Newsletter Issue No. 1208

January 22, 2026

A Simple Hack To Prevent Punctures at the Base of Presta Valves

Jim’s Tech Talk

By Jim Langley

Last week we covered Pirelli’s new Smartube road bike inner tube, which is their new high performance TPU tube (TPU stands for thermoplastic polyurethane). In describing their new TPU tube we provided some of the pros and cons of this relatively new type of tube. Read more.

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Muc-Off It Blows! Precision Air Blaster – Quick Review

By Sheri Rosenbaum

Every time I go to my LBS, I’m jealous of their bike-washing station and wish I had one at home, especially during the winter months. One tool they use at the wash station is a commercial air compressor. The compressor is great for mounting and inflating tires, but it is also the perfect tool for blowing water out of all the nooks and crannies on a bike to prevent corrosion or rust. Read more.

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Is strength training really necessary for older cyclists?

Question: I’m a long-time cyclist, and I’ve heard that we riders ought to also be strength training. I’m now in my late 70s, but I still ride every day that weather permits. I dislike working out other than cycling itself, and frankly, I no longer have enough energy to both ride and do other exercises on the same day. As long as I keep riding, is strength training really still important at my age? —Harv R. Read more.

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5 Easy Homemade Energy Gel Recipes

By Marc Sexton

Traditional energy gels may be convenient to purchase, but the cost can add up pretty quickly.  Plus they’re often a pain to deal with while riding, creating sticky hands and pockets and producing a lot of garbage.  For rides lasting longer an hour or two, I prefer to fill a small, reusable, semi-rigid gel flask.  Read more.

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Other Cool Things to Read

LaelWilcox: Lael Wilcox aims to beat the overall around the world record.
Bike Radar: This airbag for pro cyclists is the safety tech we’ve been waiting for
PinkBike: Life Time Bans Drop Bars from the Leadville Trail 100 & Little Sugar MTB Races
Gravel Cyclist: Schwalbe G-One RS PRO 700x55mm No BS Tire Review

Question of the Week

Do you use winter as your cycling “off season” or ride year round?

Most Clicked Last Week

Quick Review: Pirelli Smartube RS TPU Tubes

End Notes