Newsletter Issue No. 1168

April 10, 2025

Why Do Rob’s Tubeless Tires Lose Air?

Jim’s Tech Talk

By Jim Langley

This will be the last in what’s turned out with today’s article, to be a 3-part series on repairing and preventing flat tires. We provided our tips and you readers added yours with interesting and helpful tips, advice and product recommendations. Thanks everyone! If you missed the first two columns and all the great comments, here they are: Part 1 and Part 2.

This week, the goal is to help a Salt Lake City cyclist named Rob who asked for our help with his leaking tubeless tire. We’ll take a crack at answering Rob and after reading our suggestions please weigh in with a comment if you have more tips for him. Read more.

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Try This to Beat Lower Back Pain

By Lars Hundley

That dull ache in your lower back toward the end of a long ride isn’t just annoying – it’s your body sending you an important message. Lower back pain ranks as one of the most common cycling complaints (along with knee issues), and it gets more frequent as we add birthdays to our collection. Read more.

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About Beating the Bonk and Eating Microplastics

By Kevin Kolodziejski 

Battle the Bonk on a bicycle and eight minutes feels like eight hours. But ingest the right stuff, somehow keep the pedals turning for another 640 seconds or so, and you’ll be all right — maybe even as right as rain. The latter case is how it played out for me, Fates be praised, in one race about 25 years ago. Read more.

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Wahoo Fitness launches three new products at Sea Otter 2025

By Sheri Rosenbaum

Ahead of Sea Otter Classic opening on Thursday, Wahoo Fitness announced several new product launches. One new product I’m excited to check out while at the event is the company’s TRACKR RADAR. I always ride with a rear radar, even on the trails. It’s a great way to keep your eyes focused ahead while being alerted to cars or bikes overtaking from behind. Read more.

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Trek Velocis Road Shoe Review

By Sheri Rosenbaum

Last year, Trek updated several of its shoe models (Velocis, RSL, and Circuit) with METNET technology. In August 2024, I tested and reviewed their RSL mountain bike shoes. The comfort of the METNET fabric is one of the main reasons they are now my go-to gravel shoes. Read more.

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Feedback Velo Wall Rack Review

By Sue Schultz

I recently had an opportunity to evaluate Feedback Sports’ newly designed Velo Wall Rack – the Velo Wall Rack 2D. This redesigned bike storage rack system sets a new bar for bicycle wall mount systems making it a welcome solution if you want to store or showcase your favorite bicycle in your home. Read more.

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Why this is the year to watch the Paris-Roubaix bicycle race — even if you never have before

By Stan Purdum

It’s a logical extension of our shared love for bicycling that some readers of Road Bike Rider may like watching bicycle races on TV. But it’s an appetite that could lead to a lot of sitting on our couches instead of sitting on our bike saddles. After all, this year’s schedule of pro-cycling races, which is typical of most years, consists of 36 events in 13 countries and on four continents for a total of 171 days of racing between January 17 and October 11. And in many cases, there are two versions of those 36 events you can watch: the men’s race and the women’s race. Read more.

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Fizik Introduces Multiple New 5-Star Virginia Tech-Rated Cycling Helmets

By Sheri Rosenbaum

You know the fizik brand for its quality cycling saddles and shoes, and today they launched a line of helmets across road, gravel, triathlon, and trail. The new helmet line includes four models. Read more.

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What is the difference between SPD cleats?

By Rick Schultz

I often get asked, “what is the difference between SPD cleats?” Specifically SM-SH51 and SM-SH56. Read more.

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Question of the Week

Ever had any cycling related lower back pain?

Other Cool Things to Read

CyclingUpToDate: Lance Armstrong believes he will someday get his Tour de France titles back
Cycling Weekly: I don’t think I’m alone in often having an internal monologue going on when I’m riding
Bike Radar: Could inflatable helmets be the next big thing for urban cycling safety?
MSN: This cyclist is the first to ride every road and trail in San Mateo County — all 2,800 miles of them

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Your Flat Tire Prevention Tips And Product Recommendations

End Notes