News from The Bicycle Wheel for October 2008

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Take our Customer Satisfaction Survey
Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this brief survey.  Your candid answers will help us better serve you and your family.
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Listening to our Customers
 
As we move into our 5th year of serving the Johns Creek Community, we are looking for your feedback regarding our customer service.  Please take the time to fill out our brief customer satisfaction survey by clicking on the link to your left.fall scene 2  We value your feedback and intend to translate your comments into tangible improvements over the next few months.

We are asked often about how to properly clean a bike, and this month we offer step-by-step instructions.  Please also read the profile of our top multi-purpose lubricant that can be used on your bike after you clean it.   
 
Happy Cleaning - see you on your bike!
 
The Staff of The Bicycle Wheel

Fall Clothing & Triathlon Accessory Sale

All items marked from 50-80% off!
Save big on brands like IronMan, Sugoi, Fuel Belt, Profile, Life is good and Adrenaline Promotions.  In-stock items only.  All sales final.

Tip of the Month:  Cleaning your Bike

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."  That certainly holds true for bikes.  Cleaning your bike reduces wear and tear, cuts down on remedial maintenance and can also keep you safer while on the road.  Keeping your bike clean is quick and easy.
 
Step 1:  Remove accessories such as pumps, water bottles and speedometers from your bike before cleaning.  If your bike is extremely dirty, allow any mud or debris to dry before attempting to clean your bike.  Once dry, brush off all surface mud and dirt.  Get rid of lumps of mud you can't see by gently bouncing the bike on its tires a time or two.
 
Step 2:  Use a mild solvent (such as Windex or Simple Green) applied liberally to a cloth to wipe down the frame.  Never use a hose or high pressure car wash to clean your bike.  Because of the pressure exerted by hoses and pressure washers, it is easy to force water into the delicate bearings on a bike's wheels and pedals and wash out the grease.
 
Step 3: 
Wipe down the drivetrain - the chain, cranks and sprockets.  To do this, stand your bike upright with the kickstand down or put your bike in a car rack to lift it off the ground.  Spray a degreaser, such as Finish Line Citrus Degreaser, on the chain to loosen up buildup on the chain.  After allowing thegirl_repair degreaser to soak in for a few minutes, brush down the chain with a brush.  An old toothbrush or utility sink brush works well.  Finally, use a dry cloth to wipe down the chain and remove the degreaser and grit.
 
Step 4:  Re-apply lubricant to the chain and pivot points on the bike.  Use a good-quality chain lubricant that contains Teflon (See this month's Product Review) to lubricate your chain.  Never use WD-40 to lubricate a bicycle chain.  WD-40 is a water displacement agent and will dry out your chain and cause it to rust.  No need to apply lubricant elsewhere since having it on the chain will apply the lubricant to other areas of the drivetrain.
 
We recommend that you bring your bike to us once a year for a thorough cleaning and tune-up.  There are some intricate parts that require special tools to remove and clean and we can help with this level of comprehensive cleaning.
 
For more information on this topic or any other, call or stop by The Bicycle Wheel today.  We are your first and last stop for all of your cycling needs!

Saturday Morning Training Rides Ending this Month

Our last Saturday morning group ride for the year will take place Saturday, October 25th at 7:30 AM.  Thanks to all who participated this year - it's been fun! 

We will resume our Saturday morning rides next Spring.  The exact date will be announced in our March 2009 newsletter.  Stay tuned!
Finish Line Dry 12ozProduct Review:  Finish Line Dry TeflonŽ Lubricant
 
If you are looking for a versatile all-weather chain lubricant, we recommend the original "dry" lubricant, Finish Line DRY Teflon Lube.  It goes on wet, but then sets in a dry, paste-like film so it will not attract or absorb grit and grime.
 
Teflon fluoropolymer and specialized synthetic oils run silky smooth and provide excellent durability.  This lubricant is perfect for off-road riding - especially in dry, dirty, dusty conditions - while still providing adequate wet weather performance.
 
An additional benefit of Finish Line DRY Teflon Lube is that it holds up to extreme pressures and resists water wash-off.  You can use it on your derailleur, brake and shifter pivots and cable housing.  The product provides incredible drivetrain efficiency without attracting an excessive amount of contaminants.  It is our most popular, best selling, most versatile lubricant.
tbw_logo_2cMonthly Newsletters Accessible Online
 
Many of you have asked us for past e-mail newsletters as a reference.  Maybe there was a tip that we offered that you would like to read about again.  For your convenience, we have archived all of our monthly newsletters on our home page at www.thebicyclewheel.net. 
 
Click on the logo at right to go directly to our e-mail archive.