Newsletter Issue No. 1120

May 9, 2024

Just Arrived: Wippermann Connex 12-Speed Chain

Jim’s Tech Talk

By Jim Langley

Wipperman Connex chains have served me well for years and I was happy to recently receive one of their new 12-speed chains from their USA distributor Cantitoe Road. It’s made to fit Shimano, SRAM and Campy 12-speed systems. Note that it is not a replacement for SRAM Flattop chains. Read more.


To Be Totally Aware on the Bike: It Makes You a Bit More Than Safer

By Kevin Kolodziejski 

A vital advantage.  An extra edge.

In his autobiography, “Laurent Fignon: We Were Young and Carefree” (Yellow Jersey Press, 2010), the feisty, astute, and my favorite French cycling legend says both about something you probably see as neither.

Aging. Read more.


A Thrilling Ride on the New BMC Roadmachine at Sea Otter’s Gran Fondo

By Sheri Rosenbaum

When I discovered that I would be traveling to Monterey, California, for the Sea Otter Classic, I immediately knew I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to go biking. With such a busy schedule, I’d only have a chance for one ride. Instead of going through the hassle of shipping my bike, I decided to take advice from the event’s website and rent from a local shop. The last piece of the puzzle was registering for the Gran Fondo Pacifico, a 50-mile ride with 3,000 ft of elevation gain. Read more.


Why Does Speed Change Unpredictably on Group Rides?

Question: I’m new to road riding and enjoy going with our local Sunday group. But I don’t understand why the pace is so variable. We’re cruising along talking, then suddenly the pace increases drastically or several riders go sprinting up the road. What’s going on? — Harry I.

RBR Replies: Welcome to pack dynamics! You may not be in a road race, but sometimes it’s hard to tell. Read more.


Continental Introduces ContiTPU, Joining the Trend of TPU Bicycle Tubes

news

By Lars Hundley

Continental has launched ContiTPU, a made in Germany TPU inner tube designed for road, gravel, and mountain bike riders. The ContiTPU inner tube is the latest addition to Continental’s product range, offering cyclists a new lightweight and durable tube option for their rides. Read more.


Question of the Week

Do you ride more with groups or alone?

Other Cool Things to Read

Outside: The More You Cycle, the Lower Your Risk of Knee Arthritis
Gran Fondo Daily: 15 Year-Old Enzo Hincapie Wins Chattanooga Gran Fondo – A Second Time
The Cycling Independent: Half Wheeling?
Road.cc: Common bike fit mistakes and how to avoid them

Most Clicked Last Week

How to Avoid Getting Dropped on Group Rides

End Notes

Similar Posts

  • Newsletter Issue No. 1179

    June 26, 2025 Amazing New Daniel Rebour Archive Jim’s Tech Talk By Jim Langley If you receive the magazine Bicycle Quarterly from the bike components, tire and accessories company René Herse Cycles, you may have already heard about the exciting new resource I’m sharing today. If so, feel free to pedal on to the next…

  • Newsletter Issue No. 1186

    August 14, 2025 Tech Q & A: Standard Tire Availability? Jim’s Tech Talk By Jim Langley An interesting question came in the other day. The answer might seem obvious to you. But I think there’s more to the question, and I believe others probably have the same or similar queries. I’ll answer and after reading…

  • Newsletter Issue No. 1033

    September 8, 2022 Anti-Aging: 5 Signs You May Be Dehydrated By Coach John Hughes Dehydration hurts performance, right? Not necessarily. But don’t ignore it. Pro racers ride so hard their guts can’t absorb enough fluid to replace all that they sweat out. Race rules may restrict when a rider can get a bottle toward the…

  • Newsletter Issue No. 1163

    March 6, 2025 Radian’s Zilch Pump Promises An End To Pump Attachment Problems Jim’s Tech Talk By Jim Langley Today’s new product isn’t available yet and I haven’t even had a chance to try a prototype. But I want to tell you about it because I bet you’ve experienced the problem the pump is designed…

  • Newsletter Issue No. 1178

    June 19, 2025 Multiple Concussions: Lessons from a Reader By Richard Randolph One of our regular RBR readers submitted this article about his recent experience with multiple concussions, one of which resulted in a dangerous brain bleed with stroke-like symptoms. There are also some questions at the bottom of the article for the rest of…