Rides and Races - Toronto Fixed

besides which, they seem to have strayed from their original practices whereby they would produce and sell their housebrand of clothing, etc to cut the costs of distribution. now they seem to be selling castelli and some other brand names just like any other large outdoor's store. i dunno..

I've been wondering about that as well. I've noticed more and more "brand name" clothing appearing in the store.

I see a few of you guys have picked up rubino's lately. I guess that means they get the thumbs up? I think I'm due for a new set soon.

-w

i'm going to be the one to give them a thumbs down. i didn't like the ride (not very grippy), nor the fact that the sidewalls started cracking too quickly IMO. also had a helliva time getting them mounted.

I was gonna keep it a secret, but since you asked Jammer check this stuff (http://unitednuclear.com/glow.htm) out. I'm using some of the powder to make my bike frame glow in the dark but the powder can be mixed with just about any sort of pigment, the paint is perfect for use on clothing. Be aware though this isn't your usual zinc sufide that glows weakly. This is true rare earth phospherence based mostly on europium its very strong and very long lasting. Even more so if exposed to a UV light source. The other thing is that United Nuclear doesn't generally ship to Canada but if you phone and ask really nicely they will usually ship but take no responsibility if it gets confiscated at the border.

Just wait till you see my bike, I may not have reflectors but you'll never miss me.

SH

Wow, that stuff is wicked.

I think I'm gonna get myself some of that powder and mix it with some clear paint and clear coat my frame with it.

When I get a roadie I totally want a set of those reflective one that Shiz's GF is riding on.

Isn't it just though.... the powder..an air brush artist, turning my full face into a glowing skull......OH BABY!!!!!

Wow, that stuff is wicked.

I think I'm gonna get myself some of that powder and mix it with some clear paint and clear coat my frame with it.

Will Offhoff be upset?

i'm going to be the one to give them a thumbs down. i didn't like the ride (not very grippy), nor the fact that the sidewalls started cracking too quickly IMO. also had a helliva time getting them mounted.


Durability wise most of the problem comes from the coloured treadwall sandwiching the black center (aesthetics over fashion). Here's an explanation of the problem.

http://yarchive.net/bike/tire_color.html

The all black rubinos should have no such problem. That being said, I have red (come on). It's quite hard to find a 100% slick tire (assuming that we all know that slick tires are the best in every condition on roads). Most of all tires have some sort of token tread pattern mostly on the sidewall (the worse place it could be).

My MEC continentals lasted me about 6k kms.

Isn't that what "free markets" are all about? The manufacturer gets their price for it... no? Are they afraid MEC is going to drive down the street price because the other stores do the usual 100% mark up from the wholesale price and MEC doesn't?

It's a matter of distribution: there's much more to retail than just the price. In order to mazimize sales, Park Tools needs to be in as many stores as possible. For a store to carry a brand's products, they must be profitable. Thus, PT needs to maximize its distribution while maximizing retail profitability AND maintain its premium brand status. It does this by offering hefty discounts to retailers who buy in bulk and making sure the people think Park Tools are the best, thus worth the 50%+ retail markup. MEC is messing up their model because they sell at near the wholesale price, which ruins it for everyone else, who then refuse to carry PT. The real issue (Canada in small potatos in the retail world) is that MEC was shipping to the States, especially when the exchange was US-favourable. Thus, they were ruining it for US retailers too, who cried bloody murder to PT, who cut off MEC. That's why so many MEC items can't be shipped south.

As for carrying all the brand name stuff now, well, that's a really complicated story. I'll say this: MEC is certainly NOT the non-profit, friendly company people think it is - it's one of the most cutthroat competitors around (but to the benefit of its members, and to the frustration of most companies).

There was never any doubt that MEC was not a non-profit company in my mind, ever. Friendliness wise the help there seemed to be usually fairly knowledgeable and helpful.

I have been schooled....in bidness

I wouldn't care so much about cutthroat businesses if they were like MEC.

shiznaz: quit stalking me.

haha I've only run into on the 1km stretch of harbord between campus and my house. YOU quit stalking ME!

good to my camouflage skills is STILL sharp....
mmmmmmwwaahahahahahahA...* cough cough* *HACK*

Just because I was riding past your street doesn't mean I was "stalking" you. I mean, I only rode back and forth over and over again until I saw you. That's all! ;)

I can't quite see Wes, what are they having for dinner?

Critical Vacuum 4 pics. I wish I had a chance to take some more pics, but we sort of got screwed out of the doob/chill part. Next time Gadget, next time...

http://www.mybigride.com/wp-content/myfotos/training/100_0590.JPG
32flavors

http://www.mybigride.com/wp-content/myfotos/training/100_0591.JPG
the gang

http://www.mybigride.com/wp-content/myfotos/training/100_0592.JPG
Olaf's 'Jesus' Trackstand

http://www.mybigride.com/wp-content/myfotos/training/100_0593.JPG
The 'Nathan Fabian' returns

Posted the trackstand pics in the main forum, and got some nasty feedback. I guess it's just not funny any more. Go figure.

Sir Robin:

After doing this it occurred to me you might hate that I'm adjusting photos I didn't take. I will fall on my sword(mouse)

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/3292/1000591jpg3zc.th.jpg (http://img83.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000591jpg3zc.jpg)

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/779/1000590jpg9aj.th.jpg (http://img153.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000590jpg9aj.jpg)

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/9578/1000593jpg9qs.th.jpg (http://img235.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000593jpg9qs.jpg)

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/9457/1000592jpg5jt.th.jpg (http://img79.imageshack.us/my.php?image=1000592jpg5jt.jpg)

Hey wes where are those freaky pics you got of us riding last night.


I'm going to slap traffic jammer with resolution whoring.

Sir Robin:

After doing this it occurred to me you might hate that I'm adjusting photos I didn't take. I will fall on my sword(mouse)

You know, with all the flack I recieved about the photo sizes, I can't complain about it. Go forth good sir:D

My uploader kept crapping out and I had to resize 'em, I just wanted to be able to see the fun better.
Good Sir.... there will be much rejoicing in the village when you appear once more at the inn.

I tried resizing them in Photobucket, but they got all funky, so I gave up (blame lazieness). Plus my photoshop takes 1 min longer to load than I can stand. The next Crit vac I'll resize the pics for everyone's sake.

P.S. I think the Toronto thread is the friendliest part of the fixed forum. People aren't getting their coffee out there.

what phase of the moon are we in ?

Phase 10 (that's a card game joke for any of you old ladies out there)

NOoooo don't resize.

Oh yeah, so tomorrow...
http://www.subgenius.com/bigfist/pics10/legume/jesus-cyclops.jpg
Meet a new cyclops...
http://www-s.tucows.com/i/ss/the/wallpaper/cyclops-640x480.jpg

i think the DC thread is pretty friendly too.. although one or two of the posters there are a tad over zealous about beating this thread in # of posts. mine's bigger than yours.. geez. nice pics by the way. no skin suits though.

Uh shiznaz can you repost the poster for the time/date. Lookin all over this thread and it's not happening.

http://www.fineart.utoronto.ca/thesis/2006/

Here ya go, party should go on past midnight

Will there be anywhere non-sketchy that I can lock up "Teh Hotness" ... otherwise I'll kick it subway styles.

Will there be anywhere non-sketchy that I can lock up "Teh Hotness" ... otherwise I'll kick it subway styles.

What he said.

PS That is one hot description of your work Shiznaz.
Edit: Uh ok, i'll bring my bigass krypto chain and lock your bike with mine eyefloater. Want to meet at moonbean or something before heading over (time?)

There are about 5 bike rings in front of the building, no word on how busy they will be. Locking shouldn't be too much of an issue.

What he said.

PS That is one hot description of your work Shiznaz.
Edit: Uh ok, i'll bring my bigass krypto chain and lock your bike with mine eyefloater. Want to meet at moonbean or something before heading over (time?)

Merci.

I think I'm going to have to fork over the cash for a "special occasions" chain. Is the current crowd favourite still the Krypto NYC chain (and not the noose, not the fagghettaboutit, etc.)?

I have an on guard beast chain with an unbreakable brand padlock. I could not imagine how a lock could be much more secure. Also this:
http://www.wwmovers-africa.com/haro/xmen.jpg
Lets all be nice and laugh with me

lol...

I'll say this: MEC is certainly NOT the non-profit, friendly company people think it is - it's one of the most cutthroat competitors around (but to the benefit of its members, and to the frustration of most companies).

Word to that. There was a story going around a while ago about MEC ordering a pile of lifejackets from a vendor. The next year, they went back to said manufacturer and said "Here's our new purchase price". The manufacturer couldn't do it, went belly up after resizing to match MEC's order. MEC promptly bought them up. This, of course, could be a malicious rumour.

As for MEC people knowing their stuff, exceptionally hit and miss. My worst experience is asking for minicell foam in the paddling department and being told they don't cell mini cell phones. I finally had to show them where it was in their storeroom. The guy had no clue. I've found on their manufactured products they're better than label stuff. I tend not to buy there unless I absolutely have to, and I'm a long time (twenty year) member.

And they don't do fixed gear.

Operator et al.,

what time do you want to meet up for Shiznaz's Gala Extravaganza (TM)? I get off work at 6ish - post something here and I'll check later on in the day.

- Mikhail, Lord of the Northlands, Keeper of teh Sexy, Scrawny White Boy

Greetings,

I heard about this thread amongst the ripping and tearing of one Nathan Fabian. Needless to say this has been somewhat of a beacon. Cheers to you guys and girls for keeping this thread current and the community active.

I've heard stuff about the actual lock of the on-guard models being easy to get through though.. something about being able to use other on-guard keys succesfully in the wrong lock. Also, I don't think that Yonge & St. Clair is really a place to be too concerned about your bike, but you never know.

I'll be going to the show tonight too, but I have no idea when. I don't really have a plan yet. A friend of mine is in town for the weekend for his Dad's bday, so I know I'll be hanging with him and our friends at some point.. just waiting to find out details about that before I can figure out the plan for the whole evening.

6 ish?
Damnit eyefloater. How about 6:30 at moonbean?

I wouldn't suggest coming any earlier than 8pm really... the 5pm opening is pretty much to facilitate the elderly parent and art-professor crowd some sedate viewing time. Most of the attracive early-twenties females will also be arriving at this time (8pm onwards). But come whenever you want if you've got other plans. Also, I found the actual lock on my on guard to be terrible, and was so easily biced it was crazy. So now I have an "Unbreakable" brand padlock on it that weighs just about as much as the chain and if you could pick or cut it you would seriously deserve my bike (*knocks wood*). Anyways, I'm gonna pick up the cyclops in a few minutes so I should be riding it up the the art show :D

Well in that case, i'll still be down at 6.30 or slightly earlier so we can d!ck around downtown. Probably want to grab some patty king or such, or burrittos. And I also need to get some 7/32 ball bearings, turns out my rear campy hub wants 1/4" on the drive side and the other size on the other :/

durr.. stupid forums..

I'm aiming for 8:00 then. Rob/Mike: I'll see you guys there?

[QUOTE=Shiznaz]I have an on guard beast chain with an unbreakable brand padlock. I could not imagine how a lock could be much more secure.

Hey Shiznaz do you think that the onguard lock is better than the Kryptonite one ? I am looking for a new lock for my SS Bike or if any one knows what one is best cause for locking up my bikes I am useing U locks that can be opened with a small car jack from what I am told... Thanks

I was planning on heading home for a bit and chillaxing w/ the gf/eating some take-out before heading up to the show. Whatever time you want to meet up at 30 St. Clair W. Op, I'll make sure not to keep you waiting.

Name a time at moonbean (i'll be around college/dundas the majoirty of the time before going to teh place) so we can ride up together. I'm going to be dt around 6.30 so it doesn't get dark while i'm blasting down Yonge st.

I'm thinking ... 8? Then we can be fashionably late for the paaah-tay.

Sorry I won't be making it tonight.... have a great time guys.
Damn sorry about makin' the images too small....it was a quick down res at work.....*slaps wrist*

I'm thinking ... 8? Then we can be fashionably late for the paaah-tay.

Ok, see you at 8 at moonbean.

[QUOTE=Shiznaz]I have an on guard beast chain with an unbreakable brand padlock. I could not imagine how a lock could be much more secure.

Hey Shiznaz do you think that the onguard lock is better than the Kryptonite one ? I am looking for a new lock for my SS Bike or if any one knows what one is best cause for locking up my bikes I am useing U locks that can be opened with a small car jack from what I am told... Thanks

I'd go with the krypto chain, never really trusted those u-locks. those big ones at least. The mini-u's might be good as well.