We are excited to announce that this past Saturday, September 28th,  Erik’s opened our 20th location in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin suburb of Whitefish Bay.  Located at 151 East Silver Spring Drive, our newest location was renovated to be a 10,000 square foot, state-of-the-art bicycle sales and service shop.

With great riding opportunities nearby including the Oak Leaf Trail, beautiful Lake Drive and more, our shop is conveniently located and ready to serve bicyclists of all ability levels. Trained staff want to get you on the right bike and keep you rolling with our Same Day Service on many repairs and adjustments. The Whitefish location will stock Specialized, Raleigh and Wilier bicycles as well as clothing and accessories including Endura, Assos, Twin Six and more.

With winter on  the way and great opportunities for skiing and boarding in the Milwaukee area, we have all the gear to get you out an enjoying winter, with skis from Fischer, K2 and Elan and snowboards from Ride, K2, Roxy and Gnu. All new skis and boards come with professional set up and waxing, and we can keep your gear turning great year after year.

Stop in and see us some time! For more information about Whitefish Bay or any of our other locations, please visit http://www.eriksbikeshop.com

As the nights get darker and the days get colder here in the Midwest, cyclists have few choices available. Either you can continue your riding with a dedicated winter bike (fat bike, studded mountain bike), ride a stationary trainer, or just hang it up and cross train for the year. At Erik’s we find we can’t go long without riding our bike, so the first two options are preferred. For days when time or light doesn’t allow though, a trainer is the ticket.

Let’s face it though, when spring hits again, you want to ride! The best way to do this is on a trainer – whether you spend a half hour on it to keep the legs loose a few times a week or sit down for a stationary century, trainer time is well spent. Erik’s has all the trainers and accessories to help you get the most out of your rides.

One new product coming this fall is the Silencer Direct Drive Mag Trainer from CycleOps. Most trainers are great for their use of use and ability to stow out of the way when not in use, but when you really want to get the best workout or you have to share the space with the rest of the family, things can get a bit tricky.

Trainer noise is important to consider when you want to watch TV or training videos; the Silencer addresses this with a whisper-quiet magnetic resistance unit making your ride welcome in almost any room of the house (we don’t make the rules in your house, so where exactly may have to be a negotiation).

The CycleOps Silencer also locks your bike on in place of your rear wheel for maximum stability. If you’re doing intervals, this trainer will truly stay stationary under you, and with no rear wheel, you don’t need to worry about kids or pets in the room while you ride!

The SIlencer Direct Drive Mag trainer is due in at Erik’s later this October. We’ll update here when they’re in stock – if you’re curious about stationary trainers or indoor cycles in the meantime, stop by any of our 20 locations across Minnesota and Wisconsin

It might not be snowing YET, but it’s not too early to think about your plans for winter. There’s no sense in being cooped up inside when there’s snow to slide down. At Erik’s we know that keeping young skiers and snowboarders properly outfitted year after year can be expensive. That’s why we are excited to open another season of youth leasing. Come into any of our locations and we’ll measure your children and get them in the right gear for the season. At the end of winter, you just need to bring the snowboard or skis and boots to the shop you leased it from and you’re all set. We adjust and tune each piece of gear before you get it so you know its safe and ready to go, and we store it over the summer!

Whether your kids are learning to ski or part of a ski club at school. If you want to take a season to try out snowboarding before committing to new gear, try our lease program out. If you like the gear at the end of the year, we’ve got great buyout rates on the equipment.  Stop in one of our stores today in Minnesota or Wisconsin to reserve your equipment.

We get it – We’re not ready to hang the bike up for the season either – but if the truth must be told, we see winter as the time where our passions collide and decisions of what to do each day just get a little harder.

We know most people don’t have winter on their minds yet, but it always seems to sneak up on you. The first time the snow flies, you’re still wondering where you hid the shovel from last spring. You may not even know where your gloves are at! Because of this, we’re offering a friendly reminder. For a limited time only, we’re offering 50% off on ski and snowboard tunes.

Just drop off your equipment before November first and we’ll happily get the base ground, edges tuned and some fresh hot wax in your base so you’re ready to go when Mother Nature is. Click the image above to find out more, then click the store finder to locate an Erik’s near you.

If you want to learn how to work on your own snowboard or skis, don’t forget to check out our Tuning Classes in Minnesota and Wisconsin

Erik’s Bike Shop Announces The Future Opening Of Our New Location In Grafton, Wisconsin.

Grafton, WI, October 17, 2013 – Erik’s is pleased to announce the plan to open our newest shop to be located in Grafton, Wisconsin. Situated just north of Milwaukee, the new location is only a 20-minute drive (or a 17 mile bike ride on the Interurban Trail) from our recently opened Whitefish Bay location.

Erik’s has purchased the commercial property and remaining inventory of Grafton Ski & Cyclery, which had occupied 1275 Washington Street in Grafton, Wisconsin.  Grafton Ski & Cyclery has shut down and is no longer in business.

A liquidation sale of the remaining Grafton Ski & Cyclery inventory, which will be open to the public, is planned for October 30th-November 3^rd.  Following the liquidation, the doors will close until December when Erik’s plans to open their all-new Grafton location in the same commercial space.

Owner and Founder, Erik Saltvold, is very excited for the opportunity to open in Grafton.  ‘Grafton is a beautiful community, we look forward to getting the new location opened to serve Grafton and it’s surrounding communities”

For more information regarding the inventory liquidation, visit http://www.graftonskiandcyclery.com

Erik’s, established in 1977, already operates a collection of 20 shops in Wisconsin and Minnesota and is recognized as a leading specialty retailer and service provider to the ski, snowboard and cycling markets.

Erik’s, represents top ski brands including K2, Line, Fisher and Elan; snowboard brands Ride, K2, Lib Tech, Roxy and Gnu; cycling brands Specialized, Raleigh, Wilier, FIT, and Haro.  Erik’s also offers a full selection of apparel, accessories and service items.

John O’Connor, VP USA Sales at K2 Sports states ‘K2 sees Erik’s as one of the most progressive and customer-centric retailers in the industry; their commitment to staff education, service and overall customer experience is second to none.’

About Erik’s

Erik Saltvold, founded Erik’s in a red barn behind his parents home in 1977 and was only 13-years-old when he started the business.  Erik’s now operates 20 locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin specializing in the sales and service of bicycles, downhill skis, and board sports.  Since his humble beginnings, as the staff member, Erik has seen his business grow to over 300 employees.  Erik’s has won numerous industry awards including repeated Gold Star Retailer awards and was also voted USA’s Number One Bike Shop.

For more information on Erik’s locations, products, services and community support, please visit shoperiks.com.

Gravelpalooza

Every year the team of managers from Erik’s embarks on a cycling trip, a pedal-powered thank-you for everyone’s hard work.  Erik’s crew has ridden everything from the streets of NYC, Mountain biking the Whole Enchilada in Moab, and an Island hopping road tour of the Pacific Northwest. Part of the fun is that the destination is a secret,  until the day of departure.  This year when we showed up to Erik’s HQ there was a fleet of Raleigh’s new Tamlands decked out for some serious gravel riding over the next four days.

Southern Minnesota and Northern Iowa proved the perfect testing ground for the new Raleigh Tamland with miles of cornfields and ribbons of white gravel roads twisting and climbing through the bluffs.

Riding 75 to 120 miles in a day on pavement is an undertaking;  adding gravel to the mix definitely enhanced the experience.

Day one we rode 98 miles from Bloomington MN to Lake City, day two was 120 miles to Decorah, Iowa. The third leg to Preston, Minnesota was almost a rest day at 76 miles, with the last 12 miles on the Root River Trail, that is if it were not for the profile of the first 64 miles which included some grades as steep as 14%.  The fourth day’s route was another 76 miler, but the more popular ride on the last day was a last minute alternate 46 mile direct route to Rochester.

The ride definitely lived up to the term Epic, at 370 miles, and nearly 20k feet of climbing on some of the coolest terrain on roads right in our own back yard. There were some tired legs, lungs and backsides for sure,  but nothing a little hot tub soak and PBR recovery beverages couldn’t help. Now, I think I need a vacation to recover from my vacation.

Union bindings is ten years old this winter, but new to Erik’s and we’re excited to offer some great bindings this year from Union. More riders every year are choosing Union Bindings for good reason, from new riders, to one of the most well known riders around; Travis Rice.

If you’re familiar with Union already, the reasons why are clear – if not, read on to see why we like Union. At the heart of every Union Binding is True Fit technology, which can be broken into four categories.

Fiberglass Index

Fiberglass Index is important because riders of different sizes have different support needs. Small riders and big riders have different support needs to drive and control the board. By using different amounts of fiberglass in different sizes, Union creates a binding that matches each rider.

Minimal Contact

All snowboards are designed to flex across their length, which affects how the board responds under foot, holds an edge, carves and cruises. By minimizing the amount of contact the board and binding make, Union Bindings allow your board to do what it was designed to; flex. The most contact a union binding makes is 20%, eliminating dead spots where your bindings are mounted. In the case of the Contact Pro, there is only 5% of the binding in direct contact with the board.

Compatible Discs

While some manufacturers have their own ideas on the best way to mount your bindings (3-bolt, channel or 4×4), Union’s True Fit overcomes that and allows you to mount your bindings to any board on the market.

Multizone Highback

When snowboarding was in its early years, many of us rode high back bindings with a third strap above the ankle – later on, we pulled the backs off completely. While neither was the best way to do it, Union has worked to create a way to get the best of both support and flexibility.

Using a three zone flex pattern, Union bindings give you support and strength where it’s most needed, but allow flex up top for tweaking and comfort.

The Models

Starting with a pop of color, the Flite Binding is a great option to freestyle riders who enjoy pipe, park, or powder. The Flite, along with all other Union Bindings comes with a Lifetime Warranty on baseplates and heelcups. Most people will be hard pressed to break or crack the DuPont Zytel frame, but if you do, Union will replace it for life. Guaranteed.

Union calls the Force binding a workhorse for good reason. Erik’s stocks the = in three colorways this year to match your style of riding and your board. The Force, like all other Union bindings, is everything you need and nothing you don’t – and this one has a lower profile than before and is an original to Union since season one.

The Contact Pro is a juggernaut in the Union lineup, but with only 5% contact, there’s no such thing as a dead spot on your board. Ridden by the likes of Gigi Rüf, the Contact Pro is lite and comfortable, however you like to ride.

Next in the lineup, the Atlas series is built upon the Atlas baseplate; a feature it shares with three other models including the Factory, Charger and the MC. With 20% contact to the board, giving you tons of control with a true flex allowed in your board.

Every few years, someone comes along and pushes the limits of snowboarding with their unique style and desire. Travis Rice is today’s snowboarder, as witnessed by his film the Art of Flight and Red Bull Supernatural competition, and his binding choice is no surprise in the Factory. Built on the Atlas base with Factory highback, this binding is great for charging it on whatever terrain you choose.

You want the best, you deserve the best, so we saved it for last. The MC Metafuse is the top of the line offering from Union, using the best of technologies available. Like the Atlas and the Factory, the MX is built on the tested Atlas Frame, with the addition of Machine Coring to make it the lightest conventional binding on the market. Any unnecessary material is CNC’ed away and an asymmetrical carbon highback is added for unmatched performance.

Whatever Union binding you choose, you’re sure to bring your riding to the next level. Check all of the Union bindings out at one of our store locations in Minnesota and Wisconsin or online today.

Many new snowboarders and skiers think they are ready to go once they’ve got the board or skis loaded up and their boots on their feet, and arguably they are the most important piece of your set up when you hit the slopes. What you bring, and how you prepare yourself for riding is different all together and depends on how long you’re planning to be out, where you’re going and more.

Let’s start with the basics first. Board with bindings, boots. No-brainer right? While we’re on the topic of brains, I always wear a helmet when snowboarding. This year, I’m most excited about the K2 Thrive Pro Helmet – with a dial adjustment via the K2dialed system, it adjusts easily and keeps my head warm. While you could wear a beanie under a lot of helmets, I don’t find it needed while riding. Carry a beanie in the pocket though for before and after or taking breaks.

Goggles – In the Midwest, getting out some times means being on the hill when the snow guns are going, and gray winter days make the lighting flat. It’s critical to have a goggle with a lens that transitions well from high light to low light conditions. I prefer a mirrored lens like the one on Oakley’s O2 XL goggle because it reduces glare and helps me see the change in a slope or spot my landing better.

Gloves – For cold days I prefer a mitten like the Dakine Scout, but always have a second set of gloves handy if my first pair gets wet or if I’m in and out of the bindings for park runs. A lightweight glove like the Ride Shorty trades a little warmth for a lot of grip!

The Ride Shorty has a silicone gripper on the palm for smooth grabs or making sure you don’t drop the keys.

Neck Warmer – For cold days, or for going incognito, you gotta keep the face covered. I always carry the Neff Bandannarama for staying warm and laying low.

Tools – Whether it’s changing the stance on your board, or making sure everything is tight, it’s important to carry a tool with you and the Stance Driver from Dakine makes it easy to do so. With a tape measure to check your stance width, a ratcheting action for easy adjustments and a selection of bits included, you can save the day for you or anyone else on the hill for that matter.

Security – Your board is no small investment, and in the shop, I’ve heard far too many people having to replace a treasured board because they didn’t secure theirs while getting some food or loading and unloading. Unfortunately the crooks know most people don’t care for their board or skis, but this works to your advantage if you lock them up. I’ve used a Dakine Cool lock for the past 4 seasons and its going strong. The cable lock is long enough to lock up two boards to a rack, and I can enjoy a $9 cheeseburger in peace. I’m never telling my combination, but you can set it for a number you’ll remember easily.

Storage and Transport – Skis and boards have sharp metal edges that are not nice to car interiors, so a bag is a must. For travel in town, I always use the Dakine Freestyle Bag – and my seats stay dry and cut free. A word of warning though: DON’T leave your board in the bag when you get home. Pull it out, towel it off and leave it out to dry. When the bag and board are both dry you can store it inside, but no sooner or the edges will rust.

What do you carry with you to the mountain/hill in your area?

Beat away the winter blues with fat tires! Excelsior Brewing Company, located in Excelsior Minnesota along with Erik’s Bike Shop is excited to announce the 2nd annual Arctic Fat Fever Fat Bike Race on Lake Minnetonka. This 15 mile fat bike race includes men’s and women’s categories with the first race beginning at 2:00 PM on January 18th, 2014.

Registration is free, but limited to the first 200 participants. After the race, participants and spectators alike can enjoy live music, great beer by Excelsior Brewing and awards in a heated event tent. Riders must have 3″ wide tires minimum.

What are you waiting for – register today while spaces are available!

Every year the interest in fat bikes is growing, and with it the technology around them. Borealis bikes has been on the forefront of this with the introduction of their Yampa XX1 and Yampa x9/x0 bikes.

Built to be the lightest weight, most versatile fat bike out there. Built on a carbon fiber frame, the foundation of the Yampa is the starting point for an awesome build.  Utilizing a 190mm rear axle and 100mm bottom bracket, the Yampa is a flexible design that is great for speed demons and explorers alike. Yampas even include rear rack mounts in addition to 3 bottle cage mounts standard.

Erik’s will be stocking both models of the Yampa, but only at select locations. Stay tuned for more details!

Zach, Erik’s Service Manager at the Burnsville, Minnesota store recently put together this edit of a fat bike ride at Lebanon Hills in Eagan. With the recent snow in the Midwest, conditions are perfect for fat biking. If you haven’t already caught the bug, stop by any of our locations and talk to the staff for their favorite winter riding trails.

Today’s post comes to us from Rob, Store Manager at Erik’s Highland Park location in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Rob is a year round rider and Minneapolis Resident and enjoys all types of riding. On the road this time of year its easy to spot Rob by his beard of ice.

I have been winter riding for many years. It started years ago on a beater mountain bike with extra knobby tires and most of my riding back then was for fun. When the snow would start to fall I would head out and hit the city trails in Minneapolis to adventure. It was exhilarating to be the only one out in that weather, just floating along with no cares in the world in a winter wonderland!

In 2006 I started commuting to work year round. The main bike in my winter stable was a cyclocross bike with knobby tires. They were skinny enough to cut through the muck but amply wide to track well enough. This setup lasted me a bunch of years with a few crashes each year, as is the norm for winter riding. In 2011 my world was changed when I started riding my Surly Pugsley. At that point I could ride in any conditions and I’ve only crashed once since then but that was during an ice storm. I found that rolling over uneven ice levels and “brown sugar” snow conditions on the streets were no match for the Pugsley! From the day that I brought that bike home it became my go to bicycle. Winter riding, summer singletrack, city riding, everything! Sure, I was slower than before but it is just so much fun!

Every once in a while I would take out my cyclocross bike and ride it in the winter to change things up but after riding the fat tires of the Surly the cross tires just felt too squirrely. I couldn’t get comfortable enough in bad conditions to enjoy the ride. I would always go back to the Pugsley for everyday use.

Fast forward to this winter. I started the winter still riding the Pugsley whenever a ride was necessary. Enter 45Nrth. 45Nrth is a company out of Bloomington, MN and they specialize in winter riding gear, producing boots, handlebar gloves (pogies), hats, facemasks, and tires. More specifically they make studded winter tires. They offer them in sizes from 700×30 for bikes with tighter clearances in the frame and fork and up to 26×4″ tires for fat bikes. I bought the 700×38 Gravdal tires named after a small village in Norway, north of the Arctic Circle. They come in 120 and 27 tpi versions. The higher the tpi (threads per inch), the softer and more supple the ride will be. Mine are mounted on a 29er hardtail mountain bike and holy cow, what a difference! I now have all the traction that I need, I can chug along at a faster pace than before and travel longer distances since the tires are nearly 3 inches narrower! Nothing will replace the Pugsley for off road snow riding and when the snow is coming down but for everyday commuting and running errands I have a new favorite bike!

Studded tires are great for winter riding, especially when you don’t KNOW what the surface is under the snow.

If you have thought of studded tires in the past, do yourself a favor and give them a shot! They will increase your stability and confidence as you hit the streets in the winter!

As the Midwest can now be fully considered in winter mode, many riders are forced indoors or riding in other ways. Either way, you’ve probably daydreamed on more than one occasion about long rides down winding roads is perfect singletrack.

One great way to get ready for the season, in addition to some trainer time or cross-training, is to get your fit dialed in now, so when the season is in full-swing, you’re riding comfortably instead of recovering from your last ride. Every body is different and our goal is to make sure that your bike is a reflection of YOU and how you ride!

You can learn more on our Fit Services page about the different services Erik’s offers, as well as book an appointment today. Going on now, but only on fits completed by February 28, 2014, Erik’s is offering 50% off Body Geometry Fit Services.

Forage, fish, hunt, explore. Erik’s is excited to announce that we will be adding fat bikes from Cogburn Outdoors to our current fat bike lineup. Whether you’re looking to explore a quiet trout stream, escape to a treestand, or silently riding a trail in the woods, the CB4 from Cogburn is a new envisioning of a fat bike.

The CB4 will is an aluminum frame, available in two sizes, and allows for extra standover clearance. The frame is also unique because its finish is a camouflage dipped with RealTree Xtra® finish, and all the components are a matt blacke anodizing for no glare in the field.

We’ll keep you posted as we receive CB4s in store. If you love the outdoors and like the idea of getting to new places, consider the CB4 from Cogburn. All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) aren’t allowed everywhere, and going by bike is a great way to get in the woods where others cannot go. With 4 inch wide tires, you’ve got a sure-footed machine to take you on the road less traveled.

The other exciting innovation available from Cogburn Outdoors is the Gear Carrier. What looks like a simple tool carrier, is really a flexible carrying device for whatever bulky item you need to haul. Bows, fishing rods, rifle, shotguns are all fair game with the Gear Carrier.

With a couple of solid cold snaps in the Midwest this winter, everyone’s well aware of the dreaded “Polar Vortex.” Sure – you consider yourself hardy, but maybe you don’t want to brave the elements to ride, so you reluctantly pull out the trainer and ride for all of 10 minutes. So how do you get the most out of your trainer? Is it possible to make it fun to ride indoors? There are some ways to get the most out of your trainer time. Whether you use rollers, and indoor cycle, or a stationary trainer, it is possible to enjoy the time or even look forward to it. The pay off is being ready when the roads are snow and ice free, and summer sun-filled rides are yours to enjoy again!

Dedicated Space

Most people don’t have a spare room for cycling, but dedicating a corner and not going through the trouble of setting up and tearing down each ride makes it that much easier to ride. If it’s not possible to leave your bike and trainer set up all the time, you can help yourself by setting up a day before you ride, so your bike serves as a reminder. Let’s face it, if you’re going to walk by it a few times, you’ll remember to ride!

By dedicating your space and making it comfortable to ride in, getting ready to ride becomes easier.

Don’t Ride Alone!

For many, riding is social, so when winter comes and you’re shut indoors alone, it just doesn’t seem as fun. If your significant other rides, it’s a great excuse for together time, and you can both ride at your own pace side-by-side. During the season, my wife and I don’t always have the same interest in time or distance, but if we ride at home on the trainer, we each meet our own goals without changing the other’s experience.

It’s also possible to get a group of people together for a weekly “ride” at a meeting location. It could be someone’s basement, a workout facility or a local park building, but the act of scheduling something and meeting up makes it social. Peer pressure can be a great thing here because you can push each other (maybe just to show up, or to ride harder/longer).

Resist the urge to go it alone – sometimes its nice to ride with others.

Entertain Yourself!

First off, there’s a reason that great videos like Spinervals – On The Road series exist, and that’s to give you the sense of (or at least illusion of) riding in some great location like Tempe, Kona, or Lake Placid. For me, I like to mix in some variety and just include a variety of programs and videos to watch to keep things interesting. If it’s got good music and interesting scenes, that’s great, but a lot of dialog can be tricky to follow, so you might want to skip the latest foreign releases or psychological thrillers. The Art of Flight is a personal favorite of mine as well as catching up on my favorite television shows on Netflix, Hulu or other online offerings. If I hit the trainer before or after the workday, watching the news can be good on multiple fronts – You can feel more informed, use bumpers or commercials as interval sessions, and depending on the news of the day, you can take out your frustrations in a healthy way!

Here are some tips for how to pick what you watch or listen to…

• Pick something based on viewing length and ride for the whole thing. My first rides over an hour were due to interesting shows keeping my mind off the time.
• Ignore the clock – by following the rhythm of the show or the music you listen to, time goes much faster.
• Turn it up – The better your trainer, the quieter it runs (Fluid trainers or rollers are often the quietest), but turning up the volume a little bit or using headphones helps you be in the moment more.
• Have no shame – assuming you are riding alone, no one can judge your viewing choices. Whether you watch Duck Dynasty, or American Idol, no one can judge!

Once you’ve got the ideal program, make a game out of it. You can get on a trainer and simply ride, but if you do the same pace, time or intensity every time, you’ll get less out of it. By using your programming to divide up the time, you can create intervals or breaks in the action. Here are some things I do:

• Early in the season, ride to music: set a goal to ride for X amount of songs, and keep track of the amount. This will give you a general time length, but not specific.
• When watching the news, sprint in and out of commercial breaks, or sprint for a commercial.
• Increase your cadence (you can track this with a cadence equipped computer such as the Strada or on your smartphone using the Wahoo components) moderately for longer periods (like the length of one song)
• Un-clip one foot from the pedals and pedal for thirty seconds (one commercial) using one leg. Make sure you pedal smooth to strengthen left and right legs. Alternate several times and resume regular riding.

These are just a few ways, but however you do it, creating variety and things to make it more interesting helps the time pass.

Get Comfortable

Dress like you would for a ride, and mean it. I always put on good cycling shorts, a jersey and a cycling cap or headband to manage sweat. Because you are indoors with little wind other than a fan, you need to stay comfortable for your whole ride. It’s a good idea to change position from time to time, using different parts of your handlebar including bar ends or aero bars to change it up. It also helps to have trainer accessories to make things more comfortable and enjoyable:

1. A sweat net is a great way to protect your bike and keep remotes close at hand.

   A trainer pad/mat. Keep sweat, drivetrain lubricant and other dirt off the floor as well as quiet the trainer ride.

2. Sweat Net – Protect your bike as well as the floor below it from salty sweat and energy drink by covering it. (Bonus – it’s a great way to keep remotes handy).
3. Water bottles – it’s not good to break up a workout to get a drink, so keep your water or energy drink close at hand.
4. Ride the Rollers – I love my rollers; this is as close as you can get to real riding when indoors, and for most riders they help improve handling on the real road come spring. This is another way to mix up my riding, plus setup and take down is as easy as it gets.
5. Get a trainer tire -  Rolling against a metal drum wears out tires, and its noisy. By using a trainer tire, you save your good rubber for the riding season, and its easier to hear the TV.
6. Train with Heart Rate – Listening to your body is great, but sometimes it tricks you. By working with heart rate, or even with Power, you can get the most out of your riding.

Trainer riding is never as beautiful as riding outdoors during the season, but it CAN be fun and the reward for time spent on the trainer now is comfort, fitness and less chance of pain or injury in the middle of summer. By tapping into what motivates you to ride and making it part of your trainer routine, you can create a habit of riding. It’s also important not to stress about it – whether you ride 30 minutes once a week, or can slog through a three-hour session, you’ll be a better rider for it come spring.

How do you make riding in the winter enjoyable? Do you have any tricks or tips to share? Please tell us!

We just got in the new HED Fat Bike Wheels at Erik’s, and if you haven’t heard, they’re kind of a big deal.

Each rim ways 445 grams, and is 85 mm wide for an awesome footprint with wide tires, and the rims are laced to Industry Nine Hubs. To check them out, visit Erik’s Saint Louis Park or Eden Prairie locations this weekend. There’s only one pair per store though, so if you’ve been waiting for a set, act fast.

A few years ago, I was competing in triathlons and getting a good deal of miles in every riding season.  Searching for every possible performance gain led me to get my bicycle fit.  One of my main considerations was being able to run at my potential after the bike leg.

The results from that fitting session were fantastic; I felt at my best ever on a bike, and the only discomfort came as a result of pushing hard to best a personal record.

Last season, I got a new bike and backed off the competition schedule. My work schedule and my riding goals have also changed, and while I loved my new bike

(The Specialized Allez Race), I felt like I wasn’t as comfortable before. The frame geometry of my new bike was very similar to my old Specialized Tarmac and I copied the measurements over  (to the best of my ability). As far as riding schedule now, during most weeks I am fitting in 15-30 miles per ride during the weekdays when my schedule allows, but enjoy riding longer distances a handful of times a year such as 65-100 mile rides for a weekly mileage of around 100-150.

Through the end of the season, and in spending more time on the trainer, I realized that things were not as good as they could be, but I didn’t know when, or if I should update my fit.  To figure out more, I sat down with Chris Rogers, Certified Master BG Fit Technician -with Erik’s, hoping to better understand when is a re-fit necessary.  What follows is our question and answer session.

Is there an appropriate timeline for getting your bike refitted?

Not necessarily,  the general rule of thumb is that a fit should be good for about 5 years,  Changes in a rider’s fitness, health and any injuries are all typical reasons why someone may want to take a second look at their position on the bike. 

In your case, changing the focus of your rides from training and racing triathlons to a more recreational pace and longer rides will affect your ideal position on the bike.  The fact that you have picked up a new bike is also a good reason for an update.

Can’t I just copy my fit measurements to my new bike? Why didn’t that work?

Absolutely,  with every fit we make sure you have detailed notes and measurements on how your bike is set up,  so you can check your bike set up from time to time to make sure everything is set up perfectly for you.  Or in the case where you change bikes you can copy over the measurements to replicate your position exactly.

One word of caution,  there are many variables from one bike to another that can greatly affect the fit,  the only way to ensure that your position transfers over from your fit to another bike is to ensure that the following are replicated 100%.

1. Saddle:  to guarantee the same fit on another bike you must start with exactly the same make model and size of saddle. Setting another saddle up to the same height, set-back and angle as the one that was fit will never achieve the same result.
2. Shoes and Pedals:  Shoe sole thickness can vary greatly, shoes from the same manufacturer can vary as much as 6mm in thickness, thus affecting saddle height. Pedals can affect both stance width as well as saddle hight, typically if you stay within a brand and a family of pedals, the dimensions should be consistent, but when in doubt check with the manufacturer.
3. Handlebar:  bars can vary greatly in shape, bend, reach, drop, and how shift/brake levers interact with them,  Having a different bar is okay, but additional adjustments will be necessary to optimize the position.
4. Cranks:  Both bikes need to have the same crank length, this affects the saddle height, as well as the fore/aft adjustment of the saddle.  Also check the crank’s Q factor, or stance width, because this can affect the rider’s cleat position.  Triple cranks run wider than doubles, and from manufacturer to manufacturer there can be some differences. Any changes to stance width may need further cleat and pedal adjustments to compensate for a riders specific needs.

Given the list of variables it can be pretty tricky to match up a new bike perfectly.  And given the changes you made with your riding over the last couple of years it’s probable that your original position that emphasized triathlon racing was no longer comfortable for the way you are now riding

It’s not pretty at this point, but it’s not done either – handlebar and shifter/brake position is important to rider comfort and control.

When else should I look at getting refitted?

Aside from a new bike or a change in riding goals, other circumstances where updating your fit can include an injury, surgery, or other circumstance that change how you feel or sit on your bike. Other items to include are changes in components – if you get new shoes, pedals, or other parts where you are connected to the bike (touch points), then your fit is likely going to change.

So in the years since my first fit, I’ve:

• Gotten a new bike
• Changed the focus of my riding
• Changed my mileage
• Gotten new shoes

As a result, I’ve had some numbness in my toes on longer rides, and some lower back discomfort. It was pretty clear based on the conversation above that a new fit was in order. In the next installment, I will detail the fit experience and some of the changes made.

During last week’s Fit Friday, I explored the idea of when to get my bike refit. In this post, I wanted to cover the re-fit process and the changes made. These changes are specific to me and my style of riding, and should not be considered universal fixes for a given problem.

Following an interview to determine my riding goals, history and other pertinent information such as injuries and current discomfort on the bike, a Fit Specialist test various aspects of my flexibility and range of motion among other things. It is during this process that Chris (my Fit Specialist) discovered a leg length discrepancy that had not been noticed in the past.

What is a leg length discrepancy? What does a leg length discrepancy do on a bike?

No one is entirely symmetrical; one foot may be slightly larger than another, one arm slightly longer than another, and having a small difference between legs is not uncommon.  [In my case, the difference is around 3-4 mm, and in my left femur] However bikes are perfectly symmetrical so if one leg is essentially shorter than the other it may cause you to shift and change how you sit the bike, affect your knees, create saddle sores, affect your pedaling, or it’s possible that a rider can compensate for a minor leg length discrepancy and not be affected at all.

We also talk about my feet. Lately I’ve had some numbness in my toes, especially on longer rides.

Everything from your toes to your hips is important in the fit of your bike. Make sure its right for the best ride experience possible.

Why do you use special insoles for cycling shoes?

The motion of pedaling a bike is not the same as when walking or running, so the needs for support are different. When you walk, the arch of your foot provides suspension, and lessens the impact on your body, but when you ride, this arch collapse is inefficient.  Since the foot and hip are essentially “locked” in place, any arch collapse typically causes the riders knee to dive inward creating lateral strain on the knee. By using a foot such as the BG Footbeds, we can support the rider’s foot in a way that allows the knees to track in line, and significantly reduce the chance for repetitive use injuries.

When I get on the bike, the first thing Chris notices is my position on the saddle. I learn that I sit crooked on the seat; one hip more forward than the other. Through measuring my sit bones (ischial tuberosities), Chris determined that I need a bigger saddle. When I was first fit, two sizes of saddle were available, and I fit the bigger one (143mm). Now, sizes range from 130 to 168 or more and the variety of saddles made to fit the rider have increased greatly. Now with the 168 Romin Evo on the bike, I’m feeling more comfortable than ever before. I’m amazed how much better I sit on the bike. In only a few minutes they have decreased bouncing when I pedal at higher cadences and my sit bones feel great on this saddle. Chris adjusts my cleats, further evening my legs and hips.

After dialing in the fit from the waist down, I’m surprised to be switched into a longer stem as I thought I needed a 100 mm, but as Chris changes my position around and checks my comfort level at each adjustment he asks “Could you ride for a while in that position?” I noted that I could “work up to it” and Chris indicates this is not ideal; To be comfortable in the long run, I need to start comfortable, and the whole process is designed to get me to a natural position. The fitter is an advocate and a second set of eyes to see what the rider cannot.

Why does going to a longer stem make me more comfortable? Wouldn’t that stretch me out more?

A lot of times, when a rider feels pressure on their hands, or tension in their shoulders, it may not be from too much reach. Hands arms and shoulders can experience excessive pressure from not allowing enough room between the rider and the handlebar, and slight changes to the handlebar that put your shoulder, hand and elbow in the most natural position can make a huge difference.

Following all the adjustments for the waist down, as well as the reach and arm comfort, Chris concerns himself with my knees. Riding a bike is like thousands of small leg presses, and the hips, knees and feet need to work together like the engine of a car. To even things up here, I end up with supportive insoles and some wedges to line up my knees and feet.

My fit resulted in a new saddle, cleat adjustment, and a new stem as well as some minor changes to the insoles and wedges in my shoes.  A day later, I ride my indoor trainer and experience no pain or numbness; a first in a while. Having completed my second fitting, I am once again surprised at how I can feel more comfortable and know more about my riding than I did before. I’m excited for the coming season, and as a result, I even look forward to getting on the trainer most of the time!

Erik’s Product Managers are currently out testing the new gear for the 2014/2015 snow season, and while they don’t want to show us everything, they did send us some spy photos to get everyone excited. Take a look – you might find something you like.

There’s been a lot of excitement surrounding the new Fatboy from Specialized, and the biggest demand Erik’s has seen for a new bike launch. We were lucky to get a some Fatboy Bases in this week that are not yet spoken for, so if you’re looking to enjoy the rest of winter on a fat bike, stop by one of our stores today and claim on of these bad boys!

Built on an M4 aluminum frame and a carbon fiber front fork, the new Fatboy handles like a dream, allowing you to keep the front end in control on terrain ranging from hard pack to the fluffy stuff. The Fatboy comes stock with 4.6 inch wide Ground Control tires, but has room to ft 5″ tires if you like running the widest treads around. Stock is limited on these, so act fast. These cannot be purchased online; only in store, but you can find where one is at by selecting your size and clicking the button for “Find In Store” or by calling your nearest Erik’s.