Most of us take up cycling for recreation or fitness, but bikes are every bit as practical as they are fun. Believe it or not, a human being on a bike is the most energy-efficient form of human or animal movement we know of. And with the advent of electric bikes, even severe hills and … Read more
Bikes are amazingly self-stabilizing when you’re moving, but that changes when you come to a stop. It’s important to feel confident and stable when you put a foot down for balance, yet depending on your bike’s design and seat adjustment, it might still feel wobbly. Does that mean something’s amiss, or should your feet even … Read more
Folding bikes don’t sacrifice much in order to pack down so tiny. Besides the obvious—small wheels—they’re essentially as capable and full-featured as a standard bike. And that certainly applies to the drivetrain, too. Here’s Whether Folding Bikes Have Gears Most folding bikes have 3-9 gears, although some have up to 27. Single-speed folding bikes are … Read more
Cycling is wildly popular by any measure, and has gotten much more so over the last couple years. It comprises everything from leisurely cruising to elite competition, and a whole lot in between. But the line between hobby and sport cycling is blurry. It has as much to do with your goals and expectations as … Read more
The right apparel can mean the difference between hours of enjoyable cycling versus sheer pain. And you’ve probably noticed that most cyclists (at least more “serious”-looking road cyclists) are usually decked out in cycling shorts. But are they really so critical? Cycling shorts are not necessary, but most road, cyclocross, XC MTB, and long-distance riders … Read more
Gravel bikes have sold like hotcakes since circa 2014, but the discipline has arguably been “a thing” since well before the first Unbound race (formerly Dirty Kanza) back in 2006. I’ve owned a couple over the years: a Norco Search and previously a Charge Plug (back before Charge went all in on e-bikes), both of … Read more
Skateboarding and bicycling are basically opposites in several ways. Bikes are efficient and capable, but big and complex. Skateboards are compact and cheap, but slow and a bit unsteady. In fact, they’re so different that “harder” totally depends on what you want to use them for. As a lifelong cyclist who has also dabbled in … Read more
This is an overview of the lightest hybrid bikes you can buy in 2022. Back in the day, hybrids were entry-level bikes that looked (and felt) cobbled together from whatever MTB and road components that manufacturer couldn’t use up. Not exactly bikes to drool over. But it didn’t take long to realize that hybrids are … Read more
More than any other innovation, gearing transformed bicycles into the useful, versatile machines we know today. Even so, many riders—including yours truly—like to ride with a single gear, at least part of the time. Single speed vs. gears, in brief Single-speed bikes require less maintenance than geared bikes, especially in harsh conditions. They also cost … Read more
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
