2011 Cambers In Stock

New 2011 Cambers instock!!! This is their new 120mm-travel XC bike. Take a look at the pictures and let us know what you think. We have Experts and Comps instock right now ready for test rides.

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Adventure Maps

We got some more maps in the store from Adventure Maps based out of Salem. We have all the most popular Oregon ones in stock priced $10-$12. These are the best out there for riding in our area and some of the only maps for places like Post Canyon and Oakridge, stop in and check them out.

Hey, Hood-to-Coast Participants!

There is a new rule for this year’s event requiring flashing lights for participants to make you more visible.  Most flashing lights are too big, heavy, and awkward for running.  The Serfas TLM-1 Magnetic light is not most lights!

It is small (about actual size as pictured), bright, has a 100 hour run time with the included batteries and magnetically attaches to your clothing.  No awkward clips or velcro or elastic to bother with and irritate you while your running.

We’ve already sold a bunch of these to your fellow participants and we just received more today.  They’re $12 each and the perfect light for your event and more!  Come see us!

2011 Specialized Bikes

Specialized finally pushed the magic button and got the 2011 product up on their website (http://www.specialized.com). No more searching every website you can find for a tidbit of info that might have come from the rumor mill. So go and check out what’s new. Lots of cool new stuff coming out!

Twilight Criterium 2010

Here are a few pics from the Twilight Crit on Friday night. Congrats to Rich Ensworth from our team on getting a good gap on the field towards the end. It was one of the bigger gaps of the race.

If you have never checked it out it’s a sight to see in the Portland park blocks!

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Quick Look: 2011 Roubaix Elite Apex

If you are a regular visitor; you’ve already seen our Dolce Elite Apex and read our glowing thoughts about the new SRAM Apex group.  Featured here is the Specialized Roubaix with the same Apex group – new for 2011!

This one’s proven to be a real head turner here in the store and is incredibly reasonably priced.  This will be the hot bike for 2011.

Here’s a quick run down of the specifications:
Frame: Specialized FACTis 8r SL2 Carbon w/ Zertz
Group: SRAM Apex WiFli compact w/ broad range cassette
Fork: Specialized Roubaix Carbon w/ Zerts and tapered SL2 steerer
Saddle: Specialized Riva 143
Wheels: Mavic CXP 22 32h rims, DT Swiss Spokes, Sealed angular-contact bearing hubs

Specialized has already sold through almost their entire initial shipment of these bikes.  ORDER ONE NOW!

Pain + Suffer’n Weekend Racing Nears

We are less than 5 weeks from a great weekend of off road bicycle racing right here in our backyard. You will begin seeing posters at various locations throughout the metro area advertising the races. You can go to www.painandsuffern.com to get all of the details. Here is a likeness of the poster

Bike Slang-tionary

This is a Glossary of sorts that will be constantly updated.  Think of it as your Bike Dictionary. Bookmark it and use it often. Don’t know what something means?  Look for it here.  Can’t find it?  Write us or leave a comment and we’ll create a new entry.  We hope this is a great service that we can all keep improving.  Enjoy!

Sorry, I’m not going to even try to keep this in alphabetical order…

Tour de Cure 2010

Sunset Cycles was out at the Tour de Cure which is a fundraising ride for the American Diabetes Association. It does not get much better than a nice cool overcast day to go out on a ride. It was little chilly at the 6:30 start, but we got warmed up fast by using the floor pumps on tires all morning. I was impressed with the all the flat fixes we did before the ride even started, I think the count was around 12!

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Tire wear as a Cause of Flats

In our monthly e-newsletter we have been addressing common causes of flat tires and how to prevent them.  This month we’re talking about worn-out tires.

As your tires wear their flat protection is reduced because there is less rubber on them to resist sharp objects as you roll over them.

Additionally, tires do age: and not very well at that!  Cracking in the tread and side-wall of the tire is a good indicator of a worn and weakened tire that is ready to be replaced.

Finally, tires also get cuts in them which weaken the tire and make it more prone to flatting.  Anything bigger than 3/16″ (4 mm) really ought to be addressed.

All of these symptoms are exceedingly common.  How common?  All 5 of the worn tires pictured below came into the store on Saturday, July 24th!

Good, new, round tire

Worn, “flattened” tire

Tread pattern/wear indicators vanished

Large cuts through rubber and casing

Cracking or “cross-hatch” on sidewall

Cracking and tread separation

Tread worn down to casing

More tread worn down to casing