Sealed Grand Bois tyres

The first Grand Bois we tried was the 650×32b Cypres. It was an amazing tyre. Very comfortable, but still fast and precise-feeling. Their whole range have very supple casings and reasonably thin treads. This results in a tyre that rolls very nicely, even at relatively low pressures.

Newly arrived box

The main reason for the order was a 650b Porteur bike we’re building using a Velo Orange Polyvalent frame. The tyre for this bike had to be Grand Bois’s most-raved-about tyre, the Hetre. It’s 42mm wide, has red/orange horizontally ribbed tread, and constantly gets recommended by anyone who has ridden one (Jan Heine raves about them in Bicycle Quarterly on a regular basis). They are also perfect for the bike we’re building (more on this bike in a later post). Here’s a picture of a pair we sold to one of our customers.

We also got some 700c tyres – the 28c Cerf. One pair was for stock and one pair for is my bike. Like all Grand Bois they are supple and light for their balloon size, they have old-fashioned natural tan sidewalls, and roll beautifully. I’m running them at 80psi, and they feel terrific on uneven road surfaces, taking the edge of all the bumps and feeling hard enough to inspire confidence while cornering.

Hetre on top

The pair for stock sold in no time – to someone who came across town to talk about 650b, buy a Pletcher kickstand and a VO bell. We’re always excited to meet like-minded bike nerds. But no need to worry, because in a few weeks we’ll have pairs of each on the shelf.

They come out at about $80 each, which seems good for a high quality boutique tyre, especially one that comes in hard-to-find sizes. When you think about it, that’s about the same as a Rubino Pro.

Like the LHT it has room for wide 700c tyres and fenders, drop bars
with bar end shifters, all the braze-ons you need for racks,
mud-guards, etc and very wide range gearing with a triple chainring
crankset.  Both are made out of oversized cromoly tubing which should last forever if it’s well looked after.

Here are the specs for the KHS out of the box:
http://www.khsbicycles.com/05_flite_tr_101_10.htm

Overall, the KHS is a small step down from the LHT.  That said, there
are some differences that make the choice between the two less
clear-cut.  The KHSs have V-brakes (with Dia-Compe drop-bar levers )
which offer a bit more braking power and easier pad adjustment.  The
KHS comes with a rear rack.  It also has slightly more offset on the
forks, which should make the steering a little bit livelier and make
it better for taking a load on the front.

At the end of the day though, the LHT has nicer parts overall.  The
two bikes are normally similar in price, and because the LHT is such
great value the KHS didn’t sell that well.  But now we’ve got a few
KHSs at a lower price which we can sell for $1000.  At this price
they’re the best value touring or commuting bike we know of.  In fact, you could have a pretty heavily customized KHS for the price of a stock LHT.

We’ve got a couple of frame sizes in store, so get a Moof on and take one for a spin!

Features:

• 26″ & 28″ size frames
• Rear Coaster Brake
• Powdercoated aluminium frame
• Brooks B68 saddle
• 3 speed Shimano  Nexus internal hub gears
• Solar powered front and rear LED light integrated into the frame.

More information – over at the Van Moof website. or read more on our Van Moof page

Closing our Workshop Door at 5pm on Thursday 24th December 2009

&

reopening on Monday 4th January 2010.

If you’re still looking for a little stocking filler for the bicycle nut in your house , we’ve got a shop full of goodies and gift certificates if you can’t decide whether they’ll want black or brown leather bar tape!

Speaking of which, top of the list is the 2010 Northside Ladies Bicycle Calendar. For $20, you get a cool calendar of photos of northside women cyclists, and their bikes. Photographed at locations on the right side of the river, the calendar will look perfect in any home, or bike shed.

And while we’re looking forward to 2010, we just have to mention the exciting new gear soon to land the workshop.

Van MOOF bikes – 3 speeds, Brooks leather saddle, lightweight alloy frame with solar powered lights integrated into the top tube. That’s right, no more dead batteries, forgetting your lights or having them stolen!  Simple and sensible really. Little wonder it comes from Holland and just picked up a top design award at the Eurobike show.

Also hot off the press from Holland is the 2010 range of Gazelles and Basil accessories.  Two particularly exciting bikes in the new Gazelle range are the Chamonix Pure and the Innergy electric bike.

Not to be outdone, Surly have brought out a 26″ version of the Long Haul Trucker in all frame sizes and the Surly Pacer is available as a complete bike for those of you after something a little more racy, but with no carbon fibre to be seen.

And stay tuned for details of our 650b ‘Porteur’ bike.  The frame, porteur rack, fluted fenders have arrived, just need to build some high polish rims and await the arrival of Grand Bois tyres……

No film festival is complete without an award ceremony,

Just like last year, this event is to celebrate everyday cyclists and their bikes. We’re rolling out the red carpet, and will  be awarding prizes to the folks (and their bikes) who stand out in the following categories.

• Sexiest Commuter Bike
• Biggest Load Carrying Capacity
• Most People on a Bicycle
• Fastest Puncture repair
• Best Dressed (+ least lycra) on a bicycle

Gear from Knog and Crumpler is amongst some of the prizes up for grabs. But if you’re not entering, this will be great day for spectators too. We’re firing up the BBQ and putting on drinks, and afterwards rolling down to the Bicycle Film Festival screening in the city.

It’s bound to be a a lot of fun, we hope to see you on the day.

Details:

• 3-6pm Saturday 28th November 2009
• @ the Commuter Cycles  workshop, 14 Prentice Street Brunswick.
• Registration for Award Categories - just turn up!
• BBQ  (Vegetarian and Meats), Drinks – Gold coin donation in our Movember jar
• We’ll be leaving the Workshop for Saturday Night’s BFF Screening - Program Here

More information on the 2009 Melbourne Bicycle Film Festival -here

Download our 2009 Treadlys poster for your fridge - here

Starting on Friday, 30^th October 2009 there’s

Death Becomes Her

A ‘Girls-only’ alley cat race. Registration and ride starts at 6pm from Melbourne Museum. To  get on board bring $10 for entry for teams of two. You’ll also need your bike lock, bag and spare gold coins. As it’s Halloween, dress the part for this ‘Ghouls-only’ event. Prizes for best/worst dressed (you could even score a free service from us!).

And if you’ve still got legs, Borrow Grampa’s bike from the shed and join us on Saturday 31st November for the

2009 Woodend Annual Vintage Bike Rally

The ride starts at 2:30 at the Woodend Clocktower, and meanders 23kms to the historic gardens of the Cosmopolitan Hotel, Trentham. Refreshments are available at the halfway pit-stop - The Pig and Whistle Hotel, Trentham. For those who over hydrate at Cosmopolitan Hotel, there’s a courtesy bus to take you (and your bike) back to Woodend.

If you want to join the Commuter Cycles team, we’re getting up there a little early to make a day of it.

Meet us at the Commuter Cycles workshop for a 10:00 (sharp) departure. We’re taking the 10:35 Vline
service from Southern Cross to Woodend.

More details, Give Rus a call on 0423 388 167.

And if you’re not completely funned out, Otesha are having a

Spring Garden Party

on Sunday 1^st November, from 12 to 5pm at 79 Gladstone avenue, Northcote.

The event is a Otesha fundraiser. For $10, you get a lazy day’s entertainment and the warm fuzzy feeling that your helping Otesha and it’s youth education programs about sustainable consumption.

Performing on the day is Monique Brumby, the Unconventional Cellist, TheTaylor Project and Pete Coles.

Just bring you picnic rug, there’ll be food, drinks and plenty of other activities. Otesha guarantee there’ll be something for everyone.

More info at Otesha.org.au

See you when we open again on Wednesday!

An important day in the commuter cyclist’s calendar, it’s a fantastic opportunity to encourage others to give cycling a go. For those of us already bitten by the bug, it’s a day to pat ourselves on the back and remind the bean counters that cycling is a valid form of public transport.

With some help from Moreland City Council we’re offering commuters a free tune-up, breakfast and REAL coffee.

All we ask for is that you register – this way the statistics are in that people are actually riding on the day.

So bring your bike and empty belly, and we’ll provide the fuel and chain lube to get you going for the day….

The details:

• Wednesday 14th October 2009 – From 7:30am 10am
• Hot and cold breakfast provided – Coffee too!
• @ 14 Prentice street Brunswick -The Commuter Cycles Workshop
• Register here

With an Otto and Spike beanie of course. Their cycling beanies – they make funky scarves too –  are made from Aussie Marino blended with elastane. The elastane gives them durability and a bit of stretch.  And they’re thin enough to fit under your helmet.

Otto and Spike, part of LMB Knitwear, are one of the last bastions of Australia’s textile industry have been making quality woollen products for over 40 years, and get shipped to us all the way from East Brunswick.

Pop in and have a look at the selection we have instore,

Beanies start at $30.

The complete range at Otto and Spike

Dynamos use the turning of your wheels to generate electricity, which can be then used to power your lights (or mobile phone, if you wish to get ambitious). Using the same system employed in windfarms, the dynamos now available have very little rolling resistance compared to those of yesteryear.

We stock both the excellent value Shimano hubs (the new 3N80 is brilliant), and the top shelf Schmidts (the SON 20R is THE dynamo hub). All will give you many years service, and mean less acid batteries end up in landfill.

The virtues of these dynamos are too numerous to mention, so drop in for a chat on how you can go battery free.

for more  information on these Dynamos

Shimano Nexus

Schmidt Dynohub

• Schmidt’s Webpage (mostly in German – not a lot of info)
• Peter White -The world’s #1 Schmidt advocate

One more thing – Because these dynamos are part of the hub, this nifty device will require you to replace your whole front wheel. A complete wheelbuild will cost around $300 with the Shimano hub dynamo.

Unlike a lot of cheaper L.E.D. lights available, these aren’t just to give you visibility on the road, they’ll illuminate the road ahead of you. Perfect for late night rides down the Merri Creek bike path.

Once you’ve seen these in action you won’t be able to go back.

Headlights currently in stock:

Plenty of information and images are available at the

Busch and Müller website