Perennial Cycle

We just recently saw the first rear hinge wear to the point of needing replacement on a Brompton bicycle. It takes many, many miles for the rear hinge to need replacing, so it's no surprise that it took five years before we saw a single one (and the owner is a daily commuter even in the salty Minnesota winters). If you're riding your Brompton as your main mode of transport, you may need to eventually replace the rear hinge. This is a repair that is best handled by a bike shop with a top notch service department that is familiar with Brompton Bikes. If you don't have anyone near you capable of doing the job (or in ownership of the needed tools), then you're lucky the Brompton is so easy to ship as we'd be happy to do the repair for you professionally. As a part of the process, we'll promptly get your Brompton back on your doorstep.

The Brompton Bushing Kit includes all the parts that need replacing, the necessary allen wrench, instructions and a drill bit. (Used to drill off the head of one or both of the bolts.) For tools, the service department will have a Brompton specific rear hinge reamer and some Loctite. It's not necessary, but it'll make it easier to remove the old bushings using a 13/32-inch tap.

We spent a fair bit of time researching the processes before we actually did it, but once our ducks were in a row the repair went smoothly and fairly quickly. The first step is to inspect the bushings to determine if they need replacing.

The captions explain the work we do:

Links Regarding This Job:
Brompton Instructions (pdf)
Rear Hinge Bushing Kit
Brompton Specific Reamer (Special Order) Contact Us.

Retail space is expensive, so Perennial Cycle has worked super hard from day one to make the most of our space. My Dad would have said that we are capable of squeezing blood out of a turnip (this would have been a compliment ; )

In our original basement rental/retail space we had the rafters stuffed with an elaborate helmet storage system. People walked down into that shop and laughed because they had seen ads in Recumbent Cyclist News where we touted ourselves as a Recumbent Super Store (which we were in great part to stuffing the corners and rafters as well as friend's basements with merchandise). 10-1/2 years ago we moved into a 1000 square feet with a full basement. It felt huge, but midway through the second year we were having to do a lot to maximize our space and eventually got a warehouse space to let some pressure off the retail space.

Yesterday we grew by over double our current space and nabbed a doorway directly into the coffee shop on the corner! 2010 is starting out BIG at Perennial Cycle and this is hugely exciting. We're sad to see the flower shop move out (Luna Vinca had been in that space for 10 years), but it has created a great opportunity for Perennial Cycle.

**Addendum added to this Shopcast Post | 1-13-2017**
April 1, 2016 we ended being Calhoun Cycle (as the images above show us as being). We are now Perennial Cycle. You can read about our name change HERE

It's no secret around here that Velo Vision Magazine pays attention to what's happening in the cycling world and to see the latest issue's (#36) cover is sweet. The Cover picture sells a story by Richard Peace in which he critiques 3 cargo bikes after having tested all three rather extensively.

There's a whole lot of fun in Velo Vision #36. We're pretty partial to the Richard's review of three cargo bikes that he tested. The cargo bikes he rode were the Larry vs. Harry Bullitt, Madsen kg271 and a Yuba Mundo.

Here are a few Headlines of Velo Vision #36

Workbikes special!

Richard Peace puts three two-wheel load-carriers through real-world tests. Under the spotlight are the Bullitt Clockwork, the Madsen kg271 and the Yuba Mundo, the last with an Ezee electric assist system.

Dropping in on dealers: another three reports from specialist dealers across the country: London Recumbents, Futurecycles, Bikes and Trailers. What you'll find if you visit yourself...
Review: Villiers custom frame. It's here at last - a lovely test bed bike frame built by Paul Villiers to our own Velo Vision design. We look back on the custom ordering process, and the end result.
Review: Catrike Dash. This medium-sized recumbent trike for teens or for the shorter rider is put through its paces by riders who appreciate its proportions...
Review: FreeParable T1 Trailer. An impressive new bike trailer from Taiwan which transforms into a smart, baggage-handler-proof suitcase.
Short reviews: Books, chains, trousers, bells, puncture fluid...
Reader bikes: Streetmachine recumbent, doing up a DIY trike...
Report: London show: A brief reports on new products at Cycle 2009.
Feature: Touring with dogs: How lack of pet-sitters led a couple to tour with two dogs on board - and how they cope.
Regular features: News, Letters, and the best specialist advertising!

The RANS Stratus XP has been a popular bike in the shop for years. With its' supple long wheelbase, low pedal height and dual 26" wheels the XP makes a great every day ride as well as cross country touring bike. As a well designed bike out of the box, it's definitely a fine candidate for customizing. We've done a number of super upgrades over the years, but this recent project was particularly sweet!

Year after year, Steve gets many, many miles on his bikes. He does a lot of both commuting and touring. After a couple of great years on the Stratus XP he realized that this bike fit his needs very well and is worth investing in some sweet upgrades to make it even better.

For starters, he had us add an impressive Rohloff rear hub with it's 14 internal gears to simplify the drivetrain and eliminate gear overlap. A 48-tooth chainring with a 16-tooth rear cog give it a whopping 21 to 114 gear-inch range. The front chainguard is his original 52-tooth chainring with the teeth machined off. Cool. The chaintubes are made from PTFE tubing. He also upgraded his brakes to Avid BB-7. We were all impressed by the project and took some photos to share with you: