Tag: Bike
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…
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…
Why Do Bike Tires Lose Air? [PRESSURE LOSS EXPLAINED]
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…
Cycling with Long Hair [Ponytails + Bike Helmets Tips]
If you happen to have long hair then you’ll know that in everyday life, your hair can get in your way and annoy you no matter what you are doing. The same can be said for when wearing a helmet while riding a bike. All that wonderful long hair, but what to do with it? What Do You Do with Long Hair When Cycling? If you are wondering what to do with your long hair while you are cycling and wearing a helmet, then you’ve come to the right place. You no longer have to be partly blinded nor unintentionally eat your hair while it blows in the wind mid ride. As you may have seen, many people with long…
Rear Bike Basket [7 of the Best for the Back of Your Bicycle]
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…
How Many Bike Gears Do I Need? [ANALYSIS]
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…
Belt Drive vs Chain Drive Bike [PROS + CONS]
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…
Best British Bike Brands [Top 7 UK Bicycle Manufacturers]
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…