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

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.

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!!!!!

Will Offhoff be upset?

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.

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/...g/100_0590.JPG
32flavors

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

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

http://www.mybigride.com/wp-content/...g/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/img83/329...1jpg3zc.th.jpg

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/7...0jpg9aj.th.jpg

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/9...3jpg9qs.th.jpg

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/945...2jpg5jt.th.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.

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.