Lab Coats

Speaking of Milwaukee Execs (check out last post), here at Ben's Cycle we hire top scientists that work round the clock to create the best products out there. Here's a highly top secret photo of our lab.

photo via repartopista

Well, ok, not really, but maybe I'll wear a lab coat to work one day to feel special. So we may not have Bunsen burners around the shop but here's what's been cooking in our inventory...

MKE Polo Kit

On top of our Polo shafts and mallets, we now offer a high density ball from Franklin.

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Franklin Street Hockey Gloves - 10"

So we haven't tested punching each other with these yet but Matt highly recommends them for Polo. Some reviews of this glove as well as more product in the near future. Size 11" available as well. Check out our new section on all-things Bike Polo!

Earl

Business Casual

Ha, yes! Our Bruisers are not only going cross-country but they are now used to sell communication products. Maybe KFC can use one for a double-down commercial, then all Ben's employees can get a lifetime supply. Oh man, I dream real high.

Regardless, this guy is killing it on our frame. To me, that's all that matters. Thanks again John! (check out the comments, Milwaukee executives...ha!)

Earl

Temptation

Milwaukee 29er - 17.5

Ok, you have to understand how hard I'm trying not to buy this bike. Oh it is so sweet! It doesn't help that I walk pass it at least 20 times a day. But hey, I have quite a bit of bikes in my stable so I'll pass on this amazing deal to anyone who is smart enough to buy it. Great parts group on this thing and I like that all the white bits match pretty well. Pick it up and hope to catch you at WEMS John Muir race next week! 12 hours of single-track heaven.

Earl

Demolicious

Demolition Medial 2.0

Just ate some delicious pizza so I have food on my mind. Oh sweet sustenance. Anyways, we just restocked some Medial 2.0 cranks! At the moment, we only received flat black 160mm and 165mm in addition to new white 160mm arms. Colored cranks and other sizes will be available towards the end of summer so stock up on what is still available!

Earl

Bruiser Going the Distance

Coast No Coast - Quote edit from Brock Mitchell on Vimeo.

Postal Service! Oh man, that brings me back to college. Speaking of epic rides, here's Coast No Coast. Three countries, 1000-ish miles, one-gear, and seemingly no brakes! It is official, we can soon add our Bruiser to the cross-country bike category, ha! Looks like they are having lots of fun, which is what it's all about. Can't wait to see the whole thing. Thanks John!

Earl

Burd Phillips Web Edit

Burd Phillips has been there from the beginning and I'm bummed to see Bootleg go; but as you can see he's not stepping behind the curtain.
The silver lining... it does make time for him to showcase his riding more frequently through these smaller web edits that we would normally have to wait for!

Shop Humor

Yehuda Moon & the Kickstand Cyclery

This one is for Matt and Eric. Most likely bike shop hooligans are the only ones that can appreciate this comic strip, but you never know. Regardless, I find it quite enjoyable. Whether you're a Rivendell fanatic or a Carbon road warrior or anything in between, hope you can get a chuckle out of it. Enjoy!

Earl

Rainy Days

Ok, this rain is relentless! What started as a ride-to-trails then slay single-track and back home this morning turned into a road ride with our fendered steeds. We ended up discovering some trails around the Cuduhay side of the Oak Leaf Trail and decided to do a bit of off-roading on our 23c slicks (shown in the sloppy 'action shot' above).

Photo by Showers Pass

On the way back, the rain got a little heavier. At that moment, like so many moments in my riding life, I regretted not purchasing proper rain/weather gear! There is a lot of active wear companies out there and you can get a headache just filtering through them. Amidst all of them, we just picked up a relatively new line out of Portland named Showers Pass. Their products seem like a great fit to our sometimes heinous Wisconsin weather. There will be more to come but for now, check out some pieces that we are currently carrying.

Men's Elite Pro 2.0

Oh I wished I had this jacket this morning! If you are like me and ride year round, it is a smart investment to get some good durable clothing for the elements (I should probably take my own advice). A little rain or snow shouldn't keep us from our saddles!

Earl

Sunny Monday

Well well, welcome back to the work week. Hope you all had a great weekend, I spent most of it trying to plan epic rides having them end up with torrential downpour. Yesterday's road ride attempt failed miserably; got rained on and I couldn't stomach riding around in wet socks and a soaked chamois. Ugh, however, members of team Haymaker and I tore it up at the Camrock trails on Saturday. It rained on us too but it ended up being really fun. The single-track flowed like streams; 80 deg and just a wall of rain, it was quite peaceful. Then we hung out at my old shop Revolution Cycles in Madison for a bit, always a good time. Anyways, back to the grind. Here's what we have new on our shelves...

Endzine Velo leather Tape - Black or Honey Brown

Another leather bar tape option other than Brooks without the Brooks price tag.

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Monkey Lite Shiney 15mm Kryptonite U-lock Socket

A great accessory to have around if you don't like carrying a 15mm wrench with you. Unobtrusive and ready for use! Also, that's my Kryptonite Mini U-lock pictured, I've had that thing for 5 years now. Locks up without a problem and still super strong!

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Continental Gatorskin Hardshell Wire Bead in 700x23c, 25c, and 28c

More tire options! Continental went on to create an "urban" version of their very popular Ultra Gatorskin series. It's the same classic tire with a bit of more rubber added for flat protection. I'm currently riding the Ultra Sport Hardshell (series lower than the Gatorskin) version on my single speed and I'd have to say that I don't feel the extra rubber. No feeling of sluggishness or loss in tire pressure through the week. Another great tire for hitting your city streets on!

Earl

MKE @ CHI

MKE Visits Chicago from Sam Erickson on Vimeo.

Looks like a nice day in Chicago! KFC?

WINNER! Twitter Bruiser Giveaway Contest!

Congratulations to Kelli J (@restlessKelli) on your new Milwaukee Bruiser!!!