Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Surly Steamroller




Surly makes a sweet fixie called the Steamroller. While the frameset hasn't changed much over time, they do offer a different color choice each year. This year's shade is called......wait for it.........Meth Teeth. Despite the devious imagry that name may conjure in your mind, the Grey/Green color of the frame is sharp!

Here is what Surly has to say about their Steamroller:

"Listen to veteran fixed gear riders long enough and they’ll start to wax philosophic about fixies, how the bike is an extension of one’s body, how the simplicity and the silence are pleasing to the senses, how riding one is at first unnerving and later addictive. As we have said since we introduced the Steamroller frameset, we won’t try to convince you that riding ‘fixed’ is better or special or why you should try it. You’ll have to determine that for yourself. But whether you’re old school or new hat, you’d be hard pressed to find a better canvas to build your ideal street machine.

It’s made from Surly 4130 CroMoly steel because steel is durable and responsive, things we like and we’re pretty sure you do too. Its geometry is somewhere between road track frames, and notably it will take big tires (up to approximately 38mm) because big tires make sense on streets and paths-- tire casings flex before the frame. It’s got a set of water bottle braze-ons and that's about it. The Steamroller has been around since long before fixed gears became a pop culture favorite, and it's still around for a very good reason: It rides great."

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Salsa Vaya



We now have two Salsa Vaya framesets in stock. Both frames are the new 2011 orange model and the sizes are 55cm and 54cm. The 54cm frame has been built up but not ridden and the 55cm is straight out of the box. Colonel's service manager, Aubrey Williams , has been riding the Vaya on some longer gravel road rides and can contest to it's versatility and toughness. He has two wheelsets: 700c and 650b. Click HERE for pics of both configurations and HERE for pics of the Vaya in action. Frame and fork price is $549.99 and we will ship to the lower 48. Give us a call at (817) 924-1333 if you have any questions. Ride on!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Orbea Alma Carbon 29er

Ok, I have been riding the Carbon Alma 29 for four months and am still loving it. The bike is light, solid feeling and still fast in the twisty Texas single track. The Continental Race King 2.2 tires run without tubes at 28psi provide the perfect amount of traction and slight suspension. The relatively short chainstays make it accelerate like a 26" wheel and the 100mm travel fork soaks up all the bumps. We have a medium Alma S30 with the new Shimano XT 3x10 in stock. Retail price is $3699.99. Get all the specs here. Come on by and check it out!

Friday, May 13, 2011

Ibis demo tour @ Colonels 5-18-11

Kirk from Ibis cycles will be at Colonel's Bicycles on Wednesday, May 18 @ 2:30 p.m. His demo van will be loaded up with a full range of awesome mountain, road, and cyclocross bikes that you can come test ride. He will even have a pre-production MOJO S-LR here for viewing. Sully and I are pretty darn excited about this and we're not the only ones. Demo enthusiast Marty Nolen is driving up from Austin and, local cyclocross hero and national contender Buck Smith will also be there. Kirk will be setting up some tents in front of the shop and Colonel's will be supplying some refreshments. So stop on by, say hello and hop on an Ibis!

You can find more info on the Ibis demo tour here: http://www.ibiscycles.com/buytry/ibis_demo_tour/

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Orbea Orca With Sram Force On Sale


The 2011 Orbea Orcas are arriving daily so we are putting this 2010 Orca with Sram Force on sale. This is a 54cm bike with a 55cm top tube. The bike is equipped with the complete Force group; shifters, derailleurs, crankset, brakes, chain and cassette. Wheels are Mavic Ksyrium Equipe in white. Weight as it is shown in the photo: 16.09lbs. Fast, light and beautiful! Original retail price was $5069 and we are clearing this one out for $4100. Give us a call at (817) 924-1333 if you have questions. Or email, info@colonelsbikes.com

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Tuesday Nighter Sunset


If you missed the Tuesday Night Ride you missed this great view coming back in from Gateway Park. (my crappy camera phone doesn't quite do it justice)
You also missed getting stuck with us under the Main St bridge while lightning and pouring rain kept us trapped for about half an hour!

Monday, May 9, 2011

National Bike To Work Week 2011

National Bike to Work Week will be kicking off on Monday, May 16 and continuing until Friday, May 20. Now is a good time to consider ditching your gas guzzler for a week and hopping on your bicycle instead. Cycling saves gas, reduces emissions and gets your blood flowing. If you can't commit to riding the whole week, consider riding on Friday (National Bike to Work Day).

If you're worried about leaving the car behind, plan a route that combines biking with riding the bus or the Trinity Railway Express (TRE).
DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSIT (DART): http://www.dart.org/
FORT WORTH BUS ROUTES :http://www.the-t.com/Routes/routes.html
TRE: http://www.trinityrailwayexpress.org/

If you happen to be in the market for a bike and are looking for cushy commuter or just something to pull the kid's trailer with, come take a look at the Giant Cypress we have up at the shop. It's lightweight frame, suspension seatpost and padded saddle, soak up bumps, and make for a smooth ride.
Retail: $380 (Women's frame size available in XS, S, M) (Men's frame size available XS, S, M, L, XL)



If a zippy single speed is more your style then the Gian Via might be what you're after. It's distinctive split top tube adds character, and a double-butted chromoly frame make this bike tough, fast, light, and functional. It even comes with a nifty frame mounted U-lock holder.
Retail: $380 (Men's frame size available S, M, L , XL) (Women's frame size XS, S, M)





Another good piece of gear any commuter needs is a sturdy bag. Osprey offers active everyday packs with tons of storage. They can safely carry a laptop, a change of clothes, and everything else needed for a busy day around town. The FLAPJILL COURIER comes in two sizes and has interchangeable straps. (Also available for men: FLAPJACK COURIER)





If a back pack is what you're looking for, then the Talon is a sure bet. It is a long-standing staple in the Ospery Line. It has an adjustable harness, a lightweight , ventilated back panel, tons of storage, and a LidLock Helmet clip. This unique pack is also hydration compatible and has a pocket for the Osprey Hydraform Reservoir.



Stop on by the shop and you can test ride the Cypress, Via, or any other bike we have in the shop.

For more information on planning your ride to work visit: http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bikemonth/pdf/BTWW_Booklet.pdf

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Flat fix kits in stock and on sale!


We now have Colonel's complete flat fix kits in stock. Each one comes with two tubes, tire levers, two CO2 cartridges, one microflate adapter, one patch kit, and a Colonel's Bicycles seat post bag (made in the USA). On sale for $48 while supplies last.