We polled our mechanics and asked them which tools are essential for your at-home workshop. Here are their top picks!
Tool Kit or Mix and Match?
When it comes to putting together a bike toolkit, you can make it easy with something premade like this one from Park Tool. It will come with a variety of tools to get you started like a pedal wrench, hex keys, and a chain breaker. You can also piece together a tool kit over time if you’re not trying to break the bank. If that sounds like you, our mechanics have curated a list of our most used tools at Peak Cycles.
Hex and Torx Wrenches
The most used tool our shop has to be hex wrenches. Some of the most common sizes you’ll find on a bike are 4,5, and 6mm. We really like using the Park Tool AWS-1 Three-Way 4,5,6mm Hex. It’s easy to use, feels good in your hand, and has the most common sizes all in one tool. Park Tool also makes a Torx version that is a must-have in your home tool kit. This comes in handy for cockpit related items that use a Torx bolt!
Cassette and Bottom Bracket
Want to take your cassette or bottom bracket off? You’ll need a few specialty tools to pull off these jobs. They don’t take up to much space and don’t break the bank either. The Park Tool BBT-9 and BBT-22 are two of the most common bottom bracket tools we use in the shop. In addition to these BB tools, you’ll need a chain whip. We really like the SR-12.2 because it can be used on a wide variety of cassettes including 12 speed. You will also need a cassette lockring tool. When shopping for a bottom bracket tool, it’s important to verify that the tool will work with your bottom bracket.
Other Tools
Many pedals today can be installed or removed with a hex wrench. Despite this, we recommend having a good pedal wrench on hand. We’ve even used them to press pistons back into a hydraulic caliper. Another great tool to eventually add to your tool kit is cable cutters? These are essential for cutting down brake or derailleur cables and housing. Check out the CN-10 from Park Tool. While messing around with spokes takes attention and a bit of know-how, a spoke wrench is a great tool worth having in the kit. Last but not least, a chain tool! Having a tool like this will allow you to remove, replace, or install a new chain on your bike.
Working on Your Bike
Working on your bike is fun and rewarding to learn. There are great resources out there on YouTube from Park Tool, GMBN Tech, GCN Tech, and Berm Peak. Just to name a few. But if you aren’t the fix it yourself type or you’re in over your head, we are here for you. If you would like to service your bike at Peak Cycle, give us a call at (303) 216-1616.
The fact is that keeping yourself and your bike in tip-top riding condition throughout the year requires the use of various bike parts, cycling accessories, and cycling apparel. And that can get expensive. But this 4th of July, it doesn’t have to! There are ways to save and declare independence from costly bike spending. Celebrate the holiday with our bike sales and closeouts!
At Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we are slashing prices on ALL REMAINING 2018 Turbo Levo’s! Stop in the shop for a test ride before they’re gone!
As a bonus, if you’ve wanted to try something new, now is the time to do it. Buy it at a discount and experiment with your bike set up. With so many bike parts – the question is what to purchase? Consider getting a high-quality wheelset. A good wheelset impacts ride quality, ease of pedaling, reliability, and functionality. Another option is to reconsider the current crankset and pedals setup. Again, you’ll need to stop by or call the shop for details but you never know what is available unless you ask!
Here’s the catch: to take advantage of all the savings, you actually need to make a purchase. Visit us online at BikeParts.com or stop in Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop to get the best 4th of July deals!
Happy Valentine’s Day! At Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we’re big fans of Valentine’s day and not for all the traditional reasons.
Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate what you love. And we love bikes! Road bikes, mountain bikes, cyclocross bikes, bike tools, cycling accessories and all different kinds of bike parts! We pretty much love them all!
Our passion for cycling is boundless! And while most people share their love for their devoted others with roses, chocolates and other goodies, we’re encouraging you to share your love and appreciation for all your bike does for you. Show some love to your bike this Valentine’s Day in these loving ways.
Get your bike a mate. As in, get a new bike! We have a huge selection of road bikes and mountain bikes. Take your pick!
Upgrade or replace older bike parts. Some good items to have on hand include chains, cassettes, chainrings, brake pads, and cleats.
Stop in and see us in Golden, Colorado or visit us online at BikeParts.com to get Valentine’s Day ideas for you and your bike. We offer a huge selection of road bike parts, mountain bike parts, BMX bike parts and more. If you need it for your bike, then we have it! Be generous with your love this Valentine’s day! Let your bike know you love it!Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us a Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop!
Team Rider at BikeParts.com / Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop
Planning and preparing for race season is part of a cyclist’s yearly ritual. Looking forward to focused training and racing is what keeps most coming back season after season. However, a common misconception is that all of an athlete’s time needs to be devoted to the bike when race preparation begins. Not true. Having the right pre season mindset can be a game changer for performance and satisfaction.
Set Goals – Everyone has different goals. For some, races are just about getting harder efforts in and saddle time. For others, it’s making the podium. For most cyclist, it’s about achieving personal bests. The most important aspect of having a goals it that it can help reduce pre race anxiety and also help you better evaluate your performance post race. Identify what you want to accomplish with early season races – whether it be a targeted heart rate or power zone, a solid nutrition plan, or attacking certain areas on the race course.
Pre Race Bike Preparations – While you may have been training on your road bike or mountain bike, race conditions may require more from your bike. Before you head for the start line, you should conduct a bike maintenance and safety check. Know which bikes, bike parts, cycling accessories, and cycling apparel are appropriate for the trail or road route you will be racing. Remember, because it’s early season, the weather fluctuates, so consider variable weather conditions and the bike tools and bike parts you may require under different conditions. Preparation eliminates the frustration of experiencing a mechanical; so while bike maintenance may not always be fun, it’s worthwhile.
Establish Race Day Rituals – Most likely it’s been a while since your last race; so remembering what your routines and rituals that worked last season may be absent for this seasons first races. Designing and refining a pre-event routine is an important part of building a successful race season. Does having a checklist of race day activities help structure your preparation to the start line? Include items such as nutrition, hydration, clothes, gear, extra bike parts and basic bike tools. Consider having a timer count down so you don’t loose track of time. This way, you won’t forget anything as you prepare for your start. Use each early season race to build on race day rituals that have helped you in the past and also enhance your support for your next race.
Start Line Mental State – Your thoughts, emotions, and pre race behaviors are components of your mental state. With that in mind, take inventory of your mental state and align them with your goals. It’s easy to compare your training and fitness to others. This is where having your race plan and goals specific to this event comes in handy.
Mid Race Mental Toughness – Generally at some point during the race, something is going to go wrong – or at least, not quite as ideal as expected. Either you suffer from a mechanical issue or your race day nutrition is off or you just feel the suffering from a hard effort. This is the time to dig deep and exercise mental toughness. As described in the post, Developing Mental Toughness: Are you Tough Enough?, “mental toughness is your ability to persevere in the face of challenges, to keep going even when things get hard, and to have an unrelenting commitment to your goals. When you develop your mental toughness, obstacles are only temporary and one bad performance doesn’t shake your belief in your ability.” Your “stick to it” attitude during early season races prepares you for the bigger challenges you will face later in the race year.
Post Race Evaluation – Evaluate your results based on your goals. What worked? What didn’t? What can you do next race to get a better result? Be objective and explore how your mental and physical training helped prepare you for this event.
A winning mindset isn’t a set it and forget it type of thing. Consistency and flexibility are crucial elements in the ongoing approach to your races as the season unfolds. Be consistent in your preparations yet build upon what you have learned tofire up the engine and get out there and race better with each race!
If you are a cyclist, you don’t just own a bike. At a minimum, you have a helmet, bike pump, and water bottle; you might also own bike shoes, bike gloves, various sets of tires, bike tools, bike lights…the list goes on! The fact is that keeping yourself and your bike in tip-top riding condition throughout the year requires the use of various bike parts, cycling accessories, and cycling apparel. And that can get expensive. Fortunately, it isthat time of year again when we have fantastic deals on all the bikes and cycling gear you love! Yay for bike sales, right?!
Everything 2016 is marked way down. Consider these killer deals:
Up to 35% off new 2016 Stumpjumpers!
’16 S-Works Stumpjumper 650b Medium $5590 (from $8600)
’16 Stumpjumper Expert 650b Medium & Small $4000 (from $5900)
’16 Stumpjumper Comp Carbon 650b Med & L $2540 (from $3800)
’16 S-Works and Expert Stumpjumper FSR bikes $5590 (from $8600)
Additionally we can special order any remaining 2016 bikes at crazy discounts.
Not looking for a new bike? No worries – we’ve got you covered on cycling accessory closeouts– everything from gloves, jerseys, bike parts, hydration packs, bicycle tools – you name it! Think about it. There aren’t many better upgrades for your road bike than a new set of wheels. Now is the time to get them. Do you wear a helmet every time that you ride? Probably. Well, now’s the time to replace that helmet. Replace worn out pedals, chain rings, and saddles without spending a ton of money.
If these bikes tantalize your bike senses, stop into Peak Cycles in Golden, Colorado to see what you might find at our sale. We’re confident you’ll like what you see!
Note on bike sale: Bikes must be picked up at Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop in Golden, Colorado. Bike cannot and will not be shipped. No exceptions. This applies to all Specialized, S-Works, Praxis Works and MSW products.
While the temps are soaring and the days are still long, soon – summer will come to an end. Now is the time to get rolling. All of the rides, races, and cycling adventures you hoped to complete this summer need to have a check mark next to them. Who wants to look back on the season with regret? No one! So get out your planner and make August your best month yet.
If you are competitive cyclist, you may still have the itch for more racing. Fortunately, in Colorado the cycling season finishes strong in August. Following are a handful of road races and mountain bike races happening this month:
Racing isn’t for everyone. If competition isn’t your thing, there are several Front Range rides you can do. Following are some of our favorites:
Historic Lariat Loop
Deer Creek Canyon
Bergen Park or Idaho Springs to Guanella Pass
Red Rocks Park Loop
Bergen Park or Idaho Springs to St. Mary’s Glacier (Alice)
Idaho Springs to Loveland Pass
Golden to Cold Springs Campground via Golden Gate Canyon
Bergen Park to Echo Lake
Idaho Springs to Juniper Pass
Manitou Springs to Pike Peak Summit Parking Lot (Pikes Peak Hill Climb)
Morgul-Bismark Route
Jamestown Canyon Ride
Flagstaff Hill Climb
NCAR Hill Climb
Lookout Mountain Hill Climb
Sunshine Hill Climb
Magnolia Hill Climb
Mt. Evans Hill Climb
Pikes Peak
Trail Ridge Road
The best way to make the most of your bucket list rides is be prepared: mentally, physically, and have fully inspected your bike parts. You want to make the most of your rides, don’t you? Of course! No one wants a mechanical during training or racing. Obviously, functioning brakes are essential on the long, fast descents. Proper gearing can make or break your chance of making a climb. And, having the right bike tools, cycling accessories, and extra bike parts on hand make a difference between a stellar ride and a bail out.
Better yet, why not get a new bike for your bucket list rides? Yep, that’s right – a new bike! Get 20% off all bikes $1000 and up and 10% off all bikes under $1000. Stop by the Peak Cycling Bike Shop for help or visit us at bikeparts.com for all your cycling needs.
July – the best month of the year! As cyclist, we all love July because the Tour de France is in full swing and so is the touring and racing season in Colorado. With envy, many cyclist watch the pro riders at the Tour de France and wonder how they can mimic the fitness and performance of such talented athletes. Cycling fans follow each day’s stage, drama, and favorite riders as the Tour unfolds.
Many find themselves inspired by the passion and prowess of the Tour riders and feel the call to unleash their own inner pro. Granted, we may not have the legs, power, endurance, or sprinting power of pro riders, but surely, each of us hears the calling to test our abilities – to push a little harder – to see if we have what it takes when the pressure is on.
So given you’re not riding in the Tour, you can still take on the ultimate cycling challenge. To do that, you need an event or race to test the limits. Fortunately, Colorado has some of the greatest road bike and mountain bike rides in the country. From bone-rattling descents to leisurely loops, locals and vacationers alike welcome the challenge of pushing the limits while taking in breathtaking views that only Colorado has to offer. To unleash your inner pro, you have to select an event.
Following are a list rides, road races, and mountain bike races from our friends over at Pedal Dancer for the month of July.
Next – plan! In your planning preparations, you’ll want to gather road ride or trail intelligence. Meaning, there are key elements you should know before heading out on any unfamiliar route:
Know the profile – How much climbing and descending should you expect?
Know the route – Where is the start or the trailhead? How long is the route? What is the technical difficulty? What type of terrain will you be riding? And, What are the current trail conditions if opting for a mountain bike ride?
Know the weather conditions before, during, and soon after you expect to ride. Colorado weather changes quickly and sometimes, radically. Be prepared.
Ultimately, the best way to unleash your inner pro is to be prepared: mentally, physically, and have fully inspected your bike parts. Functioning brakes are essential on the long, fast descents. Proper gearing can make or break your chance of making a climb. And, having the right bike tools, cycling accessories, and extra bike parts on hand make a difference between a stellar ride and a bail out.
Next time you are watching a stage in the Tour de France and you find yourself inspired to see what you’ve got – go for it! Pick a cycling event in July, get your bike and cycling accessories dialed in and go big! At Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we’re cheering for you!
But taking advantage of yearly sales like our Spring Savings event throughout March eases the cost burden. Here are some of our favorite cycling accessories that are marked off between 35-45%.
Specialized Ambush and Airnet Helmets
These are both simple and stylish helmets that modestly boast a lightweight and ventilated structure. The Specialized Ambush has the support and durability for anything from easy-going trail rides to enduro races, and the Specialized Airnet has ultra-light and cooling technology for any type of road adventure.
Specialized Men’s Comp MTB and Women’s Motodiva Bike Shoes
Both shoes offer an all-mountain experience that is hard to compete with. They have a stiff sole that improves efficiency when pedaling and SlipNot™ rubber outsole for traction when walking around on rough terrain. We are big fans of the Boa® S2-SV adjustable dial that is easy to secure and doesn’t slip! For additional features, see these links for the Specialized Comp MTB and Specialized Motodiva.
Specialized Enduro and BG Grail LF Gloves
For serious trail riders, the Specialized Enduro glove offers a variety of advantages including comfort, mobility, durability, and protection. Airpreen® knuckles keep your fingers protected and Wiretap™ technology give you access to your phone while you’re on the bike!
Specialized BG Grail LF gloves are ergonomically designed to reduce hand numbness by improving circulation and equalizing pressure on the soft tissues of the hand. With Internal Equalizer™ padding and external gel padding, you won’t be regretting this comfortable glove for your long rides.
Before a race or a big event, do you ever feel overwhelmed? Nervous? Anxious? For the most part, experiencing those sensations is normal. Yet, oftentimes, negative self talk can exasperate the problem.
Thoughts like, “I haven’t trained enough” or you find yourself caring too much about what other people think. Maybe looking around the start of an event you take a mental inventory and think other cyclist look more fit or have better bikes. Worst case scenario, you notice the weather and assign its condition as to how you think you will perform.
Whatever the case may be, managing self sabotaging thoughts and behavior is well within your scope of control. Being mindful of your pre- event thoughts allows you to fully maximize your training efforts while reaching your race day or event goals. Granted, pretty much everyone that enters an event suffers from nerves of some sort. However, the post, 5 Simple Strategies for Overcoming Race Day Nerves, guides us through easy ways to shift the perspective of nervousness to be an enabler of positive sports performance. And there are other ideas for managing self defeating behaviors too.
Develop race day strategies that work for you. Preparing mentally, physically, and being bike ready will instill confidence leading up to the event. When your mind drifts to negative self talk, re- direct it to the strategies you’ve set for yourself. As an example, develop personal race day rituals. Crafting a pre-event routine is an important part of building a successful race experience. Consider having a checklist of race day activities to help structure your preparation to the start line. Include items such as nutrition, hydration, clothes, gear, extra bike parts and basic bike tools. This way, you won’t be forgetting anything as you prepare for your start. You will show up on the line having confidence in your bike, your bike parts, and nutrition so that you can solely focus on the event ahead of you and not what other cyclist are doing or riding.
A little preparation can aid in reducing anxiety too! Know the course and the conditions. Check the weather ahead of time. Do a mental dress rehearsal of the event using this information. Visualization offers you the chance to “try things on” in a way so that you get more comfortable at adapting to the random things that occur during events.
Ultimately, the more at ease you are going into an event allows you to be more relaxed and focused on the start line Limit any self sabotage you have by preparing in advance. You’ll enjoy your event and it will also pave the way for a longer and enjoyable cycling career.
As cyclist, we know the more we ride, the more we want to ride! So, how can you make cycling get even better? Make a whole month celebration of it! Whether you bike to work or school; ride to save money or time; pump those pedals to preserve your health or the environment; or simply to explore your community, May is National Bike Month and is an opportunity to celebrate the unique power of the bicycle and the many reasons we ride.
As cyclist, we experience the benefits that cycling has to offer but to those new to the sport, embarking in unfamiliar territory may seem a tad intimidating. National Bike Month is an opportunity to inspire others to our sport. Fortunately, bike commuting is on the rise! In fact, among the 51 largest U.S. cities, 43 hosted Bike to Work Day events in 2010. The City of Denver reported the highest rate of participation with one out of every 28 adults participating in its 2010 Bike to Work event. That effort makes a difference: Many people who participate in their Bike to Work Day promotion as first-time commuters become regular bike commuters. But Bike Month is more than one day — or week! It’s an entire month!
There are countless ways to inspire others to bike commute, ride, or race this month. See which activities inspire you to help others enjoy our fabulous sport!
Inspire with a bike-friendly shopping program. Everyone likes to shop, right? Inspire new cyclist with bike parts bling! Many aspiring bike riding enthusiast appreciate a shop that offers quality bike components along with solid advice on bike parts and cycling apparel. Convenience helps too. Look for a shop that offers online and store front shopping to aid in your cyclist needs. Fortunately, Peak Cycles offers both!
Inspire with bike education programs. Having the right bike setup, cycling accessories and gear makes all the difference. Consider offering a bike safety class for new riders or participate in a bike maintenance class. All tools aren’t created equal – some are good for mountain bike parts while others are designed for road bike parts. Knowing which tools to use on the appropriate bike components can make all the difference in making bike maintenance easy. Our post, Bike Inspections: A Guide for Injury Free, Enjoyable Spring Cycling, offers bike inspection tips and bike accessories you need to maintain your bike.
Inspire with a list of rides and events. Colorado has some of the greatest road bike rides in the country. Some are shorter, convenient rides whereas others offer steeper, longer climbs and extended distances. Locals and vacationers alike welcome the challenge of pushing the limits while taking in breathtaking views that only Colorado has to offer. Inspire new riders by checking out a few of 20 Colorado Front Range Bucket List Rides or invite them to spectate at one of the MTB races in Colorado.
Inspire with bike events! Check out one of the events held in your area. The League of American Bicyclist has countless events scheduled. Keep in mind, in 2015, Bike to Work Week will be May 11-15, with Bike to Work Day on May 15. To keep the momentum going, join our shop ride on Wednesday evenings and like our Peak Cycles Race Team Facebook page to keep informed of other rides and events.
Have fun, be active! Enjoy and inspire others to enjoy the outdoors and experience the joy of cycling this National Bike Month!
But is your suffering worthwhile? Are you “just riding” every day without a strategic approach to your training? Are your efforts hard enough to force physical adaptations? Do you take easy days for recovery so you can repeat your critical workouts?
Having a strategic approach and structured training means every workout has a purpose. Every step, pedal and stroke is being performed with the confidence it’s the right thing to do and performed the right way. The post, The Right Way to Train, shares four essential components of deliberate practice, and based on these four components, there is a 4-step process that embodies the right way to train:
Set a specific goal
Get expert instruction
Perform structured training
Get immediate feedback
Having a strategic approach includes not only having the tools needed, but also, including a comprehensive plan. Meaning, a plan that includes training on the bike and off the bike. Daily nutrition and sleep habits play a vital role in training properly. Managing your overall stress levels, including time management, ensures proper recovery.
As you prepare for your 2014 season as an athlete, make sure you have all of the components to training “the right way” to achieve your goal.
Having ambition goals for the season is great. Discover what you need to support your training in reaching those goals. Do you need a cycling coach? Maybe you need a bike fit or training software? Having the right tools, systems, habits, and overall strategy in place can make the difference between suffering through your season with disappointment or making big gains in reward and satisfaction.
Course strategies, break aways, riding in a small group or a large peloton – these are the thoughts and questions of cyclist wondering how to win at bicycle racing. With only about a month and half left of the Colorado cycling racing and touring season, many are filling up their calendars with the last big events of the season hoping to capitalize on the fitness gains made during the season. The Colorado races and tours on tap for August include:
08/17/2013
24 Hours in the Sage
Steamboat Stinger
TOUR de CURE Colorado
08/31/2013
Big Mountain Enduro – Durango
Grand Junction Off-Road
Steamboat Stage Race
Tour de Fat – Fort Collins
The best way to approach any of these rides is to come prepared: mentally, physically, and have fully inspected your bike parts. Functioning brakes are essential on the long, fast descents. Proper gearing can make or break your chance of making a climb. And, having the right bike tools, cycling accessories, and extra bike parts on hand make a difference between a stellar ride and a bail out.
Also, if you are looking to finish your season super strong, consider a bike fit. Leg strength, endurance, and fitness are at the heart of cycling speed, but without a proper bike fit, you are sabotaging your training efforts. The 2013 season is (almost) nearing the end. Let’s finish strong! Finish fast!
Posted by Peak Cycles - BikeParts.com 
As cyclist, we know the more we ride, the more we want to ride! So, how can you make cycling get even 
Peak Cycles - BikeParts.com Blog 