Tire Check: When Kicking Them Isn't Enough

As winter settles in San Francisco, different people are preparing for different traditions. The bike commuter is no exception. We dig the rain pants out of the closet, search for the left hand glove and put new batteries in those fading blinky lights.  Hopefully, you prep your bike as well.

Take a look at your tires. City streets are rough, and when buried under weather they can be a lot worse. Checking the state of your tires only takes a second and can save you from being stranded. In the rain. On your way to work. At 7am.

Fresh tires are more likely to remain inflated and keep you upright.

A tire's cracked sidewall

An old gumwall tire outside our shop. Note the cracks developing in the sidewall.

Sidewall: The sidewall of the tire is responsible for most of its performance. The strength of the sidewall determines the allowable pressure (PSI) and how the tire behaves under load. The durability of the tire will often reveal itself first in the sidewall, rather than the tread. Check for cracks in the rubber, frayed fabric ends or abnormal bulges.

Tires can take a ton of abuse, but if the sidewall shows structural wear, it's time to let go.

Tread: A tire's tread, the rubber stripe that comes in contact with the road, should be consistent and round. We don't mean the little grooves on the tire, which are somewhat unnecessary for city riding, but the overall condition and shape. If your tire has any bald spots indicating inconsistent wear - for example from skidding - be cautious. If the tread on the tire is no longer round but has begun to look square, like a bad flat-top haircut, then consider replacing. Or if you have any tears, cuts or divets it's likely time to make the change.

Of your tires, the front is more responsible for how the bike handles. So If you've got one bald bum of a tire, make sure it's installed on the rear wheel while you're waiting for Santa to replace it. Put your best foot forward.

The reflector might come in handy if this bike is stranded on the roadside.

Tires wear differently based on a long list of parameters. However, understanding when they need to be replaced is far more universal. Be proactive and take a quick look. You'll be glad you did.

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Happy Thanksgiving.

We will be closed today and Friday. See you Saturday!

Beautiful Coverage: Reinventing The Magazine

There is no substitute for a good book, or in this case, two beautiful magazines. Though the term "magazine" doesn't really do justice to these detailed journals, which illustrate the intersection of cyclists and cycling culture. If you have a passion for bikes then turn the page, you'll find so much to explore.

Boneshaker Magazine

Imported from Bristol, England, this 60 page magazine is filled with articles, photographs and illustrations of people the world over doing great things with bicycles. Filled with unique content, Boneshaker is crafted to entertain and inspire and is always completely free of advertising.

Full color, perfect binding, 60 pages. 9.5"x7"

4 issues for $40. Your first copy, Issue 6, will ship immediately. Issues 7, 8 and 9 will follow as they are released in 2012.

Steel Magazine

Imported from Paris, France, this fixed gear and single speed magazine covers cycling and couture with Parisian elegance. Steel Magazine is a truly international window into bike culture, style and community, showcasing beautiful bikes and inspiring riders.

Parlez-vous français? No worries, the whole thing is presented in both French and English. 150 pages.

 

4 issues for $50. Your first copy, Issue 2, will ship immediately. Issues 3, 4 and 5 will follow as they are released in 2012.

All images are representative of magazine character and quality, not necessarily excerpts from current issues.

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Quick Tips For Smooth Silent Riding

Chain Lubrication: Why / When / How

The why is easy. It's the when and how that are the tricky parts. The very mention generates spirited discussions among cyclists, and like so many things, the devil is in the details.

Your drive train, climate, and geology all affect how often you apply lubrication and what type you should use. But regardless, you do need it.

Why: Lubrication protects the chain and everything else it touches from mechanical wear. It also allows your chain to run quietly and efficiently while preventing rust.

When: This isn't an exact science, but here are a few good rules of thumb:

  • If the chain squeaks, it needs lubrication. 
  • If your locale gets a lot of rain or snow, you'll need to apply more frequently than if your locale is dry. 
  • If your bike has external derailleurs you'll need to lubricate more often than if your bike has a straight chain line.

How: Imagine two scenarios. First, you're running out the door when you remember the awful squealing that came from your chain the night before. Budget two minutes and grab a rag. Apply a light stream of lubricant to the middle of the chain, directly over the rear cog, while backpedaling. Wipe off any excess and scramble out the door.

Scenario two finds you brimming with self sufficiency and time. Start by removing as much of the road debris off the chain as possible. There's an assortment of solvents for the job, but if you want the clean without the caustic, try our new plant based cleaner. 100% biodegradable and sustainable, it's 100% effective without the aerosols or petroleum. Removing the exterior gunk will keep it from reaching the inside of your chain. While you're at it, give the chain-ring and cog a scrub as well.

Once clean, there are three points on the chain that need lubrication: the pin inside the links, the rollers as they revolve around the bushings, and the overlap of the inner and outer side plates. Start at an identifiable link and place a few drops where the pin, barrel, and plate all connect, then continue working all the way around. A bath of oil on the exterior plates does nothing but collect dirt so aim well. Give the lubricant a chance to work its way inside the moving parts with several revolutions of the pedals, then wipe off any excess with a rag.

Do: Every time you ride, you support a more sustainable and petroleum independent city. With our new plant based lubricant, you can continue that support as you care for your bike. This high performance chain lubricant is 100% biodegradable, sustainable and petroleum free. Made with care and wind in Canada.

Don't: While there's no one prescription for every chain and rider, there are a few universal don'ts. Don't use household or motor oils, or WD-40 type solvents that evaporate quickly. Stick to lubricants made specifically for moving metal parts and you won't wind up with a stuck chain. Test, observe and re-evaluate. Your ideal scenario may be different from your neighbor's.

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Bike City Leg Straps

Some wear their heart on their sleeve. With these new leg straps, you can wear your city scape on your cuff.

Keep your trousers clean and free of your chain with this simple hometown reflective flair.

Available in six luminescent colors featuring some of the world's best cycling cities.

  • Barcelona
  • Berlin
  • Chicago
  • London
  • New York
  • Paris
  • San Francisco

 

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Cheap and Easy Bike Costumes

In case your lunar calendar is off, Halloween is only days away. Whatever your plans, don't leave your bike home all day, alone and naked. Give it a costume, and invite it along.

We've got a few great tips on how to dress up your bike with stuff you've probably got lying around. In a single afternoon you can get into the macabre spirit and get your recycling out of the way. That's a special day.

Wheel Discs: You'll need two large squares of cardboard, scissors, zip ties and paint.

Trace the interior diameter of your wheel onto two sheets of cardboard and cut them out. Carve out openings around the hub and make 6 to 8 pairs of holes, about 2" from the perimeter. Decorate with paint, markers, stickers or whatever you prefer. Once ready, remove the front wheel and attach with zip ties. Pro tip: Install all zip ties loosely before tightening uniformly.

Main Triangle Mask: You'll need a piece of cardboard, scissors, zip ties and paint.

Lay your bike over the cardboard and trace the interior dimensions of your main triangle. Use those borders to create whatever image you want. For quick and easy, just cut out the whole triangle and paint on your image. For extra candy, cut out your design.  When ready, use zip ties or string to affix the piece to your frame, just as you did with the wheel covers.

Paper Ghosts: You'll need string, a hollow weight, scissors and paper towels.

If you skipped school the week of Halloween every year 1st - 5th grade, read on: Start with a washer, nut, or any small weight with a hole, and tie it to a length of line. Thread the line through a balled up paper towel so it hangs around the weight. Cover with another sheet, twist the head and tie. If you can handle the fright factor, draw on some eyes and a mouth. Dangle from your seat, bars, or top tube and watch them haunt in the breeze.  Pro Tip: It is highly reccommened you make an oooooooh sound while you ride.

Haunted Streamers: You'll need scissors, a spent inner tube and zip ties or rubber bands.

With a few minutes of shredding you can have home made streamers. We used an old bicycle innertube for a more gothic look, but plastic shopping bags of various colors work just as well. Shred the tube into thin strips and tie one end. If you can, insert the knot behind your bar ends, if you can't, just use a rubber band or tape to temporarily hang them from your handlebars.

And So On: There are of course endless possibilities with simple stuff laying around the house. If you have access to any 9 year olds, contract them for help. Their energy and creativity are boundless, and they'll often work for Snickers Minis. If not, splatter blood on everything and you'll likely be fine.  Edit: Fake blood, splatter fake blood.

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Don't Get Caught Top(tubecover)less

These snazzy zip up top tube covers will protect your frame and your legacy. They are an easy way to add a splash of flair while protecting your frame from dents and dings, as well as cushioning your shoulder while you heft your bike up and down stairs.

All styles accomodate both 1" and 1 1/8" top tubes, as well as provide full coverage, measuring 17.75" long.

Check out all styles and colors of the zip-up top tube covers here.

If you desire something with a little more magic, then consider Lumatwill, a unique weave of wool and reflective thread.

Under sunlight you have a dandy top tube cover. By night, reflective lines emerge, adding a mesmerizing streak and a utilitarian alert.

The Lumatwill top tube covers are available with three different reversible interior patterns.

Each Lumatwill cover comes with a hand made sewing kit for added security and permanence. Lumatwill covers fit 1" and 1 1/8" tubing and measure 15.5".

Take a closer look at all three patterns here.

Both styles are made in the San Francisco Bay Area exclusively for Mission Bicycle.

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Chrome Your Chromoly

Electrodeposition is sexy... despite how it sounds.  Take a look for yourself.

Chrome is now available as a finish on any Mission Bicycle. When ordering we will except electrodeposition, chrome plating or simply bling!  Call it what you will, there is no substitute for the effect.

 

 

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A Little Help...

Mission Bicycle Company continues to grow and so does our workload.  

To keep up with the demand we need your help.

Please be available to work at HQ in San Francisco's Mission District.

     Minimum: 3 days (or 24 hours)
     Maximum: Full time

Here's your dream job description:

First Impression   You answer our phone, our IMs, and our emails.  Your phones skills are delicious and you can write your way out of a paper bag.  

Replenisher   We hope you like spending money because we need you to buy stuff.  Our customers love buying the stuff we sell.  We hope you will too.

Data Entry Domestique   If you have Quickbooks experience, be sure to let us know.  We need someone that can make mincemeat out of a stack of vendor's invoices.  This is where you shouldn't be shy.  You are a very important cog and this is an important tooth.

Bikelingualist   You speak the language, you live it, you own it.  We're looking for certified bicycle commuters.  We need you to be able to translate our online bike orders into the forms that our staff uses to order, build, and communicate with customers.  Industry experience isn't necessary but some level of enthusiasm is.

Shipping Mustaches   Among other things.  Every day we ship rare and hand-crafted accoutrements to every corner of the globe.  We'll need you to help pack 'em up and ship 'em out.

Critical Thinker   We need your problem solving skills.  We're looking for an independent thinker.  Instead of asking what to do, give us your recommendation.  Or better yet - just go for it.

Snap and Send   Our mechanics are up to their ears in new bicycle orders and sometimes need help in determining our customers wants and needs.  You'll be taking and emailing quick & dirty snapshots and asking for information that you can relay to our bike builders.

Well, that's the idea.  But we know that you'll be flexible if we need you to help out with anything at all.  We all pitch in around here, we take garbage out, we sweep, we work fast, and we give it our all.

When can you start?

Please send a cover letter to hr@missionbicycle.com.  If your qualifications are moderately outstanding, we'll ask you for a resume and references.

PS - Wanna give us a call and ask a few questions?  Wanna check out the shop?  Please don't.  Drop in as a secret shopper if you like.  We just don't have any time to mess around this week.   Thanks for understanding.

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Happy Folsom San Francisco

To celebrate Folsom weekend, we are having a 1 day sale on black Brooks leather saddles.  Normally $110, today only $75.  In store only through 7:00 PM.