The light is billed as “the last bike light you’ll ever need”, and I’m hoping that is a true statement, ’cause this thing is AWESOME.

Both the light itself and the hardware came in their own cloth bags. I love it when  someone spends a minute thinking about how they package their products. The light  has a nice heft to it, not too heavy but substantial, kind of like your favorite rocks  glass. Fitting for a light named the Gotham Defender, the light is matte black and looks  like a high-tech gun (also available in chrome for you cowboys out there). The main  attachment uses a special security screwdriver to mount it to the handlebars.  Additionally, the battery compartment is secured with a tiny little flat-head set screw  that looks like it would be tough to get out without the included driver. So any would-  be thieves would have to be both very well-prepared and extremely lucky to walk  away  with your fancy new light/laser gun. And if the unlikely happens, Gotham    guarantees  their products, so they’ll replace it just like that!

 We have both black and silver lights  for sale! The black sells for $65, and  the chrome for $60. For you riders in  Portland, this includes same-day bike  delivery by yours truly. We’re still  working on our online order system,  so for now just shoot us an email and  let us know quantity and color, and  we’ll get right on it!

Opening up Rolling Wrench in Portland, meeting a ton of you out on the streets, riding in the Division/Clinton parade, eating watermelon with the Thursday evening commuters in Ladd Circle, and getting married to the bike shop in a lovely ceremony at the mobile chapel of love (set to a Steely Dan cover, no less!) will all make the highlight reel for 2012. We’ve made a bunch of new friends, and turned more than a few wrenches on the bikes of Portland!

I found myself being asked the same questions at every turn: Where do we usually set up? Will we be back here tomorrow? Where is our main shop located? “So, you’re like AAA for bikes, right?”

While we do occasionally set up shop in a fixed location for an event or special occasion (like wanting to sit in the sun by the river on a beautiful day!), our main objective is to offer ultra-convenient service to you, wherever you may happen to be. More like an old-timey doctor who makes house calls than  like the ice cream truck. We are the bike shop that comes to you, whether you’re at work, home or somewhere else. Our aim is to offer an alternative to long turnaround times and inconvenient hours at traditional bike shops.

Bike commuters, we’re especially thinking of you here. You know that tune up you’ve been meaning to get to but never quite have time for? Wouldn’t it be easier to let us come out to where you work and get it done with almost no disruption to your busy schedule? We just think it makes sense, especially at rates that are competitive with your local bike shop. Have a bunch of coworkers who commute by bike? We’d be happy to set up a monthly (or more often) visit to your office to take care of your rides!

You too, bike families! Remember the last time you had to take your cargo bike, trail-a-bike, and three other kid’s bikes in at the same time? Think about that for a second, then imagine yourself sitting on your deck instead, sipping lemonade while our ace mechanic gets your fleet in perfect working order. Doesn’t that sound nice?

And AAA for bikes? No matter how well you care for your bike, things sometimes go wrong. Offering roadside assistance to a stranded cyclist is one of the most rewarding parts of the job. That’s why have our handy locator map on the website, so you’ll know when we’re nearby. So keep our info handy, and don’t hesitate to give us a holler when you get stuck!

It’s been so great getting to know you all, Portland bikers. Give us a call – let us come out and show you how much sense it makes.