It’s been a while since we’ve shown you photos of new gear, and we know you all like to see what the latest and greatest products in the shop are.  We have been receiving product from Mavic, Giro, Synergy, as well as more bikes from Giant, Scott, and Intense!  Here are some photos of some of our favorites, but you’ll have to come by the shop to see all the rest.

Keep and eye on the weather, as well as bikestowe.com and our facebook page, this week for updates on our group rides.  Tomorrow’s women only ride is tentative due to potential rain, but feel free to give us a call (802-253-9400 and toll free 1-800-996-8398) if you’re wondering whether we’re riding or not.  The weather for Friday, on the other hand, looks incredible, so we expect to see all of you!  We’ll keep you posted on where we’re planning on riding.  Any suggestions?!

Keep your fingers crossed for dry trails and we’ll see you out there!

The season is really picking up!  We’ve been seeing lots of familiar and new faces in the shop recently!  Everyone is busy getting their bikes tuned up and in perfect shape for the heart of the riding season.  Almost all the local trails are open and dry and we’re currently in the middle of a 5 day stretch of absolutely perfect weather.

If you happen to be in the market for a new mountain bike, boy do we have news for you.  We here at Skiershop and Bike Stowe are very proud to announce we now have a brand new Intense Carbine for demo.  Not everyone can afford a $6,000 mountain bike (although that hasn’t stopped us from trying things like fasting for new parts…), but now everyone can come try the all new Carbine from Intense.  The bike is size medium, so riders from around 5’6″ to 6′ and can enjoy this amazing bike.  Come check it out, and if you’re feeling brave, take it out for a ride!

Intense Cycles, known for their aluminum works of art, expands their offering with the Carbine.  Intense’s first ever carbon frame, the Carbine was developed with the help of SEED engineering and their expertise in carbon fiber manufacturing.  The Carbine might be beautiful to look at, but it does not want to be coddled.  Ride it as hard as you possibly can and it’ll reward you with the sweetest ride of your life.  It’s built for one purpose: to conquer all of the mountain.

• Trail/All Mountain
• Patented VPP Suspension
• Fox Factory Kashima RP23 Custom Carbine Tune
• Tapered Head Tube, requires ZS 44mm upper & standard 1.5″ pressfit 49.6mm lower
  
• Composite Bottom Bracket, pressfit (BB-92)
  
• Replaceable “G1″ Dropout System (QR 135, Syntace 142×12, Shimano 142 QR 12)
• Adjustable Travel 5.5″/6.0″ (140mm/152mm)
• Dropper Seat Post Cable Routing
• H20 Bottle Mounts
• Direct Mount Front Derailleur
• Intense “FLK-GRD” Down Tube and Chain Stay Protector System
• Angular Contact Bearing/Collet Axle System with Replaceable Zirk Fittings
• 5.5 lbs w/ rear shock (Medium Size)

If you’re interested in the Carbine, but not located here in Stowe, feel free to call us toll free at 1-800-996-8398, or check it out on Skiershop.com.

If you are local, don’t forget to come join our group rides!  Women’s only rides 5:45 on Wednesday, Open Ride same time Friday.  It’s light out until 9PM now so we have plenty of time to explore the area!  See you there!

It’s a bit rainy today, which means no shredding the gnar on our local trails.  What better to do than take this opportunity to get your bike cleaned, tuned, or pick up that new SRAM XX rear derailleur you’ve been eying?  We are currently offering a free bike safety check as well as a special $35 full tune.  That, however, is not the only thing that’s new.  We’re proud to officially announce our new bike service manager, Dave Clifford!  Dave, along with the rest of the Bike Stowe Crew, is extremely passionate, knowledgeable, and dedicated to getting the most possible enjoyment out of your time on a bike.

We sat down with our new service manager and general bike guru and asked him some questions about himself, his history in the bike industry, and why he ended up at Skiershop and Bike Stowe.

Dave Clifford - Committed to biking for life, can't ask for much more.

So, how long have you been living in Vermont? 

I’ve been able to call this state home since June of 99

How long have you been working as a bike mechanic?

Not really sure if it should be called work, maybe paid hobby? 

Dave showing off his "Redneck Wheelie Genes"

From what other bike shops in the area might customers remember you?

You might remember me in such films… sorry wrong career

Bike brand of choice?

Hmm..  I may just have to say the Intense does it for me

Ready to shred.

Favorite local trail?

Always good to have a Last Run down

Let’s get serious for a second, Why are you excited about joining the Skiershop/Bike Stowe Crew?

The folks here are passionate and have an awesome enthusiasm about what they are doing, which brings a fun atmosphere.  Who doesn’t like showing up to work and enjoying being there?

And there you have it.  A very small insight into the mind of our new bike service manager.  The word helpful certainly doesn’t do him justice.  No matter what’s wrong with your bike, how confused you are about what fork to buy, or just want to talk local trails or new gear, he’s the man for the job.  New service manager, new bike and gear brands, come see what else is new at Skiershop and Bike Stowe!

Who needs skis?

Although the weather has turned cold and wet over the past week, the end of April means the true beginning of bike season here in Stowe.  We are very excited for the season to be officially under way with more trails opening daily and lift service downhill areas on the verge of opening their doors as well.  The sun is shining today and roads and trails everywhere are drying out.  We thought we would extend our enthusiasm by sharing some pictures of new gear we’ve displayed and or built recently, enjoy!

Yesterday (Friday April 27) was too wet for our regularly scheduled weekly group ride. We will be scoping out the trails this evening to see if they’ve dried out. Feel free to come join us, but expect a cautious ride if the trails are still moist. We’ll be leaving the shop around 6:15 to head out on the Stowe Town Loops!

Look out over the next couple days for the long overdue, official introduction of our new bike mechanic, Dave Clifford!

As always, if you have any bike related questions, give us a call! Locally at 802-253-9400 and toll free at 1-800-996-8398.

We’re still blowing out our winter gear from 2011/2012! Check Skiershop for new deals, prices, and promotions, or come into the shop and see for yourself!

See you on the trails!

Get out there and have some fun! Safely!

Come pay us a visit and bring your bike for the free safety check! We are located conveniently on Mountain Rd and have the closest Rec Path access in town, so if you’re out on a cruise make sure you keep your eyes out for the big yellow building!

We are also currently in the middle of completely overhauling our bike service department.  Tools have been stripped from the walls and our bike mechanics are hard at work doubling as carpenters and painters.  The whole process should be done by the end of the week, so come check out the new look!

Check back soon for an introduction and interview with our new head bike mechanic!  He’s well known in the area, so there’s a good chance you’ll recognize him!

Happy Biking!

-Jeff

With Stowe closing a few weeks earlier than usual, trails dry, and unseasonably warm temperatures, we here at Bike Stowe/Skiershop have been getting geared up for bike season in a big way.  New gear is arriving daily, and our mechanics can hardly keep up with all the bikes to build!  Come stop by the shop to check out what we’ve got in store for you this season!

We’ll be posting more and more pictures as we receive new gear from all our vendors, so keep checking back for more awesome product!  We also will be starting Skiershop evening group rides (weather permitting as always) this coming Friday!  These rides focus on fun, not speed, and are free to anyone who would like to come join!  We have demo bikes available from Giant and Intense as well.  If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call the shop.  These rides are a great way to learn local trails and meet local riders.  And if you’re lucky maybe even indulge in a post-ride beverage or two.

As with the change of seasons, we have priced all our winter gear to move!  Outerwear, skis, boots, etc, all with hefty discounts to leave some room in your pockets for the summer toys too.  As always, you can check up on what we have in stock at Skiershop.com

We hope to see you out on the trails and here in the shop soon!  Happy Spring!

-Skiershop/BikeStowe

SLT has been working closely with its partners and the community on this land purchase for the past year.  In addition to protecting Cady Hill Forest from potential building development, this project envisions the Town Loops trails as an anchor for the Vermont Ride Center of Waterbury and Stowe.

For the past decade, the Cady Hill Forest trails have remained open only through delicate negotiations and tacit landowner approval.  With an approved Act 250 permit for development, access to Cady Hill Forest has never been guaranteed, and the threat of permanent closure has always been one land sale away.  With permanent protection, Cady Hill Forest is a well loved place that will remain open to a wide variety of non-motorized activities, where you can meet with friends for a walk, ski or ride a short distance from the heart of our community.  It will also provide a solid anchor for the Vermont Ride Center, a project initiated by the Vermont Mountain Bike Association to develop a cohesive network of ride-able trails between Waterbury and Stowe.

Skiershop Manager Mike Thomas enjoys a day on the Town Loops located in Cady Hill Forest

These local trails are the heart of the Stowe mountain biking community, and it would be devastating to lose them.  Help Stowe Land Trust by donating!  If you’ve ever spent time on these trails, you know how special it is to have them so close to town.

Skiershop and BikeStowe.com are donating 10% of the profits from all mountain bike sales to the cause.  We have bikes arriving daily from Giant, Scott, and Intense.  Give us a call at 802-253-7919 or stop by the shop to check out some new bikes and help a great cause!

See you on the trails soon!