Newsletter Issue No. 1209
January 29, 2026
A Few More Tube Tips
Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
Thanks for sending in your great questions and comments about last week’s column, which was titled A Simple Hack to Prevent Punctures at the Base of Presta Valves. Flat tires being such a common issue, it’s always an important and popular topic.
Today, I’ll answer two great questions that others might have too and I’ll share some thoughts on a helpful comment. Read more.
Do UPFs Foul Up Your Food IQ?
By Kevin Kolodziejski
A cycling rival said it to me about 30 years ago. Remembering it still makes me smile.
After thoroughly thumping him in our area’s traditional spring time trial, he asked if he could accompany me on the base-miles ride he knew I did afterwards. Sometime during the ride, he told me that when I passed him in the race on the climb before the turnaround, he checked his heart rate monitor. He saw a number two beats higher than what he knew to be his max and knew his race was over. Read more.
Fox Racing Speedframe Pro Defy MTB Helmet Review
By Sheri Rosenbaum
I started testing the newly redesigned Fox Racing Speedframe Pro Defy MTB helmet during the hottest days of summer. Temperatures were well into the 90s, yet I remained comfortable thanks to its 17 vents and lightweight design. Read more.
Is there a measurable benefit to wearing aero socks?
Question: Is there a measurable performance benefit to wearing specialized aero socks for non-elite cyclists? —Joe P.
RBR’S STAN PURDUM REPLIES: The answer is yes, but your question takes us into the realm of “marginal gains” — the idea that significant overall improvement can be achieved by making many small, incremental advances in numerous areas of cycling (such as gear, kit, nutrition, etc.). Read more.
Late Meals Associated with Increased Risk for Heart Attacks and Strokes
The French NutriNet-Sante study found that eating dinner late in the evening is associated with increased risk for both heart attacks and strokes (Nature Communications, Dec 2023;14(7899)). Having a first meal for the day (breakfast or lunch) late in the morning also increased risk. The researchers followed 103,389 people, average age 42.6, for 7.2 years, during which time there were 2036 cases of heart disease, 988 cases of strokes, and 1071 cases of heart attacks, angina and heart stents. Read more.
Other Cool Things to Read
Runner’s World: At 81, he became a world record holder. Here’s how he trains
Outside: Running on Empty, Overtraining Syndrome
ESPN: Jay Vine wins Tour Down Under after crash caused by kangaroo
Bike Rumor: Dear Bike Industry: Please Don’t Take Away My High-End Mechanical Drivetrains
Question of the Week
Do you eat and drink as much in cold weather?
Most Clicked Last Week
A Simple Hack To Prevent Punctures at the Base of Presta Valves
End Notes
