By John Yoder As a cyclist, I frequently learn something from my rides, and some events teach me several lessons. That was the case when I was riding my mountain bike on the shoulder of a busy two-lane highway in my hometown, Goshen, Indiana. As I scanned the road ahead, I noticed that a cyclist had fallen about 100 feet in front of me. As I got closer, I could see that … [Read more...] about Be Prepared to Help Your Fellow Cyclists
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Tips for Moving from Mid-Compact to Compact
By Jim Langley RBR reader Andrew K. wrote us recently about a topic that rings true for many of us as we get older but still want to be able to do the "big rides" we've done for years. Andrew wrote: "As I age, I feel the need to go from a mid-compact to compact gearing to participate in some gran fondos. Would you consider discussing changing chain … [Read more...] about Tips for Moving from Mid-Compact to Compact
Showstoppers: Physical Ailments, and How to Overcome Them
By Coach John Hughes I have previously introduced the concept of a “showstopper.” A showstopper is anything that causes you to interrupt your season, not do an event or to stop an important ride before you’re ready to stop the ride. Here’s a personal, very painful example. I went to the ER at Mercy Medical in Durango, Colorado, less than 1,000 miles into the 1994 Race … [Read more...] about Showstoppers: Physical Ailments, and How to Overcome Them
Use the Correct Japanese Standard Screwdriver on Limit Screws
Today's QT is another homegrown one, from Tech Editor Jim Langley. It's probably safe to say that if Jim didn't know this, not many people do. Here's what he wrote: Thanks to the Professional Bicycle Mechanics Association I recently learned that all these years I've been using the wrong screwdriver to turn the limit screws on Japanese derailleurs! It turns out that there … [Read more...] about Use the Correct Japanese Standard Screwdriver on Limit Screws
Shimano Syncro Shift – Advanced Shifting Technology
By Mitch Rosset Oddly, my exploration into Shimano's Syncro Shift started with a fat bike. I purchased an inexpensive fat bike to see if I would enjoy riding one. The bike was a blast, but when riding the local trails, a frustrating problem arose. Our trails have short, steep downhills that feed into abrupt, steep climbs. Flying down hills on a fat bike was a thrill, but … [Read more...] about Shimano Syncro Shift – Advanced Shifting Technology