Oak Bay BicyclesOak Bay Bicycles | Oak Bay Bicycles http://oakbaybikes.com The Island's Bike Shop Since 1934 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:35:54 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 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.

]]> http://oakbaybikes.com/recommended-reading-2012/feed/ 0 Victoria Staff Bio: Andy Achuff http://oakbaybikes.com/victoria-staff-bio-andy-achuff/ http://oakbaybikes.com/victoria-staff-bio-andy-achuff/#comments Sat, 21 Jan 2012 02:00:41 +0000 Brian @ OBB http://oakbaybikes.com/?p=3045 Andy is a mechanic we’ve been trying to hire for years. It took a particularly nasty Edmonton winter to finally convince him, and we’re glad he’s out here! He’s a Pedalhead alum, and has been turning wrenches for over 10 years. Some questions:

B: How long have you been riding bikes?
A: Been riding all my life, started racing mountain bikes in 1993. I still race everything from road & cross to track. There might even be a picture of me in a Canada Cup DH race at one point.

B: Bikes?
A: Norco CRR road bike, Specialized Tricross SS, Ridley Oval track bike, soon to have a Norco Revolver as well.

B: What is your least favourite kind of bike to work on?
A: Dirt jump bikes. I usually just yell at Derek to come deal with them.

B: Best cycling innovation of the last 20 years?
A: Disc brakes, especially excited to see them coming over to road and ‘cross bikes.

B: Worst?
A: Internal cable routing makes my life hell. Totally unnecessary and a colossal pain in the ass.

B: Riding goals for this year?
A: Actually get fast again, do a little bit of MTB racing, do well at the Harbour Sprints & Cross On The Rocks series, beat Derek in an alleycat.

]]> http://oakbaybikes.com/victoria-staff-bio-andy-achuff/feed/ 0 Stumpjumper FSR Expert Carbon 29 http://oakbaybikes.com/stumpjumper-fsr-expert-carbon-29/ http://oakbaybikes.com/stumpjumper-fsr-expert-carbon-29/#comments Sun, 15 Jan 2012 02:32:53 +0000 Brian @ OBB http://oakbaybikes.com/?p=3031 If there is such thing as a perfect bike for the South Island, it’s likely the 2012 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Expert Carbon 29er. It also has the world’s longest model name. Its 130mm of travel is plenty for the more aggressive XC/AM out here, and its slightly relaxed geometry and light weight make it way too much fun on the trails. It weighs in at 28 lbs for a size Large with cheap SPDs; it’d easily be ~26 lbs after going tubeless & shedding the dropper post, but droppers are becoming more and more of a necessity for us. Our price on it is $5399 CAD.

 

The biggest surprise for people getting on one of these is that this big wheeled, big travel (comparatively) bike pedals as well as it does. Epics and Tallboys are fantastic bikes, and very good at what they’re designed for, but neither can touch the diversity or adaptability of the 2012 Stumpjumper FSR Expert Carbon 29. Definitely a Bike of the Year candidate, and quickly becoming a shop favourite.

]]> http://oakbaybikes.com/stumpjumper-fsr-expert-carbon-29/feed/ 2 Product Pick – Westshore: Lizard Skins DSP Bar Tape http://oakbaybikes.com/product-pick-%e2%80%93-westshore-lizard-skins-dsp-bar-tape/ http://oakbaybikes.com/product-pick-%e2%80%93-westshore-lizard-skins-dsp-bar-tape/#comments Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:40:54 +0000 Brian @ OBB http://oakbaybikes.com/?p=3024 The road & cross bikes of the Oak Bay Bicycles staff are all pretty different—everything from a beat old Surly Crosscheck to a 15 lb Ridley Helium—, but they almost all share one similarity: Lizard Skins DSP 2.5mm bar tape. It’s not cheap, but it feels amazing, is fairly light, and survives multiple wraps very well. Brandon, who re-wraps his bars on a daily basis, reports that if you’re careful you can get 10-20 re-wraps out of a single set of DSP tape.

Quick specs:

  • Light (only 56g)
  • Comfortable
  • Easy to install (no stretching required, just moderate pressure)
  • Durable (Brandon Thompson certified?)
  • 82″ long (fits almost all bars)
  • Available in Black, White, Orange, Blue, Red, Lime Green, Yellow, & Pink.

Price: $42.99.

]]> http://oakbaybikes.com/product-pick-%e2%80%93-westshore-lizard-skins-dsp-bar-tape/feed/ 0 2012 Santa Cruz Tallboy http://oakbaybikes.com/2012-santa-cruz-tallboy/ http://oakbaybikes.com/2012-santa-cruz-tallboy/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2012 20:40:49 +0000 Brian @ OBB http://oakbaybikes.com/?p=3018 We’re always impressed with Santa Cruz’s avoidance of slavery to model year, and there are no changes to their Tallboy for 2012. That being said, it’s great to see shiny new 2012 parts hanging off it. On top of that, it’s amazing when a bike shows up stock built almost exactly how we’d build a bike from scratch: XT drivetrain & brakes, DT 350s to Mavic 719s with aluminum nipples, Easton EC70 bar, Fox Float 29 Kashima (120mm), RP23 Kashima, Crossmark tires (for the summer), WTB saddle, Thomson post, etc… Just about perfect.

For more aggressive riders maybe a shorter stem, wider bar, and dropper post might be warranted, but that’s nitpicking. This thing is fast, light, durable, and well priced at around $5K.

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