HubBub Custom Bicycles

Where HAS the Banking Industry Gone?

Can you say FIASCO???   So far this year, my bank account has been a yo-yo unlike anything I've ever experienced.  And, it took until this past Saturday to finally figure out what has been happening and why.

We purchase many of our bicycle parts from vendors who have on-line systems.  The FIRST time the card is authorized, there is no freight added and the initial authorization is for exactly what the order amount states.  THEN, the order is picked, packed, weighed, and FREIGHT is added... only, it isn't a second charge just for freight - THE ENTIRE AMOUNT, THIS TIME INCLUDING FREIGHT, is again debited to the card.  So, now the card is tied up for approximately twice the amount of the invoice.

It takes THREE BUSINESS DAYS for the lesser of the two charges to drop off the card and in the case of this past Friday, that amounted was almost $2,000.  So, the charges to the card were almost $4,000.00.

None of this would matter if the bank didn't see it as being 'OVERDRAWN" in "available balance."  And what does the bank do?  Charge overdraft fees AND return other checks or scheduled payments while holding onto a charge that isn't real.  The actual balance can be many hundreds, even thousands of dollars - but because the alleged AVAILABLE balance is negative ...

So, FREE CHECKING is really a euphemism for  - "we can't get you for the basic checking account, but we make it up in absolutely everything else!"

I think that banking regulations need to be changed - banks are ripping us off in their quest to remain solvent and breaking the backs of small businesses such as mine. 

I wonder what I can do about it???

Lightweight Exploding Wheels!

We build our own wheels at HubBub.  It seems that this is one of the things that sets us apart from many other shops - even those that sell custom bicycles.  It has also been a bone of contention with some customers on occasion, but we've held to our beliefs - being proven justified  more than once.

We believe wheels should be reliable, safe, and built for the rider - qualities that rider include weight, experience, and the kind of riding intended.  Our wheels are meant to offer thousands of miles of trouble free riding, just as our bikes are.  Even (or especially) in racing situations, we believe that sacrificing reliability and predictabilty for weight isn't usually the wise decision.

The current trend in wheels has been pushing the limit with low spoke counts, paired spoking patterns, and a lot of carbon fiber.  While some of the production bike companies have begun to spec more appropriate wheels on some of their road bike models, the after-market wheels that many dealers are selling have become more and more exotic.   And, the marketing pitch to own and ride a pair of these wheels is hot and heavy in the media marketplace. 

And, no one has been more aggressive in getting specialty wheels into the hands of the rider than Mavic.  From their original Helium wheel that was touted as "the lightweignt, climbing wheel" to the new R-Sys carbon-fiber spoked wheels, Mavic has stubbornly held to their claims of a superior wheel, even in the face of obvious, and now dangerous, failures. 

Case in point: on June 9th, one of Velo News editors, Ben Delaney, was racing on Mavic's POST-RECALL, redesigned R-Sys front wheel when it literally exploded in a turn.  At first, Mavic wanted to blame "rider error" but, to Velo News' and Ben Delanye's credit, they tracked down witnesses, had photographs, and reported on it immediately, even though Mavic is an advertiser with the magazine both on line and in print. 

Brian has weighed in on this from both my persepective and a more technical point of view on his blog, Artispin.

I don't know if this incident will serve to wake up the riding public, those who oversee these types of problems, and/or the manufacturers; but, with the speed that information travels and the number of people who are able to read and assess information quickly, I hope the manufacturers will stop using the general public as unsuspecting test subjects.

As for the riders, I guess there will always be those who want the newest, the lightest, and allegedly, the fastest.  The question always comes back to... at what cost?

Do What You Love - Love What You Do

Cliche?  Maybe... read on please.

As the owner of a small, seasonal business that is inextricably entwined with the ups and downs of our clients’ disposable incomes, I  have to occasionally take a step back to get a perspective on life that doesn’t go down the road to sheer panic. 

Over the 35+ years that I have been in the bicycle business, I have seen other economic cycles that have led to business unrest and substantial layoffs.  Why this one seemed so different was a little difficult to pinpoint for me until I remembered the speed at which information travels – ugly news in this case; coupled with a media that tends to whip bad news into frenzy, often it seems, just for the hell of it.

Our business model is unusual, to say the least.  Many in the bike business will say that if you want to make a million dollars, you need to start with two million.  Not so funny when you look at the economics.  But, HubBub’s original concept – every bike a one-off custom fit, design, and build – was virtually unheard of in 1996 when it was conceived. 

We got off to a somewhat slow and shaky start, and managed to refine the idea rather well.  Then we decided to move to a location we thought was well-suited to our needs.

We had high hopes and aspirations for a bright and successful future, when we opened Hubbub’s new store in Chesterland in 2004.  Then, deception and a series of unforeseen circumstance, shattered all of that optimism in a matter of months, almost closing the doors before the first season was over.   I think we kept going the summer and fall of 2004 because we just didn’t know what else to do.  The effort to put our heads down, come to work every day, and just keep going was nothing less than monumental.  The stress was nearly unbearable (and sometimes still comes rushing in with a fierceness that knocks the wind out of us).

The next couple of years were difficult but we saw a lot of progress.  2006 saw the best sales year in our history.  2007 was flat but satisfactory; and finally, our massive debt began to slowly diminish.  

Then, as you might suspect, the bottom began to fall out again in late ’08.  We were once more staring at that “why are we still in this business” question and wondering whether we are mentally, physically, and emotionally equipped for another trip UP the fragile financial ladder.

 Which brings me, finally, to the essence of what I intended to write in the first place:  our clients.

The truth is that we deal with the most extraordinary people.  And I need to keep reminding myself that these are very challenging times for many if not most.  Some clients are terrified of losing their jobs often working an obscene number of hours; some have lost huge sums of money; and some are doing quite well.   Some are women, some are men; some are well-off and some are of modest means. What they all have in common though is that they consider cycling their sport and trust us as their cycling advisers. 

It is a privilege and it is a big responsibility.  To not take it seriously would be arrogant and an affront to those who have put themselves in our hands.  The leap of faith that each must make to trust that we will deliver exactly what we promise is all the more important in times when deception and loss is so pervasive. 

Over the past 12 years, we have continued to perfect our methods and the results are becoming better and better.  Yet, what most of our clients do not realize is the nervous anticipation we feel each time a new bicycle comes off the workstand.

This is the moment when it all comes together – the fit, the design, the hours of conversation and discussion, and the attentive build that Brian orchestrates.  We literally hold our breath as we wheel the bicycle out to its new owner and he or she clips into the pedals for the first time to circle the parking lot and then take off for a short test ride.  The rewards are the smiles and thank yous – then we breathe.  And when someone calls or writes or comes in to say that what we have helped them do has changed them in some positive way – allowing them to accomplish goals that they thought were unattainable - we are both humbled and proud.

So, even though we have really rough days, sometimes weeks – times when we aren’t sure how we will keep the lights and phones on or pay the rent and taxes – we roll another beautiful bike out of the shop and the magic begins once again.  It is the moment that makes it all worthwhile.

Do You Offer A Club Discount?

This topic comes up pretty much on an annual basis, so I am going to address it in this, our public forum. 

HubBub strives to support the entire cycling community with high quality equipment at prices that are competitive coupled with technical expertise that is unparalleled.  Bike shops are small businesses with enormous investment in tools, inventory, and supplies.  We also support many local clubs and organizations with assistance in the form of promotion of their events, bag stuffers, and SAG support.  

In addition, we provide venue for cyclists in the form of organized rides (Emerald Necklace Tour for 15 years: PVG Ride for the past 4).  These rides are open to everyone and are offered to encourage new cyclists the opportunity to join larger, more seasoned groups to gain confidence and broaden their cycling experiences.  We invest heavily in these events with both time and money asking nothing in return but the participants' enjoyment. 

If the only criterion for shopping with us is a discount, we think you are missing the point.   

 

 

Bike Summit - Wrap-up

   

I'm not certain I am 100% ready to write this wrap up to my experience of the 2009 Bike Summit, but I'm going to try.

First, I would have to say that the League of American Bicyclists MUST be commended on a stellar job.  The Summit was exceptionally well-organized, with attention paid to details that made the experience seamless.  When we needed food, there was food; when we needed assistance, there was assistance; and when we needed a break, we got a break.  Everyone worked hard, learned a ton, and I think went home feeling that we had made an impact.  It was exhiliarating.

Each day and every breakout session we attended was a step forward to Thursday when more than 550 of us descended on Capitol Hill with our message - support bicycling related legislation.  Being a part of how our system works at the legislative level reminds one of how fortuante we are to live here and now. 

The message that was repeated to us over and over from those legislators who took the time to come to our Amphitheater in the Ronald Reagan Building was - "you have a partner in Washington" - and on Thursday, when we called upon our Senators and Congresspeople with our message, it was clear that they knew we were coming!  Even the Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, made it clear that we could count on the Obama administration to support bicycling related ideas.

I have heard back from some of our attendees that there has already been action on "asks" (requests) that were made.  I have sent Congressmen and Senators my written reminders of the programs I want to see supported or legislation I want to see renewed or passed.  It remains to be seen what the long-term impact of our work will be.

One of the most compelling speeches that we heard was from Lawrence Selzer, CEO of the Conservation Fund.  I have been given permission by Larry to offer a link to his Bike_Summit_Speech[1] .  It took the better part of the lunch hour on Wednesday and the ballroom, which housed more than 550 of us for meals, was absoultely silent during his presentation.  He received a standing ovation; and, if you read his speec, I think you will understand why. 

So, there may be another wrap-up coming.  I am still processing some things and would like to report back down the road when (and if) I hear back from the legislators' offices about my follow-up to to our visit.

Most importantly, I am committed to getting involved in advocating cycling in a new way - especially locally.  I also hope to encourage at least 150 bicycle dealers to attending the Summit in 2010.  That would be quite an increase and still barely 4% of our total numbers. 

If you have specific questions about the Summit, pending legislation, contacting legislators, or becoming involved with bicycle advocacy, contact me OR go to the advocacy section of the LAB and get involved.  I would also urge you to join the LAB!

Bike Summit - Day 2

March 11th

Today's photos

WOW - what a day.  Very intense.  My new friend Tara, who owns a shop in Burlington, NC, feels the same way.  We're "roomies" at the Harrington Hotel and have been "studying" what we are supposed to say to our legislators when we go "up to the Hill" tomorrow.

Today's breakout sessions included how the stimulus money works and how we might be able to piggyback on certain aspects to get funding for cycling related projects.  These include everything from community block grants to the complete streets bill.

We heard from Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood; Congresspeople Oberstar, Matsui, and Lipinski, and EVERYONE OF THEM was well informed, pro-cycling and, pro-cycling related projects.  I heard others at the Summit say that this year had the most support from Congress ever. 

The keynote speaker at lunch, Lawrence Selzer from The Conservation Fund, blew us away!  His speech, which centered around the concept of children not having access to nature and what it is doing to this generation of kids, was breathtaking.  No one said a word until the end when he received a standing ovation.  He was eloquent, smart, witty, and intelligent. 

What I am beginning to see is this holistic coming together of a great many pieces of a pie that includes a vast variety of cycling related possibilities.  The time is right; the people are right; the energy is right. 

I will complete my Summit entries after I return home tomorrow and have more time to process the whole experience from a little bit of distance.

OH - I almost forgot; HubBub was again voted the #1 Bike Shop in the Great Lakes Region by the members of the League of American Bicyclists.  We were also tied with Century Cycles and a shop in Michigan.  We're proud to have been chosen twice in the last three years!  It's quite an honor.

Night all.

 

 

Bike Summit - Day 1

10 March 2009 - early morning

See photos of the Summit

 Waiting at the airport to get on my way to D.C.  Hard to believe that the “summit” starts this afternoon. 

First order of business is to find the Harrington Hotel and then the restaurant where I am meeting one of my best friends for lunch.  We haven’t had a chance to have a sit-down for many years and we are both anticipating the all-too-short time we will have to catch up.

“Orientation” for new Summit attendees begins at 4:15 and then there is a welcoming dinner, etc. etc.   I’m “bunking in” with a couple of other bicycle dealers including Linda Black from College Park Cycles in Maryland. 

The real work begins tomorrow morning.  I haven’t yet chosen the three breakout sessions I want to attend – I’m leaning toward Climate Change Prospects for 2009-Transforming Ideas; The Role of Bicycle Dealers in National and Local Advocacy; and, Bicycle Friendly America – Smart Investments in Businesses, Communities, and States.  Dunno, there are a couple of others that sound very interesting although I’m not sure what direction they are going to take.  Don’t have to choose now and will be meeting up with other Ohio “delegates” to hear what they want for the State.

Will keep you posted as the day progresses.  Have a good morning.

9:46pm ... whew

Just got back from the welcoming dinner and three hours of "speeches".  Actually, it was all interesting.  Dinner was VERY formal in service, but we all were pretty casual in attitude and dress.  I'd estimate 600 in attendance.

Started with an "orientation" meeting.  This was supposed to be for those who have never attended the Summit before, but of course there were some ringers.  The point of this session was to give us an idea of how things work in Washington.  We heard from several factions from BikesPAC (the money/lobbying arm) to Stephanie Vance, an advocacy expert who was about as dynamic as they get.  I learned a lot about what we need to do, and say to "get it done" in the few minutes we will have with each legislator and/or staff member.

We received a package of information in a nylon League of American Bicyclists shoulder bag including a Polar Bottle, a Congressional directory (very cool), a folder filled with information, and the Summit program.  Included in the folder is a booklet - The 2009 Bicycle Friendly America compilation from Bikes Belong.  It immediately gave me pause to wonder "what would it take for NE Ohio to be included in this list for 2010?"  I'm hoping to find out some of that while I'm here.

Friis Arne Petersen, Denmark's Ambassador to the U.S. gave a GREAT presentation about cycling and bicycles in Copenhagen.

So, suffice it to say, my head is full of stuff to ponder and sort out.  Tomorrow's session start bright and early.  I'll be back!

DL

NAHBS - wrap-up

Well, how about THAT?  Local frame builder Dan Polito won Best in Show at NAHBS!  Our hats off to him.  Here is an excerpt from a press release by Paul SKilbeck, PR dude for NAHBS:

Indianapolis -- A crowd of 1728 on the final day of the North
American Handmade Bicycle Show resulted in an total of 6,428
attendees over three days of what many exhibitors described as the
best NAHBS yet.

As in past years, the show culminated with the awards for the best
bicycles at the show. This time for the first time, an awards jury
made all selections but two: President's and People's choices. The
jurors were Dale Brown, Steve Hampsten, Doug Brooks, Mike Barrie, and
James Huang.

...Best of Show

Dan Polito of Cicli Polito credits former frame builder Norm Taylor
with the inspiration for the Jack Taylor tribute bicycle he brought
to the 2009 NAHBS. Polito, who sees making one s own bicycle as the
mark of a true cyclist, honored Taylor, who passed away recently, by
including elements in this particular bicycle of original grass-track
racing bicycles. Laura Long, an associate of Polito s since the shop
opened, pointed out cyclists used to compete on horse fields, which
explains the wider tires.

Here is the full list of winners:

NAHBS - Day 2

After a cold walk over to and back from a cool restaurant (Barcelona tapas) about 6 blocks from the Hyatt Regency last night, we took a ride up the elevator to the 20th floor to The Eagle's Nest, the hotel's rotating restaurant high above downtown Indianapolis for a late night dessert and drink. 

We got up, had a quick breakfast and, after attending the first seminar on our list for today, Drew Guldalian (Engin Cycles') Full Service Bicycle Shops, met up with our new clients from Carmel, Indiana to take measurements and flesh out the last details for their new Calfee tandem.  The seminar was very interesting; Drew explained how he came to the somewhat unique model of combining a full service bike shop with an in-house custom builder.  Gives us pause...

The crowds were HUGE today ensuring that Don Walker, the show's producer and founder will be heartened and willing to once again produce this important show in 2010. 

Included in those crowds were quite a few of our clients from Ohio.  It's so cool that so many drove the 5+ hours to see this show.

We stayed to hear Ben Serotta talk about his journey through the bike business over the past 36 years.  He's one of the lions of our industry and has a lot of creative credits to his time and work in the industry, including many winning frames! 

Then we decided to get on the road and get home.  It was a good choice getting us in by 10pm and giving us a chance for a good night's sleep before diving back into Hubbub tomorrow.

I tried all day to get on line with any of the "free" WiFi connections at the convention center ... haha, no such luck; so, I finally got my photos uploaded today.  I made no comments, but suffice it to say, each has its own story.  The last one, of the venerable Richard Sachs is especially for our friend Joni! Enjoy!

NAHBS - Day One

Whew - LONG day... beginning with a 2-hour drive from Springfield in the rain.  We crossed into Indiana about 9:00 this morning and arrived at the Indianapolis Convention Center about 9:45am. 

It was pretty quiet and registration was, for the first time, a snap!  I was worried that the lack of chaos would bode for a poorly attended show, but the Show Daily stated that over 24,000 tickets had been sold, so I expect we'll see the big crowds tomorrow.

Brian and I spent the first hour walking the show waiting for Richard Schwinn's Fit Seminar for Framebuilders.  Richard and I have known each other for decades and i must say, he did a quite respectable job with his "schtick".  It had a little more "salesmanship" for my taste, but all-in-all he was able to convey the basic elements for a new framebuilder who is tentative about fitting.

Brian and I took a break to grab some lunch and get our stuff out of the car, including the camera.  We're sort of still rooting around for the SD card though, so I won't upload our photos until tomorrow.  There are PLENTY of photos already on line though at the NAHBS gallery.

We attended another technical session with Keith Noronha from Reynolds in England about strength vs. stiffness of materials.  I didn't learn a lot of new stuff, and there was a lot of technical information that was really "engineering quality", but I did have much reinforced as I did with Richard's Fit Seminar.  Then, I stayed put for a seminar on decals and learned way more than I thought I'd ever want to know about them! (Or at least about their application!)

Brian wanted to go to Don Walker's track frame seminar and I decided to spend the hour walking the show and catching up with old friends, looking at bikes, and checking out any interesting ideas.

The first people I sought out were our friends, the Bilenky's, from Philadelphia.  We had travelled with them from Chicago to Portland last year and it was great to catch up with them again today. 

I stopped into the Brooks booth and saw the the (1911?) "Imperial" style saddles with the cutout in the middle.  Seems that Brooks had done this almost 100 years ago and when they introduced it again, a flurry of letters threatening them with "patent infringement" were quickly quashed when the original designs were hauled out of the vault and presented to the "offended parties".  So much for modern day ideas!  (Nothing new under the sun?)  The B-17, one of the 3 models with the Imperial cut-out, will come with several color laces for personal "styling". 

I'll get a continutation of this done tomorrow.  It's off for a nightcap and some sleep.