Road Cycling Blog

The main problems of bicycle riding

Increasingly bicycle riding is an option that provides more people as a means of transport. Many bikes circulating large cities and small towns and villages. We inform you on how to maintain them. It riding a bicycle around town is becoming an option that includes more and more people. There are many advantages: simple, cheap, no spent fuel and does not pollute. We offer tips for good maintenance.

It riding a bicycle around town is becoming an option that includes more and more people. There are many advantages: simple, cheap, no spent fuel and does not pollute. We offer tips for good maintenance.

The main problems of bicycle riding
Although increasing the use of bicycles, to gradually generates awareness and habit of this transport is more widespread. In large cities, it is often not easy coexistence among all circulating it: bicycles , pedestrians, motorists, buses, cars … A van slowly enabling spaces to promote the use of bicycles , and it is half practical, economical transportation, it does not consume and does not pollute the environment. However, for the bikes there are still drawbacks are gradually resolving thing, but in many cases may represent a risk when circular:

Continue reading “The main problems of bicycle riding”

How do you keep a bike?

Here are tips and interesting recommendations so you can keep a bike and further enhance your safety and that of your vehicle when you ride on the road. Let’s look carefully each and every one of these tips. We present three different blocks.

Tips for keeping a bike

Periodic maintenance of bicycles.The periodicity’s up to you and will relate to the use that will give your bike. Did you use every day? How many kilometers do? For that you use? Is road, mountain, city? It is important that you can ask yourself all these questions that will help you decide how regularly apply these tips.
Before leaving home.Have you checked the tire pressure? These and other questions will warn you of the most important aspects that can not be neglected before heading out on your bike.
When you come home.Has Messed bicycle much? Do not forget to wash it and leave it ready for the next day.

Periodic maintenance of bicycles

We can not ignore that the bicycle is a means of transport and is an object that requires a certain care. In the same way that a car or motorbike must make them eg periodic washing, bicycles do not have to be different. As you test your car battery, you must check the status of bicycle chain. There go point by point the recommendations we offer so you can keep the bike: Continue reading “How do you keep a bike?”

Ideas for decorating bike

Decorating bike is a great activity to keep busy on weekends or during warm summer days. If your child wants to participate in a contest for decoration or just around the neighborhood wearing a good set of wheels, there are many fun and exciting ways to help you dress your bike.

Favorite Sports Team

If you do not mind the decor is permanent or not later remove easily, you can paint the bike in the company of your child using the colors of your team sports favorite. With a little time and patience, it is good idea to try to paint the team logo in a visible place.

Decals or stickers

The decals and stickers are found almost anywhere; They are cheap, easy to use and in general; a great idea to decorate with younger children. Continue reading “Ideas for decorating bike”

Do You Need Insurance For Your Bike Tour?

A lot of people don’t have insurance on their bikes for when they are at home, using home insurance floaters where possible or just hoping the measures they have taken to prevent bicycle theft are going to be enough. If you are planning a biking holiday or tour, though, you may be wondering if you should consider insurance above and beyond regular travel insurance.

Photo by Alexander Komlik

How Extreme is Cycling?

While you may think of cycling as a relatively safe activity to base your vacation around, or even a sedate one if you aren’t planning to push yourself too hard and just want to enjoy some nice scenery from two wheels, many insurers do not see it this way. While if you were going to be touring on a motorbike you would consider insurance an absolute essential and look for a policy that covered your needs as a biker, as a cyclist the risks may seem less significant. Many travel insurance policies do however list cycling as being up there with activities that would certainly be considered far more dangerous, like skiing or diving – basically considering it an extreme sport. Continue reading “Do You Need Insurance For Your Bike Tour?”

Interesting Facts About The History Of The Bike – Infographic

Did you know that the first ever electric bike was invented before 1900? This is just one of the really interesting facts that are presented in this infographic, together with a short history of the bike.

The next time you ride on your bike, no matter what that bike may be, think about the long history it has and the various style changes that it had. There are various things that you most likely do not know about the bike and you will learn them in the infographic. It is a guarantee that you will like many of the details that are presented.

Five Ways to Avoid Ruining Your Bike!

We are seemingly bombarded by all the things we ought to be doing to our bikes to help them last longer – I’m as guilty as anyone else! And if I were to try to turn all of those into a Friday Five topic – well, it would take weeks!

So let’s make it simple: What should you not do? Give these a try:

Don’t wash with pressurized water. Yeah, you could just keep it on the frame and try not to get it near any bearing sets (the pressure can blow past the seals and flush out the grease); but let’s be realistic: it is safer not to use it at all. Soapy water on a sponge like you’re washing a car or my favorite – Simple Green – are good alternatives.
At the same time – don’t forget to clean it. A clean bike is a happy bike. At least wipe it down once in a while to remove dust and grease. Dry it off after a wet ride. Clean and lube the chain from time to time.

Don’t go too long between tune ups. I know – we’re all on a budget these days – money is tight and we all go without some things. But, some periodic and predictable maintenance is easier to budget around than going too long and receiving a BIG repair bill because you’ve worn out all your components and they need to be replaced.
Don’t neglect your tires. Where all the action happens – its a wonder some of us pay as much attention to them as we do. Inspect them from time to time – look for cuts, threads, missing or worn tread (here’s a quick photo guide of a few things to take notice of) all of these are signs that your tires need replacement. They might need to be inflated more often than you think too! Continue reading “Five Ways to Avoid Ruining Your Bike!”

Basic Tips for Cycling Safety

As my safety month comes to a close; I thought a post from some industry associates in Colorado was apropos. I hope you enjoy as I let them weigh in on the issue… Today we will cover brief information about Basic Tips for Cycling Safety.

In an effort to stay physically active, more people than ever are beginning to reap the benefits of cycling. Although cycling is a very exciting way to exercise, the rider must contend with potentially dangerous obstacles such as passing traffic and environmental hazards. Here are some important safety tips to keep in mind when commuting via a bike.

Stay visible
It is of the utmost importance that every cyclist stays visible at all times. Wearing extremely bright clothing is a great way to alert inattentive motorists. Never ride a bike without first installing the appropriate reflectors.

Inspect the bike before hitting the road
Although a traditional bike is not equipped with a motor, it stills needs to be properly maintained. Some of the most important things to do before heading out include checking the tire pressure, inspecting the chain, and testing the brakes. It is also advisable to keep a tire repair kit on hand during the journey. Continue reading “Basic Tips for Cycling Safety”

Top Tips for Cycling on a Budget

Cycling as a rule is a great activity that can entertain whole families on the weekend for no cost at all. However, they costs that are involved with getting set up with a bike can come at a price that can daunt even the biggest cycling enthusiasts. However, where there is a will there is a way and you can get yourself cycling for a much better price than you may have originally thought.

Bikes on Sale

Getting a new bike that is great quality and brand new can be hard to find at an affordable price. However, the best way to find something in that category is to check out what is on sale at your local bike store. Buying bikes from a professional bike store during sales is going to get you a higher quality, safer product than if you were to buy at a large general retail store of which a few cheap bikes sit between the kids toy section and outdoor living. Many cheap bikes are of poor quality, durability and therefore poor safety. It is also unlikely that there would be any staff in the large general stores that can help you to choose a bike that is appropriate for your size, weight and cycling needs (that’s if they have a bike that meets your needs at all!).

A professional bike store is a guaranteed way to get yourself a high quality bike with the advice of a knowledgeable staff member. Often there will be bikes on sale that are a great price tag for the quality of the product you are buying. Dropping into your local bike store regularly is a great way to keep up with what is on sale and knowing what you want will help you to make that great purchase as soon as the sale sign hits the handle bars. Continue reading “Top Tips for Cycling on a Budget”

Tips for any early morning fall ride though

Five things you should have done on your 6:00 a.m., 37 F degree, rainy ride back from the auto service center after dropping off your car.

I was reminded of all of these things yesterday morning… 🙂 These are actually good tips for any early-morning fall ride though.Thought I’d share.

Pump your tires up the night before – ’cause you know you don’t have time in the morning.
Wear the winter wind-proof scull cap that covers your ears and not the euro-chic cycling cap. Regardless of how tough you think you are – it’s cold out there!
Wear the wind-proof gloves too. It may be a short ride, but your hands will get cold.

Charge your headlight battery the night before – having your light begin to run low on juice near the end of the ride is not luck; it’s poor planning.
Take your own advice and just do your pre-ride check the night before. I mean come on, Matt – you’re smarter than that! 🙂

Continue reading “Tips for any early morning fall ride though”

Five Myths About Bicycle Maintenance

There are a lot of little maxims, guidelines, and rules-of-thumb out there about taking care of your bike. Some of them are founded in mechanical truth and good to go by (maybe that could be another “Friday Five”…) while others are founded in perception and ought to be ignored or forgotten.

Here are five that fall into the latter category based on my years at the repair stand in 3 major bike shops and now my own operation. Enjoy:

1. New Chains need re-adjustment after a few rides due to “stretch”.

Chains do stretch. I’ve covered that before in a few places on the blog. (Here, and here) However, the stretch is slow – or slow-ish depending on the conditions you ride in and your maintenance habits. I have found that occasionally a chain will settle in a little and develop a slight amount of lateral flexibility it may not have had out of the box which may contribute to a change in shifting behavior. This settling may require some slight tweaks to the shift cable tension.

More likely is this scenario: often when you get a new chain installed at a shop – they probably also recommend new cables. This is a great maintenance move as cables are inexpensive and hold a great deal of influence over your shifting performance. However, new cables do stretch and cable housing and ferrules will compress and settle within the first few rides. This will influence your bike’s shifting behavior far more and is likely what you’re experiencing and what needs adjustment.

2. Rotating your tires is a smart way to make them last longer.

True, but not necessarily the best practice. Here’s the details: More of your body weight is usually focused over the rear tire. This coupled with the fact that the rear tire bears all of the motivation duties means that there is a tremendous amount more strain on the rear tire than the front causing it to wear more quickly. Many who have observed this have thought: “I’ll just let it wear about half way and then swap the front to the back and vise-versa to even things out.” This will help both tires last longer; but it is not a good idea. Continue reading “Five Myths About Bicycle Maintenance”