A New Standard in Bicycle Tune-Ups: The Way It Should Be

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Shaun

Setting a new standard in Tune-ups
It’s been stewing all winter in dirty parts and cables blown from the 2010 riding season. Now you just had the worst first ride of the year ever because your bike’s performance – let’s face it – stank. The remedy? A tune-up, and not just any old tune-up either. Your bike is hankering for The Hometown Tune-up Treatment.

Setting the new standard in a standard tune-up

The Hometown Way “Lead, Follow, or Get Out of The Way,” declared Chrysler’s Lee Iacocca.

Lee, you said it right and, at Hometown, we’re listening. We began leading the industry last year as Michigan’s only 7am-7pm, 7-days-a-week bike shop. No bank hours for us. We want you to drop your bike off before work, pick it up after, and then RIDE.

But hang onto your bike shorts… our next leadership step is revolutionizing the “standard” tune-up.

What does that mean?
This means that at Hometown, you’re going to get a Standard Tune-up not offered by any other bike shop in the state of Michigan, possibly even the country. Check out any other bike shop. We are THAT confident that their Standard Tune-up won’t hold a candle to Hometown’s.

What is The Hometown Standard Tune-up?
First of all, THERE IS NO FINE PRINT!

Hometown is the one and only bicycle repair shop that’s OPEN 7AM to 7PM, 7 DAYS A WEEK.

Bikes dropped off before 10am can be picked up that night, and bikes dropped off after 3pm will be ready the next day. If your bike needs a part, we’ll still have it ready for you in just 48 hours.

WE FIX EVERYTHING. You won’t find bike snobbery here.

The new standard – The Hometown Standard – includes:

1. INSPECTION: We start by looking at the condition of your bike components to determine their wear. It’s important to us that we always send you out on a safe bicycle.

2. REMOVAL: Front and rear derailleur, Cassette, Chain, Crank, Wheels, All cables and housing, and Handlebar tape on road bikes

3. CLEANING: Frame, Derailleurs, Cassette, Chain, Crank, and Wheels

4. CALIBRATION: True wheels, Align frame dropout

5. RE-INSTALLATION: Derailleurs, Cassette, Chain, Crank, and Wheels

6. REPLACEMENT: All Cables and Housing will be replaced with new, stainless steel inner wire and 5mm housing PLUS all road bike Handlebar tape will be replaced with your choice of 5 Profile Design cork bar tape. Premium Handlebar tape is available for an additional cost.

7. LUBE/GREASE: Keeping your bike’s components running smoothly with the appropriate products

8. ADJUSTMENT: Front and rear derailleur, Brakes, Headset, Tighten all nuts and bolts

9. RIDE: PICK UP YOUR BIKE & RIDE!

10. FOLLOW UP: We stand behind our work, and offer a 30-day follow-up adjustment free of charge

The Cost
Mountain Bike & Everything Else: $60. Road Bike: $65.

The point?
We want to to be your number one bicycle resource, so we’re turning “Standard” into a new level of “awesome”.

Stop in and experience a new standard – the way it SHOULD be.

See you soon!

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: bicycle repair, bicycle shop, bike, bike parts, bike tune-up, bikes, Brighton, Hometown Bicycles, Michigan, mountain bike, road bike, Shaun Bhajan, standard tune-up | Leave a comment »

Meet Mr. 1,000, Hot Sauce & 2,011 Bikes

Posted on January 27, 2011 by Shaun

Shaun Says: Cleared for Take-Off

Hometown Bicycles is just a month and a half away from launching the shop you’ve all been waiting for… the shop that you all deserve.

We’ll be bringing in bikes soon, in tandem with your favorite cycling gear and equipment. Our empty retail shop won’t be empty much longer!

Service Rules!
No, really. Remarkable service – for customers AND bicycles – really does rule at Hometown. Whether on the retail or repair side of our shop, expect the same high service standards we set during 2010.

A Happy Ending Starts a New Beginning
Remember our “1,000 or Bust” challenge – calling on riders to help us make 1,000 repairs in our first year of business? By the time December 31st rolled around, we were rockin’ 1,012 repairs in the shop. We’ve said it before, but it’s worth saying again… you’re amazing!! Thanks for making it happen!
And our goal for 2011? 2,011 repairs. We’ve already got 10 down. 2,001 chances left to be a part of our success story!

Hometown’s Bike Trainer Tips

Winter doldrums? Of course not, because you’ve been cranking out the mileage on your bike trainer, and are riding strong! While you’re keeping your mind sharp and your legs tight, here are a few Hometown tips to help your indoor ride:

Use Your Gears
Although trainers offer built-in resistance, remember to shift gears frequently. Whether you’re riding the roads or the trainer, the constant spin of the chain wears away your chainring teeth. Shifting regularly helps the gears wear evenly.

Stretch
Cyclists are notorious for the 2-second leg stretch. Not good. There’s no point getting ripped cycling muscles, if you waddle like a duck off the bike. Stretching is critical to safe and effective riding. Try these stellar cycling stretches from Bicycling Magazine.

Crank the TV
Let’s face it. Indoor cycling lacks the thrill of open-air riding. So, if you’re having a hard time staying motivated to ride, park your bike and trainer in front of the TV. You’ll be surprised at how quickly time zips by when you’re waiting breathlessly to see if Michelle marries Mark, or dumps him for the cable guy.

Hometown Photo of the Month

Mr. 1,000! Mark Bourgeau and his kids hoist the Mr. 1,000 banner for bringing in Hometown Bicycles thousandth repair. It was only Fitting that the 1000th repair be a Carbon Wilier Cyclo-cross bike. Thanks, Mark! Thanks, EVERYONE!

A Hometown Congrats to Trail’s Edge!

A bike company whose standards and philosophy match our own, we’re proud to congratulate Trail’s Edge Cyclery on the recent opening of their Milford branch.

“If you are familiar with Trail’s Edge Cyclery in Plymouth, you know that they are different from the typical bike shop. The new Milford location is an expansion of the original store concept that focuses on helping people get out and enjoy cycling. Trail’s Edge stores are owned and operated by cyclist & bike geeks, who enjoy and understand the need for a strong local cycling community.”
~Mike Flack, owner

Right on, Mike. Learn more about Trail’s Edge at www.trails-edge.com.

Have a Bike at Hometown?

We have a favor to ask…
After nearly a year of heavy foot and tire traffic, our repair shop is getting a much-deserved coat of fresh paint. For this reason, we ask that you pick up your bicycles by this coming Tuesday.

Pick up your bikes by FEB. 1ST

We appreciate it!

Hometown Hot Sauce
Check it out! We’re gonna be stocking Michigan-made, private label Hometown hot sauce.But here’s the problem. What the heck do we call it??
A few ideas that have already been submitted:

“Bike Lane Pain”
“Flat Tire Fire”
“Hometown Hammer Sauce”

You can check out more, vote for your favorite or post your own idea on our

Facebook Page (click here)

We’ll let you know the final tally!

Hometown Happenings
SHOP RIDES & RUNS:
Our rides and runs are on hold while we work renovation magic in our newly expanded shop. But if you want a workout, come on down and swing a hammer with us!

SPIN CLASSES
Until our shop is spin-class ready, we can recommend a couple seriously sweet spin classes, taught by our customers at the following locations:

OTHER EVENTS:
CLICK HERE to check out our Calendar of Events. Be sure to bookmark it on your computer!

Visit Us on Facebook!
Over 347 cool people like us on Facebook. Are you cool like dat?

“Cycle tracks will abound in Utopia.”

– H.G. Wells

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: 1000 or bust. Hometown Bicycle. Bike shop in brighton mi Alex Pless bicycle bicycle repair bicycle repairs bicycle repair shop bicycles bike Bike Demo Bike racing bike repair bike repairs bike ride bi, Bike shop in Michigan, Brighton, Brighton Bicycle shop, Hometown Bicycles, Howell Bicycle shop, Island Lake Recreational area, Michigan, Milford Bike shop | Leave a comment »

Hours for Everyone

Posted on April 11, 2010 by Shaun

Hometown Bicycles is open 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week… what do you think?

We know for a fact that there are a lot of cyclists who tote their bikes to work, so they can drop it off for repair on their lunch break, then get stuck in a line at the shop and blow their entire hour, only to find out their bike won’t be ready for another two weeks. We’ve been there… it happens.

And that’s why we picked the hours we did.

Our goal is for you to drop it off before work and, in most cases, pick it up right after and ride. The cycling season’s too short and too darn fun to waste!

So our question for you is…

Filed under: Hometown Bicycles | Tagged: bicycle, bicycle repair, bicycle repair shop, bicycle repairs, bicycles, bike, bike repair, bike repairs, bike ride, bike shop hours, bikes, Brighton, cycling, cyclist, Hometown Bicycles, Michigan, Shaun Bhajan, store hours | Leave a comment »

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