We have a lot of customers who "say" they want to be on our email list. So, I add them. Then I send out our monthly "HubBub Update" (spam-ish) - it gets "bounced back" and the customer sez ... "HEY, YOU NEVER SENT ME THE UPDATE YOU PROMISED!!!"
See the problem here? So, if you want our updates - let your server know that HubBub is NOT bad mail!
That was pretty tame, huh?
Sometimes our customers just can't stop themselves. When someone buys a new bike and proceeds to gush all over us about it (which happens occasionally), we prefer that it is turned into a "testimonial" for our site. Here is one that we've been waiting for since last summer and I thought it would be best to give it it's own space in our blog rather than bury it on our web site (at least for now) - It is unedited.
VIA EMAIL FROM DAVID P.
So finally after 1,500 miles (September '07 to May'08) on my Seven Axiom I get around to finishing up my testimonial. However this extra time has provided more experience with my bike and with other Hubbub clients to make a more informed testimonial.
Basically, I followed a path to hubbub that many others have followed:
a) Get interested in cycling again. Wind in your face, burning calories the fun way, avoiding $4 a gallon, ability to explore the neighborhood, etc.
b) "Discover" custom built bikes. Hmm, I wonder what kind of a difference that might make. Read hubbub.com from "cover to cover".
c) Make an excuse to wander into Hubbub. Find out some more about these crazy people who need to spend a lot of time with each client to make a sale. Pretty nice store. GREAT COFFEE! Wait a second, they aren't trying to sell me anything.
d) Get a professional fit on my off-the-peg bike. Wow, that makes a huge difference! I see what 'fit' means. I wonder what they could do if they could change the frame?
e) Test drive. Go ahead, take one of our bikes out for an extended ride. Wow, I can ride up hills! This bike is so fast and so stable. I just can't stop riding it. Oh, it turns out that particular bike isn't a great fit for me. I wonder what it would feel like with a perfect fit?
f) Decide that really, one does not need a custom bike. It just doesn't fit the usual "more-for-less" culture we have. Its not sensible. I'm glad that I'm over that. But getting my regular bike fitted made a big difference and my test drive on the Seven made me crave a really good bike. Self discipline is a good thing. Also, I'm not a good enough rider to really know the difference and also I just bought a new bike so its out of the question.
g) Book in for a fitting. I can just get a fit on the Hubbub fitting jig and then I can always change my mind and not buy a bike.
h) Fitting is amazing, they spend 3 hours with me. Once they have dialed me in I can't believe how much power my same legs can generate and with such comfort. I tell Brian that now I understand how a custom bike fits. He just grins and says "no you don't, you won't really get it until you ride the finished piece". I don't understand what he means.
i) Why don't you put together a quote for me just for grins.
j) Here is a deposit check, HOW SOON CAN I GET MY BIKE?!?!?
k) Pick up the bike, go for the first ride, can't believe I can ride for 90 miles and not be hospitalized. In fact, no pain anywhere. I tell Diane and she says "you are not supposed to feel pain from cycling". So it is really true.
l) Ride and ride. Ride in the bad weather. The Showers Pass jackets that they sell there are the best value accessory in cycling. Check the weather report every morning and ride even if the weather is marginal.
m) Hit the 1,000 mile mark. I brag to my friend Kate who has a Seven. She says "That is great, I have 15,000 on mine, so you can tell how impressed I am". "Hey Jerry, 1,000 miles!". He says "I only have 7,000 on mine". Tough crowd. People who buy Hubbub bikes tend to ride them all the time. You are better off bragging to people with off-the-peg bikes about your 1,000 miles.
n) At 1,500 miles now, have not needed any service. Brian's brilliant hand-made wheels are still 100.00% true even riding on these pothole filled streets. I just rode 140 miles in 3 days, no pain, not even that sore in the quads. My riding technique keeps getting better and better since I can focus on my riding and not fighting against the bike.
I rode my off-the-peg bike again for a short 5 mile journey. The key difference that I realise is that when I ride the OTP bike, I enjoy the cycling immensely but a portion of my efforts goes into fighting against the bike (keeping it steady, climbing hills, constant adjustment of riding position). Therefore on a 30 mile ride I've expended 40 miles of effort. On the Seven, the bike disappears and I feel like I'm connected to the pavement. The bike is unbelievably stable (even at 45 MPH!) and comfortable and I feel like I'm gliding down the road.
I'd have to say the this bike was one of the best things I've ever spent money on. Every time I ride it I smile. Even at 1,500 miles. Which is not a lot if you are bragging to Hubbub customers (keep that in mind).
Some time ago, we listed Bikesnobnyc as a "must read" daily blog. Well, now we are recommending a cartoon strip that rivals Bike Snob with it's wry bicycle wit AND local connection. Get your daily dose of bike-related-laughter with YedhudaMoon and his buddy Joe. It's a stitch. And if you are so inclined, become one of his patrons.
It's here!!!! Our beautiful Calfee bamboo frame arrived yesterday and it is undeniably one of the most fascinating and beautiful bicycle creations ever! The frame is extremely versatile. Brian designed it to take caliper or disc brakes, single or multi speeds, drop-bar or flat, 35mm tires or narrower, and fenders. It will be built (for the time being) into a single speed "urban" machine.
More good news came today in the form of the newest issue of Adventure Cyclist Magazine. For the first time in many years, I have had an article published and I'm pleased to say that I couldn't be happier than to have it in Adventure Cyclist! If you don't already belong to AC, join. And, if you'd like to see a sample of the Magazine, click on the above link.
Our Seven Demo Weekend is only a couple of weeks away. Please join us! We are partying down on Friday night (7-10pm) with refreshments, live music, and a preview of the beautiful fleet of bicycles that will be available for test rides on Saturday and Sunday. Here is more information!
Our Keen cycling sandals for women have been shipped and are expected to arrive tomorrow or Friday. Men's sandals will be shipped tomorrow or Friday to arrive next week. They are back-ordered at the factory, so this is the only shipment we will see for a while. Shimano sandals are in stock in all sizes.
Assos shorts and bibs are starting to experience shortages. We have most sizes in both but will run out of bibs in large and medium soon. Assos chamois creme is in stock as is the Active Wear Cleanser.
HubBub helmet mirrors are out of stock right now. We have 100 on order! If you want to be added to the waiting list, please send an email with helmet mirror in the subject line and I will flag it for shipment as soon as they arrive. <sigh> Wish I could be specific about timing, but honestly, I can't!
Last but not least, the May Yoga Schedule is on line and High Peaks Coffee just got a new shipment of Fruitfull Bars & Healthy Snacks! (Along with our outstanding coffee!)
Have a great day. Come visit. (You can touch the bamboo frame!)
Diane
Find an hour, get a nice glass of wine, sit and listen to a great interview with Richard Schwinn as he is interviewed by Georgena Terry.
Then, when you ask us about steel bicycles, you'll understand our position!
Enjoy!
Most of us have seen the photo of Albert Einstein on a bicycle, but today I got to see ELVIS! SO young and handsome! And, riding what looks to be an old-style Schwinn. Here comes the segue ... commuting!
Have you thought about parking that gas-guzzling heap a couple of days a week and either a.) taking public transport or b.) taking a two-wheeler? Coming up locally is a series of events for May - National Bicycle Month. Go to Walk+Roll's web site and check it out. Sign up for something, plan to ride, go to the movies, enter contests - just DO SUMTHIN'! (And, if you don't belong to the League of American Bicyclists, please consider joining - it's a great cause)
Which brings us to OUR May event - HubBub's 2nd Annual Seven Demo Days! Friday night, eat, drink, and be merry! Meet our Seven Cycles rep, listen to the great music of The BlueDrivers, see old friends, and meet new ones. Saturday and Sunday, get on a demo and RIDE!!! Sign up for a time (email me!) and bring shoes, shorts, helmet, and a valid driver's license and credit card. It's gonna be a blast!
And, back to commuting. What IS holding you back?
If it's the facilities at your place of business, maybe it's time to step-up and see what can be done for safe bicycle and clothing storage as well as shower facilties. (Riding might actually save your employer money in the long term!)
Do you not have an appropriate bike to ride? If you aren't willing (or able) to ride your "good" bike how about considering an inexpensive commuting bicycle? You can convert an older bike to a modern commuter with a new rear wheel and shifter - turning it into a great 7, 8, or 14 speed with downturned bars and our HubBub drop bar adapter, then adding fenders, lights, and a rack with an Arkel briefcase pannier to house your laptop and other office necessities.
Finally, join one or more of the of the planned events for bike-to-work-week!
In our "private bathroom" in the shop is the current issue of Bicycling Magazine. It's never been my favorite and this one, while better than many in the past, still has phrases on the cover that just crack me up (or piss me off) or maybe both!
How about, "Power Abs - Transform Your Riding in 20 minutes" or, "How to Buy a Bike - A Tale of Tortured Obsession". Both of which got me to thinking about what the customer experiences when he or she goes into a bike shop. (Of course, I've been thinking about this for, oh 30+ years... but there weren't blogs in the past.)
Like nails on a blackboard, I cringe when I hear customers say "the bike shop said"..."Just stand over the top tube - oh, that fits just fine!" or in todays' very high-tech world, "our fit system doesn't lie - that bike fits you fine, you need to (fill in the blank) - get more limber, lose weight, gain some weight, lift weight, ride more - etc. etc. etc.
What makes sense is SENSE! Not non-sense. Numbers are just numbers and in the hands of an incompetent fitter they result in the same thing as not even having a fit, only you're a couple of hundred dollars lighter.
If you idiosyncracies aren't explored and taken into consideration, you may still have a less-than-desirable outcome. For example, did you disloczte your shoulder or break your collar bone? Is one of your feel 1/2 size smaller than the other? What, you had knee surgery and broke three ribs in a bike accident? IT ALL MATTERS! And, while we can look at you and "remind" you that something happened, many fitters don't bother looking OR asking, but rely on some "points of light" and a bunch of numbers that will be meaningless taken in the absence of your input. You need to be able to trust your bike fitter and be thrilled, not just marginally okay, with the results.
Enough said. I got it off my chest so, bibi for now.
To say that Sheldon Brown was a giant in our industry is an incredible understatement. Today we learned that Sheldon passed on due to a heart attack. He was 63. Sheldon was one of those rare intellects - embracing and celebrating life with his talents, wit, and humor. From our industry perspective, he was one of those "natural mechanics" - able to craft fantastic cycling things from his often whimsical ideas. From the perspective of the cycling community at large Sheldon was an encyclopaedic resource on every and any aspect of bicycles.
We will miss him and offer our deepest felt sympathy to his family and to the Harris Cyclery staff as well. As far as we know, his voluminous web site will remain up and intact for the foreseeable future. Spend a few minutes browsing and you will see just what we mean.
Rest in peace Sheldon!
It is official! The HubBub Haiku Contest is ready for your votes! Send an email with your 1st, 2nd, and 3rd favorites. We will post the winning haikus on February 11th!
Voting is open from now until February 4th.
Let the voting begin and may the best 3-liner win!
Winter is in its glory ... snow is flyin' out there right now. So, let me suggest that you turn your mind toward Spring and riding!
On February 2nd, Dick & Betsy Jones will be giving the first of two presentations about self-contained touring outside the US. The events will run from 1-3pm here at HubBub. These two wonderful people have been all over the world on their tandem and promise to deliver an articulate and interesting show. Please call (800) 888-2027 or email me if you are interested in attending either one of these. Presentations are free of charge, and refreshments will be served. (No children please)
HUBBUB WILL BE CLOSED FROM FEBRUARY 5TH - 12TH We board the "Framebuilder's Express" in Chicago and travel with twenty others to Portland, OR for the 2008 North American Handmade Bicycle Show Hope to be able to upload information, photos, and more from our trip! We will re-open on February 13th.
The HubBub Calendar of Events is teeming with information on 2008 rides, workshops, presentations, and more. Note that HubBub sponsored (or supported) events are designated with **.
For example, we will have a Spring Coffee Tasting on Saturday, March 22nd to celebrate the coming of warmer weather. Reservations are necessary as we will only be able to seat 10 per tasting. Seating is at 1pm and 2pm.
2008 PVG Ride registration is NOW OPEN! You can sign up on line and read our FAQ's.
In our January 2nd blog post, we mentioned our friend Paul Bacho and his 4 1/2 month trip from Paris to Beijing beginning March 16th. The 100-member group will be accompanying the Olympic Torch in China on July 31st as they head into Beijing for the opening of the Summer Olympics. Paul is still looking for sponsors (but is going no matter what) and I've got a couple of special requests. If you know someone who could assist with communications - satellite phone, Blackberry, email, photography, or computer link-ups, please contact Paul ASAP. You can reach him by phone (330) 815-5825 or email.
Don't forget the HubBub Haiku contest! The 3-line, non-rhyming poem needs to be submitted to us by Janaury 31st for consideration. We will post them all on February 1st and you can weigh in with your vote. Only restriction is that the word "hubbub" must occur somewhere. Start thinking!
Last, but not least, in the "serves you right" department, one Melissa Arrington of Tucson, Az. will spend the next 10.5 years in jail for her insensitive, liquor induced irresponsibility! Harkens back to the Clear Channel fiasco a few years ago - only worse!
Have a great day - stay warm. For more information - log on to HubBub.com
