Ergon - GP1 Performance Gripshift - Small These grips are the best yet for giving hand support while riding. Despite their unconventional shape, these grips feel instantly ‘right’ under your hands. The softer insert pad provides some cushioning, and the built-in clamp resists twisting. Ergon Performance Grips have been developed by a team of Swedish ergonomic hand experts, and are also available in a smaller size, to fit women’s hands. - Does not work with Barend shifters. LFC Klopp Mousemat 16/17 LFC Klopp Phone Sleeve 16/17 LFC Klopp Framed Image 16/17 LFC Mens Kick Gilet LFC Personalised 15 x 10 Programme Cover Klopp LFC Foundation Believers T-Shirt LFC This Is Jurgen Mousemat LFC This is Jurgen Water Bottle LFC This is Jurgen Mug LFC Boss Tha' Mug LFC Klopp Mens T-Shirt LFC Klopp 'The Normal One' Water Bottle LFC Klopp Kids T-Shirt > Page 1 of 3 The Spoke Easy is featured in Google Fiber Ads.

Check out the extended Video! The Dirty Kanza is a 200+ mile gravel race that occurs annually in the Flint Hills region of Kansas, near Emporia. The race is extremly difficult as racers cross broken dirt roads, rolling hills, extreme mud and must span distances of around 50 miles between checkpoints.  Because of the large gaps racers must carry most of their equipment with them along the way. Having the right bike with the right set up is paramount in completing the challenge. Our very own, Chris Scorsone took on the Kanza this year on his Salsa Fargo. We made several modifications to outfit the bike for this unique set of requirements, including wider Woodchipper handlebars, 1.8in tires, 180mm rotors and a swap to a flexible split carbon Ergon seatpost.  Chris opted to carry the new half pack from Oveja Negra for most of his food needs. He also took full advantage of the auxiliary mounts on the carbon fargo fork with oversized water bottles and stowed his hard goods down below with the Fargo's bottom side water bottle mounts. 

If you are planning on taking on your own gravel adventure come in to the Spoke Easy and we will be sure to get you going on a setup that works for you. Did Chris find his limit? Ask him for war stories next time you're in the shop! National Bike Travel Weekend - To South Mountains We decided several months ago that doing something out of the shop for National Bike Travel Weekend would be fitting. It seems that more and more folks around here are becoming interested in throwing down on their own cycling adventure. Wall Mounted Beer Tap DisplayWith the peaking interest we picked up a couple of new products that would aid in such an excursion includung bags from Jandd and Oveja Negra.Prom Dresses Mermaid/Trumpet Floor Length Black Sweetheart Chiffon Rhinestone

After a semi-democratic process the interested party settled on South Mountains. Yes, there are somewhat closer mountainish things around but these are the closest real mountains. It only makes sense, the shop is pretty much down town. So, why not ride from the urban core of one of the biggest cities in the South East to the mountain wilderness? The plan was one day out, one day if kicking it at some waterfalls and maybe a little back country riding and then a day back to the city. Homes For Sale In Lakes Of Rolesville NcIn all it would be a self supported three day weekend with about 140 miles in total. Here's how it went In the calamity of trying to get packed we managed to get a (most of the) group picture The town of Cat Square sparing no opportunity at literalness Our primitive site about a mile and a half back in the park There were some pretty good hammock and tent spots

Rolling out out South Mountains was a little easier than climbing in There are some nice spans of forest and farm country on the way back in And of course the post-ride, obligatory Mexican food, conveniently next door to the Spoke Easy Bike Camping: To Beans Creek From the Spoke Easy This past weekend the Spoke Easy crew set out to put together a route from the shop on Elizabeth Ave in Charlotte to a little piece of land in northern Pisgah National Forest. The property is proposed to become an adventure cycling destination and the crew thought it would be fitting to connect this remote location by bike with the urban center of the city. The goal was to create a route that could be done in three days, self supported and fun. The path included pavement, gravel forest service roads and a bit of jeep trail. The perfect combination for cross bikes. South Mountains State Park (60 paved miles) The crew happy to be there Plenty of gravel on day two (est. 40 miles total)

Hammock camping in Mortimer on Wilson Creek Crossing over into Bakersville 2016 will be full of new adventures like this one, and we would love to have you join us. Happy National Beer Day! On this day, in 1933, Americans celebrated their renewed ability to legally purchase and consume alcoholic beverages after 13 years of prohibition. The American Prohibition cultivated the rise of speakeasies around the country. Though speakeasies were synonymous with criminal activity, they arguably catalyzed small beginnings of change around progressive movements along the lines of gender equality and racial integration. Whether you were a standard bootlegger or a famous stage actress, running a speakeasy was equal parts risky and a potentially lucrative venture. Being on the other side of the law gave every speakeasy owner a dangerous, but level, playing field. "Black and Tan" jazz and cabaret clubs were the first venues to allow racially integrated crowds who only cared about the fact that they were able to drink and be entertained.

The era of drinking alcohol in secret is long behind us but the potential for change through independent thought and open-minded discourse is limitless. We want to encourage everyone get out and enjoy a brew in good company. What better place to celebrate another year of the 18th Amendment being repealed than at the Spoke Easy? Warm Days, Cold Nights The Spoke EasyWarm Days, Cold NightsThe Craft of the Spring Layer I will not delve too deep into how to layer or what layers do as that has been well outlined here. Although, the this article was written in winter with cold in mind, the principles hold up in spring as well. We have reached that special time of year where it’s pleasant to have a patio lunch-beer midday in a tee shirt, but as soon as the sun drops, temps slip all the way back to near freezing. If you don’t plan well (as I often haven’t), you are stuck commuting home after work with your fingers frozen, clutching your handlebars with cold air penetrating your shirt and wrapping around your torso.

What I have found is that if I keep a few go-to products packed in my bag I am ready for those fickle spring nights. During this transitional time my Chrome roll top is my vessel of choice to haul my happy layers. It may not be as accessible on the fly as a cross-strap messenger style bag but for those A to B trips in the wet it hatches down like a submarine. I also find it a bit more comfortable when loaded down.When I pack, I generally try to be mindful of what I will use last and pack that towards the bottom.My first go-to is a rain jacket. Obviously, it will serve it’s purpose in the rain but even if wet weather is not in the forecast it makes a great windproof layer. It will also give you a bit of insulation in a pinch, weighs almost nothing, and packs down small enough there is almost no penalty for keeping one stowed away.The next little gem that lives down near my rain jacket are my Defeet DuraGloves. Although not truly windproof on their own, layer ‘em up with a pair of mechanix gloves and they will get you pretty darn close.

Like all wool they keep on keeping on in the wet and make for a comfy glove on their own for those in between temps. A nice bonus feature is that the thumb and index fingers are tipped with smart phone fibers. Next to the jacket and gloves I keep a rolled up base layer. If I don’t have a particularly long ride on the radar I will often wear cotton around town. If I sweat through a t-shirt or if the weather fouls up this layer is my bailout. Not much is worse than cold, wet cotton next to your skin. Depending on the temps I’ll either stow a poly-pro or wool blend layer in the bag. Knee warmers are one of my favorite things to have with me for days that start out in shorts. I’ve had a pair of Defeet Kneekers for several years now. You can pull them up a bit higher to just cover your knees or stretch them down over your calf for a little more protection. The only drawback is they won’t stay up for long without wearing them tucked under a chamois.I usually stash a KMC brand buff that goes around my neck but pretty much anything that you can wrap around your neck when the chill comes out goes a long way.

Having something that can go up over your ears is really nice when winter decides to make an unexpected comeback. Depending on what kind of ride I have in store I will often swap out the clipless pedals for a pair of flats. When rolling around on the platform pedals my Five Ten Freeriders are my kicks of choice. Comfy on and off the bike, the stealth rubber hooks up to pedals just about as well as anything you can clip into. These really shine when the weather is dicey, a little more wind and splash proof than most clipless shoes. If you get them with a little bit of toe room they will breath well with a pair of cycling socks but also take a thicker pair of wool socks just fine too. All of these Items that work for me are available at the Spoke Easy. More importantly, we are a team of bike nerds, happy to have a conversation and find the right spring commuter combo for you. The Spoke Easy Mechanic Classes Do you wish that you had the knowledge and skills to wrench on your own bicycle?