Announcing 2011 Bicycle Maintenance Classes

We have classes for all skill levels, from beginners to experts, at convenient times at all three of our stores. Learn from the pros, save money and time by learning how to keep your bike rolling on your own, and receive 20% off all tools, parts, and accessories during your class session!

FREE Basic Bicycle Maintenance Clinic - Learn how to change a flat tire (the #1 bike maintenance skill), clean and lubricate your chain, and perform a pre-ride safety check. Light refreshments will be served!

• Medina: Tuesday, January 11, 2011, 6:30pm
• Peninsula: Saturday, February 12, 2011, 1:30pm
• Rocky River: Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 6:30pm
• Light refreshments will be served!

Bicycle Tune-Up Class - Bring your bike for a hands-on look at the finer points of bicycle upkeep and the tools necessary to do so. Plan to get dirty and leave with a clean, well-running bike! You will attend two 2-hour sessions from 6:00-8:00pm on the days indicated. $85 per person.

• Medina: January 5 and 12 OR February 3 and 10
• Peninsula: January 4 and 11 OR February 2 and 9
• Rocky River: January 6 and 13 OR February 1 and 8

Women's-Only Bicycle Tune-Up Class - The same curriculum as our regular Tune-Up class, but without the Y chromosome (well, except for your instructor). You will attend two 2-hour sessions from 6:00-8:00pm on the days indicated. $85 per person.

• Medina: January 18 and 25, 2011
• Peninsula: January 20 and 27, 2011
• Rocky River: January 19 and 26, 2011

Advanced Bicycle Tune-Up Class - In addition to the skills of a regular Tune-Up, you'll get more in-depth derailleur adjustment and wheel-truing skills, plus drive train removal, cleaning, and re-installation. You will attend three 2-hour sessions on the days indicated. $125 per person.

• Medina: January 13, 20, and 27 OR February 1, 8, and 15
• Peninsula: January 12, 19, and 26 OR February 3, 10, and 17
• Rocky River: January 11, 18, and 25 OR February 2, 9, and 16

For more details about these classes, including online registration, see:
www.centurycycles.com/for/class

To register by phone, please call the store location that you'd like to register for:

• Medina: 330-722-7119
• Peninsula: 330-657-2209
• Rocky River: 440-356-5705

Hot Gift Idea: Chrome Messenger Bags!

Chrome Industries was started by a couple of guys who just could not find a bicycle bag tough enough and with the features to meet their needs, so they decided to make their own. 14 years later, they are one of the most popular bags around for bike messengers, commuters, or anyone who is looking for a practical way to carry their stuff in style!

We now have a full selection of Chrome Bags in stock in a variety of styles and colors at all three Century Cycles stores! All of them feature weatherproof construction, loads of pockets for organizing your phone, laptop, etc, and they use Chrome's unique recycled car seat belt buckles. And if that's not enough, Chrome Bags are made right here in the USA! Any are the perfect Christmas gift for the dedicated cyclist on your list (or yourself)!

Stop in to see our Chrome Bags, or check them out online at: www.centurycycles.com/get/chrome

Ask our experienced staff for more gift ideas, or you can also get a Century Cycles Gift Card. According to last year's online poll, it's the gift most preferred by cyclists!

Buy an Electra, Get a Rebate!

Purchase any Electra Bicycle (or any combination of Electra Bicycle and/or Electra accessories) valued at $400 between Nov. 11, 2010 and Dec. 31, 2011, and receive a mail-in rebate of $25!

For full details and to download the rebate form, see www.centurycycles.com/get/ElectraRebate

Purchase any Electra Bicycle and/or Electra accessories valued from $300 to $399, and you qualify for a $10 rebate.

5 Tips: Selecting a Cycling Computer

Some people call them "speedometers" or "odometers;" the term preferred by insiders is "cyclocomputers" or just "cycling computers." Whatever you call them, they tell you how fast and how far you're riding. What do you need to know when selecting a cycling computer for you, or as a gift for that special cyclist on your list? Get the lowdown in these 5 Tips:

1. Almost all computers give you the basic information that most cyclists want: current speed, trip distance, ride time, and total distance (odometer).

2. A basic wireless computer provides the same information, but the installation is easier and cleaner-looking, because the wire between the head and the sensor is eliminated.

3. "Cadence" refers to the speed of your pedaling, measured in rotations per minute (RPMs), rather than your actual speed of travel; many people want this feature for more advanced fitness and training programs.

4. Other advanced features: Dual-bike settings, temperature, and rear wheel speed sensor.

5. For the ultimate in flexibility, portability, and route-tracking features, check out one of the many GPS-enabled bike computers.

To read more about these tips, see this accompanying article on our blog. The article describes these features in detail, with links to products that have the features you want.

You can also stop in and chat with the experts at any Century Cycles store if you would like to discuss your cycling data-tracking needs in more detail.

What We Ride: Doug Charnock

Doug, from the Century Cycles store in Peninsula, enjoys both road and mountain biking. He purchased a GT Avalanche mountain bike from our Medina store, just after he started working there in 1997. A couple of years ago, he converted it to a singlespeed.

Earlier this fall, just as Doug was getting ready to leave with his bike for the Singlespeed World Championships of mountain biking in New Zealand, he discovered a crack in the frame of his trusty old GT. As luck would have it, a customer and friend who works for another local business in Peninsula happened to have an old GT Avalanche frame collecting dust in his basement--the same model and same size as Doug's original--and donated it to help keep Doug in the race!

Doug and the rebuilt bike successfully made the trip to and from New Zealand, and both finished the race intact. You can read more about Doug's recent trip "1800 Miles in New Zealand with 'Wonder Woman'", Doug's report on our blog.

Hot Deals for Cold Days!

There's still time left to take advantage of our latest Hot Deal for Cold Days! Get a Blackburn Tech Mag indoor trainer for only $114.99 (that's half off the regular price of $229.99!). This offer is good through Nov. 17, or while supplies last!

In-store purchase only; no online or phone orders accepted.

Keep your eyes on your Inbox for our next Hot Deal for Cold Days!