FYI
The Bicycle Expo (http://www.cascade.org/EandR/expo/index.cfm) is next weekend March 8 - 9. Sounds like a fun thing to do.
Have any of you ever been to it? Comments?

Thanks

I've gone to the last couple. While there is some cool stuff to browse, I wish that there were more bike manufacturers with their stuff on display. Most of the booths are rented out by bike shops, group health, REI, etc. I'd say it's still worth it to come down and poke around, but it is a bike expo and thus should be working to persuade more bike manufacturers to make the trip.

I've been to the last 4 expos and enjoy the pro riders that show up to give a talk on their experiences in the pro peloton. Also some good deals can be had with stores unloading their inventory.

After going to NAHBS it's going to be quite a letdown to ogle bikes there. The deals on clothing are usually pretty good though, so I might still go.

I went last year, and found it to be fun. I'll wear the BikeForums t-shirt again if I go, so that any of you who spot me, feel free to say hi!

East Hill

I've gone every years for the last five and have enjoyed each time. I get to brag a little I entered the photo contest last year and won a 2nd place. I've entered again this years so vote for mine. I can say this because they don't put the names of the photographer on the picture and to tell you what to look for would be unfair but vote for mine anyway.

I've never been, but decided to take the train down from Bellingham on Sunday and take a look around. For once the train schedule works, and King St. Station is within walking distance of the expo so I'll leave my bike at the station in Bellingham. I hope it's worth the trip. I'm in the market for a new touring bike.

I would attend, but I will be working on bikes while everyone else gets look at them.

I would attend, but I will be working on bikes while everyone else gets look at them.

Hi christama, are you a wrench at one of the local shops then?

Welcome to Bikeforums!

East Hill

Hi christama, are you a wrench at one of the local shops then?

Welcome to Bikeforums!

East Hill

I work at a shop down here in Tacoma. I will assume that East Hill might refer to Kent? If so, I spent almost 3 years at a shop in downtown.

Thank you all for the feedback! Sounds like a fun event to attend, but it turns out I might not have time to :[ I'll try to drop by on Sunday for a little bit.
Have a good weekend

So I should be able to strike a deal on a bike there?

I work at a shop down here in Tacoma. I will assume that East Hill might refer to Kent? If so, I spent almost 3 years at a shop in downtown.

Yup, I am indeed on the East Hill. Which shop was that?

East Hill

Yup, I am indeed on the East Hill. Which shop was that?

East Hill

It was a shop in downtown called Mountain Bike Outfitters. It has changed hands and is now called Cycle Therapy. You should check them out sometime. They know road and vintage stuff, and take good care of their customers.

It was a shop in downtown called Mountain Bike Outfitters. It has changed hands and is now called Cycle Therapy. You should check them out sometime. They know road and vintage stuff, and take good care of their customers.

Oh yes, I have been there several times, actually.

Very friendly and helpful!

East Hill

I've been to two of them in the past. My wife and I will be leaving within an hour for this years event. See you there ;-)

I went today -- very good show!

Lots of nice bikes to look at. Some good deals on clothing. Some bike shops closing out '07 bikes. Some nice custom bikes....good way to spend (at least) a couple of hours...

I was jazzed I won a third place in the photo contest. I slipped this year I got a second place last year. That being said it was a very good expo.

I was jazzed I won a third place in the photo contest. I slipped this year I got a second place last year. That being said it was a very good expo.


Still, you won something :D .

I went in the morning today, but unfortunately did not encounter any BF members other than BrakeDirector.

I did manage to make off with a nice Rodriguez t-shirt, a Raleigh cycling cap, and some nice cycling shants.

The new Raleigh touring bike was absolutely gorgeous! No decals, no glitz. It's cro-mo tig welded steel, and comes with a Brooks B-17 saddle, Brooks leather bar tape, a built in spare spoke holder, pump peg, and FRONT AND REAR DISK BRAKES. It'll retail for around $1100, and you can see the first ones at Recycle Cycles.

Only bad thing is that the smallest they come is in 50cm :( .

East Hill

The new Raleigh touring bike was absolutely gorgeous! No decals, no glitz. It's cro-mo tig welded steel, and comes with a Brooks B-17 saddle, Brooks leather bar tape, a built in spare spoke holder, pump peg, and FRONT AND REAR DISK BRAKES. It'll retail for around $1100, and you can see the first ones at Recycle Cycles.

I agree the new Raleigh is a pretty interesting off-the-shelf touring bike. There were a couple of discussions about it here on BF over the past couple of weeks. Apparently it's quite heavy (according to some folks who have hefted it in bike shops) and the hubs are no-name imports; wheels in general are not quite up to the spec of the rest of the bike. Still, an interesting bike.

Wasn't the Rodriguez booth great? Lots of interesting bikes there...

I agree the new Raleigh is a pretty interesting off-the-shelf touring bike. There were a couple of discussions about it here on BF over the past couple of weeks. Apparently it's quite heavy (according to some folks who have hefted it in bike shops) and the hubs are no-name imports; wheels in general are not quite up to the spec of the rest of the bike. Still, an interesting bike.

Wasn't the Rodriguez booth great? Lots of interesting bikes there...

Still, I was impressed with the Raleigh, simply because they've obviously been listening to the customers...

Yeah, the head mechanic for Rodriguez reminded me gently that I should take in my orange beauty to have her checked over. But they don't open until noon on weekdays :eek: ! So, I'm going to try to take her over one Saturday, when they open at ten.

Rodriguez :love: ...

East Hill

I went today for a bit just for the clothing deals. That amazing white Parlee track bike was there again.:love:

How heavy is new Raleigh? More than 30 lbs?

For reference, my old Trek touring bike is 27 lbs, includes pedals and rear rack.

I couldn't afford any cool new deals, but hey, I got some neat stickers for the cargo box.

How heavy is new Raleigh? More than 30 lbs?

For reference, my old Trek touring bike is 27 lbs, includes pedals and rear rack.

A post here on BF said this a couple of weeks ago:

"I (was) down at the shop today...They had a new Sojourn built...when I picked it up it felt like a tank! We weighed (my) Fuji as is, with fenders, rack, brooks saddle, etc...it weighed in at 28lbs. The Raleigh weighed in at 34.8."

There were several threads going in Touring, Commuting and elsewhere about this bike. The threads are worth checking out. But if you're looking for a touring bike right this minute, you are aware you can use your 20% off REI member's coupon on a brand new Novara Randonee, right? Month of March only. Good deal on a good bike.

The Expo was pretty good all around. Nicer digs than sand point, but it seemed smaller because it was in 5?? different rooms. Diana with Cascade said Saturday was their biggest saturday ever for the Expo.

I caught Jan Heine's talk about classic randonneur bikes on Saturday. I was working the Polar computer booth both days.

I rode into the show on saturday and found it interesting to see all the washington bike license plates on cars...parked in the bike lane headed south...:rolleyes:

Southbound is not a bike lane, it's a dual use shoulder/parking strip. The only bike lane is on the east side of the street heading north, into Seattle.

Southbound is not a bike lane, it's a dual use shoulder/parking strip. The only bike lane is on the east side of the street heading north, into Seattle.

Really? It sure looked as if it was painted as a bike lane, with solid white striping. Of course, the cars covered any other markings that may have been there :( .

East Hill

Truly. If you look at the latest Bike Route map released by the city, it states clearly that "Bike lane completed north bound side only." It's been this way for years. I've complained multiple times about it, but am constantly dismissed since it's not a designated bike lane. In fact, the whole route to West Seattle is in shambles pretty much. Try going further SW and go over the lower bridge.

http://www.seattle.gov/transportation/docs/Bikemap_south_08_3.pdf

. In fact, the whole route to West Seattle is in shambles pretty much.

+1

My sympathy to anyone who has to do it daily. Poor pavement quality, etc.

^ I looked at a couple of jobs down that way and ruled it out due to the craptastic commute.