The sixties are baaaaaack, man!!

So says the Crazy Eddie of Single Speeds up in Framingham, MA. If the '60s are coming back, does that mean they'll bring back the Mud Shark?

I wonder if Phil is trying to become the next Sheldon Brown? Anyway, when I saw these Weinmann DP18s in orange with orange hubs I new I had to get them for the Death Fork! After a quick email exchange resulting in Phil's phone number I pulled the trigger on this wheelset and got some good rubber to go with.

So it looks like IROs Track hubs I got last summer are now on the table. Shoot me an email if innerested in these babies. Thinking $75 (+ship). I am about to have a second fixie in the stable!

Go Like Thoreau ! Simplify....Simplify....GO SINGLE SPEED

He's back!  Who, might you ask?  The man that I call the Crazy Eddie of Framingham, MA.  His prices are INSANE!

Its huge in the Big Apple, Its huge in Frisco, Its huge in Atlanta, Philly, San Diego, Chicago. 

Why is America going ga-ga over single speed? 

1. Direct short chain line for more power per pedal stroke. 

2. Easy to clean and maintain your bike. 

3. You get a much better bike for the buck, without all the rotten, over-priced shifters and derailleurs. 

4. We all hate planned obsolesence and corporate monopoly. Shimano controls the bike industry, and they make rotten shift systems, 

5. It IS the money. New bikes are WAY over-priced, and getting rid of the crappy shifters is a great way to save $$$. 

If you need gears to get up a hill, than you are a lilly-livered, candy-assed wussy !! 

Go Like Thoreau ! Simplify....Simplify....GO SINGLE SPEED 

Ad Link

Fixie hotline 508 620 6600

If you are wondering if Cycle Snack has been effected by the Peanut Butter Salmonella recall, I can safely say that the Snack is a Peanut Free Blog. The winter doldrums have actually come this year which have led to not many riding opportunities since New Years because we are actually having a winter this year in New England. The only thing to keeping me going right now is building and rebuilding bikes. I have wheels on the Bridgestone now but I have to replace all the brake pads and cables. I have been hemming and hawing as to what rear wheel to use:

1. Bolt on disc/rim brake hub single speed wheel that I originally bought for the Fetish Fixation
   
2. QR disc brake with shimano cassette hub with Atomblast hoop (I have a spacer kit from Surly)
3. QR rim brake with shimano cassette hub.
   

Last night, I made a break through or maybe I have just gave up, I am not sure. I decided to go with the first wheel for the Bridgestone, because I can use it as a flip flop wheel for both fixed gear and free wheel. The other option was the Atomblast (#2) wheel but that wheel is just too beefy for road use. Unless I can find a cheap, disc brake, cassette hub wheel, this is the best bet.

This of course speeds up my decision on what to do with the Fixation now, which I am going to use the Atomblast wheel for the fixation. I hoping to get a pair of Kenda Stick-es 2.6s from a buddy and eventually make it an 8 speed hardtail. Then, if I can find a good deal on replacement fork for the 'Horse, one that has a remote lockout, then the Marzocchi will go on the Fetish. Also by going this route, I can experiment on another Ghost Chain Ring test. I looked at trying a Ghost Ring on the Bridgestone and figured out that it wouldn't work because the chainstays are not long enough.

I am planning on a cold weather commute next Monday because my car is going to be in the shop for a couple of days. I don't think I will have the Bridgestone ready in time (unless I can find a non-drive side 175mm crank arm by Sunday) for that ride and I am not sure I would want to try it as an innaugural run, however, I am probably going to ride the 'Goose instead now that it's ready for commuting.

This ride could be monumental and set new records in Sub-rural-urbia. The planning alone is turning into a whole new effort. The big part of planning this ride is deciding what to wear, from head to toe.

The winter doldrums appear to be having an effect on Crazy Eddie as well. He's got some great prices on parts but my understanding is that he will not ship. These prices are insane!

PREDICTION: 50 % of bicyclists will be riding single-speed or fixed-gear by 2012.

Discount store for fixed-gear/single speed stuff. No charge for labor, helping you convert your old bike, with any purchase.

Fixie hotline 508 620 6600

Our mission: - make bicycling simple and inexpensive for regular folks.
WHEELS
Alex Ace 19 rim with Formula hub. Rear flip flop $34 front $32
Mavic Open Sport rim with Formula hub Rear flip flop $55 Front $54
Weinmann LP18 rim with Formula hub Rear flip flop $43 Front $41
Mavic CXP 22 Silver with Formula Set front and rear $115/set
Mavic CXP 22 Black set $125 set
Weinmann Deep V DP18 colored sets, ;yellow, blue, red, black, gold $120
27 inch double wall rims with Quando hubs $24
Winmann SP17 $80 per set
Lots more

Cranksets
Bulletproof (no ring) $27
Bulletproof with rocket ring $42
Origin 8 with ring $37
Speedwell with ring $27
Sugino (no ring) $53
Rocket rings $13

Tires
Michelin Orium $12
Kenda Kontender $8
Kenda 27 inch black $5
Continental 27 in $12
Gatorskin $26
Continental Ultra sport $13

Track pedals $16
Road pedals with clips $12
Road pedals without clips $9.50
Steel clips with straps $7.50

Track grips $6

KMC chains $6
Bullhorn Bars $13

I hope his prediction comes true! I wonder if I should change his name to the Nostradamus of the New England Fixed Gear Culture. I found another post of his that appears to be somewhat toned down. I hope this is just an effect of the weather and not a marketing strategy change.

Single speed/fixed gear road bike. - $300 (Framingham)

Reply to: sale-1000022370@craigslist.org [?]
Date: 2009-01-20, 5:36AM EST

New single-speed and fixed-gear bikes. Previous model year closeouts. Up to 40% off list. Prices $185 to $375. E-mail for list.

Perhaps 30% of the biking population in Boston is riding single-speed or fixed-gear.

Either this is an efficient, affordable, low-maintenance, stress-free way of commuting – or we are all dumb !

Nothing like converting a great ole’ eighties road bike to fixie; but good ones are getting harder to find, - and more expensive to convert. Try a brand new bike at a discount price.

Single speed/fixed gear. THE WAY !

Bike buying tips for hard times

Saw this post looking something new from Crazy Eddie but not sure it's his.  Has some of his qualities but I can't be sure.  Below this one is a new one from Eddie.

Re: Bike buying tips for hard times (USA)

---

Reply to: sale-989535928@craigslist.org ^[?]
Date: 2009-01-12, 7:57AM EST

What a load of crap. 

First place, Chances are good, if you like the bike and walk away because you couldn't get the price you wanted, it will be more expensive or sold next time around. 
Bikes shops if there worth anything at all, know that it gets slow in the winter and use the time to get ready for the onslaught of business in the early spring, sometimes as early as mid February 
Unless you do bicycle repair all the time, you loose it. I know this because right after this, Im going down to my home shop to work on the bike I will be riding 20 miles into work today.You also need a place that you can drip oil on the floor and a good place to clean up. Working on your bike is fun, but dose takes time away from when you could be riding. I wouldn't recommend it for someone who wants to save money. 
Dream on about your single speed. I once road back from Montreal on a 1936 Raleigh fixed gear, had a blast, but I would never recommend it for everyone. 
Shimano does a great job and as time goes on, STI levers have gotten better. Hey, Your so Smart, why dont you make your own! 
Funny about Shimano, there in town tonight and most of the dealers will be there. I will bring your letter so I can pass it around. 
The best advice to give anyone about dealing with retail sales of any sort is to not look for a deal. If you cant afford the item, save your money till you can. Beating the salesperson down does not make for good relations and will hurt you in the long run. The best customers that get discounts without asking are happy, fun, friendly and caring about the employee that most likely dosent even make a living wage. 

Not sure if this is a good tip but if you have been around bikes long enough you know that late fall and early winter is the best time to get a deal on a bike.  I have to echo the sentiments of bike repair.  I do it because I find it fun and to be one with my bike (famous Zen saying) but I would be hesitant to take this up as a full time career because it would take away from the ride time I think.

I am a dickless pushover! (priceless)  That would have been a nice title but I am not sure the virgin ears & eyes of my readers could stand the vulgarity in that statement.  They are getting more outrageous each week and now they are even penetrating the road bike market.  Guess Eddie is trying to expand his business and build an empire!

Yes, Virginia, 27-inch wheels are still available

I don't think I have to tell you who this Craigslist ad is coming from if you are a regular reader of Cycle Snack, but if you need a reminder then please watch the following YouTube vid (I love watching these commercials):



As usual his marketing tactics are always a pleasure to read:

Nefarious forces in the bicycle industry will tell you that new 27-inch wheels are extinct. They want you to throw away your great ole' steel road bike, and buy an overpriced, shoddy new aluminum or carbon shitter.

I have over 100 brand new 27-inch wheels in stock. (list below)

These old bikes can be restored, or converted to single speed, inexpensively. I can convert for you with a new rear wheel, new chain, and single-speed freewheel for $60.

For another $60 you can get a new bottom bracket AND a new crankset.

Go to your local bike shop and ask for a single-speed or fixed-gear conversion on your old bike. If they try to upsell you to a new bike, than walk your ass out the door.

The bike manufacturers are doing a horrible job these days, producing overpriced junk. The Shimano monopoly produces flimsy, finicky derailleurs and shifters, which never work correctly.

ONWARD, TO THE PAST !! Go Single Speed !

Some good deals that's for sure but he'll get you in shipping if you are not local. I have been tempted to buy a wheelset but to make it worth while you really need to buy a couple of them. Kind of like ordering something from NYC bikes: if it's a small item like a fork, they'll charge you $8 to ship (to CT atleast) and it's $40 for a large item like a wheelset or frame.

Real men have rigid forks!

The Crazy Eddie of Framingham does it again! I wonder if this marketing technique is effective. Basically cajoling people to buy his products. If anything, it's definitely amusing.

Single spd and 8 spd 29er mountain bikes - $300 (Framingham)

Reply to: sale-970846544@craigslist.org [?]

Date: 2008-12-27, 5:09AM EST

Hey you rough, tough mountain dudes ! I see you at Lynn Woods and Viet Nam with your full-suspension, 27-speed wussie bikes.

Stop being a girly, sugar-assed puffball.!

Try one of these brand-new, steel, single-speed 29ers, - no suspension, no gears; - pure minimalism.

These are 40% off list price.

I have sizes 17 and 19 in 26 inch single-speeed for $260, - sizes 19 and 21 in single speed 29ers for $280, - sizes 15, 17, 19, in 8-speed 29er for $335 – size 17 in aluminum 29er with discs for $360.

Us single-speed mountain guys are so tough, when we go to the bathroom – crowbars come out !

Real men have rigid forks !

I wonder in if this is the same GT Peace 29er that I found on Craigslist earlier this year? Again, this could be a pretty good deal if you could get for $300 or $400. Based on Eddie's prices, you could do a day long road trip consisting of buying a new bike (because that is always fun), hitting a brew pub, and going riding. Probably a 3 hour round trip drive, hit Eddie's shop, do lunch at Post Road Brewing Company and sneak in a ride at Lynn Woods on the way home would be a great Master Card commercial.

And here is another 29er in CT up for grabs! Aesthetically, I am not sure I dig the green Chris King headset on purple bike. If the guy is ready for a new one he either realizes he is indeed a puff ball and can't stand riding rigid or he's got so many miles on this bike that it's about to fall apart. Size and miles are the two questions you might want to ask this seller.

2007 Kona Unit 2-9 29er...Chris King, DT Swiss, EXTRAS!! (North Stongington)

PARTS LIST:

Cook Brothers Crank set. (Indestructible)
Chris King Green Headset
SPD pedals
Salsa Degado rear rim with XT hub
DT Swiss front wheel. with 340 hub
brand new brake levers
brand new avid front and rear mechanical disc brakes
wtb seat with seat post
brand new Kenda Nevangal rear tire
used but in good condition kenda Karma front tire
new tubes in tires
Ritchey stem and handlebar

Might be a good deal but if you are interested in this bike but don't discount Crazy Eddie, his prices are INSANE.

If I get another 29er, it will definitely have gears and it will be rigid. In fact, I would probably use it to replace the 'Goose.

If you need shocks and gears, than you need brassiere and panties as well!

This guy's ads on Craigslist remind me of those Crazy Eddie commercials back in the late '70s and early '80s of the guy basically yelling at you to come down and get the best deal on audio electronics. Because, his prices are INSANE! If you don't know what I am talking about then check out this vid from the 'Tube:



Just in time for the holidays, too!

I think I will have to start calling him the Crazy Eddie of Singlespeeding with his classic quotes on why you should ride singlespeed and rigid.

Read my lips: single-speed bicycling is NOT a fad - it is the future of cycling in America, and the world !

Don't be a puff ball - GO RIGID!

These bikes are for hardcore smashmouth types!

No girly shocks and gears here.

One-speed mountain folks are so tough, when they go to the bathroom, crowbars come out!!

Here is a link to the post. When I am ready to try an aluminum 29er, I am going to have to make a road trip up here and get one of these and then take it over to NEMBA's Vietnam Property on the way home to test it out! Now that would be an adventure.

Don't be a Puff Ball - GO RIGID!

Phil at Simple Living Cycles in Framingham never dissapoints when it comes to advertising bikes on Craigslist. There are some very convincing arguments in this ad to buy a rigid 29er:

1. You have to be hardcore (according to the Urban Dictionary) to ride a rigid 29er which I believe that is what he means by Smashmouth.
2. I am sure he would agree that Gears are for Queers (reference courtesy of Bikesnobnyc) with his statement: No girly shocks or gears here. Because only hardcore mountain bikers (and Cyclocrossers) ride rigid.
3. I am not sure I would exactly agree with this statement: One-speed mountain folks are so tough, when they go to the bathroom, crowbars come out !! I do know my excrement smells like roses (and so does Jessica Simpson's flatulence) and is worshipped by the non-29er, full suspension riding community.
   

So, if you are looking for a good reason to go 29er and neither Phil nor I have been convincing enough for you, let me point you to six reasons why you should ride a 29er.

No Low Ballers. I always find it amusing people selling bikes on Craigslist that think the price they set is what you are expected to pay. You have to figure that the price on the bike is marked up at least 10 to 20% and what you really don't know is the actual condition. Of course, there are those people who put a bike up on Craigslist because they just want to sell it and that is the true value of Craigslist, I think. That is how I got my Mongoose. Twenty clams for the perfect family/winter commuter rig. At some point I hope to upgrade this to a Kona Unit 2-9 but for the price and the condition of the bike it fills the gap nicely.

Now, take this bike for an example, a 2009 GF Cobia that is being sold at almost half of it's MSRP? My first thought is that it's 2008 and not a 2009 but if the owner has too many bikes and is selling a bike with only one test ride, what this really sounds like is a Local Bike Shop. Probably one of their good customers wanted a 29er and they ordered this bike for them but the customer either didn't like it or it was too small for them. In order to keep the customer, the LBS took it back and is now trying the bike in anyway possible. Good chance they don't sell many 29ers if any at all.

This still could be a good deal if you are looking for 29er and the bike is the right fit. Still, I don't see why the seller couldn't be a little more forthcoming on the reason they are selling the bike. Of course there is a Low Ball and then there is a Low Ball Offer. I bet you, if you showed up with $600 cash money the seller takes it. You might even get it for less but probably not much less. That is of course you are getting what the bike is spec'd out as:

Wheels: Shimano M475 hubs, Bontrager Ranger disc 29" rims, 32h

Componentry: Shimano Deore front derailleur, SRAM X5 rear derailleur, SRAM X5 shifters, Shimano FC-M442-8-S crank, Avid BB5 mechanical disc brakes | (Full Specs)

Suspension: RockShox Tora Race Solo Air 29, 80mm travel