Well Tuned, Fast Bikes, WTFbikes

out of the old, into the new!

2011-12-05T21:03:00.000-08:00

WTFbikes is now officially settled into its new home on 3117 SE Milwaukie Ave, 97202. Come by and see me!

2 year anniversary, and WTFbikes is moving!

2011-11-01T12:47:00.000-07:00

Hello friends! This month is something really special around here. As of 11/10, I have been in business for 2 years! It's been a pretty good run, I tell ya. Had a lot of fun, fixed thousands of bikes, super good times.

The two year mark shall be, for myself and the business, a point of transition. The 1114 SE clay st location of WTFbikes will be closing on November 28, and we will be moving to a badass new location! WTFbikes will now be located on 3117 SE milwaukie. That's at the intersection of SE powell and SE milwaukie, directly next to the aladdin theater.

Map it up, yeah!

This new location is a beautiful and totally legit retail space, which will afford me the security and privacy I have yearned for.

Say friend, what does that mean for me, the intrepid Well, Tuned, Fast customer?

Good question! Here's what the new WTFbikes will have to offer:

Cheap used bikes!
Lights!
Locks!
Commuter fun time accessories like pumps, locking skewers, bells, and more!
Coffee!
A lounge with sweet bikey movies playing!
Knick-Knacks!
SO MUCH MORE, OMFG!!

I have, and will continue to be, not your ordinary bike shop. I will still be nice and cheap. I will still not be mean to you.

The new location will be open 12.12.11, and there will be an open house. Deets to come.

<3,
Tom

Let's face it, I don't blog.

2011-09-12T11:22:00.001-07:00

To those of you who come here for content, I apologize. I am a terrible blogger. I am, however, an excellent bike mechanic and an all-around friendsly dude. Summer's been pretty crazy, and in a lot of ways I am glad the fall is almost upon us. I look forward to wrapping myself in blankets at home, baking thanksgiving and christmas treats, and riding the empty, rainy bike lanes that winter provides.
As many of you may have heard, my locational future is up in the air right now, as there are a few larger companies than myself poised to take my lease over. I am fighting the good fight, and no matter what, I assure you that WTFbikes will keep rolling strong, no matter where we are. I can say for sure that I will be at 1114 SE clay st until december 1 at least.
In the meantime we will be fixing bikes and smashing snobs with the best of them.

Over and out,
Tom

Open 7 days!

2011-06-02T15:07:00.000-07:00

We're now open seven days a week, so stop by on sunday and say hi to Larry! We'll be open from noon to 7 pm.

Summer Hours are upon us!

2011-03-31T14:24:00.001-07:00

Well, WTFbikes is gearing up for our second summer season, and we're extending our hours a bit. Starting April 1, we will be open from 11-7, monday through saturday. We look forward to seeing you around!

Gonna be a swap meet, swap meet!

2011-03-02T12:54:00.001-08:00

NEXT SUNDAY, MARCH 13! SWAP MEET AT WTFBIKES!!

This one's gonna be indoors! Warm and cozy, and only 10 dollars for a dealer space!

One dollar at the door, setup at 11, swap begins at noon!

Call me with questions, or to reserve a space!

503-232-4WTF

Tshirts! Holy Crap!

2011-01-31T18:02:00.000-08:00

We are doin' it! We're getting T-shirts, FINALLY! Fifteen bux a pop, email me if you want one.

Printed on 100% cotton Gildan shirts, available in mens' and ladies' sizes small through x-large.

Time for Winter Hours!

2010-11-14T14:49:00.000-08:00

Well, it's pretty much winter 'round these parts. This means I will be tailoring my hours a bit to suit the shorter, colder, darker days.

Starting Tuesday, 11/16/10 I will be open Monday-Saturday from 11-6. What exactly are the changes, you say? Well, I'll tell you. I'm changing the day I am closed from Monday to Sunday, and shortening my hours from 7pm closing time to 6pm.

If you need service at a time I am not going to be open feel free to call me at 919-412-7145 to set up an appointment.

<3
Tom

Ruminations

2010-10-28T23:34:00.000-07:00

Well, it's fall. The summer busy season is officially over, and i've had more time to sit and think about where i am and where the shop is. I've been in business, calling myself WTFbikes, for nearly a year. In early November of 2009 I found myself unemployed. My options were either to try and find another mechanic's job, which is virtually impossible at that time of year, find a food service job, or set off on my own. With some good guidance, I decided on the third option. I started in my garage, doing repairs for friends and trying to get referrals. In December 2009, Ben Aubin of the Portland Freestore, went out of town to visit family. I was afforded the oppportunity to set up shop onsite, on weekends, in exchange for opening and minding the free store.
At the time, this is what WTFbikes looked like:

After a couple of weekends, I realized that the money i made from the downright ridiculous amount of bike traffic on Clay street would pay for rent on a space there. I talked to the landlord, put up fencing, and started calling the overhang home, with rent beginning on Febraury 1. On the night of January 29, the day I had moved all of my tools and 3 bikes in, I was robbed. They grabbed most of my tools and 2 of the three bicycles and made off with my sense of security for a long time to come. I took the story public, and with the help of a lot of really amazing people, I managed to raise enough money and tool donations to pay for everything within 3 days. Portland is the best city on the planet.
With that major speedbump out of the way, I threw my grand opening party. There was free beer. Then I took off running. I met a lot of great people, did a lot of work, and enjoyed my life thoroughly. I was helped by my good friend Adam who worked sundays for me, affording me a 2 day weekend.
A few months later, there were some tenant changes in the building and a spot opened up inside the building proper. I jumped at it, being only marginally more expensive, and moved in on June 1. That was a huge step for the business, as i no longer had to move everything in and out every day. It also felt so good to be inside, a palpable step forward and upward. I threw a party a few weeks later, during Pedalpalooza. DJ Rumtrigger spun a great hip hop/reggaeton dance party mix. There was free beer. It was beautiful. My friend Pete juggled fire. Once again, met a lot of great people, had a lot of fun.
Almost exactly on July 5th, Summer hit WTFbikes hard. With Adam busy with a music gig and a full time job I was back to 6 days a week. I was banging out tuneups right and left. I made a few mistakes and I hope I wasn't a grouch to anybody, but everything left the shop safe and ready to ride.
August 1, Boy Gorilla Coffee set up shop in front of the shop. Peiter, Grant, and the whole BGC crew are a blast to have around every day. They make it feel like a community. It is also an invaluable business resource, not only in the form of sweet, sweet coffee-barter but also in that I have met lots of people who come for coffee! They also always play awesome music.
Around mid-August, Adam joined up again, and I got my precious second day off back. It was glorious. Two weeks later, I broke my elbow and sprained my wrist in a rather nasty mountain biking accident. That was a somewhat rough period. I made myself work slower, and i made it though ok.
I got my health back. I resolved to really pay attention to each interaction, and each bicycle, and make no assumptions.
It's been slowing down since then, and now the shop looks like this:

This week I threw a party to celebrate my birthday, and my one year anniversary. It was well attended. Mc Homeless, Greenlander, Paulie Think, and Dropjaw Rapped and made music. There was more free beer. Boy Gorilla provided free Blood of the Beast, which is Gin and Hibiscus Lemonade, also known as sweet tore-back-crazy-ass crunk juice. It was an amazing night, and I had a lot of fun.

All in all, I appreciate every single person who has come in to my shop, even to borrow a pump. You are all helping me to build my business and keeping me off the streets.

It's been quite a year for WTFbikes. I am eternally grateful.

Free show, 10/26!!!

2010-10-24T13:09:00.000-07:00

There's gonna be quite the party this tuesday, Oct. 26 at my shop! It's my birthday, and the shop's one year anniversary. There's gonna be four acts, MC Homeless, Dropjaw, Greenlander, and Paulie Think. It's gonna be free, and awesome, so come on by!
Facebook Event Page

Swap Meet, July 18!

2010-07-09T11:30:00.000-07:00

It's time for yet another WTFbikes swap meet event extravaganza! The last one was pretty cool, and this one is going to beat the band for sure! Vendor spaces are 15 bux, load in is at 11am and swapping starts at noon sharp!

Be there or be out of true!

Call me with questions, 919-412-7145.

Paaarrrttttaaaayyyyy!!!!!

2010-06-10T14:25:00.000-07:00

hey, so there's gonna be a pretty BADASS PARTY happening on 6/20/10. It's the OFFICIAL WTFbikes/Working Theatre Collective pedalpalooza party. WTC is putting on a bike ride/spaghetti western mobile play for which i will be providing support. It's called North! Saddle up and Ride!. Show up at 630, enjoy the show(it will be awesome, the WTC rules).

The party is after the show at eff space(333 NE Hancock) and will feature keggage by Widmer Bros, prizes by Knog!, and music by DJ Rumtrigger. You're all invited. WTF/WTC loves u.

IT'S SWAP MEET TIME!!!

2010-05-29T13:07:00.001-07:00

Hey portland bike nuts! It's time for the first EVER WTF bikes swap meet! Vendor spaces are available for 15 bux and there will be delicious burritos for sale by moctezuma taqueria! The space fee includes space ONLY, you'll need to bring your own tent/table.

When: Sunday, June 13
Where: WTFbikes, 1114 SE clay st. 97214

Vendors load in at 10am, swappin' starts at 11!

More questions, call Tom, 919-412-7145.

Peep the orange DreamCycle!

2010-04-12T01:04:00.000-07:00

WTFbikes, in an epic 'collabo' with Retro Image Apparel, is pleased to bring you the Orange Dreamcycle. Many months in the making, it's many sexy and rides like a dream to boot.

Delicious and Nutritious! Pictures sexy yet Safe for Work!

It's a Vintage Reynolds 531 Raleigh Competition frameset. Some highlights include the NuVinci N360 internal hub, gorgeous Sykes wood accouterments, Custom Painted Nitto Lugged Stem, and the Hotty Hot Hot paint job.

Jonathan Maus' take on the bikes.

Sweet, ya'll!

New Hours!

2010-04-07T15:20:00.001-07:00

Hey hey, WTFbikes will be changing our hours slightly to reflect the longer daylight hours.

We are now open:

11-7 every day except Tuesday!

Lookin' for a new ipod,

2010-03-13T16:20:00.000-08:00

Hey ya'll. In an ultimate gesture of lamitude, someone stole my ipod last sunday. It was sitting on top of the stereo in the building where there was an open jam session and someone watching must've ganked it. Whatever, I'll just have to lock up the new one.

Does anyone out there have both a broken bicycle and a ipod>20gig they do not want? If you've got one, you could get your bike overhauled in trade!

Thanks, yo.

HOLY CARP!!!

2010-02-28T20:25:00.000-08:00

I meant to say carp there, I'm trying something new. Say it out loud. Holy carp, dude! It sounds good, doesn't it?

Check it out!

OMGWTF got PARTZZZ!!!

I attended the NW trails swap meet today, and in addition to the usual buy/sell, I received yet another immensely gratifying and touching buttload of free stuff! You really think I'm cool, don't you, portland? I think you're cool too. The standard interaction went something like this:

Portland Bike Person: "Hey, you're the guy who got robbed, right?"
Me:"True."
PBP: "That's super lame, here's some stuff."
Me:"..seriously?! Woah! Thanks!!"

A few times this repeated itself. Many simply offered kind words of support and it was all yet another affirmation that I will NEVER leave PDX.

In conclusion, I'm stocked up with parts and fun crap, and am more able than ever to fix the hell out of your bike.
I leave you with this:

Gotta safeguard that whip, kid.

Business tiime!

2010-02-19T11:01:00.000-08:00

Sup.

WTFbikes is cruisin' along with a vengeance, and I'm enjoying the hell out of this fine quasi-spring weather!

I'm pleased to announce that I now carry a few different colors of cable housing, including the ever so fine white. At a buck a foot, nothin' classes up your bike like some fly new cable housing. Also, I've got a safe for my tools now, hooray!

On sunday, 2/28, WTFbikes will be closed for the day to attend the Portland Swap Meet!! Stop by my table and check out all my cool stuff for sale!

That's all for now. Peace out, internet.

How we doin'?

2010-02-05T14:50:00.001-08:00

'sup blogosphere. It's me, Tom from WTF.

Pictures from the party, plus some other fun stuff

There's some pictures of the grand opening party, which was AWESOME. Thanks again to the Lucky Lab, Moctezuma Taqueria, and NW Hot Dogs for hookin' it up! Lots of people came through, lots of networking. I am very pleased.

WTF bikes is pluggin' along just fine now, and I'm really enjoying this beautiful day. Gonna go sort through a pile of headset parts now.

update: Thanks and praise to all!

2010-02-01T14:25:00.000-08:00

Man, i have never thought 48 hours would make such a difference. As of noon today, I have pushed myself over the mark of evenitude. I reached my goal, both of my customers are compensated, and I just placed a huge order with Cyclone bike supply to replace my tools and parts! Thank you thank you to everyone who donated, I would have been ruined if not for each and every one of you. Expect an email with some more thanking in the next few days.

Also, I am moving inside the building! As of 2/15, WellTunedFast bikes will be located in a secure building with bars on the windows and a security system!

Thanks again, I am forever grateful.

Tom

the scene of the crime, quite literally

2010-01-30T16:31:00.000-08:00

so I snapped some pictures to try and convey what happened, and here goes:

Fatty footprint right at the base of the fence.

My lock shackle, cut and discarded like yesterday's headlines.

back side of the fence, note the bent pole and missing slats.

My side of the fence. It's not too visible in the photo, but it's bent back a good bit.

Here's where there used to be 4 bikes. Notice the conspicuous lack of 2. hmm, a clue, watson?

Here's an inside view of the gate. That's the chain with a new lock on it, replacing the old lamezoid lock.

Finally, the most depressing, my pegboards, empty of tools.

There you have it

How they did it.

2010-01-30T12:12:00.000-08:00

UPDATE: If you have any news about this, contact the portland police central precinct. The case number is 10-8464, and the officer is Ofc. Sahli.
In response to the communal outcry of "wtf happened, wtf?" I figured i would post a pictorial discription of what went down. Pay no attention to the nerd.

I don't have any pics of the actual carnage because they were actually kind of decent about taking and not trashing, and thus it doesn't look like anything but an empty shop. So thanks, fuckholes, thanks for not trashing my shop when you robbed me. As you can see, the hopped over the back fence there, clipped my lock, and waltzed out with armloads of my livelihood. So fucking lame.

Robbed. What a bitch.

2010-01-30T11:19:00.001-08:00

Last night, WTFbikes got broken into. They stole most of my tools, along with two bikes that did not belong to me. All in all, about 1300bux worth of stuff no longer belongs to me. Not only that, but i now lack the tools necessary to generate income for myself. I'm posting descriptions and photos, along with a list of tools.

I'm not normally one for throwing myself upon people's mercy, but I don't know what else I'm gonna do here, folks. That's why i've added a paypal donate button so you can help me out. 1300 people. one Dollar. That's all it takes. Or one person, 1300 dollars. Or somewhere in the middle. If you donate, you can not only come enjoy all the free beer you want at my grand opening party, but you will receive my gratitude in the form of discounts and free stuff down the line! So please, hook me up, i really need it.
UPDATE 2/1: Donation amount has been met, I love you portland!!

Onward with the misery!

Iron Horse triumph 5.0, kinda ridden hard, white with dirty white bar tape. Tiagra shifters and derailleurs, truvativ cranks, crank bros pedals. Missing a screw on rear rack, frayed front Derailleur cable, frayed rear brake cable. Picture for reference, not the actual bike.

Novara Piedra Ladies' MTB, red and silver, scratch on the downtube from a car rack. Shimano alivio 3x8sp drivetrain, silver soma upright stem, WTB speed she saddle. Actual bike pictured:

TOOLS:
park tools:
cable clippers cn-10c
master link pliers mlp-1c
crank bolt wrench ccw-5c
chain tools, shop(ct-3) and compact(ct-5c)
cone wrenches-15, 16, 17, 19mm
freewheel tools:
FR-1
fr-2
fr-3
fr-4
fr-6
fr-7
Bottom bracket tool, bbt-22c
campy BB tool, bbt-5c
BB pin spanner, HCW-4
BB cup spanner, HCW-11
saw guide SG-1
brake wrenches, cbw-1c and cbw-4c
frame/fork alignment tools ffg-2
spoke wrenches sw-0black sw-1green sw-2red
small allen wrench set aws-3c
pin spanners, SPA-1c and 2c
P-handle HEX wrench, 4,5,6mm, ph-4 ph-5 ph-6
chain wear indicator, cc-3c

misc:
Topeak joe blow max II floor pump
icetoolz 4x headset wrench
icetoolz shimano BB tool
pedro's BB socket tool
ice tools Y allen wrench and 3 way socket wrench
Hozan lockring pliers c-203
hozan lockring spanner c-205
claw hammer
hack saw
needle nose, slip joint, and channel lock pliers
clipper pliers

merch:
kryptonite keeper u-lock
planet bike blinky 3 lite set
planet bike economy lite set
wellgo resin pedals
cyclone tri-lock grips, 2

Lame, huh? Let me know if you see anything.

We've got a pile of crap!

2010-01-23T14:18:00.000-08:00

In the best possible way! WTFbikes now has fenders, lights, locks, and many other awesome accessories!

Grand opening celebrations!!

2010-01-20T15:05:00.001-08:00

Damn son! The flyer dropped! This be it!!!!

WTFbikes/Blogspot OFFICIAL collaboration!

2010-01-03T20:37:00.000-08:00

New Layout!! I've switched to a new look! By that I mean that I've switched to blogspot and and rocking the hot look that only several million other folks are sporting. It feels good to be in The Elite.

I'm going to be putting up stuff about how awesome the store is, and when it's open, what times, and crap like that.