SCREAMING MONKEY BIKE

Raleigh Wilder. What a great bike.

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Sat, 30 Jan 2016 22:42:00 +0000

Single Speed
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Frame> Steel
Fork> Steel, w/disc mount
Headset> 1" threaded
Crankset> Custom Steel Raleigh Heron
Derailleur'> N/A
Hubs> Alloy
Rims> Weinmann, doublewall
Tires> Schwalbe Century, w / K-Guard Flat Protection
Brakes> Tektro mechanical disc
Saddle> "springy"
price> $499.00
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There are also 3 speed and 5 speed versions in this series.
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http://www.raleighusa.com/bikes-city-classics-wilder

The hidden costs of buying department store bikes.

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 21:53:00 +0000

Maybe you’ve never been tempted to buy a bike at a department store, but you almost certainly know someone who did—or might. So-called “big-box” or mass-merchant stores, like Sam’s Club or Costco, sell 75 percent of all bikes in the US, according to the National Bicycle Dealers Association.

People are drawn to department store bike deals by convenience and price—particularly for children’s bike, which are quickly outgrown and replaced. But there are several very good reasons to buy bikes from one of the approximately 4,000 specialty bike stores in the country instead. As holiday season—a prime bike-buying time—approaches, here’s what to know about big-box bikes that could save you, or a friend or family member, some trouble.

They’re sometimes sloppily assembled.
The people building bikes in the warehouse area of your local mass merchant are often the same employees who are unboxing floor-sample items and assembling flat-pack furniture for display. There’s nothing wrong with those jobs, or with the people who do them. But bike assembly should be done by a trained specialist with proper tools, and it’s rare to find a qualified bike mechanic at a big-box store.

All bikes, whether destined for Wal-Mart or an independent bike dealer, are shipped to the dealer partially assembled: Even bikes from mainstream cycling brands sometimes aren’t properly built at the factory and need to be thoroughly checked during assembly. A trained bike mechanic knows what to look for and can spot factory-assembly problems that need to be fixed, as well as ensure proper final assembly.

Last winter, a reporter for Orlando’s News6 bought four bikes at area mass-merchant retailers and took them to a local bike shop for a safety check. Three of the four failed the inspection due to assembly errors. The stem wasn’t tightened on one; another had a rear brake cable so loose the brake never contacted the rim. On the third, the bike shop mechanic inspecting the assembly quality was able to loosen a front wheel axle nut with a single tap of a wrench handle. If you buy a bike online and have it shipped directly to you, you’ll get the bike in a box and have to assemble it yourself. You can argue that assembling a bike is no more complex than building a dining room set from Ikea, but an unstable table likely won’t lead to serious injury.

Even if there aren’t outright safety issues, poor assembly can mean mis-shifting drivetrains, underinflated tires, loose headsets, wheels that are improperly tensioned and prone to damage, and other problems that will shorten a bike’s lifespan.

No knowledgeable bike salespeople.
As with the assemblers, the floor employees at most department stores are generalists who have to do everything from price-checking items to cleaning up the pile of shirts in boys’ clothing to putting together an aisle endcap display. Most don’t really know about bikes. Much of the time, they won’t be able to help a buyer select the right bike for their needs or answer questions about bikes.

They’re not that much cheaper.
Yes, you can still get a department store bike for not much more than $100, and adult bikes for $200 abound. You can even buy a fat bike . But Consumer Reports, not historically a fan of expensive cycling equipment, points out that cheap bikes are heavy and often made with inferior parts. Why spend $200 on junk?

RELATED: How to Buy a Bike for $1,000 or Less

You might also notice that prices for mass-merchant models are starting to approach those of bikes you’ll find at a local bike shop. Target sells a Titan Dark Knight men’s hardtail mountain bike for $380. That’s the same price as Trek’s 820 model or Giant’s Revel 2, both of which are sold at specialty bike shops only. They have better parts and benefit from professional assembly. You’d even be better off buying a used bike.

One size does not fit all.
Every bike we’ve seen for sale in a department store comes in one size only, and some size in a way that makes us cringe. (Target’s idea of how to size bikes: by wheel diameter.) That Trek 820? It comes in five sizes, down to a 13-inch model that’s perfect for shorter riders. The idea that bikes should come in rider-specific frame sizes is not a controversial notion—at least, not any more than the idea that, oh, televisions should come in various sizes to fit your entertainment space.

Forget about getting service.
All bikes break in slightly with initial use, or need a quick drivetrain or brake tune-up. Pretty much all bike shops offer at least one free adjustment for new bikes sold there (some offer longer service plans, for free or for a premium payment). But no department store has a service department for its bikes, so you’ll end up taking it to a shop for repair anyway, where you’ll pay market rate for labor to fix anything that slipped or was misadjusted to begin with.

Finding replacement parts for mass-market bikes may be incredibly difficult, as they aren’t designed with serviceability in mind. Most shops base repair prices on labor rates of at least $50 an hour—often higher—plus parts. Particularly if the bike wasn’t properly assembled to begin with, you might pay more in repair costs at a bike shop than you did for the bike itself.

The warranty sucks.
Even big-box bike brands sometimes offer warranties, but they’re often much less comprehensive than those of brands available in bike shops; typically, warranties are a year on the frame and less, if any, on the parts. Schwinn, which formerly sold bikes in independent stores and now sells in big-box stores, has a separate warranty for bikes sold at mass retail than those sold at bike stores. The mass-retailer warranty is generous, but includes two significant drawbacks not found in a bike store’s version of the warranty. All warranty claims must be shipped pre-paid to Schwinn’s parent company, Pacific Cycle, which will cost you almost as much as one of those cheap bikes to begin with. And the mass retailer warranty doesn’t cover items broken accidentally, which leads us to wonder what exactly is covered.

By contrast, Trek and Giant both offer a limited lifetime warranty on almost all frames, which is standard for bikes sold through independent retailers. All licensed retailers are designated warranty service centers, which means they will handle claims for you. And with the move to house-branded parts, bike brands are offering stronger warranties on components. For example, Bontrager-brand parts, except for normal wear-and-tear items like tires, are covered by a two-year warranty. On that Trek 820, the handlebar, stem, seat, seatpost, and rims are all covered. Giant covers Giant-brand parts and accessories for a year.

From : http://www.bicycling.com/

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 21:37:00 +0000

LIVALL: the First Smart and Safe Cycling Helmet. With BLUETOOTH!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 04:55:00 +0000

So brilliant. So simple.
Safety comes first to LIVALL! BLING HELMET= Windbreak Mic + Bluetooth Speaker+3-Axis G-Sensor + LED
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For more info go to : https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/livall-the-first-smart-and-safe-cycling-helmet#/story

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 05:20:00 +0000

Beginner Bike Mistakes to Avoid

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 01:22:00 +0000

Seat too low -
Experiencing pain in the front of your knee? Your seat is probably too low, causing you to under-extend your pedal stroke. At the right seat height, your knee should be slightly bent at the bottom of your pedal stroke, when the crankarm is parallel to the seat tube, not perpendicular to the ground. To check this, pedal unclipped with your heels on the pedals. You should barely maintain contact with the pedal at the bottom of the stroke, without rocking your pelvis. Measure the distance between the bottom bracket and the top of the seat. This is your seat height. It should be very close to the product of your inseam (in centimeters) multiplied by 0.883.
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Assume you need all the best gear -
You don’t need fancy clothes, clipped-in shoes, or a top-of-the-line bike to become a cyclist. Sure, slick equipment can be a lot of fun, but there’s nothing like smoking a bunch of high-end carbon bikes on a climb when you’re riding an old beater. The important thing is that you just get out there and ride—and worry about any potential upgrades later.
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Bad bike fit -
How your bike fits you is the most important aspect of riding. If the fit is painful, you’re not going to spend much time in the saddle, no matter how excited you are to ride that new bike. To get the right fit, two elements are key: seat height and reach. The seat height should be high enough to give you a very slight bend in your knee when your foot is at the bottom of the pedal stroke. Proper reach means your arms and torso make a 45-degree angle over the bike. Too long, and your back will be sore reaching for the handlebars; too short and your knees will be too close to your arms. When you’re shopping for a bike, make sure to take it for a test ride to see that the size is correct for you.
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Not maintaining your bike -
You don’t have to be a pro wrench, but routine maintenance will not only save you a bundle at the bike shop but also prolong the life of your bike. Check out these three super-easy maintenance tasks your bike mechanic wishes you’d do.
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Too much too soon -
One of the biggest sources of injury comes from trying to take on too much mileage before you’re ready. Build up slowly, ease in, and give your body time to adjust to new distances. Similarly, if you’re on a training ride, don’t start too fast and risk burnout and fatigue in the second half. Warm up during the first third of the ride, then settle into a rhythm for the second, and give it everything you’ve got for the final third.
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Not carrying a spare or a patch kit -
One minute you’re out there on the trail, cruising along with the perfect tailwind, having the time of your life. Then that unmistakable sound of air hissing out of your tires shatters your peaceful reverie, and the party is over. If your flat tire backup plan is to phone a friend, take a few minutes and check out this guide to changing a tube or patching one. You won’t believe how much more independent you’ll feel with the proper tools on hand—a spare, a patch kit, levers, and a mini-pump—and the know-how to get yourself back on the road in 15 minutes.
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Not using your gears -
Gears are your best friends on a climb, and your greatest source of speed on a long, rolling stretch. But it does take a little practice to get the hang of when and how to shift into your most efficient gear. Here’s a basic guide to using all your gears.
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Not respecting the pack -
Group rides have their own protocol and etiquette for a reason—it’s easy to cause a crash if your riding isn’t predictable. If it’s your first time riding with a new group, hang at the back, observe, and ask for help if you need it. For more on group-riding rules and technique, check out this article.
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Not refueling enough -
If you’re only riding for an hour, you don’t need to eat on the bike (but bring water). But if you’re planning to ride over two hours, bring a snack along and start eating 45 minutes to an hour into your ride, and continue to eat small amounts every 15 to 20 minutes. Forgetting to refuel can put your body into a deficit and cause you to bonk—or go into a hypoglycemic state. Tiredness, irritability, dizziness, nausea, confusion—it’s not a strong way to finish a ride.
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BY BICYCLING EDITORS @ http://www.bicycling.com/

Cannondale CAAD8 Flat Bar 2

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 01:16:00 +0000

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Frame> Optimized 6061 Alloy

Fork> Cannondale Ultra, carbon

Headset> Tange Si, 1-1/8"

Cassette> Sunrace 11-32, 8-speed

Crankset> FSA Vero Compact 50/35t

Derailleur's> Shimano Claris

Hubs> Cannondale C5

Rims> Maddux R3.0 doublewall

Tires> Kenda Kriterum Endurance, 700x23c

Brakes> Shimano Claris, Linear pull

Saddle> Cannondale Ergo

Price> Around $870.00

My new favorite sub $1000.00 bicycle.

http://www.cannondale.com/nam_en/

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Sun, 14 Jun 2015 04:08:00 +0000

Surly Straggler

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Sat, 13 Jun 2015 20:55:00 +0000

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Frame > Surly Straggler, 100% Surly proprietary 4130 CroMoly tubing.

Fork > Surly Straggler, 4130 CroMoly, disc only,

Headset > Cane Creek 40, 1-1/8˝

Crankset > Shimano CX-50, 36/46t,

Derailleur'> (Front) Shimano CX-70, (Rear) > Shimano Tiagra RD-4601, Long cage.

Hubs > (Front) Surly Ultra New, (Rear) Shimano 529 disc, Black

Rims > Alex XD-E Lite

Tires > Surly Knard 41

Brakes > Avid BB7, Shimano Tiagra levers

Saddle > Velo VL-1353, w/CroMoly Rail

Price > $1775.00

***

http://surlybikes.com/

The Surly Straggler is a little pricier than most of the budget bikes I recommend on Screaming Monkey but for a bicycle that could quite possibly last a couple of generations $1800.00 doesn't seem all that much.

Brilliant Bicycle Company

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Sun, 31 May 2015 01:10:00 +0000

I've been blogging about affordable,quality built and dependable bicycles for a number of years on Screaming Monkey Bike and in those years the number of companies offering affordable, quality built and dependable bicycles has exploded.

The Brilliant Bicycle Company is one of those companies. Brilliant offers great bicycle craftsmanship at an ridiculously low price.

There. I've done my job. Again.

Frame> 1020 Steel

Gears> Shimano Nexus w/Shimano Revo 3 speed shifters.

Tires> 700x32c

http://brilliant.co/

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Mon, 11 May 2015 23:57:00 +0000

Trek poised to recall almost 1 million bicycles

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 21:05:00 +0000

Bicycle manufacturer Trek Bicycle Corp. will recall almost 1 million bikes after three riders sustained nasty injuries, including one paralyzed.

CPSC quipped in a statement that the bicycle company has reported three incidents that are linked with the bike, all of which gave rise to injuries and one of which led to quadriplegia.The quadriplegia is as type of caused by illness or injury to individuals that may result to partial or total loss of use of all their limbs and torso.

According to the Consumer Product Safety, the recall affects 900,000 bicycles sold in the United States and 98,000 in Canada.

The open quick release lever which is produced in Taiwan and China and situated on the wheel hub of the bicycles can get jammed in the bike’s brake system which can dangerously bring to the halt the bicycle unexpectedly. The recall covers Trek bikes that are designed for adults and with disc brakes purchased from 2000 up to 2015.

“This recall involves all models of Trek bicycles from model years 2000 through 2015 equipped with front disc brakes and a black or silver quick release lever on the front wheel hub that opens far enough to contact the disc brake,” the CPSC said in a statement. The commission also said that people should stop riding the bicycles as soon as possible and return them back to their dealer who will change the quick release mechanism free of charge.

http://www.dailytimesgazette.com/

2015 Breezer Greenway Sport (him and hers)

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Sat, 25 Apr 2015 01:47:00 +0000

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Frame> Breezer D'Fusion, Hydro formed Aluminum, integrated headset

Fork> Breezer Aluminum, disc

Headset> FSA, integrated

Crankset> Breezer 8-speed, 48/38/28t

Derailleur's> Shimano Alivio

Hubs> Breezer

Rims> Vera DPD18 Aluminum, doublewall

Tires> Vera City Wide, 700x32c

Brakes> Tektro Novela Disc

Saddle> Performance Dual-Density

Price> around $600.00

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The Breezer Sport is one of those bikes that keeps grabbing my attention every year. There is no better $600.00 bicycle on the market. Period.

Keep trickling down technology...

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http://www.breezerbikes.com/home

WHO AM I? Identification products.

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Sat, 18 Apr 2015 01:40:00 +0000

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WHO WE ARE.

WHO AM I is a company that was born in Montreal in 2014 when the founder realized that it was not a good idea to go jogging without any ID on him. He then decided to carry his driver’s licence hidden in his jogging suit. It was better than nothing but it was very far from being optimal because of the fact it was hidden and did not have very much information. He then decided to talk to his son and wife( business partners for years) into creating ID Products that would all have lights and reflective ink and also carry the most information like: name, phone number, age, blood type, allergies, emergency contacts, medical information and more.

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OUR MISSION.

WHO AM I? Our company name explains clearly and simply what is our mission. We offer products that provides an EASY ACCESS to VITAL INFORMATION in case of emergencies. If something happens to you….we want that the person who will assist you will know exactly what to do or say at the 911 emergency services. We also want to prevent accidents by giving more visibility (with some of our products) to everybody doing their activities at night providing them in this case two things: BE KNOWN, BE SEEN!

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OUR PRODUCTS.

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These ID bracelet and ID Bands contain the MOST INFORMATION . You can choose what you want to write on them. Your name, contact names and phone numbers, your blood type, allergies, medical info, and more…What you need to do is to write on the WATERPROOF strip using a ultra-fine SHARPIE.

We also wanted something that is HANDY, so, we use the SLAP BRACELET. You can wear it on your wrist, arm, ankle or even add it enrolled at the handle of your backpack or anywhere on your bike.

Our LED ID BAND products provide also VISIBILITY during the DAY with the florescent colors and at NIGHT with the LED technology and the REFLECTIVE designs. There is a battery in each band , which is easy to change when it fades out.

All you have to do, is write your personal infos and….

JUST SLAP’N GO!
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Led ID SLAP BRACELET
$18.95
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Led Arm Band
$18.95
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Led ID Tie
$17.95
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For more info or to purchase one or more of these products please click on the following link -> http://en.whoami-intl.com/collections/products#oid=1005_4

Roll.

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Sun, 05 Apr 2015 16:58:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Sat, 04 Apr 2015 23:15:00 +0000

Thas right...

Spring!

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 01:20:00 +0000

2015 Jamis Helix, "Woman's Big Box Store Buster!"

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Sun, 29 Mar 2015 01:14:00 +0000

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Frame> 6061 Aluminum

Fork> RST Gila 27.5" 100mm

Headset> Zero stack internal cup threadless

Crankset> Alloy, 42/34/24t

Cassette> Shimano TZ31 7 - speed, 14-34t

Derailleur's> (F) Shimano TX50 / (R) Shimano TX35

Hubs> Heavy Duty ATB

Rims> Alex ACE, doublewall

Tires> Jamis TX 27.5 x 2.0"

Brakes> Alloy, linear pull / Shimano levers

Saddle> Jamis ATB Sport, Womens

Price> under $440.00

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I've talked to numerous people over the last couple months who were thinking about rekindling their love of bicycling this Spring with a trip to Walmart.

I've repeated this mantra many, many times over the life of Screaming Monkey Bike Blog so here goes once more.

"Do not go to a Big Box Store (:ie Walmart, Target, K-Mart etc.) to by a bicycle.

Find a local bike shop in your area and start your search there."

The Jamis Helix is a great entry level get around town bicycle, tough enough for local greenways and pothole laden trips to the store. A great beginning.

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http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/index.html

1980 Schwinn King Sting

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Sun, 15 Feb 2015 21:13:00 +0000

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Screaming Monkey is still injured

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 01:46:00 +0000

Screaming Monkey is still injured so until Screaming Monkey's rotator cuff is rehabilitated things will continue to be a little slow on Screaming Monkey Bike.

Sincerely, Screaming Monkey

RUNGO * Kilimanjaro and Juggernaut

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Fri, 30 Jan 2015 01:43:00 +0000

Kilimanjaro

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Standard Features

All aluminum frame with oversized chain stays provides significant stiffness with extended wheelbase

Three wheels – two wheels in front for stability

Low gearing for difficult terrain

Mounting points for e-bike kits and overhead racks

Fat rear tire in back for traction and control in sand and snow

Shoulder width front-wheel spacing to improve tricycle handling

Hydraulic rear brake for dependable braking regardless weather or temperature

Dual front brakes improve brake force up to double a standard bike

100 mm bottom bracket and crankset provides chain clearance around 4.7″ tires

http://riderungu.com/

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Juggernaut

This CEO Quit His Job To Create A New Kind Of Bicycle And People Are Loving It

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Fri, 16 Jan 2015 23:23:00 +0000

PRIORITY BICYCLES

http://www.prioritybicycles.com/

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For nine years, Dave Weiner rode the same red Schwinn to his job on the west side of Manhattan. Over those nine years, he climbed through the ranks of Cole Systems Associates, a software consulting firm, and his responsibilities steadily increased as the company grew. When it was purchased in 2012, he was rewarded for his dedication by being named CEO of the 285-person North American branch.

Which is why so many people were shocked earlier this year when Weiner quit the gig at age 34. But this is what happens when you have a childhood dream that just won't die.

Now the newly minted entrepreneur is the owner and CEO of Priority Bicycles, a startup that he founded with recreational riders in mind. Weiner set his beloved Schwinn aside and designed a brand new bike--a maintenance-free model with nearly impenetrable tires--hoping it would appeal to the casual rider. And it did: Since its launch in July, Priority has pulled in over half a million dollars in sales and has caught the attention of some of the biggest names in the biking industry.

"A lot of people thought I was insane," Weiner says. "Some of them came out and said it, and others--you could see that look in their eye." What those people didn't know was that Weiner had been quietly preparing for this for years.

Planting The Seed

Feeling a rush of inspiration while working as a software consultant a few years back, Weiner sat down one day and wrote out the business plan for a still-conceptual cycling company. He kept the blueprints private--he knew how fortunate he was to have a well-paying job during a rough economic time, and he wasn't about to mess with that.

The idea for a bike business originated when Weiner was a kid growing up in the San Francisco suburb of Clayton. He worked as a mechanic in two different bike shops, adjusting gears and fixing flats for fellow riders. Eventually, he came to love the work, and a zest for biking evolved into a dream of owning his own shop.

It was a vision that kept creeping back into Weiner's head even after he moved to Manhattan to work in software. As a bicycle commuter, he was in tune with the types of issues that often plague the casual rider: faulty chains, flat tires--not to mention the ease with which a locked bicycle can be quickly dismantled by a thief. "Bikes have really evolved on the upper end," he says, "but there haven't been many advancements for the recreational rider." In this, Weiner saw an opportunity.

The tipping point came back in January. Weeks of flying to California and Europe for work had taken their toll. Fed up with missing out on milestone moments for his 1-year-old son, Jake, Weiner stepped down. "I loved my job," he says. "But I just sort of snapped."

Weiner didn't waste any time. Suddenly unemployed, he hit the streets for some guerrilla research on his next venture. He rode around Manhattan snapping photos of bikes that had been modified in any way, noting the types and the likely costs of the customizations. Weiner figured if he could build these features right into the bike, it would appeal to cost-conscious riders just looking to get from point A to point B.

An Innovative Design

To create a focus for Priority, he invented a handful of personas that he envisioned as the company's typical customers: the college student going to class, the urban dweller riding to yoga or the market, the nine-to-fiver looking for some weekend exercise. All too often, Weiner says, these people pull their bikes out of storage only to find out that something's broken. "Priority's goal," he says, "is to make sure that doesn't happen."

As any bike rider will tell you, the four parts that cause the most headaches are the gears, brakes, tires, and chain. Weiner designed his bikes with a simple three-speed hub gear that doesn't require any moving external parts. The brakes trigger when the rider pedals backward and are thus cable-free, and the tires, which feel more like hard plastic than rubber, are nearly impenetrable during regular riding. All of this drastically cuts down the likelihood that the bike will ever need repair.

Priority's calling card, though, is its chainless design. Other companies created chain-free bikes long before Weiner began designing his, but they were almost exclusively high-end models marketed to competitive riders. Weiner found a supplier willing to work with him on a more cost-efficient version for bicycles that would take less of a beating.

Most city riders remove their quick-releases--which allow the tires and seat to be pulled from the frame with one flick of a lever--in favor of bolts, a modification that runs about $50 when performed after the initial sale. Weiner decided to apply this feature to all his bikes during manufacturing. He also tacked on a water bottle cage and a kickstand--accessories that nearly all riders add, but for which retailers tend to charge extra.

In deciding how to launch his product, Weiner spoke with fellow entrepreneurs, many of whom had success on Kickstarter. He read a book on the topic, then picked their brains about what had made their campaigns successful: a professionally made video, responsiveness, and a working prototype to show to the masses.

Priority's Kickstarter campaign, which launched in July, set a goal of $30,000. It hit that goal within hours of launching. By the end of its 30-day run, Priority had amassed $556,286, with each user who donated $350 receiving a bike from the first shipment.

Weiner credits Priority's fast success to the bike's user-friendly design. Even with the Kickstarter campaign over, orders are still coming in steadily at the bike's $399 full price. "It's an entrepreneur's dream come true," Weiner says in his new office, a few floors down from his former employer. His red Schwinn sits in the back of a cramped room filled with sleek, new Priority models. "I mean, you always think you have a good idea--but does the world think you have a good idea?"

***

Story by Kevin J. Ryan

http://www.businessinsider.com/

Screaming Monkey has an injury...

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 19:58:00 +0000

Screaming Monkey has an injury so until Screaming Monkey's rotator cuff is rehabilitated things will be a little slow on Screaming Monkey Bike.

Sincerely, Screaming Monkey

Amazon now testing bike messengers for one hour deliveries in New York City.

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 07:55:00 +0000

In its latest attempt to take on brick-and-mortar retailers, Amazon.com Inc. is testing plans to offer deliveries within an hour in New York City by using bike messengers.

The new service is being referred to as Amazon Prime Now and mimics the immediacy of in-store shopping by bringing some merchandise to customers in Manhattan within one hour or two, according to a person familiar with the test.

On a recent afternoon, bike messengers working for Amazon could be seen filing out of the back of a building on West 34th Street just steps from the Empire State Building, where the e-commerce giant recently signed a 17-year lease.

Amazon has been holding time trials with messengers from at least three courier services to pick the speediest and most careful for its delivery fleet, the person said. During the trials, messengers are given an address and told to bike there within the allotted time. Once they arrive, they are required to take a photograph of the building’s address and return to the ground floor of the Amazon building, which is referred to by bike messengers as “the base,” the person said.

At the base, Amazon has built a lounge replete with foosball, pool and air hockey tables; an arcade; and other amenities for messengers hanging out between deliveries, the person said. Messengers are paid around $15 an hour and work eight-hour shifts.

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By SHELLY BANJO And GREG BENSINGER @ http://www.wsj.com/news/technology

2015 Specialized CrossTrail Sport Disc "Jack of all trades"

noreply@blogger.com (Screaming Monkey Bike) — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 22:20:00 +0000

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Frame> Specialized A1 Premium Aluminum, double butted

Fork> SR Suntour NEX 63mm, w/hydraulic lock-out

Headset> Ahead, semi integrated

Crankset> Specialized forged alloy, 48/36/26t

Cassette> Shimano 9 speed, 11-34

Derailleur's> Shimano Alivio Shadow

Hubs> Specialized Hi Lo disc, alloy, double sealed

Rims> Specialized, doublewall, alloy, disc

Tires> Specialized Trigger Sport, 700x38c

Brakes> Tektra Auriga, hydraulic disc

Saddle> Body Geometry Targa Sport

Price> around $750.00

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http://www.specialized.com/us/en/home

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