Century Cycles Blog

Customer Connections - Claus Meyer

2024-01-17T12:43:00.002-05:00

"About 5 years ago, I gave up running due to an injury on my Achilles’ tendon. I always had an interest in cycling, and after getting to know Bob Soroky from Century Cycles through a few Medina Chamber of Commerce networking events, I decided to pursue cycling.

I met up with Bob at the Century store in Medina and explained to him that I was looking for a good lightweight bike, was somewhat on a budget at the time, and not interested in racing but more focused on endurance. He showed me several bikes that would fit my goals, and I settled on the Giant Defy Advanced 3 full carbon drop bar road bike. Also, while I was there, one of the sales people talked me into signing up for the BikeMS fundraiser ride and Team Left Hand, which was a 100 mile ride the first day and 75 the next day. This great cause gave me the motivation to train hard and prepare for the event.

After that first summer of riding, I realized that I enjoyed it and it was time for an upgrade. The following year, after discussing my new goals with a sales person at CC, I upgraded to the Giant Defy Advanced 1. It met all my expectations as it was light weight, great for endurance, and comfortable. Over the years, the staff at Century Cycles have always been friendly, courteous, professional, and helpful."

"When I take the bike in for repairs, Century takes the time to explain what they are doing and how I can better maintain the bike. And, as always, they strive to get the bike back to me as soon as possible.

Looking back, I am glad that I got to know Bob at the Medina Chamber as he reintroduced to me the world of cycling. Cycling has taken the place of running, helps me stay healthy, reduces stress in my life, and has opened up a world of new friendships."

Thanks, Claus, for making Century Cycles your go-to bike shop and being such a valued customer. Not only do we appreciate your business, but your continued support and participation with Team Left Hand / Century Cycles, and financial support of programs like our Medina Bike to School Challenge! See you on the road!

5 Tips: Set up for Bicycling Success in the New Year

2024-01-08T13:29:00.000-05:00

Whether or not you're into the idea of making New Year's resolutions, the start of a new year is a good time to think about what you can do to get more enjoyment from the upcoming bicycling season. Here are five tips to help you stay motivated!

1. Look back on last year

What worked for you for biking last year? What didn't work? Did you participate in a ride or event that you enjoyed, or it wasn't what you hoped? Did you make any changes to your training, equipment, or diet? If so, how did they work out? By making a checklist of all of the pluses and minuses from your experience last year, you can better sort out what you want to try this year, what you want to do again, and what's not worth trying to tweak to make it work better.

2. Set goals for this year

Setting goals help you improve in most every aspect of your life, and cycling is no exception. Do you want to ride your bike to work or school more often? Keep up with your friends while climbing hills? Or maybe you want to move up from the short route to the long route on your favorite event ride? Either way, make your goals attainable and measurable. Even if you don't achieve your goals, don't beat yourself up; you can make note of your progress and still have something to celebrate!

3. Set up a plan

If your goals involve increasing your fitness and performance, you can work with a professional coach or personal trainer to set up a structured training plan. Make a calendar with the events and rides that you want to do, so that you know what to expect and when. Plus, many of the popular events fill up early! If you're participating in a fundraising ride, set up your fundraising efforts early. Don't forget about travel arrangements that you might need to make related to bike events, such as hotels, flights, and get your bike's annual tune-up or checked over for any other service you might need well in advance.

4. Change things up to avoid getting in a rut

There's nothing wrong with doing the same rides and events year after year; it's a great way to maintain a sense of tradition and give yourself something to look forward to. But whatever your age, trying something new and going a bit outside your comfort zone keeps your outlook fresh and helps to work new areas of both your mind and body. For example, if you've usually stuck to bike paths in the past, try riding on the roads. If you're worried about riding in car traffic, there's more safety in numbers, so sign up for a local on-road group ride, such as the Bike Cleveland Fundo. Or try mountain biking -- off-road riding is not just for young adrenaline junkies! There are plenty of beginner-friendly trails such as the Cleveland Metroparks West Creek Reservation. You can even rent a mountain bike from the Century Cycles store in Medina! Try taking an multi-day bicycle touring trip; it's easy to start with a Sub 24-Hour Overnight. Look for new bike paths, trails, and routes in the Century Cycles Where to Ride guide.

5. Be a part of the community

In addition to bike rides with your friends, stopping by your local bike shop to chat and get advice is a great way to stay in the know about the latest events and bike industry trends. Join a local cycling club to find group rides and other ways to volunteer and give back to the cycling community. You can find a list of bike clubs in Northeast Ohio on Century Cycles' Cleveland/Akron Bicycling Resources page. There are tons of online discussion groups on Facebook where you can ask for advice and make new friends, such a Paved Bike Trails of Ohio.

How To Choose The Best Type Of Bike For You

2023-07-17T21:50:00.002-04:00

Perhaps one of the most exciting parts of welcoming in the spring and summer is dusting off your old bike and even more exciting, trading it in for a newer ride, or even buying your first bike. As we have rounded the corner into the 2023 season, now has become the perfect time to look into replacing that old bicycle hidden away in your garage or buying the first bike for your child. With new developments in cycling technology and designs catering to every type of rider or niche cycling has never been more accessible or fun! As the cycling community enters a new era it has resulted in the creation of many diverse options and variety for riders, new and old, to choose from. However, this wealth of new options has left you, the eager rider, with the challenge of deciding which type of riding you’d like to enter and which type of bike will serve your needs best. This guide will help make that at times daunting process much easier.

What are the Types of Bikes to Choose From?

Road Bike

Road bikes are designed for well, riding on roads! With their narrow tires they are designed primarily for speed and long distances and can also be referred to as “racing bikes” at times. In addition, models with disc brakes, similar to what can be found in most automobiles, are becoming increasingly common to give the rider better braking control. Some brands are now offering women’s specific models which offer different touch points on the bike, i.e. saddle or handlebars, and even women specific frame design to better cater to our female riders.

If you want your riding to stay on the pavement it is hard to beat the quick and efficient riding of a strong road bike. For any event from a leisurely solo or group ride up to fast paced and competitive racing the road bike is perfect for a wide range of recreational cycling on the road.

Mountain Bike

Mountain bikes are designed for rugged and off-road riding styles of varying levels of difficulty and extremity on generally narrow dirt trails. Equipped with wider tires and deep tread for better traction, their flat; wide handlebars for better control, and wide variety of drive trains and hydraulic disc brakes for better handling on steep climbs and descents these bikes are extremely durable and well suited for this extreme riding.

These bikes are often equipped with either 27.5 or 29-inch diameter wheels, with the older 26-inch wheels slowly but surely fading away aside from a couple specific niche uses. Some brands also offer woman-specific models equipped with seats designed to better support the female build, smaller grips, narrower handlebars, and shorter crank arms. Most of these bikes are also equipped with lighter suspension tuning for smaller and lighter riders.

Mountain biking has a plurality of meanings from cyclist to cyclist. Depending on the style of mountain bike, these bikes can be used for anything from unpaved roads and paths to steep and rocky goat paths. The more technical the trail, the more rear suspension you will want and the smaller cyclists will likely want 27.5 inch diameter wheels for better bike control.

Gravel Bike

Gravel bikes are designed for use on gravel or crushed stone paths, such as the towpath running through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park adjacent to our Peninsula store but are extremely versatile. These bikes are typically equipped with a drop handlebar and at first glance look very similar to road bikes. However, after closer inspection you will notice the differences such as larger clearance for bigger wheels, additional mounts for accessories, and frame geometry designed to support a more upright riding style for more control and comfort on unpaved riding surfaces. Most of these bikes are equipped with disc brake systems and wide range gearing for better handling and some brands offer women specific options such as specially designed seats and better suited handlebar widths for the female build.

As stated above these bikes are extremely versatile and combine efficient and fast paced benefits of a road bike with the rugged sturdiness and larger treaded tires for off-road cycling. These bikes no doubt can handle almost any type of ride you throw at them aside from the most extreme cases such as road races or extreme terrain mountain biking.

E-Bike

E-bikes still pedal much like a standard bike frame and still provide much of the same exercise when used properly but the “E” stands for the small electric motor that can provide power assistance to the pedaling of the rider. E-bikes can be broken down into three classes starting with Class 1 which provides pedal assist up to 20 mph, Class 2 which provides pedal assist or throttle driven power up to 20 mph, or lastly Class 3 which provides pedal assist up to 28 mph. Although originally seen rarely on urban bikes, E-bikes are becoming wildly popular and an affordable option even for the average cyclist allowing for a new type of fun riding experience.

E-bikes, as described above, are designed to provide the experience of cycling but requiring less effort from the rider when desired. E-bikes allow anyone regardless of age or physical fitness to once again enjoy the fun and physical exercise derived from riding a bike! E-bikes now come in all different shapes and sizes including road bikes, mountain bikes, comfort bikes, or cargo bikes among many others, allowing anyone to enjoy these styles of riding and making the difference on high inclines or hilly terrain. They are even allowing riders to set aside the car in favor of riding an e-bike for commuting to work or running an errand.

Utility Bike

There is one characteristic that distinguishes a utility bike from the rest. They are designed for non-recreational activities. Utility bikes come in a wide variety of purpose-built designs allowing for easier use. Whatever style you choose, you are still receiving the benefits of getting exercise, completing a task, and getting free parking wherever you go!

There is no “best” utility bike, so it is up to you to identify your needs and purchase accordingly. Whether it be for more cost effective and emission free commuting, getting exercise in a money-saving mode whilst running errands, or taking kids to the park, the utility bike family might be the right choice for you.

Fat Tire Bike

The fat tire bike is easily recognizable by its very wide tires ranging from 3.8 to nearly 5 inches in width to provide superior traction and flotation on soft riding surfaces such as a sandy beach or a snowy road or path.

The mountain bike style of these fat tire bikes allows you to continue your riding season into the winter as you ride on snow covered trails. The beach cruiser style is a fun and effective alternative to your average mountain bike that works great for beach vacations or beach homes to continue your rides on the sandy coasts of a nearby body of water.

Kids Bike

Since the early 80’s, many children’s bikes have been cheap and bulky BMX style designs that never last long or serve the rider well while in use. However, in the last ten years many bicycle brands have taken a new approach to the children’s bike market resulting in an expanded variety and better quality of bikes on the market. While in some cases the prices of children’s bikes may be higher than they once were, you are certainly getting quality for the price you are paying. The bicycles you can now buy for your children are lighter, more durable, have parts and frames specifically designed to fit the build of the average child rider. Century Cycles offers a trade-in program so you can trade in a bike when your child outgrows it and receive a credit towards a new bike for your son or daughter.

Weight matters when purchasing a bike for your child. Can you imagine how tired you would get pedaling a 60 or 70-pound bike up a hill? That is what a 25-pound bike feels like to a 60-pound child. Additionally, it is important that parts such as brake levers and pedals are correctly sized for a child and that you are ensuring that the bike you purchase has quality parts and is professionally assembled to ensure your child’s safety and fun while riding!

When Should I Replace My Bike Helmet?

2023-05-25T21:01:00.004-04:00

1. If there is visible damage

If you can see cracks or dents in the outer shell or inner foam structure of your helmet, then its ability to protect your head is definitely compromised. Do not use it and replace it immediately.

2. If it received an impact due to a crash or severe accidental drop

Similar to the air bags in your car, bicycle helmets are designed to be "one and done" when it comes to protecting you in the event of a crash. Once it has done its job to absorb the force of one impact, it should be replaced. Even if you can't see any damage to it, there may be cracks in the internal structure.

3. If it's a few years old

Even if it has not had an impact, your helmet's protective ability diminishes over time due to sweat, heat, and ultraviolet light. Opinions vary on the length of time. Consumer Reports recommends every five years; the US Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends every 5 to 10 years. Most helmet manufacturers recommend every 3 years.

4. If you can't even remember how old it is

If looking at your helmet puts in mind of one of those cycling movies from the 80's (like American Flyers), then it's definitely beyond its life span, no matter whose replacement time frame recommendation you believe!

5. To upgrade to the latest technology

Most modern helmets incorporate a new feature called MIPS, which stands for Multidirectional Impact Protection System. It helps to absorb rotational forces on impact, and studies have shown that it can reduce the likelihood of concussions.

Browse All Helmets

Browse Women's Helmets

Browse Kid's Helmets

Browse Clearance Helmets

More Bike Helmet FAQ

Q. How can I extend the life of my bike helmet?

A. Clean off any dust or mud with a damp cloth. Do not use any cleaners or solvents, as these may degrade the outer shell or inner foam layer. Store your helmet indoors away from extreme heat or cold.

Q. How do I select the correct size of helmet?

A. Some helmets are "one size fits most" while others come in Small, Medium, Large, etc. The sizes have a recommended range based on the circumference of your head, as measured just above your ears and eyebrows, but these ranges vary from one brand to another. The best way to find the correct fit is to try them on in person in our stores and see what feels best for you!

Q. Do more expensive helmets provide better protection?

A. In general, no. Bike helmets sold in the United States must all meet the same standard of protection as tested by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. What you get when you pay more is lighter weight, better ventilation, better fit, more features, and better style (and of course, style is all a matter of preference).

Q. What's the difference between a road bike helmet and a mountain bike helmet?

A. Most road bike helmets do not have the sun visor, as it tends to block your view somewhat when riding in the more aggressive position of a road bike. Helmets with a sun visor provide some shade when riding in the more upright position of a mountain bike or hybrid bike. Mountain bike specific helmets extend lower on the back of your head, to provide more protection for this area, as it tends to be impacted more in mountain biking crashes. For extreme mountain biking, you can get helmets with full face protection. Generally, though, road and mountain biking helmet styles are a matter of tradition, and you can wear whatever helmet you want for either type of riding. Any protection is better than none!

Road Cycling Helmet

Mountain Biking Helmet

Full Face Mountain Biking Helmet

Get Peace of Mind When You Purchase an E-bike from a Bike Shop

2023-04-19T16:00:00.001-04:00

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are a great way to commute, explore your city or countryside, and get exercise without the strain of traditional bicycles. However, if you're thinking of buying one, you may be wondering where to buy it from. While you can find e-bikes online or at big-box stores, there are many reasons why you should consider buying your e-bike from a local bike shop. Here are the top 10 reasons why.

1. Personalized Service

When you buy an e-bike from Century Cycles, you get personalized service from knowledgeable staff who can answer all your questions and help you choose the right bike for your needs. They can also offer expert advice on maintenance and repairs.

2. Test Rides

Century Cycles allows customers to test ride e-bikes before buying them, so you can get a feel for the bike and make sure it's the right fit for you. This is something that online retailers and big-box stores can't offer.

3. Professional Assembly

E-bikes can be complex machines, and assembling them correctly is crucial for your safety and the bike's performance. When you buy from Century Cycles, we will professionally assemble your e-bike and make sure it's adjusted to your specific needs.

4. Warranty Support

If something goes wrong with your e-bike, you want to be sure that you can get it fixed quickly and easily. The e-bikes that Century Cycles offers all have a lifetime frame warranty, a two-year warranty on e-bike electronics including the battery and motor, and a one-year warranty on all other parts. All bikes sold by Century Cycles are fully serviceable and we can always get replacement parts for the brands that we sell.

5. Local Support

When you buy from a local bike shop, you're supporting a local business and the community. We will be invested in ensuring you have a great experience and will be there to support your cycling needs for many years after your purchase.

6. Upgrade Options

Sometimes our customers want to upgrade or swap out one or more parts on the bike they are purchasing. We also offer a range of accessories such as lights, racks, fenders, and panniers. We have access to thousands of parts and accessories through our suppliers and can generally meet a customer’s desire to customize a bike or e-bike to tailor it to your specific needs and make it more enjoyable to ride.

7. Service and Maintenance

E-bikes require regular maintenance and servicing to ensure they are running safely and smoothly. We have a team of skilled, certified mechanics who can offer expert servicing and repairs to keep your e-bike in top condition

8. Financing Options

Buying an e-bike can be a significant investment, and we offer financing through Affirm to make your e-bike purchase more affordable. This can help you spread the cost over time and make it easier to buy the bike you want. Click here for more information about our Affirm financing.

9. Insurance Options

You have spent a lot of money, maybe you are nervous about your bike getting damaged or stolen. Century Cycles has teamed up with BikeInsure which has insurance plans to cover new or used bicycles and E-bikes. It provides reimbursement for repairs to your bike and certain accessories due to riding accidents. And during transit. The BikeInsure plan extends to a stolen bike or E-bike when optional theft protection is selected. Click here for more information about BikeInsure.

10. Sustainability and Transportation Savings

Finally, buying an e-bike from a local bike shop is a sustainable option. It's a way to reduce your carbon footprint and support a business that's committed to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Additionally, an e-bike provides an opportunity to hang up the car keys and save money at the pump with less gas consumption, and save on long term auto maintenance if you can start running errands and commute to work on your e-bike

In conclusion, there are many compelling reasons why you should consider buying an e-bike from a local bike shop rather than online or from a big-box store. From personalized service and test rides to professional assembly and warranty support, local bike shops offer many advantages that can help you get the most out of your e-bike experience.

Tech Talk: Road Bikes vs. Gravel Bikes - What's the difference?

2022-05-10T15:44:00.000-04:00

Gravel bikes are all the rage lately, but what’s the difference between a gravel bike and a traditional road bicycle? Find out in this Tech Talk article on our website!

Tech Talk: Road Bikes vs. Gravel Bikes - What's the difference?

Giant Recon TL100/TL200 Tail Lights work GREAT with the Giant & Liv Path MIPS Helmets!

2022-05-05T12:18:00.002-04:00

Attach a tail light to your helmet easily and securely to your bicycle helmet, using the Giant Recon TL 100 or Recon TL200 lights, an optional mounting bracket, and compatible helmets, such as the Giant Path MIPS and Liv Path MIPS!

2022-05-04T06:00:00.001-04:00

We had a GREAT time talking to our east-side friends and customers at the Best of the East Party last week, and we're also a finalist for Cleveland Magazine's Best of the West! Join us for that party on Thursday, May 12, 2022 at Crocker Park in Westlake! Get advance tickets at:

Best of the West 2022

Join our Bike Travel Weekend Trip!

2022-05-03T12:37:00.003-04:00

We are one month away from Bike Travel Weekend! Join Century Cycles on June 4, 2022 for our Bike Camp-Out Ride! If this would be your first time at bicycle touring, apply for our Bike Travel Weekend Scholarship! Find details and register at:

centurycycles.com/for/BikeTravelWeekend

We are proud to be a sponsor of Elevation 2022!

2022-05-02T16:16:00.004-04:00

Century Cycles is proud to be a sponsor of the 2022 Elevation event in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park! This fun and popular event features food, drink, hikes, live music, s'mores, and MORE!

When: Friday, June 24, 2022, 6:30 - 11:00pm
Where: Ledges Shelter, 701 Truxell Rd, Peninsula, OH 44264

The event is a fundraiser for the park, organized by the Conservancy for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Details and tickets can be found here:

https://www.conservancyforcvnp.org/donate/fundraising-events/elevation/

Happy National Bike Month! The Medina Bike To School Challenge starts tomorrow!

2022-05-01T08:00:00.010-04:00

Today (Sunday, May 1, 2022) marks the start of National Bike Month, and the Medina Bike To School Challenge starts tomorrow! Check out the flyer above for the schedule of events at the NINE school that are participating.

Good luck to all of the students, and THANK YOU to all of the hard-working school staff and our sponsors!

New RideSpot Feature: Connect your Strava account

2022-04-30T08:00:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow (Saturday, May 1, 2022) is National Bike Month!

The RideSpot App from PeopleforBikes.org lets you join National Bike Month Challenges and other events to earn patches, stickers, and other FREE prizes. Now it's even easier to track your rides and earn points towards your challenges.

For users of the popular Strava ride tracking app, you can connect your Strava and RideSpot accounts so that your rides tracked on Strava are automatically uploaded to your RideSpot account! Learn more here:

RideSpot and Strava Integration FAQ

Eat Wings, Raise Funds for MS at Buffalo Wild Wings

2022-04-29T11:25:00.001-04:00

Eat at Buffalo Wild Wings in Cleveland Heights, Massillon, Medina, or Strongsville from 4-9pm on May 18, June 16, and July 20 (2022), show the ticket above or the flyer below, and BWW will donate 15% of your total bill (excluding tax, gratuity, alcohol, and promotional discounts) to Team Left Hand/Century Cycles in support our fundraising efforts for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society!

I just bought a new bicycle. Now what?

2022-04-27T10:41:00.000-04:00

You just bought a new bicycle. Now what?

You may have a hundred questions, or you may not know that you need to be asking questions ... either way, Century Cycles has the answers you're looking for right here about how to best enjoy your new bike and keep it running reliably for years to come:

centurycycles.com/for/NewBikeDay

Kick-Off Event for the 2022 Medina Bike To School Challenge

2022-04-26T06:00:00.005-04:00

Want to learn more about the 2022 Medina Bike To School Challenge? Then join us with Medina City Schools as they host the first annual Medina BTS Challenge Kick-off Party at Garfield Elementary School on Thursday, April 28th from 6pm - 8pm! See the schedule of events in this flyer:

Century Cycles in Peninsula gets a shout-out in Outside Magazine

2022-04-24T08:00:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Emily Pennington from Outside Magazine for using our bicycle rental service on the Towpath Trail in Peninsula to explore the Cuyahoga Valley National Park! And thanks for the shout-out! Read the article online here:

https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/national-parks/cuyahoga-valley-national-park-63-parks-traveler/

When should you replace your bicycle helmet?

2022-04-21T06:00:00.001-04:00

When should you replace your bicycle helmet? If you've been involved in a crash, then you should replace it immediately. There may be damage to the internal structure that is not evident from the outside, but could affect the helmet's ability to protect your head.

Otherwise, the time frame for replacing your bike helmet is affected by many factors, including age, exposure to sunlight and heat, storage conditions, and more. Consumer Reports talked to their own testers, manufacturers, and others to come up some recommendations in this article:

When You Really Need to Replace Your Bike Helmet

One of their top helmet recommendations is one of our best-sellers here at Century Cycles, the Giro Register MIPS!

5 Tips: Commuting by Bicycle

2022-04-20T15:14:00.000-04:00

With gasoline prices all over the place lately, maybe it's time to give bike commuting another thought (if you're not already doing it)? Check out our 5 Tips for Commuting by Bicycle here:

https://centurycycles.com/tips/5-tips-commuting-by-bicycle-pg3247.htm

Medina Sunday Road Bike Rides - 2022 Schedule

2022-04-19T12:57:00.005-04:00

Century Cycles invites road cyclists to join us for our monthly Sunday Group Road Bike Rides at our Medina location! Your own bicycle, helmet, and flashing taillight are required. No pre-registration is necessary; however, you will need to sign a waiver. The ride will take place on the 3rd Sunday of each month. Start time is 8:00am.

The rides are moderately paced, averaging anywhere between 13-16mph. This group will be riding 20 miles and is a no-drop ride (meaning that nobody is left behind if they can't always keep up).

You'll have help in case you get a flat tire or anything, but you should have what you need to be self-sufficient: water/sports drink, spare tube, tire levers, pump, and a mobile phone. Cathy Kasper is your ride leader.

Sunday, May 15

Sunday, June 19

Sunday, July 17

Sunday, August 21

Sunday, September 18

All rides start at 8:00am.

Share and follow the event on Facebook!

This information is also available on our website at: centurycycles.com/for/MedinaSundayRoadRides

First Impressions: Surly Corner Bar handlebar

2021-09-28T17:17:00.000-04:00

Surly Bikes is known not only for making versatile and durable bicycles, but also for making weird and unique parts. The new Corner Bar handlebar is no exception.

The story with these handlebars ... suppose you have a mountain bike or hybrid bike with a flat or upright handlebar, but you're curious to see what a road-bike or "drop" style of handlebar feels like. This is usually not as simple as just swapping the handlebars, because the brake and shift levers made for flat handlebars do not work on drop handlebars. Making the switch can involve lots of expensive upgrades to your levers and/or your drivetrain components.

Enter the Surly Corner Bar. It's got a drop section on either end to get your hands in the "down and dirty" position, plus nubbins extending forward that are compatible with your flat bar controls.

(Note: Yes, it's a more common issue that many people want to trade their drop handlebars for a more upright handlebar. The reason this is difficult is the same--incompatible brake and shift levers. But designing a handlebar to get around this problem is a trickier thing to do.)

The Corner Bar is made of 4130 Chromoly steel for that Surly durability, which means it ain't light. It comes in three widths (46cm, 50cm, and 54cm). It's rated for "ASTM Condition 3 Intended Use," which means that if hucking off-road jumps is your thing, it can handle it, as long as said jumps are two feet tall or less.

The stem clamp area of the corner bar works with 25.4mm stems found on many older bikes, but the handlebar comes with a set of shims so that you can use it on 31.8mm stem clamps found on many newer bikes.

Here's Surly's Product Info Page for the Corner Bar, plus their blog post about it for their take. There's also two video reviews out there, from Bikepacking.com:

And from Path Less Pedaled:

When I first learned of the Corner Bar, I knew I had to try it on my Surly Bridge Club, just because I'm a sucker for trying new and weird things. Mind you, the ironic part is that I already had a drop handlebar on this bike, when I set it up as a super-commuter-touring-bike earlier this year:

This setup worked well and was pretty comfy. With the Bridge Club being billed as "a highly versatile bike that hits the sweet spot spanning on-road and off-road excursions," you might even call it a perfect, dare I say it, gravel bike. I resisted the urge these past several months to throw on some 29er wheels with 700x40-something tires. I figured the Bridge Club was the perfect bike to try out the Corner Bar, something with a "road" feel and a "mountain" soul. Those previous handlebars, brakes, and shifter are set aside for a bicycle project to be named later.

Cutting right to the chase, here's the bike with the new Corner Bar installed:

And a close-up of the bars from the front for ya:

I opted for the widest 54cm version; I figured go big or go home.

As the video reviews above indicated, there are a number of ways you can #MakeItYourOwn in how you setup the Corner Bar. I opted for a pair of ESI Extra-Chunky Xtra-Long silicone grips on the drop sections, and a short stretch of bar tape on the "hoods." The hood area is not quite as comfortable as what you'd find on a "true" drop handlebar, but I didn't feel I needed to employ more pieces of grip in these areas, or other "hacks" as outlined by the other reviewers. One roll of bar tape was enough for both sides, what you'd normally use for just one side of a regular drop bar.

You can put your brake and shifter levers both on the extended nubs, or on the other side below where the drop part meets the hood, or a combination of the two--whatever floats your boat. I suggest doing a dry run by testing out a couple different configurations to see what feels right for you before you connect your brake and shifter cables and finalize your grips and/or tape.

The cables pointing up kinda give the bike a bit of that old-school 10-speed look; not sure how I feel about that yet. Since I had to swap brakes and shifter, I had to install all new cables and housing anyway. If you're swapping from your flat or upright handlebars, you MIGHT be able to get away with using your existing cables and housing, but depending on your setup, you may need to replace them with longer cables.

I wanted to get a setup that allowed the use of both the brakes and the shifter in both the drops and hoods hand positions. I have a traditional mountain bike trigger shifter that would work with this setup, but I found that it was easy to shift from the drop, but impossible to shift from the hood. So, I went with this thumb-style shifter. It's a compromise, but I preferred to have so-so shifting from both hand positions, rather than great shifting from one position and no shifting from the other position.

Moving the shifter clamp way up from the brake lever gave me better hand clearance, but still allows me to reach it, from the drop:

And from the hood:

My favorite bell is the Mirrycle Incredibell Brass Duet, and placing it on the left in this nice jaunty angle gives me the same benefit as the shifter: hand clearance but still easy to reach from either hand position:

The trickiest part was picking the right stem to attach the Corner Bar handlebar to the bike. I had five in my parts bin to choose from, and settled on the Salsa Guide Stem with 80mm length and +15-degree angle because it provide the best balance of comfort and aesthetics. And, it plays well with my Topeak Freeloader Stem Bag. My other choices were (from top to bottom):

Salsa Moto-Ace SUL 80mm length/+35 degree angle - Pros: most comfortable, 25.4mm clamp so I wouldn't have to use the adapter shims. Cons: I didn't like the look of that big chunky steerer tube clamp, plus the high angle didn't play well with my stem bag.
Thomson X2 110mm lenght/+6 degree angle - Pro: 5 stars for the aesthetics (duh, it's a Thomson), 25.4mm clamp meant no adapter shim. Cons: Way too long and way too flat. I bought this for a mountain bike I rode 18 years ago. Mountain biking was a lot different 18 years ago, plus I was, well, 18 years younger.
Salsa Guide 60mm length +6 degree angle - Pro: Nice and short. Con: Still too flat.
Sale Moto-Ace SUL 80mm length/+25 degree angle - Pros: comfy; it's the one I used on the previous drop bar setup. Con: Can't quite put my finger on it; some older Salsa stems look a little too "road"-y?

Finally, getting to the question of the day, "How does it ride?" Pretty nicely, I must say, although I wouldn't say I'm in LOVE with it. I've ridden it on two commutes to and from work, plus a 57-mile lunch/coffee run into the city. The drops position feels the most comfortable, but after riding that way a couple of miles, I do need to relax a bit and hang out up on the hoods for a while. Occasionally, though, I got a bit of tingly hands if I stayed on the hoods too long.

Is the Surly Corner Bar for you? If you're in the target audience, a flat-bar user who is drop-bar-curious, then I'd say yes. It's the least expensive way to test out a drop handlebar setup without too much commitment. Or if you're just a bike freak/weirdo who likes to experiment, have it it. Will I be keeping it? Probably until at least next Spring. I've owned this bike a little over a year, and this is the fourth handlebar I've had on it, so don't be surprised if it's different the next time you see me...

As of this writing, Century Cycles has got the Surly Corner Bar in stock in 46cm width only. We had a few of the 54cm, but they sold out quickly. We'll keep an eye out on Surly's distributor for the 50cm and more of the 54cm!

Ed Meyer Memorial Fund

2021-08-13T13:02:00.001-04:00

In July of 2020, Century Cycles lost a friend and fellow employee, Ed Meyer, to GBM (Glioblastoma – brain cancer). He worked at both the Medina and Peninsula locations as a bicycle mechanic.

To honor Ed's memory, a public bicycle repair station with an air pump will be constructed at Buckeye Woods Park in Medina, as well as one at Century Cycles in Peninsula. Both projects cost a total of approximately $5500. If you wish to support the repair station construction, donations are greatly appreciated! Please make your check payable to "Century Cycles" and mail it to us at:

Century Cycles
1059 N. Court St.
Medina, OH 44256

Please write the following in the NOTES section of the check: For Ed Meyer. You can drop it off at any of our three stores if that's more convenient! Please include your mailing address and email address so we can update you with news later.

We are planning to have ribbon-cutting ceremonies and group rides in both locations, so stay tuned! If you know of anyone else who might be interested in donating for this project, please share this information!

Any leftover funds from the project will be donated to GBM research, in loving memory of Ed and the good he brought to the people in his life.

We are one of America's Best Bike Shops in 2020!

2020-11-17T06:00:00.001-05:00

Century Cycles is proud to be named one of America's Best Bike Shops for 2020, and EVERY year since 1999! Thank you to all of our new and returning customers, plus our dedicated staff, for helping us during this most challenging year EVER! Tonight we're going to party like it's 1999!

America's Best Bike Shops are chosen by the National Bicycle Dealers Association in a rigorous process that evaluates every aspect of our business, including a visit by a Secret Shopper!

Rest In Peace, Ed Meyer

2020-07-22T10:58:00.002-04:00

It is with profound sadness, and a heavy heart, that we mourn the passing of fellow coworker and great friend, Ed Meyer. Ed had been a wonderful part of the Century Cycles family for 10 years, both in our Medina and Peninsula locations, but 16 months ago, he was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

We never know when life will take a turn on us, but if you knew Ed, he took all things in stride. He had a love of adventure and a deep passion for cycling. We are honored and blessed to have had Ed in our lives. He was one of the good guys and will be truly missed. Rest In Peace, dear friend.

Cross-Country Cyclist Visits Century Cycles in Medina

2020-07-18T08:00:00.000-04:00

Theresa Mellas stopped into the Century Cycles store in Medina on July 9, 2020 during her bicycle trip from Cannon Beach, Oregon to Staten Island, New York! By the time Theresa finishes, she will have biked over 3,200 miles! She stopped into our store to take a break and get a quick check-over of her bike. Theresa's parents also met up with her and they all planned to visit family in Wadsworth. It was a great pleasure to meet Theresa and we wish her a safe journey on to NYC!

You can see more photos of touring cyclists who have visited all three of our stores in our Bicycle Touring Photo Gallery.

Medina County Lifestyle visits Century Cycles in Medina

2020-06-09T16:13:00.002-04:00

The Century Cycles store in Medina is excited to be featured in the June 2020 issue of Medina County Lifestyle Magazine! Thanks much to Emily Shea for stopping by to chat with store manager Bob Soroky about Century Cycles' impact on biking in Medina and across Northeast Ohio!

You can read the issue online here.