Archive for Wisdom
July 9, 2009
· Filed under Cycling, Gear, News, Wisdom · Tagged bikes, Civia, deep-v, Dia-Compe MX-806, dp18, fixed gear, orbea, sale, single speed, velocity, vicious cycles
During the Tour de France, The Hub Bike Co-Op is having a sale on some excellent bikes, accessories and key components.
- 10% or more off road bikes (includes special orders and custom builds)
- Civia, Orbea, and Vicious bikes on sale
- 15% off shoe pedal combos
- Tons of apparel discounted
But here’s my favorite part;
Broken?…….FIXED!
For the duration of the sale, all of our track/singlespeed wheelsets are 10-40% off!!!!!
DP18 wheels, in all colors (normally $199-$220) are now $179.99!
All Velocity Deep-V wheels (normally$299-$420) are now $250.00!
To make things even better, The Hub has just acquired every Dia-Compe MX-806 brake that we could get our hands on, I’m willing to bet we’re the only shop in the Midwest that has ‘em!
These are the ONLY long reach, dual-pivot calipers that work on bikes with forks on older 27″ wheeled bikes (these usually cannot accept modern brakes with recessed bolts, unless you drill out the fork, sketchy). Now you can finally convert the old 27″ wheels to those pimp 700c wheels you’ve had your eyes on, save a bunch of $$$, AND be able to actually stop!
We have these brakes in silver and black for $28.99.
Time to take that old road frame and give it a second life as your new fixed gear/commuter/hipster/cool cat about town bike.
I’ll be there all weekend, just ask for Christopher.
Do It! Then go watch the Tour at the Riverview Theater (how cool is that?).
June 25, 2009
· Filed under Real Estate Resources, Wisdom
I’ve got a client who, rather then bringing money to cover her down payment and closing costs, is being handed a sizable check at the the closing table along with the keys to her new house (which the buyer got at a very good price).
Make no mistake, it’s been a challenge. Between the bank who owns the property, the lender, the underwriter, the REO company, the inpector, the appraiser(s)….it’s been a protracted battle royale to get this deal done.
But worth it in the end.
For more information of the Minneapolis Advantage Program click HERE or give me a call.
June 25, 2009
· Filed under Cycling, News, Wisdom · Tagged best bike cities, best bike city, bicycle commuter, international, minneapolis, mpr
Minneapolis’ reputation as one of the best cities for cycllists has gone international!
June 24, 2009
St. Paul, Minn. — An international travel magazine has named Minneapolis one of the top biking cities in the world.
The city is one of three in the U.S. that made the list of top biking towns, according to Travel and Leisure’s June 2009 issue. The other two were Portland, Ore. and Seattle, Wash.
“Minneapolis has built an infrastructure that promotes bicycling on many fronts,” according to the Travel and Leisure ranking. “From bike lockers and designated street lanes, to recreational trails and snowplows dedicated to clearing off-street paths, a system exists to make transportation on a bike efficient, safe, and hassle-free.”
We Rock!
June 11, 2009
· Filed under Cycling, News, Wisdom · Tagged bicycle retailer, co-op., the Hub
A group of trade journalists and industry big-wigs made a stop at The Hub Bike Co-Op recently as part of what Bicyling Retailer is calling the BRAIN Tour.
They rode around town (in full lycra) talking to shop owners about local cycling culture and the nature of selling bikes here in the Twin Cities.
You can read the online portion of the article HERE.
A couple other worker/owners and I answered pointed questions about recent trends and the effect of the economic downturn, but what seemed to really take this group of So-Cal cycling folk by surprise was the dramatic success of our Co-Op model, the infrastructure in place to encourage cycling in Minneapolis and the diversity of folks who use it.
My old friend GeneO and I got in the last words about how despite the saturation of retailers in the area, there is little animosity between shops.
We’re far more likely to help one another out in order to please a customer then to bad mouth another shop.
We’ve all be riding, racing and working together for decades, and each shop has it’s strengths and in turn is willing to acknowledge the strenths of our competitors/friends:
Hollywood Cycles and Flanders Bros. keep the roadies happy.
The Alt fills the family owned niche and serves the BMX aficionados, cruiser culture and is one of the oldest skateboard/snowboard shops in the Midwest.
One On One and Cars-R-Coffins have the ‘cult of personality’ and serve up quality vittles and art on top of bikes and service.
While us Hubsters are what we state: A Worker Owned Co-Op selling and servicing “all types of bikes, for all types of people”.
Support your local independent bike shop!
June 7, 2009
· Filed under Cycling, Gear, Wisdom · Tagged 105, brooks saddles, chris king headset, handsome cycles, handsome devil
It’s finally done.
I had intended to rock some mustache handlebars, but after test riding a pair I decided that they were too narrow and I didn’t care for the body positioning.
I decided to install some Salsa Bell Lap bars. I really like the width and the flared drops.
Also new are the 105 compact cranks with external bearing bottom bracket, and my first Chris King NoThread headset.
I still need to get a new seatpost (I need a silver one. The black just isn’t working) and saddle (Brooks most likely).
But for now, the new Cycling Home Tour machine is complete.
May 7, 2009
· Filed under Life, News, Wisdom · Tagged bike, bike to work day, bike to work week, may 14th
A message from the City of Minneapolis’ Bike Walk Ambassadors:
It’s Time for the 5th Annual Bike Walk to Work Day & We Need You!
The 5th Annual Bike Walk to Work (or School) Day Celebration is Thursday, May 14th. Bike Walk Week is May 10th-16th. Last Year over 2,500 people pledged to bike, walk, or extend a trip with transit without using a car! Bike Walk Week is all about celebrating bicycling and walking. You can also win great stuff.
This year we want to have 5,000 people who pledge to get around greener, healthier, happier, and cheaper. Here is how you can help:
1. Register yourself for Bike Walk Week. REGISTER NOW
2. Get someone you know to register. There are lots of ways you can help others to replace at least one car trip. Check out the Spread the Word website for more information.
3. Visit a Celebration Location on Bike Walk to Work (or School) Day on Thursday, May 14th. For a list of locations and deals click here.
4. Volunteer for Bike Walk to Work Day events. For details about how you can support Bike Walk Week click here. You can also directly contact Jacqueline Scott-Hopkins or call 612.333.3410.
Of course for some of us, nearly EVERYDAY is Bike To Work Day
May 6, 2009
· Filed under Real Estate Resources, Wisdom
3019 Grand St. NE
I’ve learn that there are no easy deals in this market.
But this one…..both the buyer and I worked tirelessly to bring this one to a successful end.
When considering purchasing a foreclosed home, the buyer needs to be ready for a three ring circus.
Is it worth it…OH, YEAH!
March 23, 2009
· Filed under Cycling, Life, Wisdom · Tagged yehuda moon
March 21, 2009
· Filed under Cycling, Gear, Wisdom · Tagged casual agent, co-op., crosscheck, deep-v, defy 3, giant bikes, long haul trucker, orbea, orbea orca, surly, the hub bike co-op, velocity, vicious cycles, vittoria
As you might imagine, things are picking up at The Hub Bike Co-Op. 40 degrees seems to be the magic number, and with the possibility of highs near 60 today it could be a very busy day.
Here’s what folks seem to be gravitating to at the Minnehaha location:
The Giant Defy 3
A great, well-spec’d first road bike. Shorter top tube for a slightly more upright positioning then a traditional road bike, hyrdo-formed tubing for vertical compliance, mix of Sora/Tiagra components, carbon fiber seatpost and fork make for a no-brainer for those looking for a new way to ride. Particularly popular with the first time tri-athletes.
White Vittoria Zaffiro Pro
White tires in general are flying out the door. There’s this kevlar beaded 700×23 Zaffiro, and the 700×35 Randonneur. I pre-seasoned what I thought would be enough to get me through April, and we sold out by March, 1st, long before the streets were “clean”.
I was a bit flabbergasted by that. I’ve re-ordered twice as many and they should be back in the store the first week of April.
Velocity Deep V rims and wheels
What can I say; The Kids Love ‘em. Colors. colors, colors!
Also this week, the much awaited bikes from Vicious Cycles will arrive
The Casual Agent
An amazing cro-moly tubeset with all the bells and whistles. An epic bike, for the epic cyclist.
Over at the West Bank store it’s all about Surly
Long Haul Trucker
LHT’s, Crosschecks, Steamrollers, Big Dummy Cargo bikes, even a fair number of Pugsleys.
You want it, they probably have one built up in your size and ready to ride at the West Bank Hub.
Finally, check out Orbea
The Orca
Looking for the ride of your life? Look no further.
Built with Co-Op pride in the heart of the Pyrenees.
See you at the shop.
