Break out the FATBIKES!

Have you ever read up on fatbike history?  It's pretty dang interesting.  It's fun to see what creative people can accomplish with a little time on their hands!
When I finally became aware of fatbikes, they'd already been around in one way or another for over 20 years.  What I saw was pretty high-tech compared to some of the original creations;  but I still thought it looked ridiculous...completely opposite of everything I assumed a bike should be.  They were heavy and slow; they used cheap friction shifters; the frames were all skewompus to make room for the fat rear rim on a traditional hub; the handlebars had a funky rake to them that just didn't feel right; there was only one legit crankset available, and parts were very hard to come by...and the list goes on...
But despite all their shortcomings, fatbikes seem to be magnetic toward those of us who live for adventure.  They steer away from speed and efficiency and focus more on an experience.  That's what it took to convert me: an experience.  Since my first snowy ride up Malan's Basin, I've been hooked.  But you don't need to hear about me falling in love with fatbikes.  You just need to get out there and experience one for yourself...and I'd be happy to help with that.  The Bike Shoppe is having a FAT adventure this Saturday morning!  We're heading up Wheeler canyon at 8:00am.  Give me a call, and I'll get a bike set up for you.  It's going to be cold, so we'll have some hot cocoa waiting for us.  See you there!

OCTOBER NIGHT RIDES ARE BACK!

Have you ever experience the thrill of a mountain bike night ride?  Now is your chance!  We have a night ride planned every Friday night in the month of October.  We have a limited number of headlights available for demo, so please call ahead to reserve one.  If your looking to upgrade your ride, our demo bikes are also available to be reserved.  Join us for one or come to all of them, but don't miss out!  See the schedule below:

• Friday, October 7 - 7:00pm
•  North Ogden Divide north trailhead:  This is a short eight mile round-trip connecting the divide to the Pleasant View trailhead. (1-2 hrs)
• Friday, October 14 - 7:00pm
• Green Pond trailhead:  This trail starts mid-way up Snow Basin road and follows the popular Green Pond trail.  We'll then branch off to Last Chance until we finally climb Needles to the lookout deck.   (2-3 hrs)
• Friday, October 21 - 7:00pm
• Louis Peak:  The trailhead is at Windsurfer beach.  This is a moderate nine mile climb to the Peak.  It's a long grind getting there, but once on the peak, the view is breathtaking. (3-4 hrs)
• Friday, October 28 - 7:00pm (Donut Ride!)
• Wheelers trailhead: We'll start climbing Wheelers then branch off up Ice Box.  Following Ice Box, we continue Maples to Sardine and climb to the Ogden overlook.   On the way back down, we'll stop at the base of Sardine for donuts and hot cocoa around a campfire!  (2-3 hrs)

YETI DEMO

Have you ever walked into a shop to take a look at some of the uber high-end beauties and wonder how in the world they could be so expensive?  Have you ever wondered what the ride is like?  What would entice someone to drop $$$ like that on a bike?  How about experiencing one for yourself?  Your window of opportunity is coming Wednesday, July 13 from 3pm to 8pm at Rainbow Gardens!  We'll be there with several incredibly awesome, finely-tuned, and ready-to-ride Yeti models including the lightning-fast ASRc, the trail-eating SB4.5c, the do-it-all SB5c, the NEW quiver-killing SB5.5c, and even the gravity-defying SB6c!  Ride one or ride them all...just show up with a valid ID, helmet, and pedals, then we'll take care of the rest.  We promise you'll never have as much fun on two wheels!

Don't miss out on this year's 'Peak A Week' adventures!  We'll climb to the top of the tallest peaks in the Ogden area to soak in the best views accessible by bike.  Check out the schedule below:

DATE	TIME	PEAK	TRAILHEAD
Saturday, July 2	6:30 am	Lewis	Windsurfer Beach
Saturday, July 9	6:30 am	Grizzly	Geneva Rock - Perry
Friday, July 15-16	7:00 pm	Ben Lomond	N.O. Divide - OVERNIGHTER
Saturday, July 23	6:00 am	Mt Ogden	Wheeler
Friday, July 29-30	7:00 pm	Malan's	Rainbow Gardens - OVERNIGHTER

Notice that we're bike-packing in and staying overnight for Ben Lomond and Malan's.  If you can't commit to overnight, come anyway and head down early, but you'd be missing out...the mini-campouts are a ton of fun!  If you have any questions about locations, times, distances, difficulty, etc., don't hesitate to call us at (801) 476-1600.  It's going to be an awesome July full of a lot of elevation!  See you at the trailhead!

Still The New Kid...

If someone asked me to describe The Bike Shoppe in one word, I would easily answer with "thorough". Everything done here is done completely...there are NO untied ends. A quick Google search shows that this shop is the highest ranked bike shop from Logan to Salt Lake (and probably farther). I think the reason for our solid 4.9 star rating is this attention to detail. From every customer's bike that comes in to each new bike that goes out - no bolt is left untorqued or cable left too long or pivot left without lube. Each bike has to be meticulously checked by someone else before it can be marked complete. Being so thorough can be quite the challenge for a new comer like me, but it's a really good thing to get used to. Sure, I know how to change a tire - but I've never cared about the placement of the logos before! And it's not just tire logos...these guys obsess over the logos on the headset, spacers, and top cap. They fret over the placement of decals and the direction of closed QR skewers. I also never realized there was so much to proper cable management; that all cables on new bikes come too long and need to be cut to size and often re-routed; that wires should be trimmed at one inch from the pinch bolt and on and on....So for you mechanical types that like to work on your own bike: when you think you've finished - THINK AGAIN! Look for the little things that you would normally miss. Make it perfect. That's what we do...then we have it double-checked. So next time you pick up a bike from us, look a little closer. I'll bet you'll be impressed. In fact, the Shoppe guarantees it!

-Daniel Steiner

THE NEW KID

Well, I'm finally here.  For years I have wanted to work at a bike shop, and now I DO!  The accomplishment, however, is accompanied by a large slap in the face as I know next to nothing about bicycles.  My dad's friends got him into biking; he, in turn, got me into biking. My dad is the kind of guy that used gardening gloves and shop glasses for a few years before anyone could convince him to spend a few bucks to get the right equipment. So as a teenager with zero money I tried many times to convince him to get different bikes for us.  It sort of worked...once.  So, since that once, I'm still riding an eight-year-old 26er Stumpjumper. That and its 29er brother are the only bikes I've ever ridden.  But I got enough use out of them to know that I love biking.

Now I'm supposed to know everything...like EVERYTHING... about everything!  Every bike, every brand, sizes of random things, prices, history, what random component is compatible with what random component, and the fact that if you have an old Schwinn wheel you have to get a special tire even though it reads the 'same' dimensions.  Everyone here seems to know absolutely everything, and it can be a bit intimidating to be considered one of them. So if you, like me, are trying to make the transition from enthusiast to actually educated (and eventually an expert), I'll keep you updated on the things I'm learning.  I have to ask a lot of the questions that we're supposed to know, and it's kind of embarrassing.  Things like: "What exactly are 'SPD' pedals?" or "How do you know if a bike is your size??".  I'll save you the same embarrassment and pass on the things I'm figuring out.

In the mean time, I've found that using works like "compliance", "components", "sealed cartridge bearing", and "mechanism" help me blend in with those who actually know what they're talking about.  Wish me luck!

Until next week....

- Daniel Steiner

Group rides are back!

May is awesome!  Not only have we survived another year of April showers and windstorms, but we can now enjoy some warm hours of daylight after work.  Plus, nothing beats getting up into the hills in the Spring!  But the best thing about May?  May is bike month!  I hope this post serves as a reminder to go find your once-loved two-wheeled steed, dust it off, make amends, and get out and ride!  If you need a group, we'll help.  We start our group road and mountain rides THIS WEEK!  Road rides will be Thursday nights (weather permitting), and mountain rides will be Saturday mornings.  Take a look at the schedule below and come ride with The Bike Shoppe crew. 

ROAD RIDES:  (Each week we'll be riding different routes from the park.)

• May 5 - 6:00pm - Mountain Green Kent Smith park (5457 W. Old Highway Rd)
• May 12 - 6:00pm - Mountain Green Kent Smith park
• May 19 - 6:00pm - Mountain Green Kent Smith park
• May 26 - 6:00pm - Mountain Green Kent Smith park 

MOUNTAIN RIDES:

• May 7 - 8:00am - Pleasant View trailhead (Stan's trails north)
• May 14 - 8:00am - North Ogden Divide trailhead (Rattlesnake)
• May 21 - 8:00am - Wheelers trailhead (Sardine) 

Any changes to ride times or locations will be posted to Facebook 24 hours before the ride.
If you have any questions about locations, don't hesitate to call us.  See you on the bike!

Ode to Aaron Danger Mecham

Show off!

Friday, April 29, 2016 at 1:00pm, The Bike Shoppe lost a valuable member of their family.  Aaron Danger Mehcam has decided to move on in his career, and he'll be missed.  In the short time he worked with us, he became a favorite of employees and customers alike.  We'll miss his witty remarks and his quirky humor.  We'll miss him giving meaningless details about artists as they come over the radio.  We'll miss his ability to remember every detailed spec of every product known to biking.  We'll miss riding with him (we've enjoyed some pretty epic adventures together)!  Thank you for the time you spent with us Aaron.  You've definitely had a positive influence on our lives, and we hope you'll remember us fondly.  We wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.  We love you. 

The Bike Shoppe

Trying out the new Trek Madone in Wisconsin cornfields.

 

Tearing it up Enduro-style on his Yeti SB6.

...Always the best at impromptu strike-a-pose.

Don't ask...

Last day at work.  See you around amigo!

SRAM Red eTap

Every now and then something comes in a box so awesome that you decide you have to have it. SRAM Red eTap is that something. I've always been impressed by Shimano XTR and DuraAce packaging, but none of it compares to eTap. It is nice enough I've started planning out my next bike build, despite LOTOJA being my freshest memories on a road bike. (Man was not designed for that many hours on a bike saddle.)

 Some information about how eTap runs:

-The right paddle shifts the rear derailleur into higher gears.
-The left paddle shifts the rear derailleur into lower gears.
-You press both paddles at the same time to shift the front derailleur.
-You can swap batteries between the front and rear derailleur in case you forget to charge them. The derailleur will stay in the gear it was last in when the battery dies or is removed.
-The wireless technology it uses was created specifically for SRAM eTap. It relays signals instantly and can send multiple signals at once. Being able to send multiple signals at once means you can shift the front derailleur while shifting the rear.

Why does it even matter? The mechanical Red is lighter and less expensive. But it's not as cool. The benefit of electronic shifting is that your shifting is consistent, accurate, and extremely quick. The benefit of wireless is that it works well with any bike you add it to. Being a bike mechanic, this is a big deal to me. I've had numerous issues trying to get electronic cables and junction boxes to fit where they weren't meant to. Keeping cables in a good position on frames with external routing can look unsightly. Very few people are going to be adding eTap to a bike that has external routing, unless that frame is a gorgeous, lugged steel or titanium frame.

eTap is available now. It's in stock at The Bike Shoppe. Its cool. And should I stumble upon a large sum of money that takes care of my financial woes, it will be on my bike. Or I'll put it on a credit card and have Future Me take care of Present Me and pick up the bill when it comes due. It may help me ride Salt to Saint as a solo entrant. There's my justification, I must have it now.

Fat biking is inconsistent

I've been fat biking for about 4 years now. I've learned a lot about what makes it fun. I've learned a lot more about what makes it not fun. Just like any sport on snow, you can decide you don't like it your first attempt. There are some things you need to know before you can make a decision about whether or not you like fat biking. (There are many more factors that come into play for you to make a decision about whether you should buy a fat bike.)

The biggest factor in enjoying fat biking is managing your expectations. If you expect fat biking to be exactly like mountain biking, you will likely get discouraged unless the conditions are perfect. Comparing fat biking to mountain biking is like comparing cyclocross to road racing. They have similarities, but you will probably spend some time off your bike pushing it. I've spent more time than I care to admit walking a fat bike through snow drifts and fresh snow.

Don't expect the same conditions on the same trail two different days. When it's really cold, the snow can turn into a sugary consistency. If it's warm, the snow turns to mashed potatoes. If the conditions are just right, the trail will pack out and it will get better each time it's ridden. I have never experienced the same conditions two separate days. It is either better or worse, never the same.

On a similar note, you cannot expect the same conditions in the afternoon or evening as in the morning. Winds may pick up, temperatures change, more people use the trails. So if someone says the trails are perfect, give them a try, just keep an open mind because that could change. Often the trail is better on the way back compared to the way there, but could be worse if it doesn't pack down.

Don't expect your skills and abilities to directly transfer from mountain biking to fat biking. If you are a very well rounded rider, you'll be fine. However, even if you are a strong rider on the dirt, riding on the snow could become frustrating. Snow riding requires you to shift your weight to gain and keep traction. You will be forced to learn these skills as well as how to take a slam. The trail can be packed well enough and then you hit a soft spot or get off trail slightly and you find yourself rolling in the deep. Tuck and roll, you'll be fine. It's easier to learn how to take a slam in the snow than on dirt. Change your mindset about what you should be able to do. Be humble about it also. You'll get faster on snow and on dirt.

When you do decide to buy a fat bike, there are some things you should keep in mind to avoid frustrations also. You cannot expect to be able to swap wheels and tires between bikes. This year bikes have started to become more standardized with 190mm or 197mm rear hubs and 150mm front hubs. This allows bikes to have either 4" or 5" tires. But you can still find bikes with 135mm front and rear hubs, or 142mm front hubs and 170mm rear hubs. As long as you are expecting this, you shouldn't be disappointed.

If you want the conditions to be perfect, there are some places that have really figured out how to groom trails. Powder Mountain's Fat Bike Nationals course is amazing, but they do charge for access to it. The cost to keep the trail in fantastic shape is what you're paying for. If you don't want to deal with all of the inconsistencies of fat biking, this is a great way to ensure a better experience. But sometimes the worst experiences become the best memories.

Exercising in an inversion

If you've lived in Northern Utah for long enough, you are well aware of what THE inversion is. Ski resorts will see 40 degree weather, while valleys are stuck in the teens. Inversions are naturally occurring, cold air falls and warm air rises. But it is compounded when particulate matter creates a "lid" on the valley. High pressure systems just scoot over the top of us. Car emissions are the biggest culprit of expediting the magnitude of the inversion, but burning anything is the problem.

If you drive your car during a high pressure weather system, you make things worse. For most reading this, the other transportation option would be riding a bike. However, if you ride your bike during the inversion, you will die...eventually. Exercising in an inversion is often compared to smoking. The particles are small enough that your lungs can't filter them. It also effects you very quickly. You start coughing and it sticks with you for a while. Exposure to this dirty winter air effects people differently, depending on health conditions and development. Sensitive people, such as the elderly and very young or those with respiratory issues, can't handle as much exposure. Exercise accelerates the effects of exposure to the bad air.

It appears that the only option would be to stay home. This will work for those that can telecommute, or those that have found a way to properly work the system. For the rest of us, we need to be able to ride our bikes. Cue Respro masks. Respro makes masks that have filtration systems built in that can filter out very small particles. Last year I rode my bike in to work to help the air quality. You're welcome. The side effect of riding 10 miles was me coughing for the remainder of the day. I decided I should purchase a Respro mask and wore it home. I didn't have the temporary, initial sting in my lungs from the cold. But even more important, I didn't cough when I returned home. I'm sold on it. If you are from Cache Valley, you really should wear a Respro mask all winter.