Best Electric Mini Bikes for Adults [Top 6 Handy Bikes]

Electric bikes are convenient in so many ways. They allow you to cycle with less effort thanks to assistance from a motor, and they give a boost of power when you need it most, like when you’re tackling a tough climb. As a bonus, they’re an environmentally-friendly way to get from A to B. However, there’s one thing that often puts prospective e-bike owners off, and that’s their size and weight. They are often significantly heavier than traditional bikes, making them tricky for commuters who have to use trains or buses on their journey, or for those who want to put them in the car for a weekend adventure. A standard e-bike weighs between 20 and 25kg, which is a…

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Bike Pedals for Commuting [The Ultimate Pedal Guide]

Pedals are vital for stable and comfortable cycling. They’re one of the three contact points between rider and bike. Their purpose is to transfer the power created by the rider’s legs. Commuters and sports cyclists have different requirements from their pedals. Road racers and mountain bikers rely on being able to guarantee a fixed foot position, to stomp down consistent power. They also need quick release mechanisms. Commuters don’t need these features. How Do Bike Pedals Work? Bike pedals convert power to move the bicycle. You’d have to run with the bike underneath you if you didn’t have them. They’re fixed to one end of cranks, and work together with a chain and gearing to propel you. You place your…

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Types of Bike Pedals [EXPLAINED]

Bike pedals help to convert the power of our legs into the effort needed to turn the wheels forward. They need to be comfortable for commuting and ideally, non-slip, so we can reliably step on and off as we go to and from work or study. Pedal variations owe much to the sportier side of cycling, but most of us will be happy with a standard flat pedal. What Are the Different Types of Bike Pedals? Commuters will be familiar with the flat, rectangular pedal from their first bike ridden as a kid. Sportier riders may have seen a stubbier version designed to house a special shoe with added cleats. Then there are smaller, almost round models designed to take…

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E-Bike Wattage: How Many Watts is a Good Electric Bike?

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…

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Chainless Bikes: How Shaft-Driven Bicycles Work

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…

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Best Bike Wall Mounts [Top 8 for Indoor Home Storage]

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…

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Best Casual Cycling Trousers for Commuters [Top 17 Bike Pants]

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…

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250W Electric Bike Guide [Hills, Top Speed + More]

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…

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