Katie and Nate head off for bicycle adventures

Next week, Nate and I will be departing Cincinnati for a ten month Arabic and Hebrew program in Jaffa, Israel. We'll be taking bicycle tours of Israel, Jordan and Egypt during our vacation time. Once our ten month commitment is through, we'll be bicycling from Istanbul to Dublin. The route hasn't been finalized yet, but it looks like we'll be going through the following: Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, Austria, the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, England, Scotland, and Ireland. We might re-route or head into Russia and the Ukraine, but the tentative plans are shaping up to be interesting no matter what we decide on.

We will miss the wonderful, quirky people who frequent and work at Reser Bicycle Outfitters. Jason has graciously agreed to sponsor our touring with some of the best gear on the market. We cannot thank him enough--we will definitely be going through some chains and tubes. Please check back for weekly updates on the places we'll be riding and how our gear is holding up. Our blog will be up and running in the next few days as we wind down the process of getting ready to leave the country. Sunday will be our last day at the shop--stop by and say hello and goodbye! We have no idea what we'll be doing when we return, but we promise you'll all be the first to know.

All of our best,

Katie and Nate

Bicycles, beer, and mud: it's that time of the year

Cyclocross season is just around the corner. If that doesn't send shivers of excitement down your spine, I really, really, really don't know what will. Featuring trails, mud, rocks, obstacles, pavement and grass, cyclocross is a test of bicycle handling skills, endurance, and ones ability to endure aggressive heckling.



If you aren't sure about running through the mud while carrying your bicycle up an intense hill, then come try it out at cyclocross practice this Wednesday, 6:30 pm at Devou Park.

We've got Ridley and Rocky Mountain cyclocross bikes in stock. Getting into the sport doesn't have to break the bank--come in and talk to us about financing and layaway options. There are some great entry level frames and complete bikes in stock, too. Test rides are always free.

Just remember: it's not truly a suffer fest if there are beer hand-ups involved.

IMPROMPTU PARTY ALERT!!!

Impromptu party alert! Beer and pizza at the shop tonight, 7:30 until it runs out! YEAH! Do we need a reason? Okay, I guess the end of the race series works.

Devou Park Season Finale

It's the last race tonight at Devou. I know you're all sad that you won't be hearing Rob's commentary, and that we never got enough juniors out to get Big Dave into a grass skirt, but hey, let's have one last hurrah. There will be some serious contention for the women's series crown, and the men's races look to be just as fast tonight. Bring the family, bring the dog, bring your friends, and bring a little cash (or credit) for the taco truck.

Queen City Bike Meeting

Ride with us to the August meeting of Queen City Bike. Our region's voice for bicycle advocacy, Queen City Bike is currently working to improve our bicycle infrastructure. Jason and Katie will leave from the shop at 6:40 to ride to the meeting in the East End.

This month's agenda is as follows:

7 pm - 7:30: Presentation by Cincinnati Dept of Transportation and Engineering on options for Riverside Drive (jointly with East End Area Council)

7:30 - 8:30: Additional Queen City Bike Business:

1) Bike Friendly Destinations project: QCB has been awarded Greater Cincinnati Foundation grant for $10,000

2) Bike to Baseball (ride to Reds games)

3) New activities for late summer/fall: Spring Grove Cemetary Tour? Other?

4) QCB Membership Discount Program

5) Discussion of new Cincinnati Bicycle Program Advisory Committee per the Bike Plan

6) Bike Month 2011

Devou Park+Tacos+Bicycles=Spectacular Fun

YES, rain or shine, the Devou Park Summer Race Series is on. Tonight Senor Roy's taco truck will be joining us. Can you think of anything better than tacos and bicycles? Okay, maybe tacos and bicycles at the exactly same time aren't a good idea, but within reason, it really is kind of a great concept. Here's the breakdown.

Scenario 1: You have a bicycle and would like to race it.
That's fantastic. Bring your license or purchase a one day license at registration. Bring cash for tacos, too. You're really going to want one (or six) after you climb up that hill.

Scenario 2: Breaking that kind of sweat is ridiculous. You just want to watch your friends ad loved one suffer.
This is also fantastic. Bring yourselves, your kids, your neighbors, your dog, and a blanket or chair to sit on. You should also bring some cash for the taco truck--honestly, who doesn't love tacos? Bring your cheering voice. There's a possibility of best fan prems.

Scenario 3: You have a bicycle, but aren't sure about racing.
Don't make excuses. Bring your bike, your helmet, and a can-do attitude. There's even a women's only race and honestly, I don't remember the last time a crit series around here had a regularly scheduled women's only race.

Dirty Divas 2010 Mountain Bike Clinic

Hey ladies! Do you want to mountain bike, improve your skills, or just hang out with some like-minded folks? If so, please come to Harbin Park this Saturday for the seventh annual Dirty Divas Mountain Bike Clinic. The women of Reser will be out in force and Jess will be wrenching and holding down the Reser Tent--stop by for some tasty treats, maintenance advice and help!

Register at: http://www.bikereg.com/events/register.asp?eventid=10964

$50 for registration includes breakfast and lunch! Raffles will be held, so bring some cash for tickets that will support CORA's work to improve mountain bike facilities in our region.

Join us for a day of fun and fitness at our annual mountain bike instructional clinic for women. All riders from first-timers to advanced are welcome, and all fitness levels. Whether you’ve never ridden on a mountain bike trail, or you’re just looking to polish up your off-road handling skills, we have a great day in store for you!
At the CORA Dirty Divas Clinic, you will:

• Learn the basics of mountain biking, even if you’ve never ridden off-road
• Master your skills if you’ve already begun riding
• Discover proper technique for conquering hills, making tight turns, clearing obstacles, and more
• Challenge yourself
• Gain confidence
• Have fun!

New this year! The Dirty Divas clinic will feature only IMIC (International Mountainbike Instructor Certification)-certified instructors.

BMC Trailfox 01

The Trailfox is appropriately named. This bike lives for trails. I don’t say that because it has knobby tires, and 140mm of suspension travel, I say that because this is a bike that is at home on the trail. It has an active suspension, without feeling bouncy. I didn’t bother using ProPedal at all, and felt no real ill-effects. If I was faced with a very long climb, I would probably use it, but only to try to eke out every last bit of efficiency. This bike carves the corners and flies up hills. Taking corners I felt very confident leaning into the turns, the frame is quite stiff and allowed me to really push the bike and try to squeeze out as much speed as I could muster down the trail. Climbing was a point-and-shoot kind of affair, with the suspension actively hunting for traction without an annoying bob.
Descending was very smooth. While the trails I rode lacked in a slow technical descent, there are a few fast, rough hills that let me test the bike’s lofting capability, and I found the Trailfox to be very responsive to steering inputs and weight transfers, allowing me to loft the front wheel over rough sections quite easily, which made it able for me to place the front wheel wherever it needed to be in order to continue along with my chosen line.
I did notice that the bike didn’t behave well in the air. The rear suspension would kick off the trail and send the rear wheel higher than the front. It wasn’t difficult to control in the air, but it is a bit frightening to have the rear wheel kick up when you’re not expecting it. This may have been due to my suspension set up, or to my technique, but it would be something to keep in mind as you set out on the trail.
Overall I found the Trailfox to be a very capable bike. It made me feel faster on the trail without feeling fragile like a race bike can. The rear suspension soaked up bumps quite effectively and still allowed me to put power down either in the seat or standing up. This is a bike that is definitely at home on dirt.

Rocky Mountain Altitude 30

This may be the most beautiful mountain bike I have seen. It has a deep metallic blue paint over a flowing set of tubes, I almost wanted to hang it up as art instead of riding it. Notice I said “almost”. Riding the altitude was almost like watching a romantic comedy. You know what will happen in the end, but you also know that there will be some bump in the road that will be resolved somehow.
The bump in the Altitude’s road was the spec tire, not offering good traction when encountering wet roots or the muddy side of a water crossing. But when the tire slipped, the bike stayed upright and stable, and once you found traction it continued climbing. This bike is the epitome of balanced. It has a very natural feel to it, is easy to hold a line, and very easy to control going uphill, down, or on flat ground. This bike also takes to the air very well. On small jumps, like the kinds found on local cross country trails, the bike stays very level in the air, and absorbs the landing very well. It pedals very well without the need for ProPedal, which is good because the lever is mounted near the bottom bracket making it hard to reach while riding. I left the shock open the entire time and experienced no ill effects of a lack of platform. This bike definitely rewards smoothness, asking that you stay in the seat and spin rather than mash the pedals and yank the bars. I did both, and can say that it does prefer the rider to stay seated, standing and manhandling the bike produces results too.
The bike felt a bit short in the top tube. I’m 5’11” on a good day, and I slid the seat all the way back on the 18” frame I rode, and still felt a bit cramped. The front tire also had a tendency to lift a bit while climbing in the seat, but it was easily controlled and brought back to the ground. Overall I would call the Altitude 30 an excellent bike for someone new to riding, or looking for an upgrade bike that performs well no matter how you ride it. Or you could pick it up just to stare at it, this bike is stunning. Don’t forget to wipe off the drool when you’re done.

Devou Park Criterium Series presented by Reser Bicycle Outfitters and Busam Subaru!

Looking for some free, family-friendly fun? Bring a picnic and the kids and get ready for some exciting bicycle racing! Start time is 7:00 pm at Devou Park. Please follow the signs and note that the park will largely be closed to traffic from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

Every Wednesday from July 14, 2010 thru August 11, 2010

The Devou Park Race Series is intended to give entry level racers, women and high school aged juniors the opportunity to get additional racing experience on a slightly challenging course.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: The course will be a challenging 1-mile loop in beautiful Devou Park. It starts with a flat straight section before you hit the 180 degree turn to start the decent. At the bottom of the decent you’ll have a sweeping right hander into the climb. The climb itself is winding with some rough pavement. Once you reach the top, it’s a short sprint the last couple of hundred feet to the finish line.

REGISTRATION: Online registration is available at BikeReg.com. Online registration will close at 11:59 PM the night before each race. Pre-registration is highly encouraged. A $5 late fee will be assessed to all day of event registrations. Onsite registration and check in will open at 6:00 PM and closes 15 minutes before each race.

Yeti 575 Review

When I first grabbed the bars of the Yeti 575 I noticed a few things that I thought I wouldn’t be able to adapt to, the high seat height caused by the high bottom bracket, and the wide bars. I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to get used to either. I was very wrong. The seat doesn’t feel high as soon as you start going, and the wide bars offer good hand placement for control and leverage for climbing. Riding the 575 is an awesome experience. The rear suspension is super plush, while not being too soft to pedal. The particular bike I rode had the Fox RP23, and with ProPedal engaged the bike accelerated and climbed even better.
Riding this bike did a few things for me. It initially made me want to hit every single root, rock, jump, and drop I could find. As someone who doesn’t particularly enjoy flying down hills, jumping, and drops, the 575 gave me the confidence to go a bit faster, and let the wheels leave the ground a bit more. Climbing was efficient whether ProPedal was on or not, but the suspension will bob if you’re standing and torquing as opposed to spinning an easier gear. The other thing this bike did is make me want to be a better rider. The bike provides the platform for a skill set above mine, and the more I rode the bike, the more I wanted to elevate my skills to the level of the bike.
The first time I rode this bike I was limited to a short ride by only being able to carry one water bottle. And the cage location is right below the shock, which makes taking the bottle out, and flipping the ProPedal lever a bit of a chore. Not that that is a big deal, especially since many people have gone to the backpack hydration packs, but for those of us still in the hydration dark ages it would have been nice to have space for multiple cages, and also to have them in more convenient locations.
Overall, the 575 is a solid bike, an awesome climber, confident on the descents, and despite the large look to the frame, it is very lightweight. The bike is very stable both at speed and when picking and choosing a line.

Maintenance Class!

The second Saturday of every month we offer a maintenance class with our head mechanic, Matt Baker. Bring your bicycle, or borrow one of ours, and he'll show you basic bicycle anatomy and roadside repair tips and tricks that will make you a more confident and comfortable bicyclist. If you've purchased a bicycle from us, it's free, if not, it's $10. Reservations aren't required, but it's always nice to know if you'll be joining us. RSVP to bakerbikewrench@gmail.com.

Civia Belt Drive

Form and function neatly intersect with Civia's newest bicycle, the Bryant. An eight speed Alfine hub is combined with the simplicity of a carbon belt drive. This results in a bicycle that is silent--it's like riding a silent ghost ship. Most serious commuters won't even wear out the belt drive. A traditional chain can wear down and destroy an entire drive chain; a belt drive won't. If you're the sort who isn't cleaning their chain every week, but is riding every day to work, to school, and to the grocery store, then a belt drive bicycle is a great option. Avid disc brakes make for serious peace of mind when stopping in inclement weather. Racks and fenders will mount easily on this classically-styled frame. The Bryant is the pinnacle of no-muss, no-fuss commuting.


Adjectives and phrases used by staff people to describe this beautiful beast of burden:

"Silent ghost ship"
"Beautiful."
"Unicorn-like."
"Really, really practical."

A professional fit from one of our Serrotta Fit Specialists will turn this bicycle into the most comfortable commuter you can imagine.

Yes, we are open!

It may be a federal holiday, but our doors are open. Come see our new Civia Bryant bicycles with belt drives (review to follow). Don't mow the lawn or clean the pool. Visit us and get ready for a summer filled with bicycling fun!

Special Meeting to Decide Fate of New Bike Plan

Tuesday, June 22 at 6 p.m.
Council Chambers
Cincinnati City Hall
801 Plum St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202

Special Meeting of Liveable Communities Committee to decide fate of new bike plan: We need YOU there!

Arrive by 5:50 p.m. to fill out a card if you wish to testify. You will have two minutes to let them know why making this a great bicycling community is important to you! Cincinnati's new bike plan envisions a 445-mile system of bicycle lanes, routes, and paths that will make it possible for tens of thousands more people to leave their cars behind and use their bicycles for daily transportation and recreation in the city. For the past ten months, hundreds of you have helped develop that plan, by attending public meetings, providing input on-line, or scouting streets with us on your bikes. The plan you helped create can be downloaded here.

Now is the time when we need to come together to ensure that the product of all our efforts is adopted by the City. The seven members of the Council's Liveable Communities Committee will be taking testimony and then voting on the plan at this Special Meeting next week. They need to know that you think it's time that the city took bicycling seriously and set a course for a new future in our city.

Whether you want to testify personally or not, please attend and bring plenty of friends. There is nothing that has the impact of a Chamber-full of enthusiastic supporters of change. If you do wish to testify, let us know and we will send you some guidelines for you to use in preparing your statement.
There will be ample secure bike parking at City Hall if you ride, but please remember to bring your lock!

Liveable Communities Committee Members

Roxanne Qualls, Chairperson roxanne.qualls@cincinnati-oh.gov 513-352-3604

Laure Quinlivan, Vice Chair laure.quinlivan@cincinnati-oh.gov 513-352-5303

Jeff Berding jeff.berding@cincinnati-oh.gov 513-352-3283

Chris Bortz chris.bortz@cincinnati-oh.gov 513-352-3249

Chris Monzel chris.monzel@cincinnati-oh.gov 513-352-3640

Cecil Thomas cecil.thomas@cincinnati-oh.gov 513-352-3499

Charlie Winburn charlie.winburn@cincinnati-oh.gov 513-352-5354
PS Can't make the meeting? Send an e-mail or call committee members!

Marty Sanders places sixth at the Mohican 100!

Neither hail, nor rain, nor flash flooding, nor severe electrical storms could stop the Mohican 100 from going forward this year. Considered by Cycling News reports to have been the "worst conditions in eight years," the trail conditions couldn't stop our own Marty Sanders from taking sixth place in the men's open 100 km race. Marty wasn't available for comment at the time of this post--sources closest to him suggested that he was taking a well earned nap.

SALE!

Come in for crazy savings on selected winter and fall gear. We've got jackets and jerseys for 50 to 80 percent off!

Closed Sunday and Monday for Memorial Day

We'll be closed Sunday, May 30th and Monday, May 31st for Memorial Day.

Bike Month!

Bike Month is well underway here at Reser Bicycle Outfitters. We've helped organize commuter stations across Cincinnati, and tomorrow we'll be at Iris Book Cafe and the Coffee Emporium (Central Parkway location). Get a cup of coffee, some air in your tires, and a tasty treat!

Tonight we'll be leading a Ride of Silence in conjunction with the Cincinnati Cycle Club. We'll depart from Newport High School at 900 E. Sixth Street around 6:30. This ride is to remember bicyclists who have been killed or injured in crashes. Please join us at Newport High School for the ride or at Fountain Square at 7:30 for a short ceremony.

Thursday is Bike to Work Day--if you need a little encouragement, stop by and talk to one of our employees. Join us at Fountain Square tomorrow for fun, food, and bicycles from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm.

Friday we'll be helping with Bike Newport's Breakfast on the Bridge. From 6:30 to 10:00 you can get coffee, food, and some professional mechanical advice. Come join us for our third celebration of Breakfast on the Bridge!

Spring Cycling Season Starts with Service

Hooray for Spring finally coming and brushing the cold of February away.

We are getting a lot of phone calls with basic questions about our repair, fit, and maintenance services so I thought it made sense to answer the most popular question on our website: What kind of tuneup/overhaul does my bike need? We usually base our assessment on the condition of the bike, how much it's ridden and the age of the bicycle.

1. If you ride your bike three plus times a week for most of the year, you should probably get a Major Overhaul at least once a year. Dust, grime, water and sweat (eww!) penetrates every part of the bike and can cause lots of damage. During a Major Overhaul we remove all the parts from the frame and then clean, lube, and protect both. It's probably time for new cables too.
2. If you ride your bike a good amount each year but never get caught out in the rain, and ride 3000 miles or less (think about it, those miles add up quick). A minor overhaul can cost a little less but still gets the bearings in the re-greased and the bike tuned-up.
3. If your bike is fairly new, has been serviced recently, or does not get a ton of miles, a Tuneup may be all you need. Does your chain and drivetrain look like a grease-pit? You might upgrade to a Comprehensive Tuneup where we remove the chain and gears and clean them in our earth-friendly aqueous microbe parts cleaner.
4. If your bike is over six years old, or has not seen a bearing overhaul six years, it is time for a minor overhaul. The grease inside the hubs dries out during the years and when you start riding a bike like this, it's like driving a car that's been on blocks for years. Without proper preparation it will destroy itself from the inside-out.

When you arrive with your bike, we will take the time to assess it and let you know if there are any parts or tires that need to be replaced as well. You can also call in and make a service appointment so that you can drop your bike off the day before we are scheduled to work on it and thereby only miss a day or two with your bicycle.