Winter Special Pricing

It is that time of year - the rain has started and cooler days have already come our way. But, don't hang your bike up yet! It's also the best time to get your position dialed in and your maintenance concerns addressed so you hit the road or trail in the spring pain and worry free.

Here's the deals through March 31:
(Click the links for details...)

• Platinum Elite Fitting: Was $180, now $160
• Platinum Overhaul: Was $170, now $150
• Gold Major Tune Up: Was $90, now $75

Keep in mind: these feature all the same benefits as the in-season prices. On-Location fitting w/ video analysis, pick-up, delivery, evening and Saturday service. 

Make your appointment today!

Expanded Service Offerings

I am very excited to continue to expand my offerings to my valued clients and Washington County's excellent cycling community. Thanks to all my customers who have contributed to my calculated growth and expansion. Allegro is growing and you have all helped!

Check these new services added:

-Event Support

-Group/Club Presentations and Demonstrations
-Mechanical Training

-Tandem Orientation
     (Tandems are also eligible for tune-ups, overhauls, and fitting. Contact me for pricing.) 

And, as always - don't forget about my Referral Rewards Program. If you know someone who might be interested in any of the above services; send them my way and earn yourself a bonus!

Thanks again to everyone for your loyalty and business. I sincerely appreciate it! 

Platinum Custom Assembly - Get the Bike YOU Want

Today's bicycles are amazing and the breadth of options is often overwhelming. Still, with more models available than ever; it seems that sometimes you cannot find exactly the bike you want. A long-time client of mine was faced with exactly that situation - and so we crafted a solution.

And that is exactly why I offer the Platinum Assembly - to allow for custom options in addition to top-quality frame-up assembly.

Richard and I talked for some time before we arrived at a final solution; but much of the hows and whys were already a part of the conversation. We knew we would be taking a carbon road bike and doing a flat-bar conversion because it meets his riding position needs. When we located a bike that met our fitting demands (another area where Richard and I have worked closely for some time) and that met his satisfaction in terms of ride-quality: he pulled the trigger and we went to work.

This project started with a stock Trek Domane 5.2 - as pictured:

Allegro Referral Rewards

Referrals are the backbone of any successful and reputable business and a huge part of how I find new people to help. I consider it a giant compliment that my clients are satisfied enough to recommend my services to their friends and family.

I want to reward you for sending someone my way. Here's how the program works:

• Have your friend or family member call me or send me their contact info.
• They complete a repair or fitting appointment of any level or value.
• I contact you with a referral bonus.

Simple, right? That's how it should be.

The rewards are as follows*

• 10% off any product that I or my suppliers have in stock (that's right, special orders are eligible too).
• 20% off labor pricing of any repair, overhaul, or fitting service (seasonal specials included).

Let's build this thing together and get you what you need to truly enjoy your cycling experience!

Thanks for the referrals, everyone!

*Reward values do not accrue with subsequent referrals. You have one reward bonus available until you use it regardless of the number of referrals - so use your bonus quickly so you continue to receive rewards! Program subject to change.

Bicycle Assembly

There are a variety of reasons you would need professional bike assembly:

~ You found a bargain online that will be shipped to you but don't have the time to assemble it your self or would prefer to have someone else do it to insure the job is completed properly.

~ You have been travelling with your bike for vacation or an event and need it reassembled after shipping it home.

~You found a great deal on a collectible frame set on craigslist and have a period-correct build kit to put on it and want it done right.

The proper assembly of your bicycle - according to manufacturer specifications - is the most important factor in assuring it consistently performs and lasts a long time. Correct torque values, bearing adjustment, spoke tension, and simple pride in workmanship all work together to deliver an enjoyable riding experience for many years.

Worn Tires and Flatting

This post also appeared on my blog - but I figured the audience there is a little more broad and it's a good topic; so I'm sharing it here as well.

This time of year I seem to more commonly be addressing common causes of flat tires and how to prevent them.  A frequently overlooked cause worth talking about is worn-out tires.

As your tires wear their flat protection is reduced because there is less rubber on them to resist sharp objects as you roll over them.

Additionally, tires do age: and not very well at that!  Cracking in the tread and side-wall of the tire is a good indicator of a worn and weakened tire that is ready to be replaced.

Finally, tires also get cuts in them which weaken the tire and make it more prone to flatting.  Anything bigger than 3/16" (4 mm) really ought to be addressed.

All of these symptoms are exceedingly common.  How common?  All 5 of the flat and worn tires pictured below came into the store on one Saturday last year!

Good, round tire

Worn, "flat-top" tire

Vanished tread or wear indicators

Large cuts through tread and casing

Cracking/"cross hatch" in sidewalls

Cracked/separated tread

Tire worn through to casing

More worn tread through to casing

Do I Need a Bike Fitting?

Driving around town the other day I saw so many people who were so obviously uncomfortable on their bikes (and suffering a loss of efficiency because of their lack of comfort along with other factors).  So, since so much of my material is inspired by my experiences - I was inspired to write another post: A few quick pointers on how to know if you need someone to assess your bike fit.

Fitting a Cyclocross Bike

JUST A LITTLE DIFFERENT FROM MY OTHER BIKE...

Well, yes and no. 

As I have discussed (at length) before - there is a lot of good and bad info out there about bike fitting and selecting the right size frame.  One of the more common topics I run into this time of year is how to select the right size of Cyclocross bike.

A common guideline I have heard is that you ought to size-down from your road bike frame size to obtain the right 'cross frame.  As a universal guideline, this couldn't be moreWRONG!  There are instances where this may apply, but I would say that they are rare now. It is a unique bike and just like you wouldn't adjust your road bike a "little different from your road bike"; treat your cyclocross bike like and individual and get it right.

Introducing: Pick up and Delivery!

Yup, your mechanic and fitter now delivers! Pizza Hut ain't got nuthin' on me.

I've long thought that there had to be a better way to meet the needs of my clients than the traditional store model. I've been working with a few of my closest clients lately and we're really enjoying working together in this fashion - so I'm opening my schedule a little more and can't wait to help.

My service and fitting prices now include picking up and delivering your bike.  No worry about having to make it to the store before closing in order to keep your appointment. We arrange an appointment around when you need your bike serviced and when and where you'd like to have it picked up and delivered.  I do the rest.

We're finding that this allows for more timely turn around times and keeps the bike with you more - which is the only way you can ride it; by the way.

Additionally, this allows me to create appointments for fitting of bicycles on Saturday! Yes you read that right - Saturday. Not too many places offer Saturday fitting; but it is often the best day of the week for you. I can help.

Sound good? Let's talk.

How to Prepare for Your Bike Fitting

To help you plan and prepare for your fitting appointment:
 
     - Platinum Elite Fitting may take up to 3 hours; but I'm usually done in 2 - 2.5 hours.
     - Gold Fittings take about 1 hour 
     - A Basic Bicycle Sizing takes about 30 minutes.   
     - Cleat Fitting takes about 45 minutes
     - The Aero-Add-On (for TT and tri bikes) adds about 30 min. for the second hand position.

With the Platinum and Gold Fitting we begin just by discussing your activity and riding history, riding style, and injury history. A quick physiological assessment follows where we look at flexibility, strength, and symmetry to discover how we will expect you to sit on the bike and where we can improve while minimizing discomfort and injury potential. Finally, we'll get you on the bike and begin making adjustments.

In the days approaching your fitting, be thinking about the symptoms you notice while you ride that have you concerned. If you are pain- or discomfort-free - think about your objectives: how would you like to improve your riding position or cycling.

• Wear your regular riding shorts and have your cycling shoes ready (but you don't need to wear them when we begin). After that; dress however you are comfortable.
• A space approximately 8-10 feet square is adequate. I've used plenty of clients' garages; but have used kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms and offices too! Feel free to have us work where you're most comfortable - I'm flexible.
• You may want to have a fan and a towel handy for your comfort as you will spend a measurable time riding your bike. I am not always able to bring these items with me.
• You don't need to have an indoor stationary trainer; I always bring mine.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to email me (allegrobike {at} gmail {dot} com) and I'll gladly answer them.