Buying a Bike and Bike Upgrades During COVID19

July 30, 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic has drastically changed the ways in which we exercise, work, socialize, and live daily life. Because of stay safer at home orders, many have explored hiking, walking, and camping. Inspired by the desire to get outside and focus on health, many non-cyclists are now investing in bicycles. People are buying new bikes, fixing up old ones, and riding more than before.  If you find yourself in one of those camps, then you’ll enjoy our guide to get you riding and exploring the world from two wheels. Here’s what you need to know. 

 
First Time Bike Owners
Buying a new bike is exciting. While you may be inspired to buy a new road bike, mountain bike, or electric bike to help you manage through the pandemic, consider the fact that you may really enjoy cycling once you get into it. Begin your bike selection based on your current and future needs. You’ll want to start your purchasing decisions but building your bike profile. Decide what type of riding you will be doing, how often, and the types of terrain you plan to ride. Because there are so many bike parts to build a new mountain bike or road bike, it’s important to get clear on what you are looking to do.  Here are some questions you need to get you started:
  • What type of bicycle do I want?  Will I be mountain biking, road cycling, or is comfort my biggest factor in a bike?
  • Am I interested in casual riding? Entry-level competitive cycling? Full-on racing?
  • How many miles might I log per week or year?
  • What type of tires should my bike have?
  • What size bike do I need?
  • Do I want a bike with gears? If so, How many?
  • What kind of seat do I want?
  • Cycling accessories – what matters to me most: high-tech gadgets or are simpler designs?
  • What kind of handlebars do I want? Straight or curved?
  • Am I interested in the highest quality bike parts?  Or, can I get by with industry-standard bicycle accessories?
  • Most importantly, how much am I willing to spend on a bike? This will determine a lot of the questions asked above.
Next, consider the bike fit and how the bike feels when you ride it.  The following are the 5 important bike fit tips to help you dial in your ride.
  • Get the correct bike for your needs.  Getting a bike whose frame matches your body is the most important part of bike fit . If the frame size is wrong, you probably won’t be able to adjust the seat and handlebars enough to compensate. Some adjustments can be made easier with the bike’s existing components (seat height, angle, etc.) and some may require swapping out a component (as in, a new stem can change the location of the handlebars for a more comfortable riding position).
  • Seat height. When you’re pedaling and your leg is all the way down, your knee should be slightly bent. If your leg is straight (knee locked), your seat is too high. If your knee is very bent,  your seat is too low. Either problem can hurt your knees, and a seat height that’s too short robs you of power and makes it harder to ride.  To get the proper seat height, you want the saddle to be high enough that your heel barely touches the pedal at the bottom of the pedal rotation, but not so high that your heel comes above your toes at the bottom of the pedal stroke.
  • Seat position. Saddle setback another important measurement to get right. The front of your kneecap should be directly over your pedal spindle when you’re mid-pedal stroke. Most bike fitters dangle a piece of string with a small weight at the bottom (a plumb line) from the side of the rider’s kneecap to see if it lines up directly with the spindle—you may need to enlist a friend to help get this exactly right.
  • Reach to your handlebars.  Handlebar reach is simply the distance you reach from your saddle to your handlebars. Aim for a riding position that gives you a modest amount of shock-absorbing bend in your arms without forcing you to reach too far to apply the brakes.
  • Handlebar height. Your handlebars should be at least as high as your seat.
Existing Bike Owners
Like many existing bike owners, you may find yourself missing your group rides, events, and races. Perhaps you have turned to Swift as an alternative to get your competitive fix. Yet, there are additional ways to fuel your cycling inspiration.
  • Consider upgrading your bike or bike parts.  Sure, it may sound like an excuse to purchase much-desired bike parts or a new bike, but the truth is if new technology is available to support you riding faster and stronger, then isn’t it holding you back? 
  • If you are training consistently and putting forth the effort, then support your goals by having the cycling components you need. 
  • One component that is nearly always worth upgrading is the wheelset. Or, maybe upgrading your bike parts isn’t in the cards. 
  • Maybe you prefer to upgrade your cycling accessories or cycling apparel. Having a new jersey or new cycling shoes may be just what you need to bring a fresh approach and enthusiasm to the current challenges we are all facing.  
To make it easier on you, we have a Specialized Sale going on right now. Check out the sale items and get what you need to fuel your cycling goals.  Get ideas on bike upgrades in our post, The Best Bike Part Upgrades For a Better Ride.
Fortunately, now is the best time to shop for a new bike. There are so many options available today. Visit us at Peak Cycles in Golden or online at bikeparts.com.  We can help with your decision making and offer advice you need to get you rolling on your new bike just in time to enjoy the end of summer and early fall riding.

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Sizzling Hot 4th of July Cycling Deals 

July 2, 2020

While most Americans celebrate the 4th by grilling, outfitting themselves in the American flag, and watch fireworks, cyclists around the country seem to agree with the notion that July 4th should be celebrated on a bike.

Even with the coronavirus pandemic, most cyclists are planning bike rides and safe outings to celebrate the holiday.  At Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we’re celebrating by offering great sales on bike parts and cycling accessories.  What’s better than saving a little money AND getting new bike parts? Not much! See if any of these specials don’t spark your interest! 

For more savings check out our bike closeouts and shop our catalog of over 45,000 bike parts, cycling accessories, and bike maintenance tools. 
 
As a reminder this 4th of July, our shop BikeParts.com offers 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! Because we sell our bicycle parts online, we are able to help customers all over the world – even if you don’t celebrate the 4th.
The shop will be closed July 3rd – 6th so we can get some celebratory riding in too! Visit us online at BikeParts.com.  
Happy 4th of July friends! 

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We’re Open. We’re Here to Help You. Find Out How.

April 2, 2020

While we all face the uncertainties and challenges of our current circumstances, there are a few things to be grateful for. One point of gratitude is that Colorado has not shut down bike shops over COVID-19. Because bicycle shops are listed as a critical business, we are able to remain open and provide quality service to you. Here’s how to take advantage of our offerings while still respecting social distancing and your health and wellbeing. 

Yes – We Really Are Open
In-store: In our Peak Cycles bike shop in Golden, Colorado we continue to perform bike repairs and sales. Due to COVID-19, we are not allowing any customers into the shop at this time. We have a table and bike stands in front of the shop so we can bring products and/or bikes to you outside for purchase. Our service department is also performing pick-up and drop-off of repair bikes outside. We offer Standard Bike Tunes starting at $90. If you’re unsure of what your bike needs, estimates are always free. You can check out our full list of services and pricing and schedule ahead for any potential bike parts you may need in addition to the service. Regarding rentals, we are not allowing any bike rentals or demos at this time.  Stay tuned for updates on bike rentals and demo use.  

Online: For online customers, BikeParts.com is running at normal capacity as are our shipping companies USPS and FedEx. We have experienced very few delays for most of our US customers. For local online customers, you can pick up your will-call orders at Peak Cycles. Call ahead for curbside pickup or come to the front door and we will grab your order for you.

Take advantage of our sales! You’ll be inspired to ride, relieve stress, and boost your immune system.

With all these great sales, if you STILL haven’t found what you are looking for, then check out our catalog of over 45,000 bike parts and cycling accessories.  No doubt, we have all the cycling components, tools, and cycling accessories you need.  And, it all comes with an extra bonus. Get FREE Shipping on orders over $75.

Together we’ll make it through these unprecedented times. At Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we are committed to slowing the spread of COVID-19, and to keep our customers, employees, and communities safe. We hope that this situation ends soon and in the meantime, know that we are here for you. Take care of yourself, your family, your two-wheeled friends and be well both mentally and physically. Ride your bike for stress release and relieve your pocketbook by taking advantage of our sale items. You’ll be inspired to ride as it helps with stress and anxiety during these difficult times. Be well friends! 

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How to Get Your Cycling Fix Amidst the Covid-19 Outbreak

March 26, 2020

The outbreak of coronavirus, or Covid-19, has already had a significant impact on the pro cycling calendar, with races canceled indefinitely. Many local races in Colorado have delayed registration and cyclist in other parts of the world are finding themselves restricted to indoor riding only. With much uncertainty at present, it’s difficult to maintain a normal daily routine, much less a training regimen.  As Covid-19 continues to cause concern and uncertainty around the world, what do cyclists need to know?

First and foremost, remain healthy! Continue to wash your hands regularly, practice social distancing, avoid touching your face, stay at home, and avoid interacting with anyone who has had—or even may have had—contact with others who may be contaminated.  Now, what about riding your bike? Can you ride it outside?  According to the post, Everything you need to know about riding your bike during the COVID outbreak by Bicycle Colorado, riding your bike is a great way to stay healthy—physically and mentally—while living in a socially-distanced world. 

“In a USA Cycling conference call with bicyclists and bicycling event organizers on March 17, 2020, Dr. Michael Roshon noted that riding bikes also carries little risk of contamination or infection. For bicyclists, Roshon notes that you are very unlikely to contract COVID-19 while riding outside, and especially not while riding by yourself.”  

The following are recommendations made for people who race on their bikes and event organizers, yet also apply to everyone who rides a bike. 

  • First and foremost: if you think you’ve been exposed, self-quarantine. Including being outdoors. Do not ride outside.
  • Maintain six feet of distance when riding with or around others.
  • If you are going to ride with others, do so in a small group of 3-4 people you know very well. If in doubt, ask them about how they’ve been feeling and their recent travel experiences. Conversations we’ve had with CDPHE confirm this thinking.
  • Practice good hand hygiene at all times.
  • Get your sleep! Your immune system is stronger when you practice healthy sleep habits. Roshon recommends 8-9 hours.
  • Eat healthily. Now is not the time to fast; fasting hinders your immune system.
  • Exercise!
  • But keep in mind that it’s important not to overdo it. When you push yourself too hard, you can limit your immune system’s response to a virus.  
  • Do not spit or snot-rocket in group rides or around other people walking or biking.
  • If you have to do so, move to the back of the group and make sure no one else is around you. Check out this article from Bicycling Magazine which dives deeper into the topic.
  • If you’re in a shelter-in-place area, it’s important to heed those rules and stay home. Don’t put yourself or your loved ones at risk because you want to go for a ride. For a list of communities with shelter-in-place orders, scroll down to the “What We’re Hearing” section.
  • Finally, don’t ride risky. This is an especially bad time to be in a bike crash. You don’t want to go to the hospital right now, and doctors don’t want to see you unless they need to, so taking reasonable precautions while riding is especially important right now.

What if you don’t want to ride outside at all? You have a few options available to get your cycling fix.

Your first option is to ride indoors. We’ve written quite a few posts on indoor training which you may find helpful. This includes Indoor Cycling Made Easy and Making the Most of Winter with Trainers, Rollers, and Indoor Riding. Both posts offer trainer suggestions and the bike parts needed to keep you comfortable and motivated to ride at length, indoors. 

Next, focus on bike maintenance.  Check out our post, Spring Cleaning! 4 Essential Bike Maintenance Tips to Get Your Bike on the Road, so when you are ready to ride, your bike will be too. 

Get your cycling apparel and gear in order. With the extra time on your hands, take an inventory of the jerseys, shorts, gloves, and other cycling accessories that are worn out and need replacing. You can easily take advantage of our huge Specialized sale going on right now to stock up and save money at the same time. 

No doubt, these are challenging times.  Yet, all of us at Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop are still here for you. We’re open if you need to come into the shop and we welcome your support of small, local business.  Please keep in mind our current policies for Covid-19. which includes no groups larger than 3 and no casual “browsing” in the shop.  We have temporarily discontinued bike rentals and demos. Remember, we have a huge Spring Sale going on that will bolster your spirits!  Save up to 40% on select Specialized bikes and gear through April 19th.  

Where there’s a will – there’s a way! We’re all in this together and we will get through it together.  Be well and be safe friends! 

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Specialized Spring Sale at Peak Cycles  

March 12, 2020

How do you save money when buying a bike without compromising the quality of the ride?  Easy! Buy a bike on sale!  Yep, it’s that time of year again folks when we have fantastic deals on bikes, bike parts, cycling accessories, and cycling apparel.  Don’t let these savings pass you by! 

2019 Stumpjumpers are $3750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great deals on other mountain bikes like this Liv Intrigue Advanced 2.0. Originally $3885 now $3305. There is only one left, size medium.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are still tons of tires on sale right now at bikeparts.com! Head over to the site to save some money on tires from brands like Maxxis Tires – USA and Continental Bicycle Tires!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select grips are on sale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A smorgasbord of Specialized cycling apparel on sale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

While you’re in the shop, you might want to pick up any bicycle tools you need for bike maintenance and bike tune-up. Stock up on nutrition items, water bottles, and anything other bike parts you may need.   If you have been looking to upgrade your cycling apparel or buy your first mountain bike, then this is one sale you don’t want to miss.  See you soon at Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop! 

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8 Great Valentine’s Day Gifts for Cyclists

February 13, 2020

Tired of the same old same old for Valentine’s Day? Do you want to swap out the card and candy for a more useful and thoughtful gift? Are you unsure what to get the cyclist in your life this Valentine’s day? Stress no more! We’ve got you covered with the perfect Valentine’s Day gifts for your favorite cyclists.  Check out our top 8 picks.

  1. New Bike: For those going all our for their favorite cyclist, nothing beats a new bike! You might think, they already have one – maybe two- or even three bikes…how could they need another? Truth is, you can’t ever have enough bikes. Consider a new road bicycle or mountain bike.  Even better, opt for a fat bike! Fortunately, we have a huge selection of Specialized road bikes and mountain bikes on sale now making splurging on Valentine’s Day a little easier to show your love and take it easy on your wallet.
  2. Bike Fit: Does your cyclist complain of hands falling asleep while riding? Or shoulder or neck pain after a long ride? Give yourself a break from giving those massages and also ease your cyclist discomfort with a bike fit. A bike fit isn’t just for professional riders – they are for anyone who rides whether they are a beginner or advanced rider. A bike fit helps ensure riding comfort and it is useful in preventing overuse injuries. Give us a call (303) 216-1616 or stop by the shop in Golden to get all the details on gifting a bike fit including information on the bike parts that may be needed as a follow up to the fit.
  3. Tubes: This is one gift you absolutely positively will get used and it’s not expensive. Maybe combine some tubes with other goodies to make a Valentine’s day gift bag. Speaking of which, these are the other cycling accessories to include in your gift bag.
  4. Bottles or hydration packs: Every cyclist has a ton of bottles, but that’s not the same as having good bottles. Buy a good bottle and stuff it with other treats – like nutritional products or even socks!
  5. Socks: Cycling socks are always a coveted item. The more decorative, the better! Again, check out our sale for a variety of sizes and colors.
  6. Tires: Treat your favorite cyclist to some new rubber! We have a ton of tires for road and mountain bikes and quite a few on sale too!
  7. Bike Parts: So many bike parts – the question is what to purchase?  Consider getting your Valentine a Specialized saddle, helmet or shoes.  All worthy gift items that wear out, get stinky and regularly need replacing.
  8. Cycling Accessories: So what do you get a cyclist that has seems to have everything?  Cycling apparel!  Cycling apparel is much better than just getting candy and a card! Our Specialized Sale items include jerseys, shorts, tights, jackets,  and winter riding gear!

Here at Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we feel that the true spirit of Valentine’s day is celebrating what you love and we love bikes! So, whether your favorite cyclist is interested in racing, commuting, or recreational bike riding, at Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we’ve got your Valentine’s Day gift ideas covered. Happy Valentine’s Day friends! 

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Bike Parts and Cycling Accessories You Need to Keep Your 2020 Fitness Goals 

January 23, 2020

Well, we are well into 2020 and hopefully, you officially made it past “quitters day.”  Which means you are fully committed to keeping and maintaining your 2020 cycling goals. Aside from will power and determination, there are other factors that support your training motivation. And that’s where this post comes in handy! Bike parts and cycling accessories can enhance your cycling experience, and at the same time, fuel you towards your 2020 goals.  

Weigh In – As cyclists, we all know weight is important. Bike weight, the weight of bike parts, and even our bodies. Unfortunately, it’s that time of year again! Weight creep or at least dropping weight accumulated over the holidays and the off-season! A simple yet effective means of managing weight is using a scale. Our pick? The Garmin Index Smart Scale. The Garmin Index Smart Scale provides the precise metrics you need to track progress and see results. The bonus? Others in your family can use it too! It supports up 10 16 different users and measures weight, body mass index (BMI), body fat and water percentages, muscle mass, and bone mass. Use the scale to manage weight and track how your weight correlates to your performance on the bike over time. And, by regularly paying attention to your weight, you can course-correct quickly before gaining or losing too much weight experiencing adverse effects on the bike. 

Use Your Tools – Specifically, we’re talking about heart rate monitors and power meters.  Both provide biofeedback and when tracked and paired with your cycling goals, this information can greatly assist in providing clarity as to benchmarking your progress.  One question for those new to power meters is to know which power meter is best for you?  With so many bike parts and cycling accessories available, choosing the ideal product for your training and fitness goals is important. Fortunately, the post What to Know Before Buying a Power Meter offers a breakdown of available power meters. Now, you might be wondering about costs? In the recent past, training with power was outside of the price range for most cyclists.  However, times have changed and power meters are much more affordable. Stop by Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop and let us help you select the best bike accessories for you and your goals. 

Upgrade your Bike and Bike Parts – Sure, it may sound like an excuse to purchase much-desired bike parts or a new bike, but the truth is if new technology is available to support you riding faster and stronger, then isn’t it holding you back? If you are training consistently and putting forth the effort, then support your goals by having the cycling components you need. One component that is nearly always worth upgrading is the wheelset. Or, maybe upgrading your bike parts isn’t in the cards. Maybe you prefer to upgrade your cycling accessories or cycling apparel. Having a new jersey or new cycling shoes may be just what you need to bring a fresh approach and enthusiasm to the season. We have a Specialized Sale going on right now. Check out the sale items and get what you need to support your goals. 

So, what’s ahead for 2020? We’re looking forward to helping our customers get fitter and faster on the bike! Whether that is outfitting others with the best cycling apparel or improving bike efficiency with new bike parts or a bike fit, at Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop, we’re all about creating the ultimate ride experience. Happy 2020 to all!

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Find Great Bike Deals at Peak Cycles Specialized Sale

January 16, 2020

You know you want to ride your bike. You know you do. And, you also know you want to have killer cycling gear while riding your bike. No one wants to pay top dollar for all the cycling accessories that add up. And right now, you don’t have to! You can get killer deals on quality cycling gear, apparel, and bike parts with our Specialized Sale.

Sales are great because they save you money. But there’s more to our Specialized sale than that.  Cash in on comfortable cycling apparel that is engineered to keep you dry, comfortable and in the saddle for those long training rides.  Discover new bike parts or upgrade cycling components to optimize your ride. Fuel your motivation to ride this New Year and reach new levels of fitness.  Our Specialized sale has all the key ingredients to save you money and have you riding in style.  Check out the sale we’ve got going on.

Specialized Bikes: We have a wide variety of Specialized bikes on sale including Specialized Albi, Allez, Ariel, CrossTrail Elite, Dolce, Enduro Elite, Epic, Fuse, Rockhopper, and others. One important caveat: the Specialized bikes are available for pickup only in Golden, Colorado shop. They cannot be shipped. But you can take a sneak peek at them Specialized Bikes. 

On the contrary, all the bike parts and cycling accessories listed below can be shipped! In fact, we offer free shipping on orders over $75 and many of the sale items offer free shipping!  You can’t beat it! A sale AND free shipping! Click through the items and see how much you can save!

Specialized Goodies: If you haven’t gotten your fix of Specialized cycling apparel, then you’ll want to see the bike parts, Specialized tights and knickers, and other cycling accessories. Click here to get your fix of Specialized Sale Items. 

If these savings don’t entice you and you need an additional rationale for making bike purchases, just remember bike parts matter. They keep you safe, comfortable, and physically active. 

What are you waiting for?  Pump up your tires, lube your chain, and head into Peak Cycles Bicycle Shop or visit us online to take advantage of our extensive Specialized Sale. 

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Out With the Old,  In With the New. Peak Cycles Guide to Transitioning into The New Year  

December 26, 2019

Recreational and competitive cyclists know the goal of riding any bike is to move forward. The phrase “out with the old, in with the new”, literally means to move forward.

 

The phrase suggests that in order to move forward, one must purge, remove or let go of one thing, with the expectation of gaining something else.  In cycling, this is called the transition period and this runs from the completion of your last race, until the start of the prep period in a few weeks. Or, the transition period the link between two annual training plans—it marks the end of last season and the official beginning of the next season.

As we’re on the verge of the New Year, now is prime time to evaluate your cycling experiences from 2019 and plan for 2020.  The obvious goal here is to identify what in your training plan, cycling tool kit, bike setup, and bike parts need to go – and what new strategies and cycling accessories and training aids need to be brought into your cycling experience so that you move forward towards your 2020 goals.

Do A Year-End Bike Review – How you reflect upon the past year has some bearing as to how you plan for the coming year. A cycling year-end review offers insights to truly optimize your training and racing regimen. Consider asking yourself questions such as, “What goals did you achieve this past season?” and “What was your greatest disappointment? Why?” Answering these questions and more, in our Year-End Bike Review post help to identify the steps you must take to achieve your goals next season. After all, there’s a reward in pushing yourself, gaining new skills, getting faster, and staying fit. A cycling year-end review can expose what you can improve upon from this past year, as well as, identify your strengths to build upon going into the next year.

Do A Bike Parts Review – We know you love your bike, but reflecting back over the past year ask yourself if it was the right bike for the kind of riding you actually ended up riding. And, is it the right bike for the cycling you plan to do in 2020?  Ask yourself the same questions about your bike parts – especially the cycling accessories that wear out. Helmets, saddles, drive train components, all of these items need replacing due to wear and also because newer, preferred technology may be available and suit you better. Take an inventory of what needs replacing and take advantage of the Specialized sale we have going on right now.

Do A Review of Your Cycling Apparel – Digging through your closet and drawers may not seem like the most fun thing to do during the holidays but you can save a lot of money and heartache later by discovering which items need replacing and save money on those items now with the sales we have going on.  We have a huge Specialized Sale. Think helmets, tires, jerseys, saddles, gloves, bike frames and more. Check it out!!  Also, you can save up to 50% off last year’s cycling shoes. Plan ahead and purchase the cycling apparel you will need for the kind of riding you plan to do during the early months of 2020.

As we close in 2019, take a moment to pause and reflect on what worked and what didn’t in your season. With these personal insights in mind, you are better equipped to plan and execute a rewarding and successful 2020 cycling season.  When we at Peak Cycles look back on 2019, we know that what worked for us is having valuable customers and a great cycling community in which to ride with and celebrate living life on two wheels. We look forward to all of this and more in the New Year!

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