P. Bikes

by Chris Antonovics ▫ Mar 4 ▫

Everyone loves to have the lightest fastest, stiffest, most efficient bike possible, fully equipped with the best components, wheels and latest in electronics. A 14 lb road bike with 1100 gram wheels will help allow you to beat your friend up Afton Mountain. However here at the shop we have fallen in love with the opposite type of bike. Meet “The P Bikes.” Timbly, our resident bike breaker and mechanic has owned A P3 for about six years now and it has intrigued us since day one. Specialized had a Pair of P2 cro-mo bikes on sale because they were “paint samples.” After a quick call to our inside rep, where he inquired about our health insurance, they were on the way.

These bikes will never allow us to achieve proper seat height, will never weigh under 30lbs, and you must be psycho to attempt to climb Afton. However, my P bike is the BEST bike I have ever owned. Instead of wearing lycra and carbon soled shoes. The preferred riding apparel looks much like a storm-trooper. Knee/shin guards, elbow guards, carbon knuckled gloves, and skate shoes.

You may ask why, when we have access to Di2, Zipp wheels, and the latest and greatest S-Works and Giant team bikes would we choose to spend our hard earned cash on these 30+ pound steel bikes.. And the answer is.. because its cooler. I get nervous riding Zipps on gravel roads, and yet with my P-bike, I have jumped many stair sets, both up and down without even a thought. The snow is the only reason construction of jumps and stunts in both Tim and My backyards has not begun. Also, on the subject of where to ride, a pump track has been approved for Azalea Park and construction should be starting sometime this summer and dirt jump bikes will be perfect for it.
So if you are looking for the coolest bike on the block, or you’re just tired of doing intervals and looking at guys in spandex every time you ride, then a P series bike from Specialized or an STP from Giant is perfect for you.
Oh, and action shots are coming soon, just haven’t gotten any yet with the snow and all….

Trainer Session

by paul ▫ Dec 21 ▫

Tonight, March 4th at 6:30 we will begin our final trainer session of this ridiculously cold winter. Tonight there is no chance of snow, so no one is allowed to use that excuse, and for those of you who need a little variety in their leaders, The man, the myth, and the legend himself, Bill Scanlon, will be leading tonight. Get here early to set your stuff up, trainers and mats are still available to rent for those of you who are without.

15th Annual Bike and Gear Swap

by ▫ Dec 16 ▫

The 15th Annual Spring Swap & Sale is scheduled for Saturday, March 20th, 8am-7pm and Sunday, March 21st, 11am-5pm. Set your calendars!

The Swap!
For Sellers: Clear out your garage and attic of unwanted used bicycles, bicycle parts, accessories….anthing linked to cycling or triathlons…and register the items for sale at the store between 10am Wednesday, March 17th and 7pm Friday, March 19th. No items will be accepted for sale after 7pm Friday! No items will be accepted for sale on Saturday or Sunday!

As the seller, you set the price. There is no haggling at the Swap. Store staff will give advice on selling prices if requested. If/when your item(s) sells, the money from the sale will be credited to your account to be used toward the purchase of something new in the store. Unsold items must be picked up by 7pm on the Monday following the Swap.

The Sale!
For Bargain Hunters: The Swap is a great way to find a great deal on a used bicycle, used cycling gear, or triathlon gear. Last year we sold 69 bikes for customers, at prices ranging from $65 to $2,000. To find the best deals shop early, beginning 8am Saturday morning.

There will be great deals on new bicycles and gear throughout the store. 2009 bicycles will be on sale at clearance prices, with savings ranging from $100 to $1,400. Other items on sale include winter clothing, Terry brand clothing, trainers, computers, cycling shoes, tubes, and more. Look for details to be posted as we get nearer to the sale!

Pez Cycling Review

by ▫ Dec 15 ▫

Congratulations to our very own Chris Antonovics, Jane Griffin, and Eric Fletcher on their recent publication on Pez Cycling! Visit their review on the new Kurt Kinetic Power Computer at PezCycling.com.

The Boys of C'ville Bike + Tri

by ▫ Nov 28 ▫

Per several recent requests, here is a NEW AND IMPROVED bio of the famous (or infamous) boys of C’ville Bike + Tri.

Chris Antonovics aka Sturmy Archer is our Sales Manager and wild man extraordinaire. He can be found creating sparks, inventing tools, and/or educating unsuspecting victims about every aspect of the cycling world. Watch out because his skill with the blade is almost as quick as his wit.

Interests:
-Spinning Fire
-Hair color experimentation
-Vehicular abuse and destruction
-Pottery

John Lawler III captains the ship when he’s not in prison for being too ill on a bike. He hails from Texas where everything is bigger…

Interests:
-Excel Spreadsheets
-Sram Red
-Golf
-Long walks on the beach

Paul Hoover is C’ville’s self-proclaimed Bike Fit Specialist. Watch out he is both sophisticated and dangerous. This guy wrote the book on “cool”.

Interests:
-Flesh modification
-The Carving Board Cafe
-Kitchen related trauma
-That theme song from “COPS”
-Rock hard abs

Jane Griffin is in charge of Wiredbike.com. This means she pretty much does nothing. And by nothing I mean she’s pretty much responsible for most of the shop income between November and April.

Interests:
-Dress-up
-Mixing and experimenting with different kinds of Skoal
-Viral internet videos

Rob Breckenridge beat the pill. ‘Nuff said.

Interests:
-Large paintings
-Techno music
-Hip flasks
-His adorable son, Ryden

Tim Chambers is the all around bad-ass of the shop. His love of gypsy punk music and physical likeness to a bear, make him a feared and respected member of the crew. Tim’s arrival has marked a widespread, new-found pleasure in the sport of free-riding/urban-riding. He is responsible for the bike gangs that now terrorize Charlottesville at night.

Interests:
-Breaking things
-Bourbon
-Roaring
-Gogol Bordello