Mountain - Plains - Your Denver LBS- and anything else you want to tell me about Denver

What part of the MidWest?

Have you done the Morgul-Bismarck?

http://www.trailcentral.com/gps/gps_details.php?key=101

If, so I'm wondering how you would rate it for difficulty.I'm from MN, actually- and don't have a MTB (...yet...), so I couldn't tell ya!

What part of the MidWest?

Have you done the Morgul-Bismarck?

http://www.trailcentral.com/gps/gps_details.php?key=101

If, so I'm wondering how you would rate it for difficulty.

<off topic>
With all the scenic, hilly, remote, car-free rides in the boulder/denver area, I do NOT understand why anyone would do the M-B. That section of Hwy 93 is death warmed over. no shoulder, tons of traffic.

Sometimes I do the eastern part of it as an out-and-back - superior to the wall to 128 to the intersection of 93 then turn around and go back the same way - but only because it's so close to my house. Even that part is kind of suburban yuck, but with good views.

Lee Hill, Old Stage, Left Hand Canyon, James Canyon, St Vrain Canyon, Peak to Peak, Coal Creek Canyon, Golden Gate Canyon, Lookout Mtn., Flagstaff - and all that stuff around Evergreen that I don't know my way around - that's that goods.
</off topic>

I'm from MN, actually- and don't have a MTB (...yet...), so I couldn't tell ya!

Morgul-Bismarck is *pavement*.
It's the first race in the movie "American Flyers".

Morgul-Bismarck is *pavement*.
It's the first race in the movie "American Flyers".ahhh. well... the answer is still no, I haven't done it. :)

With all the scenic, hilly, remote, car-free rides in the boulder/denver area, I do NOT understand why anyone would do the M-B. That section of Hwy 93 is death warmed over. no shoulder, tons of traffic.


I've been doing it 3-4 times/week for years.
The 93 section is short and downhill, so I'm only on it for a couple minutes.
I am typically do 40-45mph, so the traffic is overtaking me slowly.

I loop from Thornton using riverdale --> highway 7 --> cherryvale (when it is open) --> east on a street to the wall.
I hit 93 once from the south and found it irritating.

I loop from Thornton using riverdale --> highway 7 --> cherryvale (when it is open) --> east on a street to the wall.
I hit 93 once from the south and found it irritating.

93 from Rocky Flats South to Golden is *great*! ( plan to be on it in an hour to do Lookout Mt.)

From Rocky Flats North to Marshall road does suck. Once North of Marshall Road I use the Broadway MUP.

Artifice: If you want an easy introduction into long climbs, I recommend Lefthand Canyon.
It is a gentle climb except for the last mile into Ward.
At that point you might just want to turn around, unless you are in dire need of water.

REI sells the WSD Synapse and they should be able to build up your size for a test ride without a problem. I bought my Synapse there, rode it for a month, and decided I wanted a smaller size. REI built up a new one for me and exchanged it, no questions asked.

As for Performance shops and Fuji, I don't know about other Performance shops, but the one on S. Colorado Blvd. has the worst service I have ever experienced in a bike shop. With all the choice you have in Denver, I would avoid them.

had success at a performance near work over my lunch hour! Decided I'm only going to work with store/sales managers from now on :)

Thoughts on the Fuji Pro 2.0? I'll be going back to test ride tomorrow.

93 from Rocky Flats South to Golden is *great*! ( plan to be on it in an hour to do Lookout Mt.)

From Rocky Flats North to Marshall road does suck. Once North of Marshall Road I use the Broadway MUP.

Artifice: If you want an easy introduction into long climbs, I recommend Lefthand Canyon.
It is a gentle climb except for the last mile into Ward.
At that point you might just want to turn around, unless you are in dire need of water.

The downhills heading south on 93 are wonderful into Golden provided the shoulder is clean. Just heading north from 128th on 93 stinks. No shoulder and I believe it is a bit uphill. Another user here and I did it once and that was enough for us.

It is also amusing when you ride the golden gate canyon --> cool creek canyon loop.

Morgul-Bismarck is *pavement*.
It's the first race in the movie "American Flyers".

Yes & yes.

But it really got its popularity from the days of the Red Zinger Classic and Coors Classic road races -- before there was all that traffic.

had success at a performance near work over my lunch hour! Decided I'm only going to work with store/sales managers from now on :)

Thoughts on the Fuji Pro 2.0? I'll be going back to test ride tomorrow.

Are you referring to the FINEST 2.0? It's an ok bike, but boy is it heavy. You should look at the 08' Scattante Six Sixty. Full Ultegra group. Carbon seat stays. Nice wheels. All going for $1,000.00. The westminster has one in a 49cm. Not sure of your size? But its definately worth checking out.

Specialized Ruby.
I have a thing for specialized bikes.

Ask away on Fuji. I'll tell you anything you wanna know. :D

The ruby color schemes for this year are..... bleh.

The downhills heading south on 93 are wonderful into Golden provided the shoulder is clean. Just heading north from 128th on 93 stinks. No shoulder and I believe it is a bit uphill. Another user here and I did it once and that was enough for us.

It is also amusing when you ride the golden gate canyon --> cool creek canyon loop.

ARGH!!!! Just got back from doing Lookout Mt.

On the way back heading North from Golden, I noticed some busted up drywall littering the shoulder,
and then: "WHOOOSSSHHHH...WHOOOSSSHHHH...WHOOOSSSHHHH!!!", and in 30 feet my front tire
went from 95psi to 0 PSI. MASSIVE chunks of broken glass mixed into the debris. Looks like 3/4"
plate glass from who know what? Maybe bulletproof glass from bank teller windows?

End result was 5/8" slice in the sidewall from the shoulder to the rim, on my Marathon Supreme.
1/4" slice in the tube. First time I ever had a flat with the Supremes.
Also first time I ever used a tire boot, (really a 1.5" x 3" piece of old innertube).
And the first time I've used the new Road Morph. Now I understand why people love them!

I made it home OK, but it was rather unnerving watching the raw ends of that sliced sidewall
spinning around the righthand side of the tire.

My goodness! At least you came out of it all right. Lately the few times I have been out (discounting my three commutes each week) the shoulders have been a mess.
If that shredded a Supreme my Michelin Lithion front tire would not have had a chance.

had success at a performance near work over my lunch hour! Decided I'm only going to work with store/sales managers from now on :)

Thoughts on the Fuji Pro 2.0? I'll be going back to test ride tomorrow.

You were a half block from me at lunch? You suck. :(

You were a half block from me at lunch? You suck. :(

sowwy:(

The ruby color schemes for this year are..... bleh.
Yeah, thats my main reason for not considering it. Bought my last bike because it was a good fit and price, but never cared for the look of it. now, only a year later thats one of the reasons for trading up!


Are you referring to the FINEST 2.0? It's an ok bike, but boy is it heavy. You should look at the 08' Scattante Six Sixty. Full Ultegra group. Carbon seat stays. Nice wheels. All going for $1,000.00. The westminster has one in a 49cm. Not sure of your size? But its definately worth checking out.Nope 2007 fuji professional 2.0 (bikepedia (http://bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2007&Brand=Fuji&Model=Professional+2.0&Type=bike)), going for 1399.

dead thread in the road forum here. (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=534185)

I'm currently riding a 43 and am looking at 44s or xs in most brands.

ARGH!!!! Just got back from doing Lookout Mt.


Hey, me too! You probably passed me on the way up...

Hey, me too! You probably passed me on the way up...

I'm 6'1", 190lbs, and I don't recall passing anyone on the way up, but ~6 people passed *me*.
Going up I was wearing a white long-sleeve jersey.
Coming down I was wearing a yellow PI Zephyr jacket, and passed a few cyclists and a couple cars.

Sounds like you found a bike shop, but my LBS is Alpha Bicycle (http://www.alphabicycle.com/) in the DTC area. I went to six shops before I found them. They are very helpful and knowledgeable.

-Sue

Good to know! I stopped in at Alpha hoping to find something to test ride, but unfortunately they didn't have anything in my size. I'm not too familiar with the bikes they carry, so I wasn't ready to have them bring anything in for me, but had a good feeling that they'd be a great shop for maintenance.

Here's a size XS Giant OCR C3 at Derby. Carbon and mostly 105 for $1099.

https://www.derbybicyclecenter.com/store/products/OCR-C%252d3-(-Carbon%7B47%7DOrange)--X-Small-ONLY.html (https://www.derbybicyclecenter.com/store/products/OCR-C%252d3-%28-Carbon%7B47%7DOrange%29--X-Small-ONLY.html)


and another possiblity:

Doesn't say what sizes they have but OCR C2(carbon frameset, SRAM Rival, Mavic Aksium wheels) for $1799.

https://www.derbybicyclecenter.com/store/products/OCR--C%252d2--2008-(Orange%7B47%7DBlack).html

thanks for keeping your eyes peeled for me! I did end up getting the fuji from performance on friday, pretty sweet bike so far :D


those bikes say they weight 35 lbs. That must be a type-o?

Yes, I hear you about not having bikes in our size to try. I am 5'3". I ended up buying a Surly Long Haul Trucker from Alpha. I knew that I wanted a Surly and they have experience with them. They did do a thorough measuring job before they decided which frame size would fit me best, but I was nervous buying it without trying. So far, it is working well for me. They give lifetime tune ups with a new bike and will put on any accessories without additional charges.

-Sue

those bikes say they weight 35 lbs. That must be a type-o?

I believe that's the shipping weight. The bikes themselves are probably around 18 lbs. I didn't think Giant allowed their bikes to be sold mail-order, but evidently Derby is doing it, so maybe I was mistaken about that.


Congrats on the Fuji. I've been riding a steel Fuji Roubaix for the past 10 years until last year when I got my new bike. Good value brand.

Since this seems to be the Denver LBS thread, I want to mention Creekside Bikes out in Parker. It's a tiny place that I stumbled upon kinda recently, on Parker Rd and Pine Lane (by Bonaroo Tattoo).

I've been going there with my problems for a few months, and Kirk has been taking good care of me. He also has a lot of vintage bikes and jerseys hanging up and a Campy shrine full of shiny old components.

http://www.creeksidebikes.com/

Since this seems to be the Denver LBS thread, I want to mention Creekside Bikes out in Parker. It's a tiny place that I stumbled upon kinda recently, on Parker Rd and Pine Lane (by Bonaroo Tattoo).

I've been going there with my problems for a few months, and Kirk has been taking good care of me. He also has a lot of vintage bikes and jerseys hanging up and a Campy shrine full of shiny old components.

http://www.creeksidebikes.com/

Hey, thanks!

I live right off of Pine Lane between Jordan and Parker, and was not aware of Creekside. I hope he has better success than the last bike shop that tried to compete with Treads - they lasted about 1 year, even with a great location.

We need some competition around here.

:popcorn

Who wants to pay the capital so I can open a LBS in Denver?

Who wants to pay the capital so I can open a LBS in Denver?

I'm always up for some good investments.

I suppose I could actually give my input on this old thread...

Bought my bicycle at Wheatridge Cyclery. Liked the shop. Service guys are great. Their sales staff that was helping me find a bicycle for me was great. I probably rode like 15 bikes before I purchased one.

Turin has been a decent shop. Their mechanics seem to know what they're doing. They have tons of bikes. Accessories, not so much, but its okay.

There's this like garage that I hesitate to call a shop just across the street from my house called "Fly Bike Shop." I get parts there when they have 'em and I'm not up for walking down to Turin. I hesitate to call it a shop because its not really much of a "shop". More of just a bicycle garage with some guy always turning wrenches.

I think I've seen 'Fly Bike Shop' on ebay and CL. Seems they flip a lot of bikes and/or strip them and sell the components.