Archive for the ‘Brick News’ Category

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Welcome Eli Brown!

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

Brick Wheels is pleased to announce the addition of Eli Brown to their customer service staff. Mr. Brown recently resigned his position as the Director of Skiing at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, a position he held for the past five years.

Brown will be joining the Brick Wheels team and focusing on customer service and athletic development among the cycling and skiing community. In addition to his five years as an NCAA Division I coach Eli spent two years as the National Race Director for the Fischer Ski Company, coached skiing, track and field and cross country at Whitman College in Walla Walla Washington, was a US Team Tech at the World Cup ski finals in Sweden in 2009, and is the current president of the United States Collegiate Coaches Association. Prior to coaching he was a student athlete at the Olympic Training Center at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan and a member of the US Development Team.

“Eli brings as much passion for skiing as he does knowledge.” said Tim Brick, Brick Wheels owner. “We are excited to bring to Northern Michigan an associate that is as informed and connected as Eli. The entire Great Lakes region will feel his impact”. Brick added.

Eli developed several All-Americans while at Utah and has a great understanding of not only equipment, but also ski prep and waxing, training, workouts, fitness, and motivation. During his tenure Utah finished in the top five nationally every year.

Brown said “Leaving Utah was a tough decision particularly leaving my athletes, but with Utah joining the Pac Ten conference and the changes associated with that move, it just seemed like the right time to move on. I have two young children and a lovely wife and I’m looking forward to having more time to spend with them. I established a good relationship with Brick Wheels over the years and I’m looking forward to joining their team.”

Brown plans to work closely with Michigan’s ski community to elevate the Midwest to its rightful position as a recognized leader in the nation for skier development.

Eli is also an avid cyclist, and plans to begin his new career around early Sept. For more information contact Tim at Brick Wheels 231-947-4274

Posted in Brick News, Winter | No Comments »

Welcome to the Third Coast Bicycle Festival!

Tuesday, August 24th, 2010

It’s a week of wheels in Traverse City August 22-29 throughout the Grand Traverse Area! The week started out on Sunday with the popular Traverse City Triathlon and will wrap up with the road cycling enthusiast’s popular Cherry-Roubaix, a three day event of sprints, criterium, and road race.
The more adventurous crowd will enjoy the 2 Wheel Technique trials, where participants will execute what is called the “observed trials” of riding up, over, and off various obstacles-including park benches, fences, steps and more! Check out the Fixed Gear Symposium rides and challenges, including the mechanics race on Friday, bike polo on Saturday, and the “Hell Yes” sprints on Saturday evening.
As part of Friday Night Live, held on Front Street in downtown Traverse City from 5:30 – 9:00 PM, features a bike rodeo for the kids. Also featuring bicycle Sprints as well as live music caps off this fun filled evening. Over at the TC Micro-brew and Music Festival on Friday night will feature a cyclo-cross event that goes through the main tent and historic building 50 at the Grand Traverse Commons. Watch the racers battle it out while sampling some of the Midwest’s best micro-brews and listening to great music!
Wrapping up the week will be the Cherry Roubaix, featuring the Old Towne criterium on Saturday. A spectators favorite where cyclists race through brick paved streets in the feel of a European race around downtown Traverse City. Sunday features a road race out near Cedar on a challenging 13.7 mile loop.

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Steered wrong?

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

Racers are increasingly concerned over carbon steerer tube breakage on their Trek Madone 6 series bikes. Trek says installation and compatibility problems are at fault and notes that the same concerns apply to carbon steerers from other manufacturers. The company is working with the Consumer Product Safety Commission on a consumer alert, and has made a running change to add material to 6-Series Madone steerers.

Here are 3 issues to remember when clamping a stem to a carbon steerer tube:
1. Use a torque wrench. Always and every time. As with any carbon part, over torquing the stem clamp around the steerer will compromise the carbon structure. This is not a new issue and most racers understand this. But the consequences of over torquing a carbon steerer are real and can be catastrophic.

2. Use spacers above and below the stem- always. This is not as obvious as over torquing, but riders must have a minimum of 5mm and maximum of 40mm of spacers between the stem and the headset. In addition, a 5mm spacer is required above the stem. These spacers prevent the stem from creating a stress riser on the steerer. Racers must factor in these spacers when sizing their bike.

3. Use only the stem brand and model that came with the bike. This one is a little tougher for most racers as we understand the desire to go lighter, lower or longer with their position. But not all stems will work with carbon steerers. In fact, the lighter the stem, the less chance it will be compatible with a carbon steerer. The maker of the carbon steerer can only assure the compatibility of the stem they spec on the bike. This is reality. Therefore, the only safe approach is to stay with the stem brand that shipped with the steerer.

If racers neglect any of the above, the chances of a carbon steerer tube failure are real.

Read more: http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/06/photos/carbon-steerer-breakages-statement-from-trek-bicycle_121417#ixzz0rasMopl4

The bottom line…when dealing with today’s modern materials, have a professional mechanic that has the proper tools work on your bicycle. Gone are the days when a home mechanic with a basic set of tools from the hardware store can work on their high end bicycle.

Posted in Bikes, Brick News, Tech Tips | No Comments »

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