Newsletter Issue No. 1003
February 10, 2022
6 Kinds of Intensity Training: Which One Is Best for You?
By Coach John Hughes
Intensity training doesn’t mean hammering. It means simply training at the right intensities to improve your performance, i.e., pedaling somewhat harder than normal.
Intensity training is like prescription medicine. If you take the right medicine you’ll get better. If you take the wrong medicine you won’t get better and you might even get worse! To get better you need to take the appropriate medicine in the proper doses at the correct times. If you take the appropriate medicine incorrectly, at best you won’t improve as much and you might even get worse. Read more.
Do You Need a Torque Wrench?
By Jim Langley
Today I tackle a tech question from a reader named Trevor. It’s a great one for new mechanics or anyone wondering if they really need a torque wrench in their bicycle tool kit. Read more.
How to Keep the Elephant Off the Ebike
By Stan Purdum
The Stark County (Ohio) Bicycle Club offers group rides every day of the year. Some get canceled because of rain or inclement weather, but most happen, and if you live in or near that county, joining the club provides many opportunities to ride with others. And the rides are designated Class A, Class B, Class C, etc. by pace so that members can choose ones that match their speed and ability. Read more.
Enduro Bearings Review
By Brandon Bilyeu
Bearings are essential to the smooth and efficient function of our bikes anywhere rotational motion is needed: Hubs, Bottom Brackets (BB), Pedals, Freehubs, Pulley wheels, and Headsets. There are also endless uses for bearings outside of cycling and Enduro services both the cycling and industrial market. But instead of just repurposing industrial bearings for cycling, Enduro makes bike specific bearings and also full assemblies like BBs and Pulleys. Read more.
Muc-Off Indoor Training Kit Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
For those like myself, winter means cold, snowy rides on the fattie or heading to the basement for a trainer ride. Unfortunately, with the frigid temps and short days of winter, I’ve been on my trainer sweating a lot. As the indoor miles buildup, it’s easy to forget how corrosive sweat can be on bike components. That’s why Muc-Off added an Indoor Training Kit to their product offering. This box of goodies has everything you need to keep that faithful steed clean, protected, and lubed. Oh, and they haven’t forgotten some chamois cream, as part of the kit, to keep you well lubed, too. Read more.
Do Bearings Matter? Q&A with Matt Harvey, Co-founder of Enduro Bearings
By Brandon Bilyeu
In addition to reviewing a couple Enduro Bearings products we had the chance to submit a few questions via email to Enduro co-founder Matt Harvey. Matt has been around the cycling industry for a long time and before Enduro he helped design the full suspension Bianchi that the UCI banned on the start line of Paris Roubaix in 1994. Read more.
Are Aero Bike Wheels Worth It?
QUESTION: Are aero bike wheels worth it? I ride a Trek road bike that just has wheels it came with and was thinking about upgrading my bike. – Sawyer F
ANSWER: If you’re hoping to go faster with equipment upgrades, improving your aerodynamics is one of the best ways. So if you want to make an existing bike faster, installing aero wheels can make a big difference and save you a lot of watts. Read more.
Intensity Training: Using RPE, a HRM or Power Meter to Maximize Training Effectiveness
Intensity Training: Using Perceived Exertion, a Heart Rate Monitor or Power Meter to Maximize Training Effectiveness, eArticle by Coach John Hughes, explains in more detail your physiology, which type(s) of intensity training is right for you and how to do intensity training including whether RPE, heart rate or power is best for you.
Question of the Week
Which brand of bike computer do you use?
Cool Stuff to Read
Road.cc: Tilting your saddle nose down by eight degrees is more efficient in seated-uphill efforts, researchers find
Rene Herse: Rim and Tire Standards, Explained
VeloNews: Power Analysis: How hard does Brandon McNulty train in the winter?
Bicycle Retailer: Easton releases superlight carbon gravel handlebar
End Note
