QUESTION: Everywhere I look, people are talking about gravel bikes, and I see a ton of them in my local bike shops. Are there really that many people riding that far out in the country, on gravel roads, or are these bikes used for something else other than that? Andrew F ANSWER: Sometimes it seems like the cycling industry has never seen a fad that it didn't want to jump on. … [Read more...] about What Are Gravel Bikes Good For?
1Bikes & Gear
Some of Our Favorite Cycling Vests
For fall and spring bicycling, layers are the name of the game. Cyclists might start out on a ride early in the morning where the temperatures are down in the low 40s, but it’s 70 degrees by the time they finish the ride a few hours later. Vests are one of the best options for cyclists during these changing conditions. They’re easy to zip and unzip to allow more airflow, … [Read more...] about Some of Our Favorite Cycling Vests
Can You Use a Gravel Bike as a Road Bike?
QUESTION: I'm thinking about buying a new bike, and I was considering buying a gravel bike instead of a road bike, so I have the option of wider tires. Can you use a gravel bike as your road bike? ANSWER: You can definitely use a gravel bike as a road bike. However, there are a few small limitations you might run into if you do this. Depending on how you like to ride, it … [Read more...] about Can You Use a Gravel Bike as a Road Bike?
Best Cycling Gloves for Fall / Autumn Weather
‘Tis the season for cycling gloves that keep your hands warm when the temperatures dip, but aren’t so hot and bulky that your hands fry when it’s just a little too cold for short fingered gloves. We’ve rounded up the best cycling gloves to keep you pedaling with comfort during turbulent temperatures. … [Read more...] about Best Cycling Gloves for Fall / Autumn Weather
A Quick Tip for Shimano Di2 (Electronic) Rear Derailleurs
Jim’s Tech Talk By Jim Langley This week I’m sharing a small adjustment that makes a world of difference in the shifting of Shimano Di2 electric rear derailleurs. Recently I ran into and fixed this issue for a couple of roadie friends. Which makes me think that not everyone understands this critical adjustment. … [Read more...] about A Quick Tip for Shimano Di2 (Electronic) Rear Derailleurs
Bikepacking Bags Basics: A Guide to What you Need
by Stan Purdum Bikepacking is the off-road / adventure cycling sister of bike touring, and the gear associated with it makes multi-day adventures in the backcountry or on mixed terrain easier. Bike touring, as the term is used today, usually refers to cycling on paved roads with your personal gear attached to the bike either by means of panniers (saddlebags) mounted on … [Read more...] about Bikepacking Bags Basics: A Guide to What you Need
Can You Ride a Hybrid Bike on Gravel?
Question: Can you ride a hybrid bike on gravel? I've got an old hybrid in my garage, and I was wondering if I could use it instead of buying a dedicated gravel bike. — John B. … [Read more...] about Can You Ride a Hybrid Bike on Gravel?
Follow Hollow High-Performance Alpaca Socks
By Sheri Rosenbaum I’ve been singing the praises of alpaca over merino wool for years, with my first encounter in Peru when I trekked the Inca Trail. About a month ago, Brian Davis reached out to me asking if I’d try out his new Follow Hollow alpaca socks and provide some feedback. Out of the package you could tell they were high quality and well-made. I’ve worn them on … [Read more...] about Follow Hollow High-Performance Alpaca Socks
Silca Maratona Minimo Gear Bag Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum Hot Rugged and sturdy to protect your gearPlenty of storage inside and outCustomizable interior padded dividersTwo water-proof, anti-static padded external pockets for electronicsDetachable shoulder strap for easy carryingMeets airline size regulations for carry-on luggageIdeal as a race day or travel carry-on gear bag … [Read more...] about Silca Maratona Minimo Gear Bag Review
Best Road Cycling Shoes Under $100
If you've spent much time road cycling, you know that cycling shoes are a necessity. But they can also be incredibly expensive on the high end, costing $350 or even more for a pro level pair. Sure, shoes at that price range are lightweight and stiff, but not everyone wants to spend that kind of money. And it probably isn't necessary for most of us who aren't Cat 1 racers or … [Read more...] about Best Road Cycling Shoes Under $100
Best Fitness Bikes under $1,000
If you’re just getting into cycling and hoping to gain some fitness, you may not want to break the bank. We’ve rounded up our favorite flat bar, hybrid fitness bikes that the average person will find easy and comfortable to ride around for exercise, or to hit the neighborhood or even commute to work with. A majority of these are men’s models, but they may also have women’s … [Read more...] about Best Fitness Bikes under $1,000
Best Hydration Packs for Cyclists
In this roundup of top hydration packs for cyclists, we’ve targeted primarily small and medium packs that provide plenty of water, but won’t add too much weight. We're assuming that you're probably doing single day rides with these. If you prefer a bigger model from these brands to hold a lot more stuff, you can typically find a similar pack in a larger size. We find the big … [Read more...] about Best Hydration Packs for Cyclists
Newsletter Issue No. 884
October 17, 2019 PDF version for Premium Members is here. Older Riders: Why Max Heart Rate Is Irrelevant By Coach John Hughes In last week’s newsletter, Dr. Mirkin wrote an informative column Tips for Keeping Your Maximum Heart Rate Up As You Age. He’s correct that the formula of (220 – your age) is a wildly inaccurate way to determine your maximum … [Read more...] about Newsletter Issue No. 884
Best Cycling Shorts Under $100
Looking for a new pair of cycling shorts, but don't want to spend too much? These are our picks for the best cycling shorts when you’re on a budget. They might not be the top of the line, but they are still high quality and comfortable. Before we get to them, though, let’s quickly touch on the difference between bibs and regular cycling shorts. Bibs have straps that go over … [Read more...] about Best Cycling Shorts Under $100
Hitting the Hills
Jim’s Tech Talk By Jim Langley Last Sunday I pedaled to the top of Mount Diablo on the South Gate Road, which, in about 11 miles rises to 3,249 feet above the San Francisco Bay. It’s near the town of Danville, California and is a popular destination every weekend for roadies thanks to moderate grades of mostly 5 to 7 percent, decent pavement, sweeping turns and lovely … [Read more...] about Hitting the Hills