Newsletter Issue No. 1204

December 18, 2025

Can You Quiet Down a Loud Cassette?

Jim’s Tech Talk

By Jim Langley

This week we’re answering a great question from a roadie named Tom. Please read our conversation and share your thoughts and advice in a comment. Read more.

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A Holiday Gift For You: And Maybe a Toast to Bad Rides

By Kevin Kolodziejski 

Want to know if you’re truly the real deal? An authentic-as-they-come, dyed-in-merino-wool cyclist?

Then take the following test. It will not measure functional threshold power, power-to-weight ratio, maximal oxygen capacity, maximal heart rate, or even rate of perceived exertion, however.

Just the limits of your imagination. To begin the test, you need to imagine this. Read more.

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Endura MT500 Helmet with MIPS – Quick Review

By Sheri Rosenbaum

Whether you’re cruising the trails or mountain biking, Endura’s MT500 helmet meets all the criteria for safety, style, and comfort. For safety, the MT500 features MIPS and Koroyd. During angled impacts, the MIPS Brain Protection System reduces rotational forces on your brain, while the full Koroyd core increases energy absorption.  There’s also plenty of coverage to protect the back of your head in the event of a fall. Read more.

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When Is an “Ebike” Not a Bicycle?

By Stan Purdum

When is an “ebike” not a bicycle? is not a trick question. Notice that I’ve put ebike in quotes, which, in this usage, is meant to indicate that I’m using the term loosely, in a non-literal sense.

This question — and my answer to it — has been prompted by two recent eye-openers I’ve had. Read more.

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How Can I Keep My Face From Freezing During Winter Cycling?

Question: I don’t mind bicycle riding in cold weather, but I can’t keep my face warm. Shoe covers work for my feet and heavy gloves keep my hands toasty. But my chin and cheeks freeze. I wear a “skull cap” under my cycling helmet. Any ideas? — Barry M. Read more.

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How can I motivate myself to ride further?

QUESTION: How can I motivate myself to ride further? I’ve lost some fitness, and I find myself struggling on group rides and get dropped a lot because I’m not riding as many miles. When I find myself out on a ride, I end up talking myself out of continuing and going home early, which is not helping my fitness any.

RBR’S STAN PURDUM REPLIES: Loss of motivation to ride can spring from all sorts of disturbances that may or may not have anything to do with cycling itself. Read more.

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Other Cool Things to Read

Fast Company: What’s it like to avoid all media, pedaling a bike all day long for months?
ProCyclingUK: How to get the right bike size without a full fit
Gale Winds: Bicycle Superabundance
YouTube: 90 year old trail runner and skateboarder sets new 90 plus record

Question of the Week

Do you listen to headphones while riding outdoors?

Most Clicked Last Week

Adventure Cycling Celebrates 50 Years of Making Dreams Come True

End Notes