Monthly Archives: March 2013

Signature Cycles Presents: Meet the Makers – Round II

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Signature Cycles Greenwich
Saturday, April 27th from 12-3pm

A repeat performance and exclusive meeting of five of the world’s finest Custom Frame Builders in one location to discuss the story of their success building the best bicycles on the planet and what they have planned for the future.

The afternoon will feature a panel discussion with from the following bespoke bicycle company owners:

Bob Parlee – Parlee Cycles – Peabody, MA
Ben Serotta – Serotta Bicycles – Saratoga Springs, NY
Gary Smith – Independent Fabrications – Somerville, MA
Rob Vandermark – Seven Cycles – Watertown, MA
Robert Pinazza – Guru Bicycles – Montreal

You may have missed the North American Hand-Built Show, so we’re bringing New England’s best to you!

The event will kick off at noon with a meet and greet, light lunch, and then a “Makers” round table discussion followed by a Q&A session.

You’ll have an opportunity to meet face to face with the builders of your choice.

Join us at 9am for our regular Saturday Ride prior to the festivities!

RSVP by April 25th to lorihoefer@gmail.com or 203-485-0500

Justin Rides and Reviews SRAM Red

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JustinSRAM Red

I’ve been known to be a little hard on products sometimes, expecting more than most. I feel that with the cost of admission on the products we sell, they should work in a spectacular and carefree way. I have always appreciated the smooth ease of use that comes with Shimano products. Simply said they set up easy and work well.

I have never been a fan of SRAM road components. I remember when SRAM Red first came out and everyone was saying how lightweight it was. That’s great that it’s so light because I wouldn’t want anything heavy on my bike that doesn’t actually shift. Needless to say, while I was never a fan, some customers and friends loved it. Over the years I learned tips and tricks to set it up better than most. I used chain X with cassette Y and voila! The SRAM shifting is almost as good as Campy and Shimano.

When the new Red was announced I was intrigued by the group. The Yaw front derailleur looked hopeful. The new shifter shape looked as if the ergonomics would be wonderful. The cassette elastomer thing was a little weird, but who knows maybe they got it this time? The brakes reminded me of designs of the past, but not in the good way with it’s single pivot with a leverage increasing arm. I was intrigued but not sold. Would these parts be a “real” functional competitor?

Last winter a new frame was on the way for me, a lightweight carbon one. A Guru Photon to be exact. Full custom to my fit, design and ride preferences. A 740gr hot rod. What group should go on this rig? Di2? Campy? SRAM? “Wait, did Justin say he’s putting SRAM on his bike?” Soren and Lori scratched their heads. I decided to “Make The Leap” as they say. The group looked promising and all the folks at SRAM were so excited. I decided to go for it! Continue reading →

Signature Cycles Greenwich to Host Women’s Cycling Information Panel and Networking Night

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April 4th Event First in Series of Women’s-Only Clinics

What should I eat before a ride? Why does my saddle hurt? I think I want to race but how do I get started?

Cycling can be an intimidating activity for many women, but Signature Cycles is here to help answer these and many more questions during its special women’s-only “Ladies Night: Women in the Know” information panel and networking event on April 4 at 6 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Signature Cycles is located at 14 Railroad Avenue in Greenwich.

Women of all levels of experience and ability are welcome and encouraged to attend. Topics to be covered will include women’s health, injury prevention, gear, competitive racing, and more. A field of women panelists will be on hand to answer questions, including:

Ann Ivan – USAT Level 1 Coach, Rye YMCA Fitness Center Director, Age Group Triathlete, 2-Time Ironman Finisher, Cancer Survivor

Carrie Goldkopf – Personal Trainer, Certified Massage Therapist, Nutrition Counselor, Avid Mountain Bike Enthusiast

Clare Zecher – USAT Level 1 Certified Coach, Personal Trainer, USAT Team USA Qualification, Multiple-time Marathon Competitor

Genevieve X. Boulanger – Owner and Founder of GXB Yoga and Pilates. Certified Pilates and Yoga Instructor

Gloria C. Cohen, MD – Specialist in Non- Operative Sports Medicine. Team Physician for Columbia University Varsity Athletic Teams. Former Team Physician to the Canadian National Cycling Team andCanadian Olympic Games Medical Team

Lucia Deng – Co-Captain of the Rockstar/ Signature Cycles Womens Racing Team,Board of Directors of Century Road Club Association

Madeleine Marecki – Member of Rockstar/Signature Cycles Womens Racing Team, Former Division 1 Cross Country and Track Athlete

Abigail Smith, PT, DPT –  Owner of Forward Motion Physical Therapy in Westport CT, Adjunct Professor at Norwalk Community College for the Physical Therapy Assistant program.  Triathlete and Marathon Runner

Melissa Moo Harkins – Founder of MooMotion Apparel, 3-Time Ironman Finisher, Alumni of Parsons School of Design

The event will include food, drink, and great giveaways. This is an evening not to be missed! Reservations can be made by emailing lori@signaturecycles.com.

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specialized

“Blasphemy, I tell you.” my good friend scolded me.

“Why would a company that built its stellar reputation on a custom platform entertain the idea of offering a non custom product line?” he continued the beat down.

It was a gut check, for sure. I know what attracts me to Specialized S-Works and Shiv offerings. I have seen first hand, while spending time at the mother ship in Morgan Hill, California, the attention to detail in the design, engineering and execution of these fine production bikes. I have ridden all the S-Works models when I could steal time away from my teaching duties at the Masters Body Geometry Fit classes. There is no doubting that Specialized S-Works models deliver something special while cruising the Santa Cruz mountain ranges.  Yes, “something special,” is critical in meeting our criteria to offer a product for sale, but is it enough?

It was time to put this decision through the litmus test of our corporate mission.

Signature Cycles is a service based company with a primary goal of offering our clients the best quality products, the highest level of expertise and service, and unparalleled ongoing support.

We create  a customer experience that is specifically tailored to our individual client’s cycling aspirations, delivered in a professional manner in which every client is made to feel understood and important.  We offer exemplary services and products which ultimately create raving fans.

When put through the test, Specialized S-Works and Shivs meet our criteria and then some. We have chosen Specialized S-Works and Shivs for the quality, innovation and variety the lines offer our discerning clientele.

Our commitment to a Fit First philosophy will never waiver. We believe that your bike doesn’t exist, until we fit you. Specialized S-Works and Shivs, like our other non custom models offered in our current lines,  will need to fit first before one will be allowed to roll out the door.

“Blasphemy?”  I think not. The only blasphemy part is that we will only be offering Specialized in our Greenwich studio. We sit too close to a current Specialized S-Works dealer in Manhattan and will respect their territory privileges.

So, say it is so. We welcome Specialized to the Signature Cycles family of the world’s best frame and bicycle offerings and are excited to add them to our stable. Please reach out to us in Greenwich when you are ready to see what all the fuss is about and have us check if one of the Specialized S-Works or Shiv geometries fit your positional coordinates.

If you are new to Signature Cycles and haven’t had a Sizecycle fitting, this would be the perfect time to get Fit and dial in your non custom current bike or take the plunge and discover what is special about riding a Specialized.

See our new Specialized S-Works gallery HERE

Paul Levine