A staunch supporter of bicycle infrastructure, here Matt is pictures with Asheville's Mayor, Terry Bellamy
In August of 2010, Dirt Rag Magazine profiled our founder, Matt Johnson.
He can be found working on bikes at our Asheville store.
Dirt Rag Profiled our Founder
August 4th, 2010Saris Rack Fit Guide
February 5th, 2010Info on older Saris Roof Racks has been hard to find.
So, we scrounged up this fit guide to shed light on things.
Easton EA30 Stem Recall
January 16th, 2010
Easton EA 30 Stem has been recalled
Easton Sports is voluntarily recalling EA30 stems sold between August 2007 and September 2009, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission reported recently.
The Scotts Valley, California company received a report of a stem breaking, causing a minor injury to the rider. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. About 6,400 stems — sold on complete bikes and as aftermarket products — are affected by this recall.
According to Easton, the production date will identify if the EA30 stem is included in the recall. You will find a production code on the side of the clamp next to the lower clamping screw (see pictures). The production code is comprised of the calendar month (denoted by a letter A – L) and the year (denoted by a single digit). Here’s a chart identifying the stems in question.
According to the report, the forged aluminium Easton EA30 stem — made in China — can crack and cause the rider to lose control, posing a risk of serious injury if the rider falls.
This recall also involves bicycles sold with Easton EA30 stems, which are described as black with white-and-gray graphics and feature a four-bolt stem face cap; ‘EA30′ is printed on the stem. Stems sold as aftermarket items for US$30 are included in this recall.
The affected bikes sold through BioWheels include Jamis Ventura Races and GT Peace 9-ers.
Consumers should immediately stop riding the bicycles and bring them to BioWheels for a replacement at no charge to you.
For more information, contact Eason Sports in the U.S. toll free at (866) 892-6059 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or go to www.eastonbike.com.
Commuting by Bike, 10 Things to Know
December 26th, 2009This is for those of you who have some bike commuting experience and want advanced tips on surviving your commutes without incident.
I personally feel much safer with a wide outside curb lane rather than being corralled into a bike lane. Bike lanes always seem full of road debris, and drivers don’t seem to like you leaving the bike lane to avoid it. But I’ll still take a bike lane over nothing at all.
Commuting fast in rush hour traffic by bicycle takes immense focus and concentration, so I’ll say it’s probably not for everybody. If you lack concentration, visual-spatial skills, coordination, peripheral vision, patience, and reflexes, then riding aggresivly in heavy traffic may not be something you want to do. Things happen quickly out there, and you need to see it coming and react in time. But let me say that I’m totally for anyone who leaves the car at home a rides at any pace for the benefits of cleaner air, less noise, fitness, and peace of mind!
Commuting Tips (WARNING – apply at your own risk):
- Try to keep as straight a line as possible – this will make the likelihood of being hit from behind very slim. Weaving from side to side makes it difficult for a car to get by you and possibly forcing them to pass at the wrong time.
- If you’re riding by a line of parked cars, ride 1-2 feet to the left of the doors and glance through the rear windows to look for people potentially wanting to open their car doors. Remember, some folks are shorter than their headrests, so be ready for anything. Think reflexes.
- If a pedestrian is in your line, give them some berth if there’s no car behind you. Buzzing them does you no good, and only increases the potential of impact.
- Please use lights at night. But, here’s a tip if you are stuck with a dead headlight or no headlight at all. Use what I call the “buddy system” to avoid cars pulling out in front of you from a side street or driveway (because they can’t see you). A driver will wait if he sees another car coming. So, I try to get alongside a car going the same direction as me if I see a car trying to turn onto my street. If I “buddy” up with a car going my way, then the other car won’t turn onto my street until I’m safely through the intersection. This of course means that I’m keeping up with my “buddy” car for 15 seconds or so. Not everyone might be up for this one. Also, if you’re without lights some night, just remember that one piece of reflective tape might save your butt. So choose clothing with reflective piping if you do nighttime commuting.
- Be ready to bail in a split second. Put your weight back behind your saddle and lock your brakes. If you have a mountain bike go easy on the front brake unless your weight is way back behind your saddle. If you’re on a road bike the no-brainer tip is to never be away from your brakes (i.e. the up position) in a busy section of street. The same goes for bar ends with a mountain bike. You may want to practice heavy braking sometime in a quiet park so you know what your brakes can do under pressure.
- Watch oncoming traffic for cars making left hand turns. Some of these people signal, some turn quickly without warning. Cyclists blend in somewhat with street-side parked cars; so many oncoming cars don’t see us. If I think an oncoming car may be looking to turn in front of me, I move more left into my lane if there are no cars behind me. That way I’m easier to distinguish from the parked cars. Keep your eyes on their eyes; see if they’re on you.
- Never use angry or obscene gestures toward a driver. This will ALWAYS make things worse and may have violent consequences. Remembers cars are a deadly weapon.
- Only daydream if you can pay attention at the same time. And never listen to headphones – your ears are often your best defense.
- Be especially careful around driveways for business/residential complexes. People tend to whip in and out of them real fast. Make a mental note if there are any of these along your commute.
- Steer clear of: Dirty old delivery vans, City buses, Drivers shorter than their dashboards
GOOD LUCK!
BioWheels brings you UltraMotor – Hybrid Electric Mobility
June 11th, 2009
The promise of interfacing man and machine in collaborative propusion is here. A few months after landing our first Hybrid Electric Bike from Schwinn, we have are hooked! UltraMotor has chosen BioWheels-Asheville as their dealer for Western North Carolina. After a serious test ride, we are convinced that this is the transportation solution that many of you have been looking for.
The A2B has a top speed of 20 mph, has an effective full suspension system, and is built for everything the urban environment can throw at it. Every test ride ends in huge smiles and the invariable “I want one”.
The A2B sells for $2799, with an additional Li-Ion battery for $520. Investing in the second battery doubles it range to a true 40 miles. A full array of bags and accessories is becoming available for this wonderful machine. Look for a full review and movie within the next few weeks. In the meantime, you can make an appointment to test ride an A2B by emailing us at asheville@biowheels.com, or calling us at 828.236.BIKE.
Check out the full story at http://www.ultramotor.com/
A Great Tool to Understand Your Bike Impact
April 2nd, 2009
One of our customers created this gret tool to better understand how a bicycle can help save your health, your money & your planet. See how you can balance your bike use against your car use.
Click on the Share the Road sign at right, or the link below.
http://chriscraiglaw.com/tools/mpgtool.php
Thanks Craig!
Schwinn’s Tailwind: Our First Hybrid Electric Bike
February 10th, 2009Since I was a child, I’ve loved riding a bike. It’s not just the exercise of it, but the personal time, the airflow and the freedom keep my helmet near the door, ready for daily bike love.
At age 21, I was deep into a 4-month bike tour when I 
experienced my first major tailwind. That tailwind was a pleasant surprise about two-thirds through a 100 mile day of 100+ degree weather and doubletrack gravel, passing into Utah from Gateway, Colorado on the Telluride-Moab Trail. My 100 lb. mountain bike & I were suddenly pushed up a mile long steep dusty side-cut jeep road, arriving on top within view of the snowcapped LaSal’s. I had to apply ’ascension intention’ to the pedals, but the wind really blew me to the top. That was a welcome helping hand. Thank You.
Moments ago, I just got back for my first ride on my new Schwinn Tailwind Hybrid Electric Bike. For the entire 25-mile ride, I had that same tailwind. Fantastic!
First impressions: Out of the enormous box, the Tailwind was almost completely assembled, requiring about one hour of proffessional assembly. The elaborate wiring is elegantly internalized, even the front & rear lights! The white paint is evenly sprayed with a high gloss. Welds are uniform, with no visible bubbles.
The parts kit is decent, sporting a durable Nexus 8-speed rear hub, and the Schwinn Electric Front Hub Motor. Both are laced to nice box section aluminum rims with stainless steel spokes. They spec’d Continental Town Ride tires with puncture resitance – smart choice! The front shock is unimpressive, but I am used to a Maverick 6″ Mtn Bike. Like the square-taper cranks, the fork is an area for big upgrades. Hmmm.
The cockpit on this model is very upright, a classic Belgium cobblestone cruiser. Many folks will like this positioning, but I am more used to an aggressive racing postion. I expect that the market will demand sportier, lighter models in short time. Because Schwinn’s Hybrid Electric Bikes are more like a bike than a scooter, tremendous opportunities for a customized fit abound!
With too many of my own ideas about what a bike should be, I rode it once around Asheville, then immediately made a number of tweaks. A used carbon seatpost, new performance saddle, lighter stem & flat bar, plus some of Shimano’s single-sided clipless pedals.
Is this cheating? Many of my cycling comrades have asked if an electric bike is cheating. After my 1st 30-mile ride I can say “No”. There is no throttle. If you stop pedalling, the motor cuts out. Moreover, each trip this bike replaces is one less car on the road and one citizen better connected to their surroundings.
How does it work? The Schwinn/Toshiba Tailwind drive system has a sensor that can detect your pedal stroke. Depending on what mode you set your handlebar mounted control to ( low-medium or high ) you get a boost. No free ride, but a nice wind in your sail. As they claim, the battery does charge completely in 40-minutes.
An extended tailpipe is one reason to say ‘nay’ to plug-in electric technology. Like most of the US, we burn coal for electricity in Western N. Carolina. Electricity is used to charge the battery. At BioWheels, we plan to offer our customers a Solar Charging system to eliminate the tailpipe, and commute with food, water & sun.
Why would I ride a Hybrid electric instead of my normal bike? What will I expect to be different from my existing bike commute? Expect to go a bit faster, and be a little less sweaty upon arrival.
Why should’nt I ride a Scooter? Scooters release more carbon, and noxious gases into the environment than any other vehicle per gallon of gas used. Only leaf blowers, jet ski’s and other 2-stroke engines are ultimately worse for our air & water. Plus, most scooters are pretty cheaply made, loud and expensive to maintain.
Is a hybrid bike frivilous? I don’t think so. With the 2 year warranty offered with the Schwinn/Toshiba Battery, Charger & Motor, you have a solid safety net. They guarantee 2000 charge cycles, 20,000 miles or 24-months. Whichever comes first. The fact that this is a bicycle means bike shops can swap basic parts, and work on them in a jiffy. Currently, a second battery will run about $600.
Who is the perfect buyer? Hard to say, but if you want the freedom, quiet & giddiness offered by a bicycle, but aren’t afraid to ask for a little help, Schwinn’s Hybrid Electric bikes are for you. The pricetag is $3200. Compared to an electric motorcycle ($12K+), or a hybrid car ($26K+) the elegant low-impact transportation will be welcomed by people ready to make a ‘shift’.
I’m Commited! As I live beneath the Black Mountains, my 28-mile commute is hilly and has about 800 vertical ft. of elevation gain in total. I will be riding this bike throughout February & March, almost exclusively, on my commute to and from BioWheels. I intend to run the Tailwind through its paces. I may be capable of slugging it out all the time on my sweet IF Planet Cross Commuter, but I’m learning not to say no to help when it’s offered.
More to Come- I look forward to sharing my experience with this breakthrough technology right here, in our Bykology Blog.-
so hopeful!- Matt Johnson, BioWheels founder.
Andy's Top-6 Winter Clothing Items
December 11th, 2008Winter is blowing in and BioWheels has a few items to help keep you outside in the weather without killing your budget. So, here are Andy Grabowski’s top-6 winter accessories.
1. The BioWheels wool jersey. What’s there to say…highly desirable, classy, comfortable & shows your good taste.
<----Hey, that's Frankie Andrieu!
2. The Long Sleeve Un-D-Shurt from DeFeet www.defeet.com
This has been out for awhile but still an essential item for winter riding. It’s made out of a moisture-wicking acrylic material. It pulls sweat away from your skin allowing your natural body heat to keep you warm on cold days. Having one of these can often cut down on the bulky layers you would normally need to keep going on long winter rides. These sell for about $35 which is way cheaper than an extra jacket layer.
3. Blaze Merino wool socks from DeFeet www.defeet.com
Wool socks are a no-brainer for winter riding. The natural moisture wicking of wool combined with its warmth makes any ride nicer. At around $15, these have been an item in my sock collection for years. We have custom BioWheels Blaze socks.
4. Merino Wool base layer from Louis Garneau www.louisgarneau.com
I already talked up the merino wool in the sock category but there’s another feature I did not mention. Beside having the ability to keep you super warm, it doesn’t hold odor. Just because you just did the most epic of rides in Pisgah, there’s no reason to smell like it. These shirts have a good look as well and could be worn out on the town if you so desire. They run just under $100 – not bad for an item that will keep you warm on and off the bike.
5. The Windchill Jacket from Endura www.endura.com
This is the most expensive item on my list at $150, but it has features of other much more expensive jackets. It has a windproof front panel and a breathable back to keep you comfortable. It also features reflective bands on the arms and neck to keep you from achieving hood ornament status while commuting. Endura is new to BioWheels this season, and we’re all impressed with the quality of their products.
6. The Resistor Sock from Sugoi www.sugoi.com
These are one of my favorite winter articles of clothing. They are wind and water resistant socks that are worn over your regular socks and under your shoes. They are super versatile and can be used for road or mountain biking. At just under $40, they are way better than cold feet.
I hope some of these ideas can help with your fight against old man winter. BioWheels is looking out for your comfort with our clothing offerings.
Brevets – Ready for a New Type of Riding?
December 4th, 2008-
- Kris Kjellquist taking a break during one of his fixed gear brevets in 2006.
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- Caroline Eastburn and Rick Hayes represent BioWheels at Brevets all over the US.
Are you ready for a new kind of challenge on the bike? Are you interested in riding long distances on seldom traveled roads, being self-supported, riding in any kind of weather, and challenging yourself like you never have before? Well randonneuring just may be what you are looking for!
Randonneurs USA, or RUSA, defines randonneuring as “long-distance unsupported endurance cycling. This style of riding is non-competitive in nature, and self-sufficiency is paramount. When riders participate in randonneuring events, they are part of a long tradition that goes back to the beginning of the sport of cycling in France and Italy. Friendly camaraderie, not competition, is the hallmark of randonneuring.”
These types of rides are called brevets and range from 100K to 1200K in length. These rides are not races. Results are sorted by name and the first finisher gets the same prize as the last – pride in completing a personal challenge to the best of your ability!
The core of randonneuring lies in the self-sufficiency of the participants. Fueling properly, being prepared for all types of weather, and riding a comfortable, well-fitting bike are keys to completing the long distances. BioWheels employees collectively have completed many brevets, toured across this great county & Europe, and completed many 24-hour mtb races. We know how to ‘go long’. Come chat with us any time!
BioWheels’ Front End Manager, Kris Kjellquist, is currently working to become a regional brevet administrator for Asheville, NC. RUSA sanctioned 200K & 300K ride routes are being scouted for the summer of 2007. There are also several brevet series a short drive from Western NC. Check the RUSA web site, www.rusa.org, for rides in Spartanburg, SC, Raleigh, and Highpoint, NC. Don’t forget the biggest brevet in the world – the 1200K Paris-Brest-Paris is happening in 2007 and won’t happen again until 2011. Some BioWheels customers have already booked thier hotel rooms!!!
So you’re interested, and now you are thinking, “what should I do next?” The MOST important thing you can do is check out RUSA’s web site and become a member. Read everything you can about randonneuring and brevets, and stay in shape over the winter.
Kick Off the Holiday Season on Your Bike!
November 19th, 2008Reserve Saturday, Nov. 22 for a full day of bicycles about our city with Asheville on Bikes.The day begins with AoB’s annual ride in Asheville’s Holiday Parade and culminates on Haywood Rd with the THE BOUNCING BALL sponsored by the Haywood Road Market Co-op. You won’t want to miss these events.Asheville Hoilday Parade:
Gather at Stephens Lee Rec Center at 9am, and pedal the parade at 10:30.
AoB’s theme celebrates the positive outcomes of bicycling. While developing your costume, AoB asks pedallers to fill in the blank to the following statement, “Ride your City for the Love of _____________.”
How you answer is when your costume begins. Suggestions include, for the love of the air, the water, the body or the community.
If all else fails, wear red and a big & pretty cardboard heart.
GoogleMaps link to Stephens Lee Rec Center
Then at 7:00pm, roll to the West Side for the Bouncing Ball. Proceeds support the Haywood Road Market Co-Op.For $22 you can bounce down Haywood Road and partake in all things local, delicious and fun. (Save $2 by buying your ticket at BioWheels.) The evening includes activities at the following venues:West End Bakery - enjoy a delicious dinner provided by The Admiral, Sunny Point, Lucky Otter, Burgermeisters and other local restaurants.
Westville Pub - where you can dance the night away to local favorites Firecracker Jazz Band, Snake Oil Medicine Show, Dehlia Low, and Woody Pines.
Wright Creative Building - where you can boogie down with The Admiral’s DJ Filth, DJ Marley Carroll, and DJ Drew.
Haywood Road Market Co-op - where you can taste fine wine and bid on great auction items.
Casa Dei Bambini – providing child care from 6:30-11:30pm; only $5 per child and space is limited, so call 828-215-2468 to reserve a spot.
AoB looks forward to biking about with you on Saturday, Nov. 22. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail at ashevilleonbikes@gmail.com.
