Rides and Races - Toronto Fixed

blargh.. i think my rear hub just died. It's all rattly/wobbly all of a sudden.. Let's just say it rhymes with "Duando". :/

Exhibition street car stops at Dundas / Bathurst, which is like a 5 minute walk (tops) from the Moonbeam.

Exhibition street car stops at Dundas / Bathurst, which is like a 5 minute walk (tops) from the Moonbeam.

yeah, guys, don't forget there's construction on Bathurst, so the exhibition streetcar is running a different route. My wheel seems somewhat borked, so I may wind up walking down to kensington in the morning and then taking the street car from moonbeam.

Well, it's about 3.5km to the CNE so I'm going to be streetcaring after moonbeam.

fixedude, where are you now? good croissants? brick street bakery in the distillery has my vote for best in TO. balzac's has decent coffee too. the weekend crowds are a riot to look at too.

i am currently in my second year of living in japan...home to the "gokiburi". while i am enjoying my small-town living in 'inaka' (the 'countryside'), it does not provide the wealth of gastronomical opportunities that toronto did. but, at least i am surrounded by the ocean on one side, and mountains on the other...and no snow for beautiful year-round riding.

not long ago, some japanese friends organized a great bike messenger race, kyotoLOCO2005, that i attended. it was a lot fun and i met some excellent people from around the world, particularly NYC. i was the only non-japanese who qualified for the final race and placed 8th overall -- toronto represent, eh!

if anyone comes to japan (kansai region, specifically), feel free to gimme a holler! otherwise, i will back in t.o. for a short vacation during the xmas holidays...i am deciding whether to bring my bike, since i think i will feel a bit lonely without it.

p.s. i added some pics from life in japan...the quality is kinda cruddy, but i had to re-size them.

Yo yo yo guys!!
i bought my first fixie... WHHHHAAAAAA!
it is probably the most exciting thing in the universe.
did y'all score anything? by the way, who was it that I ran into (other than operator)?

skye

Hey I didn't get jack from the show :| What fixie did you buy? Pics?
You met sonambulant and darkmother... not sure if you saw shiznaz but he was there too.
Check out that vid in the messenger dvd thread.

Hey I didn't get jack from the show :| What fixie did you buy? Pics?
You met sonambulant and darkmother... not sure if you saw shiznaz but he was there too.
Check out that vid in the messenger dvd thread.

hey, sorry i couldn't meet you guys at the moonbeam. i had a late night and slept in. :D
how was the coffee?!
i got down to the show at 3pm and was a bit disappointed. i did manage to pick up a helmet and some grips. almost bought some shoes but held off.

well, you guys definitely scored more than us! :)

I got a red FUJI TRACK!
Mom says I can't ride it until I get a front break... HAH!

what time did you guys get there?
I met up with a roadie friend at about 9:30 and there was a huge line because the doors hadn't opened yet.

I took $200 and spent most of it:
jersey $10
Louis Garneau mesh back vest $20
Chris King headset $75 (was installed then removed from a previous bike, but not used)
SDG saddle $15
Specialized 26" MTB racing slicks $30
classy looking curved no-name stem $15

the best deals were at the Bike Swap booth in the far back south east corner. There was a mob there everytime I walked past it. They had ton of slightly used demo bikes too that were going for like half price. The best deal (not fixed) were these blue Kline road bikes, carbon/aluminum frames, about 4 different sizes all going for $900... about $2000 bike normally

my score was:

bell furio helmet $69 (not that cheap but necessary after cracking my old one..it's a 2004 model)
oury grips $10 (for my winter beater..whenever i get around to getting one)

almost:
sidi dominator 4: $189

yeah, i saw a lot of carbon bling there.. not my taste. i think i spotted some of the klein deals..cheap. i did see one motobecane ss conversion in the duke's area but i think that was someone's ride. were there crazy deals to be had for showing up early??
did anyone else wander into the ski/snowboard building by mistake?! that'll learn me for following the big crowd that got off the streetcar.
oh well..$5 bought me 2 hours of amusement.

yeah there was a line up but sonambulant and us walked to the very far end where the line was very short for some reason. We lined up for a total of like 4 minutes at around 10:15ish.

Karbon bling is an understatement, I rember a steel frame with carbon rear seat stays. That was funny.

yeah I did the same thing gokiburi, I went to the wrong side of the building first.

But that reminds me, when I was tooling around before the show started [taking the long way around to get to hall F through the main parking area], I see this car with a pretty nice road bike (a lightspeed or something expensive looking) on its roof. A guy get's out of the car all dressed in his spandex racer outfit like he's going for a 100km ride or something I thought... maybe he was after the show or something. Anyways I thought nothing of it 'till about 4 minutes later when I was locking my bike up to the fence near the entrance and the same guy comes riding up behind me to lock up as well.
I look over at him and smile, "nice morning for a ride huh?"
him: "oh yeah, I love this stuff ...long hard rides in the morning....." pauses then he looks at my beater bike and kind of gives a bit of a sarcastic laugh then danced off to get his ticket...

I didn't know what to think of that really... but it was funny at the time .

Hahahhahahahahahahhahaaha

Bwahaha - that's frigging gold. Too bad you didn't catch him with the spritz bottle adding fake sweat to his forehead. ;)

I never made it down to the show but i hear it was very busy like crazy. quick story went down to M.E.C. today met a guy riding a fixed no brakes 48-16 got talking about bikes let me ride it, wow not as easy as it looks i ride ATB turned S.S. 44-16 witch i love a lot, thought i would take it to the next level after riding that i don’t know. There is always the flip flop when confidant flip?
Cheers

almost:
sidi dominator 4: $189


I'm not sure if I'm regretting not getting those yet.. :)

I'm not sure if I'm regretting not getting those yet.. :)

i'm wearing shimano road shoes and i've worn the heel down to a nub almost. they're almost like reverse-heels! i figure i'm going to wear the snot out of them before getting a better walking shoe. i'm worried about the cleats though. did you see the same sidis? the size (8.25) was dead on except i've got narrow feet and the fit around my arch was not 100% snug. salesdude was almost begging me not to buy them since my foot would slide around too much (it wasn't.) ...hmm, i'm almost regretting not buying em too.....

nice story weasal.. you should've looked him in the eye and laughed maniacally. ;)

Priceless. Guys like that are justification for carrying tools wherever you go. You should have peeled his dura ace brifters and carbon bar....he deserved it.


[QUOTE=wasted weasel]But that reminds me, when I was tooling around before the show started [taking the long way around to get to hall F through the main parking area], I see this car with a pretty nice road bike (a lightspeed or something expensive looking) on its roof. A guy get's out of the car all dressed in his spandex racer outfit like he's going for a 100km ride or something I thought... maybe he was after the show or something. Anyways I thought nothing of it 'till about 4 minutes later when I was locking my bike up to the fence near the entrance and the same guy comes riding up behind me to lock up as well.
I look over at him and smile, "nice morning for a ride huh?"
him: "oh yeah, I love this stuff ...long hard rides in the morning....." pauses then he looks at my beater bike and kind of gives a bit of a sarcastic laugh then danced off to get his ticket...

QUOTE]

i'm wearing shimano road shoes and i've worn the heel down to a nub almost.

I'm riding with 10+ year old shimano mntn bike shoes.. so fugly. :P

And on another note, I was at Urbane today and picked up a flyer for "Helloween 2005". See here (http://www.r-evolution.cc/site/index.php) for more!

Any of you guys interested in any of that? I think I'm gonna show up with my camera at the very least. Also, I think I might head out to next weeks CM in hopes that people will dress up and be all SPOOKY! ;)

I'm riding with 10+ year old shimano mntn bike shoes.. so fugly. :P

And on another note, I was at Urbane today and picked up a flyer for "Helloween 2005". See here (http://www.r-evolution.cc/site/index.php) for more!

Any of you guys interested in any of that? I think I'm gonna show up with my camera at the very least. Also, I think I might head out to next weeks CM in hopes that people will dress up and be all SPOOKY! ;)

they were handing out flyers for helloween at the cavern/sneakydees thing.. i picked up one and totally forgot about it. i definitely want to do the next CM in a costume.. maybe that'll get my butt in gear to make a costume and cut out of work early to one of the rides. i'm thinking of a vampire.. the chinese ones.. you know, the ones that hop. don't ask.
how's the lock situation at urbane?

how's the lock situation at urbane?

lock situation?

some guy is selling his bike shop inventory on the tbn message boards. (http://tbn.ca/cgi-bin/wwwthreads/showpost.pl?Board=15buysell&Number=2450&page=0&view=expanded&mode=flat&sb=5)

i need a winter beater... i wonder if i can buy just one frame?? (http://magma.ca/~maryross/bikeshop/)

lock situation?

i've been trying to buy a mini u-lock to compliment my krypto chain since the spring with no luck. urbane asked me to put my name on a waiting list but i didn't. every other store has a "come check next week" kinda answer... rei and nashbar have some good prices but shipping/duty/handling are exorbitant... i'd rather buy local too. oh, looking for an onguard bulldog mini.. the krpytonite minis are about twice the price.

I love my bulldog mini! I'm wondering if it would be a bit of overkill though. It's a pretty hefty lock, even though it's not that big.

I'll check some of the shops on my commute route to see if they have any stock. Kind of getting late in the year for LBS's to order in new stock, I guess...

I'm waiting for my chain actually, haven't checked to see if Cavern has them in stock yet. Does anyone know if the molly lock that comes with the krypto chain - are they good?

Some people have recommended to replace with a protected shackle padlock, masterlock or something, but where would I get one.

i've been trying to buy a mini u-lock to compliment my krypto chain since the spring with no luck. urbane asked me to put my name on a waiting list but i didn't. every other store has a "come check next week" kinda answer... rei and nashbar have some good prices but shipping/duty/handling are exorbitant... i'd rather buy local too. oh, looking for an onguard bulldog mini.. the krpytonite minis are about twice the price.

I think I already posted a while back that I picked up an Evolution Mini at Cyclepath at Bloor/Dufferin about a month ago. Have you tried calling them?

They also had chains..

I think I can see a couple of Track drop bars in one of those pics..... thats a lot of junk though, anything of good quality has probably been removed and put to use somewhere else I'm thinking...

Looks like an 'art bike' builders wet dream....


some guy is selling his bike shop inventory on the tbn message boards. (http://tbn.ca/cgi-bin/wwwthreads/showpost.pl?Board=15buysell&Number=2450&page=0&view=expanded&mode=flat&sb=5)

i need a winter beater... i wonder if i can buy just one frame?? (http://magma.ca/~maryross/bikeshop/)

I'm waiting for my chain actually, haven't checked to see if Cavern has them in stock yet. Does anyone know if the molly lock that comes with the krypto chain - are they good?

Some people have recommended to replace with a protected shackle padlock, masterlock or something, but where would I get one.


hey op,

keith has em in stock. i think i saw 2-3 or three dangling behind the counter.

hey guys,

thanks for the lock hook-ups. i'll give cyclepath a ring.. cavit8, there's a bulldog-mini thread about chiseling off all that bulky plastic hardware on the lock.. i think it shaved off more than a pound.

it's this thread: (scroll down for a pic of the lock sans plastic)
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=143130&highlight=bulldog+mini

Since a lot of Toronto riders lurk on this thread I'll post here. Major oil spilled in the southbound curb lane of Yonge Street around Steeles. I thought that it was just water until I washed out the back wheel trying to slow for a light. It's also at least a block long.

I'm not sure if the scattered rain we're having will make it better or worse. Probably the latter.

hey op,

keith has em in stock. i think i saw 2-3 or three dangling behind the counter.

Sweet. Gonna grab one

Cycle Therapy (Dundas / Carlaw) has Krypto Mini's back in stock.

Yo anyone for a ride today anytime from 4-6?

Yo anyone for a ride today anytime from 4-6?

eyefloat, thanks for keeping your eyeball out for locks. do you remember how much they are? $60-70?

op.. i'm planning to head down to cavern around that time to pick up my bike but i'll be riding straight back to work! sorry meng..

Haha, I saw your bike at Cavern, oh well.

Haha, I saw your bike at Cavern, oh well.

HAHAHAHHAH.. that made me laugh for some reason.

did you get a lock? i'm heading over right now... by the better way.. woo hoo..

Yeah got it... it's a freakin beast!
Anyways, who is that I keep running into downtown - you were at last times BF cm meet.

eyefloat, thanks for keeping your eyeball out for locks. do you remember how much they are? $60-70?

op.. i'm planning to head down to cavern around that time to pick up my bike but i'll be riding straight back to work! sorry meng..

$68 or something close to that. One of the owners was saying she tried to double to order we got in (8 Minis instead of 4) but that was all Kryptonite could spare for the store. It's supply hell these days. By the way, there's only one left in stock. We're open 11-6 tomorrow if you've got the time.

Did anyone check out the City of Toronto Auction down at the Ex? I picked up an old Schwinn cruiser that has some good parts for 17$ and a great little touring bike for a girl I work with for 9$. There were a lot of really crappy bikes going for really high prices, but my friend bought a Raleigh tourer missing a front wheel for 2$, a Mixte for 1$ and a little no-name road bike for 6$ that he is going to make his winter beater.

Did anyone check out the City of Toronto Auction down at the Ex? I picked up an old Schwinn cruiser that has some good parts for 17$ and a great little touring bike for a girl I work with for 9$. There were a lot of really crappy bikes going for really high prices, but my friend bought a Raleigh tourer missing a front wheel for 2$, a Mixte for 1$ and a little no-name road bike for 6$ that he is going to make his winter beater.


is it still on? dang, i wished someone had mentioned this sooner. or maybe i should just get with it.
nice weather we're having.. just got soaked taking my new front wheel for a spin (cxp33/miche)..thanks to keith at cavern for a great build.

here's a snippet from http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/cyclometer/cyclometerOct_2003.htm#7

7. Need a bike? City of Toronto Bike Auction - October 25th

On October 25th at the Queen Elizabeth Exhibit Hall in the Exhibition grounds the City of Toronto will be auctioning off its surplus vehicles. The auction will consist of approximately 400 bicycles in which 200 will be sold in groups of 10. The auction will also feature automobiles, motorcycles, and landscaping machinery. Previews will begin at 9:30AM with the auction beginning at 10:30AM. Accepted forms of currency include VISA, Mastercard, certified cheque, and cash. For more information please call the Auction Hotline at 416-392-1991.

is there another one on oct25?.. talk about ***** times though: 930am previews, 1030am start, and on a tuesday???! maybe i can slip in before work..
i need a winter beater...

here's a snippet from http://www.toronto.ca/cycling/cyclometer/cyclometerOct_2003.htm#7

7. Need a bike? City of Toronto Bike Auction - October 25th

On October 25th at the Queen Elizabeth Exhibit Hall in the Exhibition grounds the City of Toronto will be auctioning off its surplus vehicles. The auction will consist of approximately 400 bicycles in which 200 will be sold in groups of 10. The auction will also feature automobiles, motorcycles, and landscaping machinery. Previews will begin at 9:30AM with the auction beginning at 10:30AM. Accepted forms of currency include VISA, Mastercard, certified cheque, and cash. For more information please call the Auction Hotline at 416-392-1991.

is there another one on oct25?.. talk about ***** times though: 930am previews, 1030am start, and on a tuesday???! maybe i can slip in before work..
i need a winter beater...

Whoa! I will be there for sure, I hadn't heard of this at all. Thanks.

CM Friday?

i'm going if it's not goign to rain.

CM: i'm going if i don't get stuck at work.

jet-san, did you pick up anything at the bike auction? ...i couldn't make it.. got stuck at work.

work stucks.

Cheers. That was a good CM. Funny halloween stuff.

Man, we rode through the Eaton center... It was epic.

That was ****ed up. :P