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
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
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
Every new bike commuter has to figure out the same question: what’s the easiest way to safely haul my things to work? The right set-up makes this a breeze. Carrying your daily essentials becomes a quick, set-and-forget task that doesn’t take a second thought. Your bike, equipment, and route make a difference, of course. But … Read more
As a new cyclist, fenders puzzled me. Some bikes include them. Some bikes don’t. And most bike shops have half a wall covered in aftermarket fenders. What gives? They’re so useful that shops stocks dozens…yet they’re not always installed off the rack? With experience, I found that it depends not just on the type of … Read more
Ever forget to charge your lights, or trying to eke a few more minutes out of a super-low beam? Or remember to charge them…only to forget to put them back on before heading out the door? Bicycle dynamo lights take charging out of the equation. They also let you use headlight models with specially design … Read more
The choice of handlebars defines your riding experience more than any other single component. From leisurely cruiser bars to aero racing bars, there’s an incredible range, but they all broadly fall into three categories. Swept-back, drop, and flat bars are all used for multiple purposes. But for practical scenarios—like commuting—what are you going to happiest … Read more
This site talks plenty about gear because, let’s be real, it’s pretty cool. There is an endless array of neat stuff to check out. And when something is part of your daily life, it really is worth spending a bit to make it optimal. As I discussed here, a good city bike will cost at … Read more
These days, disc brakes are almost universal on mountain bikes, and quite common even on the lightest-weight road bikes. They’re gone from a bit of a luxury to a fairly standard part. But when anything gets that popular, it’s hard to tell fads from actual improvements. Here’s whether disc brakes are actually better on bikes? … Read more
