Oak Bay BicyclesOak Bay Bicycles | Oak Bay Bicycles http://oakbaybikes.com The Island's Bike Shop Since 1934 Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:51:36 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Introducing the New Sunday Ride http://oakbaybikes.com/introducing-the-new-sunday-ride/ http://oakbaybikes.com/introducing-the-new-sunday-ride/#comments Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:04:40 +0000 Brian @ OBB http://oakbaybikes.com/?p=3122 Last year we tried to add a “C” group to the OBB Victoria Saturday ride, but it had too much overlap with the regular ride and got confusing. This year we’re taking a new approach and starting a more relaxed ride on Sundays.

Led by shop ambassador Joe Gard, the focus of the Sleepy Sunday Ride will be to gain fitness and to learn how to ride safely in a group. It’s designed for people who have road bikes and want to get into group riding, or are working up to the Tour de Victoria or a Ride to Conquer Cancer.

Here are the specifics:

  • Leaves OBB Victoria’s back parking lot at 9am on Sundays
  • Average speeds will slowly increase, but being able to ride 23-25 km/h on your own is required
  • ~60km route (map coming soon)
  • No riders will be dropped
  • All rules of the road obeyed
  • Road bikes only (tri-bars okay, but no riding on your tri bars in a group)
  • Fenders mandatory on wet days
  • Riders are responsible for their own tubes & tools
  • Insurance available

Feel free to just show up, but if you have questions you can email brian@oakbaybikes.com.

]]> http://oakbaybikes.com/introducing-the-new-sunday-ride/feed/ 0 Product Pick — Westshore: Specialized Purist Bottle http://oakbaybikes.com/product-pick-%e2%80%94-westshore-specialized-purist-bottle/ http://oakbaybikes.com/product-pick-%e2%80%94-westshore-specialized-purist-bottle/#comments Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:27:11 +0000 Brian @ OBB http://oakbaybikes.com/?p=3132 The Purist is our favourite water bottle. Carry hot soup one day and water the next, no weird tastes or staining. Specialized claims it was inspired by the low surface tension of the lotus plant, and made by using a silicon-oxygen layer (not silicone, silicon) on the inside… all we know is that it works, and it’s amazing. Specialized’s claims have been verified by independent labs.

Quick specs:

  • BPA-free
  • 100% recyclable
  • Open & close the valve with your teeth, not your grubby hands
  • Big mouth cap for easy cleaning or filling with ice
  • Available in 22oz and 26oz versions
  • Freezer friendly
  • Dishwasher safe

Price: $17-$19 depending on configuration. Available at Oak Bay Bicycles Westshore and Victoria.

]]> http://oakbaybikes.com/product-pick-%e2%80%94-westshore-specialized-purist-bottle/feed/ 0 Dreaming Vid by Max http://oakbaybikes.com/dreaming-vid-by-max/ http://oakbaybikes.com/dreaming-vid-by-max/#comments Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:01:19 +0000 Brian @ OBB http://oakbaybikes.com/?p=3137

Some legit grom shredding from Max at Tzou. Riding starts at 0:45. Good taste in computer backgrounds too. As seen on ONLY MTB.

]]> http://oakbaybikes.com/dreaming-vid-by-max/feed/ 0 2012 S-Works Epic 29er http://oakbaybikes.com/2012-s-works-epic-29er/ http://oakbaybikes.com/2012-s-works-epic-29er/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:34:27 +0000 Brian @ OBB http://oakbaybikes.com/?p=3115 Lots of high end 2012 product is coming through the doors at the moment. This particular S-Works Epic 29er is Simon Whitfield’s, but there’s plenty more fancy stuff that you can buy in stock.

As for the bike, it’s sub 22 lbs with wagon wheels, and crazy stiff. Drool worthy.

]]> http://oakbaybikes.com/2012-s-works-epic-29er/feed/ 0 Poduct Pick — Nanaimo: Easton EC90 Aero Carbon Clincher Wheels http://oakbaybikes.com/poduct-pick-%e2%80%94-nanaimo-easton-ec90-aero-carbon-clincher-wheels/ http://oakbaybikes.com/poduct-pick-%e2%80%94-nanaimo-easton-ec90-aero-carbon-clincher-wheels/#comments Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:17:19 +0000 Brian @ OBB http://oakbaybikes.com/?p=3100 For the most part we’re snobs for handbuilt custom wheels: triple butted spokes, standard eyeletted rims, and the most expensive hubs we can afford. However, Easton has been really impressing us with their carbon wheelsets lately. The EC90 Aero carbon clinchers are sensibly light, super aero, and have a great ride feel. Unlike some competitor’s “carbon” clinchers the EC90s have a full carbon rim instead of carbon-wrapped alloy. We think these should be on everyone’s short list.

Quick specs:

  • Hubs: R4SL (ceramic bearings)
  • Spokes: Sapim bladed
  • Rear Spoke Pattern: 24, radial NDS, 2-cross DS
  • Front Spoke Pattern: 18, radial
  • Weight (pair): 1670gr
  • Handbuilt, acoustically tuned

They’re tough light enough for road and aero enough for TTs and windy triathlons. Build quality is top notch. Highly recommended.

Price: On sale THIS WEEK ONLY for $1849 (Reg. $2849, 35% off!)

In stock at the Nanaimo location. The Victoria location has a set of Easton EC90 SL wheels for a VERY good price as well. Call!

]]> http://oakbaybikes.com/poduct-pick-%e2%80%94-nanaimo-easton-ec90-aero-carbon-clincher-wheels/feed/ 0 Blubber Burn 2012 http://oakbaybikes.com/blubber-burn-2012/ http://oakbaybikes.com/blubber-burn-2012/#comments Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:01:57 +0000 Brian @ OBB http://oakbaybikes.com/?p=3060 Here’s a great photo by Brandon (I think) of Tom Skinner en route to winning the 2012 Blubber Burn. Full race report on Stuckylife.

]]> http://oakbaybikes.com/blubber-burn-2012/feed/ 0 Dartmoor Quinnie http://oakbaybikes.com/dartmoor-quinnie/ http://oakbaybikes.com/dartmoor-quinnie/#comments Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:44:09 +0000 Brian @ OBB http://oakbaybikes.com/?p=3089 Another Derek Kidd build. Inexpensive street/trails build, and that Vengeance fork is mega stiff.

Frame: Dartmoor Quinnie, 2012, Turquoise, 22.5″
Fork: X-Fusion Vengeance HLR
Wheels: Dartmoor Raider rims laced to Formula sealed hubs (hand built)
Cranks: Premium 1948
Ring: Haro Forum lite 25T
Bar: Gusset Open Prison 3″
Stem: Gusset Colt, 40mm
Tires: Specialized Rhythm Lites
Saddle: Federal Washington
Pedals: Snafu plastic
Grips: Snafu Mirra

Weight: 25.6 lbs, without brake
Comes sold with Avid Elixir 3 brake.
Retail: $1550

]]> http://oakbaybikes.com/dartmoor-quinnie/feed/ 0 Product Pick — Victoria: Gore Oxygen GT AS Jacket http://oakbaybikes.com/product-pick-%e2%80%94-victoria-gore-oxygen-gt-as-jacket/ http://oakbaybikes.com/product-pick-%e2%80%94-victoria-gore-oxygen-gt-as-jacket/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:38:32 +0000 Brian @ OBB http://oakbaybikes.com/?p=3077 Gore bike stuff is a relatively new addition for us, and everyone in the shop is super excited about it. Everything they do is quality, well designed, and very well fitting. It’s really gross out there today, so we thought we’d feature their flagship winter road jacket this week: the Oxygen GT AS.

This jacket is made with a Gore-Tex Active Shell so it’s super light, water/wind proof, and extremely breathable. In the past road riders have gone for warmth and carried those awful unbreathable shells in their jersey pockets for when it rains, but with this you can get crazy breathability as well as small size, light weight, and function; depending what you wear underneath, this thing should serve you from mid-autumn till late spring.

Quick specs:

  • 202 g, size L (rolls up small enough for a jersey pocket)
  • Stretch inserts for mobility
  • Raglan cut
  • Long back
  • Zip at forearm with mesh insert for easy changing and for ventilation
  • Ergonomically shaped collar
  • Partially elastic hem (wont ride up)
  • Reflective print on sleeves
  • Reflective logo on front and back

MSRP: $279.99 CAD.

All GORE winter gear is on sale at Victoria & Westshore locations spring 2012. 15% off!

]]> http://oakbaybikes.com/product-pick-%e2%80%94-victoria-gore-oxygen-gt-as-jacket/feed/ 0 Recommended Reading 2012 http://oakbaybikes.com/recommended-reading-2012/ http://oakbaybikes.com/recommended-reading-2012/#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:55:17 +0000 Brian @ OBB http://oakbaybikes.com/?p=3038 We always like seeing what other people are checking out, so we thought it’d be good to put together a little list of some of our current favourite reading material. Most of us are fed by a pretty steady diet of all the regular cycling sites, like Pinkbike, NSMB, Cycling News, Velonews, Canadian Cyclist, & Vital MTB, but we also love some lesser-known sites. Take a look, and if you have any suggestions feel free to add them in the comments:

Only MTB — This site is run by two of our team riders, Jarrett & Wink. It’s a no-frills place where they post all the best and newest MTB web videos, minus the fluffy advertorials of other similar sites.

The Come Up — The best place on the internet for BMX web videos and surly, snarky commentary.

Defgrip — BMX, Photography, Design & Culture. For the sophisticated guy who still rides a kids’ bike.

Drunk Cyclist — Super inappropriate, and often NSFW commentary on cycling. Always a good time.

Bike Snob NYC — Almost goes without saying. Eben Weiss’s take on the state of modern cycling is always cutting, funny, and scarily spot on.

Velo Orange — These guys are a distributor and manufacturer of quality stuff that’s not designed for racing. They are pretty open about their operation and the process of prototyping, etc., so their blog is interesting. We do carry some VO products as well.

Stuckylife — Run by OBB employees Brandon & Gillian. Victoria’s track bike culture blog.

Carryology — Brian is a contributor for this carry site. Lots of great bag reviews & info (some bike related, others not).

Pez Cycling News — Pro road news site. Lots of fresh stuff. Scotty is on here every day.

Velodramatic — Great photos & articles from the world of road racing.

Fyxomatosis — Despite the name, the blog has great taste and is always full of great vintage/track/urban cycling content.

Twenty Nine Inches — Pretty self explanatory. Lots of wagon wheel content, and while it doesn’t always match up with our tastes in the PNW, it’s great to see all the new stuff coming out.

The Rise — If 24″ wheels and 3″ tall bars are your thing, then this blog has something for you.

Bicycle Retailer/BRAIN Blog — If you want an inside perspective to the bicycle industry, this is an interesting place to start. Their Taiwan blog is good as well.

Busted Carbon — It’s not fair to judge carbon by this website, but we do experience a certain amount of schadenfreude when we see this much broken expensive stuff.

Slam That Stem — No spacers allowed. Tongue in cheek.

“My Bike & Other Friends” by Henry Miller — Once upon a time there were these things called “books,” and this is one of Milenkovitch’s favourites. If you can find it, buy it. He might also lend it to you, with the deposit of your firstborn.

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