Supernova Airstream Battery Headlight

By tomq | Published: September 2, 2010

These days, lighting technology seems to be moving at the speed of light (ugh). The latest and greatest battery-powered light will be the Supernova Airstream. We haven’t got our hands on one of these babies yet. But here’s a nice little youtube information video.  Look for these on our website this September.

Supernova Airstream Video

Posted in Harris Cyclery, Products | Leave a comment

Service Instructions available for Shimano Alfine 11 speed hub SG-S700.

By kevin | Published: August 10, 2010

This one goes to 11.

Shimano has released some techincal documents for the new Alfine 11 speed hub and shifter. The new cassette joint is designed to be released with your hand, rather than a 2mm allen key or spoke, which should be helpful for some people. They’ve also extended the length of exposed cable from 101mm to 184mm, and they’ve added a rubber boot to keep it clean. The cable fixing bolt is specific to the new cassette joint, but it’s not clear from the diagrams how it differs from the 8 speed unit.

We’re all really looking forward to this hub.  As far as I know, we’re still expecting them sometime in October.  I’ll keep you posted.

Alfine 11 Speed Hub Service Instructions
Alfine 11 Speed Shifter Service Instructions
Alfine 11 Speed Shifter Exploded View

Posted in Shop News | 1 Comment

10% Off all regular price items until June 9th.

By kevin | Published: June 3, 2010

All regular priced items in our online store are discounted by 10% until June 9th, 2010, use coupon code “MW622″ at checkout. Special orders, labor and parts on sale or closeout are excluded.

We’ve had a lot of positive reviews of our Deore LX/Mavic A319 touring wheelset, you’ll save $26 with the coupon code, bringing the price down to $233.95. An excellent deal for a long lasting, durable wheel set. I’ve been using the Mavic A319 rims for two years on my commuter bike, a Surly Cross Check with upright bars (Upper Cross? Up Check? High Sticking?) and they’ve held up very well, despite a complete lack of maintenance.

We’ve also added quite a few items to our parts on sale list. The Blackburn Mars 4.0 taillight is now just $19.95. It’s extremely bright, and includes the necessary hardware to mount to rear rack reflector brackets. Do yourself and the planet a favor and use rechargeable batteries once the included batteries wear out, this light draws a lot of power for regular alkalines. Rechargeable batteries will last much longer in all modern high power LED taillights.

Posted in Shop News | Leave a comment

Jtek Bar-End Shifter for Nexus/Alfine back in stock.

By kevin | Published: May 12, 2010

Jtek Nexus/Alfine Bar End Shifter

The very sensible drop bar shifter for Shimano 8 speed internal gear hubs is back. Thanks Jtek!
Jtek Nexus Bar-End At Harris Cyclery

Posted in Shop News | Leave a comment

New Arrivals: SKS Rennkompressor pump, Bike Ribbon padded handlebar tape.

By kevin | Published: March 11, 2010

The SKS Rennkompressor is my favorite floor pump, and it’s the one we use here in the store most often. Have you tried other European pumps and had the pump head fly off your presta valve before you can get it up to pressure? I certainly have. Wood handle, long hose, rebuildable, extremely heavy, German. Comes with a universal head with replaceable gasket, and a free pair of socks, at least for now. No other floor pump comes with socks. $54.95 here.

The other new (old) product we’re carrying here at Harris Cyclery is Bike Ribbon Professional padded handlebar tape. The easiest to clean white handlebar tape by a long shot. Soft but not too soft, textured but not too textured, no logos all over your bars. It’s easy to wrap, doesn’t tear, and includes adhesive that’s strong enough, but not too strong for reuse. I’m a big fan of this style of tape, and have a sizable collection of discontinued colors. For now we’re carrying it in black or white. $9.95 here.

Posted in Products | Leave a comment

Google Maps Bicycling Directions

By kevin | Published: March 10, 2010

After years of repeated requests, Google has added cycling routes to Google Maps. After experimenting for a bit, I found that it doesn’t always give the best routes, but it’s pretty good for an automated system. I think they probably optimized it for shorter rides, if you try to get directions for longer rides it gives you an unreasonable number of turns, probably to keep the overall distance shorter. At least it supports alternative routes and waypoints, like the driving directions, so it’s pretty easy to fine tune the directions to keep you on decent roads. It also assumes a pretty low average speed from a long distance cyclists’ viewpoint, but it’s probably in line with recreational riders.

Here’s what it came up with for a short coffee-after-lunch ride in Worcester. There’s an embeddable widget that gives just bike directions as well:

There’s a pretty good blog post from one of the developers with the details about how routes are calculated, and they’re soliciting feedback to improve directions. I’d like to see bicycling directions integrated into the public transit directions.

Posted in Links, Shop News | Leave a comment

Just Arrived: TA Cyclotouriste Pro 5 Vis Cranks 165mm

By kevin | Published: February 4, 2010

TA Pro 5 Vis with 42T

The modified cranks are now in stock, with some chainrings dustcaps, and outer fixing bolts available. We’re expecting hardware to mount inner chainrings next week. All chainrings are new production, and super shiny. Very nice stuff.

Cranks are only available in 165mm length. $149.95 a set.

Right now, for outer chainrings, we have 42, 44, or 46 tooth available. These are suitable for use as a single ring, and have the bolt holes to attach the inner chainring.
Inner chainrings, 26, 28, or 30.

Posted in Shop News | Leave a comment

Shimano Alfine 11 speed quietly announced.

By kevin | Published: February 3, 2010

Saw this info this morning via Hubstripping. The German cycling website Aktiv Radfahren posted info on an upcoming Alfine 11 speed hub, SG-S700, due in September of 2010 for 300 Euros. Reported 409% ratio, gear steps of 17% and 13%. Article translation is here.

This one goes to 11.

I’ll keep an eye out for more official information from Shimano as it comes.

Posted in Links, Products | 18 Comments

Coming Soon: TA Cyclotouriste Cranks 165mm

By kevin | Published: January 28, 2010

We recently found a decent sized stash of new old stock TA tandem captain’s cranks. On a tandem, the front cranks have pedal threads opposite those of a normal crank set, great if you want to set up a tandem with a left timing chain, not so great if you don’t have the stoker cranks to match. Without the matching rear arms, they’re pretty much useless.

TA Cyclotouriste 165mm

Except, we had them rethreaded for use as normal cranks. A small machine shop did the work, and they came out good as new:

Rethreaded TA Crank

These are functionally the same as normal new old stock 165mm Cyclotouristes, and they come with the original foil stickers. They will be available only in 165mm length, that’s all there is.

Ta Cyclotouriste Bolt Circle

We’ve got a couple of chainring sizes on order, but we’re soliciting opinions on what rings to stock with the cranks. Have you always wanted a new Cyclotouriste crank but couldn’t afford it? What size rings would you buy? A classic compact double at 46-30? A single 42 or 46 tooth ring? We’re looking for input, so please leave a comment if you have any interest. These are genuine TA Cyclotouriste cranks, with the same restrictions on triple front derailleur use as described here.

We expect to have these available with chainrings, chainring fixing hardware and dustcaps within a couple of weeks.

Posted in Shop News | 12 Comments

Online Cantilever Mechanical Advantage Calculator

By kevin | Published: January 13, 2010

Benno Belhumeur has just posted this excellent cantilever mechanical advantage calculator, hosted by Circle A Cycles of Providence, RI. The accompanying paper discusses how different cantilever geometries change the way brake setup should be approached, and the effect that geometry changes have on mechanical advantage.
MAITOY cantilever geometry diagram, by Benno Belhumeur
I’ve got a lot of bikes to measure… Thanks to Benno for the great effort.

Posted in Shop News | Leave a comment