BikeBling.com :: Blog

2011-12-21T13:58:00.001-08:00

This blog has been discontinued since January 2010. Please join us on Facebook and Twitter for current news, updates and promotions.

Thank you.

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Happy Holiday to all of you that pedal for adventure!

2010-12-09T00:38:00.000-08:00

Niner Demo Event - November 26th

2010-11-23T20:22:00.000-08:00

Come on out and join us for a Niner Bikes Demo event. This is a great opportunity to test ride the new bikes from Niner in familiar terrain. Bring your pedals and your helmet. The guys from Niner will take care of the rest. Make sure to tell your friends to come out and work off that turkey dinner. The weather should be great and the trails are packed down from the last rainfall.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Turkey Day Savings

2010-11-23T20:17:00.000-08:00

20% off Sidi sale on now!

2010-08-13T18:56:00.000-07:00

We have our Sidi Shoe sale going on now through the 22nd of August. Take 20% off any purchase of Sidi shoes or accessories. Use the code 20offsidi and save. We have excellent stock on all Sidi's best road and mountain shoes. Check it out and save... BikeBling.com

2010-08-03T10:57:00.000-07:00

This is a great opportunity to trail test the latest offerings from Yeti. This is the best chance to try their bikes in familiar terrain. Information on the bikes they generally bring to these demo events can be found here http://www.yeticycles.com/#/demo/ Bring your helmet and your pedals... the guys from Yeti will take care of the rest.

For directions to the event click here

The 22 days of the Tour de France Deals

2010-07-09T18:08:00.000-07:00

BikeBling.com

2010-06-12T10:59:00.000-07:00

Limited time only! 30% off all 661 EVO pads and shorts. Sale is on now! http://bit.ly/aWtlt4

2011 Fox in the House!

2010-06-04T18:41:00.000-07:00

We just unloaded the first pallet and have loaded the inventory to the system. We're flush in 2011 Fox Forks at the Bling!

We're all looking at our old tired forks trying to fight the urge to upgrade. One of the joys of working in the industry is that you're always tempted by something shiny and new coming through the back door. "I can pay rent next week right?"

Fox has ramped up their entire line and added a few new forks to the 2011 line-up. Check out the new Talas 29er forks. Kashima coatings the re-introduction of Terralogic and Fox's sweet version of QR15... "Hey! get your hands off that one! It's mine..." BikeBling.com

HUGE Memorial Day Sale at BikeBling.com

2010-05-27T02:14:00.000-07:00

Our Memorial Day Sale runs from Friday the 28th to midnight Monday the 31st. Use the code REMEMBER to receive and additional 10% off of your entire order. Locally our ProShop will be open normal business hours Friday and Saturday, but closed Sunday and Monday. Locals can order online, select "in-store" pickup at check out to save on shipping costs by picking up your order after the holiday. visit bikebling.com

Industry Nine now available at Bike Bling

2010-05-06T12:27:00.000-07:00

Industry Nine at BikeBling.com

We're stoked to offer you Industry Nine wheels. We've loaded up the site with the latest All Mountain, Enduro, 29er XC & DH wheels. We have a grip of them on their way to the shop in the most popular color combos. Tell your bros where they can now be found.

"Price Match" policy update

2010-04-16T00:08:00.000-07:00

We get slammed at the shop and we don't have the time to research price match requests while you're standing at the checkout line. We ask that you follow these rules to get in-store deals.

"Price Match is only valid online - "NO" in-store price matches - Submit your price match requests online for approval. Once approved place your order online and select "in-store pickup" for delivery. We will call to confirm that your order is ready for pickup."

The opportunity to get deals is still there you just have to work it a little differently now. Thank you for you cooperation!

2010-03-07T09:43:00.000-08:00

The Gran Fondo Colnago San Diego Expo will take place at the finish line in the south lot of the County Administration Building, accessed from W. Ash St between N. Harbor Dr and Pacific Highway.

The expo is FREE and open to all. Sunday March 7th 9am - 4pm

BUILD NEW TRAIL - Saturday, March 6th, 8:00 AM

2010-02-26T18:51:00.000-08:00

Join the San Diego Mountain Biking Association, Olivenhain
Municipal Water District and our trail work sponsor BikeBling.com on
Saturday March 6th for trail work at Elfin Forest Recreational
Reserve.

We will be completing construction of a new segment of the Lake
Hodges Overlook. Meet at the base of the dam at 8:00 am for signin,
work instructions and safety meeting. Take Via Ambiente between
the 4.5 and 5 mile markers on Harmony Grove Rd., head 1 mile up
the road and turn left to the base of the dam. The OMWD rangers
will have a shuttle vehicle for transportation to the work site, but you
are also encouraged to ride or hike in. All tools and training will be
provided. Please bring eye protection, gloves, hat, sun block, water
and a snack. If you plan on attending the trail work event, please

RSVP to matt@sdmba.com .

2010 Niner Jet 9 update

2009-12-09T12:21:00.001-08:00

A lot of you are eager to know what’s going on with the new 2010 Jet 9. We wanted to have definitive news before giving you an update.

We have made many prototypes over the last few months and have found one that meets our internal goals for weight, stiffness and overall strength. We have finalized the design and completed the final stages of testing a few weeks ago and are currently assembling a few more test frames from production raw materials. Once we re-confirm the results are the same as our prototypes and the manufacturing processes are in place, we will ramp up production and get frames to those of you who are eagerly waiting replacements.

On a side note all current frame productions are spot checked for welds. We pull random samples from each batch and have them sent to an independent lab for x-ray testing. Only after these pass are the frames sent on for painting and finishing.

We will have pictures of the final production frame very soon (in about two weeks). Right now, we are still on target to get these frames out in February. The first batches are of course replacement frames, but we also have complete frames being produced for sale at the same time, and so there will be a simultaneous launch of the 2010 Jet 9 and replacement frames being sent out to eagerly waiting customers.

Thank you so much for sticking with us through this process.

Chris and Steve
Niner Bikes

ANNOUNCEMENT - SEED PROJECT BENEFIT AUCTION

2009-10-30T10:27:00.000-07:00

SEED PROJECT BENEFIT AUCTION
Friday, November 6, 2009
6:00-8:30pm
Stingaree (454 6th Ave San Diego, CA 92101)

Please join us at the live auction that is being held at one of downtown's hot spots, Stingaree, on Friday, November 6 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. The auction will raise funds for this year's SEED Project – to renovate the home of a tri-athlete, Skip Gleavey, who suffered a terrible bicycle accident, leaving him paralyzed.

The live auction will feature a variety of items and services; including a round of golf for 4 at the exclusive Bighorn Country Club in Palm Desert, VIP and limo service for 12 at Stingaree with 2 bottles, no line and no cover, a two-night stay at The Dana on Mission Bay and two tickets to Sea World, a one-hour Jazz Performance by Karin Carson, Gourmet Dinner for 6 at the home of Craig and Linda Barkacs (restricted to USD students/faculty/staff), 5-hours of Handyman service, Wine tasting, Spa packages...and much more!!

In addition, the event will include an exclusive art exhibition and sale by KIN Agency for the Arts.

All proceeds from the auction and 25% of art sale proceeds will go to support SEED's 2009 project for Skip Gleavey.

**The first 75 people at the event will receive a gift certificate for a free pearl necklace from Diamond Boutique**

For questions about the project/event or to donate an auction item, please contact Barbara Withers at bwithers@sandiego.edu.

Coming soon to Bike Bling

2009-09-15T20:38:00.000-07:00

Topolino is launching two new wheel models with new TrueBlack™ spokes. Be the first to view them at the upcoming Interbike show in Las Vegas. For the first time in over seven years, Topolino is offering a special new composite spoke material with 50% greater carbon content. The additional carbon fiber yields higher tensile stiffness, which translates to greater lateral stiffness and responsiveness. This performance comes at an amazingly low weight, as the proprietary composite spoke technology has a superior stiffness-to-weight ratio that simply can not be matched by metal spokes.

The TrueBlack™ CTR2.0 is the most functional wheelset in the Topolino family. Weighing a mere 1360 grams per pair, they can handle everything from racing to ultra-distance training. These wheels climb like a gazelle, ride like silk and are built to last.

TrueBlack™ ATR 3.0 - The Most Aerodynamic Clincher Wheelset Yet.
The TrueBlack™ ATR3.0 balances enhanced aerodynamics with stability and control in changing cross-wind conditions. The reduced spoke count minimizes wind resistance, while the 2:1 rear lacing ratio provides truly balanced spoke tension and increased lateral stiffness.

The new TrueBlack wheel models complement the existing line of Topolino wheels, which are the highest performing, most technologically advanced wheels made. All are handcrafted individually at the Topolino workshop in Bethel, Connecticut.

BikeBling.com

BikeBling - The shop one year later....

2009-09-12T02:10:00.000-07:00

Thanks to uRide TV for the pimping video.

Now available at BikeBling.com

2009-09-10T23:49:00.000-07:00

The new 951 FRO SRAM Build bike has everything you need to hit the track except for pedals and a number plate. The sport of downhill requires a frame that can adapt to any track and the new 951 answers the call. Featuring World Cup winning geometry the Intense is famous for and added adjustability, the new 951 is ready to put you on the podium no matter what the mountain throws at you.

New G3 dropouts for adjustable head angle, bottom bracket height and wheelbase adjustability. Next generation VPP. 83mm bottom bracket. ISCG '05 chain guide mount. 1.5" headtube. Lock 'n' Load! This is a great platform to get started on one of 2010's most desirable downhill race bikes.

These are available for $4951.00 which is a great deals for such a desirable frameset!
BikeBling.com

JET 9 RECALL: LETTER TO NINER RIDERS

2009-08-21T17:32:00.000-07:00

We would like to apologize to Niner owners who have been patiently waiting for us to address the problems you have been experiencing with the Jet 9. Please understand it has nothing to do with Niner ignoring or not caring about our customers.

The fact is we have been very hard at work analyzing the issues with the Jet 9 so that we could fully understand the warranty cases we received and provide a definitive solution. This analysis included destructive testing, metallurgical study and FEA computer modeling. Using these methods we examined the quality of the base metal, filler material, heat affected zone of the weld, structural design and finish quality of the frames. We built over 20 new prototypes and tested them in every way imaginable.

In light of test results and after many hours of discussion on how best to serve our loyal customers, we decided to voluntarily recall Jet 9 frames with serial numbers from P8071682 to P8400454. These frames risk welding defects in the front and rear triangles that may lead to a premature failure of the frame. Unfortunately, there is no way to visually check for these weld defects. We must require that you stop riding the frame immediately because a failure could occur at any time.

We cannot overstate our concern in regards to these issues, and are investing significant portion of company resources into correcting the issue in the most expedited manner. Niner puts a lot of care into producing bikes that we are proud to put our name on. Our goal is to provide excellent customer service and we realize that ths recall is a huge inconvenience. The amount of time we have put into this testing process has caused production delays, leaving orders unfilled. We know that customers spent hard earned money on a Niner and now we are asking that you to send the frame back for replacement. For some people this is a second time. We cannot begin to explain how sorry we feel about this, but we promise we will make things right and thank you for your purchase, understanding and support.

More information can be found here

Tour de Poway - October 4th 2009

2009-08-17T19:22:00.000-07:00

The 24th Annual Tour de Poway Fun Bike Ride has grown to be one of the largest fun ride cycling events in southern California drawing over 2,000 participants. All the rides start and finish in Poway the "City in the country" and travel through scenic north county San Diego. The 100, 62 and 50 mile courses begin with a climb up the Poway road grade (8% for 3 miles) followed by a fantastic 7 mile downhill. The century route includes a ride down the coast before heading back to Poway. The 26 and 18 mile courses provide both a fun and enjoyable experience for the weekend cyclists. After cyclists return to Old Poway park, they will have the option to relax, listen music and visit the booths at the health & fitness expo. The Tour de Poway is hosted by the Kiwanis club of Poway and portions of the proceeds are donated to several north San Diego county Kiwanis clubs. More information can be found here.

SRAM Issues Voluntary Recall for 10-Speed Chain Power Locks

2009-08-07T14:17:00.000-07:00

SRAM, in conjunction with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, announced a voluntary recall of the SRAM 10-Speed Chain Powerlock connector links. They discovered the Powerlock connector plate could crack during installation or early use, causing loss of bicycle control and possible injury. For this reason, SRAM is recalling and replacing all affected SRAM 10-Speed Chain Powerlock connector links.

To learn more about the recall and obtain a return authorization number and replacement Power Lock connector links, please visit the link below. If you have further questions regarding this recall, please call the SRAM Dealer Service line at 1-800-2928.

SRAM Voluntary Recall Notice (PDF)

Fixed in Paris

2009-08-05T17:08:00.001-07:00

Gorilla in Paris from Gorilla Bicycles on Vimeo.

Great bike for the money!

2009-08-04T20:26:00.000-07:00

The Element 10 provides the best attributes in aggressive XC riding; light weight aluminum frame with carbon seatstays, 100mm of plush suspension travel and smooth shifting Shimano components.

The rear suspension features the 3DLink™ which is a triangular geometry ideally suited for aggressive cross-country riding. Since the 3DLink™ design does not rely on the shock as a structural member of the frame, it is incredibly stiff laterally, creating a bike that tracks straight and loses nothing to flex. Carbon fiber seat stays keep the rear of the bike nimble and light.

Were selling this bike for $600.00 off of the SRP. Was $1999.99 BikeBling special price $1399.99.

Click here for more details and 'buy it now' options.

Pre-order the most anticipated 29er frameset ever!

2009-07-14T16:15:00.000-07:00

The Foes Racing 2010 2:1 b29 Bomber an all hand fabricated Foes Racing 29” Wheel Ready Frameset equipped with an all hand-made Curnutt XTD Air rear shock. Each framed is hand welded by Brent Foes himself.

Orders placed before Interbike will be placed at a $2999 MSRP. After Interbike the price of this coveted frameset leaps to $3300 MSRP

Orders placed before Interbike will be fabricated by Brent Foes at the Foes Fabrications facility in Pasadena, CA during October and November for December delivery.

If you want this frameset before the first of the year this is the only way to get it. Orders placed after Interbike will be at the higher MSRP and delivered after January 1^st.

Custom Colors are available on Pre-Orders, Raw frames are also available and, of course, the Foes Team colors of Race Red or Stallion Black are standard.

Foes Handcrafted Race Bikes can be found at BikeBling.com

Look 566 Road Bike Action Review

2009-07-02T00:38:00.000-07:00

With their brand awareness among high-end cyclists secured, for 2009 Look decided to aim their technology and cutting-edge design traits at a more entry-level cyclist. Enter the 566 Origin. Not cheap, but the bike is definitely less expensive than the racier models that cost about two thousand dollars more. The cost savings are quick to come by, especially since this model comes out of Asia and not the Look factory in France. With its shorter top tube and taller head tube, the 566 differs from the race bikes with its more upright positioning. As you expect from a stylish company like Look, there’s more to the eye of the 566 than just round tubes. The compact frame has a distinct kink in the top tube (a trait shared with their radical 596 TT bike) and a shapely rear triangle that is intended to be both stylish and functional by allowing some designed-in resiliency.

THE PARTS
Among mid-priced bikes, Shimano Ultegra is probably the most widely spec’d component group. Consistent, light-action shifting, good brakes and excellent durability—what more could you ask for? The Campagnolo-made Fulcrum wheels, Hutchinson tires and Selle San Marco saddle add some Euro flair.

THE VERDICT
As much as it loved to be railed around fast corners, the 566 was a little hesitant to make sharp apex turns. None of the test riders noticed any added comfort due to the shaped chain and seatstays, but it was definitely stiff enough from head to toe to satisfy a budding sprinter. Tour de France legacy notwithstanding, the Look 566 is not a Tour de France race bike. But it wasn’t designed to be. Although the ride quality was a bit on the flat side to be a top notch, responsive race bike, the 566 is definitely capable of raising any recreational level rider’s game. For anyone looking to own a piece of vaunted French cycling heritage at sizable cost savings, the 566 is it.

FINAL WORD The 566 will raise any recreational rider’s game and add a dose of Tour de France flare to your local ride.
PRICE: $3199 ($1999 frame)
WEIGHT: 16.7 pounds
INFO: http://www.lookcycle-usa.com/
BONUS POINTS: Fulcrum wheels, stylish rear triangle, solid in sprints, Selle San Marco saddle.

AVAILABLE NOW AT BIKEBLING.COM $2999.99

Reaching out far and wide

2009-06-29T15:37:00.000-07:00

We have friends everywhere nowadays. Our good buddy Paul sent this photo from Alaska. Wish I was there!

At the shop we're clearing out our remainder 2009 Fox forx. We still have a decent selection to choose from, but snap to it because they are moving fast!

Sweet deal...

2009-05-28T21:50:00.000-07:00

These are going fast! Look's fine 986 X9 Origin Carbon XC Race bike on sale at Bike Bling. We have the complete bike available for $2999.99... The best deal on the web right now. Everyone else is listing them at $3799.99. We have a bunch in stock and ready to ship. A 22.3lb carbon XC race bike for 2999? The guys in the shop are drooling... Who needs to pay bills? I need a new bike!

Seriously, We have good supply on the full size run, but they are already going fast. Once they're gone they're gone. Click here to get one for yourself today. Even I want one even though I don't need another bike. Desire is a fabulous thing!

2009-05-21T13:58:00.000-07:00

BikeBling would like to remember those who have served and thank those who our presently serving our great nation. Thank you.

We're kicking off summer in a big way. For the next ten days we have marked down some of this seasons hottest gear! Great deals can be found throughout the site. Grab the deals while you can as some of these deals will not be available after the end of the month.

New breed of DH race bike. Introducing the Intense 951 FRO

2009-04-19T15:47:00.000-07:00

The 951 FRO has been designed around the next generation VPP2 suspension platform. It features travel in the range of 8-8.5in, a 83mm-wide bottom bracket, One Point Five head tube and ISCG 05 guide mount. The frame is constructed from Easton EA6 tubing and custom CNC machined 6061 aluminum bits (linkage and rear dropouts). A medium frame with Fox DHX RC4 shock is said to weigh 9.5lb. Complete bike as shown is said to weigh in at 37lbs!

First in production will be the FRO (For Racing Only) model with monocoque down tube and G3 dropouts, allowing the rider to change wheelbase, head angle and bottom bracket height depending on track conditions. Plans are in the works for a less expensive model with a traditional down tube and fixed dropouts is in the production pipeline. They will be available in 3 sizes and in various color options YTBD.

MSRP is $2760 for the FRO with Fox RC4 shock, $2420 for the production version with Fox RC2

Give us a call for production updates and availability @ 1-800-BIKEPRO or visit BikeBling.com

Making the 951 from jeff steber on Vimeo.

Big Boy Toys

2009-04-11T12:12:00.000-07:00

If you thought you were too tall to fit onto a nice high-end mountain bike and didn't want to spend the big dollars for a custom fit bike frame. Think again.

This 25" Ventana El Capitan 29er went out to a customer that is 6'-7" tall. 29ers are the logical choice when shopping for a mountain bike that will fit taller individuals. You get all of the same benefits of a standard mountain bike plus the added advantage of 29" wheels which roll over obstacles better than a 26" wheel ever will.

Ventana is a premiere manufacturer of solid, handcrafted, made in the USA mountain bikes. For the past 21 years, they have building some of the best bikes you can buy. The Ventana El Capitan offers up 4" of plush rear wheel travel. The "X" frame design adds much needed lateral rigidity while giving a generous amount of standover height. The larger El Capitan's come with quad bearings at the rocker and bottom bracket pivots which increases the durability while reducing the maintenance frequency of the pivot points.

The El Capitan and the El Rey are available in 17", 19", 21", 23" & 25" frame sizes. Visit here for more details. Call us if you want more information or if you'd like a quote on a new dream ride. 1-800-BIKEPRO.

Previewing the capabilities of the New V.I.O. POV 1.5

2009-03-05T17:31:00.001-08:00

The new V.I.O. POV 1.5 is a fully integrated point-of-view (POV) video system that's waterproof, dustproof, and shock-resistant. The system includes a mountable camera head, built-in video recorder, wireless remote and software for managing your point-of-view videos.

NEW FEATURES: Max 8GB SDHC, 4GB SDHC card provided, tethered head, better mounting solutions, tutorials on CD

High-quality wearable video camera records with 720 x 480 resolution at 30fps. Ergonomic user interface design enables single-handed operation and hands-free video capture. Modular mounting system provides camera stability while attached to helmets or other high impact gear. Components are shock-resistant, water-resistant and dustproof for use in the most hazardous environments. Bulletproof high quality action video everytime you require it!

The movie below was shot using a V.I.O. POV camera. Note the overall quality of the images both indoors and outdoors using natural lighting. The unit includes everything you need to start shooting professional quality video right out of the box...

Downhill mountain biking in Switzerland with Big Mountain from big mountain on Vimeo.

BikeBling.com is an authorized V.I.O. Dealer. We can help you with any questions you might have. Call us at 1-800-BIKEPRO if you have questions regarding the line of V.I.O. Point Of View cameras and accessories.

Tour of California - Bike Bling Expo Slideshow

2009-02-26T19:17:00.000-08:00

The final stage of the Amgen Tour of California was a great success. With crowds in excess of 25k, phenomenal support coming from the tour's sponsors. Escondido laid witness to a truly world class event. Levi Leipheimer and Team Astana took the overall race from what turned out to be the hardest stage of the race as far as shear elevation/miles ridden. Palomar mountain is always a challenge whether you're riding a road bike up East Grade or pedaling your way up Nate Harrison Grade on your mountain bike. You're going to feel it! We thank all of the riders in this year's tour. It's definitely North America's premiere stage race.

The Bike Bling Expo was a great success. Thanks go out to everyone that stopped by to see what been up to since we opened our doors last May. The Expo storefront had many asking if this was our new location? We're still located at our 413 West 5th Ave location. We moved everything back to the shop that same evening. A special thanks to all of our friends and family that have been there for us throughout this 10 month journey.

Thank you,

From everyone on the Bike Bling team!

How great bikes are born

2009-02-24T23:22:00.000-08:00

Do Not Watch The Ark from jeff steber on Vimeo.

BikeBling.com in the news

2009-02-20T20:05:00.001-08:00

Amgen Tour of California Comes to Escondido

2009-01-28T16:45:00.000-08:00

Escondido will play host to the finale of Amgen's Tour of California. Sunday February 22nd is the final stage of North America's greatest stage race. Stage 8 will start in Rancho Bernardo, California and finish in Escondido, California. The finish line is set in the heart of Escondido at the intersection of Broadway and Grand Avenue. Estimated finish times are for a 3:30pm for the first racers arrival. This could be the largest crowd of spectators in the history of Escondido. The tour organizers have estimated between 25 thousand to 40 thousand people will be in town for the event. You can read more about the official tour times for the race and the expo here.

"The Amgen Tour of California brings together the world's top professional teams to compete over a nine-day, 800 mile race through California. Watch Lance Armstrong race across the finish line during the San Diego North stage from Rancho Bernardo to Escondido."

Bike Bling will be in the thick of it as we have secured a space in the Expo on Grand Ave. Make sure to stop by Bike Bling's Expo Storefront at 224 East Grand Avenue and check out the incredible deals we'll have going on both Saturday and Sunday. The shop will be open too. So make sure to visit our Pro Shop located at 413 W 5th Ave, Escondido California 92025 (Just a few blocks from the main event).

Probably the best way to attend the event would be by bicycle. Parking downtown is limited and will fill up fast. At the Bike Bling Expo Storefront, the Downtown Business Association will be hosting a bike valet service at 224 East Grand Avenue. So find parking at your convenience, ride your bike to the event and store your bike securely with the good folks at the bike valet. Look for the signs directing you to the bike valet.

Public Transportation

The Sprinter light rail runs east to west between Oceanside and Escondido. The Escondido Transit Center is less than a mile from Downtown Escondido and the race finish.

On race day Sprinter trains will run every 30 minutes for westbound trips between 9:33 a.m. and 5:33 p.m. and for eastbound trips between 10:33 a.m. and 6:33 p.m., with hourly service before and after these times, in the mornings and evenings.

For schedules, fares, and more information, visit North County Transit District.

If you're visiting from out of town and want to get a bike ride in? Escondido has some of the best mountain and road cycling found anywhere. Bike Bling will be renting high end road and mountain bikes. Please check in with us as soon as possible to secure a bike for the event weekend. Want to know where the best rides are? We can point you in the right direction if you're going to ride while you're in town.

So be sure to stop by the Bike Bling Expo (at 224 East Grand Avenue) during your visit. We're having a Big Sale with a ton of this season's hottest cycling gear and bicycles on sale at the event. The Salebration Sale runs through the end of February. Visit BikeBling.com and start saving today!

If you have further questions about Bike Bling at the event please call us at 760-317-5450.

Listed below is some useful resource links:

Amgen Tour Info - Complete tour info
Lifestyle Festival - Information and times
San Diego Stage 8 Info - Route and stage information
San Diego North - Hotels, activities and more info
BikeBling.com - Bicycle sales, service, rentals and ride information
The tour on Versus - TV race coverage schedule (all times are EST)
Tour Stage Info - Stage information & estimated finish times

Niner's 2009 R.I.P. 9 News

2009-01-22T23:26:00.000-08:00

Here's the latest information received from Niner on the progress of the new RIP9...

The 2009 Rip 9 is coming down the pipe. Steve put some final touches on the frame, including a newly shaped top tube and removal of the pre-production gusset and support brace on the top tube (the frames we had at Interbike were still pre-production samples).

Through final testing and reshaping, the frame will be even stronger, cleaner and lighter than those shown at Interbike. Additionally, production frame welding will be neater.

On the color option front we have great news - the frame will be available in RAW! We've replaced the moondust grey with a raw finish to go with the ano black and milk dud ano for '09.

This first run will be limited so find your favorite Niner dealer to set up a deposit/pre-order.

FEATURES:

· Taper steerer tube technology
· Hydroformed top and downtubes
· Over 10 forged or extruded parts
· FEA and mechanical stress tested
· Real-world tested
· CVA™ Suspension technology
· 4.5" of travel, designed around 120mm travel forks

At Bike Bling we're taking pre-orders on the 2009 RIP9. The first batch will sell out fast, so if you're having thoughts on building one up this spring? Call us and we'll reserve one for you.

We still have some of the remaining 2008 JET9 frames at ridiculously low prices starting at $1299.00. They are selling fast. This is a great opportunity to join the Niner revolution and save. Click here for details.

Intense Dirt Demo Day at Daley Ranch 1.17.09

2009-01-12T16:44:00.000-08:00

Intense has scheduled a dirt demo at the Daley Ranch on Saturday Jan, 17th 2009 8am- 2pm. They will be meeting at the main parking lot at Daley Ranch at the LaHonda entrance to the park.

Word has it they will have 25 bikes up there for anyone to demo. Ride the new 2009 Tracer in an enviroment that will allow you to get a "real feel" for the bike in local terrain. Bring your helmet, pedals and shoes and leave the rest to the guys at Intense.

This is a guaranteed great time. The weather is going to optimal and the venue will entertain all comers.

Stop by Bike Bling before or after the event and check out the latest Intense bikes and frames we have for sale. We have some great deals on complete bikes this month!

Check out the write-up from local legend Mountain Bike Bill

Calling North County Mountain Bikers...

2009-01-08T15:04:00.001-08:00

North County Mountain Bikers:
Here's what's happening around North County

PENASQUITAS CANYON - TUNNEL TRAIL:
If you've been following the status on the Del Mar Mesa Resource
Management Plan draft, you know that the City of San Diego's Open Space Division has told us the Closure of Deer Canyon is temporary while they wait for the California Department of Fish & Game and the US Fish & Wildlife Service to review the input and materials they received at the September, 2008 public hearing (and subsequent private government meetings) in regard to our suggestions that over 65% of the longstanding, migrant-worker created trails be closed and re-vegetated while a modicum of the most valued, least impactive trails be adopted into the Open Space Trails System as these pre-existing trails become part of the City's property.

The Agencies delivered their letter on February 27th, and I have
uploaded a copy of it to the Files section on the MTC's Yahoo site.

The letter is not good news. In simple summary, the agencies (which have no people on the ground at all, as anyone in these areas can attest after seeing decade(s) of 4x4 activity on the lands these agencies "manage") recommend that the entire area be closed, subject to the City's negotiation with SDG&E to allow use of the utility road only, and then subsequently pending a review of other trails that will begin in late 2009 and is predicated on the fencing, closure and enforcement of trail closures throughout the entirety of Deer Canyon. The agencies do recommend that equestrian trails be located in McGonigle Canyon and that an "equestrian use plan" for the Del Mar Mesa should be created.

The agencies also report that they, " have recently been made aware by City staff and the public that unauthorized trails have been apparently created, mainly by and for mountain bikers, throughout the Del Mar Mesa Preserve and to a lesser extent in the Carmel Mountain Preserve." They continue, "...illegal creation and current high density of bike trails is incompatible with the main purpose of the Preserves (i.e. biological preservation) and must be curtailed and corrected". You might find these assertions fly in the face with the known facts, the pubic record and your own personal knowledge, and you might find them suspiciously consistent with the misinformation published and professed by particular anti-access, anti-environmental groups known to approve the bulldozing of habitat and trails on the Del Mar Mesa. Draw your own conclusions but, note also that the City staff have either been wrongly quoted by these agencies, or they also perpetrated the same misinformation they know to be erroneous and misleading.

The second page of the agency letter describes a series of six tasks or goals that they have nothing to do with, but would like the City Open Space Division to implement. Give it a good look and ask yourself whether the agencies have just provide a recipe for failure by land managers that require your participation and support for reasonable policies and responsible management of the lands we own as the public.

Read the document and post your thoughts for our coordinated response.

Erik Basil
Multiuse Trails Coalition
____________________ ###____________________

CARLSBAD:
Trail work at La Costa on Jan 10 at 8 a.m. -Intersection of Camino Junipero and Corte Romero, right off of Rancho Santa Fe in La Costa

URGENT: The City of Carlsbad is embarking on a multi-year project called "Envision Carlsbad." The City is reaching out to the community to learn what is most important to its citizens. Carlsbad mountain bikers need to be involved in this process. First meeting is Wednesday, January 14 at 6pm, room 173, City of Carlsbad Faraday Center. Please contact me and recruit fellow Carlsbad mountain bikers to pitch in. This could be a pivotal opportunity to maintain trail access.

There will be an SDMBA sponsored trail day at Calavera on March 8. More details to follow.

If you know who is building illegal trails in Calavera (or anywhere else for that matter), tell them to knock it off! It's going to erode our credibility and cost us trails in the long run if they keep it up.

OCEANSIDE:
The City of Oceanside's Bicycle Committee has embraced the "Bicycle Skills Park" concept and has identified a 4 acre parcel near I-5 that could accommodate a pump track, jump park, progressive skills area, BMX track, and even some XC trails. Please contact me if you are interested in working on this project.

Erik Trogden
North County Coastal Liaison
SDMBA

We have some killer deals right now...

2009-01-06T19:44:00.000-08:00

2008-12-24T10:18:00.000-08:00

BikeBling wants to thank you for a great holiday season!

Open House

2008-12-19T16:44:00.001-08:00

Look Bicycles at Bike Bling

2008-11-11T17:16:00.000-08:00

Just so you don’t think we're an all mountain bike shop; which we never really were. We have brought in complete 566 & 576 bikes in full size runs.

The 566’s are available with either SRAM Rival components or Shimano Ultegra equipment. I think we even have a 959 frameset on its way to the store! You can check out the Look framesets we have listed on our site click here or stop by our showroom. Click here for directions.

New at Bike Bling for November

2008-10-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

Given all of the buzz surrounding Bike Bling's popularity, we managed to grab two of the biggest brands in the business. Rounding out the stable of high-end mountain bikes available at the shop. Bike Bling is now bringing you Intense Cycles and Santa Cruz Bicycles.

We have brought in 2009 frames and complete bikes from Intense and Santa Cruz. Making the journey to Bike Bling all the more worth your while...

Click on the graphic for directions & store hours. We're centrally located from all areas of San Diego, Orange County and Riverside, nestled between Lake Hodges and the Daley Ranch riding areas. Stop in after your ride and experience what Bike Bling is all about!

Chumba :: Bike Bling - DH Session

2008-10-27T02:20:00.000-07:00

Walter from Chumba came down with a few bikes for the team to try out. It was also a great opportunity for Walter to meet the riders and check out the local talent. If everything goes the way it's been proposed. The team will make their debut at Fontana for the Southridge Race Series in Jan 09. Stay tuned for more team news.

Santa Cruz Syndicate - Schladming World Cup

2008-10-27T00:39:00.000-07:00

Chumba F5 Downhill Race Bike

2008-10-26T19:48:00.000-07:00

Darren had the good fortune to upgrade from his Mountain Cycle Shockwave to the new Chumba F5. I have to admit this is one sick looking bike… The white really pops out at you and gives the bike a machine like quality that you don’t normally see out on the trail.

This was also the bike of choice for the new Chumba/Bike Bling Race Team. Everyone who threw their leg over one during this weekend’s session finished their runs with a huge smiles on their faces.

The geometry was one of the first things the riders commented on. Unlike the bikes the guys are currently riding they felt right at home on the F5 on their first run! Everyone said the bike was super stiff laterally. The bike went where you pointed it, without missing a beat. The guys were wanting to get theirs ASAP!

We are stoked to be working so closely with Chumba. We’re offering their full line-up for 2009 including three new designs the HX1, HX2 and the insanely fast and smooth VF2. Click here for more details.

Bikeskills.com: Master switchbacks with Joe Lawwill

2008-10-17T16:52:00.000-07:00

2009 TLD in the house.

2008-09-09T14:59:00.000-07:00

The 2009 Troy Lee Designs helmets have been flowing into the store. The graphics this season have catpured our hearts. Read: Bling!

All models are now shipping and they are going fast.

Order yours today to avoid the wait when they sell out.

We have added new TLD jerseys, shorts, gloves and pants to the website. New items from Troy Lee Designs are showing up daily.

BikeBling.com

Mountain Bike Review

2008-09-04T19:06:00.000-07:00

We just hooked up with the guys at MTBR. We are now part of HotDeals, Buy it here and we're floating some banners in some key spots on their site. We supplied our "Hot Deal" store with some of your favorite products at some pretty incredible prices... As is Save Huge!
Track us there or on our website.

And the news from our product dev.department they are loading a bunch of 2009 gear, parts and accessories. Look for even more Road Bike gear and accessories. New products are arriving every week. New helmets and clothing from Troy Lee Designs are on their way; along with unheard of deals on select Mavic wheelsets...

Visit our weekly specials for the greatest ways to save on your favorite cycling gear.

New UPS rates. Savings passed on to the customer.

2008-08-21T17:30:00.000-07:00

Starting a new business means you have to pay your dues with certain aspects of those that you wish to do business with... UPS was one of those situations were you have to meet percentage levels before you start to receive the 'good guy' rates.

We just received our new rate structure from UPS and we happy to announce that our rates have been reduced and we're passing those savings on to you. The rates have changed across the entire UPS shipping spectrum, both domestically and internationally.

We want to thank all of you that have patronized Bike Bling over the past few months. We appreciate your support and loyalty.

Titus 2009 Sneak Peek

2008-08-18T20:54:00.000-07:00

We received a couple of new images from Titus today that show the company is moving forward with some fresh designs for the 2009 season. New look for 2009 is the redesigned carbon fiber RacerX.

The super-light, carbon construction of the new front triangle will inevitably establish new industry benchmarks in XC full-suspension.

Protection of your investment against foreign objects is guaranteed with the ingenious addition of the Titus R.U.B. (replaceable under belly) Plate.

Carbon seatstays, and hydro-formed alloy chainstays, combine to create the perfect harmony of stiffness and light weight.

The El Guapo's new look... Super clean hydro-formed top tube, cleaned up cable routing and sexy new graphics. More details to follow.

BikeBling.com - "The shop"

2008-07-26T17:09:00.000-07:00

Ride on the road at night? You'll need a light...

2008-07-21T20:37:00.000-07:00

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 478. The bill requires bicyclists to use lights on sidewalks and pathways.

AB 478, written by State Representative Lois Wolk (D-Davis), will update bicycle codes from the 1970s. The existing law only requires bike light use on the highway during early morning and night hours. AB 478 requires bicycle light use on sidewalks, bike paths, bike lanes and bike routes.

"Interestingly, a sidewalk has always been defined as part of the highway," said Davis Police Lieutenant Darren Pytel. "So the bill doesn't actually change the law - it just makes it more clear to the public."

In California, between 2003 and 2006, 5,411 bike-related accidents occurred at nighttime, resulting in 4,879 injuries and 133 fatalities, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.

AB 478 is an issue of public safety, Pytel said. The local police have always enforced bike laws in Davis and will continue to follow the existing and future bike regulations, he said.

The bill also expands the requirement for bicyclists to have reflectors on each pedal. They can also use reflectors on their shoes or ankles.

The reflectors are appropriate, said Davis Bicycles! President Ted Buehler. They will promote headlight use and give publicity to bike light procedures, he said.

"People are careful," said Buehler. "It's not hard to go to a bike shop and spend some money on a good headlight. It's already standard practice in Davis and won't have too much impact in Davis."

Violations of AB 478 will be treated as any vehicle code infractions, said Wolk. People can be fined $50 to $100, depending on the judge, she said.

"The goal is not to put people in jail," Wolk said. "We encourage people to be safe, especially when more people ride their bikes. Everyone recognizes that the vehicle codes need to be updated."

The bill will be positive, said Wolk. No opposition has formed against AB 478 so far, she added.

According to the California Bicycle Coalition's website the "Night Illumination" bill will support bicycle safety efforts. CBC cosponsored the bill with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. They addressed the safety concerns with Wolk.

AB 478 will take effect Jan. 1, 2008. To learn more about AB 478, visit www.leginfo.ca.gov and search for AB 478. For information about CBC visit http://www.calbike.org/ or call at (916) 524-3890.

We have great deals on 2008 lights from Niterider and Light & Motion. Click here for more details. 2009 lights from Niterider are becoming available. We have stock on the new TriNewt and the MiNewt Mini-USB... If you have any questions? Call us at 1.800.BIKEPRO

Blast from the past!

2008-07-03T03:02:00.000-07:00

The boys at Mountain Cycle have been busy over the past few years. Refining proven designs from the past and coming up with some new designs. It is apparent that all of the hard work has paid off. The MC Fury is their 5" travel single pivot frame.

Build quality appears to be top notch, clean welds, tight CNC machined bits and anodized/powder coat finishes. Options are available to tweak to angles a bit via a shock mount swap. The bike pictured took first place at the NORBA national at Park City last weekend in the SuperD event. Testament to a good designs' race worthiness.

Darren brought by his Mountain Cycle Rumble. Man what a sweet hardtail. Nothing lacking here! Replaceable dropouts give you the option for a singlespeed or geared setup. The top/head/downtube sports a smooth and embracing gusset that looks like it will be the last thing to fail on this well constructed frame.

The rumble comes in a limited edition hand painted version. If you're looking for a unique all around, do everything hardtail? This could be the frame you've been looking for.

We're offering all of the latest frames from Mountain Cycle. Give us a shout if you're looking to pick one of these up. We can also spec out a custom build for you if that suits your needs.

Niner Jet 9 Rocker Issues

2008-06-21T10:17:00.000-07:00

We have some bad news to report. We have seen 7 frames where the upper link has broken on the Jet 9. We have started some initial investigations into the cause.

We just got some of the failed links back and are sending them out for additional testing.

We feel it is our responsibility to inform you and to keep you posted about how we are going to rectify the situation.

We at this time do ask that you stop riding your Jet 9 and please have your local shop inspect the upper shock linkage for cracks. If you have a crack please contact us. If not we still must ask that you do not ride the bike further as there is always a potential for an injury due to a breakage.

Given our size we spend a huge amount of money on R&D testing. We use FEA analysis on our frames and parts, physical jig testing, and of course real world testing. Even with these safe guards in place things can still happen.

We hope you will be understanding and see that we are being open about this issue. We are riders just like you and know what a bummer it is to get something and not be able to use it. We are going to rectify the situation and get you back on the trails as fast and responsibly as we can. I’m sure this will be fodder for those “haters” but we will just have to take our lumps and move on.

To exchange your links check here for details

Chris & Steve
Niner Bikes

Proud to represent

2008-06-08T00:02:00.000-07:00

New to the shop... We're proud to represent Rocky Mountain Bikes. We just loaded up on some of their more popular bikes and frames. We look forward to a successful venture with this top of the line mountain bike company. Read about their core philosophy below. Visit our store for the best deals on bikes, parts and accessories.

Philosophy

We build bikes for people who love to ride. It's the core of what we do. We know that there are a million different types of riders out there. People who love long, epic rides; people who love sessioning the jump park; people who love cross-country racing, and those who just love it all. The combinations are endless, and so are the possibilities.

As a bike company, we've made it our mission to create a high-grade quiver of bikes that meets the needs of the myriad of off-road cyclists out there. To do this we pay particular attention to innovation, quality, and detail. Bikes for people who love to ride designed and built by people who love to ride. That's the secret-letting the passion of riding create beautiful, strong, high performance bikes.

When you get on a Rocky Mountain and take it for a spin you'll realize we practice what we preach. Building bikes for all types of riders which meet our standards is why we've developed four independent, purpose-built full suspension systems. It's why our R&D facility is located right beside our factory. It's why we're not a mass production operation. We hand build our bicycles and all of our wheels. We also invest heavily in quality control and high construction standards. It's why we offer everything from steel hardtails to 9-inch suspension downhill rigs. And, it's why we use name brand quality tubing and name brand components to build our bikes.

Even though we're bigger than we were when we started 27 years ago, we still employ the same practices, the same hands on approach we did then. It's all still right here in Vancouver, British Columbia, and because of that, subject to the constant scrutiny of all our employees. The noises from our factory can be heard right in our head offices.

We are a semi-custom bike manufacturer. We're not huge and were not trying to be. We're not pumping out hundreds of thousands of bikes a year. It's because of this we can take our time to ensure that every Rocky Mountain is the best it can be. So, if you want a quality ride from the tubing right through to the wheels, this is where you belong. Bikes built for riders, by riders, in a place where the riding rules.

Banshee in the house

2008-05-20T23:01:00.000-07:00

We're proud to announce the arrival of Banshee to BikeBling. A long time favorite of the shop staff... Banshee has been busy over the past year refining their designs and it is apparent it was time well spent. Their new frames are amazing. You can tell that they are working closely with their vendors, right out the box... these are some serious two wheeled weapons!

Flawless build execution and tasty styling! We're so stoked to have these guys part of our line-up. We'll post a review shortly. You can connect to their blog directly off of ours. Check em out when you get a chance.

Our doors are open!

2008-05-09T23:07:00.001-07:00

As scheduled our doors have opened and we are ready to service the public. It has been a whirlwind of preparing the building, ordering products, building the website and speading the word that there is a new high-end bike shop in Escondido again.

We have filled the store with the best brands in the cycling industry. You can find whatever you're looking for here at the store or on the website.

The store is easy to find at 413 West 5th Ave, Escondido, Ca. 92025, or type BikeBling into Google Maps and you can get turn by turn directions to our front door.

We invite everyone to come on over to check us out and while you're here pick up a free pair of BikeBling socks! We are located between two very popular riding areas in North County, Lake hodges and the Daley Ranch. Stop in after your ride and you can see what we have been up to.

Quick update

2008-04-23T02:08:00.000-07:00

The shop and the website are coming along as scheduled. We have been working overtime to get everything accomplished and stay on task. We have picked up all the vendors we were seeking out and we have plans to add even a few more.

The tentative grand opening for the store and the website is May 10th. We're looking forward to opening our doors and to serving the community of North County and the rest of the nation through our website.

More details to follow. I'll try to post an image of the storefront in the next few days.

Jet 9 Production Update

2008-03-30T01:17:00.000-07:00

Okay, so we’re not going to beat around the bush on this one. The JET 9's will be delayed again. It's always something, right?

Well, the frames are almost finished, actually, the frames ARE finished and ready to go. Now it’s a delay in the linkage that’s clogging the works. We are really putting everything we have into making the JET 9 not only the best functioning bike we can design, but also the best looking rig that we’re capable of. In that effort, we were really pushing for a mirror polish finish on the linkage and we were unhappy with the level of “mirror” we were achieving with standard polishing and clear ano. So, months ago, before production, we started testing chrome plating. This is not the chrome plating from your 1981 Mongoose BMX bike that just flaked off after a month, this chrome plating has been refined and is amazingly thin (about .01mm thickness). It also doesn’t come off. We literally dragged the test linkage through the streets to see the effect on the chrome plating, and although it did scratch, it never flaked, no matter how much abuse we hammered into it. We dented, bent, banged and otherwise destroyed the chrome plated test linkage, and it just grinned and kept shinning. It seems that the worst thing you can do to it is touch it, and put your finger prints all over it.

That being said, we decided to go with this chrome plating for production, and wanted you to get your frames and be totally blown away with and surprised by the mirror finish on the Jet 9 linkage. Well, some things don’t go as planned. The plating process is taking longer and becoming more difficult to achieve than we had first expected. We are getting them all done it is just taking time to do it right.

We know you’re probably pretty eager to get your hands on the new frames, and we’re just as miffed about it as you are. We’re doing everything in our power to rectify the problem and deliver the Jet 9’s with the beautiful linkage we set out to deliver. Again, we know, another delay. We apologize sincerely, we expect to have frames to your local Niner Dealers around April 28th. This is the final stretch, we're almost there, please hang in there with us.

If the delay is an issue please contact Ryan ryan@ninerbikes.com.

We have had a lot of calls about the compatibility of the FOX F29 and the Jet 9. We did extensive testing of early prototypes of the FOX F29 in both the 80mm and 100mm versions while we were in development. (Thanks FOX!!) We can happily say the F29 will work brilliantly with the Jet 9. We do recommend you use the consumer version with the 44mm offset verses the Gary Fisher OEM version at 51mm. Rock Shox Reba and all other current 80mm-100mm travel 29er forks will work as well.

Old San Juan

2008-03-04T00:24:00.000-08:00

If you ever find yourself in southern California and you are looking for a classic XC or DH adventure you should find your way to San Juan Trail. Nestled between Lake Elsinore and San Juan Capistrano, the trail is an all out blast to navigate. Whether you like the 12 mile climb then descend or a shuttle with the full squishies in the back of the pick up giving way to all out smiles and hair raising two wheel drifts over decomposing granite (read ball bearings) over hardpack... This knife edge trail will entertain all comers. Muy Bueno SA.

2008-03-01T17:36:00.001-08:00

The Amazon Blonde 36er is the definition of fun and guarantees an ear to ear grin as soon as you throw a leg over it and begin to pedal.

The 29er is so yesterday… I present to you the “Yarder”, 36” of big rolling fun!

2008-02-27T01:44:00.000-08:00

There's a new kid on the block. Stay tuned...

2008-02-24T01:11:00.001-08:00

If you know what's best for you... You will stay tuned in for the latest updates to critical news, the opening day and the ensuing extravaganza. More to come...