Lock It Up! A Clinic with ABUS Locks

Our blog has moved! Check out this post on the new home of our blog here:
http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/12/lock-it-up-a-clinic-with-abus-locks/

Lock It Up!

A Clinic with ABUS Locks.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

6:00pm until 8:00pm in EST

Village Cycle Center and ABUS bring you "Lock It Up!" a how-to clinic on bicycle locking and security.

For our first clinic of the new year, we will going over where to, how to, and what to lock your bike with.

Special discounts on ABUS security products at the clinic.

Raffle for free ABUS locks!

Drinks & snacks!

Indoor bike parking!

RSVP to events@villagecycle.com

You don't have to RSVP, but if we give out free stuff, and you haven't done so, you may not get any. 

Village Cycle Center is located at 1337 North Wells Street Chicago IL 60610 

Other use full locking information can be found here:
ABUS Locks - Bicycle Theft Provention
A Quick Bit About Locking Up
Thwarting Bicycle Thievery!

Blackburn Super Flea Front & Rear Review by llama

update 4.28.13 - Our blog has moved! Check out this post and more at:
http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/12/blackburn-super-flea-front-rear-review-by-llama/


I have been a fan of the Blackburn Flea lights for awhile now, but with the addition of the Super Flea, I have become a super fan of them.

Lets us start off with the technical specs for the Blackburn Super Fleas:

Super Flea Front 

• Super-small - 2.20" Lx1.30" W x.90" H
• Super-bright White CREE® XP-G LED
• Brilliant 120 Lumen output
• Rechargeable Li-polymer power
• Easy hookup magnetic USB smart charger, waterproof charging ports
• Versatile hook-and-loop strap mounting system
• LED fuel gauge/charge indicator
• 1 hr High, 3hr Std, 5hr flashing run times
• 34 grams 

Super Flea Rear

• Ultra-bright, ultra-compact—1.30”L x .90W x 1.80”H
• Collimating lens makes central appear larger than life, enhancing visibility
• Compact, rechargeable LI-Ion power
• Easy hookup magnetic USB smart charger, waterproof charging ports
• Versatile silicone strap mounting system
• Concave rear profile nests against seat posts to stay in place
• LED fuel gauge/charge indicator
• 15hr steady, 28hr flashing run times
• 36 grams

So, the specs are all laid out, but what do all those numbers and terms mean? They mean this is one very bright, rechargeable, easy to use, light all smooshed into a reasonable size.

Everything I liked about the Flea, now with more power in the Super Flea!

After 3 years of using rechargeable lights, I have not purchased, used, recycled, a battery in a bike light for quite a long time. Saving me money, as well as the environment. One of my favorite side effects of riding a bike.

The front light has 3 modes, most of the time I use the flashing mode. When times are dark, and street lights are not around, the solid high beam of the Super Flea does the job of illuminating my ride just fine.

The rear also has 3 modes to choose from, I usually use the 3rd, so that I only have to push the button once on each light to turn them off. I was happy to see that the Fleas and Super Fleas have the same amount of modes, just for that reason. It may be something small, but at the end of a long, wet, cold ride, it is the little things that matter.

Upgraded mounting bracket is quite nice on the rear light. Do wish the front had the same, but the only problem I ever had with the Velcro is that it wore out after a couple years of daily use. Which really is a fair life expectancy for a Velcro strap that is replaced very cheaply. The amount of money I have saved in batteries in far greater than the $.99 part.

Still rechargeable via USB, but now with a sweet little rubber strap to hold the light more securely to the charger, you can even charge it upside down.

Super Flea front light is super bright!

Lots of power in quite a small package.

Not too bulky.

So bright my tail is on fire!

New bracket holds the Super Flea rear on tight!

The light is even visible from the side.

update 4.28.13 - Our blog has moved! Check out this post and more at:

http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/12/blackburn-super-flea-front-rear-review-by-llama/

Short Days, End of the World, Bike Lights

Our blog has moved! Check out this post on the new home of our blog here:
http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/12/short-days-end-of-the-world-bike-lights/

On the shortest day of the year, and maybe the last, here are a few reasons why bike lights are great:

This is one of mine. Purchase here

1. They bring happiness. I am one of those people who pines for summer as soon as the temperature dips below 60 degrees and/or the sun starts setting earlier than 8pm. However, when the sun won't obey my orders and stick around, I'm glad that I have bike lights to keep me safe so I can continue to do what makes me happy: ride my bike.

2. I hear Chicago is in the midst of a snow storm. If you get caught in a snow bank, the blinking red light will alert others to where you are. But please don't get caught in a snow bank. Thanks.

3. Last but not least, if the end of the world should occur at any point today, you can always use bike lights as flashlights when the power grid fails. The batteries tend to last a long time.


More technical info on bike lights here: http://villagecycle.blogspot.com/2012/06/bicycle-lights-101.html

10 Tune Ups to the First 10 to Get 100 Likes

Our blog has moved! Check out this post on the new home of our blog here:
http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/12/10-tune-ups-to-the-first-10-to-get-100-likes/

Village Cycle Center is giving away 10 free tune-ups to the first 10 people to get 100 likes on a picture of their bike that is deserving of a tune-up.

Post a picture of your ride to our Facebook page.
Get 100 likes on your picture.
Win a tune up!

It is just that simple.

The tune-up includes:

• Adjust shifting systems (front and rear derailleurs)
• Adjust braking systems (front and rear brakes)
• True wheels (tighten spokes and align wheel)
• Tighten cranks, pedals, headset, and other parts that like to loosen up
• Lube drive train
• Inflate tires with air
• Wipe down bike

If your bike requires more, you can upgrade to our other packages for:
Annual Peak Performance - $60
Complete Mechanical Overhaul - $150



Helpful hints:

1. Share your picture.
2. Ask your friends to like the picture, but tell them why first.
3. Have your friends share the picture as well.

Bicycle services available at Village Cycle Center.



Rules of the contest:

1. We make the laws of the contest rules. If you don't dig them, don't play.
2. All decisions are made by us. Sometimes mistakes happen, if they do, we can decide to fix them or not.
3. If you are not at least 18, you can not win. Do not even try and play. Sorry. Get your mom or dad to post the picture.
4. The tune-ups must be used by March 31st, 2013.
5. No cash value to the winnings.
6. Non transferable. 
7. Tacos rule.
8. If 10 people have not won by Jan 31st 2013, the contest will end either way.

Morning Bike Ride Down the Lakefront

Our blog has moved! Check out this post on the new home of our blog here:
http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/12/morning-bike-ride-down-the-lakefront/

Days like today are one of the reasons I really like riding my bike to work. Here are a few pictures from the ride.

A Quick Bit About Locking Up

Our blog has moved! Check out this post on the new home of our blog here:
http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/12/a-quick-bit-about-locking-up/

I have been working in bikes shops for over 15 years now, and one of the things I hear quite a bit is, “I just got my bike stolen.”
This sucks. The people who steal bikes suck even more.
I used to use a mini u-lock, a set of Pitlocks for my wheels, and call it good. Recently, that has become not good enough. So I beefed up security.

Now it is two locks, an ABUS mini and chain, plus some Pitlock wheel locks.


For more information on locking your bike, check out:
Thwarting Bicycle Thievery
Village Cycle Center – “Lock It Up!” with ABUS – Jan. 17th 2013