Newsletter Issue No. 1171
May 1, 2025
Quick Test & Review: Park Tool’s BMT-1 Tire Bead Breaker
Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
A couple of weeks ago in my story on 5 noteworthy products that were shown at The Sea Otter Classic bike festival in Monterey, California, I mentioned Park Tool’s BMT-1, which I ordered as soon as I saw it.
It’s a new tool designed to make easy work of removing tight tires. I was especially interested in using it for removing tubeless tires, which can be exceptionally difficult to remove. Read more.
Understanding Overreaching vs. Overtraining for Cyclists
By Lars Hundley
Every cyclist would like to be fitter and faster. But in the pursuit of fitness gains, there’s a critical distinction between productive training stress and going too far. Understanding the difference between overreaching and overtraining can mean the difference between reaching your goals and finding yourself stuck in a frustrating cycle of fatigue and declining performance. Read more.
Hollywood Racks CrossTrack 1-Bike Hitch Rack
By Sheri Rosenbaum
If you’re a solo cyclist or often find yourself transporting just one bike, the Hollywood Racks CrossTrack single bike rack is definitely worth considering. While there are two and three bike models, why pay more if you don’t need the extra hauling capacity? Priced at $399.99, the single bike version offers excellent value, particularly if you need to transport an eBike. The CrossTrack can handle a bike weighing up to 66 pounds, with a maximum wheelbase of 52” and tires up to 4” wide. Read more.
Are wider tires really faster?
QUESTION: I finally said goodbye to my old Cervélo R3 — a mid-2000s carbon beauty that got me through countless centuries, fondos and more than a few sketchy pacelines. That bike was light, stiff, and tight … so tight, in fact, that a 23mm tire was about all I could squeeze into the rear triangle. Now I’ve upgraded to a new Giant Defy Advanced that can clear tires up to 38mm. That’s practically gravel bike territory, and to be honest, I’m a little skeptical. I keep hearing that wider tires are “faster and more comfortable,” but I’ve also seen those fat tires and they just look slow. I still do fast group rides and don’t want to handicap myself. So here’s the question: How wide should I go? Read more.
Why Should a Fitness Rider Do Training Time Trials?
Time trials aren’t just for Cat. 1 racers and pros. Here are a few good reasons you should add some time trialing to your regular cycling routine even if you typically just ride for fitness and fun. Read more.
Riding Poorly: Is It Medical?
By Arnie Baker, M.D.
You are feeling that you don’t have the power in cycling that you think you should. Or you feel that it takes you longer than usual to get going, if you can get going at all. Or it takes longer to recover from training or racing. This doesn’t seem to be a temporary set-back. It’s been going on for more than two weeks. Read more.
Question of the Week
Other Cool Things to Read
Cycling Weekly: 7-Eleven returns to the peloton for one day only at Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Road.cc: Cyclists who kill pedestrians could face life sentences under proposed new law
Cycling Weekly: Why there’s no shame in being a fair-weather bike rider
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Tech Q & A: Hanging Bikes with Hydraulic Disc Brakes for Storage?
End Notes
