The Bicycle Club

Named after Scottish inventor and all-round brainiac James Watt, the ‘Watt’ is an internationally recognised unit of power. When Mr Watt was tinkering with steam in the mid-1700s he wouldn’t have dreamt that his surname would become the standard rating for all electrical devices around 200 years later. But here we are in the age of electricity, and everything from the humble toaster to the latest electric bike has a watt (or W) rating. Although this might seem a bit like a school physics lesson, understanding the Watt vis-à-vis electric bikes is a good idea before buying an electric bike. This guide aims to help understand what the Watt rating refers to when it comes to an electric bike before…

Chainless bikes are not a new innovation. The first machines to resemble what we recognise as bicycles were propelled by a rider’s legs, but it didn’t take long to find an engineered alternative to human power.  Solutions and tinkering from pioneering inventors turned to existing industrial and mechanical methods of turning gears. This ingenuity brought the shaft-drive system to the bicycle.  Although many inventors received patents, commercial development of the system was eventually stopped by the efficiency and relative low cost of the chain drive system. The arrival of the derailleur in between the two world wars brought standardisation and utility to the world of cycling, coinciding with mass production. The chain drive system, even though not universal,  was here…

Picture the scene. You’ve found the brand new bike you want, and you’ve finally saved up enough to buy it. You can’t wait to get on the saddle and ride around the city, spice up your commute on two wheels, go on weekend adventures or try out some gnarly mountain bike trails, but there’s one thing standing in your way: storage. If you live in a city,  chances are you have a small apartment with limited storage space, and certainly not enough for a bicycle. There might be a communal bike shed, but the waiting list is probably years long (trust me, I’m still waiting for a spot in my block’s bike shed and it’s been FOREVER), and what do…

One of the most important considerations to make for urban cyclists and commuters is your pants – after all, this is what surrounds your cycling engine. Urban cycling trousers can come in many shapes and sizes, depending on your needs. If you live in the a wet climate (the UK for example), then waterproof cycling trousers may be an everyday requirement, or at least an option to have in your bag. But if you’re riding to the office in fair weather, maybe you’ll just want some smart cycling trousers. Looking for Women’s Cycling Trousers? Check These Out Best Cycling Trousers for Commuting for Men Of course, while you want your trousers to be practical, when you’re looking for the best urban cycling…

So, you’ve made the decision to invest in an electric bike. Congratulations! You’re in for a great adventure, with assisted pedal power helping you achieve higher speeds and longer distances with (relative) ease. If you’re shopping for an e-bike in the UK, you’ll most likely be looking for a 250W bike, as a 250W motor is the most power a road-legal e-bike can have. But what does this actually mean, and how will it affect your day-to-day usage? In this guide, we’ll take you through the speed, range, hill-climbing capabilities and general pros and cons of 250W electric bikes so you can continue your search for the perfect e-bike totally clued up. Electric Bike Wattage [EXPLAINED] Let’s start with the…

Bike tires (or tyres) lose air more rapidly than vehicle versions due to size, shape, material, and a constant pressure forcing air out of them. The day-to-day hazards of punctures are easier to identify, so it can be frustrating to have to re-inflate a tire that felt firm the last time you rode. What Causes a Flat Bike Tyre? Punctures from surface debris, poorly inflated tyres, worn or cracked tyres, plus constant pressure forcing air out of any gaps in the rubber compound and valves are the main cause of a bike tyre going flat. Day-to-day, a tyre will lose pressure despite efforts to keep it all in. The tyre is our only contact point with the surface so we…

Brompton bikes are some of the most popular bikes on the market, featuring virtually unparalleled build quality, a smooth ride and advanced tech. Unfortunately, all of that comes with a high cost: Bromptons are expensive. That leads many cyclists to wonder whether they can grab a Brompton bike on sale at a more palatable price. Bromptons tend to hold their value very well (another reason that they’re so expensive), which makes it more difficult to find a discount. Don’t lose hope, though, because smart shoppers can still sometimes find these bikes on sale. Brompton Bike Sales? Brompton very rarely discounts its bikes because it doesn’t need to. The popularity of these machines means that they fly off the shelves. However,…

E-bikes are taking over. And it’s a good thing. Last week, I actually stumbled across one of the original “e-bike review” websites and was astonished by how primitive the electric bikes mentioned on the website were. And they were only from about 2012. 10 years on and the electric bike market is huge. Demand is soaring and manufacturers are recognising the need for a diverse range of products. You can find electric hybrid bikes, electric mountain bikes, electric fat bikes, electric folding bikes… even electric folding fat bikes! Which brings me to the subject of this review: the Engwe EP-2 Pro. Fat Folding E-Bike The first thing we need to understand here: what on earth is the point of an…