Working in a bike shop is more than just getting to handle all the "cool" gear. You also get to meet, talk and share with industry experts with decades fo experience in their fields and products. During the Bicycle Garage Indy Spring Bicycle Expo,(March 15-7, 2013) we will have dozens of these experts from our suppliers on site, who come to help us staff the event. They are stationed throught the store, helping customers with their specialties all during the weekend.
This year, we are offering a number these industry experts a chance to offer short semiars, 30 to 45 minutes in length, to talk to directly to you, our customers. Many of these seminars will be the short version of the same product training they offer BGI staff each year. And we have also given local bicycle advocacy groups, IndyCOG, Bicycle Indiana, and the Hoosier Mountain Bike Association (HMBA.org) a chanc tell you about their organizations too!
With one exception, the seminars will take place at Bicycle Garage Indy North (Dean Rd. at 82nd). Their will be one seminar at BGI South and North, as Giant introduces the Propel Advance SL, their newest road bike, the most aerodynamic road in the world. This is the Indiana introduction of this bike from Giant.
The seminars are occur throughout the day, all weekend. The schedule, with a short description is listed below. The seminars are free, with no registration required.
| Seminar at BGI South | ||
![]() |
Friday - 7pm BGI South | Eric Pirtle of Giant Bicycles will be unveiling Giant Bicycle's Propel Advanced SL, the world's most aerodynamic road bike. The Propel Advanced SL is wind-tunnel proven to be faster from every angle. You'll be the first people in Indiana to see the fastest aero bike ever built! |
| Seminars at BGI North | ||
![]() |
Friday
1pm
BGI North
|
Gary Thomas from Electra Bicycle Company will be discussing why Electra bikes (especially Townies) work so well for the casual cyclist that wants fun and comfort to be the major part of their cycling experience. "Come see why a Townie can be a 30 minute vacation every day" with it's upright riding position, flat foot technology and how the customer can personalize their bike with all the fun accessories. |
![]() |
Friday
3pm
BGI North
|
Learn about Shimano's newest Dura-Ace groups from Dave Riggs from Shimano. A short movie will be shown about the development of the new mechanical and electronic groups and after the movie Dave Riggs will do a question and answer session. |
![]() |
Friday
5pm
BGI North
|
Eric Pirtle of Giant Bicycles will be unveiling Giant Bicycle's Propel Advanced SL, the world's most aerodynamic road bike. The Propel Advanced SL is wind-tunnel proven to be faster from every angle. Be the first to see he fastest aero bike ever built! |
![]() |
Friday
7pm
BGI North
|
Joshua Ruddy from Cannondale will discuss Cannondale's brand history/proprietary technology. |
![]() |
Saturday 1pm |
Presenter Kevin Gamper will highlight the company history, brand identity, distinctive product offerings and contributions to the sport and pastime of cycling of both Sugoi Performance Apparel and Sidi Cycling Shoes. Sugoi is a multisport apparel vendor out of Vancouver, British Columbia. Sidi is an Italian manufacturer of what many regard as the best-fitting cycling footwear on the planet. Come learn more about both of them! The discussion will be enhanced with samples of each vendor's coolest designs. |
![]() |
Saturday
3pm
BGI North
|
Find out about the new line of Zipp aero wheels from Jeff Gold from Zipp. |
![]() |
Saturday
5pm
BGI North
|
Luke Lindgren from Trek Bicycles will be on hand to discuss Trek's involvement with Bikes Belong and IMBA. He'll also give an overview of Trek's road bike line-up, Bontrager accessories, including road wheels. |
![]() |
Saturday
7pm
BGI North
|
Learn from Kevin Whited of IndyCOG about the latest activities and initiatives Indianapolis' bicycle advocacy organization, IndyCOG, has planned and how you can get involved: Bike to Work Day, Two Wheels One City, Indy Ride Guide and more. |
![]() |
Sunday
2pm
BGI North
|
Nancy Tibbett, Executive Director of Bicycle Indiana, will be fresh from the National Bike Summit and SPIN 2013 (indiana Bike Summit) armed with news about local and statewide bicycle news and initiatives of Bicycle Indiana. Bicycle Indiana works to create a more bicycle friendly Indiana through promoting and encouraging bicycling in Indiana, educating bicyclists, motorists and policymakers on the benefits and importance of safe bicycling and advocating bicycle-friendly laws, policies and infrastructure in Indiana. find out how you can help. |
![]() |
Sunday
4pm
BGI North
|
HMBA-IMBA has built and currently maintains over 125 miles of high quality mountain bike trails statewide. With over 200 more miles of trail in the development of planning stages, Indiana is positioned to be a midwest destination for mountain biking. Learn from Paul Arlinghaus, President of HMBA-IMBA, about HMBA-IMBA trails and how you can help build more trails. |
We hope these seminars give you one more reason to stop by yourself, or tell a friend about Bicycle Garage Indy and BGI Fitness.











That's no moon. That lunar-sized mud puddle is likely to conceal a crater-sized chuck-hole. Even on roads you know, fast thaws and freezes can create wheel-eating holes. Ride with care, and be sure to top off your tire pressure before heading out.
Wear a base layer. Even at the moderate pace of a social ride like the Polar Bear Pedal, you will perspire. Avoid cotton next to your skin, which will chill you quickly once it is damp. A good base layer, like a SmartWool Next-To-Skin ($67.99) or Gore Bike Wear Base Layer ($39.99) will wick moisture away, helping you keep warm.
My personal Expedition is normally at home on my touring bike, and I will add the side bags for commuting, where I can drop in a change of clothes and a pair of shoes . And without the side bags, I have used it for carrying all the gear for a century tour like the spring 



Typical items to check at near the end of a busy riding season are tires, wheels and brake pads, especially for an event like the Hilly Hundred, with it's challenging weekend of climbing and descents. And shifting, especially in the low gears that you many not use in your every day riding, should also be checked, to make sure you are able to shift smoothly into those climbing gears. You can find the ABC Quick bike check list, and other event ride tips, on the Bicycle Garage Indy
Bicycle Garage Indy now has 
You can start out on the
And if already have lights, don't forget to check the batteries; you will need at least 1.5 to 2 good hours of battery life from start to finish, so a fresh set, or a full recharge is not a bad idea. And be sure your lights are securely mounted; dropped lights can found on the road after every bump along the N.I.T.E. Ride route.
When you ride all day on a supported, multi-day tour, most of your gear goes on the baggage truck (and out of reach) from breakfast until dinner. For these rides, a rear rack and rack trunk combination is an ideal way to carry your needs for the day, with room for cool weather or rain gear, snacks and other travel needs. Some rack trunks feature drop down pannier options that give additional flexibility and space.
Also called “credit-card” touring, you travel carrying a change of riding clothes, and lightweight off-bike wear. Small or medium panniers, sometime combined with a rack trunk will accommodate the careful packer, without creating weight distribution problems on your bike.
When you are carrying your shelter, kitchen and clothing for on and off the bike, weight distribution becomes more important. A front rack and panniers will allow you distribute your gear evenly across your bike for better handling, and reduces stress on the rear wheel.
Top opening bags, with either a roll-up water-proof closure, or a drawcord and flap closure, are best when you are closing your bag once in the morning; you pack it and forget it. It is also important to pack these bags with a plan, so that items you might need during the day are not under everything else, especially if this is a bag with few pockets.
So how is a bicycle pack made to be "water-proof", and how is it different from a water resistant design (
Some of the bicycle packs made in this waterproof design approach the protection offered by a canoe/kayak “dry-bag”, that are designed to protect gear that is at risk of actually be immersed in water. A road touring cyclist may not need this level of protection, but for off-road mountain bike touring, fording a stream and needing a dry-bag pack is real possibility.
Most nylon fabrics used in bicycle packs have an internal coating that is water resistant. This coating that holds a nylon fabric together will also keep items inside dry through the occasional shower However, this water resistance is compromised where the bag is sewn together. Also, the outer fabric layer can still get wet, and gradually soak through the internal coating and sewn seams. So most fabric manufacturers will add a external fabric coating (Scotchguard or similar products) that repels water and also prevents stains. Water will bead up and run off the pack, slowing down the process of soaking through. You can also improve water resistance with design features like flaps over zippers, (or using water resistant zippers) and seam placement.
When there are multiple pockets and zippers on a pack, the only way to completely keep water out is with an accessory rain cover. The rain cover will typically fit around and over the pack like a shower cap, will have as few seams as necessary, and may include a drain at the bottom. Rain covers are usually very light fabrics, and intended to be used only has needed. This will keep the rain cover from loosing both its external and internal coatings (and water resistance) from daily wear and exposure to sunlight.
Want to plan the bicycle touring vacation of a lifetime, and aren't sure where to begin? Bicycle Garage Indy is now offering
Your Tourwise class will be customized instruction that will help you with gear selection for extendended bicycle travel, including bicycle choice, racks, bags, and clothing. We will also show you what to carry and how to pack it. Whether it is a 3-day charity ride, a week-long cross-state ride like
You tell us what you need or want to learn and we will give you one-on one personalized training for in a one hour session for just $40. Your needs, your schedule! Your TourWise classes will be offered at BGI North. Just complete the form at
When we were planning our family, we knew we wanted our kids to be a part of our bicycling. And even in the early `90’s, the first name in child trailers was
In the years since, Burley has added more models, and added innovative safety and comfort features that we had to improvise. The entry level 


Joe Friel's coaching reputation and other books (The Cyclist's Training Bible, Cyling Past 50) are all supported by the structure of The Cyclist's Training Diary ($19.99 at Bicycle Garage Indy). The spiral bound book lets you plan your your work outs by the by the year, month week and day, with tools to help you with periodization training for your big events. While a bit more than a casual rider needs, if you are thinking about adding more planning to riding and training, this book is a companion to Mr. Friel's other training books.
No matter what your riding level, the Park Tool's Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair ($24.99 at Bicycle Garage Indy) is a comprehensive resource with a very easy to read style. It covers common service adjustments and maintenance on every area of your bicycle. If you have older bikes, its covers almost 20 years in changes in headsets, bottom brackets and hubs, offering service steps through explantion and photographs. And it offers suggestions for tool kits for the road and home, with a special section for road repairs. (This book will also be the basis for Bicycle Garage Indy's new 
And if you are still at a loss, a 





You have trained all summer (or maybe since October 1st) with your friends, and now you need to get a car load to the big ride. But what do you do when there is
Strap-on car racks are economical, easy to mount and good for the traveler with with 2 or 3 bikes. The
Our family hitch rack of choice has been the
