  I think I'm just going to use a labor-by-the-hours pricing model.  I know this doesn't make pricing easy to understand up front, which bothers me, too, but I don't know how to do it.  As always, I can provide an estimate upfront after I get the bike on the stand and get an idea of what it would take.

Flat Rate Pricing.  I will try to keep as many flat rate repairs the same because I love their simplicity, but I think the flat rate for spoke repair needs to go.  Much like wheel truing, so much rides on "it depends" that it's tough to have a set price. Instead, I will offer individualized estimates based on the bike and how it's used to that will be a better value to all involved.

29 October 2022 - A believer of the Tubeless Tire

On my ride today, I ran over a nail about 20 miles into my ride.  Straight through the tire, this would have been a ride-ender if I had a traditional tire tube.  But because I converted my gravel bike to tubeless a few months prior, I finished the remainder of my ride with full pressure (only a few miles, but it was holding - I could have done a lot more.  I was pretty impressed.   I took the nail out - it was a pretty decent size, maybe 2-3mm across, and the sealant held my tire together without impacting my ride.  When I finished, I took the nail out, and of course, the tire went flat, but I filled it again and let it sit for a day.  I'm happy to say the sealant plugged the hole with no intervention from me, and I've ridden on it for a few hundred miles since.  I'm completely sold that this is the way to go, and I'll convert my race bike over in the spring. 

21 August 2022 - Now offering Tubeless Conversion

I have had some requests over the past months about changing tires to a tubeless setup.  I wanted to do it on my bike before I started doing it to others.  I completed that conversion yesterday, and I'm now offering that service to others. Tubeless is exactly as it sounds: removing the tire tube and using liquid sealant to make it airtight. Contrary to what may seem, a tubeless setup is less prone to puncture, has lower rolling resistance, and allows riding at lower pressures (better ride quality).  It does come at the cost of slightly more maintenance required, but I'd put it on par with the level of time and expertise required to check/fill the engine oil on your car.  If you're interested in going tubeless, I'd love to talk to you about what it takes and if it's the right choice for you.

8 August 2022 - Wish-A-Mile 300 Tour

Devastated to hear today that two cyclists were killed when a car hit them during the Wish-A-Mile 300 Tour in Ionia last week.  Having hit myself earlier this year (see below), I'm intimately aware of the dangers that exist of riding on the road as an individual.  But to be hit in a formal event with hundreds of riders - there's no excuse for that.  I want to believe this was a once-in-a-million occurrence, and I hope the driver's alleged intoxication complicated it. If there's no haven in a formal event for road cycling, what else is left? 

7 August 2022 - 2022 USAT Nationals

USAT Nationals were disappointing this year.  While eligible for the Sprint and Olympic races, I chose only to do the Sprint for timing reasons, even though I prefer the Olympic distance.  The Olympic race on Saturday went off without issue.  However, thunderstorms rolled in overnight, and the Sprint race was reduced to a Super Sprint (roughly half the distance in all events).  It entirely changed the character of the race, and while still enjoyable, it was not what I drove to Milwaukee to accomplish.  Ultimately, I did very well - it's hard to judge because I've never raced at that distance before. I finished 34th out of 81 in my age group, which was depressing since I usually finish in the top 20%, if not the top 10%.  But once I adjusted my perspective (this is Nationals, and only the top 30% of the nation even qualify for it), I finished just about where I'd expected to be.  So, in some theoretical way, I'm ranked 34th in the Nation for the Sprint distance in the Men's 40-44 age group.  But that's not a useful measure of ability since it only measures those who went to Nationals and not everyone else who had other commitments or didn't want to travel to the race.  Out of ALL US triathlon racers this year, I'm in the 600s out of 4200.  Top 20% - just like it should be.  

31 July 2022 - Tour de France Femmes 

This is the first year of a women's tour, which started right after the men's race (technically, a few hours before the end, but who's counting?).  After watching both tours more-or-less in their entirety, I'm struck by how they seemed remarkably different.  The men's race seemed well-coordinated, professional, and planned - like watching an F1 pit crew.  The women's race appeared haphazard, contradictory, and amateur.  Now, please understand me correctly; I am not suggesting that women's physical abilities or potential are any less than men's.  All involved are amazing athletes and impressive in their own right.  Additionally, I acknowledge that challenge.  However, the disparity highlights a more important and interesting difference in the sport - money.  The prize money alone (total $2.7M for men, $250K for women) shows a major disparity.  But I like to think bigger than that.  Money to support a race, a team, or a world tour and all the trappings required do not come from anywhere - ultimately, it (primarily) comes from corporate sponsorship/advertising.  Every aspect of a professional athlete's training and livelihood is tied to money via sales/advertising/sponsorship in some way. While I've accepted that commercialization is a fact of life at this point, I think a disappointing theme is playing out in professional sports because of it - the financial disparity between men's and women's professional sports.  The difference I witnessed between the men's and women's races is not a statement about the differences due to ability, knowledge, or any other human trait, per se.  Instead, it is a stark example of the result when the world values one aspect of the sport as financially lucrative and the other less so; that's very sad. 

24 July 2022 - Tour de France

This year, I watched every stage of the Tour, except one.  I'm in awe of the fitness and resolve of these cyclists.  From a pure mileage standpoint, they ride 100-120 miles per day - in a race - for 21 days, in the mountains, no less.  That's impressive enough as it is.  But what struck me this year, more than ever, is how they can have a bad crash or two and still do all that.  I had two crashes this year in May within five days of each other, the first being less catastrophic than the second.  While I could not continue riding after the second because the bike was destroyed, I still had the will to continue riding for both, albeit shaken.  So yes, in the Tour, these are pros, and they earn their livelihood through riding, and I can understand the desire to get up and continue after a crash, on adrenaline alone.  However, the next day, and the days that followed, I was hurting and didn't want to ride (never mind, 100s of miles in the mountains).  That's what impresses me the most - it's not the crash or the immediate pain in the race, per se.  It's the lingering. pain and discomfort that affects your life 24 hours a day afterward for days or weeks.  I can't get comfortable enough to sleep well, hobble around the room when walking, and can't sit straight - that's what I remember during the recovery period.   Yet these pros can still get up the next day, keep their mind focused, and race at a World Tour pace without rest.

20 July 2022 - Catchup year to date

 A lot has happened this year that, had I started this earlier, I would have written about.  But, so I should at least summarize them.  Today, I sit with about 2500 miles of biking this year, a little over half of which was indoors (Zwift).  That's not a lot of miles by traditional cyclist standards, but it's the most I've ever done in a year and quite sufficient by triathlon standards.  I am interested in March in 16 hours (complete the elevation of Mount Everest in 1 ride on a single (virtual) hill).  I rode all the named roads in Troy in April/May (around 500 unique miles worth).  I was hit by a car while riding in May; I added two new bikes this year for a total of 4 in my collection (yes, I need them all).  I won the Armed Forces Triathlon National Championship in June. There's a lot I could have talked about over the past year.  Suffice it to say that if it's not on my mind every day, cycling is at least on my mind nearly every day.