Century Cycles

Cycling smackdown in the comics

2009-07-13T05:50:00.002-04:00

Remember this little comics gem from Stephan Pastis in "Pearls Before Swine?"

Well, here was the response from Jef Mallet in "Frazz" on Saturday:

Make it 8

2009-07-12T21:46:00.002-04:00

A TdF fan lives on the corner of Bassett and Lake Roads in Bay Village....

Our Latest eNewsletter

2009-07-11T13:01:00.004-04:00

Our latest e-mail newsletter was sent out this past Thursday evening. If you didn't receive it, you can read it online here. If you'd like to sign up to receive it in your Inbox in the future (and catch up on archived past issues), you can do so here.

Highlights from the latest issue include:

Pictures and wrap-up of our last Night Ride on the Towpath Trail.
Bicycle Touring Travelers Visit Ohio
Two upcoming events sponsored by Century Cycles: Ice Cream Odyssey and Cycle Canalway
HOT Product - Keen Cycling Sandals
Staff Profile: Tom Wiseman
Burley Trailers on Sale
TechTalk: Freewheels vs. Freehubs

Spend the weekend on your bike!

2009-07-10T11:07:00.005-04:00

TONIGHT: Join us in Peninsula for the Night Ride! Always free, always fun, and no registration necessary. Plus need something last-minute before the Night Ride? The Peninsula store is open until the ride starts at 8 p.m. for gloves, energy bars, sunglasses, bike lights, and all those little things that make life worth living.

SATURDAY AND SUNDAY: Ride your bike to the Ingenuity Festival this weekend and save 50% on your admission ticket! (Or enter "BIKE" as the promotion code when buying tix online.) ClevelandBikes will have free, safe, secure bike parking off Prospect Avenue just west of E. 14th Street.

SATURDAY JULY 18: Walk+Roll Old Brooklyn at Brooklyn Centre! The Old Brooklyn Community Development Corp is bringing bicycling and walking to the All Access Home and Bicycle Tour this year. The event will not involve a street closing, but it will include free bicycle tours, walking tours, trolley tours, local businesses, historic homes and cemeteries in one of Cleveland's most interesting neighborhoods. More info here.

AND ALSO THE 22nd ICE CREAM ODYSSEY ON JULY 18. Medina. Bicycle outing on a summer's day through quaint small towns over scenic, rolling terrain. Routes of 25/42/62 miles are fully-supported; barbeque lunch at finish. Free tee shirts to first 150 registered. Register online through Web site. Medina County Bicycle Club. (330) 421-1987. MedinaBikeClub.org

Go to our website for even more great rides and listings!

Friday Night Ride on the Towpath

2009-07-09T20:30:00.009-04:00

Recently listed by The Plain Dealer as one of the region's free and fun attractions, Century Cycles Night Rides on the Towpath Trail are a great way to enjoy a summer night without breaking the bank! Tomorrow's Night Ride starts at 8 p.m. in the parking lot of the Peninsula store. Bike at your own pace for a 12-15 mile ride that takes about two hours. Bike lights and helmets are required.

Can't join us tomorrow? Then plan to join us in the future! The remaining dates for 2009: July 25, August 8, August 28, September 19, or October 9.

(Photo by Doug Charnock.)

Staff Profile: Tom Wiseman

2009-07-09T17:36:00.006-04:00

The Medina store’s Tom Wiseman has a 12-year history with Century Cycles, yet has only four years’ tenure as an employee. He was on staff from 1997 to 1999, then came back into the Century Cycles fold in 2007. Tom has a strong background in mountain bike racing, but he is no slouch when it comes to road racing, either. He recently came in second in the 35-39 age group in the Twin Sizzler, a 27-mile bike race that’s an annual July 4^th tradition in Medina.

Q: Congratulations on coming in second in your age group! How did the race go?

A: I’m used to mountain bike races. When I compete in road bike races, I never save anything for the end sprint. With a race that short, the whole thing is a sprint. I have a Polar cycling computer that’s also a heart rate monitor and it told me I burned 1,600 calories in the one hour and 10 minutes of the race. I went home afterwards and took a nap, then ate burgers and beer -- it was July 4^th! (Polar computers are available by special order from Century Cycles.)

Q: What is your biggest accomplishment on a bicycle?

A: Any ride that I don’t crash or break my bike.

Q: Not Alaska?! (Tom and a friend came in first place in the 2007 Fireweed 400, also known as the Great Alaska Double Century, in the Men’s Duo category.)

A: The Fireweed 400 is probably my most memorable race, but it’s not my biggest accomplishment on a bike. I was in Alaska to support the team as a mechanic, but instead of wrenching I ended up riding. It certainly was the best five-day trip I’ve ever had, but I’ve had more exciting races and wins closer to home. I’m much more proud of my mountain bike racing.

Q: What’s your biggest accomplishment in mountain bike racing?

A: I competed in the Ohio Mountain Bike Racing Series from 1996 until 2006, and I spent four of those years ranked in the top 10. It was a much bigger field of competitors and there was much more adversity to overcome to be successful. Those races are what are really at the top of my accomplishments. But it’s not about racing.

Q: What’s it about?

A: It’s about friends.

Q: What bike did you ride in the Twin Sizzler and how many bikes do you own?

A: I rode a Raleigh Prestige road bike in the Twin Sizzler. I’m down to four bikes now. I had 12, but I had to put my wife through nursing school.

Q: Do you have a favorite bike?

A: No. I go through them pretty quickly, getting a new bike every 18 months or so. I’ve owned every manufacturer. Probably the bike I most fondly remember is a Schwinn Homegrown from the mid-1990s.

Q: What was your first bike?

A: My first “real” bike was a Diamondback Apex, which I got as a freshman in college at Kent State.

Q: What’s the best mountain bike on the floor at Century Cycles right now?

A: I really like the Giant Anthem. I’ve been on it for two years and am not planning to replace it, which is unusual for me. Its durability and ride quality are good. It’s a well-engineered bike. The whole package.

Q: What’s your favorite local trail or ride?

A: Vulture’s Knob. I was part of the group that helped Mark Condry build a large percentage of it. He and I are good friends.

Q: What three words describe how you feel on a bike?

A: Just. Three. Words?!

Q: Dirt or road?

A: Definitely dirt.

Q: When you’re not riding a bike or working at Century Cycles, what do you like to do?

A: I like to spend time with my wife and family. Just relax. Read. I’m a history buff. Anything that helps me get my mind off the everyday stuff.

Q: What’s your favorite beer?

A: A beer brewed by a guy I grew up with – Hoppin’ Frog Brewery’s Black & Tan. I also really like Hoppin’ Frog Brewery Boris the Crusher, a dark stout. I remember when he used to brew beer in his basement and now he has a brewery near the Goodyear blimp hangar in Akron.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

A: I was in a race a long time ago and a guy passed me like I was standing still. I asked him, “when do you rest?” He said, “I rest at home.” I do the same thing now – give it everything I’ve got and no rest until I get home.

Q: What piece of advice do you try to share with customers?

A: Spend the extra now and you’ll thank yourself later. If you think you want it, you do. The only thing worse than buyer’s remorse is losing in a sprint.

Twin Sizzler Superstars!

Besides Tom Wiseman, other Century Cycles employees who competed in the Twin Sizzler on July 4th and deserve hearty congratulations include Adam Rady, 1^st place in the 20-24 age group; Andrew Copenhavel, 4^th place in the 15-19 age group; Drew Rady, 4^th place in the 30-34 age group; and Kevin Madzia, 15^th place in the 40-44 age group. Way to go!!

TechTalk: Freewheels vs. Freehubs

2009-07-09T10:35:00.008-04:00

Most people like to take a break from pedaling once in a while during their bike ride and just coast along, either to cruise down a hill or catch their breath for a few moments on a smooth, flat stretch of road. Many people don't understand the inner workings of the mechanism that allows you to coast. What keeps your feet from having to keep moving with the wheels? The answer is either a freewheel or a freehub.

All modern multi-speed bikes use either a freewheel or a freehub system on the rear wheel, unless they are using an internally geared rear hub. Most bikes with 7 gears or less on the rear wheel use a freewheel; most bike with 8 gears or more on the rear wheel use a freehub, although there are some 7-speed freehub systems in use. The outward appearance of a freewheel and a freehub is not noticeably different to the average bicycle owner.

In both cases, inside the freewheel or freehub is a set of bearings that are separate from the bearings inside the wheel's main axle. Working in conjunction with these bearings is a set of spring-loaded pawls. When you pedal forward, the pawls lock into position to turn the wheel forward. When you stop pedaling, the pawls release, causing the clicking sound that you usually hear when coasting.

The difference between a freewheel system and a freehub system is in the location of the coasting mechanism.

On a freewheel system, the coasting mechanism is built into the gear cluster. The term "freewheel" refers to the whole gear cluster with the coasting mechanism inside. The freewheel is screwed onto a set of threads on the right-hand side of the wheel's hub.

On a freehub system, the coasting mechanism is a sub-assembly of the wheel's hub. The gear cluster is a unit with non-moving parts, and is referred to as a cassette. The cassette slides into place onto the freehub body and is held in position by a series of ridges, or splines, and locked in place using a cassette lockring.

The diagram below highlights the differences between freehub system (top) and a freewheel system (bottom).

(Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Labeled_Bicycle_Hub_Comparison-en.svg)

The red dots indicate the position of the main hub's axle bearings. Notice how they are more widely spaced on the freehub axle compared to the freewheel axle. The freewheel bearing placement worked great for decades and was durable enough for most applications. However, when mountain biking exploded in the 1980's, riders experienced frequent problems with their axles snapping in half. This led to the development of the more durable freehub system, and it's used on most better bikes (road as well as mountain) priced over $400. You are still likely to find the less-expensive freewheel system on bikes under $400.

A 6-speed freewheel

When the mechanism wears out in a freewheel, you just replace the entire freewheel (with gear cluster). When the freehub mechanism wears out, you can remove the cassette, replace the freehub, then re-install the cassette.

A 10-speed road bike cassette

These days, since freewheels are mostly used on kid's bikes and less-expensive adult bikes, the quality level of most replacement freewheels available are pretty much equivalent. However, there are a wide range of freehubs available from a variety of manufacturers today. One of the things that makes one freehub better than another is the number of pawls in the freehub mechanism, and the number of engagement points for the pawls. Increasing the number of pawls and/or engagement points makes the freehub engage faster when you start pedaling, with less free "spinning" before the force of your legs gets put to use.

For single-speed drive trains, both the freewheel and and freehub mechanisms are in common use. The working principle for both is the same as their multi-speed brethren. A single-speed freewheel has the coasting mechanism built inside a single cog that is bolted onto the wheel's main hub. These are common on BMX bikes, most single-speed kid's bikes, and many single-speed mountain bikes (both high- and low-end).

A single-speed freewheel

A single-speed freehub has the same type of splines as a multi-speed freehub; the freehub body is just shorter to accomodate a single cassette cog. The are common on many single-speed mountain bikes (both high- and low-end).

A single-speed cassette cog

"Super Dave" tours the Midwest and East Coast

2009-07-08T15:23:00.004-04:00

The latest long-distance bicycle tourist to stop in the Peninsula store yesterday is this guy, with his home-made snowmobile-shaped cargo trailer, weighing in at 75lbs!

His name is Dave; although I didn't catch his last name, he said all of his friends and the bike shops in his home of Marquette, Michigan (on the Upper Peninsula) know him as "Super Dave." He does a long ride every summer; this year, he's riding through the Midwest, and will proceed through Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, and then continue down the East Coast to Florida.

He's raising money for The Smile Train, an organization that funds corrective surgery for children afflicted with cleft palate.

Duck On A Bike

2009-07-05T01:13:00.001-04:00

Even a duck can't resist the lure of a shiny, red bicycle....

Happy Independence Day

2009-07-04T01:39:00.007-04:00

In honor of Independence Day, here are two stories about bicyclists who helped to defend our country's freedom. Both stories come to us courtesy of the Adventure Cycling Association.

The first is the story of the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps, an all-black regiment in the segregated 19th-century US Army. Based in Ft. Missoula, Montana, the regiment traveled by bicycle from there to St. Louis, Missouri, a total of 1,900 miles in 41 days during 1897. The purpose of the trip was to experiment to see whether the bicycle could serve a useful purpose in the Army.

You can read a day-by-day account of the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps at: http://www.bicyclecorps.blogspot.com

Fast forward to World War II for the next story. A folding military bike was used by some of the British paratroopers deployed in the D-Day invasion on the coast of Normandy on June 6, 1944. Shown here is a re-enactor on a replica model. You can read more details here.

This last story is not bicycle-related, but I thought it was cool. Take one high school class project, a disappointing grade, and a couple dozen calls and letters to the White House. What you get is the story behind our current 50-star flag came to be. Listen to online at NPR's StoryCorps.

Have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Top 10 Reasons Geeks Should Love the Tour

2009-07-03T14:05:00.005-04:00

The Tour de France begins tomorrow, and that means it's time to reduce my Netflix subscription down to one DVD, for there is no movie-watching in our house in July.

Instead, we'll spend the next three weeks with Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen, who are reason #5 on this awesome list of Top Ten Reasons That Geeks Should Love the Tour de France. Doug Cornelius has it right -- the Tour is filled with geeky goodness. It's also filled with enough drama and humor that I don't miss movies one bit while it's on.

The derailleurs that inspired "Disraeli Gears"

2009-07-03T13:32:00.005-04:00

Every week I look forward to the Tuesday Trivia email quiz from the legendary geek hero Ken Jennings. Two weeks ago, here was a Q and Ken's A:

5. Derailleur systems are the "gears" on what type of device? A derailleur is the system that includes the gears (sprockets, actually) on a bicycle. I just found out this week that the classic Cream album Disraeli Gears is named for a roadie's mispronunciation of the word "derailleur." Cool, right?

Cool is right, Ken! But I wanted more details. Off to Wikipedia!

The title of the album was taken from an inside joke. Eric Clapton had been thinking of buying a racing bicycle and was discussing it with Ginger Baker, when a roadie named Mick Turner commented, "it's got them Disraeli Gears", meaning to say "derailleur gears", but instead alluding to 19th Century British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli. The band thought this was hilarious, and decided that it should be the title of their next album. Had it not been for Mick, the album would simply have been entitled Cream.

The album, which featured "Strange Brew" and "Sunshine of Your Love," went on to be a huge seller in both the UK and America.

Bike donated to the Bay Skate and Bike Park Foundation

2009-07-02T17:21:00.006-04:00

If you go to Bay Days this holiday weekend to partake of the carnival food and rides, be sure to stop by the Bay Skate and Bike Park Foundation booth. They are selling raffle tickets now through Saturday to win this Electra Navy cruiser donated by Century Cycles. The proceeds go to BSBP, which is trying to move heaven and earth and local politics to create a place for west side kids to enjoy their skateboards and bicycles.

Or: Save yourself 3,000 elephant-ear calories and a stomachache from the Roundup by just donating to BSBP here. It's a tax-deductible act of civic altruism to add to your July 4th festivities, plus founder and BSBP grand poobah Lawrence Kuh (below left) and his crew of skate and bike kids will really appreciate the help.

Night Ride Photos from June 27, 2009

2009-07-01T13:36:00.003-04:00

Our pictures from this past Saturday's record-breaking Night Ride on the Towpath Trail are now available!

Thanks to Brent, Doug, and Petch for the great photos!

Bike Sales Higher Than Car Sales in 2009

2009-07-01T11:32:00.002-04:00

During the first quarter of 2009, more bicycles were sold in the US than cars and trucks!

Read more details in this article on the "Energy Boom" web site.

(Thanks to Brent for the link.)

Matthew Lee first to finish Tour Divide Race

2009-06-30T20:27:00.003-04:00

At 9:45am (Mountain Time) this morning, Matthew Lee became the first to reach the Mexican border and victory in the Tour Divide, finishing with a time of 17 days, 23 hours, and 45 minutes.

The Tour Divide is a race along the Great Divide Mountain Bike Route, which stretches 2,493 miles from Banff, Alberta to Antelope Wells, New Mexico.

This was Matthew's 6th time finishing the race, 4th time winning, and 2nd consecutive win. Read more details at the official Tour Divide web site.

Whether you follow bicycle racing or not, you gotta appreciate that that's some serious riding.

Peninsula store will be open on Independence Day

2009-06-29T13:49:00.004-04:00

PLEASE NOTE: Our Peninsula store ONLY will be open this Saturday, July 4th, 2009 from 10:00am until 5:00pm for full service, sales, and bicycle rentals. The Medina and Rocky River stores will be CLOSED for the Independence Day holiday.

Our regular Hours of Operation will be in effect on all other days.

Have a safe and happy Independence Day!

Bicycle tourers make a two-day Cleveland stop

2009-06-29T07:13:00.005-04:00

Zach and Troy are riding cross-country from eastern Pennsylvania to Astoria, Oregon. Last week, they had a complete Century Cycles experience -- staying with CC co-founder Lois Moss while in town (whom they found via Warm Showers - "hospitality for touring cyclists"), stopping by the Rocky River store for some much-needed bike service from Matt Miller and the crew, then meeting Scott Cowan and the CC gang when they rode through the GOBA camp.

The photos are from their trip blog, from a post they titled "Cleveland rocks!" Had to post the one below, because it's an angle on Cleveland you really don't see enough.

The frogs talking

2009-06-29T06:55:00.003-04:00

Back on June 14, Kevin told you about Francis and Helene (above), worldwide bicycle tourers on a stopover in Peninsula. On Friday, we heard from Francis, who posted the following comment:

Hello! The frogs talking...Thank you all for helping us so nicely with our little kick stand problem. You are definitely the coolest bike shop we saw on our way! And of course, a special thanks to Garry and his family for welcoming us to their place for a night. That was unexpected and ... awesome. We just left the Underground Railroad and are now in Toronto, ready to ride the last part of our trip: La route verte in Quebec to Montreal. All the best to all of you and to the shop. Francis et Helene

Record Night Ride crowd greets NiteRider

2009-06-29T06:32:00.006-04:00

Rich, one of the new guys in Peninsula, was perched on the southbound rise off the Lock 29 Trailhead parking lot, counting the Night Riders heading north for the evening's ride. His tally: A record 215 cyclists!

Thank you to everyone who came, making it our biggest Night Ride ever! Thanks so much to Tommy from NiteRider, who brought his recently-repaired rig, his vast lighting and cycling knowledge, and some cool lights for folks to demo. (A new Night Rider asked if Tommy comes to every Century Cycles Night Ride. We can only wish, but we are crossing fingers he comes back to us on his 2010 rounds.)

And congratulations to Ken Haver, who won the NiteRider MiNewt Mini-USB light!

In the blur of bike lights and bicycles, I seem to recall a few photographs being taken on Saturday night, so we'll see if we can get those posted here in the next day or two. In the meantime, mark your calendars for the next Night Ride on Friday, July 10 -- and let's see if Rich can count higher than 215.

Tonight: NiteRider bike light demo, display, and giveaway!

2009-06-27T08:31:00.006-04:00

Tonight's Night Ride on the Towpath Trail is chock full of awesomeness:

NiteRider Technical Lighting Systems is joining us and giving away this NiteRider MiNewt Mini-USB bicycle light (MSRP: $100)!
Starting at 6pm, the NiteRider trailer -- the same one that goes to bicycling events all around the U.S. and Canada -- will have all the latest and greatest high-powered bicycle lighting systems on display, with Tommy there to answer all your questions.
Fifty Night Riders will be able to demo a NiteRider bicycling lighting system on the Night Ride, which starts at 8pm as usual.
Plus in honor of NiteRider's visit and just for our kick-ass Night Riders, Century Cycles is offering a coupon good for 10% off a NiteRider bicycle light at any CC store through July 5.
Oh, yeah, and it's all FREE!

Downtown Cleveland bike rentals begin today

2009-06-26T13:37:00.004-04:00

We're one step closer to being a more bike-friendly city! Check out this article from The Plain Dealer about the Downtown Cleveland Alliance's bike rental program, City Bikes, which launches today. You can find them on East Fourth Street, across from Flannery's Pub, from 10am to 8pm daily through August 31 (limited availability in September). Cost is $15 for two hours, $6 for a one-hour noon rental.

Sometimes we just can't help it...

2009-06-25T16:25:00.005-04:00

During a recent grocery shopping trip to a local supermarket Brad, from our River Store, came across a bike that needed a little TLC. When you've put together as many bikes as Brad, I guess you notice the little things. Thanks Brad, you saved someones future cycling experience!

'Tis The Season

2009-06-24T19:26:00.005-04:00

It seems that the season of bicycle touring is in full swing. We had the privilege of seeing two groups of bicycling tourists go through Rocky River on Saturday. Both were heading west and it definitely made some of us at the shop a little jealous! Thanks to Phil and Lauren, and Gerry and Kris for saying hello!

Gerry and Kris ended up staying at my apartment that evening so I showed them around town and hopefully gave them a nice break from sleeping on the ground. Follow Gerry on his blog: www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/GLaP2009

Free Guided Bicycle Tours at Waterloo Arts Fest this Sat 6/27

2009-06-24T16:52:00.003-04:00

Saturday June 27, 2009

Free guided rides to, from and around Collinwood - one of Cleveland's funkiest, funnest, fastest changing neighborhoods - and the Waterloo Arts Fest!

Do 1, 2 or all 3:

11am: Rockefeller Park to Waterloo Arts Fest
1pm: Collinwood neighborhood loop
3pm: Waterloo Arts Fest to Rockefeller Park

Rockefeller Park is the beautiful, narrow park that includes The Cultural Gardens, along MLK Blvd between I-90 and the Cleveland Museum of Art. Meet and end in the parking lot at East 105th Street and MLK Blvd, across from the tennis courts.

At the fest, there will be bicycle decorating, bicycle art, maintance tips, and more plus food, music, art, games and some of the most interesting people and intriguing places in Cleveland. Come for a short visit or stay the entire day exploring, creating and experiencing.

The bike rides are free but you must sign a waiver before leaving and you must wear a helmet. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. The rides will be mostly on quiet streets with low traffic volumes, will go at an easy pace, and riders of all experience levels are welcome.

Brought to you by Arts Collinwood, Clevelanders in Motion, Ohio City Bicycle Co-op, ClevelandBikes, Walk+Roll and dozens of volunteers.