Rides and Races - Toronto Fixed

399$.... holy **** Polly How? What's it made of, what's on it?

Is that compact? CDN tire sells a sora equipped bike for like $300 I think.

got home from my ride about a half an hour ago. Went out Cherry street and then out the Leslie Spit with Sweep242. A couple roadies caught us waiting at a light and then caught us again on Cherry St. As they went by one of them called "fixies unite!" and I realized he was fixed (the other guy was geared). Pretty funny.

I got a total tidal wave from a car on my way back home on Queen as well. Total accident by the car, but there was so much water I actually felt the force push me sideways. I was really pissed for about 2.5 seconds, and then I realized it was a total accident and I was wearing all my raingear and I started cracking up. If I was going to get wet, at that point, I would have already been soaked. I <3 waterproof breathables. :)

When I got home I had a huge smile on my face. I love riding in the rain (when properly prepared). It reminds me of getting home from mountain bike rides in NL and being totally soaked and cover in mud and just LOVING it.

GoodTimes.

yup once wet you might as well enjoy it.

How does the $40 breakdown ?!??!?! The only thing I can think of is $15 tax, $5 brokerage. And then $20 for kicks?

Otherwise customs found that the package being marked gift wasn't so hot opened it and valued it themselves at around $200 or something and taxed it for that.

My cassette should be arriving within the next two days, here's to hoping I don't get owned.

It should be like $60 cdn limit for no custom/duties if package is marked gift. Maybe next time split order into two? haha. They might get pissed though.

Is that compact? CDN tire sells a sora equipped bike for like $300 I think.
399$.... holy **** Polly How? What's it made of, what's on it?

Yes its compact, that one you see there is hi ten frame and fork, but looks nice despite. Im looking into price difference for crmo. $399 is just a rough ball park might be cheaper. Id aim for $299 if I could buy I dont think that will happen.

I am thinking though cantilevers might be an interesting option, and it would make it very unique. You cannot get a new canti equipped drop bar bike for $399..or I could offer a disc brake drop bar bike..not sure how much.

Your comment about a crappy tire road bike at $300. im afraid I can find no road bike existing in their catalog. Its possibly they have discontinued carrying that bike.
But last time I saw it was one size only and priced over $500

I don't know how aware people were of it, but those high prices were literally peoples' high prices. Cavit8 left me w/ the impression that he would end up haggling down to a pre-approved amount if that's what it would take to make a sale.

Regarding the sale...

I got there, no line up. ****ing very confusing, useless staff. I had spied a gianni Motti. Priced at $250. To me that was really the one the deals of the day. A confused guy was mulling it over he told me he was thinking about I said well if you dont take I will, he looked like he would give a good home so that was fine.

I did get one treasure out of there, a steel frame xt, judy equipped thin blue line w clipless. Which I paid an undisclosed price for.

Paying for it turned out to be a real treat, now get this everyone as you all noticed the bikes were all locked.
And I was informed that no one bothered to label the keys, which all identical. Luckily the key that unlocked my bike was seperate from the pile.

Things I liked about the sale :
1) getting to test the bike
2) paying cash no tax and getting a reciept

Things I didnt like completely disorganized and lousy merchandising as well as a cramped display area.
Confusing tags. Lack of sales help.
Cheeky comment from fat guy with beard to me about some unrelated bike week matter.
Having to wait forever to pay. Them wanting to take down the info on the bike which they should have done before hand
Lack of concern that I didnt have time to be delayed etc..

Im sure they sold stuff, but let me tell you. Im going to post this on TBN, if they ask me extremely nicely and fat boy apologizes for comment. Id run the swap for them.

I have no idea what the line up down to parking garage was for.. clothing???
Im sure they are all patting them selves on the back for a great sale, meanwhile as a customer I was
unimpressed.

Im surprised I wasnt noticed by any of you folk, its funny how I can travel around unnoticed.

Highlight of sale: seeing someone get a deal on a bike that will actually use it, its been a while since I have seen someone really appreciatte a bike and I could see that by the way he looked it over. I mean not like the way some vintage freak does, but more like someone who has just discovered the workmanship of something or the fine lines of a painting.

Staff? CBN is volunteer. I volunteered for five hours in the rain. Very few people actually volunteered. I was only supposed to be there for two hours at the start.

The documentation and item management could have been much better handled. CBN had no idea if this was even going to fly and its the first time they've done it. I talked with the organizer about some ideas like a preprinted tag system and shorter sale time. We had a lot of people bring gear right at 10 (when the sale started) so we ended up signing stuff in as people were trying to buy other stuff. The second tent that was apparently promised by MEC would also have helped, but they couldn't find it. I also think it would have been fine on it's own and we wouldn't need MEC to do it. Lots of people showed up only for the bike swap (kudos to the TOBF crew - the orange track frame was still there when I left at 1:00, still crying your name operator. That botecchia went for $75 I believe.)

Question of the day from guy looking at the double straps I tried to sell: "Can you cut these in half?"

Paul, I'm sure CBN would be very happy if you volunteered to help. Given the interest (it was nuts around 11), another one in late May or early June might fly.

Some people left haggle room, some underpriced gems were there (and gone very early) and some people wanted way too much, but it's their stuff - what are you going to do? You'd be suprised how many people were going over that Miyata.

Grammatical error in the sig!!! OMFGNO!!!

How does the $40 breakdown ?!??!?!

Calm down, man! :) As I said earlier, the postal outlet isn't open on Sundays. I'll be picking it up tomorrow.

Grammatical error in the sig!!! OMFGNO!!!

LOL. Your ********. ;)

I don't know how aware people were of it, but those high prices were literally peoples' high prices. Cavit8 left me w/ the impression that he would end up haggling down to a pre-approved amount if that's what it would take to make a sale.


Who is this Cavit8 ? Is he by any chance bearded and chubby?

The whole sale was a farce, these are people that are used to daydreaming about a bicycle dominated city and pub crawls. Not customer service or how to sell a bike. I was left trying to sell bikes to a few people, one lady was so distressed that a bike was snatched out before her eyes. I tried to push her onto a nishiki mtb for $25..that thing was kick ass.. nope she had to have her trash can on 2 wheels. The white and pink ladies bike with no price.. fyi CBN you sold that scrapper from my sales tactics..

I would have had that place cleared.. oh well, im sure the money will be gone by this evening.

Who is this Cavit8 ? Is he by any chance bearded and chubby?

If be bearded and chubby you mean. 6feet tall and clean shaven then yes.


LOL. Your ********.

As long as we're being grammar nazis here, that'd be you're.

I think paul_in_toronto was talking about the MEC garage sale? If not then I think all of his comments should've been applied there instead of the CBN. There wasn't much of a lineup to pay and I was there pretty much the whole time.

Note to self : participate in an alleycat next time one happens. Have fun while you're at it and don't worry about not being a member of some club that doesn't even exist. Or does it? No wait, don't worry about that - go out, ride hard and have a good time.

Momma always said I was the neurotic one.

Question of the day from guy looking at the double straps I tried to sell: "Can you cut these in half?"

Paul, I'm sure CBN would be very happy if you volunteered to help. Given the interest (it was nuts around 11), another one in late May or early June might fly.

Cavit8.. I dont think you are the bearded and chubby fellow Im ticked at. I would seriously like to know who that is. Because that guy really ticked me off.

Who was he?

Btw what the hell is CBN anyway?

I was thinking on my way home, im really not pleased with the whole cycling infrastructure we have in this city. Half the time it appears to me the funds go to paying a bunch of people to sit around and drink coffee. And today watching them in action..well I just wanted to take over.

Im thinking maybe im going to try and get the board of one of these groups and see that more is done.

Im sorry if this is becoming a rant.. I was part of the group trying to get the lanes in on dundas. I didnt go to as many meeting as I could have but I did happen to be around at the right times

I recall steve biko himself telling me.. "what do you guys need a bike lane for?"
That set me into a diatribe, which I picked apart the cycling committee. I guess after today not much has changed, since way back when.

Im also ticked off because I offered to organize and resurrect the recycled art auction which was always a
huge event, got lots of tv play, everyone had fun, it was a nice cap to the end of the bike week.

And what is with bike week now..? Week is singular.. Its become a 2 week event. I say why be so shy, make it bike to work month.

sorry about the rant

As long as we're being grammar nazis here, that'd be you're.

operator: Yeah, that was the joke, dingleberry. :)

eyefloater: wtf? Where'd that come from?

paul_in_toronto: dude. chillax. :) here's the cbn website: http://communitybicyclenetwork.org/

We dont use the word dingleberry around here Somnambulant..
Use ******BERRY instead its so much more PC.

QUOTE
I think paul_in_toronto was talking about the MEC garage sale? If not then I think all of his comments should've been applied there instead of the CBN. There wasn't much of a lineup to pay and I was there pretty much the whole time. END QUOTE

Um see thats the thing, even without a line up.. it was a chore to pay. And yes I AM REFERRING to CBN ala
CBN biikeswap. Bearded chubbo had me wait..while he checked the bikes serial #, while he talked to other people.. never mind that I said sorry dude im in a hurry nope

Like I said it was a farce.. even the other customers were confused.. No one knew what was sold and what wasnt. The locks made me assume..oh ok locked must be sold..

I know it sucks to hear im not impressed, but honestly it was a farce.

Crap I just realized no one is really talking about fixed in this thread anymore..hmm
ah f-- it.

Anyways does anyone have any interest in....... (drumroll)

Helping me organize and ressurect the RECYCLED ART AUCTION?

hmm silence

Did I mention there was always beer at this event?
usually copious amounts. And cool bikes...

eyefloater: wtf? Where'd that come from?

Just something that came to mind. I'd like to take part in an alleycat but Only real messers have the cred to race in an alleycat, man. I just wanted to put that out there so the next time one happens in toronto, some elephant memory-having ******* such as yourself will remember that comment of mine and call me on it. At which point I will sweet talk some other hapless rookie into signing up with me and good times will be had by all (until the Keiths - junior and senior - try to punch out a cop).

... can you tell it's the end of my work week, I'm tired as **** and already an hour:10 into staying late before I get two days off? 'Cause I can ...

operator: Yeah, that was the joke, dingleberry.

You suck. I'm going to ****** slap you.

Life is good.

Cavit8.. I dont think you are the bearded and chubby fellow Im ticked at. I would seriously like to know who that is. Because that guy really ticked me off.

Who was he?

Btw what the hell is CBN anyway?

I was thinking on my way home, im really not pleased with the whole cycling infrastructure we have in this city. Half the time it appears to me the funds go to paying a bunch of people to sit around and drink coffee. And today watching them in action..well I just wanted to take over.

Im thinking maybe im going to try and get the board of one of these groups and see that more is done.

Im sorry if this is becoming a rant.. I was part of the group trying to get the lanes in on dundas. I didnt go to as many meeting as I could have but I did happen to be around at the right times

I recall steve biko himself telling me.. "what do you guys need a bike lane for?"
That set me into a diatribe, which I picked apart the cycling committee. I guess after today not much has changed, since way back when.

Im also ticked off because I offered to organize and resurrect the recycled art auction which was always a
huge event, got lots of tv play, everyone had fun, it was a nice cap to the end of the bike week.

And what is with bike week now..? Week is singular.. Its become a 2 week event. I say why be so shy, make it bike to work month.

sorry about the rant

Ranting is fine as long as you're willing to put your shoulder to the wheel, as it were, and it sounds like you are. No I'm not the "chubby guy with the beard". I'm tall, balding, beautiful and was wearing the bright orange jersey.

I'm not sure if your question about who CBN is was rhetorical or not but check out their website http://www.communitybicyclenetwork.org/. This is my first stint volunteering with them. As far as I can tell they're not a BUG mired in internal politics and hearing their own voices. Bikeshare - that's CBN, Greenfleet - that's CBN. Like most amateur organizations, they're strapped for cash and volunteers. Likely it's the same people doing most of the work for the only reason that they believe the same thing you do: that Toronto's bicycle infrastructure sucks. Get involved. It sounds like you have a lot to offer. Apart from riding a fixed gear.:D

This news just in: veteran_youth is a peach.

This news just in: veteran_youth is a peach.
Well he is single;)

Am I allowed to tell Andrew that you're into him?

Am I allowed to tell Andrew that you're into him?
:roflmao: Maky is my Bro

Polly what are you doing down there buying a bike don’t you have over 100 or more. We were standing around for over an hour 10:15ish to 11:30ish dint see you.
The CBN thing it is what it is be happy its even there. Same for the Mec swap. Good time’s great day & some sore legs.
Cheers
Riding on the path with absolutely no one around (except 2 one fixed) is nice for a change.

Hey Polly was the fat bearded guy named Neil by any chance? If so I think I know who you are talking about and I share your rage.

And it is all true: I am a peach, single AND Steeker's bro (in the non-literal sense of the word).

Andrew

veteran_youth I still think you should ride the Niagra Falls run on your fixie.

sweep242

SEZ:::

Polly what are you doing down there buying a bike don’t you have over 100 or more. We were standing around for over an hour 10:15ish to 11:30ish dint see you.
The CBN thing it is what it is be happy its even there. Same for the Mec swap.

--- MEC IS a bunch of hippie yuppies that drive around in SUVs and think they are doing the world good. In reality MEC only sees things from an enviromental view, if that at all. In a way they are like a BIG WALMART to certain other retailers, they fail to see the social impact they have or econimic dishevelment they cause.
But hug a tree and all is forgiven.

To answer your question, I have 300 bikes give or take because I have been selling alot lately. I was dressed in orange tinted sunglasses, blue leather trenchcoat blue jeans, top of the line GAERNE footwear.

veteran_youth

SEZ ;;;;

Hey Polly was the fat bearded guy named Neil by any chance? If so I think I know who you are talking about and I share your rage.

--- yES andrew I think his name is Neil. Last time I saw him he was outside the original location of my shop, sporting quite an impressive beer gut. His female companion who seemed to be possible his girlfriend, seemed to have more of interest in my physique then his. I guess that was back when I was teaching spin class dunno.

Now this tactless f--- basically said "hey polly, well ya our bikes got ripped so we thought maybe.. not that im accusing you but you know maybe you might have picked them up"

In anycase, of course I didnt have them. He explained how " well see the bikes were loaned to us cause we are cycling embassadors" Right more like cycling Ass-adors.

Being someone that has had to work for everything I have im not impressed when people are given things and then are careless with them.

So what did Ass-ador Neil do to piss you off browski?

Neil gets privledge of being "****** of the day" **** wish I had his picture.. f--ing ultra-******. 24 karat ******.

Um listen folks check this attachment its a horizonatl dropout with I think an eyelet. How would you feel if I made available "db crmo" 700c frames with these dropouts instead of fork ends (ie track dropouts?)
It would leave the option to run gears on the frame, with a bolt on oldskool derailler hanger..

Thoughts? It would probably make for a fairly cheap frame and fork (sub $200 cdn.. maybe even $150)

It seems there's too much focus on just getting the price down. Show me features. Assume I have "enough" money to by a frameset and give me reason enough to buy your's.

eyefloater SEZZZZ::

It seems there's too much focus on just getting the price down. Show me features. Assume I have "enough" money to by a frameset and give me reason enough to buy your's.

-- Benefits of going with those dropouts. Easier wheel removal, ability to run a derailler if you wish to. Lower
end consumer cost.
Those are also features...

It dawned on me no-one is making a frame with those dropouts yet alot of fixed gear bikes are made around frames using them and they look great. Whens the last time you had to fix a flat on a frame with fork ends on it? I know I had to within the last few weeks and its annoying.

Polly those tuning folk dropouts are sexy.

paul_in_toronto says
orange tinted sunglasses, blue leather trenchcoat blue jeans, top of the line GAERNE footwear.

So now your a bicycle pimp?
LOL

yes I like the tuning for dropouts too.

But now im hellbent on given the world a good quality cheap fixie frame. I have another dropout opetion too, that would be very trick and inexpensive.

The reality is I will sell the majority at wholesale to other shop owners. But im curious to get feed back along the design process.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
" A ****** in the hand, .. well lets not go there."

Jet, how much would you want for your Miele and what size is it? Just curious. I wonder who ended up with that nice orange frame... if I was 4 inches taller I'd have way more frames to choose from. Damn shortness. Nice seeing all you folks.

Hrm, I hadn't really thought about it but I think the frame might be too small for you if that orange one was too short. I think it is a 54, but I am not 100% sure. There is a photo of it here:

http://img173.imageshack.us/img173/2233/miele61yn.jpg

Oh, forgot to ask; cavit8, did the $600 Miyata sell?

Um listen folks check this attachment its a horizonatl dropout with I think an eyelet. How would you feel if I made available "db crmo" 700c frames with these dropouts instead of fork ends (ie track dropouts?)
It would leave the option to run gears on the frame, with a bolt on oldskool derailler hanger..

Thoughts? It would probably make for a fairly cheap frame and fork (sub $200 cdn.. maybe even $150)

i prefer forward facing dropouts on a fixie. easier to remove a wheel, more convenient for use with fenders, no need to adjust your rear brake when adjusting chain tension (if you run a rear brake). but at that price, i'd just as soon shop around for older lugged race frame. plus, if those are stamped dropouts there might be a durability issue. just my $0.02.

Jet-

Actually, I'm teeny-tiny, and the orange frame was too big by far (I ride a 43 cm). I was asking about the Miele because I've got a couple of friends looking for singlespeed road bikes/frames. How much would you want to sell that thing for, and what's the standover?

Edit: I'm an edit fiend! Twice in two minutes!

Jet-

Actually, I'm teeny-tiny, and the orange frame was too big by far (I ride a 43 cm). I was asking about the Miele because I've got a couple of friends looking for singlespeed road bikes/frames. How much would you want to sell that thing for, and what's the standover?

Edit: I'm an edit fiend! Twice in two minutes!

Hrm, I am not sure of the standover of it, I can measure it tomorrow. This is a conversion and is not fixed, I just popped off the cassette and ran some spacers on it so my friend could boot around on it with just a front brake. Is that what your friend wants or do you want a true track/SS frame? As for a price, maybe you should look at it first or PM me what you think your friend wants to spend.

Hrm ... the New Media program over at Ry-High seems interesting. Anyone heard the word on that one (good/bad/traumatizing)?

OK first I am not drunk stoned yes but this freaks me out about Polly's Recycle I just checked out the location on the online bikestore maps in the city and saw where it is and I drive my bike on Queen street have done it for 25 years and I honestly never saw this bike shop I know the Beer store and the giant Jimmy Hendricks painting near Leslie Street and the Duke Bar but never saw a bike shop there.

I think its more like polly's house or something... doesn't stand out as a bike shop and open by appointment only

Shiznaz,

I just saw the shots of your 3 bikes in the photo thread. I'm intrigued by the wheels on your Cyclops and Spicer in particular—what is that material where the spokes cross? I've never seen that before.

Did you build them yourself?

I think its more like polly's house or something... doesn't stand out as a bike shop and open by appointment only


Helps keep out the riff-raff :lol:

My shop has the yellow bike hanging above.

But its used to be in the building where the hendrix painting is.

It used to be open 7 days a week, then a bunch of things happened and I became reclusive thats the reality. So me chatting on this forum is part of me coming out of hiding.

Im tempted to post the history of the shop, maybe another day.

JEREMY W----- I dont think the dropouts would have durability issues. $100 retail is a better price I think depending on the frame material. I have another idea that im waiting on a quote for.

I love places like Polly's where one can swim in parts.

Shiznaz,
what is that material where the spokes cross? I've never seen that before.


http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=100555 (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=100555)

Oh, forgot to ask; cavit8, did the $600 Miyata sell?

I'm not sure if it did or not. I left at one (with two hours left in the sale).

We dont use the word dingleberry around here Somnambulant..
Use ******BERRY instead its so much more PC.

QUOTE
I think paul_in_toronto was talking about the MEC garage sale? If not then I think all of his comments should've been applied there instead of the CBN. There wasn't much of a lineup to pay and I was there pretty much the whole time. END QUOTE

Um see thats the thing, even without a line up.. it was a chore to pay. And yes I AM REFERRING to CBN ala
CBN biikeswap. Bearded chubbo had me wait..while he checked the bikes serial #, while he talked to other people.. never mind that I said sorry dude im in a hurry nope

Like I said it was a farce.. even the other customers were confused.. No one knew what was sold and what wasnt. The locks made me assume..oh ok locked must be sold..

I know it sucks to hear im not impressed, but honestly it was a farce.
Why so bitter with CBN? As someone mentioned they are a VOLUNTEER organization. Maogosha, the woman who runs the place, does so for little financial gain. On top of this she is a super nice, dedicated person. How about instead of ranting about how much better you could run it, you just put up and volunteer? It's easy to sit there and criticize.....not so easy to actually do something to help. They do tons of great things for cycling in Toronto...Wenches with Wrenches....Yellow Bike Program....Tool Rentals. You seem so ready to criticize....what have YOU done for cycling in Toronto? *End Rant*