Category: Bike Gear

E-bikes are here to stay. They’re more popular than ever and some forecasters even suggest that sales will eventually outstrip traditional bikes. E-bikes are all about nimbleness, ease of use, and effortless cycling, so it pays to keep things minimalist. As more people invest in electric bikes, the number on sale increases. With more competition than ever, it can be difficult to know where to start. If you’re looking to buy your first e-bike, or upgrade to a leaner, meaner model, read on as we break down the best minimalist options on the market. What Does an E-Bike Really Need? Although they might seem complicated, the fundamentals of an e-bike are quite simple. They come with a battery-powered motor that’s…

Cycling is one of the most eco-friendly and sustainable ways to travel. It also offers numerous health benefits, both physical and mental. And the popularity of cycling continues to grow. It’s estimated that around 6.5 million people cycle each year in England alone, for work, leisure or sport. But whatever your reason for opting for two wheels, it’s impossible nowadays not to be aware that it’s a green activity. With growing consciousness around the climate emergency, at least some manufacturers of cycling accessories are responding. It’s possible now to own a sustainable helmet – traditional bike helmets being difficult to recycle. You can even clean your bike with eco-friendly cleaning products. In spite of all this, the production of most…

E-bikes are rapidly gaining in popularity, with a growing range of electric bike brands for cyclists and commuters to choose from. Mintel research shows there were over 170,000 e-bikes sold in the UK in 2020, and the figures continue to rise year on year.  They’re priced higher than their non-electric counterparts, but e-bikes are a great investment. They’re a breeze to ride, great fun, and hold their value in the long-run. If you’re switching from a car or public transport to an e-bike for your commute, you’re also doing your bit to offset your carbon footprint.  If you’re tempted to make the switch, or looking to buy an electric bike to ease your commute, it can be hard to know…

Having your bike stolen is a truly devastating experience, and not just because of the financial difficulties involved in buying a new bike, or claiming insurance. Although cases of bicycle theft were falling in the years 2017 – 2020, this number rose dramatically during the first Covid 19 lockdown in April. An increase in cycling meant an increase in thefts. It’s estimated that close to 115,000 were stolen in the first year of Covid in the UK. For many of us, bikes are very personal and beloved things. Naturally, we want to keep them safe. There are various things you can do to protect your bike from theft, but the first and most obvious one is to get a decent…

Wondering where to start to buy a bicycle? It’s not complicated if you have a clear idea of what you want, have a budget, know what size frame suits your measurement, and know that it’s available for you to collect or to receive delivery of. If you’re disciplined enough to save money, and have a specific model in mind before the day that your piggy bank is brimming, I doff my cap to you. Most of us are in a perpetual whirlwind of advertising, dreams and reality-avoidance, biting at upgrade offers and being drawn in by new models, or the promise of new components. But when is the best time to buy a bicycle? We’ll try to put some context…

Finding the best bike saddles for commuting is important. Apart from being uncomfortable, an ill-fitting saddle can also cause lower back problems, and can even give you a poor posture. Saddles that are too narrow don’t support the pelvis or bone structure, whereas an overly wide saddle causes the dreaded chafing. That’s not to mention saddle sores, and a range of other rarer problems including nerve damage to the perineum. The problem is even worse on the commute, which necessarily means you’ll be on your bike every day. A poorly fitted or poorly designed saddle will wreak havoc with your body, leaving you feeling tired before you’ve even reached the office. Finding the best bike saddle for commuting can seem…

Even the best bike lock cannot guarantee your bicycle will be waiting when you return to it. Over 100,000 were stolen per year in England and Wales from 2002 to 2021. As cycling becomes more popular as a commuting alternative, a marketplace for stolen models is created.  Thieves will look for the quickest and quietest way to take a bicycle. Find areas with CCTV, or near areas with security patrols. Check the area around you – abandoned single wheels are evidence of a popular area for bike thieves. Build in some time to your commute to find the safest spot. Find something immovable that you can legally attach it to. Attach the frame and wheels where possible. Avoid placing the…

Cycling is one of the most social media friendly pursuits in the world. It provides colour, incredible landscapes (urban or rural) and gives off a whiff of health and mental alacrity. It also provides frame after frame of cool shots, and images of movement, fun and dynamism. And fashion.  There is so much more clothing available to anyone who enjoys cycling than was around fifteen years ago, and in many more ranges too. Although there is some way to go in providing adequate and stylish clothing for every shape and size of body, the same cannot be said for bicycle helmets. The breadth of sizes, options, accessories, fashion, aerodynamics, and colours can all be subsumed by one factor. They have…