Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Kudos to My New LBS!

Score one point for the little guys! There's a new LBS in town and it's just a 5-minute ride from my house. :D It's operated by a couple of guys who used to work at a big manufacturing plant nearby that shut its doors and moved to Mexico. :mad: Luckily for me these two guys love biking and wrenching and decided to turn their passion into a business. To show my support I had them fix up an old friend for me:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4446173909_0b9047855b.jpg

Changes included a pair of aluminum rims, right crank arm and chainrings (I had rounded my square taper), and new cables & brake pads. They took the time to clean and lube up the drivetrain and, in the words of my ol' Dad, she shifts slicker 'n owl sh*t. The steel frame and 26" tires soak up the bumps and it makes a perfect hauler for my 2-year-old son. Proof positive that a 20-year-old bike can still be a great workhorse and a lot of fun with a little TLC and still cost a lot less than a new bike.

But enough about me; these guys are crazy busy and their little shop is stuffed with bikes - both new ones for sale and customer bikes waiting for tweaking. They are stocking Raleighs (yay), Diamondbacks (meh), and Jamis (double yay). I think I see an Aurora (http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/aurora/10_aurora.html)in my future. Maybe even the Elite (http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/road/aurora/10_auroraelite.html) if I can convince my other half. :innocent:

It's nice to see these guys doing so well, especially in these uncertain times. The other bike shops around here are well established so these guys will definitely be getting my business. With the treatment I received I'll be sure to spread the word. I don't know if it's Kosher to post detailed info about a particular shop here (ie. address, phone number), so if anyone is in the London, Ontario area and wants to check out a great little bike shop, PM me for the info.

It shouldn't be hard to convince a 2 year old you need a new bike. Just bring him into the shop and say "you want daddy to take you on a ride on that right?"

It shouldn't be hard to convince a 2 year old you need a new bike. Just bring him into the shop and say "you want daddy to take you on a ride on that right?"

LOL. If only my wife was so easily swayed. Maybe I'll have to buy her a new bike first, something faster than the polished turd she's riding now. Maybe a Jamis Coda; they even have a "Femme (http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/coda/10_codaf.html)" version. The owners told me Jamis is overstocked with 2009 bikes so they might be able to score me a really sweet deal. Then I could tell her I need a new bike to keep up. :D

If you're in London, are you aware of R A N T W I C K's blog (http://rantwick.blogspot.com/)? He's a hardcore London commuter with a lot of street sense and a great way with words.

My LBS is kind of like yours- opened up by people who've had their careers and now are following their passion. That's a great combination. In my case, it also makes for a great place to hang out.

If you're in London, are you aware of R A N T W I C K's blog (http://rantwick.blogspot.com/)? He's a hardcore London commuter with a lot of street sense and a great way with words.

My LBS is kind of like yours- opened up by people who've had their careers and now are following their passion. That's a great combination. In my case, it also makes for a great place to hang out.
No, I wasn't aware of R A N T W I C K's blog. Some good reading there. Does he lurk on these forums somewhere?

I can't remember how I tripped across him. Maybe he posts here a little, maybe I just found him through his blog. His is probably my very favorite blog on the net right now, and he tops my list of Bloggers I'd Like to Meet.

He's actually an honorary Texas bike blogger; he's fallen in with several of us in Texas who blog about cycling. We even did a tribute to him at one of our meetups (http://doohickie.blogspot.com/2009/10/babble-ride-october-17.html).

http://i764.photobucket.com/albums/xx290/CyclingFW/BABBLE20091017/100_4360.jpg

I have a bit of an affinity for London, Ontario, myself. I grew up in Buffalo and lived in Detroit for a while. We drove though, and stop into, London several times when traveling back and forth. The Canadian Tire in the White Oaks Mall parking lot took good care of us when we blew a water pump on one such trip.

where about in SW ontario are you, I am just outside windsor,

That great that you have a local bike shop, there are a few good shops in Windsor area but I am always willing to stop in somewhere if I'm around that area,

BTW nice bike, looks comfortable

cya
korg

where about in SW ontario are you, I am just outside windsor,

That great that you have a local bike shop, there are a few good shops in Windsor area but I am always willing to stop in somewhere if I'm around that area,

BTW nice bike, looks comfortable

cya
korg
I'm in London. We have about a half dozen shops that qualify as LBS's, a couple of boutiques that cater to racers, and a handful of specialty sporting goods stores that carry some decent bikes.

Thanks - the bike is indeed very comfortable to ride with the steel frame and 26x1.5" tires; perfect for its intended purpose as a family hauler.

No, I wasn't aware of R A N T W I C K's blog. Some good reading there. Does he lurk on these forums somewhere?

Oh, I lurk all right. I lurk bigtime. pleased to meet you! Actually I haven't spent much time in these Forums in a long long while. Doohickie is always saying nice things about me... I would like to meet him someday too!

Oh, I lurk all right. I lurk bigtime. pleased to meet you! Actually I haven't spent much time in these Forums in a long long while. Doohickie is always saying nice things about me... I would like to meet him someday too!
Ironic that you would post here today... I've only been poking my head back into this particular sub-forum since yesterday since I've fallen off the wagon (nutrition-wise) in the last number of months. Doing my best to recommit today, and I find a lot of support from the fine folks here!

Nice to meet you, too. :D BTW I love your blog!

Nice to meet you, too. :D BTW I love your blog!

I can never get enough of people saying nice things about the blog... thanks, I truly appreciate it. Is the no-longer new LBS on Huron, or is it one I don't know about? Better put, where is it?

You're welcome! :D Good call... it is indeed Outspokin Cycles on Huron St. My other fave shop is First Cycleworks. I try to divide my business evenly between the two shops.