Welcome to Carmichael Cycles

Gearing up for spring

2012-01-23T15:43:00.000-08:00

During this blustery time of year, most of us take ouryard equipment into the maintenance shop so that it will be ready for us in timefor spring, but did you know that now is also the best time of year to bring yourbike in for its yearly service? Yes, nowis the time to get those bikes out of the shed, and bring them in for a lube, atune and maybe a new set of tires.

Bicycles are machines, the carry us on our way to work,and out for a day of fun, but bicycles still need to be cared for in the same manner as your moweror car. Inspection of the frame, chain,wheels, brakes and shifting, should be checked at least once a year by aqualified technician for cracks, wear, and fraying, for your safety and for thosearound you.

The chain connects the rear wheel to the pedals and usuallyhas the most wear of all the components involving the drivetrain. The chain constantly rubs against the cogsand chain-wheels as you pedal on your ride, and if not properly lubricated yourchain will wear down quickly, becoming thin and eventually braking under pressure. Yearly replacement of the chain is common and inexpensive, and will save you money by not having to replace moreexpensive components later.

The wheels of your bike are not only important for yourbike to roll, but are also important for supporting your weight, and thespokes in your wheels need to be inspected for tension and the wheel for “True”, to preform this task.This is easily done by spinning your wheel to see if it moves in a side toside motion as it spins, if there is movement, then the wheel is considered tobe out of true and is also probably rubbing on your brakes and adding friction asyou ride. Truing your wheels is done on a “Truingstand”, and takes a short period of time to make the corrections to them.

Your braking system is a lot like your cars, without themyou can’t stop. And proper maintenance isimportant for your safety. For most ofthe brakes on today’s bikes are made up of a system of pads, cables and levers;

1) Yourbrake pads are made of a rubber like material that is compressed against the wheelto cause friction and slowing you to a stop. The pads can become hard and brittle with age, or they can become wornby use and do not have enough surface area to cause the friction needed to slowyou properly.

2) The brakecable is made up of steel wires that move within the cable housing and connectsthe brake pads and calipers to the brake lever. The friction between the cable and the housing causes the cable to wearover time and can create rust and fraying of the cable, preventing the brakepads to freely release.

3) Yourbrake levers connect your hand to the brake cable and one should be present foreach set of brakes. The levers are supposedto be free of cracks and arrant bends that are caused frombeing dropped or bumped.

Finally, adjusting your shifting system is like getting atune up for your car. The cables that actuatethe shifting for the derailleur’s, has the same problems as the brake cables,fraying and rust accumulations in the housing will create a delay in theshifting and cause mis-shifts between gears. These cables should be replacedyearly to prevent more costly repairs by the cable braking insidethe shifter.

A smooth and safe bicycle ride will always bring you a smileand a sense of accomplishment. In time, you will find that your smiles will getbigger, your rides longer, and your self esteem and fitness level will grow proportionally. Getting a professional tune up is not only good for yourbike but for you, because you are also a machine.

For the month of February, Carmichael Cycles is offeringa discount on our Standard Tune-up which is normally $69.99, and will cover allof the adjustments and more that we discussed (sorry but parts and fitness notincluded). Our coupon will be in theInside Arden publication, found in most the newsstands around theCarmichael-Arden area, or at Inside Arden online.

Bring it on

2012-01-17T15:03:00.000-08:00

After a winter spoiled by sunshine and decently warmafternoons, the weather forecasters are now becoming excited about a change in our weather,rain is now expected and it may last for the duration of the winter season, but that doesnot mean we have to change the amount of weekly riding that we do here in thegolden state.

We take a lot for granted here in California, mild winters,lots of sunshine and the lack of snow throughout most of our state, however, we do payfor the privilege of this lifestyle, water rationing, air rationing, and a deterioratinginfrastructure. But fortunately for us wholive in this grand state, when the rains do come, all it takes is a well madecycling slicker, and some wool socks tomake it all manageable and comfortable enough for us to ride. In fact as we all have seen, when the rainsdo not come as expected, we all have to deal with blistering cold temperatures that dip intothe thirties, requiring us to layer clothing that can cause one to closelyresemble Cartman, so what I am saying is; “Bring on the rain, I’m ready”.

Riding in the rain is nothing more than a psychological blockthat can easily be overcome with a little preparedness and good clothing, I mean come on, we don't live in Minnesota, and those folks ride year round.

One - Get yourself a great cycling rain slicker. Depending on the maker you should expect topay anywhere from $100.00 to $300.00 for a well made one, look for underarmvent zippers, a water resistant chest pocket and rear pocket, top and bottompull zippers on the front, and a shoulder blade vent flap. Colors of Hi-Vis yellow or red with white reflectivepiping make you easily spotted in wet and dark situations, keeping yousafer. We keep two styles of slicker herat the shop, the Endura slicker at $99.00 and the Sugoi slicker at$180.00.

Two - Never underestimate the power of wool. Socks made of wool will keep your feet happyand warm and for the most part dry, even with wet shoes. A base layer made of wool will keep you warmand comfortable as you ride by helping to regulate your body heat while riding. Ofcourse you can take it a step further by including a wool jersey which will repela light misting and fog. Today’s woolproducts are not those scratchy and itchy garments of the past, Smartwool takeswool to a whole new level of comfort and ease of care.

Wool will cost you about $14.00 for socksfrom DeFeet, and $40.00 – $60.00 for base layers from Sugoi. Wool jerseys run anywhere from $120.00 -$180.00 depending which manufacturer you go to but are easily found online forless.

Three – Get some fleece lined bib-tights or pants. Not only will these garments keep you warm onthose sub thirty degree days, they will also keep you warm on wet rides.

Most tights repel water that is splashed upfrom you front tire and on to your shins and keeping your body heat insidewhere it belongs. We carry the Sugoi ProTights at $110.00 and the Sugoi Mid-Zero Bib-Tights at $140.00, here at CarmichaelCycles.

Yup, I am ready, because riding in the rain is a great way to stay on your bike. Me? I prefer the wind in my face and the sound of the wheels as I glide into the turn, not the whirr of a trainer that goes nowhere.

Goals are for soccer

2012-01-07T16:31:00.000-08:00

The New Year has begun and the time to make those pesky commitments is upon us. We as humans are notorious for making promises to ourselves that defy our very nature, yet we try to accomplish these feats anyway. The basis of this promise always seems to revolve around some type of self-improvement or in some cases, organizing our environment, either way with a failure rate of about 90%, it’s probably mentally unhealthy to even try to resolve anything that goes against our vary nature.

Here is a thought. Instead of psychologically impaling our self esteem by doing what we really do not want to do, how about we promise ourselves to do something fun, let’s say … visit the American River Parkway and see why it’s one of the great remaining parks in California, better yet let’s do it while we ride a bike. The parkway has more than 65 miles of paved trail you can follow as you ride, and with bathrooms, picnic tables and drinking fountains located about every three to four miles; you can spend hours along the Sacramento River and its wonders.

The great thing about the trail is that you can take your time as you visit, there are never any lines to get in, and with every visit the park changes, flowers bloom, grasses grow and leaves change from green to brown, it’s a seasonal thing. Along with the vegetation, so do the critters that inhabit the parkway, the mornings are alive with creatures big and small, you can watch as the deer go from velvet, to antlers, as the year progresses. In the evenings the owls search for field mice and birds flock to the trees for a nights rest, coyotes hunt as squirrels and rabbits return to their burrows to sleep.

The trail is also full of people, bike-commuters winding their way to work or home, joggers and walkers setting new goals, and cyclists looking for a car free environment. The trail is a place you can feel safe, hear nature and get healthy in mind, and in body, and isn’t that what we all want, to be better, happier and healthier, to improve ourselves in some way.

We have enough goals in our lives; maybe we just take it a little easier on ourselves and start with a bike, a smile and a ride down a trail.

2012 Is Here and so is Di-2

2011-12-31T11:48:00.000-08:00

Happy New Years from Carmichael Cycles!

As the New Year begins, we here at Carmichael Cycleswould like to thank all of you for being such great and loyal customers,readers of our blog and all around friends. As you know we strive to bring you the bestservice, pricing and inventory in the Carmichael, Ca, and the greater Sacramento area, and thisyear we plan to bring in even more essentials for all your rides.

We will be closed for the first day of the year to spendit with friends and sports on the tele, but we will return on January, 2ed 2012at 10:00am, for a normal day of business.

We do have some new arrivals in the shop for you to see and test ride.

We now have the 2012 Fuji Alta Mira Di2 Ultegra quipped bikesin stock and ready to ride. This bike isloaded with coolness and built on a C4 Carbon frameset with the PIIS BB86, Oval30 mm Aero Wheelset, and ROTOR 3D+F Crankset with a 34/50 compact double. Weighing in at a total weight of 18 +/-pounds nothing is given up for total performance.

We also have some 2011 Fuji SL1 Pro Ultegra equipped road bikesthat feature a C4 carbon frame and C-4 carbon curved stays and a FSA crankset, forincredibly fast and lightweight performance.

We hope that you all have a safe and wonderful new year. It lookslike 2012 is shaping up to be a great and exciting year for all of us, and wehope that all your resolutions come to fruition.

Tis the Season

2011-12-21T12:56:00.000-08:00

We would like to wish everyone the Happiest of Holidayswherever you are this Yule season.

Just a reminder that we will be closing for the holiday on Saturday,December 24^th at 2:00pm and reopen on Monday, December, 26^that 10:00 am.

The shop kits are in and the bike trail is looking good.

2011-12-07T16:31:00.000-08:00

Carmichael Cycles is once again sporting colors after a 10 year hiatus, and we are back with some style and flair. The shop had its kit unveiling last night to an enthusiastic group enjoying wine and pizza provided by Matteo’s. The new kits made by Voler Apparel, are now available for purchase at our store located in Carmichael, California, or by contacting of us by email or phone. For those friends of ours who have relocated, we will gladly ship to any location in the continental U.S. for about $16.00. Here is the link to Voler’s sizing chart to help you decide your fit. http://www.voler.com/help/#HelpSizingCharts .

Because we want to share our kit with everyone we are keeping our prices as reasonable as permitted, but are still a bargain, for these high quality cycling garments.

Jerseys - Race cut or Raglan cut, Women’s or Men’s ….… $89.00
Shorts - Women’s or Men’s …..........................................$89.00
Bib Shorts – Women’s or Men’s ….................................. $100.00
Wind Vests (with pockets) Women's and Men's............ $79.00
Thermal Vest (warm, with pockets) Women’s or Men’s …...$145.00

Of course we will add more accessories, such as jackets, arm and leg warmers, hats and other items as we progress through the initial investment, but let us know what you would like, and we will keep your name on file and do all we to get it for you.
The shop design was put together by our Voler reps, Linda and John Elgart along with Steve, and is a great representative of the shop, simplistic in design, with a black front, white back and asymmetric stripe, the jersey is easy to identify and appealing to the eye. Also located on the back of the jersey is our store logo along with the logos of our sponsors which are positioned on the left and rear pockets. Speaking of our sponsors; “

Matteo’s” is one of two bicycle friendly eateries located in the 5 Points Shopping Center located on Arden Way. Matt has been a supporter of Sacramento bike culture since opening next door two years ago. The restaurant sports inside and patio dining where you can enjoy a varied selection of wines, beer on tap and bistro styled foods and pizzas, all while keeping your bike in view and safe. Here is the link so you can visit their website and find menus and any of their specials. http://www.pizzamatteo.com

Our other sponsor “Giro d’Oro Cycling” is a start up cycling Tour Company which caters to cycling enthusiasts and non cycling enthusiasts alike. For those who are visiting the Sacramento and surrounding communities and foothills, Giro d’Oro offers guided cycling and foot tours to the unexplored roads, trails and historical venues from the San Francisco bay to the Sierras. Debbie, the owner and chief guide of Giro D’oro, ensures that it will always be an adventure that both locals, and visitors, who are looking for something off the normal pedestrian path will find interesting and fun. For more information on Giro D’oro services just go to their website at http://www.girodorocycling.com .

Remember not to forget about us, if you would like to sign up for our coupons, specials, deals, announcements etc. you can sign up to receive them at the bottom of our home page at our web site at http://www.bicycleproducts.com/

Yes Bobby, there is a bike worth riding.

2011-11-30T16:22:00.000-08:00

To often hasty decisions can at times end in total failure, yes, the classic crash and burn, where triumph ends in shattered dreams and the reality of how cruel life can be becomes apparent to all involved. It’s the frustration of trying to assemble late night bicycles and realizing the one you just purchased is missing a crucial part, yes, it's the agony of seeing Christmas morning tears because the parts did not match up quite right. I too have become its victim, and from that faithfull day forth I have refused to fall to the depths of hell again all because I believed that all bicycle vendors were the same.

It’s that awakening or revelation you may say that brought me to where I am today, no, I have not been in the cycling business all my life, I just ended up here because of my passion and my desire to advocate the use of the bicycle. The independent bicycle shop relies on the community it serves, and without it, it will perish, that is why service is the most important aspect of any small bicycle retailer. The larger box store can assimilate their lack of service in low prices and high volume merchandising, in other words, service does not matter and neither do you.

Yes, the independent retailer’s bicycle will cost you more, but there is bigger picture of why that cost is higher.

1. Retail space is expensive. On average, the smaller the retail space, the higher the cost per square foot increases, and although small retail space is not in demand, property owners know that it is huge expense for a small retailer to change its location, and rent increases happen often. The large retailer actually pays significantly less per square foot and for more space often getting yearly tax credits and deep discounts to maintain large properties that cannot be filled otherwise.

2. Qualified bike mechanics don’t work for minimum wage. Most large retailers rely on seasonal workers that are paid as little as possible and are most likely put into positions were they rarely have a working knowledge in the assembly or the maintenance of a bicycle. The small retailer usually has at least one, and most often two certified mechanics, with years of experience on every type and style of bicycle and component.

3. Tools. The instruments used in the bicycle trade are expensive and require more than a pair of pliers and a couple of screwdrivers, although they are also needed. Most shops carry the burden of the less commonly used tools, the ones that have a hefty cost, but each mechanic maintains a set of tools that cost in excess of $2000.00 a set

4. Quality not quantity. Probably the highest costs in buying a new bicycle are the materials and components which make up the whole of the bike. Low grade steel is commonly used in most of the bikes you find from large retailers, rust, metal fatigue and non-repairable components will cost you in the long run and sooner than you think. Most small retailers buy bikes from the parent companies they represent, such as Specialized, Giant, Trek, and Fuji, and from children’s bikes to adult bikes and even carbon bikes, these large companies do not want to tarnish their names or reputations in any way, so every bike that is made with their logo on it is made with strict quality assurances and must be built by a bike shop.

So next time you’re out bicycle shopping, ask yourself; What will this bike truly cost me in the long run? From my experience here at Carmichael Cycles, it’s the personal service given to each and every customer that comes through the front door, the phone calls that ask if the store can remain open for an extra five or ten minutes due to sticky traffic, so they can pick up their bike for tomorrows ride, the flat tires that are fixed with haste while the rider waits comfortably on the couch. Don’t get me wrong, this is not a complaint, this is what I love about this industry, it’s the friends I have made, the conversation and the exchange of related information, and its watching people’s lives change, all because of a bicycle bought from the shop down the street. Thank you for making my job fun. Peace.

Seasonal Musings and Holiday Hours

2011-11-21T17:24:00.000-08:00

Yes, Yes, Yes, the time has finally come…. The holidays have arrived. I love this time of year, not because of the hustle and bustle of people that forget that the holidays are a re-occurring event, or that maybe a cab ride home from the office party might have been a better option, but because of the moments that make this time of year so warm and comforting. It’s the time when the fire in the hearth warms my mind, body and soul from the inside out, it’s when my memories take me back to friends and family that have passed and to the warmth of the house as it rises when friends and family present, give all of those missed hugs at the same time, It’s when children race throughout the house all because the cat made a brief appearance and has now made a dash for its life into another room, it’s when the libations flow warming my from my toes to my nose as smiles from across the room warm my heart. Yes it’s that time again.

From Leon, Steve, Jim, Mike, Tom and Chris and everyone else here at Carmichael Cycles, we hope you have a warm and enjoyable holiday season.

Please take note that we will be Closed on November, 24th for Thanksgiving, December, 25th for Winter Holiday, and January 1st for New Years Day.

Also our hours will be shortened on the eve of each of the holidays. November 23rd, we will be open from 10:00am – 2:00pm and on December 24th, and December 31st, our hours will be from 9:00am – 2:00pm.

News.....News.......News

2011-11-08T15:33:00.000-08:00

Big News…. We will be changing our hours beginning December 2^nd,our new hours will be:

Monday – Thursday ……. 10:00am – 6:00pm
Friday……………………...10:00am – 7:00pm

Saturday ………………...…9:00am – 5:00pm
Sunday ……………………11:00am – 4:00pm

We’ll keep the hours like this for the month of December and then we will return to our normal hours of 10:00am - 6:00pm on Fridays.

BIGGER news, actually.. BIGGER than BIGGER, it could be HUGE News or even Colossal news, either way we'll let you decide, so here it is……
The Carmichael Cycle Kits are on the way. Wahoo!! And we are going to throw a little shin-dig to show them off and sell all of the ones we have coming in. All of the details are not finalized yet, but here is what I have to pass on so far. We have a quantity coming in, some are pre-ordered, but do not fear, we will do another order based on how many more kits are requested during the shin-dig. Speaking of the shin-dig, it will be held on a Monday (yet to be disclosed) in early December, from 6:30pm to 8:00pm, the actual date will be posted soon, real soon, so keep an eye out or even two on this blog so that you do not miss it. The usual shop folks, Steve, Jim and Mike, will be available to help with information and sizing and we'll have some snacks, info from our sponsors, cycling inspired refreshments, and lots elbow rubbing with other affluent people from the cycling community. Pricing on these great looking Carmichael Cycle kits? Well let’s just say that they will reasonably discounted for those who buy on the night of the shin-dig, the price will rise, as will the sun the next morning, it will just another reason to stop by and have a good time with us. If you would like to see what our Carmichael Cycles Kit will look like, we have it in the full production layout in the shop for your viewing pleasure.

Don’t forget about our Black Friday Event, FREE apple cider and cookies for all, Save 20-40% store wide discounts, a friendly sales crew and we will open from 9:00am to 7:00pm so that you can sleep in a little later. We will be looking to forward to seeing you.

Oh MY! It's Black Friday time again.

2011-11-05T13:11:00.000-07:00

Here at Carmichael Cycles we would rather call it Yellow Jersey Day instead.

The idea of getting up in the wee hours of the morning after a day of warmth and fulfillment, just to stand in the cold, long lines and rubbing shoulders with strangers, can strike fear in the minds of even the most shop savvy people.

Carmichael Cycles is here to help you turn that Black Friday into your Yellow Jersey Day by opening from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm on November, 25^th for your shopping convenience. We will be offering 20% to 40% off store wide on Clothing by Sugoi and Giro, Accessories from Arkel, Blackburn, Profile Design, and Planet Bike, Components from Shimano and SRAM, all our Bikes and more.

Here is a preview of some of the featured items we will have on sale.

Garmin Edge 800 Bundle $514.99 that’s 20% OFF MSRP! (while supplies last)

Garmin Edge 200 $149.99. (while supplies last)

All SIDI Dominator 5 and Gen 5 Pro Carbon shoes $199.99 per pair!

Classes, the Website, and White Rabbits

2011-10-11T13:35:00.000-07:00

Well, it has been awhile since we have updated the blog so let’s start by throwing out some news.

First, the new Carmichael Cycles web site is starting to come together one piece at a time and currently has about 15% of our inventory listed, it’s a big store, so do not be disappointed if you unable to find what you’re looking for. You can view it here http://www.bicycleproducts.com/ . As always if you have any questions about what we have in stock, please give us a call and we will gladly let you know if we have it in the shop, remember though, if we don’t currently have any item in stock, we will gladly order it for you at no additional charge when applied to our regular orders.

Second, the new 2012 Fuji’s are rolling in and our new stock on hand is getting larger, this means that all of our 2011’s need to go. To make room, we have drastically reduced the prices on all of our 2011 Fuji, Kestrel and Orbea bikes, making great deals for you.

Fall and Winter Sugoi Clothing is now hanging from the racks but we still a few men’s and women’s shorts, jerseys and jackets leftover from spring and summer and all are marked down up to 50% off. This is a great time to save on cycling clothing and getting a jump on next spring and summer bike-ware.

Last Saturday we held our first in a series of three of “How To” classes that are sponsored by the Sacramento Bike Hikers. Steve led a session of “Bike 101”, where he discussed the nomenclature and workings of the modern bicycle to a crowd of 25 participants. Questions were answered by Steve about chain chatter, mis-shifting and break grab and why it is so important to maintain your bike for your safety and the safety of others. There are two more classes offered, one in November and another in December and everyone is welcome. Please see the “Events” section of our website at http://www.bicycleproducts.com/scheduler/, for times, date and more info on these great opportunities of learning the basics of bicycle repair and maintenance.

Carmichael Cycles.... We are GO!

2011-09-04T12:36:00.000-07:00

We are very proud to announce that today we are launching our new and improved website and we are beyond excited, not for us but for you, yes you. You now have the power to sit at home and see what we have in stock, on sale and browse through the pages to see what we have to offer you as a customer. We have included new pages so that you can relax and peruse around our pages and see what classes Steve has scheduled, rides with Jim, and musings around with Mike and other patrons from the shop. We have added active links to not only Our Blog, but out EBay outlet, our Facebook page, and our Precession Bicycles on line EBay Store.

http://www.bicycleproducts.com/

In our hollowed pages, you will find a list of the Nutrition supplements such as Hammer, 1st Endurance, and Power Bar Products along with their prices that we carry here in the shop, and soon we will link these pages to their manufacturers to help you make some sense of the more difficult decisions involved in picking out your nutritional needs. In the near future we will also be adding our clothing lines such as Voler, Sugoi, DeFeet and Endura along with the prices of each garment so that you comfortable knowing that you are getting the best prices in Sacramento.

Vacationing at Altamira?

2011-08-06T16:47:00.000-07:00

The city of Altamira is located in northern Spain where the beach cliffs, valleys, mountains and forests create a mosaic of contrasting landscapes. It has been the vacation region of the Mediterranean since time began and where Spain goes to relax, socialize, and visit its deep history, it was this region that inspired the Fuji Altamira.

The Altamira is Fuji’s conflicted brother to the SST, with the SST being designed as an uber stiff frameset race bike, alternately, the Altamira has been designed for both the racer, and for the long distance rider, who wants to ride a lightweight carbon framed bike but with a more relaxed geometry

One of the most notable features is that Fuji has shortened the top tube by nearly 27mm, giving you a shorter reach, and combined with a substantially longer head-tube, will place you and your handlebars at less of an angle, sitting you up, and keeping you comfortable on both long and short rides.

Fuji has left everything else on this great frameset alone. Like its brother the Altamira is made of; C-4 carbon with the really cool wrinkled fiber weave and has an integrated head tube and 1 1/2" lower bearings, oversized 34.9mm round seat tube, oversized PIIS BB-86 shell, double water bottle mounts, carbon drop outs with a replaceable hanger, and FC-770 Carbon with a tapered alloy steerer & carbon drop out.

The drivetrain is a Shimano 105 groupo with Oval bars, brakes, seat-tube and 524 wheelset covered in Continental Ultra Sport tires.The price tag of the Altamira is reasonable at ~~$1999.99~~ $1699,99 with its MSRP at $2549.00 and is available in sizes from 44cm to 58cm showing its versatility in being ridden by both male and female riders. We have a full size run in the shop now so we have one in your size that you can take out for a test ride and see why Fuji is a leader in bike therapy

Saddle Up

2011-07-27T16:28:00.000-07:00

We always try to listen to our customers recommendations on products, and when we here the same requests over and over again from different customer on the same product, something must be up. When it involves a saddle though it’s more than a request it’s knowledge. As we all know, saddles are probably the most important accessory that you add to your bike besides your shoes, its personal, and it’s what can make or break your daily ride. It is for this reason that we just brought in the Selle Anatomica saddle.

Salle Anatomica saddles do not need a break in time such as Brooks’s saddles, they are comfortable right from the start, and this is accomplished on how the leather is treated during production. The different laminate leather layers used in the saddle will give you plenty of support and years of service. Watershed leather is the gold standard for leather saddles. After time, you may want to treat it with waterproofing. By the way did you know that leather is the only material that can be held in suspension like a hammock for your sit bones.

The saddle is not new here at the shop, one of our employees (Mike) has been riding a Selle Anatomica saddles for years and is always open to discuss the advantages of riding in comfort. Demand for these saddles has always been high and in the past they have hard to get but because of some retooling at the factory and an increased production run back in Wisconsin, we can now carry these great saddles in the store for $169.99. We hope you will come in and find out how comfortable Selle Anatomica saddles really are, we have one set aside for you to take out and try on your own bike for a test week if you wish, and if you find it as comfortable as we and others say we will set it up for you so you can ride it home.The Salle Anatomica Saddle also has local roots; Tom Milton lived in Vacaville and was considered more than an avid rider. Tom also knew his way around a bike, and with thousands of miles rolling under his wheels every year he believed that saddle pain was not a necessary evil to riding and that you could be comfortable as you ride. Tom would buy Brooks saddles and cut them in various shapes trying to find that comfort zone that so many seek. Through his years of experimentation and countless saddles, Tom came up with The Slot. This keyhole shaped slot is what make his saddles rise above the other in comfort, and provides independent butt cheek movement as you ride. In 2007, Tom started Salle Anatomica, and it was this way that Tom could share with all cyclists, this achievement in saddle comfort. Since that time, the saddle has gone through some minor changes, colors were added, rail materials have gone to Cromoly instead of steel, but the slot has always remained the same.

For those who ride with a destination

2011-07-23T16:46:00.000-07:00

Being involved with the cycling community is more than just getting out and riding your bike when you have nothing else better to do, it is being involved. The cycling community in Sacramento is well positioned, and loaded with the advantages that promote the use of the bicycle over the use of the car. Sacramento knows that bicycles can be a promotional tool, a tool that keeps us both healthy and reduces our carbon footprint in a world that has gotten out of control from the overuse of the automobile.

With all that said, starting this month we will promote these businesses in our blog and pass it on to a growing culture in the Sacramento area. YES!! Sacramento is now becoming a strong voice in bicycle advocacy. Yes, Sacramento is becoming an integral part in the national cycling culture, and Yes, since Davis, Ca, has decided that to yield more to the culture of the car than the bike in recent years, we will gladly take their spot on the cycling radar.

Cycling and restaurants have always had a great history together. As far back as the beginnings of the Tour D’ France, riders would stop for a bottle of beer, some meats, cheeses and crackers as they rode along the paths of France to victory. This relationship in the towns of Europe still hold true to this day and is one of the genuine pleasures of visiting and cycling in the European Union. In America and with the emergence of the American car culture in the early 1900’s, the relationship between cycling and the small American bistro type restaurants ended as the restaurateurs need to cater to the growing culture of the time, cars ruled the roadway and the death of the American bistro was almost accomplished with the birth of the American drive-thru.

In today’s restaurant landscape nothing has really changed in the last 80 years, with the exception of those few individuals who have the insight that the cycling culture is again on the rise and calling out for the return of the American bistro. These restaurateurs make extra efforts so that cyclist have a place to park and feel comfortable while stopping for breakfast, lunch or dinner. These efforts have become synonymous in the downtown area due to people such as John Boyer and his Edible Pedal delivery service, Rick Mahan owner of One Speed and The Waterboy and many others. It is these symbiotic relationships that are now starting to emerge into the unincorporated regions of Sacramento as well, and is a welcome note to the area.

In our corner of Sacramento, collectively called Carmichael, this opportunity is being created by our location adjacent to one of the best access points along the American River Parkway, the entrance to William Pond Park. Here we have the privilege to be neighbors with two high quality restaurants, Bella Brew, and Matteos Pizza & Bistro.

Matt Woolston, the owner of Matteos is involved in the cycling community not so much for his riding prowlness, although he is an avid cyclist, but in his sense of community and understanding that cycling is good for business. Matt recognizes that like the downtown grid, Carmichael is also a viable cycling destination, and that the businesses that are located in this prime spot, need to be able to accommodate cyclists and their nutritional and cultural needs.

With the help of his wife Yvette, together they have created a sanctuary for the cyclist, with outdoor seating that is located away from the sounds of traffic and a menu that is accepting to the health minded. As a business man, Matt knows that with small investments, such as accommodating bikes and cyclists, the returns will bring in new customers.Matteos offers also indoor seating with plenty of eyesight bicycle parking, great pizza’s and entrees, all made with fresh ingredients. The menu is full of great foods that are healthy and pack the sophistication that cyclist desire. Also, let it be known that Matteos also sports a large array of libations on tap and wines for those with a distinctive pallet and a cyclist’s wallet. Here is a link to Matteos bistro which has their complete menu and wine list.
http://www.pizzamatteo.com/pages/about
As a bonus Matteos is offering to those who ride a bike for the “Ride to Matteos on Mondays” promotion, will receive a $2.00 off on all regularly priced fare of $10.00 or more.
http://hosted-p0.vresp.com/548688/7b9158ac26/ARCHIVE
Remember to Facebook Matteos for more promotions and daily fare specials. http://www.facebook.com/MatteosPizzaBistro?ref=ts&sk=wall
After lunch be sure to stop by and say hello to us at the shop and let us know of other great stops along the Parkway so that we can write about them as well.

Saturday’s “Garage Sale” Specials

2011-07-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

Everything has been selling fast, but there are still some good deals to be had by all. On the rack are still some Endura jerseys and Sugoi shorts with a decent size range, we also still have a few Orbea Orca “Silver Edition” SFR’s hanging around, and one Orca “Gold Edition” with Dura Ace left at an amazing price that you need to see.

Today we are adding a few more bikes to the “Garage Sale” list for your savings pleasure, and because the good stuff always comes out last, these have some super savings.

2011 Fuji SST 3.0 with Shimano 105; we have TWO (one 54cm and ~~one 58cm~~ SOLD) at $1699.99 the MSRP is $2549.00

2011 Fuji Roubaix ACR 1.0 with SRAM Rival/Force, we have TWO at $999.99 the MSRP is $SOLD

2011 Fuji Supreme 2.0 a Shimano 105 equipped, Women’s Specific bike, we have THREE at $1699.99. The MSRP of these bikes is $2399.00 and that’s a huge savings

Still Cleaning, more stuff to the "Garage Sale"

2011-07-20T14:33:00.000-07:00

We have more bikes to clear out and they're Surly’s, and not just any Surly’s, Karate Monkey Surly’s, and we have them at $699.99! You can’t beat that price with a banana

One is Battleship Gray in a size 18” SOLD

And the other is Stretchpants Black in a size 16”

We also some Garmin Edge 500 Bundle’s, 2 of them at the killer price of SOLD

And a Garmin 800 Bundle at $499.99

AND CLOTHES!!! Mostly Endura Jerseys, but there are some Sugoi Bibs and Shorts on that rack as well. Believe me, they are marked down to sell, so I can not divulge the prices, you'll have to come in and see them.

Keep watching because more items will be coming up on the blog soon, also keep an eye on our “carmichaelcycles” Ebay store

And .. we are also having a “Garage Sale”

2011-07-19T17:37:00.000-07:00

Actually we’re just cleaning off the floor of some stuff that’s been hanging around a bit too long and the boss wants it gone. All of the bikes posted are our floor models and some have been ridden on test rides, all are clean and in great shape. We can ship if needed to any place in the continental USA, sorry no overseas locations or over the border locations, it's just to much paperwork these days to get it there. The best deal is to stop by and pick it up, and that way you can also pick up a 20% discount coupon for a future purchase as well. If you have any questions just give us a call, we will do everything we can to help get you a new bike

The helmets are all NEW in the box, and as far as I can tell nobody has given them a test ride

2010 Fuji Feather Size 56cm $SOLD

2011 SE Lager Size 54cm SOLD

2011 Surly Steamroller (2 of them, Sizes 53cm & 56cm)

Breezer Zig 7 folding bike Size $399.99

Giro Prolight Helmets $149.99

We have 3 in White (2 Medium) (1 Small)

4 in Black/Carbon (1Large) (3 Medium)

And 1 Red/Black (1 Medium)

When our advertising runs amuck

2011-07-18T13:15:00.000-07:00

It so happens that even the best laid plans sometimes go awry. Every month we offer a coupon of some type in the “Inside Arden” a local news rag, for those who like to save a little on a standard tune or other accessory provided by our little shop. However, for the August issue, we thought we would offer some great deals on some of our bikes instead of our regular coupon and expanded our ad into the “Inside East Sac” and the “Inside the City” news rags, to pass the deals on to others in the area. The problem is that we have been so enthusiastic with our sale prices on the bikes we featured, that we may be all SOLD OUT of the bikes we placed in the ads. Not good!

Orbea Orca SFR

So here is some of the content of the ads that we placed in the August issues, I unfortunately cannot divulge all the prices but believe me, if you’re looking for an full carbon Orbea Orca SFR, that is loaded with SRAM components,

Orbea Onix T-105

or an Orbea Onix T-105 with Shimano 105, it is worth it to stop by the store and see these prices, you will not find any prices lower on these fast and agile bikes than what we are offering them at. Bring in your kit, shoes and pedals and take one out for a ride and see why Orbea is loved by the Tour D’ France.

Breezer Liberty

Commute to work on a Breezer Liberty, and at $699.99 it will pay for itself in no time. These bikes are loaded for the commuter in mind and the Liberty will let you commute in style with 700c wheels, Shimano components, and a Dynamo hub that will light your Busch & Miller Lumotec Headlight and Taillight. It also has reinforced Polycarbonate Fenders and a Rear rack to carry your bags on your bike, and keep them off you back. We have 3 left and a good size selection. Test ride a liberty today and while you’re here, also see our great selection of commuter bags by Arkle, the leader in bag design.

Absolute 4.0

We also have Fuji Crosstown 2.0’s and Absolute 4.0’s now at $349.99. Great utility bikes for those who want to stay on a budget and get a fantastic deal. These bikes have wide 700c tires and wheels, medium rise handlebars, Adjustable stems (gives you more of a upright riding position), and Shimano Revo shifters. The Crosstown has a suspension fork and spring loaded seat-post and comes in either a step-through or low toptube frame, the Absolute is a more performance orientated frame with adjustability for the comfort of the rider in mind.

Crosstown 2.0

We also miss our monthly service coupon so here it is, just print it, clip it and bring it in.

$20.00 Off our Standard Tune

Carmichael Cycles

5142 Arden Way

Carmichael, Ca 95608

(916) 488-5353

Off The Back and Into The Bag

2011-03-06T14:20:00.000-08:00

With gasoline prices on the rise, it’s time to air up the tires and dust off the cobwebs so we can ride the bike for those short trips to work, school, and to the grocery store. This more often than not raises the questain, "How shall I get my items to and fro?" In todays cycling market there are many helpfull ways that address that problem, be it a backpack, basket, rack, panniers or a combination of all.

Backpacks, although inexpensive, can be cumbersome, and on hot days make your back reflect heat back into your body instead of venting it off your back as you ride, making for a sweaty and sticky back. Baskets are fun and act as a catch all for water bottles, clothing, and even a g
bag of groceries; they also come in many assorted sizes and styles for mounting off the back, on the sides of a rack, or for on the handlebars. Racks have a well meaning intention, but fall short, unless accompanied by a set of bags, panniers and even the occasional basket that has been zip tied on top.

This brings us to the topic of today’s blog, “Bags.” The cycling bag market is as varied and as eclectic as the assortment of tires available for cycling, but we are going to focus mainly on Arkel Bags and Panniers, because they are some of the most versatile and durable bags made. Arkel bags are used and sought after by commuters and adventure cyclists alike, owning to Arkel’s use of 100% Cordura, a fabric which is constructed using high tenacity fiber technologies, in construction of all of their bags.

Cordura's Fabric Weave

Arkel bags can be used year round and will easily resist a regular rain for an hour or two before experiencing any sort of seeping, which is more than enough for most cyclists to get to their destination. It is not necessarily a question of the fabric, Cordura is a totally watertight fabric, but stitching means holes in the fabric, and in any case the zippers will eventually leak. If your riding dictates more time spent in the rain, then options like rain covers or dry bags inside the panniers will easily take care of the problem.

Arkel's Slip-over Rain Cover

Arkel bags are also diverse and although most people think of Arkel as touring bag company but they make so much more than that. Arkel’s Urban Series features many deviations from the touring bag such as; the “Bug”, “Messenger”, “Metropolitan” and the “Switchback”. These are convertible pannier/backpacks that can be used for work, school and smaller errands where carrying your bag with you is a must.

The “Shopper HHB”, “Shopper” and the “Utility Basket” panniers are large capacity foldable bags for the daily chores in your life be it going to the farmers market, grocery store or the park for a picnic. For the commuter, it's the “Briefcase” and the “Laptop”, which are the bags that go the extra mile to protect laptops and everything else they carry.

All of Arkel’s bags are attached and held in place by their Cam-Lock system®, and are where the twin mirror cams firmly grip on the rack tubing when the handle is released. Because of the opposing force of the cams that rotate in opposite directions, the pannier is locked in place and cannot move forward nor backward with outward movement secured by a bungee cord hook attachment.

What we like about Arkel bags is that you are not restricted to having two of the same bags on your bike unless of course you prefer it that way. Mixing and matching Arkel bags to meet your daily needs is what Arkel is about.

At Carmichael Cycles we try to keep a full assortment of Arkel bags in stock and ready for use on your bike, but as all other in demand accessories, we sometimes run a bit low on inventory. If you are looking for a great bag here is Arkel’s web site: http://www.arkel-od.com/ and not only is it designed to help you find the bag you seek, but is full of useful articles for commuters, but adventurers and overnight campers too. If you see the bag that matches your need or use give us a call and see if we have it in stock and if it is not we will order the bag for you saving you freight charges.

Orbea, it’s not just about the bikes

2011-02-28T12:33:00.000-08:00

It is already well known that the Orbea brand produces the most beautifully crafted and performance minded bikes in the world, but, did you know that some of those same characteristics carry into Orbea’s helmets?
Orbea’s organically designed helmets include all styles of cycling, be it road, triathlon, or mountain, with equal amounts of impact protection for all. Orbea has introduced three new helmets into their family of eye catching cycling products, the Rune, the Thor, and the Odin, and their design is based on two of the most essential elements of bicycle design: the riders, and state-of-the-art technology. Each helmet is built using a certain number of layers, and a specific material is chosen for each layer according to its features. The more layers there are, the more the surface area of the helmet can be reduced, providing it with better ventilation and a more compact structure.

The Rune has two layers, one polycarbonate and one of EPS (expanded polystyrene foam). The Rune, shortened from Rune stones, were a method of communication which told of the exploits of Scandinavians who participated in expeditions and in voyages abroad. The Rune sells at our shop for $99.99 and is available in White, Black, Blue, Red and Orange.

The Thor has three layers with one being polycarbonate, one layer of EPS and a layer of nylon. The inspiration of the helmet comes from the Nordic god associated with “thunder,” “lightning,” “strength,” and is adorned with a winged helmet. It is these qualities that Orbea wants you to inherit, and why wings have been incorporated in the organic design of this helmet. Priced at $149.99, the Thor incorporates Orbea's breeze channeling technology that will keep cool and safe. Available colors are White, Black, Red, Blue and light Blue.

The Odin has four layers of protection, one of polycarbonate, one of carbon fiber, one of EPS and one of nylon. The name of this chief Nordic god was known as the most knowledgeable of the gods and had a love for wisdom. Keeping it cool while defeating your opponent with large air ports, cool max pads and for $199.99, defeat is not possible. Available colors are White, Black, Red, Blue, Multicolor (World Champion), and Team Replica.

We have a large selection of colors and sizes here at the shop, so as you browse for your next bike, jersey or accessory, stop by the Orbea helmet tree and see what Orbea helmets have to offer you, and as always, we will be glad to fit you into one.

Running with the Orca’s

2011-02-12T14:02:00.000-08:00

Our next review is all about the Orbea’s premiere bike model, the Orca. In brief, the new Orca has been redesigned for 2011 to be stiff and yet give you a smooth and carefree ride with looks that spur your curiosity.

Orbea, by returning to its glory years has once again become an absolute looker. The Orca shows it carbon roots and clean lines in a frame that is both aerodynamic and comfortable with a redesigned toptube, seatstays, chainstay’s, and fork, it is here where Orbea has knocked 64g of drag off the frameset making it 14 percent more aerodynamic than the previous 2010 model.

Orbea did this by making the fork blades, seat and chainstay’s as narrow and fit as tight as possible to the wheels reducing the expression of the front of the bike.

Of all the Orca’s innovations the engineers had to draw from, they employed nature’s most aerodynamic shape, the ‘droplet’ to shape the head tube which houses 1 1/8 x 1 ½ bearings and in the seat post of the Orca keeping air moving freely through the frame.

The Orca also adopts DCR cable routing, which is a low friction system using GORE’s Ride On sealed cable systems. The Orcas cables are run discreetly on the downtube and encased in clear GORE cable housing protecting the cable form the elements and grime.

The Orca has been released in two editions, Gold and Silver. The Orca Gold employs Orbea’s highest quality carbon fiber blend, which has the most high modulus fiber in it - 70 percent of the frame is made up of M40J fibers - in turn producing the lowest weight and highest stiffness found in Orbea’s road line. A 53cm Orca has a weight of about 900g and costs starting at $8374.99. It is available in frame sizes of 48cm, 51cm, 54cm, 57cm and 60cm with available Shimano GDi2, Dura Ace, or SRAM and Campy component groupo’s.

The Orca Silver uses the same aerodynamic features, Attraction damping design, cable routing and size run, but is built with a lower modulus blend of carbon fiber, which in turn produces a slightly more compliant frame with a weight of 1050g, also in a size of 53cm. The Orca Silver is offered with Shimano Dura Ace or Ultegra, and in a SRAM Red or Force groupo at a cost starting at $3999.99
We have an entire size run in the Silver Edition of the Orca and a few from the Gold Edition, but even if we do not have your size or groupo choice in stock, we can always measure you, and order the size, color and groupo package you desire.

THE SCHIZOPHRENIC MONKEY

2011-02-04T17:34:00.000-08:00

As we progress along through our review cycle here at Carmichael, we are moved towards a class of bike that revolves around a name rather than a class. Surly creates bikes that that remind me of home cooking, warm soups on cold days and riding with a grin. It’s a manufacturer of bicycles born from the soul and live in the heart.

Surly…. Why is it that this name conjures up beer, snow and Minnesota? Given the name Karate Monkey, Surly has spun the 29 inch wheeled mountain bike market on its ear and by putting into production a bike that has as many personalities as Sybil. Surly has defiantly embarked in a new era for riders who have tossed around the idea of getting into to the 29er concept. Forged from 4130 CroMoly tubing, the Karate Monkey has a lively and fast, yet forgiving, ride bringing out the best in steel and rubber. The curved seat tube, allows the wheel to tuck under the rider making this bike nimble and spry. The frame and fork have lots of clearance because of Surly’s Fatties Fit Fine philosophy, and the frame is corrected for an 80mm suspension fork. In true Surly fashion, it’s got a lot of built-in versatility. With the frame designed with horizontal drop outs and a built in derailleur hanger, you can run the Karate monkey any way you want; as singlespeed, a fixed-gear, a 1x9, or with full gears and it is this Schizophrenic drive train that makes this a bike for everyone. The Karate Monkey is also set up with removable rim brake pivots and disc caliper mounting plates, giving you the braking options that you are denied by other manufacturers.

Surly has always stood out as a rebel among the norm and with colors like Battleship Gray and Stretchpants Black, it just another way for the Karate Monkey stand out to say “look at me”. Surly has a cult like following already and the 2011 Karate Monkey will keep this intact, it is a fun, down to earth bike that will make heads turn as you pass them on every hill. The Karate Monkey's MSRP is $1175.00 but we have them at $699.00

We carry the full Surly line of bikes and have many in stock right now including the Troll, Steamroller and Long Haul Trucker, and we can always get the Surly you want in the size and color you’re looking for.

How To Catch A Rabbit

2011-01-30T15:13:00.000-08:00

For our second review we have chosen the 2011 Fuji SST, this bike will take us to the other extreme of road biking, you are now entering the fast lane.

The Fuji SST 3.0, is a designed for the fast paced frenzy of road racing and triathlons, it possess a frame made of C-4 UD carbon and a integrated head tube using a 1 ¼” lower bearing to keep the bike stable and aerodynamic. To dampen frame flex in the rear triangle, Fuji has added oversized chainstay’s with a replaceable aluminum dropout and hanger. The SST also features an aero seat tube with a seat post made of C-4 aero carbon which is held in place by a Ritchey clamp system. To stiffen the bottom bracket, Fuji has introduced the oversized Press-In Integrated System (PIIS) BB-86, and the propulsion is supplied by the Shimano Black 105 53/39, with an 11/25 cassette. Weighing in around 19lbs total weight, the Fuji SST is as light and responsive as a rabbit.

The Fuji SST is not for everyone, and it dose not have a refined ride that would withstand the average riders comfort expectancy, but for the seasoned rider or athlete, it has the performance level you seek. The ride of the SST is stiff and this turns your effort and power into forward momentum, and is why Servetto/Footon has invited this frame back to the TDF again. The SST is already a great criterium and road racing machine but can easily be converted in to a time trial bike by simply replacing the dropbars with aerobars. Either way you will be happy with the fine lines and performance of the SST. We currantly have afull size run of the SST 3.0 in stock and ready for you to ride. The MSRP price is $2419.99 for this bike but we have the Fuji SST 3.0, right now at $1699.99. For those who want to step it up a bit more, we also have the Fuji SST 2.0, in a frame only package for SOLD, with the difference being that the seatpost has been replace with a seatmast that needs to be cut of the height adjustment.

Our Resolution

2011-01-14T12:35:00.000-08:00

We here at Carmichael Cycles, would like to welcome everyone to 2011, Steve, Jim and I celebrated the new cycling season by giving the old shop a makeover, a good cleaning, some waxing and a little rearranging made the shop look fantastic. We are not done yet, we still have a few 2010 and even one or two 2009 bikes still on the floor and they are priced to sell. This year will be one of our best to date, remember that we now have Jim Light heading up labor and Crazy Mike is working the floor. Steve is steering the ship and is busy ordering and overseeing the operations of the shop and it shows that the changes we have made in our focus have been paying off. We have been listening to you, our customers about our service and our presentation of the shop and we would like to thank you. We had a great second half for 2010 and we are looking at an even better 2011 because, without you we would not be here.

We have also chosen to stick with our favorite bicycle lines; Orbea, Fuji, Kestrel, Surly, SE Bikes and Breezer all of whom bring a higher quality of bike to the market. It is a win-win situation for you and us, when high quality frames and components come together at reasonable prices, and are matched with riders that are looking for satisfying purchase. Today’s frames are a combination of function and comfort, performance and agility, and most of all available to anyone who wants to ride one no matter your size or stature.

We are going to start blog this year by reviewing some of the 2011 bikes we carry and invite you to ride them. We will attempt to give you the most accurate review we can, so that when you go out for your test ride you know the ins and outs, the ups and downs of the bike before you ride it.

News, News, News. We have just reduced the price of the Breezer, Thunder Pro’s to SOLD The MSRP on these Shimano SLX/XT, Disk Brake, loaded FOX F Series Fork mounted mountain bike, is $2399.99, that’s a 50% price reduction. We have a full size run of these great bikes, but we only have 10 left in stock. Stop in and test ride one because we are sure this bike will inspire you to hit the single track. Also!!! The weather outlook is great for the next week, so get out and ride while the weather is good. We hope to see you soon, and have a great ride.

Urban Power

2010-08-11T16:06:00.000-07:00

Is the Sale Fixed yet? Yes it is!

For the better part of the day I have been searching around trying to find catchy ways to advertise our sale on Fuji Feather’s, and SE Draft’s. What I originally had in mind was a history of the fixed gear bike, but as I searched the internet nothing in an historical format was to be found. So I turned to my old mentor Sheldon Brown, who I must say has had something to say about anything as long as it had to do with bicycles, and whenever I have had a question regarding a part or instruction Sheldon knew the answer. Although Sheldon has long ago ridden to the never-ending pike path in the sky, it is his wisdom I prefer to seek in times of my own lack of all known bicycle knowledge, and as usual, I was not disappointed in Sheldon’s answer.

What is a Fixed-Gear Bicycle, and Why Would You Want One?

Many enthusiastic cyclists ride such bicycles by choice, at least part of the time. Why would anybody do that? It is not easy to put into words. There is an almost mystical connection between a fixed-gear cyclist and bicycle; it feels like an extension of your body to a greater extent than does a freewheel-equipped machine. If you are an enthusiastic, vigorous cyclist, you really should give it a try. Sheldon Brown

It is comforting to that my bike has a connection to me rather than me trying to connect to my bike, that I am my drive-train and it is up to me to achieve the power need to climb the next hill in my path and not the sound of a chain clunking across a cassette. I am my own machine.
You can read Sheldon’s entire article on fixed gear bicycles here, enjoy.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html