Salsa Mukluk

Tom just got a new Salsa Mukluk, couldn't help but throw up some pictures.

These bikes are amazing!

Thanks for looking!
Merry Christmas!

Independent Fabrications

Winter is a great time to work on projects that don't get done when its warmer out. And here at the bike shop we work to fully embody this idea. Winter is a great time to work on making the store look better, build bikes for the coming year, and it is also a great time to work on building custom bikes for customers!
As I mentioned in my last post, we've been getting some really cool bikes in lately. The new Moots we just got in are the talk of the shop because they are a new (to us) company and not everyone is as familiar with them as they are with some of the other bikes we have go through the shop on a regular basis. That said, the excitement around the new Moots hasn't put a damper on another company that we have been working with for some time now, Independent Fabrications.

Independent Fabrications makes some truly amazing bikes. Every time we get the chance to work with them it is a rewarding experience. We recently placed an order for a customer on a Ti Deluxe, a Single Speed Titanium 29er mountain bike, we are eager to see this one as it promises to be a really amazing ride. Pictures of that ride on arrival!

Here are some pictures of some IF's we have in stock:

IF Steel Crown Jewel

Classic IF "box" logos.

IF's paint department can do just about anything you can think up!

SSR

Straight seat stays on the SSR.

Stainless Steel! Made from Reynolds 953

IF Head badge.

Moots

One of the best parts of working at a bike shop is getting to check out all the cool new bikes. Here at Williamson Bicycle Works we are lucky that we seem to sell a good number of pretty cool bikes.

The last few weeks have been particularly fun time around the shop, we have got in some really cool new bikes and frames in and have put a few more on order.

Last week we got our first shipment of Moots frames.

Vamoots 58cm road frame.

Moots frames come with a beautiful head badge

We also received a 55cm Psychlo X

All Moots are built to spec, we added rack and fender eyelets to our Psycho X.

Its hard to beat Moots when it comes to Ti, the quality of these frames is breath taking.

More pictures later...

Winter Riding Part 3

Selecting a bike for winter riding and getting it set-up appropriately (part 1 and 2 or Winter Riding) are important steps toward riding all year. However, I've left probably the most important part of riding in the winter, staying warm, for last. Selecting the correct clothes for riding in the cold can make or break riding through the winter. Dressing correctly will not only keep you warm it will also keep you comfortable and, when needed, safer.

Here at Williamson Bicycle Works we feel that the key to staying warm is layering. Using a good base layer and building from there will keep you warm and dry longer and will feel less bulky than a huge coat will.

Starting with a good base layer is key, One of our favorites is Sugoi's Wallaroo Merino Wool piece.

Another good one is Pearl Izumi's P.R.O. base layer.

Here is an example of layering, starting with our own custom Williamson Bicycle Works base layer (available in sleeveless and short sleeve), Pearl Izumi Elite Soft Shell Jacket and Sugoi Helium Vest. This would be a good set-up from the high 30s all the way to the mid 50s. As the temperatures rise the vest can be taken off and packed into a pocket, the Helium vest is very light weight and can be packed down very small making it perfect for layering.

For colder weather you need more layers and some more protection from the wind. Here we have Sugoi Wallaroo Merino Wool base layer Pearl Izumi Select Thermal Long Sleeve Jersey, and a Showers Pass Elite jacket. This set-up could, depending on how warm you want to be, take you down into the high teens.
Finding the correct bottoms to pair with the correct layers on top can be some-what easier. However careful selection is still key.
For commuting a pair of shell pants like Showers Pass Storm pants which are waterproof, offer good wind protection and can be worn over street clothes are perfect. For longer rides or commutes tights are a good choice, like the Pearl Elite bib tight. We carry different weights and styles of tights. We also stock a large selection of knee, leg and arm warms for layering or slightly warmer than freezing temps.

Many people say the most important thing to keep warm is your head! We can't agree more, so we stock a lot of different hats. Whether it's a balaclava, skull cap, cycling cap or winter hat that you are looking for, we have it!

And don't forget about your extremities! Keeping your hand and feet warm will make riding a lot more enjoyable! We carry gloves by Pearl Izumi, Mavic, Gore and Giro.

A good pair of shoe covers...
...and wool socks will help keep your feet nice and toasty!

Now your ready to ride all year long!

Winter Riding Part 2

After selecting a bike to ride as a winter bike, the next step is to get your bike set up for winter riding and the harsh conditions that come with Wisconsin winters.

A huge part of winter riding is keeping your bike working. Keeping your bike clean and lubricated will not only allow your bike to work better, it will also prolong the life of your bike and let it last longer than just the winter!

We stock a large selection of bike-specific lubricants and cleaners. We also have an amazing service department that will be happy to help you with your regular bicycle maintenance. Through the winter it is imperative to keep your bike fully lubricated, otherwise your bike will become worn or broken much quicker!

There are many products on the market that will help you ride more comfortably in the cold and through all kinds of conditions.

Studded tires are a great way to get over Icy roads and bike paths. They not only improve handling, they also make you much more confident over ice, which will help keep you upright on your bike!

We carry a number of different studded tires in both 700c and 26".

700c studded tires

Left: Schwalbe Marathon Winter, a great all condition, high stud count, high quality tire, $79.99. Middle: Continental Nordic Spike 120, a more treaded tire with a fast rolling middle section, good for the rider who wants a studded tire that will ride well in a verity of conditions, $74.99. Right, Continental Nordic Spike 240, high stud count, lots of tread, a great tire for the most extreme conditions.

26" studded tires.
Left, Kenda Klondike, lots of tread, lots of studs, a serious winter tire, $69.99. Middle left Schwalbe Marathon Winter, same as the 700c tire, just in a 26x1.75 size, this has been the stand-by winter tire, $79.99. Middle right, Continental Spike Claw 240, 26x2.1, another serious winter tire, high quality and very grippy, $99.99. Right, Continental Spike Claw 120, same as the 240, just with less studs, $74.99.

Fenders can keep you dry.

Full coverage fenders are the best at keeping you dry and as a result, warmer!

If your bike doesn't have the correct mounting point for a full coverage fender there are lots of clip-on style fenders that work a lot better than nothing!

One thing that is particularly annoying about winter is all the darkness

Lights are a must for riding all year!

If you are a serious commuter rechargeable lights are the best. We carry Light and Motion because they are the best!

Planet Bike makes some great lights. One of our favorites is the Super Flash tail light.

On top of a good set of lights there are lots of reflective products that will help you get seen!

Stay tuned for part 3 of "Winter Riding"!

Winter Riding Part 1

Winter is coming and soon it will be cold, snowy and icy. Staying on your bike through the winter can be a challenge, but it doesn't have to be. With the correct preparation and gear, riding through the winter can be fun and a great way to get through the cold and darkness!

This is the first installment of a series of posts that will go through some of the gear that can help you stay on your bike all winter.

The first step to riding in the winter is of course the bike itself. If you're looking for a bike for winter riding, we recommend something simple, comfortable and a bike you don't mind getting a little dirty. Lots of people choose to use a bike that they already have, which is a great way to go. However, if you are looking for a new bike to use as a winter bike, many of the less expensive hybrids and mountain bikes work great. That said, some of our favorite bikes are bikes built specifically for winter riding. You can modify a bike you already own or get an all new rig. If you are interested in building a bike for winter riding (old or new) stop in and have a chat with any of our highly qualified sales people or mechanics and they will be happy to discus some of the options!

Surly Long Haul trucker is a great bike for all year, but it makes a great winter bike with plenty of room for fenders and studded tires, as well as slightly more relaxed geometry to keep you upright over the slick stuff.

The Schwinn Sporterra makes a great winter commuter. And at only $369 its inexpensive enough that you don't mind getting it a little sloppy.

looking for a road bike for when the roads are less then perfect? The Co-Motion Nor Wester looks like a regular road bike but has longer reach brakes to accommodate larger tires and fenders.

Stay tuned for our next installment, I'll go through winter bike accessories including studded tires, lights and how to select the best gear for your winter bike!

2011 Cannondale

2011 Cannondale's have started to arrive and we couldn't be happier with the new bikes. Three models that we are particularly impressed with are the new CAAD 10, the CAAD 8 5-C and, as always, the Carbon Synapse's.

2011 CAAD10 5-D, all new CAAD10 frame with tapered headtube, BB30 crank Shimano 105 components, Shimano Wheelset, Prologo saddle, all for $1399

Stout drive train, stiff out of the saddle, better shifting, yet carefully engineered seat and chain stays for a smooth comfortable ride.

The new CAAD10 features a tapered steerer tube and a very beefy down tube!

New CAAD8 has many of the same features as the new CAAD10, just not as light and stiff, also slightly more relaxed geometry for the weekend warrior or recreational rider not looking for the stiffness that the CAAD10 offers. Also a great deal at $1199!

Taller head tube allows for a higher bar position.

A hot bike for a few years now, the Cannondale Synapse Carbon! Pictured is a 2011 Synapse 5-C Women's, one of the best deals in the Synapse line, 105, BB30, and a full Carbon frame, all for $1999

Stay tuned for more 2011 Cannondales. And stop in the shop to take the latest models for a spin!

We The People BMX

This time of year is always a fun time at bike shops, all kinds of new products coming in! Sometimes the new products coming in are from companies we have been working with for a long time (Cannondale CAAD10!) and sometimes they are products from new companies. A new company that we are very excited to be working with in 2011 is We The People. We will be carrying a selection of We The People complete bikes at both our East and West stores. Stop in and check them out!

We The People Volta $799

Half link chain, 25x9t, very nice sealed three-piece crank.

Trust, $589

Zodiac, $669