Nite Rider Light Review - LUMINA 550 & SENTINEL 40

The review process is over and these lights are getting 2 thumbs up from Blogger Bill for sure.

First up is the NiteRider Lumina 550:

As with all Luminas, the Lumina 550 features a lightweight body combined with increased thermal properties, ensuring a brighter, longer lasting LED. Luminas feature a newly designed handlebar mount making sure it remains rock solid whether on the trail or pavement.

Affordable, high output light Ride safely with daylight flash mode! Perfect for helmet mounting

New rock solid handlebar mount USB rechargeable Light weight self contained light

This light is outstanding and will provide great illumination for any night time riding that you will be doing.  I didn't get a chance to ride any trails at night with the light but I feel confident that it would be adequate for some night time bike rides.

MSRP: $79.99

Next up is the greatest rear blinker light that I have had the opportunity to use - The NiteRider Sentinel 40:

The Sentinel™ 40 has a powerful 2 watt LED, 5 modes, is USB rechargeable and has a brand new safety feature, Laser Lanes! The Laser Lanes mode is designed to project ultra bright laser lines on the ground, giving the rider their own virtual lane.

The Sentinel 40 complies with FDA standard for lasers, notice No. 50, 2007

Highly visible laser lanes Ultra bright 40 lumen output Laser and tail light in the one light!

USB rechargeable Group Ride Mode – be seen without annoying fellow cyclists The new standard in tail light safety

The Laser Lanes are awesome and I noticed that when I used this instead of my regular rear blinker I seemed to get a lot more clearance from vehicles passing from behind and that, my friend, is never a bad thing!  Another nice this is the Group Ride Mode where it does not blind the rider behind you.

MSRP: $49.99

To get a look at these awesome lights first hand stop by the shop today from 10-8!

* Looking to do a Century?  Set aside 9/20 for Tom's Century Ride - Route to be determined (but I am pushing for a South Route)  More information to come!

* Looking to do a Pittsburgh Dirty Dozen type ride?  Set aside 10/4 for the DD716 which is going to be a punishing 60 or so mile route over & through some of Erie Counties biggest hills and prettiest countryside.  Route is being analyzed so more will follow.  This is a no joke ride that will start and finish at Chestnut Ridge and will be a "controlled" roll to each climb where you will be set lose to challenge yourself and those around you!

Single Track Stampede VI is 8/23/2015 - REGISTER NOW!

WNY Cross has a new Facebook Page with all the Buffalo/Rochester Race Information posted!

Reynolds has a $250.00 Trade In Program if you purchase any Carbon Wheel!

Win a FREE Fuji Gran Fondo from Tom's Pro Bike.  REGISTRATION LINK HERE! ENTER BY FRIDAY 8/21/2015 for your chance!

Video Promotion on Free Fuji Gran Fondo HERE!

Tom's Pro Bike

http://www.tomsprobike.com/

3687 Walden Avenue
Lancaster, NY 14086

(716) 651-9995

NiteRider Lights

Tom's is now stocking the NiteRider lights and I have a couple of different ones to demo for the next couple of weeks and will be posting reviews in the near future.

Up front I am running the NiteRider Lumina 550:

Lumen Output: 550
Run Time: 1:30 – 21:00hrs
Quick Charge Time: 3:00hrs at 1Amp
Normal Charge Time: 6:00hrs at 500mA
Weight: 172g
Battery: Li-Ion

As with all Luminas, the Lumina 550 features a lightweight body combined with increased thermal properties, ensuring a brighter, longer lasting LED. Luminas feature a newly designed handlebar mount making sure it remains rock solid whether on the trail or pavement.

Affordable, high output light Ride safely with daylight flash mode! Perfect for helmet mounting

New rock solid handlebar mount USB rechargeable Light weight self contained light

On the rear it is Sentinel 40:

Lumen Output: 40
Run Time: 4:30 – 36:00hrs
Charge Time: 4:00hrs
Weight: 73g
Battery: Li-Po

The Sentinel™ 40 has a powerful 2 watt LED, 5 modes, is USB rechargeable and has a brand new safety feature, Laser Lanes! The Laser Lanes mode is designed to project ultra bright laser lines on the ground, giving the rider their own virtual lane.

The Sentinel 40 complies with FDA standard for lasers, notice No. 50, 2007

Highly visible laser lanes Ultra bright 40 lumen output Laser and tail light in the one light!

USB rechargeable Group Ride Mode – be seen without annoying fellow cyclists The new standard in tail light safety

I can tell you that I am loving the Sentinel 40 so far so if you are looking for a rear light I would definitely check this out.

Wednesday August 5th at 6:30 we are having a New Bike Clinic

Sunday August 9th is our annual Lake Ontario ride.

For more information on any of this stuff stop by the shop today from 10-8  or check out the newly redesigned website.

Win a FREE Fuji Gran Fondo from Tom's Pro Bike.  REGISTRATION LINK HERE!

Video Promotion on Free Fuji Gran Fondo HERE!

We are back from California and the 2015 Specialized Retailer Release and learned a lot about the 2016 Model Year line from Specialized so keep an eye out on the blog for more information on our favorite bikes and apparel and accessories in the coming weeks!

Tom's Pro Bike

http://www.tomsprobike.com/

3687 Walden Avenue
Lancaster, NY 14086

(716) 651-9995

Travel By Bike Thursday - SURLY ECR

Are you the cyclist that loves to tour?  And loves to Mountain Bike?  And loves having a strange bike that will carry you through most terrain, weather, and elements all wrapped up in one bike?  Well I think the Surly ECR is just the bike for you:

Attention bike camp/exploration nerds! Are you sitting down? Behold ECR. ECR is a sure-footed, multi-terrain, offroad-obsessed 29+ camp bike. It’s something of a lovechild borne of our Krampus, Ogre and Long Haul Trucker.
Like the Ogre, ECR can run racks, fenders and disc brakes simultaneously, front and rear. It’s compatible with singlespeed, full derailleur and IGH drivetrains (it even features a dedicated Rohloff torque arm mount) because the rear dropouts are just like those on our Ogre and Troll frames. Run what you like. ECR has multiple mounts on the frame and fork for water bottle cages and larger gear cages, so you can bring lots of water, stove fuel, milk, a sleeping pad, small mammals or what have you.
It takes standard 34mm headsets and regular mountain bike hubs (100mm front and 135mm rear). It’s designed for full length housing to keep out the elements and keep brakes braking and shifters shifting on long treks in rough conditions. The rigid fork can be swapped out for an 80mm suspension fork if you like, but this would mean you’d lose the extra carrying capacity of the stock fork, and you couldn’t run a 3” tire and 50mm rim.
That last point is something to seriously ponder. ECR is of the 29+ category, a name we made up when we introduced the Krampus. 29+ means more width, more height, more traction, more cushion and more float than standard 29ers. The approach angle of such big tires (close to 31˝) combined with the extra traction and float of high volume, low weight rubber make this bike extremely capable of going lots of places, from roads to trails to little-traveled back country. While the ECR borrows from Ogre, Krampus and even the Long Haul Trucker, its ride quality and capabilities are unique. It’s a pack mule, a pedal-powered escape pod. Wherever you want to explore, this is the bike that can get you there.

As you can see this bike is capable of many different tasks for bike riding and if it interests you stop by the shop and we can discuss options!

Basic Service Clinic - May 7th at 6:30pm. Sign Up Here and hope that we don't get another blizzard to get this one cancelled as well!

To start off the season Single Track Racing is hosting a 6 race series at Sprague Brook starting May 20, 2014. Check out theirFacebook Pagefor more information or Register Here.

Huge clothing sale taking place right now - stop by and check out our inventory!

Included in this great sale is Mavic Mountain Bike Clothing.

Starting today through April 20th - UGOE 500 Lumen Light receive 20% off of $75.00 MSRP ($60.00 Sale Price) Stop by the shop to check this awesome light out. If you ride at Dusk or Dawn this light will help you be seen and to see!

If you test ride a Felt between now and April 15, 2014 you get a free entry to try and win a trip to Hawaii and other prizes as well!Felt Ride to Hawaii Event.

Tentative EVENT SCHEDULE is up at the website. Check out our upcoming 2014 events and pre-plan your schedule!

Don't forget if you are contemplating the XTERRA Syracuse or XTERRA ASP to let us know if you are interested in joining a training team at Tom's as well.

S-WORKS 2014 Spring Clearance Sale! In-Stock Merchandise only!

Tom's Pro Bike Service
3687 Walden Avenue
Lancaster, New York 14086
Phone: (716)651-9995
E-Mail Us: tom@tomsprobike

http://www.tomsprobike.com/

Bike Industry News Wednesday

Welcome to the mid-week posting at Tom's Pro Bike.  This is the Buffalo International Airport edition as the blogger is heading west to ride some trails in Utah and possibly New Mexico.  A report will follow next week with some pictures as well.

In Bike Industry news Shimano is releasing 11 Speed version of the 105 group to go along with Dura-Ace and Ultegra.  When customers venture in for new bikes I always mention that this is not your grandparents 105 anymore (not that there was ever anything wrong with 105) because of trickle-down technology that is apparent in components and bicycle frames as well.

Companies spend a lot of research time and money developing the best components out there and that technology flows downhill to the lower price lines as well.  So if you are looking to upgrade a Sora or Tiagra equipped bike to 11 speed you are not limited to Dura-Ace or Ultegra any more.

Fi'Zik is introducing a new "accidental woman's" saddle - the Fi'Zik Aliante VSX.  This saddle was not brought to the market place as a woman's specific saddle but the UnitedHealthCare women's team loved it and now it is out for ladies and men alike to try.

To start off the season Single Track Racing is hosting a 6 race series at Sprague Brook starting May 20, 2014. Check out theirFacebook Pagefor more information or Register Here.

Huge clothing sale taking place right now - stop by and check out our inventory!

Included in this great sale is Mavic Mountain Bike Clothing.

Starting today through April 20th - UGOE 500 Lumen Light receive 20% off of $75.00 MSRP ($60.00 Sale Price) Stop by the shop to check this awesome light out. If you ride at Dusk or Dawn this light will help you be seen and to see!

If you test ride a Felt between now and April 15, 2014 you get a free entry to try and win a trip to Hawaii and other prizes as well!Felt Ride to Hawaii Event.

Tentative EVENT SCHEDULE is up at the website. Check out our upcoming 2014 events and pre-plan your schedule! 

Don't forget if you are contemplating the XTERRA Syracuse or XTERRA ASP to let us know if you are interested in joining a training team at Tom's as well.

S-WORKS 2014 Spring Clearance Sale! In-Stock Merchandise only!

Tom's Pro Bike Service
3687 Walden Avenue
Lancaster, New York 14086
Phone: (716)651-9995
E-Mail Us: tom@tomsprobike

http://www.tomsprobike.com/

Mountain Bike Monday - SPECIALIZED DEMO 8 I

So you like a little thrill in your weekend lifestyle do you?  Well if you are into Downhill Racing at all you should check out the Specialized Demo line of Downhill Specific bikes.  Today we are featuring the Specialized Demo 8I and as you can see from the picture this machine is built for speed and bump absorption:

Good luck finding a better high-performance downhill bike than this value-packed rig. With 200mm of front and rear travel, a custom Fox Van RC shock, and a RockShox Boxxer RC fork, this machine is one well-thought-out downhill setup.

• Manipulated M5 alloy FSR frame has 200mm of rear wheel travel; an oversized, alloy link, forged head tube; rear derailleur protector, with suspension linkage engineered for the world's toughest terrain
• Custom-tuned FOX VAN RC coil shock is designed for high-speed downhill terrain, and features easily adjustable rebound, compression and preload
• RockShox Boxxer RC offers 200mm of travel with externally adjustable compression and rebound and a 20mm Maxle thru-axle
• Roval DH rims are 30mm wide, laced with DT Swiss spokes to Specialized hubs with a 20mm front thru-axle and 150x12mm rear thru-axle hub creates a reliable, super strong wheelset that easily handles the biggest hits
• Specialized Butcher DH 26x2.5" soft dual compound front and rear tires offer great traction with Specialized DH Factory Team approved tread, and a bombproof casing
• Alloy Bennie DH race pedal features a low profile for clearance, sealed cartridge bearings and removable 4.5mm grub pins
• Specialized DH low-rise handlebar is 780mm wide and ideal for navigating technical terrain

MSRP: $4,400.00.  If you are looking to pick up a downhill bike stop by the shop and we can discuss options and all the specifics you are looking for.  We don't "stock" these bikes but can order any one that you are looking for from Specialized.

To start off the season Single Track Racing is hosting a 6 race series at Sprague Brook starting May 20, 2014. Check out their Facebook Pagefor more information or Register Here.

Huge clothing sale taking place right now - stop by and check out our inventory!

Included in this great sale is Mavic Mountain Bike Clothing.

Starting today through April 20th - UGOE 500 Lumen Light receive 20% off of $75.00 MSRP ($60.00 Sale Price) Stop by the shop to check this awesome light out. If you ride at Dusk or Dawn this light will help you be seen and to see!

If you test ride a Felt between now and April 15, 2014 you get a free entry to try and win a trip to Hawaii and other prizes as well! Felt Ride to Hawaii Event.

Tentative EVENT SCHEDULE is up at the website. Check out our upcoming 2014 events and pre-plan your schedule!

Don't forget if you are contemplating the XTERRA Syracuse or XTERRA ASP to let us know if you are interested in joining a training team at Tom's as well.

S-WORKS 2014 Spring Clearance Sale! In-Stock Merchandise only!

Tom's Pro Bike Service
3687 Walden Avenue
Lancaster, New York 14086
Phone: (716)651-9995
E-Mail Us: tom@tomsprobike

http://www.tomsprobike.com/

Travel By Bike Thursday - COMMUTING GEAR

So gas prices have gotten high enough for you that you are finally going to take the plunge and start commuting to work.  Or maybe you have been commuting for a while and want to see what new gear is being released out there to make the ride safer, warmer, or drier.  Today we are going to hit some commuting gear that will make your trip better than sitting a car idling on the 190 or The Blue Water Tower!

First off is the Schwalbe Marathon 700x23c tire.  This tire, is the smaller counterpart, to the 32c that I used for gravel racing, touring, and commuting on previous bikes and it is bombproof.  I cannot tell you how many miles I had on these tires without 1 flat so I would highly recommend this if you are looking for a skinnier and stronger tire for your commuting rig!  MSRP: $41.95

Cat-Eye has a "Commuter" specific computer out as well.  It gives you ETA to destination, Time, Temperature, and all of the other features a typical bike computer gives you.  One cool feature is the carbon offset feature that shows you how much you are saving by commuting instead of driving.

Lights - this time of the year you will most likely be caught either at dusk or dawn and quite possibly both.  Without lights you are an accident waiting to happen - either you hitting something in the road or a car hitting you.  We carry a couple of different brands of lights but I have been drawn to the USB Rechargeable Lights lately and Serfas has some great ones like the TSL-S250 Headlight.  It is easily charged and gives you visibility and allows cars to see you as well!

The Serfas Thunderbolt Rear Blinker is a great tool that is USB chargeable as well.

For more information on any of the above items or other accessories/clothing to make your commute better stop by the shop!

Time to start planning your winter training so stop by and sign up for our Fall or Winter Race Series.  Slots are filling up fast so don't delay!

Service Clinic coming up THIS THURSDAY September 26, 2013 - 7:00 - 9:00pm.  Sign up on-line so we can have a head count!

XTerra is Returning to WNY - XTerra ASP September 28, 2013.  There is still time to register!

Tom's Pro Bike Service
3687 Walden Avenue
Lancaster, New York 14086
P: (716)651-9995
E-Mail Us: tom@tomsprobike.comhttp://www.tomsprobike.com/