
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sell the complete experience, please!

Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Tour of California Dates/Cities Announced
Beginning with a road stage, a first for the race, the 2010 Amgen Tour of California will visit 16 host cities for official stage starts and finishes, while other cities along the route also will have the opportunity to witness the excitement of elite professional cycling. Stages for the 2010 Amgen Tour of California include:
Stage 1: Sunday, May 16 – Nevada City to Sacramento
Stage 2: Monday, May 17 – Davis to Santa Rosa
Stage 3: Tuesday, May 18 – San Francisco to Santa Cruz
Stage 4: Wednesday, May 19 – San Jose to Modesto
Stage 5: Thursday, May 20 – Visalia to Bakersfield
Stage 6: Friday, May 21 – Pasadena to Big Bear Lake
Stage 7: Saturday, May 22 – Los Angeles (individual time trial)
Stage 8: Sunday, May 23 – Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village/Agoura Hills
Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong’s announcement of his intent to compete in the fifth-annual race was met with enthusiasm from race organizers and fans. After mounting an incredible comeback to professional cycling in 2009, competing in the Amgen Tour of California and other top races around the world, including finishing third in the 2009 Tour de France, Armstrong will start the 2010 season on his newly formed Team RadioShack. Returning to the Amgen Tour of California for the second consecutive year, Armstrong is expected to be a top competitor in the race.
We have stores in many of these cities, and there are some opportunities for us here. The smallest of those would be scheduling a day off to see the world's greatest riders roll through your city. A big one for Sport Chalet would be some level of sponsorship. If you fit in the middle, volunteering is an option: http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/Tour/volunteer.html
Main info page on the race: http://www.amgentourofcalifornia.com
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Bike University 2009!

Bike U is on, at the same place as 2008. It's a one day event, so no demo rides are planned, and it'll be a very full day. Oct 27, 2009, starting at 07:45 and concluding at 18:30. Sign up thru the Endzone training calendar. 2 paid per store, voluntary attendance "possible" with pre-registration.
We need a logo, and PDQ. Not just a symbol, not just text and simpler than what's above. Please let me know if you can throw something together, it may get used! Deadline? Sunday PM.
Can't afford Hope? Try Alligator!
Let me know what you think and maybe we could stock these!


Friday, August 07, 2009
Thule vs. Yakima- True Competitors
Buying a base rack system can be compared to buying a house. Once you have a house, you then buy the things that make it a home. In your house there are a number of accessories. Refrigerator, TV, sound system of some sort, and on and on. It’s not a “home” until you have it fixed up just the way you like it.
Over the last four years we have really focused on selling base rack systems. Selling “houses” and less of selling “homes”. I’m not backing away from that philosophy, but it lacked vision. Instead of telling the customer about how to get the base rack we should be talking about how to use it. And digging a little to find another way they could use it. We should be selling the experience of being outdoors, not selling hardware! Here’s an example; Cargo boxes. If someone had only told me years ago how useful cargo boxes were I’d have bought one sooner. Don’t tell me the price. Don’t tell me what it weighs. Don’t even tell me if it’s in stock! JUST TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO WITH IT!
“Sir, the space inside your car is for PEOPLE. If you had a cargo box your camping gear could go in it. If you’re going skiing/boardin’ all of that could up there. If you’re hauling the kids to the soccer field, the bag of practice cones and balls goes up there. Think of all the dirty gear that goes in your car now, and how easily it’ll go in there…”
Had I only known. The company we are partnering with has the easiest to load hitch bike carrier, the T2. They offer the best consumer truck rack, the Xsporter. They make more cargo boxes than the other company by a factor of twelve. They offer the easiest to load kayak carrier, the Hull-a-vator. For a traveling fisherman, see the Cast-a-way. How about a ski/snowboard carrier that doesn’t make you monkey-climb all over your ride in boots after a full day? (PullTop) Open up their catalog and you’ll easily find this info.
The difference in accessories is only one of the reasons we are changing. Yakima is a great company and makes great products, but the time has come for a change. You may hear me say we sell and install base systems in classes, but on the sales floor we’ll be selling an experience and the accessories that’ll make it happen.
Thule vs. Yakima Training
Think of another "system". An elbow is an elbow. It's the hinge between the wrist and the shoulder. There are differences between mine and yours, but I understand how those you own work.
No retraining is planned, suggested or required, it all installs by the directions that are included. But come to the new clinic for more details on Thule products if you'd like!
Sunday, August 02, 2009
How do I refill this grease thing?
Monday, May 18, 2009
Should Diamondback make a Singlespeed?
However, this example weighs 25lbs on the ultra-accurate hyper-calibrated scale in the Lab. (It measures to 2 decimal points, OK this is 25.18lbs. Easy man, decaf.) I know it's an oddity, I mean who runs bar ends since 1995? But they help to add more power to the pedals under max efforts.
I like it, and it's climbs/handles great. Let THEM know if you think it's a good idea.
From Response SS |
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Is bigger “better”?
Feel- This bike has absolutely phenomenal traction. I am used to getting a little wheel spin on uphill sprints; not on this bike. With the tire pressure taken down to 30psi front and 34psi rear it was amazing. Please keep in mind that this bike has no suspension travel so I was not hitting corners as aggressively, but still 80% of normal. Still fast enough to get “snow globed” from the bumps. (That’s when you get shaken up enough that your vision blurs, like shaking a snow globe and watching the flakes float around.) The diameter of the wheel reduces the impact of trail bumps so trails you know feel smoother. The larger wheel has it’s axle higher off the ground but the crank assembly is at the normal altitude. This means that you ride this bike with a lower center of gravity. You’ll feel it, definitely. I’ve been riding MTB’s since... well..the early 80’s and it’s an effect that’s very attractive. It makes the bike have a longboard feel, and it carves smooth radius turns like poetry. If you are 5’ 10” or taller you should definitely try a 29’er. The difference is dramatic.
If you’ve attended classes with me you’ll be ready for the other side of the coin, that every choice has an up and down side. By using a larger wheel your rolling assembly will weigh more. How much more is determined by you, but it’ll weigh more. Added weight makes ascending harder. That added weight will also make your brakes less effective, so don’t use cheap brakes on your 29’er. Since the wheel has greater momentum the steering response is slower but there’s easy ways to deal with that, use shorter width handlebars.
Gearing- If you’re going to singlespeed this wheelset plan on owning a few extra rear cogs. The Solo-One comes equipped with a 32:20 gear ratio. Depending on your personal fitness level and the steepness of your trails you may want to have an easier gear. If you look closely at some affordable cassettes you may be able to disassemble them and have 2 or 3 usable choices for a pretty low cost. 32:20 equals a ratio of 1:1.6. 32:21 = 1:1.52, 32:23 = 1:1.39, and any lower you can calculate on your own. A common mountain bike has a range of ratios from 0.65 to 4, so keep in mind that if you have ONE gear don’t go too low. Or toddlers on tricycles will look like Lance Armstrong as they pass you.
Also- consider bar ends! They can really help you to power up some hills.
Monday, May 04, 2009
An Expert should try new things...
From KHS Solo One 1 |
From KHS Solo One 1 |
From KHS Solo One 1 |
May 1- I picked up a KHS Solo-One demo bike from KHS and took it to the Lab for a full tuning. The full MSRP on it is $679 including disc brakes and an aluminum frame. I was very grateful to note the huge 2.3” Kenda Nevegal tires for traction and a softer ride. The fork may look “long”, but it’s made to have extra height to allow for the owner to add a suspension fork and not mess up the geometry. There’s no way around it, this thing is burly at 28.85lbs with the stock platform pedals. Balance that against the huge tires and durable 29” wheels, and it begins to make sense. I took one short lap and realized that “some” suspension would be a help. The seatpost in picture five is a Cane Creek Thudbuster LT, and it works perfect on this type of bike. The 3” of travel makes a world of difference.
From KHS Solo One 1 |
I’m 5’9”, and this is a medium size. On the Solo One I’d advise you to get a larger size if you are 1/4” of an inch taller than me. If you wear pants with an inseam longer than 28”, immediately install a longer seatpost. Beyond that it just works. This bike will be ridden in a way totally different from your other bikes, so avoid big changes until you’ve tried it.
May 2- The introduction is over, it’s time to crank this thing! The Fullerton Loop is a very popular trail in my region, which courses through city parks and open spaces between houses. It ain’t epic, but it’s local and fun. Normally I burn off 700 to 800 calories doing it on a full suspension bike. I used 1559 calories today. Let me start by saying that riding a single speed bike is fun. Like out-running an alligator type of fun.(I realize my idea of fun may be a little twisted, but I think you’d like one too. Bike, not alligator.) For me the KHS Solo-One has three modes.
Mode A is when you are spinning “on top” of the gear or coasting. Since there’s ONE GEAR you don’t get to shift if you go faster than you can pedal that gear, you spin it at 180+ rpm/coast/spin/coast until the terrain changes.
Mode B is when the gear and terrain demands an effort from you that you can manage. Easy climbs, short mellow hills, that’s OK. “Nice”.
Mode C occurs on a short steep hill. A hill that beginners see and immediately get off and walk up. This is the core moment of single-speediness for me. You’re tensed against the pedals, clipped in, putting 100% of your available strength into the cranks. You are pulling on the handlebars, leaning into the climb, to keep the bike balanced side-to-side, You are also keeping “just” enough weight on the rear tire so you don’t roost away your momentum. Maybe you add your own soundtrack, groaning/grunting or warrior-wailing your way to the apex of the hill. There is a “zen” to that moment of energy and balance that completely resonates with me.
Aw nuts, I’m becoming a single speeder. It hasn't killed me yet, I must be getting stronger. I’ll do more on the wheel size in the next installment.
From KHS Solo One 1 |
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
Friday, April 03, 2009
Marin Bikes reviews modern suspension designs
Marin Quad Link Clinic 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Don't call Iron Horse Bikes. For Anything!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Hayes Post Mount Bolt Chart
To help avoid this, please check this chart for what rotor size goes with what bolt. I know you should just measure it out,this is only shortcut you'll get on this topic.
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From Untitled Album |
Friday, March 13, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Yakima acquires RackandRoll multi-sport trailers
MSRP is $2,149 for the basic model, and you must not own something so unusual that a trailer hitch can't be mounted to it. Wow. Suddenly the Q-tower system seems really affordable.
Yakima RackandRoll Trailer site
Thursday, January 15, 2009
How be an Expert again. Let a newbie show you the joy!
Let me give you a little background first. I’ve been riding mountain bikes since 1980. If that predates your birthday, just keep that to yourself please. I’ve worked with all kinds of customers, and ridden with a very wide variety of people. I may have become a little jaded when it comes to bike riding, I can admit it. My attitude a month ago to hitting the trail may have been very “whatever”.
In the last two months I have been a better friend to a few people. One of them, in his mid-40’s, has really discovered mountain bike riding for the first time. He’s ridden motorcycles in the desert for years, and was getting burned out on the whole experience. Go to the Airport for Race Fuel for the motos, fuel up the truck, load and hook up the trailer, drive an hour and half, and unload the bikes. Put gear on, ride motorcycle for 3+ hours. Get back to rig, stow ride gear, load trailer. Drive an hour and a half home, unload everything. Clean the trailer and bike. Park trailer, disconnect, park truck. It makes me tired just reading all it takes to go ride!
Compare this to; grab helmet/ Camelbak/ shoes/ bike. Put in truck, drive 15 minutes. Ride 90 minutes. Drive home, stow gear, lube chain. Feel good, have the rest of the day available. Do it again the next day. Easy!
After you’ve done a sport for some time, it can be easy to take some things for granted. Riding with this guy is just fun. Even when he feels like barfing because the hill climb was so steep, he radiates happiness in being there. He dreams of mountain biking. He doesn’t quite know it yet, but he’s gonna snap and buy a $3,000 bicycle in a month or two. He has got “it”. By helping this person into the sport, now I have “it” again. In fact I’m getting the better part of the deal, I think.
What am I suggesting in relating this to you? You will get something from mentoring a person, even if they’re older than you. Get involved, and make a difference. It may make you an expert all over again.
Monday, January 05, 2009
Tough times don't last. Be the Team Leader.
There is a lot of concern and discussion in our stores about the economy. You may not have been working with Sport Chalet in the days after Sept 11, 2001. Although the country bounced back quickly after that tragic event, our company learned a valuable lesson. Sales went down, but customers kept shopping. When they gained confidence that the country was recovering, sales came back up. Our customers that wanted to be outside running, swimming or skiing a year ago still want to do that. The desire for what we sell has not changed, and the customer will satisfy their needs and wants soon. The customer in your store today is here solely because they want to buy a product. They will buy it, and they’ll buy it from you if you’ll speak with them.
Keep your focus. We are in the customer service business.