Hey everyone! I wanted today to tell you about the Batavus BuB. This bike is a great commuting option in the city and comes with a wide range of great features, and two styles (”classic” and step-through).My personal experience with the BuB was fantastic.

I thought it might ride funny due to the wider-than-normal handlebars, but the hand position was in fact incredibly comfortable for my neck and shoulders.  I have a bad neck but not once did riding this bike bother me.   Although the bike has a mere three gears, I found the range to be more than sufficient the riding up steep Vancouver hills — even with a back pack on!Someone who is towing children or carrying heavy loads may want to upgrade it to a five- or seven-speed, but I found the three-speed to be surprisingly adequate.  The fact it comes with a built-in lock came in super handy for the day I used it while running errands.  I could park it outside a bank or cafe and as long as it was in sight, I felt confident that no one would ride off on it.  As an extra precaution I did bring another lock in order to secure it to something when my activities took me away from the bike for longer than a minute.  The BuB now officially has a place in my stable of bikes, and my wife can use it too!  This bike is such a great “off to the market” or “meeting a friend for a drink”  or “running errands around town” bike, as well as for simply riding around the seawall. At the same time, this bike can even ride on most packed trails due to its sturdiness and its super fat tires which will absorb the shock of any bumps.

So, to summarize the great features of the BuB:
1)  ultra comfortable riding position
2)  really light for a city bike (not as light as a road bike, but considering it comes with fenders, racks, lights and internal hub, it’s quite light
3)  comes with really nice Schwalbe city tires with high volume that takes all the bumps out of the road.
4)  super cool design.  not a cruiser bike, not a granny bike…. just plain cool looking
5)  extra storage space on the rear and front
6)  comes with lights and fenders built-in
7)  easily customizable.

Overall, I was very impressed and I think the Batavus BuB is a truly great bike!

Come down to the shop and we’ll set you up with a test ride.

Want a slick ride this spring?

Come down and check out the Draft Lite, made expertly by our friends down at SE Bikes.

This bike has loads of great features that make it a great option for those looking for a single-speed bike.

• Front Hub: SE High Flange Alloy, 36H, Nutted
• Rear Hub:  SE High Flange Fixed/Free Alloy, 36H, Nutted, 16T Freewheel & 15T Fixed Cog
• Front & Rear Fender Mounts, Removable SE Brake Cable Clips, SE Plastic Grip End Caps
• Available in three colours: Midnight Black (pictured), Bad Blue, and Punk Pink
• Weight: just over 25 lbs on the 56cm frame

Come take a test spin on this great single speed. It’s one of our personal favourites, so I’m sure you’ll like it too!

They’re baaaaaaaack…

Just in time for spring, our tried-and-true specialty cargo bikes are in stock at Rain City Bikes.

Bakfiets are sturdy, safe cargo bikes ideal for those with small children, or who need to transport items from A to B quickly and easily. Come on in and test-ride one today!

Hey everyone!

The cherry blossoms have bloomed, the crocus beds are flowering, and birds are chirping! This must mean spring in Vancouver is finally here. What better time than to jump on a bike and take in the sights and sounds of spring, while getting some exercise and even running a few errands?

Speaking of errands, we’re excited about the new cargo bikes at RainCityBikes — Yuba! These sturdy, powerful and versatile cargo bikes are a great choice for environmentally-friendly efficiency. Whether you are hauling around groceries or kids (as I sometimes do) the Yuba Mundo makes it enjoyable and hassle-free.

Find out more about yuba mundo here, or come down to the shop and test-ride one today!

Happy Spring,

Victor.

Although this is a slower season for bike shops, it’s also the season where new products start to show up early for the next year. Today brings us two instances of this, with the arrival of the first of our 2010 Scott bikes, the Sub 10s, and also with the news that the first shipment from a new brand to us, Strider Running Bikes, will be here next week. Tearing open boxes of new bikes is always exciting, as is showing those new bikes to people, so come on down.

2010 Scott Sub 10

Strider Running Bike

Hey everyone!

With the winter weather becoming a more distant memory we are happy to announce that spring biking season is officially upon us!

Come in and check out the new 2009 Pashley classic line (including the Princess, Guv’nor and Roadster) for some great city cruising.

We also have the 2009 editions of the ever-popular SE Lagers for you singlespeed bike fanatics.
There also some secret bikes (sorry, can’t tell you yet) in the works that are really mind-blowing. We’ll be sure to let you all know when I get some “spy Photos” up on the blog

Rain City Bikes is proud to partner with the Vancouver Playhouse to bring you a great opportunity to see some great local theatre and have a chance at winning a pair of bikes!

Order 2009/2010 Playhouse Theatre Company subscription online or by calling 604 873 3311 before July 14, 2009 and you are automatically entered for a chance to win two (2) Dutch city bikes: ladies ‘BATAVUS’ (below) and men’s ‘WorkCycles Transport GT’ (Value: $2,450).

Azor Workcycles Transport GT

Batavus Old Dutch

More info at vancouverplayhouse.com.

RainCityBikes is having a HUGE SALE that you will LOVE!!! Available right now are savings up to 60% off regular prices on new 2008 model bikes. Some of these bikes are now priced below our cost! Now is the time to get that citybike you were thinking about while the prices are hot.

All our bikes are guaranteed against manufacturer defects and come with your first major tune-up FREE!

Even better, all minor adjustments are free for up to one year. These include necessary things like bolt tightening, seat adjustments, air in your tires, cable adjustments, advice… whatever you need!

Below are some of the great Jamis bikes we have on sale right now!

Now, we also have some great Haro bikes on sale, too!

Come on down and check it out!
We’re open Monday to Saturday from 10:00am to 7:00pm, and Sundays from 11:00am to 5:00pm.

2518 Manitoba Street, Vancouver
(604) 879-5544

Our latest shipment of Skuuts has arrived!

The Skuut is a wooden bike for children ages 2 - 5. It has no pedals and no training wheels. Children kick off the ground as if running, thus pushing or “skuut-ing” themselves and the bike forward. The Skuut is perfect for learning balance, steering, coordination and independence. Having mastered balance on the Skuut, the transition to a traditional two wheeler bike is easy.

Get them while quantities last!

The shop is back to full steam in our new location (Manitoba and Broadway), and we’re having a sale to celebrate.

From May 24th to May 29th:

$50 off all bikes over $500.

10% off all bikes under $500.

Free lock or helmet with the purchase of any bike.

Come on in and check it out.