May 25, 2023
4 Reasons Why Core Strength Is Important
By Coach John Hughes
RBR Reader Matt wrote, “I’m going to start commuting 15 miles round trip. My old commute bike has flat bars. How difficult would it be to put on drop bars? Or should I buy a new road bike? I find the straight handlebars less comfortable and my hands get sore / tired. Maybe I need to wear gloves? Or just get used to it? Attached are a couple of photos of the bike.” Read more.
Review: KT Tape Products
Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
I can’t recall seeing the main items featured in this review used much if at all in pro cycling, maybe I’m not looking closely enough. But if you’ve watched the Olympics or soccer or tennis or other pro sports I bet you’ve spotted athletes with strips of tape on their legs, arms, shoulders and back (sometimes in such bright colors they’re almost impossible to miss). The generic name for what they’re wearing is kinesiology tape. Read more.
Adidas SP0057 Sport Sunglasses Review
By Brandon Bilyeu
Adidas has a large range of cycling sunglasses on their Adidas Eyewear website including many modern styles with huge lenses and crazy frames. But there are less flashy models available, like the SP0057. These glasses feature a full frame wrapped around a reasonably sized 47mm (1.85 inches) tall lens. The frames are 150mm (5.9 inches) wide with 140mm (5.5 inches) long temples and a weight of 23g. Read more.
Chrome Industries New Ruckas bags – Quick Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
In Spring, Chrome Industries introduced a new line of commuter bags called Ruckas. The company sent me two bags to test ― the Ruckas Sling and 14L Backpack. Even though these were primarily designed for commuters, I found many uses for these well-made bags, especially the Sling. Read more.
Added Sugar Is Nobody’s Scapegoat
By Kevin Kolodziejski
Today’s title could’ve just as easily been “Thank God for Crackpots: Part 2” since another crackpot gave me a second successive jump-start for this column.
You may remember Crackpot Number 1, 57-year-old Kevin Maginnis who’s attempting to lose 50 pounds in 100 days on a McDonald’s-only diet. His infamous folly led to my last article about how the weight loss the diet initially created is far from magic. Read more.
Review of Selle Anatomica Leather Slotted Saddle
By Stan Purdum
After I submitted my review of my new Specialized Turbo Creo SL Comp E5 Road Ebike for publication in RBR last week, the publisher, Lars Hundley, noticed in one of the photos that I’d swapped out the stock saddle that came with the bike for another, and he asked me what it was. I explained that it was a Selle Anatomica leather saddle that I’d transferred from another of my bikes, and he suggested I review it. Read more.
Ask the Coach: What Should a Beginning Cyclist Eat and Drink, pt. 2?
By Coach John Hughes
Last week I wrote about What a Beginning Cyclist Should Eat, which applies to all roadies. The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommends, depending on how big you are, consuming 25 to 60 grams of carbs (100 to 240 calories) per hour after the first hour of exercise. Note that the recommendation is only for calories of carbs.
This week I’ll cover what to drink. This also applies to all roadies. Read more.
Quick Tip: Carefully Installing Your Tube and Tires Prevents Flats
Today’s comes to us from Michael Hormel, about his method to prevent flats – and the results are astonishing. Here’s what he wrote:
I’ve only had one flat in the 10-15 years since I went from sew-ups to clinchers. The one was early this summer when I hit a rough spot were a culvert had been replaced and I bounced over it and got a pinch flat. Read more.
How Can I Get in Shape Fast for an Upcoming Cycling Event?
QUESTION: I confess – I didn’t ride very much during the winter and early spring. But I want to get in shape for a metric century coming up this summer. Is there any hope? – Calvin R.
RBR REPLIES: Don’t panic, Calvin. You and everyone who had a less-than-productive off-season can gain sufficient fitness for an event. Read more.
Updated Antares Saddle Range from Fizik Targets Racing Comfort
Bicycle saddle manufacturer Fizik has unveiled the new Antares saddle range, updated and designed for racing. The latest offerings focus on providing riders with greater comfort and versatility.
New Product: Camp And Go Slow Woven Rattler Bar Tape
Camp And Go Slow woven bar tape, patterned after the Diamondback Rattlesnake, comes in two distinct options, Western and Eastern. Each roll is long enough to wrap the widest of drop bars with ease, with plenty left over for vanity projects. You get two 3300mm rolls made from a long-wearing, durable nylon blend and backed with 1.5mm of foam for a little cushion on the rough stuff. Each set of tape comes in a ripstop nylon bag designed to be used and reused for years. Read more.
KASK Debuts New Elemento Road Helmet
KASK has introduced its new Elemento road cycling helmet, developed in collaboration with the world tour pro INEOS Grenadiers cycling team. The Elemento integrates two proprietary technologies, Fluid Carbon 12 and Multipod, which improve impact resistance and airflow. Read more.
Preventing Cycling Ailments Bundle
Preventing Cycling Ailments bundle of four eBooks provides a wealth of well-researched knowledge and vast experience on how to prevent and deal with some of road cycling’s typical ailments: issues with your butt, hands and feet; the scourge of cramps; nausea, bonking and other fuel-related maladies related to nutrition; and the power of the mental side to help forestall or overcome these and other on-the-bike issues. It includes:
- Butt, Hands, Feet
- Preventing and Treating Cramps
- Nutrition for 100K and Beyond
- Gaining a Mental Edge: Using Sports Psychology to Improve Your Cycling
Question of the Week
Do you patch tubes?
Cool Stuff to Read
Cycling Weekly: Buy smartly: these e-bikes meet the internationally recognized safety standards.
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End Notes
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