Folding bikes are good for almost any non-competitive riding on reasonably smooth ground. And they’re perfect if your trip involves transit or cramped storage. However, small wheels mean a slightly harsher ride, After owning and riding one daily, I’d say they’re more versatile than most people realize! But are they ideal for every situation and … Read more
The inventory of most local bike shops pales in comparison to what you see on Amazon. Every common style, from a gazillion brands, often with free shipping to boot. That’s awfully nice, especially amid a worldwide bike shortage that should linger at least through 2022. But convenience doesn’t mean quality, and ease of purchase doesn’t … Read more
Whoever said “it’s as easy as riding a bike” clearly never dealt with one that just wouldn’t shift. It’s extremely frustrating, but fortunately, it’s usually simple to fix. We’ll take a quick look at how shifting should work, then at what might be getting in the way. Here’s why your bicycle won’t shift gears Usually, … Read more
It’s certainly possible to commute on a road bike. It may be ideal for a very long commute (e.g., 10-15 miles or more). After all, road bikes are great for fast riding and/or long distance, where efficiency trumps all. But they achieve that efficiency through aggressive geometry and a stripped-down build, which costs a lot … Read more
Nothing rains on your parade like a painful saddle. We’ve all experienced it at times. But for some of us, it’s so persistent that we start to take it for granted or simply stop riding. But is it really normal? And if not, then what can you do to get comfy? Here’s whether all bike … Read more
On a bicycle, shifting gears is simply a matter of retracting or releasing derailleur cables. But you might be surprised how many ways there are to accomplish that simple task! Today, the most common types of shifters are: Trigger Twist/grip Integrated brake-shifter levers (a.k.a. “brifters”) Bar-end, downtube, stem, and thumb levers The first three only … Read more
If you want to bike to work in normal clothes, then rain pants are a must-have. They’re overkill for a drizzle, but worth their weight in gold when the clouds conspire against your commute. Quick pick: Shower Pass Transit Pants We’ll get into plenty of details in a moment. If you’re here for the TL;DR … Read more
If the rain makes you second-guess the wisdom of biking to work, you’re not alone. Right after traffic and hills, it’s the most common reason I hear for choosing other transportation. But, having commuted on way more drizzly Seattle days than I can count, here’s a little “inside secret”… It’s not actually a big deal! … Read more
The Norco Scene and Specialized Roll lines are two of the cleverest, most practical, and most needed bikes to hit the market in ages. That sounds like hyperbole since they’re basically billed as comfort bikes. But I mean it. They put the comfort, smoothness, and practicality of a traditional Euro city bike into a lighter, … Read more
The derailleur is a beautifully simple device. These days, even budget ones are more reliable and precise than anything professional riders could get just a few decades ago. However, they’re not perfect. While derailleurs are affordable, and easy to service, they’re also a bit finicky and vulnerable to impact. Internally-geared hubs (IGHs) present the opposite … Read more
