Tag: Bike

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…