Reflective

Have we got a t-shirt for you.

You've heard of Bike Safe Boston, right? Bike Safe Boston is behind those very smart Bicyclists' Accident Reports (we've got 'em here, come pick up a couple... they're as free as they are smart). Well, this Bike Safe Boston shirt is a biking safety two-fer.

Number one- it's reflective!

The print on the front and back is retroreflective. By day, it looks like regular ol' print, but by night, hit it with a light source and get noticed.

The second 'fer is that 100% of the profits go to local bicycle advocacy. Mass Bike, the Boston Cyclists Union, and Livable Streets help to make the world a safer place for cyclists (and peds, and drivers, and just about everybody who transports).

Sizes S-XL in stock now for $29.

Coincidence?

I was catching up on some bicycle blogs this morning. Like you do. As I was reading the newest post from Bike Snob NYC This bike came through the door:

I was reading the sentence about 'cockpit sausages' when a 'cockpit sausage' appeared. What?!? Looks like I need to find a blog post about free, sub-25 lbs., 120mm travel trail bikes being given away to  small business owners.  

Help Wanted

Happy last day of 'winter'. Things have gone from busy to busier around here, so it's time I got a little help. I wrote a help wanted ad- please pass it along to any unemployed or unhappily employed bicycle mechanics you know. It goes a little something like this:

Hub Bicycle Co., located in beautiful Cambridge, MA, is hiring! Are you a talented mechanic with bicycle industry experience looking for a small, but growing, service oriented shop to work in? Do you believe that bicycles make the world a better place? Are you comfortable working on the full range of bicycles and components- from big box specials to carbon race rockets? Hydraulic brakes, wheel building, suspension, and three speed hubs? We should talk.


You can expect part time employment (with the possibility of full, for the right person) competitive pay based on experience, employee discounts on bikes/parts/stuff, opportunities to participate in advocacy, community education & trail building, and a relaxed, positive work environment. Please email a cover letter and resume to Emily (emily@hubbicycle.com) if that sounds good to you. Emails only, please. Thanks!

Bike Sharing is Caring

Moments after I reading about the return of Hubway (no relation) on Boston Biker, I received this in the mail:

Why would someone who already owns an unhealthy number of bikes (yeah, I said it) want to join a bike share? I think it's a good idea (good for people who don't have a bike, good for people who want to try out biking before committing to it, good for tourists, good for people making burrito runs at lunch time, etc.) and it makes sense to support good ideas. I'm not sure how often I'll take advantage of these bikes- although I'll have more opportunity to with the expansion of stations into Cambridge- but I'm really looking forward to going on a lunch run or two on one of these babies. Learn more about it, or join (it looks like there's a spring special happening...) here.
   

Eleven

The last time I posted here was two weeks ago?!? Time flies when you're making bicycle dreams come true. Like this one:

From single speed to 11 speed in a single afternoon. Now would be a good time to make a "goes to eleven" joke, but I'll let you take care of that- I've got to get back to work.

Old Dog, New Bike

If you don't mind being a little chilled, the past couple of weeks have been great for riding. I've been fitting in a little singletrack time in the mornings when the trails are nice 'n frozen.  I coaxed my riding partner out into the cold Actually, I didn't have to do anything. She was born ready for winter riding.

Look at that face.

I got a new single speed MTB frame recently (don't worry- one in, one out- enjoy your new home, Frankenbike). Maybe I'll write more about it later. Or maybe not. We'll see. I will say it's pretty sweet. Not that I'm overly concerned with weight- but I'm pretty excited that this bike built up more than 2lbs lighter than my last setup.  It makes me feel fast.  Like awesome bike racer fast. It's really a feeling more than an actual improvement in performance, though. I'm pretty sure I look like this when I ride (oh, or this- thanks, Jody).

It comes with operating instructions right on the top tube and it's sporting this years hottest fashion accessory- the NEMBA Headcap. Don't be jealous. Get yours here.

That's a First

Unfortunately, I've heard plenty of stories of bikes and their parts being stolen. Whole bikes lifted up and off of the sign posts they were locked to. Cable locks quickly snipped. More than a handful "Well... I actually forgot to lock it..." Hundreds of wheels, and seats/seat posts taken by (best case) hungry orphans who needed the bike parts more than you.

Yesterday, a woman dragged her bike in because a hungry orphan stole the front tube from her bike. Just the front tube. The thief went to the trouble to remove the wheel from the bike, remove the tire from the rim (with the tire levers he/she just happened to have in his/her pocket), remove the tube from the tire, and then leave the wheel and tire in a nice pile beside the bike.

That's the first time I've ever heard of someone stealing exactly and only the part that he/she needed.

If you're ever in desperate need of a tube and you're thinking about stealing one- don't. Just stop by the shop- I'll give you one and we can work out a payment plan.