Category: Bike Gear

Plenty of cyclists swear by a bike basket for carrying their belongings, whether they’re commuting, trekking or cycling for leisure. Baskets make cycling with any kind of luggage easier and more comfortable, taking the strain off your back and shoulders and saving you from the dreaded backpack sweat patch. It’s common for bike baskets to sit at the front of the bike on the handlebars, but rear bike baskets are also very popular and offer different benefits. On this page, we’ll take a look at the advantages of front and rear bike baskets, discuss what makes rear baskets so great, and give our suggestions for the best 7 rear bike baskets on the market right now. Rear Baskets vs Front…

We’ve all been there. You cycled to work in the sunshine but by the end of the day, it’s raining for your commute home. Or maybe you’re facing a soggy school run with the kids. Thankfully if you’re wearing a reliable waterproof cycling jacket riding in the rain means you can stay dry and warm. In the case of our top 7 list, you can even look stylish too! We’ll be focusing on keeping your top half out of the rain in this post but if you’re looking for cycling trousers we’ve also got you covered with this comprehensive breakdown of the best choices for women, including an excellent waterproof and windproof option. What to Look for in a Rain…

Using gears helps you ride a bike efficiently and enjoyably. Gears help to turn the pedals effectively and consistently. The number of gears required are influenced by what you need and want from a ride. Fitness, cargo, pedal assistance, terrains and wind direction all influence the need for gears.  What Do Bike Gears Do? Gears convert the effort of turning the pedals into a comfortable rhythm at different speeds.  Muscle power and riding conditions control the number of turns (or cadence) you can make. More gears change the cadence and help us ride uphill, transport stuff, beat blustery winds, and improve fitness.  Gears run in ranges, from low to high. A low gear is easier to pedal than a high…

Bicycle engineering methods pioneered in the nineteenth century are still used to this day. The double diamond frame is the best example. Pneumatic tyres are another. Close behind is the chain drive system of propulsion. The belt-drive system is an alternative which offers both mechanical and practical differences which may be more suitable for the 21st century pedaler. What is a Belt Drive? The belt drive is a replacement for the traditional chain drive system. A one-piece unit made of synthetic materials, reinforced with carbon fibre with equally spaced teeth, rotates around a ring at the crank and a single sprocket at the rear wheel.  Propulsion comes via rotating the cranks forward as usual. The tension required is picked up…

VanMoof bikes are some of the most popular, stylish and smoothest-riding bikes in the world. They’re also some of the most expensive. Not everybody is willing or even able to invest several thousand dollars in a bike. Fortunately, there are some fantastic budget alternatives for the price-conscious. These spare the wallet without compromising the ride. Why is VanMoof So Popular? VanMoof bikes are popular because they offer an array of cutting-edge technology, supreme ride quality, short charge times, lightweight frames, low maintenance and unparalleled customer support. Many people simply consider these bikes the pinnacle of urban e-cycling. Although VanMoof’s bikes are undoubtedly high end, e-bike technology is advancing quickly and they’re far from the only quality bikes available. It’s perfectly…

Historically known for being a country of high engineering quality, it’s no surprise that Britain boasts many bike brands offering a host of different bikes, ranging from hand made steel gravel rigs, to high end folding bikes. But which British bike brands are the best? Are There Any British-Made Bicycles? There are many British made bicycles on the market at present, although you should be aware that you may have to pay a premium for such a product. This higher pricing is predominantly due to hand made items being more time consuming to produce, and therefore having a higher skill and labour cost in comparison to a mass produced bike from overseas. UK Bicycle Manufacturers Within the UK there are…

I have been trying to find suitable trousers for cycling for a while. As a utility cyclist, I’ve struggled to get the right balance between practicality and style, especially when riding to work or to meet friends.  So when I had the opportunity to try out Vaela’s cycling jeans, I was very keen to give them a go. Not just because it may mean my trouser search would be over, but also because I can very much relate to their story of “being serially disappointed by the cycle clothes available to women” and “the general difficulties faced by women who wish to ride more easily and more often”.  I appreciate their mission to address this, and also the way they…

Lockable bike covers are the ultimate practical accessories. Not only do they keep your bike safe from inclement weather conditions but they help to keep it secure against theft and tampering. These covers act like traditional, durable bike covers but are lockable, so your bike is always safe. They also solve another of the more common problems that commuters face. Turning up to work on your bicycle is great, but you’re often faced with a stark choice. Using a bicycle lock leaves your bike exposed to the weather, but using a cover often means sacrificing security. By combining the best of both worlds, lockable bike covers have quickly become one of the most popular cycling accessories on the market. With…