Newsletter Issue No. 1245
October 8, 2026
1X Versus 2X: My response is Classified! by Charles Wells
Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
Our conversation in the last two episodes of Tech Talk about choosing between a traditional double chainring or a newfangled single chainring drivetrain for your next road bike (referred to respectively today as a 1X or 2X drivetrain – say “one by” or “two by”), attracted some great comments, thank you! Read more.
Your Winter Training Doesn’t Have to Be Slow
By Ric Stern
Many people feel that lots of long steady miles is the way forward over the winter. You may have heard the expression: “Winter miles equals summer smiles.”
Given a choice between time off and riding steady, riding steady is the winner. But if the choice expands beyond those two options, you should be looking at more training than just steady miles. Read more.
From the Adriatic Sea to the Apennine Mountains: Cycling Riccione, Italy
By Sheri Rosenbaum
Last December, a rider from my local cycling club announced a trip to Italy scheduled for September 2026. He and his wife had visited the Hotel Dory in March and enjoyed it so much that they decided to return. I was initially unsure, but after hearing his presentation at the club’s holiday party and seeing an irresistible price, I was all in. Read more.
A Mountain Bike Invention Finds a Place on a Road Bike
By Stan Purdum
Although dropper seat posts were created for the mountain bike world, where riders want the seat fully up for uphill pedaling, and down out of the way for rapid descending over rugged terrain, I recently added a dropper to my road bike for a completely different reason: to make it easier to mount and dismount. Read more.
Are You Cycling Slower Than You Need To Be?
By Kevin Kolodziejski
Today’s title is a curiously phrased question, made that way by the seemingly puzzling use of need to be. For we all know that if you want to be a successful racer, avoid burnout, or fully enjoy cycling regardless of your commitment level, youneed to ride slower rather than faster much of the time you’re in the saddle. Read more.
Quick Tip: Prepare Tonight for Tomorrow’s Ride
The day sure has a way of getting away from you, doesn’t it? By the time you can finally ride, you might only have an hour before dinner or sunset. But then you spend 20 minutes getting ready—and discover your cycling shorts are in the laundry and your bike computer needs charging. There goes that ride….
A little preparation the night before can give you a much better chance of getting out the door the next day.
Set out a clean jersey, shorts, socks, gloves, and any extra layers you expect to need. Put your shoes, helmet, and glasses where you can find them. Finding dirty shorts tonight gives you time to wash them.
Check the charge on your bike computer and lights. Put your ride food with your gear, and have clean bottles ready to fill.
If possible, choose your route before bed, too. Have a shorter option in mind in case tomorrow gets busy.
You cannot always stop the day from filling up. But when a window for riding opens, you can be ready to use it.
Readers, do you set your stuff out in advance, or just get ready right as you’re ready to ride? Comment here.
Other Cool Things to Read
YouTube: Path Less Pedaled, Why People Are Going Back to Steel Bikes
Bike Radar: Bin the weight limit, ban 32in wheels and let bike designers run wild – 5 key rules the UCI’s next Lugano Charter must include
PEZ Cycling: Wahoo ELEMNT ACE Review: Big Screen, Better Riding?
Cycling Weekly: ‘The biggest game-changer in the history of endurance sport was the power meter,’ Joe Friel’s training wisdom”
Bike Rumor: WTB Gravelier Saddle Proves “Gravel-Specific” isn’t Just Marketing
Question of the Week
Does your main road bike use disc brakes or rim brakes?
Most Clicked Last Week
1X vs. 2X Drivetrain Comparison Follow-Up
End Notes
