Birmingham Bicycle Company, Inc.

Ho! Ho! Ho! It's almost Christmas!

2011-12-12T14:24:00.001-06:00

We're Having a Change of Seasons Sale!

2011-10-10T12:02:00.000-05:00

Under Construction!

2011-08-25T12:15:00.000-05:00

As you may noticed that the blog posts have been becoming less and less frequent as we have moved a lot of the day to day content to Facebook. We have a NEW website under construction right now and it should go live in the very near future with better content, more features and an up to date look and feel. Be sure to follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/#!/bhambicycle or on our Twitter feed at https://twitter.com/#!/BhamBicycleCo.

We are back up and running....

2011-05-17T14:10:00.000-05:00

Thanks to the internet and web page gods we have the Event Calendar functional again. You don't know how much you use something until breaks.

Ooppps...I broke it!

2011-05-10T16:09:00.002-05:00

As most of you have figured out, our Event Calendar is broken! We hope to have it back up and running by the week-end. Please check out our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/#!/bhambicycle for daily ride updates. Thanks!

Rides,Rides and more rides...

2011-04-06T10:56:00.000-05:00

As the weather freshens and day light gets longer our group ride calendar starts to fill up. Be sure to check out our event calendar for new rides and info on long standing shop rides. Leading a group ride from the shop? Let us know and we can get it on the calendar. Let's go for a ride!

Watch "Ride the Divide" epic documentary this Wednesday, March 23rd.

2011-03-21T10:00:00.002-05:00

BBC is proud to be able to help bring "Ride the Divide" to The Edge 12 theaters in Festival Center this Wednesday, March 23rd at 7:00pm. The documentary follows the particapants of the "Ride the Divide" mountain bike race over 2700 miles. The race starts in Banff Canada and finishes at the US/Mexico border and follows the Great Divide. For discounted tickets go to ww.imathlete.com/events/ridethedividemovie. The showing will benefit BUMP and all their local efforts to make Birmingham a world-class destination for mountain biking.

Tour de Cure Kick Off: Tuesday March 22nd!

2011-03-18T13:26:00.001-05:00

Fizik Test Ride Saddles

2011-02-01T15:42:00.002-06:00

We just recieved our Fizik Versus Test Ride Saddle Kit!! You can choose from the top three Fizik saddles, Arione, Aliante or Antares, and their VS cousins, and take them out for a few rides to see which one is best for you. The VS saddle keep the same shape as the standard but feature a pressure relief channel Please stop in and check them out.

Winter Clothing and Trainer Sale!

2011-01-26T12:07:00.000-06:00

Where is the best place for shop updates and deals?

2010-12-11T09:58:00.002-06:00

Facebook of coarse! Keep up with the latest goings on in the shop. Find out the lastest ride info, product reviews and updates and the current deals. Just log into Facebook.com and search Birmingham Bicycle Co. or follow this link http://www.facebook.com/#!/bhambicycle.

NEW WHEELS AT THE SHOP!!

2010-12-07T16:16:00.002-06:00

Just in at the shop...2011 HED Ardenness SL wheelset. They are built using super smooth HED Carbon front and Sonic rear hubs laced to their 23mm wide Belgian scandium rim. Retail for $1050 and weigh only 1440 grams!!!

2011 Tour De Blue...

2010-11-17T16:55:00.003-06:00

The 2011 Edition of the Tour de Blue, Cycling for Prostate Cancer Awareness will roll out from the shop Saturday, April 23rd. The ride will feature some new routes at the same distances that we have done in the past with 50, 75 and 100 mile options. The ride is fully supported and will have frequent, well stocked rest stops staffed by friendly volunteers. Tour de Blue is a fund raising event that supports the Urology Health Foundation (UHF). The UHFis a 501(3)(c) unprofit whose primary mission is to educate men in poorest counties of Alabama on the need to be tested for prostate cancer. UHF also performs free clinics throughout the year, testing men for free and assisting these men with free treatment if their tests are positive. All of the money stays here is Alabama and goes directly to those that need help to most. Please come out and help us raise funds for this very worthy cause. You can also follow the Tour de Blue on Facebook. Please click on the "Like" button to get the latest news on the Tour de Blue and updates on the Urology Health Foundations good works.

Birmingham, Pelham, Shelby County partners create new 'epic' trail at Alabama's Oak Mountain State Park

2010-11-10T14:28:00.004-06:00

Bikers, hikers and joggers now have even more ground to cover at Oak Mountain State Park.Officials have opened a new 4.5 mile section of bike trail that increases the mountain bike route of the state's largest park to 22 miles.

The two-part addition -- Lake Trail and Bridge and Rattlesnake Ridge -- is a result of a partnership between the state, Shelby County, the City of Pelham and BUMP, the Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers organization.

The new section, plus the construction of an additional three miles due to start mid-month, has brought the park's bike route the designation of Epic trail from the International Mountain Biking Association. Currently there are 52 trails worldwide with the Epic trail distinction, officials said. More...

Floyd can't get a break...unless he gets in a break.

2010-11-03T09:27:00.000-05:00

American, former coach set to face trial on hacking charges.

Floyd Landis has declared his desire to win New Zealand’s Tour of Southland, where the former Phonak rider sits in fourth place just over a minute behind race leader Jeremy Yates. Landis announced his aims on the same day French court officials revealed the disgraced Tour de France winner and former coach Arnie Baker will stand trial on hacking charges.

“I want to win – it’s going to be tough but that’s the goal,” said Landis. “A minute’s quite a bit to make up so some bad weather or bad luck on the other guys’ part is probably what I need.

Landis is riding with the Orca Velo Merino squad in Southland. He believes riding with a group of young, enthusiastic riders has helped motivate him.
“It’s fun to be around the young guys – they have dreams and goals and get up in the morning all excited to race …it’s good for me,” Landis said. “I remember feeling that way – not that it’s different now because I enjoy racing my bike but it is harder to get motivated at times.” More...

Tour de Cure Training Ride, Saturday October 30th!

2010-10-26T16:54:00.002-05:00

BamaCross #4: Sloss Cross November 7th, 2010!

2010-10-19T09:41:00.001-05:00

Can you win TdF without doping?

2010-10-05T13:37:00.000-05:00

Suspended Austrian speaks at USADA science symposium...

Bernhard Kohl has said that it is not possible to win the Tour de France without resorting to doping. The Austrian appeared at the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's annual science symposium on Monday in Leesburg, Va.
"People know in cycling that's it's not possible to win the Tour de France without it," Bernhard Kohl told the website FanHouse.com. "It's three weeks, 3,000 km and you climb (the equivalent of) Mount Everest four times. That's just not possible."
Kohl speaks from a position of considerable experience, having doped his way to a third-place finish in the 2008 race. He was subsequently revealed to have tested positive for CERA during the Tour and handed a two-year suspension. He has since retired from the sport. More...

End of Summer Sale!

2010-09-02T12:51:00.001-05:00

We Facebook, do you?!

2010-08-23T13:18:00.002-05:00

Facebook is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family and keep track of your favorite businesses and organizations. We offer exclusive deals to all of our customers that follow us on Facebook. All you need to do is go to www.facebook.com/bhambicycle and hit the "Like" button. We post day to day shop news, discounts, group rides and all manner of silliness. Sign up today!

First look: Scott Plasma 3 Ultimate...

2010-08-12T11:00:00.001-05:00

A hot time trial bike for a cool £10,000 ($15,591 approx)...
This is the Scott Plasma 3 Ultimate – the same bike that the HTC-Columbia team rode in the time trial stages of the 2010 Tour de France. Scott have only produced 20 of these Plasmas to date, 18 of which are being used by the ProTour team, so we were privileged to see and have a quick test ride on this model at the recent BikeRadar Live cycling festival at Brands Hatch. Designed with input from former Formula One aerodynamicist Simon Smart of Velo Science, the Plasma 3 will not go on sale to the public until 2011, when we expect it to cost around the £10,000 mark. More...

Ride for Wishes Training Ride/Cookout This Saturday!

2010-08-10T09:07:00.003-05:00

BBC Back to School Sale!

2010-08-06T12:07:00.000-05:00

BIKE WASHES FOR WISHES!!!!!!

2010-08-05T14:37:00.005-05:00

Birmingham Bicycle Company presents…

BIKE WASHES FOR WISHES!!!!
Bring your bike in during August and September for our “Bike Wash and Detail” service at the regular price of $35 and the shop will donate $5 from each wash to the Make a Wish Foundation. Stop in to get your bike detailed and help grant a wish.

Make a Wish Foundation Mission Statement:

“We grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.”

For more info call 205-870-8330 or visit www.bhambicycle.com

Tour De France Cyclists Make It Past Dreaded Underwater Stage!

2010-07-14T19:07:00.001-05:00

FRANCE—Luxembourger Frank Schleck, a rider with the CSC team, emerged from the 182-kilometer underwater tunnel stage Monday triumphantly clad in a soaked yellow jersey after braving electric seaweed, underwater volcanoes, cyclist-trapping bubble fountains, carnivorous plants, man-eating fish, and electric eels. "These stages are always a pain," said a visually exhausted Schleck, who went on to complain about the stage's lack of turbo zones and power-ups. More...

LeTour de Birmingham-Stage 2...this Saturday, July 10th at Birmingham Bicycle Co.!

2010-07-07T15:23:00.004-05:00

Le Tour de France at le bike shop!

2010-07-03T13:38:00.003-05:00

Every year in July we kick back at the shop and watch the Tour de France. This year is no exception, we will have the live broadcast on in the morning and have the re-broadcast on at lunch. Please stop by and crash on the couch, have a sandwich for the Big Blue Bagel and enjoy watching the worlds greatest race. Can't make it to the shop but still need your fix? Watch the coverage on Steephill.tv. There is a wide variety of links to the live day to day coverage along with route profiles, weather, etc.

Phys Ed: What Exercise Science Doesn’t Know About Women?

2010-06-30T11:06:00.000-05:00

By GRETCHEN REYNOLDS

Several years ago, Dr. David Rowlands, a senior lecturer with the Institute of Food, Nutrition and Human Health at Massey University in New Zealand, set out to study the role of protein in recovery from hard exercise. He asked a group of male cyclists to ride intensely until their legs were aching and virtually all of their stored muscle fuel had been depleted. The cyclists then consumed bars and drinks that contained either mostly carbohydrates or both carbohydrates and protein. Then, over the next few days, they completed two sessions of hard intervals. One took place the following morning; the next, two days later. Dr. Rowlands found that the cyclists showed little benefit during the first interval session. But during the second, the men who ingested protein had an overall performance gain of more than 4 percent, compared with the men who took only carbohydrates, “which is huge, in competitive terms,” Dr. Rowlands says. More...

Jason is RAAMing it!

2010-06-14T11:37:00.000-05:00

Our service manager, Jason Barksdale was choosen to crew for Team Type 1 for this years edition of RAAM (Race Across America). You can follow Jason's adventure on his Facebook page. Jason is the lead mechanic for the 8 man team and is currently somewhere in the Rockies. You can follow the route and progress of all the teams at RAAM website. In addition you can find out all kinds of other info at the RAAM webiste including the insane solo division. Check it out!

Birmingham's own...Jennifer Schuble!

2010-06-03T13:55:00.002-05:00

Jennifer Schuble was near graduation at West Point when she suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident during hand to hand combat training. Shortly after that she was in an auto accident that damaged her arm - and was then diagnosed with MS. For many folks, that would have been the signal to give up. Not this lady; at 33 she's a gold medal winning member of the US Paralympic cycling team. And somehow she manages to fit in being an engineer for Mercedes-Benz. Recently, she took time out of her busy schedule to talk to Pez.
More...

The Swiss champion and a magic bike?!

2010-06-03T10:51:00.000-05:00

After decades of using chemicals to win races, cyclists have found a new wheeze: motorised bikes. This Italian video has caused a sensation on the continent by showing how Fabian Cancellara, a Swiss cyclist, could have pulled off his two impressive victories in gruelling races this spring.
Cancellara is laughing off the allegation that an electric motor cunningly embedded in the frame gave him the boost to streak ahead of the pack in the Paris-Roubaix and the Tour des Flandres. "It's so crazy that I haven't anything to say," the racer known as Spartacus told the Swiss press. "I don't feel like spending much time on such a stupid story." More...

What's the Skinny on Wide?

2010-05-26T10:28:00.000-05:00

If you’ve taken a look around the road aftermarket wheel landscape recently, you have probably noticed a trend toward wider rims. HED calls it C2 rim profile (available on their Jet carbon clincher wheels, Stinger carbon tubular wheels, and Belgian series aluminum clinchers). Zipp rolled out their new wide 303 carbon tubular and have now introduced the 101 – an alloy clincher with the wider profile. Velocity has also jumped on board with their A23 alloy clincher. I decided to give the Velocity A23’s a try, replacing my failing Ambrosio Balance rims.

The Rim
The new Velocity A23 rims weighed in at 440 grams. A bit heavier than the claimed 426 grams, but most claimed weights are a little on the light side. The weight is around that of the Mavic Open Pro (a rim I considered to be a standard all around rim).

The depth of the rim is a good 20 mm. They measure up a little shallower than the HED Belgian series rim (24 mm) and a good bit shallower than the Zipp 101 (30 mm).

The width is what all the hubbub is about. The Velocity is a solid 23 mm wide, as are the HED’s. The Zipp is listed at 24.5 mm, but has a slight bulge below the brake track (what they call “toroidal” shape) so it is closer to 23 mm across the tire bed. For comparison, most road rims are around 19 mm wide.

The Build
I built these up somewhat old school (if you know me, than you know that is my style). DT Swiss Competition spokes and brass nipples (both in black) bridged the distance between my DT Swiss 340 hubs and the Velocity A23 rims in a 3 cross pattern – nothing crazy here. I like classic looks and durability. As has been my experience with most Velocity rims, the A23’s built up round and true quite easily.

The Ride
Mount a 23c tire to any of these rims and it pumps up slightly larger than on a standard rim. I got about 1.5 to 2 mm more tire width. The same was true when I mounted a 35c ‘cross tire. The increased width isn’t the only factor to the ride. The profile becomes rounder as the sidewall of the tire straightens out a bit. Instead of looking like a light bulb, the cross section is more like a U. This gives a more consistent contact patch when cornering. Rolling resistance is reduced as well. Also, with the increased volume of the tire you can run lower air pressure. Instead of the normal 110 (there is really no need to go above that, even with regular width rims), you can run pressures around 90. I am still experimenting to find the sweet spot, but think it probably lies in the 70 – 80 psi range for me.

The ride of the wheels can be described in one word – smooth. Whether it’s the lower air pressure, the more consistent contact patch, or something else, these wheels just feel good. I have not had the opportunity to really push these in a corner to see if they stick better. As for wheel durability, ask me after ‘cross season as these wheels will probably see some time under the ‘cross bike later in the year. Prior experience with Velocity products would indicate that they will hold up well. I do not have enough miles on them to see how the rim width will impact tire wear.

Summary
These wheels definitely have a good ride to them. I would say that the ride approaches that of a good tubular, even with a bomb-proof, heavy-duty training tire mounted up. Did I notice a sudden increase in speed? No. But these wheels did have a noticeably smoother feel. Would I ride wide rims in the future? Definitely. As a matter of fact, these may have spoiled me. I hope to get my hands on a set of the HED wheels to ride on the road.

As a side note – If you frequently change wheel sets, wide rims may not be for you (unless all your wheels have them) as changing the brake set up might be somewhat of a hassle.

Just for reference – Theses wheels are under my Ridley Damocles with Maxxis Re-Fuse tires.

If the wide rim revolution has you interested, come by the shop. If I’m there, my bike probably is as well. You can check the wheels out and take them for a quick spin if you like.

Ride for Wishes Training Ride & Cookout, May 29th!

2010-05-17T13:41:00.012-05:00

The first Ride for Wishes training ride is scheduled for Saturday, May 29th at 8:00am from the bike shop parking lot. There will be three different distances offered with a cook-out after the ride. This is a perfect oppurtunity to come and learn about the Make a Wish organization, register for the Ride for Wishes event in Orange Beach AL and hang out with good friends. If you have questions about ride be sure to call us at the shop (205) 870-8330.

Easton EC90 SL Carbon Clincher Wheelset

2010-04-22T09:49:00.005-05:00

Just in at the shop...Easton EC90 SL Carbon Clincher wheelset. They weigh in at 1550 grams and are built with Sapim bladed spokes and 38mm deep carbon rims. The hubs roll on super smooth Grade 3 Hybrid Ceramic Bearings. Easton uses a Thermatec braking service to ensure more braking consistency on the carbon rims. Retail price is $1799.99. Stop by and check them out.

New Thursday Night Shop Ride!

2010-04-21T11:52:00.004-05:00

Paul Tower and his wife Nicole are leading a NEW shop ride on Thursday evenings called "Torpedo Thursday". The ride will be a celebration of anaerobic, oxygen-free metabolism featuring a few good climbs with "brisk" pacelining in between according to Paul. Please check out the ride description on the Event Calendar or better yet show up and ride! Nicole promises not to ride to hard to embarass any of the guys.

Shimano Launches New 10-speed MTB Drivetrain Technology

2010-04-19T09:18:00.000-05:00

OSAKA, Japan - Today Shimano announces the launch of a new 10-speed drivetrain technology for mountain bikes called Dyna-Sys. Next to the extra gear, Dyna-Sys features a completely redesigned drivetrain with many additional benefits. The first Dyna-Sys products for the Deore XT, SLX groups and non-series will be available this spring.
The main new features of Dyna-Sys are closer gear ratios for a smoother shifting performance and improve power transfer creating optimized gear combinations for more efficiency and durability. According to Shimano, Dyna-Sys offers a more stable drivetrain. More...

Birmingham Bicycle Co. Is Six Years Old!

2010-04-15T11:37:00.006-05:00

It is hard to believe that the shop is six years old today, April 15th, 2010. We want to thank all of our loyal customers, friends and family members that have supported us through thick and thin over the years. Without you we could not have made it this far. It has not been an easy road but the shop and our awesome customers make it all worth while. We look forward to the next six years and the good times.

Thank You!

Tour de Blue 100 mile route map...

2010-04-09T10:39:00.000-05:00

Driver's side: When vehicles and bicycles collide...

2010-04-01T09:28:00.004-05:00

When vehicles and bicycles collide, it's often an adult behind the handlebars.

By Ginny MacDonald -- The Birmingham News

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that more adults are killed or injured in motor vehicle-related bicycle crashes each year than children are.
In Alabama in 2008, there were 269 bicycle highway crashes killing 10 people and injuring 194. NHTSA recommends that riders of all ages:

Wear a properly fitted helmet
Check bicycles by using the ABC method: air pressure, brakes and chain.
Wear bright clothing during the day and reflective materials at night.

More info at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/, http://www.bikeleague.org/ and http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/.

Lawmakers Criticize Bike-Friendly Policy.

2010-03-26T09:46:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BRAIN)—New Department of Transportation guidelines that encourage investments that provide facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians have drawn heated response from Republican congressmen.

“They’re accusing the Secretary of Transportation of being on drugs because he wants to waste money on bicycling,” said Bikes Belong executive director Tim Blumenthal. “In some ways that is a good balance to the optimism and upbeat feeling from the Summit. Secretary LaHood’s announcement was unbelievable, but there are still people out there that don’t share our enthusiasm.” More...

Ride Calendar Updates

2010-03-25T14:47:00.000-05:00

We have spent some more time updating the website Event Calendar and have added a number of week day bike shop rides. We hope to have rides for just about everyones taste. Some of the week night rides have started to meet and some are waiting until the 1st week of April. Be sure to check back often and see if we have a ride that fits your needs. If you have a burning desire to lead a ride from the shop please contact us at the shop and we can help work out the details.

Walter R.I.P. 03/20/2010

2010-03-22T09:41:00.007-05:00

For those of you that knew our beloved cat Walter, he passed away on Saturday, March 20th doing what he loved, hunting and being outside in the sunshine. We believe that he was bitten by a poisonous snake while hunting in our neighbors side yard. There were no signs of obvious trama and we do know that he would take on a snake if he came across one. Walter was a very loving, sweet cat that my wife, children and myself will greatly miss.

Campagnolo: 11 Speed Versus Triple Crankset

2010-03-10T10:59:00.001-06:00

For its 2010 component range, Campagnolo presents a brand new 12-29 cassette for 11-speed drivetrains. The new cassette exceeds the commonly used 28 teeth of the sprockets offered by the competition and enables the 11-speed drivetrain to be even more versatile. In fact, the new 12-29 combination used with a compact 50-34 crankset generates metric developments analogous (2,49/8,84m) to those of a 53-42-30 triple crankset.
The use of a compact crankset instead of a triple also makes it possible to obtain better chain alignment and a substantial weight reduction. The really big news is that Campagnolo has managed to keep a single rear derailleur configuration, avoiding the problem of the double option: choosing a derailleur with medium or short arm.

SRAM Launches Entry Level Road Race Groupset.

2010-02-17T11:31:00.003-06:00

CHICAGO, US - Sponsoring Lance Armstrong raised SRAM’s visibility in the road race market. To capitalize on this notoriety and widen its market position, SRAM developed a brand new entry-level group set. Until now SRAM had three levels of group sets, the Red, the Force, and the Rival, as well as the non-series, on the market. More...

Think Twice: How the Gut's "Second Brain" Influences Mood and Well-Being.

2010-02-15T15:46:00.004-06:00

As Olympians go for the gold in Vancouver, even the steeliest are likely to experience that familiar feeling of "butterflies" in the stomach. Underlying this sensation is an often-overlooked network of neurons lining our guts that is so extensive some scientists have nicknamed it our "second brain".A deeper understanding of this mass of neural tissue, filled with important neurotransmitters, is revealing that it does much more than merely handle digestion or inflict the occasional nervous pang. The little brain in our innards, in connection with the big one in our skulls, partly determines our mental state and plays key roles in certain diseases throughout the body. More...

No love for Floyd...

2010-02-15T15:36:00.006-06:00

French Judge Issues Arrest Warrant for U.S. Cyclist Floyd Landis!

French judge has issued an international arrest warrant for disgraced U.S. cyclist Floyd Landis for allegedly hacking into a lab computer at a facility run by the country's anti-doping agency, the agency's head told Reuters.
Landis, whose surprise victory at the 2006 Tour de France was stripped after he tested positive for synthetic testosterone, was banned from cycling for two years and only returned to the sport last January. He now faces far more serious charges, according to Pierre Bordry, the head of France's anti-doping agency, the AFLD. More...

JAMIS EXILE II 29er DEMO BIKE!!!

2010-02-11T09:30:00.009-06:00

Big thanks to our awesome Jamis rep, Margo, she brought us a 2010 JAMIS EXILE II 29er to the shop for a demo. The bike is a 17" with a 590 mm (23.2") top tube and 749 mm (29.5") standover height. It has a 7005 series aluminum frame with a mix of Shimano XT and SLX with a Rockshox Tora fork. If you have not experienced riding a 29er stop by and hit your favorite trail with the Exile II. For more info and complete specs check out the Jamis website.

BBC Event Calendar Update...

2010-02-03T19:41:00.014-06:00

Our calendar guru Shawn has gone on a mission to make our shop event calendar super up-to-date and we believe that he has gone over the top. Please look over the events that we have posted and be sure to let us know if we have missed anything, so far for the year. If there is an event that needs to be listed, please let us know and we will post it. Please send all event updates to mike@bhambicycle.com and I will make sure they get posted!

Shimano Launches 11-Speed Internal Hub Gear!

2010-02-03T10:07:00.005-06:00

NUNSPEET, the Netherlands – Shimano is currently on Tour in Europe meeting their OE customers for the new product presentation (NPP). Among the 2011 products, the component maker announced the next step in internal hub gear technology. One of the remarkable new components is the Alfine 11-speed internal hub gear.
The new 11-speed internally geared hub technology is part of the Alfine group positioned for sport use. This hub gear will offer three more gears, at a lighter weight than the current 8-speed version. Upgrading this group will further encourage the use of internal hub gear bicycles in the sports market. More...

BBL@BBC Blast The Cold!

2010-01-30T09:55:00.009-06:00

30 heart souls showed up for this morning's edition of the Birmingham Bicycle League winter training ride. Today's ride is sponsored by Birmingham Bicycle Co., Scott Bicycle, Ion Sports Nutrition, Red Bike Coffee and Tracy's. The weather is in the low 40's with a light mist and wet roads but it looks like it's going to clear soon and be a good training day. We want to thank each one of our sponsors and encourage everyone to come out and get involved in Birmingham's best winter training series. Be sure to visit the Tria Cycling Team website @ http://www.bhamvelo.com/blog/ for the latest BBL ride updates and post-ride recaps.

Killer White-tailed Deer Attacks Cyclist (True Story)!

2010-01-21T17:15:00.006-06:00

Tuesday night I was doing a night road ride with 3 buddies. We were on Rex Lake approaching Grants Mill Rd. We were slowing for the intersection when we noticed a large buck running along beside us, 10-15 yards off to our right. I shined my light on him and said, "look at that big buck". Steve said, "wouldn't it be bad if he hit one of us?" and 10 seconds later I got ran over by a deer. This stupid animal came from my right, knocked me off my bike and popped my right forearm with one of his antlers (just a minor wound). After I hit the ground, I heard hooves slipping and sliding on pavement and as I looked around the deer was up on his hind legs with his front legs pawing in the air. Needless to say I freaked out and did my best to scramble off the road and out of his way. I can look back on this now and laugh because it is somewhat funny, but at the time I was panicking and totally freaking out.

Went to the doc the next day and got a tetanus shot and an antibiotic, no telling what was on the tips of his antlers before he punctured me.

I've seen them run along beside me many times in the past on the trail and on the road. Next time I see one running along with me I will be stopping abruptly.

Watch out for deer!

Eye Candy

2010-01-18T07:11:00.011-06:00

A few recent additions to my collection...enjoy!

1953 Claud Butler 25th Anniversary Jubilee model. Cyclo Bendelux 4 speed drive, chrome fork with lantern bracket.
Pair of little Frenchies, (back) Paris Sport (made by Starnord) wheel size about 20", (back) Motobecane, wheel size about 16". Both have 8 speed Huret drive with downtube shifters.
1937 Colson deluxe original. Oogah horn on the bars.

Bike Mechanics are so....funny?!

2009-12-19T19:59:00.004-06:00

Why you should buy from a local bike shop...

2009-12-18T09:41:00.014-06:00

I recently found this on the terms and conditions page of a on-line discounter of bicycles, parts and accessories (typos corrected)...

Returns & Order Cancellations: In trying to keep our prices low, we do not accept any returns for any reason. We don't want your items back, that's why we sold it to you. Please confirm that you know you want before you order it. If you have any doubt about what you are ordering, do not place an order. You may contact us for pre-sales information about any item if you need more clarifications before you buy it. If you accidentally placed an order and we have not processed it yet, we will gladly cancel the order and refund your moneys. Once an order has been processed you cannot receive a refund for any reason.

Warranties:If you buy something and it breaks, don't complain to us because we didn't make it. Please contact the manufacturer of the item for all warranty questions. We only stock and sell items we believe in and try to carry only the very best items, but sometimes even the best stuff breaks. Please let us know if you are unhappy with a specific item as we would like to know, but please direct all warrant claims directly to the manufacturer of the item.

Wow! I guess that's why stuff is discounted, because they have NO customer service. Buyer beware of any retailer that says up front that they won't help no matter what!

Holiday Sale starts Nov. 23rd!

2009-11-20T12:00:00.004-06:00

Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Chanukah & Merry Christmas!
The holiday season is upon us and it is time to start shopping for the cyclist on your list. Come shop our holiday sale starting on Monday, November 23rd through Saturday, December 5th! Whether this is your first bike or your hundredth, Birmingham Bicycle Company has something to fit your needs. We stock bicycles and accessories for the beginner rider, the casual neighborhood fitness rider and mountain and road bikes for every level.

Save 10% to 40% on in-stock bicycles including NEW arrivals & kids bikes!
Save 10% to 40% on cycling clothing!
Save 15% on all parts & accessories!

Having trouble finding the perfect gift for the cyclist that has everything? Why not buy them a gift certificate and let them decide. Gift certicates can be purchased in any amount and are good for anything we sell including service and labor.

We offer Christmas layaway and we will store your Christmas purchases until Christmas Eve! Stop by the shop for details!

Birmingham Bicycle League Season Opener!

2009-11-10T10:57:00.003-06:00

A message from Darryl Seelhorst- "Well it's here! The BBL starts up on Saturday November 14th. We will kick off the ride from BBC at 9 am. Now you get to enjoy some great long, cold Fall and Winter rides along with my poor grammar and punctuation. This year Terry Duran, Brian Toone and I have really put some details into the rides. We have an all new point system that is weighted heavier for all category ride to be a threat overall. The higher your CAT ranking, the harder it is to win big points therefore a great day by a CAT 3 or 5 or an unranked rider could result in them taking the lead in the points series. We will also have "Attack Zone" dedicated to just the CAT 3,4,5 and unranked, it's you guys chance to battle it out! We will also have a Climber and Sprinters jersey to sport. Team Tria's web site will support all the details of the rides. From Brian's great maps of the rides and "Attack Zone's" to ride starts and points leaders etc... Again this year we will roll most of the rides from the Starbuck in Irondale at 9 am. Novembers rides are just a soft roll to explore new routes and easy into the some dynamics of group riding. We will began the points in December. Hopefully we will have all the "Attack Zones" marked and understood. This series is a lot more than any winter miles or points for winning. It's too grow the sport of "RIDING". We all love the outdoors and cycling is a love we can embrace though this community. We want all types of cyclist. Roadies, Tri Guy's, Newbies etc.. People who want to meet other people and learn to ride safely in groups. When I started riding four years ago, I couldn't hardly find anyone to ride with me and I was intimidated most of the group rides I found. Plus Jim Brock beat my eyes in the ground when I rode with him!!! This is everyones chance to learn and grow. And we all know riding in groups is much much safer than riding alone. So please find me emails of interest folks and forward to me or spread the word yourself.
This year already we have had Birmingham Bicycle Company (BBC) Birmingham Bicycle Company step up as a sponsor of our first ride. We will have over 500.00 of cycling gear to raffle off as well as free lunch. But BYOB your beer!"

More info at: http://www.bhamvelo.com/blog/?page_id=516!

Sloss Cross 2009

2009-11-10T10:39:00.006-06:00

Thanks to all the fine folks that came out to the Sloss Cross at Sloss Furnace on Sunday November 8th. There was a great turn out, the racing was very fast and the weather was outstanding. Birmingham Bicycle Co. is still in a commanding lead in the team competition and Will Fyfe and Dave McNeil are a force onto themselves. You can check out pictures of the race from our awesome Jamis Bicycles rep, Margo Carroll, on Flickr . You should also go to http://www.bamacross.com/ for all the poop on cross racing here in Alabama and to get an up-date on your points standings!

Birmingham Bicycle Co. Premium Shop Services

2009-10-27T13:03:00.014-05:00

Introducing Birmingham Bicycle Co. Valet Service!

We are proud to announce the start of our Valet Pick-up and Delivery Service. Is your schedule too tight to make it to the bike shop for much needed service? Is the shop on the wrong side of town to make it in on a regular basis? Let us help! We will come to your house or place of business and pick your bike up, complete the needed service or repair and then return it to you in 24 hours in most cases. The BBC Valet service costs $30.00 plus the cost of the repair and parts. Valet service is available Monday thru Saturday and we work around your schedule.

Premium services include:

Professional Tune-ups and repair work
Wheel Truing and Spoke replacement
Bike Wash and Detailing
Tubular Glueing
Includes Road and Mountain bikes

The service area is limited to the Birmingham Metro area and surrounding communities (sorry Tuscaloosa). Please give us a call for complete details and to make your appointment.

Cyclocross Crazy? You should be....

2009-10-27T12:52:00.005-05:00

We are all gear heads around here and with cyclocross season in full swing there is a ton of really sweet equipment rolling around turning everyone's head. This bike is a real head turner; a wicked 2010 Colnago Cross Prestige w/ SRAM Rival. The bike built up at 16 lbs/15oz. sans pedals.
The specs: Colnago Cross Prestige frame/fork and seat post, FSA intergrated headset, Deda Zero 100 White handle bar and stem, SRAM Rival drivetrain, Pro Logo Nago Gel saddle, Mavic Ksyrium SL wheel set, Stans Raven 700 x35c cross tryes. Without a dought this is one pimpin' machine!

Do you wear your helmet?

2009-10-16T10:05:00.004-05:00

Bicycle injuries in U.S. becoming more severe.

By Anthony J. Brown, MD
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Bicycle injuries in the US have become more severe and there has been a marked increase in chest and stomach injuries.
Moreover, despite greater public awareness, helmet use has not increased and head injury rates have not fallen.
"There is a paucity of studies looking specifically at bicycle injuries," lead researcher Dr. Jeffry Kashuk, from the University of Colorado, Denver, told Reuters Health. In the last several years, greater environmental awareness, economic downturns, an emphasis on fitness, and other factors have fueled greater bicycle use in the US.
More...

Are we missing something?

2009-10-14T09:32:00.002-05:00

Italians Sell 57,000 Bikes in 5 Days with Incentive Scheme.

ROME, Italy - The second EcoIncentive Bike Promotion by the Italian Ministry of Environment has proved again to be very successful to get people cycling. Just two hours after the start of the bike buying incentive scheme already 2,000 bicycles were sold. After five days the budget of € 7.6 million was spend on 57,000 bicycles. More...

RIDE FOR WISHES 2009 WRAP UP!!!

2009-10-07T15:35:00.002-05:00

The Make a Wish Ride for Wishes 2009 is in the books. Almost 180 cyclist helped to raise over $50,000 to grant the wishes of children with life threatening medical conditions. This is enough money to grant 7 wishes, changing the lives of those great kids forever. Thanks to all riders and volunteers and awesome folks at the Make a Wish foundation especially John Sweeney, he is the heart and soul of this ride. Big thanks to all. This is our team The Seekers. Looking forward to 2010!!!!

Tour of Missouri - Stage 7

2009-09-15T14:19:00.002-05:00

Moto 1. Final day. A technical circuit race around Kansas City. The circuit was 10.3 miles with 20 turns and a couple of steep pitches, 7 laps for the race. All the teams who haven't won a stage were looking for glory so the pace was high from the gun. I did a front wheel change early in the race. Fronts are easy, so this one was pretty smooth. Got off the moto to do another change but the team mechanic had made his way to the rider so I deferred to him. Late in the race, I did a rear wheel change. [These are a bit trickier, especially this year. The first thing is to determine whether the team is Campy or Shimano or SRAM. Fortunately, most of the Campy teams were running 11 speed, but this had to be confirmed. All this is done as you are running up to the rider (after jumping off the moto that you've been sitting on for the last 2+ hours). Then you have to pick the correct wheel out of the two rears you've been carrying this whole time. Oh yeah, then get it in the bike and make sure the brake is still lined up.] This change was fairly smooth, although, the wheel was gapped a little wide for the dropouts and took some tightening.

A break sort of established itself. They never got more than a minute and it was short lived. The rest of the race was relentless attacking with Garmin trying to defend the lead. The peloton was single file most of the day. Riders started poppinng on the steep pitches and fading back. The crowds were pretty heavy around most of the course. A Planet Energy rider took the sprint, giving validation to their last minute invitation. Dave Z took the overall, Thor the sprint jersey, Chavez the climbing jersey, Cataldo the young rider's jersey, and Saxo nabbed some intermediate time bonuses to take the team prize by a slim margin over Bissell.

Tour of Missouri - Stage 6

2009-09-13T07:17:00.005-05:00

Moto 2. Out in front again. Unfortunately, the pack was so animated that no breaks stuck. Followed Tom Murphy for about 15 minutes and a break of 2 riders for about 3 minutes. The rest of the day was spent staring at the bumper of Charlie 6 (the state patrol car at the head of the race caravan). Fortunately, the animated pack made this the fastest day to date. The average speed was just under 30 mph.

Last year's final stage winner (Chichi) took the stage today but no change in the overall.

Tour of Missouri - Stage 5

2009-09-13T07:17:00.002-05:00

Individual TT. Usually pretty boring stuff for neutral support. Go out in the middle of no where, set up a pit with wheels and bikes, watch the riders go by one at a time, pack up, and go home. Which is exactly what happened. No services from my pit. The only thing the Mavic crew did was shorten some aerobars and tape a magnet.

Dave Z ripped up the TT and took the stage and the jersey. My pick for the stage ended a respectable 3rd (Tom Zirbel).

Tour of Missouri - Stage 4

2009-09-11T07:52:00.002-05:00

Moto 1. Another break went away today. Although, I was behind the main peloton and didn't get to see any of it. The break got caught before we came into Jefferson City for the finishing circuits. JJ Haedo took the stage and the jersey.

A little excitement today as I did the first wheel change for Mavic for this race. There was also a crash in the final 3k. Being moto 1, we wove through the wreckage and stayed with the group. The other Mavic cars stopped to help sort out the mess.

Tour of Missouri - Stage 3

2009-09-11T07:48:00.002-05:00

Moto 2 today. Fortunately, a 3 man break established itself at mile 9. So, we rode with them all day (or most of it anyway). The break got caught within the final 5k. I didn't think they had a chance of staying away, but was hoping they would and I'd actually get to see a finish. Another quiet day on the road for Mavic, no services.

Finished coming into Rolla. I think the steep little pitches in Missouri are catching a lot of these pros off guard. They seem to be suffering a bit. Columbia couldn't quite control the run in with all the ups and down. Thor was able to take the stage and the jersey.

Tour of Missouri - Stage 2

2009-09-08T17:42:00.002-05:00

Rode moto 1 today. This moto stays with the main peloton. It's a little more nerve racking since you are always on call (moto 2 you can ease a bit when the peloton is all together). Plus you have to watch out for riders and cars while they are feeding. It's pretty much a mad house at the back of the peloton.

I did make a couple of dismounts. Thor dropped a chain but had it back on and was under way by the time we got to him. Another rider had a flat that I was about to change, but his team car was there and took over. Pretty slow change and they had to fish the dead wheel out of the weeds down a pretty steep slope. I'm assuming they got it. If not someone ended up with a Dura-Ace carbon rear wheel as a souvenir.

Had a quick chat with Jens. He came up and asked if I would be holding the spare wheels all day. Told him I would and he made reference to me being the strongest man in the world. He was rolling along saying hay to the teams cars as he made his way back up to the peloton. A class act if there ever was one.

Tour of Missouri - Stage 1

2009-09-08T17:37:00.002-05:00

Rode moto 2 today. This (and Mavic 2) are the moto and car that cover breaks that go. Followed the 3 man break for most of the day. No services. The only real excitement was when we decided to trade some paint with Mavic 2. I thought I was about to get a matching set of bruised hips. But thanks to the mad skills of Rob Love (the moto driver), he kept it upright and me off the ground.

The break eventually got caught, which meant we moved ahead of the field and were deviated at the finish. The only downside to working Mavic is you don't get to see too many of the finishes. Since we were ahead of the peloton we didn't see any of the closing k's carnage.

Hip felt good, although, I didn't have to do any quick dismounts...

Tour of Missouri

2009-09-06T22:03:00.002-05:00

Tour of Missouri...Working with Mavic again this year. Got into St. Louis on Saturday and went straight to work. First order of business was cleaning the old stickers off the Cosmic Ultimates so we could put the new stickers on.

Sunday was a casual breakfast at Union Station. Some of us decided to jump in and race the Giro della Montagna (Tour of the Hill - the Hill is an Italian neighborhood in St. Louis). This race has been going on for 20+ years and I raced it a few times in college. The course, however, was slightly different than when I raced it. The uphill finish was now down hill.

I decided to liven things up and took a flier about 18 minutes into the race. I managed to get a pretty good gap and got a shout out from the announcer. Unfortunately, I didn't take into account the bike/tire combination I wasn't familiar with and the ripples in the pavement in turn 1. Bam. Hit the deck. Took my free lap and jumped back in. Finished the lap with the pack.

Tomorrow will be the real test. Getting on and off the motto with a strawberry on the hip may make life interesting. More to come...

2009 Vuelta a Espana on your computer!

2009-09-01T10:46:00.006-05:00

We are four stages into this years edition of the Tour of Spain and looks like another exciting race. If you have not found a website on the internet to watch the race yet, here are our two favorites.
1. Universal Sports.com: the coverage is excellent and there are NO ads. You can actually watch the race develop and not have to endure all of the silly VS. video montages. Plus if you want to pay ($9.95) there are all manner of stats that you can watch relating to your favorite rider or teams.
2. Steephill.tv: this site provides you with more info than you can believe and links to live feeds from all over the world. You can watch the coverage in Flemish if you want to. Check it out!

RIDE FOR WISHES KICK OFF PARTY!!!

2009-08-06T08:50:00.004-05:00

http://www.rideforwishes.com/

Ride For Wishes is a two-day cycling event in Orange Beach, Alabama the weekend of October 2-4, 2009. The event will feature riding distances for all levels of cyclist- from a 17 mile fun loop to a true Century ride. Plenty of rest stops, great fellowship, nightly activities at the Wharf and the white, sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast are all reasons to make this year's Ride For Wishes a trip for the entire family. All of the money raised through your fundraising efforts will support the wish-granting efforts in the state of Alabama.

KICK-OFF PARTY!!!

• Learn about our 2 day Bike Ride this fall in Orange Beach!
• Sign up and Register to Ride for Make-A-Wish!
• Meet fellow Riders and enjoy a night of food and fun at Blackwell’s Pub!
• $2 Pints
• DOOR PRIZES!!!!!!

Not a Rider??
Come learn about Great Volunteer Opportunities as well!

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13th
5:30pm – 8:00pm (Come and Go)
BLACKWELL’S PUB

3151 Green Valley Road, Birmingham, AL 35243
www.blackwellspub.com

Summer Bike Blow Out!

2009-07-09T16:38:00.002-05:00

Tour de France on a computer near you...

2009-07-02T15:22:00.002-05:00

With the start of the Tour de France only days away, racing junkies are re-shuffling their schedules to watch the biggest of the Grand Tours. Most of us will be watching the live coverage on our TV's and watching the Versus channel. You can check out the broadcast schedule at http://www.versus.com/cyclysm. If you are feeling a little bit more adventurous and possibly want to see what the coverage is like in Italy you have a choice. Go to http://www.steephill.tv/tour-de-france/ and check out all the links they have!

Scott Introduces 2010 Line-up!

2009-06-23T09:23:00.002-05:00

The Scott CR1 ushered in the ultralight carbon road bike wars just a few years ago but with Addict now running the show it has been retasked for 2010 to cater to a more relaxed audience. First and foremost is a softened ride quality in contrast to the original's occasionally harsh personality courtesy of so-called 'Scott Dampering System' seat stays and chain stays.
According to Scott, the flattened sections in the stays allow much more wheel movement over road irregularities than before – up to 2mm in fact depending on the weight of the rider and how hard the bump is hit. Though not suspension in the strict sense, Scott still expects that SDS's added cush will appeal to older or more casual riders looking for a racy-looking machine that is still comfortable over the long haul. More...

Walter Crash Update!

2009-06-08T15:58:00.005-05:00

I wanted to give everyone an update on Walter (the BBC shop cat) after his crash with the bicycle on Saturday morning. He is resting comfortably at our house in Homewood and appears to be on the mend. He ended up with two sutures just above his left eye and bunch of bruises. The awesome vet at Oxmore Animal Clinic said that the wound on his head was quite deep and he is lucky he didn’t lose his eye. She had to sedate Walter while stitching him up and gave him a through physical examination for broken bones etc…and it looks like he lucked out and is just all bruised up. He is noticeably tender but he is not limping. The area around his eye was quite swollen and painful looking yesterday (Sunday) but the swelling has gone down overnight and looks a little better. Overall he is a tough and extra luck cat that probably used up one of his nine lives.
I want to say thanks to all the folks that helped out and took care of him after his crash. It was your quick action that keep him from getting hurt worse. I plan to bring Walter back to the shop after he gets his stitches out and gets clean bill of health from the vet.

Ride for Wishes training ride and rider registration, Saturday June 6th at 9:00am!

2009-06-03T10:36:00.003-05:00

This training ride leaves from the parking lot at Birmingham Bicycle Company at 9:00am on Saturday June 6th and will feature 20 and 35 mile options. Post-ride food and drink will be provided. Representitives from the local Make-a-Wish Foundation chapter will be on hand and ready answer any questions you have and will help you sign up for the ride in October. Please come by and see what a difference you can make in the life of a child. The training ride is free to everyone!
October 3-4 2009: The Ride For Wishes 2009 is a two-day cycling event that will feature riding distances for all levels of cyclist- from a 17 mile fun loop to a true Century ride. Plenty of rest stops, great fellowship, and the white, sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast are all reasons to make this year's Ride For Wishes a trip for the entire family. All of the money raised through your fundraising efforts will support the wish-granting efforts in the state of Alabama. For more information and to register online, please go to www.rideforwishes.com.

Tour De Blue Charity Bicycle Ride!

2009-05-19T15:42:00.005-05:00

Urology Centers of Alabama, Birmingham Bicycle Company , ServisFirst Bank and ABC33/40 are promoting prostate cancer awareness and the importance of early detection by sponsoring a cycling event, the Tour de Blue on Saturday May 30th, 2009. This ride leaves from Birmingham Bicycle Company (BBC) at 7:30am on Saturday and meanders its way through Jefferson, Shelby and St. Clair counties. The terrain is rolling with several challenging climbs. The route takes riders from the bike shop to the Logan Martin Dam and back. There will be 50, 75 and 100 mile options. All proceeds from the ride will go to the Urology Health Foundation, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization and your donation is tax deductible.
The Urology Health Foundation was established as a charitable organization to receive funds to help in our effort to take screening for prostate cancer across the state. Last year the Health Foundation screened 607 men in Perry, Wilcox, Marengo, Hale, Sumter, Madison and Jefferson counties. This year Urology Centers of Alabama will be adding additional sites to increase the number of screenings performed. A donation to the Urology Health Foundation will help bring screenings to those who otherwise would not have it and ultimately, because of early detection, decrease the death rate from prostate cancer in our state.
Any donation to the Urology Health Foundation will help us achieve that goal. Follow this link: http://www.active.com/event_detail.cfm?event_id=1722914 for more information of the ride and to register for the Tour De Blue. Even if you can’t ride in the Tour de Blue you can still donate to this very worth while charity that directly serves people in your community by following this link: http://www.active.com/donate/tourdeblue.

2009-05-04T11:29:00.000-05:00

The Pits Burg?

2009-04-24T11:15:00.004-05:00

We grew up with the city of Pittsburg but I think the decline of the steel industry hit them harder than us. So much so that they can't even afford engines!! Check it...

Biker Compensation?!

2009-04-13T15:32:00.006-05:00

I guess the next step is to take two 52" Penny Farthings and throw out the farthings...
Waltworks 36er - Better get in line - these are flying off the jig!!

http://waltworks.blogspot.com/2009/04/36-36-36.html

Masterful

2009-04-07T08:21:00.001-05:00

When you are good you can do a track stand at a red light on a level road.

When you are really good you can do a track stand during a sprint race on the velodrome.

When you are the master, you can enjoy a sandwich while waiting on your next miss and out to begin.

Shimano Re-launches Ultegra.

2009-04-02T11:35:00.002-05:00

TOKYO, Japan - The Shimano Ultegra road racing component groupset has been completely revamped to a higher level, similar to the improvements made in the new Dura-Ace 7900 series. The design of the Ultegra 6700 series is inspired by aerodynamics, with a duotone silver colour finish.
The weight of the groupset has been reduced with 151 grams compared to the previous 6600 series. The weight reduction compared with the Ultegra SL is 44 grams. The Ultegra double will be available next July and the triple together with the wheel set next September.
The new Ultegra offers a wide range of component options to suit all kinds of road cyclists, from enthusiasts to hard-core racers. More...

Armstrong perfects aero position with surgery!

2009-04-01T15:07:00.006-05:00

During the height of his career Lance Armstrong was famous for taking every possible step to perfect his aerodynamic position on the bike because, during the Tour de France, "every second counts". Since his return to the sport, he has yet to dominate in the race against the clock. Insider sources have revealed to Cyclingnews that the American recently underwent a radical, secret surgery to alter his physique to help cheat the wind.
Following his crash in the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon, where Armstrong fractured his right collarbone, he flew back to his Austin, Texas home. Once back in Texas he had surgery – supposedly to repair the clavicle which, doctors insisted, was broken into four pieces.
Sources within the Armstrong camp explained that initial reports that the break was a single, clean fracture were true. But the seven-time Tour winner had been told he could shave seconds per kilometre off of his time trials if only his shoulders weren't so broad. The American decided that, since he faced several weeks of recovery from the broken bone anyhow, he might as well go through with a plan which would shorten both clavicles and narrow the width of his upper body. More...

2009-03-31T18:36:00.007-05:00

Ride For Wishes is a two-day cycling event in Orange Beach, Alabama the weekend of October 2-4, 2009. The event will feature riding distances for all levels of cyclist- from a 17 mile fun loop to a true Century ride. Plenty of rest stops, great fellowship, nightly activities at the Wharf and the white, sandy beaches of the Gulf Coast are all reasons to make this year's Ride For Wishes a trip for the entire family. All of the money raised through your fundraising efforts will support the wish-granting efforts in the state of Alabama.
KICK-OFF PARTY!
Learn about our 2 day Bike Ride this fall in Orange Beach.
Sign up and Register to Ride for Make-A-Wish.
Meet fellow Riders and enjoy a night of food and fun at Blackwell’s Pub.
25% off all appetizers & Various Drink Specials.
Not a Rider? Come learn about Great Volunteer Opportunities as well!

THURSDAY, APRIL 2nd
5:30pm – 8:00pm

BLACKWELL’S PUB
3151 Green Valley Road, Birmingham, AL 35243
http://www.blackwellspub.com/

Saxo Bank makes the switch from Shimano to SRAM!

2009-03-30T09:24:00.001-05:00

Bjarne Riis' squad rode SRAM Red-equipped rigs, the Danish team having signed on as the latest to join the SRAM stable. It's a slightly unorthodox move to be changing component suppliers during the season, but SRAM has stated it will be assisting in making the transition a smooth one by helping equip all of the team's bikes in order to avoid any complications as the season heats up and the demands on technical partners increase.
The deal, the details of which were not disclosed, increases the number of ProTour teams utilising the Illinois-based company's flagship gruppo to four, with the Milram, Fuji-Servetto and Astana outfits also running Red componentary. More...

BBC is now on Facebook...are you?

2009-03-30T09:15:00.004-05:00

We here at the Birmingham Bicycle Co. are finally joining the masses and have a Facebook page. Not only is Facebook a good way to keep up with your friends abut a great way to keep up with what's happening at the shop. Look for new product updates, reviews and the latest events happening at the shop.

10 Speed for your MTB? Oh yeah!

2009-02-26T09:34:00.003-06:00

The official launch of SRAM's upcoming XX 2x10 mountain bike is still a solid three months off but a pair of apparent spy photos that have recently surfaced online seemingly provide an early glimpse of what's to come.
Assuming the images are real, here's what we can tell:
Shifters
SRAM has been experimenting with a mountain bike version of its DoubleTap single-lever shifter for some time now: a road version is already commercially available and we spotted a prototype dedicated MTB edition on a bike belonging to SRAM test honch Greg Herbold two years ago.
XX looks to finally bring the idea to fruition on dirt with a single lever that appears to incorporate a carbon paddle co-molded around an aluminum base. We can see no mechanism for adjusting the position of the lever a la X.0 but we'd be quite surprised if it really weren't included.
Otherwise, the body is distinctly X.0-like from what we can see (the top isn't visible) and the XX shifter apparently retains the familiar two-position aluminum clamp - and thus, the same MatchMaker compatibility. More...

New Product...Bonk Breakers.

2009-02-25T12:13:00.005-06:00

We started selling Bonk Breakers about 3 1/2 weeks ago and they have quickly become a favorite of the staff and customers. The bars come in three flavors: Peanut Butter and Jelly, Peanut Butter and Banana, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and they sell for $2.25 per bar. We give our customers that buy boxes (12 per box) a 15% discount. To get the low down on nutritional info and more on the company itself follow this link: http://www.bonkbreaker.com/index. We currently have all the flavors in stock. Stop by and try the "best tasting Energy Bar in the World"!

B.U.M.P. Receives $10,000 for Oak Mtn. State Park Trail

2009-02-04T09:39:00.004-06:00

Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers (BUMP)—Lake Trail, Oak Mountain State Park (Alabama)The Birmingham Urban Mountain Pedalers (BUMP) will receive $10,000 to help build the Lake Trail in Oak Mountain State Park. Bikes Belong funds will leverage a Shelby County Grant for the project, helping BUMP to connect two sections of singletrack that are currently linked by a roadway while creating a 3-mile mountain-bike loop specifically for beginners. Oak Mountain State Park receives more than 500,000 visitors annually. More...

That's not a bike...this is a bike!

2009-01-30T09:02:00.005-06:00

Mitch and Frank just finished their newest creation, a chopper bike with a car wheel on the rear and wait, it has gears! This is one you have to see in person to truly appreciate the workmanship. This creation has over 200 hours of work in it. Only the front wheel and crankset are store bought and unmodified. All other parts, including a very cool brake lever and brake setup, are handmade. Nice work guys!!!

Bob Strollers are Walter Approved!

2009-01-29T08:51:00.008-06:00

Bob Joggers and Strollers are some the nicest on the market. Our most popular model is the Revolution, it allows Mom or Dad to unlock the front wheel and make it swivel for easier maneuvering in tight spots. Like all Bob products, it collapses very easily and can stand up to whatever your child throws at it. Walter here is showing just how relaxing a ride in a Bob stroller can be. BBC has access to the full line of Bob product so come by and we will be glad to help you out.

The Future of Bike Helmets?

2009-01-22T17:21:00.003-06:00

Will this new helmet design change the attitude of bikers towards wearing helmets? It has become quite common to use a bicycle helmet when mountainbiking or road racing. There bikers prefers the functionality and safety and nobody looks puzzled any longer when somebody wears a helmets when mountainbiking or road racing.
That’s completely the opposite when people ride their City or Trekking bike. Here bike helmets have a bad image. The colours and shapes are ‘something you don’t want to be seen with’. Over the years countries that have implemented an obligation to wear a helmet when biking have shown a dramatic drop in the use of bicycles in the city and for commuting. More...

Bikers wear fruit shells to avoid helmet law.

2009-01-16T11:32:00.004-06:00

KANO, Nigeria (Reuters) - Police in Nigeria have arrested scores of motorcycle taxi riders with dried fruit shells, paint pots or pieces of rubber tire tied to their heads with string to avoid a new law requiring them to wear helmets.
The regulations have caused chaos around Africa's most populous nation, with motorcyclists complaining helmets are too expensive and some passengers refusing to wear them fearing they will catch skin disease or be put under a black magic spell. More...

No real rivals for Rival!

2009-01-16T10:39:00.004-06:00

Cyclingnews technical editor James Huang spends a few months on the latest version of SRAM Rival and declares it the hands-down winner in the mid-price segment.
SRAM Rival has been a value leader since its introduction in 2006 but new trickle-down technology borrowed from Red has now made it even more so. In fact, if one were to run one against the other back-to-back blindfolded (not recommended outdoors!) it'd be difficult to tell the two apart.
The biggest changes are in the heavily revamped DoubleTap levers, which now bear Red's 10mm-longer brake lever blades (now upgraded to carbon fiber) and larger shift paddles along with the flagship's independently adjustable reach for both. Internally, the left-hand shifter gains the Zero Loss cable spool design and outer trim position (though at the loss of the inner ring position), again borrowed from Red. More...

Bianchi Hot Sheet...

2009-01-15T14:13:00.010-06:00

It may be freezing cold outside but we have some super hot deals on closeout Bianchi complete bikes to keep you warm. You can check out complete parts and geometry spec's for the bikes listed below at www.bianchiusa.com/08_bicycles.html. Please give us a call if there is a bike on the list that you have questions about or you just can't live without!

08 BIANCHI B4P 928 CARB T-CUBE FORCE 59cm WHT was $5799.99 now $4059.99

08 BIANCHI B4P 928 CARB T-CUBE CHORUS 51cm was $5399.99 now $3779.99

08 BIANCHI B4P 1885 HYD-CARB VELOCE 59CM was $2099.99 now $1469.99

08 BIANCHI C2C 928 CARB KVID 105 55cm was $2199.99 now $1539.99

08 BIANCHI C2C NIRONE CARB VELOCE MX 55cm was $1899.99 now $1329.99

08 BIANCHI C2C NIRONE CARB 105 MX CT 57cm was $1449.99 now $1014.99

08 BIANCHI C2C NIRONE CARB 105 MX CT 59cm was $1449.99 now $1014.99

07 BIANCHI B4P 1885 CARB VELOCE 55cm was $1899.99 now $1199.99

07 BIANCHI EROS DONNA size 44 was $1299.99 on sale for $849.99

06 BIANCHI VIGORELLI 55cm RICH RED was $1699.99 now $1099.99

Team Columbia now rides Scott bikes

2009-01-14T12:22:00.005-06:00

Cyclingnews.com has a feature on Mark Cavendish's new team bike, a Scott Addict. As pictured, the bike is set up for training; note the saddle bag, frame pump, and clincher wheels.

BBC is Birmingham's exclusive dealer of Scott bikes, both road and mountain; come by and check them out!

VIVA WALTER!!

2008-12-30T08:46:00.003-06:00

If you have been in the shop this week you may have noticed a new employee helping out. If not here's your chance to come on in and meet the newest addition to the BBC, Walter. He adopted us late last week and seems pretty cool with hanging around the shop and greeting customers. Walter is very laid back and playful, so stop by and say hello. Thanks

Dish = bad, off-center rim = good

2008-12-22T16:12:00.006-06:00

On a typical multispeed bike, the width of the gear cluster causes rear wheel offset, or “dish”.

The above diagram is from Jobst Brandt's book The Bicycle Wheel, and shows that a much higher spoke tension is required for drive-side spokes to balance the lateral (side-to-side) forces on the rim. [Ignore the red lines for now.] The weight of the bike and rider are therefore supported almost entirely by the drive-side spokes, which effectively halves the number of spokes in the rear wheel. The diagram shows an old six-speed hub; the offset is even greater for current ten-speed hubs. This results in a wheel that is less sturdy and more prone to go out of true than a comparable front wheel.

In order to compensate for dish, some wheel designs move the non-drive hub flange closer to the center; this helps even out spoke tension but does not add lateral strength to the wheel. Other designs use twice as many drive-side spokes as non-drive-side, which requires a rim that can support the tension of three closely spaced spokes.

One clever solution to rear wheel dish is the off-center (or asymmetric) rim. The idea is simple: move the spoke holes to the left side of the rim. This allows for a rear wheel with both wide spacing between the hub flanges and equal spoke tension. In the diagram above, the red lines show what the spoke angles would look like if the rim had off-center spoke holes.

Mavic’s top-of-line, carbon-spoked R-Sys wheelset is built with an asymmetric rear rim. The shop has several of these wheelsets in the store and you ought to check them out, if only to marvel at their light weight (1355g the pair) and multiple high-tech features. A cross-section of the front and rear rim shows the asymmetric shape of the rear:

[One quick note: The voluntary recall of Mavic R-Sys wheels has nothing to do with its asymmetric rear rim. In fact, they're not even recalling the rear wheels. Whether carbon spokes are a good idea...well, that's an entirely different topic. 12jan2009]

In a slightly more traditional vein, Velocity USA offers two excellent off-center alloy rims. The Aerohead OC is a light (418g) semi-aerodynamic rim that is built for speed, while the Synergy OC is a burlier (490g), wider rim, perfect for the tourer, the clydesdale, or mountain biker.

Both rims come in a variety of sizes and spoke hole drillings, and can be purchased individually or in pre-built wheelsets. The guys at the shop can help you decide which options would best fit your needs.

Birmingham Bicycle League Mystery Ride, Saturday December 20th...

2008-12-19T10:58:00.003-06:00

Once again we are hosting the Birmingham Bicycle League ride from the shop this Saturday, December 20th. The ride will roll at 9:00am and we will be on the road for approx. 3 hours and there will be one sprint zone this week. Please go to http://www.bhamvelo.com/blog/?page_id=32 for a detailed description of the ride and the rules/regulations that we ask all participants to abide by.

The shop has multiple changing rooms for those folks coming in from out of town that need a place to change into the riding gear and the shop will open at 8:00am. There will be water, Powerade and air available at shop prior to the start of the ride. After the ride we will have food and drink that has been graciously donated by Milos Hamburgers and Tracy's available to all ride participants.