Newsletter Issue No. 1185
August 7, 2025
Flat Tire Solutions From Tannus
Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
During the Sea Otter Classic cycling festival in Monterey, California, which took place in April, I was contacted by Tannus. They specialize in products to prevent or eliminate flat tires. I couldn’t make it to their booth at the Otter so I asked if they’d provide me with some samples to give them a try. (In case you’re interested in joining the fun, next year’s Sea Otter Classic takes place April 16-19.) Read more.
Northwave’s 2025 Revolution Road Shoe – Quick Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
Northwave is synonymous with quality gear, and it has been several years since I last reviewed the company’s shoes or boots. I was thrilled to reconnect with the brand at the Sea Otter Classic in April. The rep set me up with a pair of their new 2025 Revolution road shoes to test, and they did not disappoint. Read more.
Coospo X1 Mini Electric Pump Review
By Brandon Bilyeu
I’m lucky enough to average less than one flat tire per year running butyl tubes on my road bike, so on my first ride with the X1 it was only to test how it felt to carry the pump in my jersey pocket and certainly not to use it on a flat tire. The X1 takes up a similar volume to a smartphone, but in a boxier format. It easily fits in a jersey pocket or saddle bag and at 120 grams it weighs less than my relatively small 160-gram iPhone SE. Electric mini pumps are not waterproof because they must move air in and out, so I put the X1 in a small plastic bag before dropping it into my jersey pocket that would shortly be drenched with sweat. It would be nice if Coospo supplied a dedicated waterproof bag for the X1. Read more.
Quick Tip: Find good ride food in the supermarket.
Is the high price of energy bars stealing from your tire budget? Bars are easy to carry and work well, but your local supermarket has many economical items that make good ride food. You need grub that’s moist so you can get it down even when you have a dry mouth. It should be easy to chew so you don’t suffocate before you can swallow. Read more.
The “e” in ebike stands for “equalizer”
By Stan Purdum
At 57, Dave packs a lot of muscle on his six-foot-three frame, and the bit of middle-age spread around his waist only increases his visual impact as a powerful guy. The fact that he’s a serving police chief adds to his aura of authority.
I’m a couple weeks shy of my 80th birthday, and I pack more fat than I like on my five-foot-seven frame. The fact that I’m a retired preacher adds to my aura of long-windedness. Read more.
How Can I Save Energy Riding in a Group?
I started riding a year ago and finally got the confidence and fitness to show up for competitive 50-mile group rides on weekends. I can stay with the lead group until the last 10 miles. Then I get dropped, and it isn’t even hilly. My legs feel spent. One of the other riders told me I spend too much time with my “nose in the wind.” What does that mean? Read more.
Other Cool Things to Read
Road.cc: What is an all-road bike? A guide to this emerging road bike category
Canadian Cycling: 6 tips for riding better in a group
Bike Radar: Trek releases its lightest Madone yet and it’s under the UCI weight limit
Wired: Review: Bike Friday All-Day Lightweight Electric Bike
Question of the Week
Where do you store your expensive bike / bikes?
Most Clicked Last Week
New Road Bikes With Lower Gearing
End Notes
