Ben's Cycle

Friday, April 2, 2010

MKE/Chicago Havin' Some Fun

a saturday in mke from pasco33 on Vimeo.

Glad it's 70 deg out now, no need for coats!

Earl

Oh man, it's getting busy here at the Ben's camp. Busy is good though, Spring creeped up real quick. We are currently working on expanding our rim selection. We'll be carrying a variety of Velocity 26" 36H Chukkers, 32H/36H Aeroheads in Silver and Black, Razors, and a set of 36H Synergy for you touring aficionados. So keep an eye out for them!

We did get Sun Ringle MTX 33 rims in! These are beefy. In 26" and 700c.

In another note...

Jim and I did Crystal Ridge this morning. 3 laps (minus alpha trails) in just under 2 hours. There's nothing like getting up before the sun is even out! We hammered through it all; I love all of those climbs. Call us crazy, but we just love to ride, but I guess that's why we're in this business. We just love being on the saddle. Give us a road, mountain, cruiser, track, or any bike. Guaranteed there will be smiles on our faces.

View from the highest point at Crystal Ridge

Weather seems a lot nicer than I predicted, so hope to see some of you out on the streets/trails. Have a great weekend!

Earl

Milwaukee Messenger Invitational

Always a good time!

Earl

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

New Things Fer Yer Bum

San Marco Concor Supercorsa WCS - Green

We have four new styles from San Marco. Classic style, this one is vegan friendly.

Kashimax AX-2A - Snow Tiger

New nutty styles from Kashimax! Same Aero saddle, but (like the WCS) made out of synthetic material. Flowers! Bam, that just happened.

San Marco Regale - Black

Geared more toward the road racing crowd, but this is still a sweet saddle. This San Marco is held together by Carbon Rails, weighs in at 220 g, and comes in White as well.

Gilles Berhoud Classic Saddle - Men's Natural

Ooo this thing is hot! Removable rivets if by chance the rails break, it's easily replaceable. You can even spread the saddle butter pretty evenly without the rails getting in the way. Ha! Butter for your saddle. It's held together with a plastic skeleton with saddle bag loops. The leather is thicker than Brooks, I'd say it's about 1/4" thick. Different colors and come in women models too. Another great leather saddle!

Isn't it time to treat yer bum to a new saddle?

Earl

Morning Mountain Ride

Jim, Steve, and I did 2 1/2 hours of the Tosa trails before work. 50 deg while riding, 67 deg when I rid home tonight. Couldn't be happier. Gotta give it up to Bubba and the Metro Mountain Bikers for doing a fine job of maintaining the trails. The miles are a piling!

Earl

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Ben's Cycle - Shop Bikes

Here's a collection of bikes from some Ben's Cycle employees. These are work horses that take the daily grind through scorching summers and even the nastiest winters, but end all be all they take us from point A to point B...

My Trek 560

Originally an Olympic bike in the early 1980's (can't seem to pinpoint the exact year), it's been everything from a fully geared touring bike, three speed, fixed, and now it's my single-speed commuter/trainer. The front rack (as mentioned many-a-posts ago) was built by my friend Leah in Madison. Now, instead of riding with a backpack or riding home to drop it off, I just strap it on to the top part and do my training rides after work. The fork is even big enough for a 35c studded tire. A lot of time and work has gone into this thing and it is probably my favorite ride. Made in Wisconsin!

Gatorskin 700x25, Deda Bars, Nitto Technomic stem, Old Sugino Mighty Crank, Campy Veloce Brakes, Planet Bike Cascadia Fenders, PDW Radbot 500, Formula rear hub, Velocity Razor rim, American Classic Seatpost.

My beloved B17 Honey Special. All laced up and feels amazing on long rides! 4 years old and still doing it's thing.

Jim's Lemond Fillmore

This is the last production run of Fillmores that used True Temper OX Platinum tubing before they went with lower end cromo. This is a very light and stiff frame. It is painted, or should I say coated, the same way guns are treated. It's a very thin paint and ridiculously scratch resistant (not 'scratch proof,' but it'll take a lil bit more to put a mark on this thing). It's done here in Wisconsin by a company called KG Coatings. They also coat the inside as well, thus limiting possible rust that may occur. You can get this option with any color on any of our frames! Jim rides this through most of the year. He's a strong rider (one of the fastest I know) and does a crap ton of miles on it. Just try and keep up with him.

MBC Hubs, Vintage Araya Aero Rims (he drilled the rear one himself!), Campy front brake, Paul cross lever, Deda Crono Nero Low Bullhorns, SLR saddle, Vintage Campy Crank, Sugino 75 Chainring, Planet Bike Hardcore Fenders, Panaracer Ribmo 700x25c Tires, Wipperman 1G8 Chain

He also customizes his saddles with some sort of leather/hide. The hair is worn off on this one, but he makes some sweet customizations (check out his TT protector).

Eric's Bruiser

This thing turned out super sweet! I rode it around and it is one smooth ride. I know this guy rides a lot and he deserves a great bike, and a bruiser is just that. It's quite beastly with the B43s but it just looks so darned good! Even the fender lines are slick. Bravo Eric. Check out the lacing on the hubs.

B.17 Black Saddle, Black B43 32h, MBC Hubs, Ribmo Tires, Andel Black Cranks, B123 Bars, Planet Bike Hardcore fenders, Selcof Seatpost, Toshi Bar Wrap.

Bar end lights!

New B17, still stiff but it'll break in.

More to come...

Earl

700x25c Vittoria Randonneur - 130 PSI Max!

Vittoria Randonneur 700x25

To me, this is a great tire for skidding. There is quite a bit of rubber on there to blow through. These new ones now go up to 130 psi compared to 80 psi on the 700x28c. Swoop them up and skid happily!

Earl

Friday, March 26, 2010

More From Taiwan! Pt.2

Lasco Cranks

I am not one into extravagant things. I'm happy with toast and cheese for dinner, I'll throw in a banana for nutritional filler. However, I do enjoy my Dura-Ace and Campy bits. These Lasco Cranks are a bit on the excessive side, but they look pretty kick-ass. Leather and polished lug-like arms! Nice touch. I like the black chainring too, those simple cut-outs add some nice flavor to the mix.

Earl