Comments on: This is my (ode to my) bike: #6 in a series http://blog.nau.com/2009/06/25/this-is-my-ode-to-my-bike-6-in-a-series/ dedicated to stirring the pot Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:30:16 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Nau : The Thought Kitchen » Blog Archive » Prêt à Porteur http://blog.nau.com/2009/06/25/this-is-my-ode-to-my-bike-6-in-a-series/comment-page-1/#comment-164706 Nau : The Thought Kitchen » Blog Archive » Prêt à Porteur Mon, 09 May 2011 17:28:20 +0000 http://blog.nau.com/?p=1512#comment-164706 [...] been wearing a pink hard hat. Anyway, we’ve been doing series of posts here called “This Is My Bike” for a while now, and what I loved about that was how it showed how bikes can be a reflection [...] [...] been wearing a pink hard hat. Anyway, we’ve been doing series of posts here called “This Is My Bike” for a while now, and what I loved about that was how it showed how bikes can be a reflection [...]

]]> By: eugénie http://blog.nau.com/2009/06/25/this-is-my-ode-to-my-bike-6-in-a-series/comment-page-1/#comment-161041 eugénie Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:18:13 +0000 http://blog.nau.com/?p=1512#comment-161041 Hi Kendra, Glad you can see the potential in your Schwinn, that's half the battle. As for finding the best bike shop for you, well, a lot of that depends on where you are. Here in Portland we're blessed with some crazy statistic like 80+ bike shops within the greater metropolitan area, so we have a lot of options, and myriad opportunities to support local business (which is ideal). The thing you want to know before diving into this is exactly what you want out of the bike. If you can describe that to your bike shop, they can help you find the pieces that together will build your perfect ride. You can probably tell whether a shop's going to meet your needs the moment you walk in. Is their taste your taste? Are you comfortable, or are you getting vibed by bike know-it-alls? (I've experienced both.) For the Univega's makeover I went to Clever Cycles (www.clevercycles.com), in SE Portland. They err on the side of a total bike lifestyle (rather than bikes as recreation), so they stock products that are comfortable, timeless, and meant to last. And their taste tends to be my taste, so it worked out. The last thing that will help is also the thing that got me started on all this - word of mouth. Put it out there, that you're after new parts for your cool old Schwinn, and suggestions and anecdotes from other bike makeover veterans will surely come your way. Good luck - let us know how it turns out! eugénie Hi Kendra,

Glad you can see the potential in your Schwinn, that’s half the battle.

As for finding the best bike shop for you, well, a lot of that depends on where you are. Here in Portland we’re blessed with some crazy statistic like 80+ bike shops within the greater metropolitan area, so we have a lot of options, and myriad opportunities to support local business (which is ideal).

The thing you want to know before diving into this is exactly what you want out of the bike. If you can describe that to your bike shop, they can help you find the pieces that together will build your perfect ride.

You can probably tell whether a shop’s going to meet your needs the moment you walk in. Is their taste your taste? Are you comfortable, or are you getting vibed by bike know-it-alls? (I’ve experienced both.)

For the Univega’s makeover I went to Clever Cycles (www.clevercycles.com), in SE Portland. They err on the side of a total bike lifestyle (rather than bikes as recreation), so they stock products that are comfortable, timeless, and meant to last. And their taste tends to be my taste, so it worked out.

The last thing that will help is also the thing that got me started on all this – word of mouth. Put it out there, that you’re after new parts for your cool old Schwinn, and suggestions and anecdotes from other bike makeover veterans will surely come your way.

Good luck – let us know how it turns out!

eugénie

]]> By: Kendra http://blog.nau.com/2009/06/25/this-is-my-ode-to-my-bike-6-in-a-series/comment-page-1/#comment-161038 Kendra Tue, 07 Jul 2009 20:53:11 +0000 http://blog.nau.com/?p=1512#comment-161038 I love the make over! I have a love of my own. A 1970 brown schwinn with a basket. Oh, don't get me started. But she hasn't had a make over so she still has her "quirks" of squeaky, unsure breaks and only one gear of 3 that work. How do I find a bike shop that can bring out her best qualities like you did with yours? Thanks for the inspiration! I love the make over! I have a love of my own. A 1970 brown schwinn with a basket. Oh, don’t get me started. But she hasn’t had a make over so she still has her “quirks” of squeaky, unsure breaks and only one gear of 3 that work. How do I find a bike shop that can bring out her best qualities like you did with yours? Thanks for the inspiration!

]]> By: Caitlin http://blog.nau.com/2009/06/25/this-is-my-ode-to-my-bike-6-in-a-series/comment-page-1/#comment-161029 Caitlin Mon, 06 Jul 2009 22:00:43 +0000 http://blog.nau.com/?p=1512#comment-161029 Did you take your lovely bicyclette to France? Did you take your lovely bicyclette to France?

]]> By: libby http://blog.nau.com/2009/06/25/this-is-my-ode-to-my-bike-6-in-a-series/comment-page-1/#comment-161008 libby Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:07:25 +0000 http://blog.nau.com/?p=1512#comment-161008 <3 <3

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