Evolution

One of the things I like:

Two Fine Bicycles in the Park double workstand. Handmade frames built thirty years apart, both lugged steel, at about the highest-possible level.

The Waterford has oversized tubing and a threadless headset, matched new components carefully selected for the intended use, not a scratch anywhere, and I predict will be a great bike. The Gordon has standard tubing and a threaded headset, mismatched scrounged parts carefully selected for the intended use, scratches and dents everywhere, and IS a great bike.

Here's another comparison:

Two brand-new 2011 model Masi bicycles. The black one is a product of selective breeding, having been built in the traditional steel-with-lugs style but in the more modern format of oversized tubing. The white carbon one is the result of punctuated equilibrium, springing from the sea-change of Carbon Fiber Mass Production. Again, both very good bicycles, but illustrating a dramatic branching of the evolutionary thread.

Join Bicycle Colorado

Ride responsibly and respectfully, follow the rules of the road, and support organizations that defend your rights.

Go to:

https://securecart.net/page.cfm?domain=bicyclecolo.org&pageid=632&CFID=79732116&CFTOKEN=3156524f27e0370d-3DF1A08E-5056-9212-26F11DFD040FDC6C

Amazing Story

A man comes in, asks for a tube.

What size?

28 inch.

That is a rare size, are you sure?

Well, it's a road tube, 700 by 28?

OK, presta or shrader valve?

What's that?

This is a presta, this is a shrader. (showing)

Well, can I put the normal valve in?

Only if you have the bigger hole in the rim.

How do I know?

You look at it. Do you currently have a presta valve tube?

Let me make a call.

(two minutes)

Is there a price difference between regular and presta?

No.

OK, well, I'll take the what-do-you-call-it?

Presta.

Yeah.

Regular or thorn-resistant?

Huh?

Lightweight or heavy-duty, to help prevent flats.

Uh, well, the heavy one. How much is it?

Ten dollars.

(on the phone)

How much for the regular one?

Six dollars.

(on the phone)

Is it worth the extra?

Yes, but it will impact performance. The lighter tube rolls easier and handles better, but is more likely to flat.

(on the phone)

How much is it?

Ten dollars for the heavy, six for the regular.

Hold on.

(on the phone)

Can you do better on the price?

No.

Hold on.

(on the phone)

Do other bike shops have lower prices?

I don't know.

I'm going to go look in Target.

(he leaves, returns in ten minutes. Target doesn't have presta-valve tubes, I guess)

What's the price on the heavy tube?

Ten dollars.

For any size?

Ten dollars for that size.

Let me make a call.

(two minutes)

Do you have any sales going on?

No.

(on the phone)

Can I get a lower price?

No.

This box has a crushed corner. Any discount for that?

No.

OK, well I suppose I'll take it.

Here, you can have this extra box. Ten dollars eighty-eight cents.

You said ten dollars.

Sales tax. It's the law.

You said ten dollars.

Are you going to buy this tube?

(he presents a credit card, purchasing the tube)

Thank you.

Next day, a phone call:

What's your return policy?

The Big Move

Temporary headquarters, one more step on the road to Global Bicycle Hegemony. In the background are seen ranks of our Children's Army who will fan out across the metro area and terrorize baby strollers and bird watchers and dog walkers and any others who may stand in our path. Mwahahahahaha!

My generals awaiting their orders.

Baptism of the new digs.

Halfway there.

Hard work has its own rewards.

Thanks to all who helped! Ed, Bill, Don, Doug, Jeannette, John and Erin, Mom, Dad, Jim and Florence, Miller and Winegarten and Co., City of Sheridan, and of course Customers. Couldn't have done it without you. -Paul

Bicycle Tour of Colorado 2011

Trail Ridge Road, waiting for the gates to open.
Severe altitude sickness
Evening campsite down time. And up. And down. And up.
Roadside attractions.
The crew.

We are Open!

at the new shop! 3602 River Point Parkway, in Sheridan. Up the hill from the confluence of Platte River and Bear Creek. In the bottleneck between Fatburger and Subway, across the parking lot from SuperTarget. New hours, M-W-Th-F 10-6, Tu 12-8, Sa 9-4. Give us a visit soon!

MOVING THE SHOP!

Paul's Cyclery will soon be moving to a new location. (Finally!) Starting June 1 or thereabouts we will be found in the beautiful, new, sunny and spacious location at 3602-D River Point Drive. For the address-impaired, it's the building presently occupied by Subway at the intersection of Platte River Trail and Bear Creek Trail. Across the parking lot from SuperTarget. A stone's throw from the path. Look for it!