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
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 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
As a new commuter, choosing a bike can be overwhelming. There’s so much variety in bikes and components. It’s fun, but a lot to navigate. After all, anything that successfully gets you to and from work is a “commuter bike,” so this umbrella term covers an enormous variety. Good commuter bikes do have a few … Read more
With every new model year, a barrage of technology and marketing jargon promises a smoother, easier ride. But in reality, the easiest bike to ride isn’t so elusive or high-tech. In fact, you might already be familiar with the styles that practically guarantee an easy and altogether enjoyable ride. This is the easiest bike for … Read more
It takes all of 30 seconds on a major cycling website to realize that weight is a red-hot topic. When it’s light, it features prominently in every ad and product description. When it’s heavy…well, did we mention how cool this paint job is? It’s probably self-evident that light bikes are a great advantage in the … Read more
Cruisers are one of the most iconic bike styles ever devised. Very few others have the same power to conjure a whole scene in your head. But that doesn’t always translate to practicality… And as we’ll see, cruisers are fun to ride in the right setting, but downright tough in others. Here’s whether cruisers are … Read more
Fixed-gear bikes (“fixies”) are incredibly polarizing. To some, they’re cycling in its purist form. To others, they’re silly hipster masochism. But when the rubber meets the road, how difficult are they? And what’s the point? Here’s whether fixie bikes are hard to ride They’re hard to ride, especially if you’re used to bikes that can … Read more
