Posted by PeterD
Wed, 07 Jun 2006 00:17:00 GMT
One of the areas that Passion Trail Bikes uses to differentiate itself is in the quality of our bike service.
Using building up a new bike as an example – if you purchased a bike elsewhere and wanted it built, Passion would charge you up to $250 to do that. That sounds like a lot of money, doesn’t it?
Actually, any service we do is based on a rate of $60 per hour (which, for comparison, is only about half of the hourly rate for an auto repair shop). So $250 means that we are spending over 6 hours building your bike (and actually there is often even more time spent than we bill you for).
Read more...
Posted in Shop, Service | Tags "bicycle, "service, builds",, level"
Posted by PeterD
Wed, 31 May 2006 22:50:00 GMT
The lounge has been getting some use recently. We are having our second movie night this Friday, have been having pretty regular rides from the shop after work, had some folks down after an MTBR.com ride, etc. Good fun.
Note – If you haven’t heard about these, then you may want to sign up for our email list where we send announcements about rides and events.
But even with the lounge getting use, I suspect there may be some confusion regarding how it all works. Patty posted some signs providing guidance, but I thought it might be useful to also put the info here…
Read more...
Posted in Shop | Tags Beer, Kegerator,, Lounge,
Posted by PeterD
Fri, 26 May 2006 17:01:00 GMT
If Passion Trail Bikes, or any other bike shop, goes above and beyond in providing service to you, you may want to send a note off to Park Tools.
Park Tool has established a Distinguished Service Award to recognize bike shops that provide excellent repairs and a service experience that is above and beyond the call of duty. Full details can be found on the Park Tools Web Site.
Of course, this is an excellent way to thank the overworked, underpaid folks at your local bike shop. But there is potentially even more in it for you – the person who submits the winning shop will win a PZT-1 pizza cutter.
To submit an entry, email parktool@parktool.com with your story of how the shop went above and beyond for you.
Posted in Shop, Service | Tags award, bike, Park, service,, Tools,
Posted by PeterD
Wed, 24 May 2006 22:26:00 GMT
Charles is a big fan of Maverick bikes, and even owns one. Maverick was formed by Paul Turner, who also was the founder of Rock Shox (which was sold to SRAM). Before Rock Shox, he had Paul Turner Bad Boy Racing Engines, a high performance engine builder.
Did you know that each Maverick frame is individually named? On the head tube badge is inscribed the name of that bike and the bike’s “born on” date. This is used in place of some generic serial number and is unique to Maverick.
We currently (as of May 24) have in stock the following Mavericks:
- “Droop” – black anodized ML8 (6” travel) frame, size L
- “Blister” – black anodized ML8 (6” travel), size M
- “Kuwait” – hard anodized ML7/5 (5” travel), size M
- “American” – black ML7 complete bike (4” travel), size M
The ML7/5’s we have in stock are some of the first ones that were shipped from Maverick. Not something you have likely seen on the trails yet.
Another thing which shows up on the ML8s is an interesting little logo. If you look on the underside of the down tube near the pivot, you will see a small graphic of a man breaking his way out of a light bulb.
As you would likely expect from someone who formed Rock Shox, they also make other suspension items. You should check out the Speedball seat post, which is adjustable on the fly. Think of an office-chair gas height adjustment mechanism added to a seat post. Pretty cool.
Free Stuff: Maverick currently has a promotion going on where you get:
- a free entry into a Granny Gear 24 hour race if you buy a bike/frame
- a free CamelBak Mule if you buy a DUC-32 dual crown fork
- a free 24 Hour race jersey if you buy a SC-32 single-crown fork
- a free pair of socks if you buy a Speedball Seat Post.
Posted in Bikes | Tags Maverick
Posted by PeterD
Fri, 19 May 2006 20:31:00 GMT
Just some uncommon knowledge for everyone…
- Turning around in our tight little driveway is a pain, isn’t it. Well, you don’t have to. The driveway actually continues out past the towing company and Donsco and exits onto Marine View. It really does go through. I know, it doesn’t look like it, but check it out for yourself.
- Berry, the guy at the shop who is usually working (hiding?) in the back, and some other volunteers (DaveO, BillS, JonA, and maybe others) fixed a portion of the Ohlone Trail (trail 7 on the map) at WaterDog last weekend. This area was staying muddy due to springs in the area, so they added a bridge. Looks like it could be fun to ride – somewhat narrow, so a baby step towards learning how to ride North Shore style stunts.
Fun Friday Trivia
- did you know that one of the employees of the shop has climbed to the top of the world? Same person also has their picture on the cover of one of the mountain biking books we sell (no, he wasn’t mountain biking on Mt. Everest – the book cover photo is from a different time). He went as part of a group called Climbing for a Cure. Can you tell who he is from his picture?
Posted in Trails, People
Posted by PeterD
Mon, 15 May 2006 22:54:00 GMT
There was a ROMP picnic at a local park last weekend, and Passion helped out by providing beer, EANABs, charcoal, etc. to help out. Started off with a ride at Waterdog, and finished with great company, food, and fun.
ROMP did a write up on this, which you can see here.
In the article, they mention about a wooden jump. Click on the picture to download a short video clip (1.3 MB QuickTime format file) of that wooden jump being used.
ps – do you know what an “EANAB” is? I didn’t until I Googled it. Seems to be a Stanford term.
Posted in Passion | Tags picnic, ROMP
Posted by PeterD
Fri, 12 May 2006 23:04:00 GMT
Being busy is a good thing, and given this, things have been good for Charles. Lots of time running the shop and working on bikes, but not enough time to place updates on the web site. And we hope you will keep those repairs coming…
But we don’t want the web site to get stale, so I wrestled control of it from Charles… (Ok, not really – I am just stepping in for right now)
I have started making some changes to the site. The most major change so far is a listing of some of the ride options from the shop. Check it out by clicking the link to the right (or clicking here). Let us know what you think, what you’d like to see, etc.
- Peter “the Web Wrestler”
Posted in Shop | Tags Belmont, rides
Posted by Charles
Fri, 07 Apr 2006 01:56:00 GMT
All of our heavy winter gloves and booties are now 50% off, including Sugoi Resistors and Specialized Sub Zeros and Radiants!
Also, selected Fox jackets, Old School Wool Jerseys, and Rain Jackets are 25% off. The rumor is that as soon as you buy a rain jacket, it will stop raining.
Please do your part to stop the rain!
Posted in Shop
Posted by Charles
Mon, 20 Feb 2006 23:42:00 GMT
Passion’s GRAND OPENING is Saturday, March 4. We will be here all day and night, with…
Read more...
Posted in Shop
Posted by Charles
Tue, 14 Feb 2006 07:39:00 GMT
and Maverick turned over their Demo Fleet
Passion is having its Grand Opening Sale and Events on March 4, and demo rides are just a part of that. Specialized will be sending the sweetest array of S-Works Stumpjumpers, Epics, and Enduros, and the Mavericks are already here. I am still trying to get my hands on a few Turners and Giants, and a couple of surprises.
More details will follow on the Grand Opening. Hit the Mailing Lists button to get the latest, soonest. In the meantime, I am caretaking the Maverick fleet, and if you would like to take an ML-7/5 or ML-8, DUC 32 Fork or Speedball Seatpost out for a spin, just let me know.
Posted in Bikes
