posted Nov 8, 2012, 10:41 AM by Peter Roper
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updated Nov 8, 2012, 11:04 AM
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While most of us will push on through the winter on our bicycles, the general public demand for bicycle service still drops precipitously with the first snowfall. In order to maintain reliable, efficient service, we're updating our winter schedule. Instead of maintaining drop-in hours between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm, we're scheduling all major service in advance, with our goal of achieving 3 days or less delay, and 1 day or less on minor or spot repairs.
Don't be shy - we welcome all bicycles, and we're open to schedule service any time during our regular operating hours of 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, our baristas are ready to help check you in.
To kick off the winter season, we're offering our first ever off-season special: free service upgrades on all of our pre-set service options through November. A light tune now becomes a full tune, a full tune becomes an overhaul! |
posted Apr 23, 2012, 10:00 AM by Peter Roper
We are hosting an art contest to create our next series of wall art that will go behind our wall. We are seeking infographic style art that focuses on the subject of beer and coffee. Winners of the contest will have their design reproduced on our walls, be given appropriate recognition beside the work, and will receive a healthy gift card for our business. Please submit your 2D proof to owners@denverbicyclecafe.com; submission deadline is May 12. |
posted Mar 17, 2012, 8:18 AM by Peter Roper
To celebrate the spring and it's glorious patio weather, we are extending our hours.
We are now open daily 6 am to 10 pm.
We will also have a bicycle mechanic available to help with your service needs Thursday through Monday, 10 am to 6 pm.
Go for a ride!
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posted Mar 3, 2012, 7:41 AM by Peter Roper
Beginning February, it was clear our espresso machine was in dire need of a rebuild. Its steam boiler sight glass was no longer filling, the brass fittings were seizing, the pump sporadically failing. Pulling an acceptable shot was becoming more and more difficult, and more coffee was being wasted than we could handle.
Most of our work on our machine would not be possible if not for the extraordinary help of Craig and the folks at Pablo's Coffee. At the first mention of our machine's failing, they generously volunteered their backup machine, and switch-out that same night.
After a month of overhaul, we are excited to announce a few major improvements behind our espresso process. In conjunction with the complete overhaul, we have obtained the official recommended water specifications from La Marzocco, and have installed a reverse osmosis water purification system (thanks to Purewater Dynamics in Denver) to match them. We have also switched our espresso-roasted coffee to single-origin offerings. All combined, we believe we are delivering the highest quality espresso we can at our cafe.
The following are some photos and [brief] stories of the process. Original condition of the boiler tanks. This photo was more realistically taken to remember the orientation of the boiler tank plumbing...
The backflow preventers, jammed up with what appeared to be water softener crystals? These fittings took a LOT of newton-meters to loosen.
Each boiler tank soaked for DAYS in 20% citric acid solution to eat away at the impossible-to-reach scaling seizing up the heating elements.
The heating elements; the one on the left is the 3000W element for the steam boiler, the one on the right the 1400W element for the brew boiler. Both simply don't give the full perspective of how much scaling was in each boiler.
Ground zero: the machine is completely disassembled down to the frame, the frame subsequently cleaned and shined.
The main components are reassembled, in all of their shiny glory.
The flow meter. I love how, when assembled, it hovers above the tank.
The plumbing.
Each fitting was cleaned and the threads polished to ensure minimum leakage.
The brains of the operation, starting with the power to the left, the wizard box to the right.
The fully reassembled machine, sans removable trays.
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posted Jan 25, 2012, 2:39 PM by Jessica Caouette
We've had some great feedback from our fans on Facebook and Twitter. Our latest comes from Erin who sent us a photo she found on the Denver Public Library's website: This is the 12 Foot Inn. In the 70's and into the 80's our space held a little dive bar, a barbecue restaurant, and a liquor store! You can still see the outline of the bar and the bolts for the bar stools in the concrete near our patio door.
Next door (where our patio is) was a liquor store. The owners of the liquor store thought they could get a good insurance settlement from blowing up the boiler. Unfortunately, they didn't think through their plan and were both blown into the street when they lit the gas. Fortunately (or unfortunately) they survived the blast and were arrested in their hospital beds. The blast damaged the store so much that it had to be demolished and that's why we have a patio!
Check out the press page for news about us. We also are featured in February's 5280 Denver's Best Bars issue. Check out the awesome photo of Mike! |
posted Jan 3, 2012, 10:33 AM by Peter Roper
It is finally time - all of our ducks are in a row and we're ready to open our guest workshop to the public. Starting January 1, 2012 we're offering a collection of over 60 tools and a dedicated bike stand for registered guests to use during our regular operating hours. Feel free to grab a drink or snack to boot!
Guests must register and obtain an annual membership card for $3o. Workshop use is $5 per hour, and guests may reserve time in advance in the daily planner left at the bench.
Please note that workshop rental does not include our mechanic, and we will offer one-on-one clinics with our mechanic separately. However, you may likely find times that our mechanics are available and within reason they'll always be happy to help. |
posted Dec 23, 2011, 3:01 PM by Jessica Caouette
Happy Holidays from all of us at the Denver Bicycle Cafe!
We will be open tomorrow, Christmas Eve, from 6am until noon. Bring your family for some hot chocolate or beer or bicycle service (Mike will be here!).
On Christmas Day we will be closed but we will reopen bright and early on Boxing Day. New Years Eve and Day will be normal business hours.
Safe riding and stay warm out there!
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posted Dec 17, 2011, 5:59 PM by Jessica Caouette
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updated Jan 3, 2012, 10:35 AM by Peter Roper
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It's been almost one month and we're going strong. Thank you to all of you who have had a chance to visit. If you have any suggestions for improvement feel free to tell us in person, by phone, or by email ( contact us).
Many have been asking about our bicycle service and how it all works. We found an excellent mechanic named Mike who has been wrenching on bikes up for many years. You can call to schedule a time with Mike or if you drop your bike off he'll work on it the next time he is in. Peter is IN everyday from 6am until 3pm for your more urgent bicycle maintenance needs so feel free to come by to talk with him.
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posted Nov 23, 2011, 11:26 AM by Jessica Caouette
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updated Nov 23, 2011, 11:39 AM
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First, the email blast from Thrillist:
Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Subject: DEN: A Bike Shop That Doubles As A Bar
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Enjoy getting huge tomorrow, and we'll see you Friday. Happy Thanksgiving.
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Hey GOOD-LOOKING |
DENVER 11.23.11 |
You've got a great personality |
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| Bike! Drink!: Denver Bicycle Cafe |
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The brick-walled Northeast shop's got beer, bikes, and coffee all under one roof, with an in-house service guy (literally, he repairs bikes inside, steps from the bar!) who'll give two-wheelers basic tune-ups or complete overhauls. They're serving eats like quiche/ pies from Gabe's and La Casita's burritos/ tamales, coffee from Pablo's, and local suds including Strange Brewing's Cherry Bomb Belgian Stout and Vanilla Porter from Dry Dock, aka an MD in AA. |
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 Like 'em on Facebook and learn all about their sweet concept |
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| 1308 E 17th Ave; Northeast; 303.578.9506 Map Website |
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dfsaf
Then 5280 Magazine wrote about us in their blog:
Also two local bloggers:
&
Looks like it's going to be a busy week! |
posted Nov 22, 2011, 6:32 PM by Jessica Caouette
Thanks to Laura Shunk at the Westword, we've got our first bit of press.
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