The RavX DrinkerX is essentially a koozie that attaches to your handlebars. It removes easily with a quick-release bracket and has an integrated belt buckle clip. It fits most cans, cups and bottles, and features a draw-string closure to hold your beverage securely in place. With the RavX DrinkerX, there's no need to interrupt your ritualistic morning stop at Bucky's Bean Bag for a steamy cup of coffee . . . and no reason to pass by The Liquor Barn on Goodwin on your way home.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The RavX DrinkerX
Sultana Cycles encourages people to ride their bicycles . . . well, everywhere. Prescott is super-bike-friendly, and there's no reason not to rely on your bike for your commute to work, to pick up those few things you overlooked on your last trip to the supermarket, or to get some fresh air en route to happy hour on Whiskey Row. That's why we were happy to discover the RavX DrinkerX. No longer are you limited to beverages in plastic bottles!
The RavX DrinkerX is essentially a koozie that attaches to your handlebars. It removes easily with a quick-release bracket and has an integrated belt buckle clip. It fits most cans, cups and bottles, and features a draw-string closure to hold your beverage securely in place. With the RavX DrinkerX, there's no need to interrupt your ritualistic morning stop at Bucky's Bean Bag for a steamy cup of coffee . . . and no reason to pass by The Liquor Barn on Goodwin on your way home.
The RavX DrinkerX is essentially a koozie that attaches to your handlebars. It removes easily with a quick-release bracket and has an integrated belt buckle clip. It fits most cans, cups and bottles, and features a draw-string closure to hold your beverage securely in place. With the RavX DrinkerX, there's no need to interrupt your ritualistic morning stop at Bucky's Bean Bag for a steamy cup of coffee . . . and no reason to pass by The Liquor Barn on Goodwin on your way home.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
The Shopkeeper
We recently invited some passersby into the bike shop to check out our spot and enjoy a beverage while seated on an overturned 5-gallon bucket. "I can't sit down," Aaron says with a grin. "I have to stand back here and lean on the counter, because I'm the shopkeeper."
Interestingly, upon the announcement of the opening of Sultana Cycles, I was directed to this article on Outside Online. As it succinctly notes in the title: Angry bike mechanics are going extinct. And that sucks.
Aaron hates this article. "It sounds like a bike snob who wrote that crap," he says. This makes me laugh. Aaron is super-knowledgeable about bicycles and more than willing to propagate both the facts and his opinions. (If there's one thing I've picked up from my bike mechanic husband, it's that disc brakes suck -- especially the ones on my 29-er that have to be re-adjusted every time i gain or lose a pound.) However, he manages to get that across, fairly convincingly, without being angry or looking down his nose. It appears the angry bike mechanic was actually the Dr. Frankenstein who created the Frankenstein's monster* that is the snobbish author.
"Riding a bicycle is supposed to be fun," Aaron continues. "It's more fun to ride a bike that works because it's simple, good quality, and greased up on a regular basis. But it's not about what or where or who you ride with." This is the attitude you will get at Sultana Cycles -- more like a lecture from my dad, who will happily tell you how to do something "the right way," follow up with the but-do-what-you-want-because-I-know-you're-going-to-do-it-anyway remark, laugh, and go about his business. He even attempts to mute the eventual "I told you so" during the repeat lecture after I've done what I wanted to do anyway.
The bottom line: there's a happy medium between pandering and snobbery. We want your bike to be fun and functional. We want you to ask questions and be an informed consumer. And if you still want the clown-bike, we'll build it and send you happily on your way.
*Note the distinction, as the green monster reanimated from dead flesh with screws in his neck is so often mislabeled. Frankenstein is the mad scientist. The monster, tragically, remains nameless.
Interestingly, upon the announcement of the opening of Sultana Cycles, I was directed to this article on Outside Online. As it succinctly notes in the title: Angry bike mechanics are going extinct. And that sucks.Aaron hates this article. "It sounds like a bike snob who wrote that crap," he says. This makes me laugh. Aaron is super-knowledgeable about bicycles and more than willing to propagate both the facts and his opinions. (If there's one thing I've picked up from my bike mechanic husband, it's that disc brakes suck -- especially the ones on my 29-er that have to be re-adjusted every time i gain or lose a pound.) However, he manages to get that across, fairly convincingly, without being angry or looking down his nose. It appears the angry bike mechanic was actually the Dr. Frankenstein who created the Frankenstein's monster* that is the snobbish author.
"Riding a bicycle is supposed to be fun," Aaron continues. "It's more fun to ride a bike that works because it's simple, good quality, and greased up on a regular basis. But it's not about what or where or who you ride with." This is the attitude you will get at Sultana Cycles -- more like a lecture from my dad, who will happily tell you how to do something "the right way," follow up with the but-do-what-you-want-because-I-know-you're-going-to-do-it-anyway remark, laugh, and go about his business. He even attempts to mute the eventual "I told you so" during the repeat lecture after I've done what I wanted to do anyway.
The bottom line: there's a happy medium between pandering and snobbery. We want your bike to be fun and functional. We want you to ask questions and be an informed consumer. And if you still want the clown-bike, we'll build it and send you happily on your way.
*Note the distinction, as the green monster reanimated from dead flesh with screws in his neck is so often mislabeled. Frankenstein is the mad scientist. The monster, tragically, remains nameless.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Redline Metro 9: The Hip Urban Commuter
Sultana Cycles is almost ready for the soft opening in just two days. The shipments came in all on the same day and we came close to drowning in cardboard, newspaper, plastic wrap, and styrofoam peanuts. However, after a busy weekend of Windex, price tags, and a lot of coffee, it's starting to look like a real shop! Aaron put together Sultana Cycles' first bike last week: The Redline Metro 9.
The Metro 9 is a 9-speed commuter bike with a double-butted 4130 cromoly steel frame and straight-leg 4130 cromoly steel fork with eyelets for easy rack installation. The Sram X-5 shifters control an X-5 rear derailleur over a wide range 11-28 cassette. The durable Alex G-200 Aero Rim wheel set is sturdy and reliable for urban commuting. Can you tell I am reading from the brochure? I am confident that someone out there is reading this who understands what a sweet bike the Metro 9 really is.
Here, Aaron adjusts the front brake on the almost-complete masterpiece. (Thankfully I arrived with a clean t-shirt for my husband, who managed to spray green gook all over the bike shop trying to get Flat Attack through the Presta valves -- a messy but useful task in Arizona, where even the most unassuming plants will stick you, and your tubes.)
I took it for a spin around the parking garage and was ready to ride off into the sunset. The bike MOVES -- super smooth and with almost no effort. Aaron and I both added it to our wish list.
This particular Metro 9 only stayed with us a short time before we made our first bicycle sale -- Jim Ledbetter of The Ledbetter Law Firm in Cottonwood (aka My Boss) made the first purchase of a Redline Metro 9 three days before the doors opened!
Naturally, Jim's son Grant was on hand to make fun of his dad on his new bicycle. "That's a road bike," he says, a very distinct and recognizable my-dad-is-a-geek look on his face. "No," Jim retorts, "it's a hip urban commuter bike." (I think he may have stuck his tongue out at Grant and wiggled his hands by his ears too.)
And the crowd of attorneys and legal staff murmured in agreement, as Jim was clearly the picture of hipness. And this bike was clearly suited for someone in a pin-stripe suit with alligator wingtips in the toe clips. Plus, it's a chic shade of conservative navy blue with just a hint of sparkle and the fenders will ensure that Jim never arrives to work with road-spray on his back.
The Metro 9 is a 9-speed commuter bike with a double-butted 4130 cromoly steel frame and straight-leg 4130 cromoly steel fork with eyelets for easy rack installation. The Sram X-5 shifters control an X-5 rear derailleur over a wide range 11-28 cassette. The durable Alex G-200 Aero Rim wheel set is sturdy and reliable for urban commuting. Can you tell I am reading from the brochure? I am confident that someone out there is reading this who understands what a sweet bike the Metro 9 really is.
Here, Aaron adjusts the front brake on the almost-complete masterpiece. (Thankfully I arrived with a clean t-shirt for my husband, who managed to spray green gook all over the bike shop trying to get Flat Attack through the Presta valves -- a messy but useful task in Arizona, where even the most unassuming plants will stick you, and your tubes.)I took it for a spin around the parking garage and was ready to ride off into the sunset. The bike MOVES -- super smooth and with almost no effort. Aaron and I both added it to our wish list.
This particular Metro 9 only stayed with us a short time before we made our first bicycle sale -- Jim Ledbetter of The Ledbetter Law Firm in Cottonwood (aka My Boss) made the first purchase of a Redline Metro 9 three days before the doors opened!
Naturally, Jim's son Grant was on hand to make fun of his dad on his new bicycle. "That's a road bike," he says, a very distinct and recognizable my-dad-is-a-geek look on his face. "No," Jim retorts, "it's a hip urban commuter bike." (I think he may have stuck his tongue out at Grant and wiggled his hands by his ears too.)And the crowd of attorneys and legal staff murmured in agreement, as Jim was clearly the picture of hipness. And this bike was clearly suited for someone in a pin-stripe suit with alligator wingtips in the toe clips. Plus, it's a chic shade of conservative navy blue with just a hint of sparkle and the fenders will ensure that Jim never arrives to work with road-spray on his back.
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