It seems the rains have finally arrived and are probably gonna stick around for a while. If you're finding yourself a bit soggy and with a streak of dirt running down your back, come on by and check out our gear.

We've got a full range of Planet Bike fenders. Not only does Planet Bike make kickn' gear but they also donate 25% of their profits to bike advocacy. So whether you want a basic flipper so you can hit some trails or you want the full fender treatment for your next big tour, get yourself set and boost your good karma at the same time.

The Crumpler bags are pretty bomber in wet weather, the variety is killer--backpacks, standard messenger style, laptop happy etc.--and the names are a riot (i.e. the Moderate Embarrassment and the Considerable Embarrassment). Their website is also decent entertainment on a rainy afternoon.

Decent tires will also make a huge difference in wet conditions, keeping your wheels straight and grippy on the road. If you're doing mostly city riding, consider putting aside knobby tires which can get skittish on wet pavement and go for something with some more rubber to street contact. (Side note: do not fear skinnier tires for day to day commuting. You'll go faster!)

We'll also be offering our "Get Home" class on Thursday January 24th at 5:30 p.m. If you're not sure how to change a flat or get a dropped chain back on so you get get home and out of the rain sooner rather than later, come check out this class! It's FREE and open to the first 6 folks from the bike-riding public who sign up. Give us a call (510.444.4148), drop us an email (top@tiptopbikeshop.com) or swing by and get on the list. And on that Thursday, show up with your bike and clothes that can get dirty.

And even though the weather's a bit challenging, get out and ride...it builds character.

JP

Not to be presumptuous, but might we suggest a new year's resolution for some of our cycling brethren? Get some lights and use them. Here at Tip Top we don't want to be finger-wagging curmudgeons but here's our little list for why using lights is a no-brainer:

*They keep moving objects such as cars, other riders, and pedestrians from hitting you. (There's not much to be done about hitting objects at rest other than paying attention).

*All the other movers and shakers out on the street are more likely to stay out of your way which means you're less likely to take anyone out.

*And don't fool yourself: You Are Invisible Without Them.

It's a little list, but a good list we think. Straightforward. Sensible. No nonsense.

Oh yeah, and it's illegal to ride without a front light in California. Cops will stop you. They will give you a ticket. And not a cheap ticket either. So keep your wallet full and your body in one piece. Put some lights on your bike, your bag, your helmet; turn'em on and ride like the wind.

Happy Holidays and keep the rubber side down...

The Tip Top Crew

'Tis the season to be jolly and bright...or something like that. Here at Tip Top, we're putting out as many pretty, shiny holiday goodies as we can get our hands on. So for any of you last minute shoppers (and don't feel guilty... we all do it) our doors are open all weekend and from 12-4 on Christmas Eve.

Here's a tasty sprinkle of what we've got going on:

*funky new Crumpler bags
*zippy and scootable Specialized Hotwalks for the little ones
*chic and functional clothing from Vanderkitten "for women who kick ass" (and the men who dig'em)
*hi-power rechargable lights from Niterider and Knog and Frog of all colors
*a full range of "I Hella Bike Oakland" t-shirts, water bottles, stickers (which are free) and the new arrival "I Hecka Trike Oakland" one-zees and t-shirts for wee riders.

And if you're looking for a gift for the rider who has it all, our very own Derek designed and created some sweet top tube protectors--check them out for the fixie in you life...and you get to support the new daddy; a worthy cause.
JP

Well, as Thanksgiving gobbles its way towards us, our BIG FAT CLEARANCE SALE is making a big dent in our collection of svelte '07 bikes; check our website for current stock.

But you're going to have to wait because we are closed Tuesday as usual, Wednesday because we feel like it, and Thursday because we're eating. See ya Friday.

In other news, we're unveiling our first session of Tip Top Bike Shop classes, FREE and open to the two-wheeled public. Here's what you have to look forward to at our inaugural "Get Home(AKA the basics) " class on Thursday, December 13^th, from 6:00-6:45 p.m.:

"It’s a dark and stormy night. You and your trusty bike are soldiering on through knee deep puddles and doing your best to avoid swerving cars when BOOM. It’s not a lightning strike or a thunderclap. Your front wheel has come to an abrupt stop in a pothole, and your tube has come to an abrupt end. What do you do to get home???!!"
Whether it’s a flat tire or a dropped chain, let us help prepare you to help yourself. Bring your bike and after an hour or so you’ll be the envy of all your friends and know how to:

• Lock your bike up properly so you can ride it home at the end of the day.
• Fix a flat and all the sundry bits and pieces that entails.
• Put your chain back on.

We’ll be happy to work with up to 8 folks and accompanying bikes on a first come first served basis.

Stuff
We just got in a super cool new bike: the Felt Virtue 2. It's a full suspension mountain bike with a unique linkage system that minimizes pedaling bob. It really works! The bike is super well equipped with Full XT, Mavic wheels, quality Fox and RockShox suspension, and at 27.25lbs for 5" of travel it's killer. OK, it's an '07 but we can sell it at a great price and we have it now.
We should also have Felt Cafes very soon too. If you are looking for a comfortable, great looking and smooth performing bicycle: this is it.

Derek made some cool top tube protectors and and we'll have them until they're gone... support the new daddy.

Moving towards the end of the year we'll be breaking out the '08s from Dahon, Felt, and Specialized but before that we need to clear those '07s (plug plug plug). here comes the last weekend of clearance deals, if you've been eye-ing a bike all year now is the time to strike.

Ride On

Good god damn I forgot about this thing. A year later and Tip Top Bike Shop EXISTS. Here we are in the Temescal neighborhood of northern Oakland and have been for near 3/4s of a year. We do have the quality bikes and bike goodies we were looking for as well as some extra shiny bits. I am still not completely grouchy and the people who work with us are very friendly. Also friendly are the people who live and work around here; they are the secret to our success--for without them we would be nothing. So we can call Tip Top Bike Shop a real thing and successful in its initial phases.

So I guess I better tell you what we have:
Specialized for road, mountain, cross and urban bikes. We also have tons of cool accessories, helmets, clothes, tires and whatnot from the big S.
Felt supplies more road bikes and stylish cruisers.
Dahon has super cool folding bikes. Forget any misconception about folding bikes riding like squirrelly circus bikes... these are great. As a matter of fact we have the Cadenza and the Matrix which, honest to goodness, looks almost exactly like standard bikes. And of course you can take them on BART at any time including rush hours; or toss it in your trunk, closet, or any other place where there isn't normally enough room for a bike.
And if you want something extra special Titus is holding down the high end.
If you love your bike, lock it up with a Kryptonite, of which we have a bunch.
And carry your lock and lunch in a groovy Crumpler or Banjo Brothers bag.
Planet Bike and Knog light our way with bright, inexpensive lites.

And the goodies don't end there. So come on down and check out the whole shebang. We might even have some cookies to share (if not, Bakesale Betty is just down the street).

Tip Top Bike Shop
4800a Telegraph Avenue,
Oakland, CA 94609
510-444-4148
top@tiptopbikeshop.com
tiptopbikeshop.com

Please Bob do not let me grow up to be a curmudgeon...
Have you ever noticed that nearly every bike shop owner is a angry old man (even if they are young)? One of my main reasons for starting a shop is to offer a fresh alternative. Have you also noticed that 90% of bike shop employees are male? That's why I'm planning this place with my lady love Chuck (perhaps in the future I'll explain her knic-kname). I know plenty of good female riders but few shops cater to them. As a matter of fact at least 90% of the attendees at Interbike 2006 were men. That was good for Chuck because she was able to score an inordinate amount of swag.

The Tip Top Bike Shop will welcome all riders!

That said we will not be catering to the low end. If someone wants a cheap two wheeled toy, Wally-World is just down the road from nearly everywhere. I've been doing this long enough to know that a good bike is a thing of joy... and that department store bikes are crap. It's my pulpit and I'll stand on it. If anyone wants a bike to ride every day, get a good one. Your local bike shop will be happy to help you find the best bike for your money, even if you have to deal with the curmudgeon running the place.
So I'll end this rant with...

Bikes-good, good bikes-better!

Rivendell is a good place to learn about bikes, from a certain perspective.

Cast of Characters

Tis I Itchie, geezer but not crumudgeon, well fed but not fat, shaken not stirred

Assisted in all things by Chuck, love of my life, limey, listless little thing.

Special guest stars: Don Juan-monster love cat sans spine and Lou Bob-not so big, not so loving, not so stupid.

We all live in a large city near a large body of water, near a larger body of water, near the largest body of water.

And we want everyone to ride bicycles. We are 'car-free' but not anti-car. We truely believe that everyone could and should ride their bikes a bit more.
There is really no need but I'll repeat the benefits: healthier people, cleaner air, less traffic, more rose smelling, more giving direction, more chatting with neighbors, less energy usage in manufacturing and usage, better resource utilization... happier humans.

So dust of the old Schwinn, air up the tires and take a ride to the park, I'll see you there.

Tip Top Opening Shot October 21, 2006

Very old Hercules, now lives in Boulder with Doug-E-fresh and Karen

Like it says on the box, this blog will be about opening a bicycle shop, when it's open it'll be about running a bike shop. So, welcome to:
Tip Top Bike Shop

Why open a bike shop? After 40 years and two months (I like to be prepared) I decided that it was time to expend 100% of my energy doing what's right for me. After riding bikes nearly every day, thinking about bikes every night, surfing for bikes, scope-ing bikes, fixing bikes, and helping people find bikes it was time to get serious (see a repeating theme here?).

So you may ask what type of bikes do I like?

I like all bikes,
but I prefer bikes that get ridden, oh yeah we are talking about human powered vehicles here (but I like motocycles too, two wheels good).

Check it out and watch the saga unfold...