Everybody's been here.

December 22, 2015

          I don’t know how people do it. I have been doing it for one week and already I have started at yelling to no one in particular. I would say I have an intense disposition towards intensity with brief periods of calm and hints of boredom. I am not going to go into the whys of my ways, it is just something of a disclaimer regarding the nature of this article. I am also generally pretty tolerant of the general public, for the most part.

          Northwest Portland is arguably one of the more difficult places to operate an automobile, especially under the pangs of hunger. A pedestrian crossing here, a cyclist running a stop sign there, oh wait, another pedestrian crossing, the lights turning yellow, “shit, I’m in the middle of the intersection”, go, go, go, STOP(!), pedestrian!! Ahh!!! My mind is spinning out of control.

23rd & NW Raleigh can get pretty busy, what with the New Season's and a new street light going in last summer. Peel your eyes and turn your brain on.

          Before I continue stressing you out, I’m going to back up a bit. I injured my knee last week. It’s nothing serious, it was my own stupid decision-making mistake that lead me on this path. It’s not even anything cool, let’s just say I am now another type of statistic who has been relegated to their auto for, well, not even that long really. Point is, I cannot ride my bike until I can fully walk upright.

          My ride to work is a measly 8000 feet and I enjoy being on my bike for every loving foot of those feet. I really miss my bike. Even in the rain. I really think it brings out the best in people to be on a bike. Getting somewhere under your own steam is something of a novelty these days. With everything so automated in today’s world, bikes are rad! They are not automated, you can have a ride that employs all of your attention or most of your attention. Some people even enjoy a ride where their attention is unemployed. Which is very dangerous - I would exercise a great deal of caution here folks.

          Ride Safe. Employ the use of a helmet and enjoy for those who cannot take part or for those that choose not too.

December 27, 2015

          So, today I rode my bike to work. There is a small hill leaving my apartment here in NW PDX that I start up on my commute. I like to stand up and get the blood moving and get the breathing going. I felt the cold wind on my face descending into town and was able to weave my way past all the metal boxes jockeying for a parking spot or making a snap decision. It is a jungle out there and it’s fun to ride in the jungle, baby. I love negotiating the whims and arrows of city traffic.

The Author, dropping his main squeeze at work, continues his escapades. Ah, the Joy of Cycling!

Lube it or Lose it...Three Flavors to Save it!

As bike mechanics, we know that it becomes necessary to have 'the talk' with developing cyclists.  You know the symptoms: high pitched squeaking, rusty discoloration/discharge and if left untreated for extended periods, total parts failure.  Perhaps you as a rider once lived in a more mild climate or had been attended to by a well-meaning bike mechanic who treated you kindly but perhaps never had the guts to break down the situation in great detail.  Here at 21st Avenue Bikes we don't shy away from having 'the talk' about proper chain lubrication.  Because we care.  Here are three different flavors of chain lube we sell and recommend...

Tri-Flow: Superior Lubricant

Tri-Flow is a light oil with PTFE, a teflon additive.  When you apply it to your chain you add a thin layer of protective film to the metal moving surfaces.  Before you use it, shake the bottle thoroughly to disperse the PTFE additive that sinks to the bottom.  The bottle comes with a handy plastic applicator tube.  It is the only chain lube we sell that comes in a black bottle.

Kurt: "It's affordable.  You will need to reapply any lube you buy.  It is what bike shops smell like and possibly made out of bananas."

Prolink and Prolink Xtreme chain lube: with MFR Technology

Do you like cleaning your chain?  Probably not.  Prolink likes to clean your chain.  The patented M etal F riction R educer magic works great.  After you apply Prolink, wipe down your chain with a clean rag and witness the amazing cleaning action of MFR tech.  It does not smell like bananas.

Ben:  "Prolink's solvent action lubes, cleans and protects in one step.  Lube on, wipe off and... all done.  I like that it does not have a disturbing food smell."

Dumonde Tech Lite Chain Lube

This is heavier and more viscous than your average chain lubricant.  This means more staying power in wet'n nasty riding conditions.  Dumonde recommends that you thoroughly clean your chain before applying this lube.  Many people believe that it carries the odor of a delightful cave-aged blue cheese.  You decide.

Jerry:  "Built by science for nerds."

What about other chain lubes?   And whats the deal with chain wax?  I heard it is the best.     

There are many fine chain lubrication products on the market.  As the old joke goes, ask two bike mechanics which lube they like and you'll get two answers and a third that both of them hate.  The most important feature of any chain lubricant is that you use it regularly.  Wet Portland riding conditions will wash even the stickiest lube off your chain so be prepared to reapply your lube of choice following a rainy ride.  That could mean lubing up three to five times a week!

Products that are powered by "Ice", "Lightning" or "Honey Bees" are generally wax or silicone-based chain lubricants.  These products coat the chain surface with, you guessed it, the waxy stuff.  Over time, wax lubricants migrate away from the surfaces they are meant to protect and accumulate on nearby surfaces.  In dry riding conditions this takes a fairly long time and as a result wax lubes don't need to reapplied very often. 

In sloppy, rainy Portland conditions these wax lubes wear off fast and gunk up drive parts.  Chain cleaners and normal solvents don't break down these compounds making them very difficult to clean.  The best way to remove wax from chains is boiling them in a pot of water, which can be a real drag.  Different strokes for different folks, different lubes for different tudes'...but you've been warned. 

Clean, Classic, Classy. Twin Six Rando Custom

We've stocked Twin Six clothing for a few years now, and dig how their line is full of solid designs- timeless without being "retro" but not lacking for solid cuts and good technical features. Over last winter, they introduced a line of frames with the same vibe, and we recently had the opportunity to build up someone's Dream Bike on the "Standard Rando" frameset. Tim worked with customer Cory to make a value-packed go-anywhere machine for, well, going anywhere. A mixed Ultegra/105 drivetrain was matched to a hand built set of DT 350 hubs and WTB Frequency CX tubeless-ready rims laced up with DT competition spokes. TRP brakes, Easton/Salsa/Brooks stuff rounded out the package. Nothing too fancy, but all great durable stuff that should last a long damn time and handle just about anything from commuting to gravel to Randonnee rides (surprise surprise...)

Classic lines with modern geometry. Well suited for many styles of riding. Twin Six, you may be new to the frame game but they know a thing or two.

Shimano 105 cranks and derailleurs with Ultegra Shifters, Chain and Cassette. Put the dollars where performance really matters.

Wheel MFG PF30-Shimano adapter bottom bracket. Threads together to solidify a generally weak BB interface. Also, Enduro sealed angular contact bearings. Portland winters, meet your match.

Chris King headset- in traditional boldface logo, keeping the theme of white/silver on black with the Shimano/King/Easton/DT Swiss/WTB parts.

TRP Spyre brakes are awesome and quiet. Enough said.