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The Denman Bike LOCKING Your Bike Guide

Category: DBS Community, Pro Tips

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YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED!

You wouldn’t believe how often we spot bikes locked incorrectly, or not locked at all!

Here’s our crash-course in how to lock it up, and lock it right to prevent against theft.

 

7 STEPS TO LOCKING YOUR BIKE CORRECTLY

  1. Choose the right lock! The level of security you need depends on where you’re leaving your bike, and for how long.
  2. Always lock your bike to something solid, and that your bike cannot be lifted over-top of. A thief can lift your bike right over a parking meter or pole without even touching your lock!
  3. If possible, lock your bike in a well-lit, busy area with lots of pedestrian traffic. Eyes on the street go a long way to keep your bike safe!
  4. Lock up your bike on the frameNOT the seat post, NOT the front or back wheel!  The “triangle system” is a popular reference for choosing the best locking areas on your frame.
  5. Using more than one lock can also be a great method, locking the wheels to the frame as well as the frame to your chosen post or object. Use accessory cables or anti-theft skewer sets to secure your wheels.
  6. Get the tightest fit possible! The looser your lock is positioned, the easier it is for thieves to use their tools and saw or pry the lock open.
  7. Position your lock off the ground with the combination set or keyhole facing down.

 

Locking-Techniques-Rear-Triangle-ThumbLocking-Techniques-Multiple-Devices-Thumb

 

You’re Doing it Wrong :(

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This pink bike is “locked” with an easy-to-snip accessory cable around the seat post :(

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This blue bike was locked around the wrong part of the bike, but worse still, it wasn’t even locked to the bike post. It’s locked to nothing at all :(

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This bike was locked through the wheel. So long, bike!

 

You’re Doing it Right! :)

a_good lock example

This bike is locked with a solid chain and two U locks to a good solid object, using the correct fame points to ensure the security of the bike and wheels. The seat cover is a nice touch too :) You never know – there might be an expensive seat under there, and a seat cover is a great way to disguise it! Seats are stolen too.

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This is a great example of how to best use your Bordo lock! Adding a cable or locking skewers to protect the front wheel would be a great addition, too.

Come by either our Stanley Park or Main Street location for a free lock consultation today!

 

The Globetrotting Cyclist – Biking Overseas

Category: Pro Tips, Uncategorized

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Are you one who craves adventure? Interested in a long-distance cycling trip, or even one overseas? Cycling is one of the best ways to see a country – to quote a time-worn cliche, it turns the journey itself into the destination. Not for you the plane, harbinger of cold and flu, sausage-stuffed with passengers; the bus, with leaking lavatories, innumerable stops, and air conditioning always too hot or too cold; expensive car rental, with navigation of foreign insurance and road customs. On a bike, you’re never far away from a beautiful stop, and you never have to worry about parking.

However, there are a few things which will help maximize the fun in your overseas cycling adventure.

First, whether you’re taking a bus, train, or airplane, you are likely to have to pack your bike. Baggage handling can be hard on your bike, so make sure you pack it up well! Specialized bike containers are available for frequent travellers, but a low-cost option is often to purchase a used bicycle box from your local bike store and pack it up in that. Of course, your friendly local bike mechanic can do this for you, too! One of the myths surrounding shipping your bicycle by airplane is that your tires might explode as the pressure in the airplane’s cargo hold decreases. Since pressure at sea level is 14.7 psi, the maximum relative change in tire pressure is this – unless you’re running your tires at or higher than the maximum inflation for your tires, it’s unlikely that you’ll have any issues.

Other countries may also have different standards for bicycle components. A great example of this is tires – go to any bike store, and there are a dizzying array of different tire sizes available for differing standards over the years. Make sure you are aware of what components will be on offer in your destination country(ies), and carry spares if you are worried about availability of compatible parts, or if you’re going to be far away from places you can get your bike repaired!

Similarly, a good toolkit is very useful to have, along with some of the basic skills required to fix common bike issues. Good things to know how to do are to replace or repair tires and tubes, true wheels, replace brake and shifter cables and adjust the same, and replace chains. Of course, you can make it less likely that you’ll encounter some of these issues by having your bike tuned up and travel-prepped by a competent local mechanic. A suggested toolkit to take would be chain oil, a set of allen keys, tire levers, patches, spare tubes and/or tires, a pump, spare spokes, spoke wrenches, and standard wrenches as needed – of course, a multitool can substitute for many of these.

Aside from a toolkit, make sure your bike is kitted out with the equipment appropriate for your trip. A good helmet, lock, and lights are a must, as well as bags for carrying luggage. Ortlieb bags are one of the most well-regarded brands of bicycle luggage in the world, and we stock their full product line at Denman Bikes.

Finally, if you’re interested in doing a bicycle vacation over just a regular vacation, consider that many countries have a rich cycling heritage and may have better cycling infrastructure or a better attitude towards cycle tourists. That being said, locals are often happy to see cycle tourists wherever you might go!

I hope that this helps inspire your next bike trip, or to open your mind to the possibilities of overseas cycling. Happy riding!

Carry More Comfortably with Racks and Bags

Category: Pro Tips, Uncategorized

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One of the major perceived drawbacks of biking over automobile transportation is the lack of cargo carrying capacity. However, with the right setup, most would be surprised at how much a bicycle can help you carry.

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Of course, not all of us can be the hero in the above picture, but luckily, there are all sorts of bicycle accessories that can help you carry what you need to where you need it to be.

A backpack is a useful cargo tool but the physical exertion inherent to cycling often leaves you sweaty, which in combination with wearing a backpack is sticky and uncomfortable. A key item in freeing yourself from the tyranny of the backpack is a rear rack, often colloquially known as a “rat-trap”.

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Axiom Journey Rear Rack

These can have cargo strapped on them directly, with bungee cords, rope, or whatever is at hand, but are better combined with rack-mounted pannier bags or rack top bags. Pannier bags attach securely to a pannier, but can be removed and carried with a convenient handle. These are among the highest-capacity bicycle luggage items available, many featuring separate pockets. Some are even fully weatherproof to keep your stuff dry in the Vancouver wet. These range from the rugged to the urban chic.

Panniers

Blackburn Wayside Backpack Pannier (L) and Basil Urban Fold Messenger Bag (R)

Rack top bags also attach to a rear rack, but to the top, rather than the side, of the rack. These generally have a lower capacity than pannier bags, but are less bulky.

Blackburn Top Rack Bag

Blackburn Barrier Rack Top Bag

Beyond this, many other options for hardcore bicycle storage exist – smaller handlebar bags which mount to your bars, seatpost bags which mount to your seatpost below your saddle, frame bags which mount within the main triangle of your frame, front panniers designed to mount onto a pannier rack attached to your bicycle’s front fork, and even specialized cargo bikes for carrying extremely heavy loads.

If you’re thinking of getting geared up for serious cargo carrying, come down to Denman Bikes and our experienced mechanics and salespeople will be happy to help you get set up with the best bicycle cargo system for your needs!

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This could be you… adventure awaits

 

Now at Denman Bikes – Dynamo Lighting!

Category: Featured Items, Pro Tips

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We at Denman Bikes are excited to announce that we now carry dynamo lighting systems!

What are dynamo lighting systems? Simply put, they use a small part of the power used to propel your bicycle forwards to power lights – no batteries are needed! In addition, these systems can power USB devices, so you can recharge your phone while you ride. Dynamo lights are widely used in Europe, where regulations such as the tongue-twisting German Straßenverkehrszulassungsordnung (abbreviated StVZO) requires dynamo lights on every bicycle and for these light to have beam patterns closer to those of car headlights. What this means is that their reflectors put light onto the road where you need it, as compared to the reflectors commonly found in North American lights, which spread light onto the road, into the sky, and onto nearby scenery, requiring the light itself to be higher-powered to be equally useful. Dynamo lights don’t just turn on when you ride, as well – a supercapacitor inside the lights powers the lights for some time when you come to a stop, as well.

The dynamo hubs we currently have stock in our web store are the Shutter Precision 8-Series and 8X-Series hubs. These hubs are compatible with both dynamo head and tail lights, have a high-polish anodized aluminum finish in a variety of different colours, have sealed cartridge bearings which require virtually no maintenance, and are compatible with rim brakes and 6-bolt and centerlock disc brakes.

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Shutter Precision PL-8 hub for centerlock disc brake

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Shutter Precision PD-8X 15mm thru-axle hub for disc brake

To complement these hubs, we have a number of compatible lights in stock from brands such as Supernova, Busch + Müller, Herrmans, and Spanninga, ranging from the basic to the deluxe.

Our highest-output light is the Supernova E3. This clocks in at 205 lumens for the single-LED version, or up to 640 lumens for the triple-LED off-road version. Both are sturdy, fully waterproof, and light, and will mount on your handlebar for ease of use.

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Supernova E3 triple headlight

Another high powered light we sell is the Herrmans H-Black Pro. It is comparable to the Supernova single-LED light in power, but features 3 LEDs and a novel hemispherical lens.

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Herrmans H-Black Pro

Finally. we stock the Busch + Müller Eyc T Senso Plus and Lumotec Classic T Senso Plus. What does all this terminology mean? Well, the “Senso” denotes that these lights have a lower-power daytime mode, which activates automatically depending on ambient light levels; the “Plus” denotes that they have a standlight, and will stay on for a while after you have come to a stop. The Classic T adds vintage styling to this package, complementing any retro build while still using modern power LED technology and a modern reflector.

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Busch + Müller Eyc T Senso Plus

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Busch + Müller Classic T Senso Plus

We currently stock two tail-lights, both by Spanninga: the Elips XDS, a large, bright, rack-mounted tail-light win an integrated reflector, and the NR 9 XDS, a tail-light which mounts on your rear fender and which features classic vintage chrome styling (perhaps a worthy complement to the Busch + Müller Classic T Senso Plus).

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Spanninga Elips XDS

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Spanninga NR 9 XDS

All in all, dynamo lighting systems provide a well-engineered, on-demand, battery-and-hassle free, and more environmentally friendly alternative to cheap battery-powered lighting. Whether you’re interested in them for safety, performance, to use on an upcoming bicycle odyssey, or if you just think they’re cool, come down and check them out today in our store at 2607 Main Street!

Why E-Bikes?

Category: Bike Trends, DBS Community, Pro Tips

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Have you ever found yourself wishing you could ride your bike to the store, the park, to work, but it’s a little bit too far? Or gone shopping on your bike and ended up buying things that are a little uncomfortably heavy? Or do you need the range of a car, but hate parking in Vancouver? (who doesn’t) If so, an electric bike might be right for you!

Electric bikes have come a long way since their conception. As early as the 1890s, US patents were being filed for electric-assist bikes, and e-bikes were available to consumers in a variety of configurations. These early e-bikes, however, were heavy, due to the materials in use at the time, and specifically due to the lead-acid batteries used to power them.

E-bike 1932 (by Philips & Simplex)

E-bike 1932 (by Philips & Simplex)

Luckily, today we live in a different world. Advances in materials have made quality e-bikes lighter, more powerful, higher range, and more pleasant to ride than ever before. Modern e-bikes often have frames of high-strength, low-weight aluminum, optimized geometry for the bike’s expected style of riding, powerful, compact motors placed in optimal drivetrain configurations, fully weather-sealed components, and energy-dense, light, fast-charging lithium-ion batteries.

What this means for a potential e-bike user is that not only do quality e-bikes ride like a normal bike, but they also provide the assistance you need, when you need it. Need to go that extra 10 kilometers? You can. Filled your bags too full of groceries? No problem. Want to go on a long bike ride with your fit friend, child, or grandchild? You’ll leave them in the dust. Hills getting you down when you want to go down to Spanish Banks? Leave it to an e-bike to get you back up.

As for maintenance issues, quality e-bikes are built with weather and wear in mind, so maintenance on the e-bike components will be minimal. In addition, the electrical components of all the quality e-bikes we sell come with at least a two year warranty. Legally, an electric bike is considered a regular bicycle, as well, so you won’t need any more safety equipment than you would need with a regular bicycle. However, one thing this entails is that the e-bike motor can take you to a legal maximum of 32.2 km/hr on level ground; if you’ve ever gone this fast on a regular bicycle, you’ll know that is pretty fast.

A modern e-bike (https://www.flickr.com/photos/testlab)

A modern e-bike (https://www.flickr.com/photos/testlab)

So, to conclude, who are e-bikes good for? In Vancouver, e-bikes are good for everyone! Many of our quality e-bikes come decked out with everything you could need for Vancouver and its weather – most have rain-defeating fenders already fitted, and some come with cargo transportation components ready-fitted. No matter your cycling experience, check out our catalogue of e-bikes, call (604) 559-9494 to book a test ride, or come down to Denman Bikes at 2607 Main Street and try out one of our e-bikes for yourself today!

PUT A LID ON IT: THE DENMAN HELMET GUIDE

Category: DBS Community, Pro Tips, Uncategorized

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Helmets: Why Wear One? It’s the Law!

Bike helmets are one of your most important bicycle accessories, for safety as well as style. Besides, in Vancouver, it’s the law!

The VPD is making sure Vancouver cyclists are wearing these helmets these days, and tickets for not wearing a helmet while riding are on the rise. With more great-looking options than ever before, it’s a great time to get a helmet.

Industry recommends that you replace your helmet every 3 to 5 years, depending on how often you use it. For children, this replacement can occur every 1 to 2 years as their head grows.

The synthetic materials in the helmet degrade with time, and if you’ve ever had an accident while wearing your helmet, you need to replace it immediately.

How Should it Fit?

Worried about getting it right? Don’t sweat it! It’s not rocket science. Try a few helmets on – different companies will have different sizing ratios. Once you find something that feels snug, you’re on the right track.

If it’s too small or tight, you’ll be able to tell because it will ride high on your head or just feel really uncomfortable. Don’t put your head in a vice – comfort is key!

You won’t wear a helmet that doesn’t feel good, and that defeats the purpose.

3 STEP FIT:

  1. Sit approximately two fingers above your eyebrow. This is the ideal position for your helmet; too far back or too far forward, and you’re actually creating a hazard.
  2. Check the straps around your ears – if they need adjusting, ask for help. You want a triangular opening that you can measure roughly with your peace fingers.
  3. Now check the chin strap. It should fit snugly under your chin without causing irritation.

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Still not sure about the size?  Undo the clasp and bend forward at the waist. Does it stay on? It fits!

What Kind Should I Get?

Helmets can often be divided in two broad styles: bucket and sport.

Bucket helmets are great for casual riders and commuters, with the cool factor and protection in one. At Denman Bike Shop, we are proud to offer models in this style by Electra, Bern and Giro.

 

ELECTRA

Electra helmets are sized S-M-L for everyone, and come in an amazing array of colours and patterns. They are a Denman favourite!

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BERN

Bern is an industry helmet superstar. They make helmets for many sports other than cycling and they know their business well!

Most Bern cycling helmets are adaptable to other seasons and sports with convenient, removable liners. Their helmet lines are gendered, but rules were made to be broken: size range and style preferences are the deciding factor here.

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 The Bern Men’s “Allston” and Bern Women’s “Melrose”

 

GIRO

The Giro Reverb is a helmet that bridges the sport and bucket styles in one sleek, low-profile lid. Another popular option!

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Come on in and find your perfect fit at either of our locations today!

So what is a Performance “Commuter” Bike?

Category: Bike Trends, Featured Items, Pro Tips

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THE COMMUTER BIKE IS YOUR TICKET TO COMMUTING PERFORMANCE & PLEASURE!

When you think of commuting, what comes to mind? Are you stuck in traffic inside your car, or trying to find a seat on an overcrowded bus? What if we told you there was another way…a faster, more economical and hands-down FUN way to commute? There is – it’s on a bike. But not just any bike – the commuter!

So What is a Performance “Commuter” Bike?

A commuter ride is light, fast and equipped with a large gear range. Also, instead of cycling with an upright posture, as with a city bike, the rider is angled slightly downward. This is termed a more “aggressive” position, where the angle is all about power.

This angled riding posture allows you to really dig down into your pedals and get a much more effective stroke each time around. It is also  a better position to tackle those hills that are probably somewhere along your route (while making use of all those gears!) – Vancouver doesn’t always make it easy, but the commuter does!

Some commuters have flat bars and a slight angled posture:

The Brooklyn Roebling is a lightweight commuter bike with 24 speeds and a derailleur – easy to ride and perfect to customize.

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The Brooklyn Lorimer comes in matte ivory, boasts 25 speeds and a lightweight frame that comes in smaller sizes to accommodate petite riders.

 Other Commuters are Sporty and ready for the Trail:

 

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The Kona Dew Plus and Kona Dew Deleuxe are great examples of quality Kona bikes with a broad gear range, high performance hydraulic brakes that offer consistent, superior braking ability in wet conditions.

Some Have Drop Bars – These Make Great Touring Bikes, too!

 

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The Kona Rove AL and Kona Jake are sporty, performance-oriented bikes that can tackle just about any adventure, be it the route to work or a weekend tour. The drop bar orients the rider in an “aggressive” riding position, angled downward.

Why Ride a Commuter?

SAVE MONEY Switching your car out for riding a bicycle is an amazing way to save 100’s, even 1000’s of dollars a year! Bikes are free to ride and inexpensive to maintain and repair. If you’re looking for a budget hack, this is it!

GET OUT OF TRAFFIC – Don’t spend a minute more in the car than you have to! Starting or ending your day on the bike is energizing, instead of infuriating. With most Vancouver buses equipped with bike racks, you’re always good to go no matter what.

GET IN TO SHAPE – Commuting by bike is the easiest way to get in shape without spending time (or money) in the gym. Cycling is a excellent cardiovascular exercise, known for building endurance and burning fat. Set the pace you’re comfortable with – and be amazed at how quickly your strength grows.

HAVE FUN!!! – The best part! At its core, riding is fun. Getting to and from work doesn’t have to be a chore – enjoy yourself and experience the pleasure of cycling!

LOCK IT OR LOSE IT: THE ABUS BORDO FOLDING LOCK AND WHY YOU SHOULD HAVE ONE

Category: Featured Items, Gift Ideas, Pro Tips

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THEFT IS A REALITY IN VANCOUVER, BUT IT DOESN’T HAVE TO HAPPEN

Got a new bike? Really love the one you have? Here’s how to keep it.

Most folks in the bike industry will tell you to spend at least 10% of your bike’s value on a locking system. It’s an investment you can’t really over-do: Vancouver is Canada’s bike theft capital, with a per capita theft rate 2 to 4 times greater than any other big city in the country!

Your best defense against theft is 1) eyes on the street and 2) a great lock. The ABUS Bordo is that lock.

ABUS IS A LEADER IN THE LOCK INDUSTRY

Abus is a German security manufacturer that has been building a first-rate reputation since 1924. The Bordo family of folding locks is an entirely lock system that has revolutionized the industry. There’s nothing out there like it, and there’s been nothing like it before.

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STRONG + FLEXIBLE + COMPACT

The Bordo’s design is made from links of German tempered steel that connect through reinforced pivot points. In this way, the family of Bordo locks are able to provide the flexibility of chains and cables (cables are the number lock method targeted by thieves) with unprecedented strength.

The Bordo packs neatly into a carrying case (included in the price!) that mounts easily to the bike frame, and is available in several diameters.

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KEY AND COMBINATION OPTIONS – AND DID WE MENTION IT COMES IN PINK?

Use a key system or set a numerical combination – the Bordo offers both. If you lose your key, no problem! ABUS will replace it. Each lock comes with a lifetime warranty.

Most of our staff personally own and trust their bicycles with the Abus Bordo, and that’s the ultimate endorsement! When used correctly, the Bordo really can’t be beat! Come in and ask for a demonstration and see the difference for yourself.