Cycling Tips

Nothing beats a road bike when it comes to speed, agility, and handling tight curves. On the other hand, you might find more adventure on gravel roads. Some paths can give you that feeling of freedom that comes with being off the beaten path.

Can a road bike go on gravel? In general, yes. There’s no need to feel limited on where you can take your road bike. Whether you’re new to road cycling or an experienced racer, gravel riding is something you shouldn’t necessarily avoid.

You might have doubts about whether your road bike can handle gravel roads. Don’t trade in your road bike just yet. Gravel roads are often less-traveled, which can make for a safer ride in many cases.

Which gravel roads are safe for road bikes? These are usually roads with small- to medium-sized pebbles that are well packed and minimally loose. The main concern for road bikes is their tires, which don’t do quite as well on loose gravel.

Tips for Taking a Road Bike on Gravel

Plan your route. Know where you’re going and have an idea of the nature of the roads you’ll be riding. Will there be extremely loose gravel in some spots? Consider driving the route before you tackle it on a bike. On your ride, be sure to bring a map or a phone with GPS capability.

Look for “rails-to-trails.”

Many bike-safe gravel roads include “rails to trails” paths where gravel trails replace old railroad lines. Most of these paths are very bike-friendly and well maintained.

Look for smooth tracks

As you ride the gravel road, look for surfaces worn down by vehicular traffic. Some of these tracks will seem as smooth as asphalt. Follow these lines as much as possible.

Keep your eyes on the road

Use extra care because your road bike won’t handle gravel as well as a mountain or cyclocross bike. In addition to loose gravel, watch for potholes and larger rocks. Don’t forget to scan the road up ahead for smooth tracks, traffic, or potential hazards.

Heck your speed

If you’re inexperienced with gravel roads, slow down. Take time to decide how fast you can go on gravel. Once you’re comfortable with your pace, keep a constant speed. If the pebbles get as wide as your tires, it’s time to slow down.

Watch out for curves

Even on well-traveled roads with lots of smooth tracks, gravel will be looser and piled up around turns. When approaching a curve, slow down, follow a smooth surface, is possible, and don’t lean into the curve as you would on a paved road.

Slow down for intersections

You should always stop for a stop sign or red light. Also, … Read More

You’re new enough to cycling that you wonder how far your bike’s tires can take you. Fortunately, today’s article thoroughly addresses that important issue.

Commonly, budding bicycle riders ask, “How long do road bike tires last?” The answer is, in fact, complex. In general, you can expect your tires to cover between 1,000 and 3,000 miles. To reach the top of that range, you must invest in premium tires.

As you dive deeper into this subject, remember that several variables play roles in a bike tire’s lifespan. Continue reading for a fuller explanation.

Your Mileage Will Vary

When properly inflated, the typical, well-made road cycling tire will support about six months of rides. On average, that’s 2,500 miles. So, in general, your tires will last you a couple thousand miles.

Keep in mind that your mileage will vary. Factors like the type of tire, its quality and how hard you ride play a part in a road tire’s lifespan.

Now, let’s explore some tips to help you wisely choose your next set of road bike tires.

Tips for Finding the Right Road Bike Tires for You

1. Quality Matters

Please consider the well-known adage that says, “You get what you pay for.” With that in mind, we urge you not to shop for road tires based principally on price.

If you put price first, the quality of the tires you purchase will likely be insufficient.

Your ride quality relies on your tires’ quality, so make price a secondary consideration, and smile if you happen to catch a sale. Otherwise, the answer to the question of how long road bike tires last will be not long!

2. Your Riding Style Plays a Role

As you evaluate potential cycling tire life, remember that the way you ride is a factor.

Are you a hard rider? Do you push relentlessly, or do you cruise for half of your miles? When obstacles appear, do you always dodge them, or do you hop onto concrete medians and plow over road debris?

If you ride hard, expect your tires to give up the ghost a tad early.

3. Your Body Style Matters, Too

Think about a rider with a petite physique. Now, mentally compare that image to one of a rider who is extra large.

Which of those two riders will be rougher on tires? The answer is based on physics. A larger person will naturally apply more force to their pedals and, ultimately, their tires.

Therefore, if you are bigger than average, expect to wear out your tires sooner than a smaller rider might.

4. Think about Where You Ride

While we’re weighing rider size and related variables, remember that where you ride matters, too.… Read More

Close your eyes and think about a professional cyclist. What are the things that come to your mind? A person wearing a cycling helmet, padded gloves, bright jersey, tight shorts, glasses, and shoes riding on a bike. So, you see a jersey is an inevitable part of a serious cyclist’s attire.

Despite that, to wear or not to wear a cycling jersey has remained one of the most debated topics in the cycling community. A section of the community feels there’s no need to invest in a jersey that may cost $50 to $100 or even more when cycling can be done in a $10 t-shirt.

Well, we have all done that – cycling in our old t-shirts and shirts, haven’t we? So, what’s the point in getting a cycling jersey? Is it just a style statement or something more than that? If you ask me, I went around cycling in the neighborhood wearing t-shirts as a boy but when I took it as a serious sport, a cycling jersey it had to be.

It doesn’t require someone with an extraordinary IQ level to understand that regular loose-fitting clothes flap in the wind and offer more resistance. They irritate your skin and even make you pedal much harder. With a well-fitting jersey, you can reduce the wind resistance and protect your skin from chafing.

They offer a lot more advantages and the jerseys come in different types of fabric, styles, and designs to choose from. If you are still looking for reasons to throw that old cotton t-shirt back into a drawer and grab a cycling jersey instead, then read on.

Benefits Of Wearing A Cycling Jersey

#1. Sweat Resistance

When you ride a bicycle, you sweat a lot and the plain polyester fabric that most t-shirts are made of do nothing to ease off the discomfort, plus they don’t breathe. As your regular t-shirt starts soaking in the sweat, it gets heavier and impacts your pedaling performance. Having sweat run down the arms, armpits, and waist can be an irritating experience on top of that.

Cycling jerseys like this, on the other hand, are made of moisture-wicking fabric. They may contain polyester but they are technically designed to absorb moisture from skin. Some of the sweat-resistant fabrics include polyester and lycra composite; rayon; cotton and lycra composite.

Some brands of cycling jerseys are made from sweat-absorbing fabric instead of sweat repelling. They constitute of Quick Dry technology to keep the wearer comfortable.

#2. UV Resistance

If you ride in a hot and humid region, your skin is constantly exposed to the harmful ultraviolet rays that can have damaging long-term effects. Thankfully, there are UV-resistant jerseys that can protect … Read More

A road bike does not offer a lot of storage space, yet you need to be prepared for the unforeseen like a flat tire, loose bolt, or broken chain. What if there’s no bike repair shop nearby and you need to cover a long distance. You would require tools to help you quickly fix and repair your bike for an uninterrupted ride.

We all always been in situations when we get stuck in a problem and repent not having that one tool in the gearbox. For the starters, you will always need water and maybe food depending upon the distance, weather condition, and the type of road.

As an owner of a bike blog and a passionate cyclist myself, I am often asked about various coaching and bike riding questions. One of the most frequently asked questions by both beginners and experienced roadies is ‘what essential tools to carry on-road bike?’ In most cases, people already have a few things in their mind but they are constantly worried about missing some important things out.

If that sounds like you then you have come to the right place. Before going over to the list of essential tools you need to carry in order to overcome any adverse circumstances, let’s take a look at some basic requirements. These are things you must always carry with you when stepping out of the house, regardless of whether you are going to the grocery store or for a long ride.

Basic Things To Carry On A Road Bike

Always remember to carry your mobile phone because it’s not only useful to call for help but also shows the location, direction, and map. On a long trip, a mobile phone can tell you about the nearest bike repair shop. Other things include house keys, bike lock keys, insurance card, credit card (optional), some cash, and an ID card (photocopy of the license).

We suggest that you carry all these stuff in a small plastic bag and stuff it inside your jersey pocket. When you start venturing on longer rides that typically take 2 to 4 hours on the roads, you will need to carry some essential tools/ items with you. Read on to find a checklist of the most important things you will need.

9 Essential Tools To Keep In Your Road Bike

#1. Spare Tube

A seemingly fine and healthy tire can go flat in the middle of the road. If you don’t have the time to identify the puncture and patch it up, consider carrying a spare tube with you. The puncture can be taken care of any other time. Changing a tube is comparatively easier and you only need two tire levers to … Read More

Whether you are a professional or casual bike rider, you have probably resorted to wearing a cap, hat or visor under a helmet at some point. It seems logical after all! A hat or cap helps in absorbing the sweat in summer, gives warmth in winter, and saves your eyes from raindrops when it pours. However, the purists don’t seem to agree with this theory and think differently.

So, the question is – can you wear a hat under a bike helmet? Well, the quick and short answer is No. A non-profit organization for bike helmet safety information has clearly warned against it. As per the Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute, a helmet should snugly fit the skull and anything coming between the head and the helmet can compromise with the rider’s safety.

When a cyclist wears a cap, hat, sweatband or anything, the thickness (no matter how negligible) makes the helmet sit a bit higher on the head, than it’s supposed to be. It may come in the way of a snug and secure fit, leaving some area of your head not covered properly. As a serious biker, you must ensure that the helmet stays leveled and covers your forehead.

When the helmet does not sit properly, there are chances it may come off at the time of an accident and pose potential injury risks. A visor or hat under the inner harness may push the helmet higher on your head, thus expose your brain in case of a fall. Besides wearing a hat, this also applies to cyclists wearing a head scarf, beaded braid, accessories or fancy hairstyles under a bike helmet.

The Perfect Bike Helmet Fit

A bike helmet is not a styling accessory! It has a serious purpose and that is to protect your head against any impact in case of an accident. A properly fitting helmet sits evenly leveled on your head with a fit snug enough to stay in its place without causing any discomfort. With a plethora of different helmet sizes and adjustable straps, it’s easier to fine-tune that perfect fit.

The bike helmets come in both adult and kid sizes, along with extra small and large sizes. Some cyclists believe that getting a slightly bigger helmet to fit over a hat, cap, or visor is a good trick to get away with wearing one. Please bear in mind that any size of a helmet that sits too high over your head with extra bulk in between will be ill-fitting.

Alternatives For Hat

Cyclists who prefer having a cap or hat to protect their scalp from the heat or sweat, there are other good alternatives available that will not compromise with safety. Bald riders may … Read More

Initially we only had the road bicycles and then the mountain bikes were born! Today, we have a specific style of bicycle to handle every possible type of terrain. It takes no scientist to understand that pavements and mountain trails are different surfaces with unique characteristics that need a specialized bike.

Road bikes boast over a century of racing heritage in human history, while the mountain bikes were invented much later. The latter comprises of a large share of the cycling market, and they come in a wide range of styles and builds to handle the toughest terrains. 

So, if you are planning to get a new bike then it’s not going to be an easy decision. While there are a plethora of styles available, the two most competing ones are road and mountain bikes. While you get agility and speed in one, the other gives you more power and a sense of adventure.

Which is better of the two and which one would you choose? Are you someone who uses a bicycle for commuting daily or you prefer mountain biking in the wild on weekends? Before that, let’s take a closer look at both these styles.

Features	Road Bike	Mountain Bike
Purpose	Commuting, Recreation	Sport, recreation
Terrain	Paved roads	Rough and bumpy
Types	Aero, Endurance, Ultralight	Hardtail, XC Full suspension, Gravity
Wheels/ tires	Narrow and thin, up to 26 inches diameter	Wider and thick, up to 29 inches diameter
Speed (average)	30 mph	25 mph
Handlebars	Drop design	No drop design
Traction	Less traction	Greater traction
Suspension	No	Front, rear suspension

Road Bikes

Also referred to as a racing bike or 10-speed bike (although today we have 18-speed bikes too), these bicycles are lightweight and built for speed. The narrow and agile tires roll with great speed on smooth surfaces and pavements to help you cover more distances, using less effort in less time.

With advance features and upgrades, modern road cycles have come a long way. The disc-brake version is much popular these days and some brands also offer special women bikes (see Amazon). The handlebars, saddle height and so on in the women bikes are perfectly suited as per female anatomy.

Sub-Classification Of Road Bikes

For a beginner, road cycles may seem to be just one type, but once you get to know it better, you realize there are so many sub-classifications of the same. The difference in build, comfort, speed, and endurance also impacts the overall cost of the bikes.

Aero

These aerodynamics road bikes feature wing-shaped elongated frame tubes and wheels to defy the drag to a bare minimum. The cycle’s geometrical makeup allows the body and hand positioning of the rider to change … Read More

Many new riders ask about the differences between the road bike and its distant cousin, the mountain bike. It can be confusing, so let’s take a look.

The real question is, are road bikes harder to ride than mountain bikes? The answer is, it all depends. For example, it is much more difficult negotiating rugged terrain than it is a smooth road surface.

But if you turn this idea on its head and ride that same road bike up to Pikes Peak in Colorado, you begin to realize the challenge a road bike can offer, despite its advantages.

So, what are the advantages and diadvantages of a road bike?

1. The weight is much lighter than a mountain bike, at least for now

Higher-end road bikes, such as the Pinarello Dogma F12, use carbon fiber composite frames to make these racing machines weigh next to nothing, which is a vital attribute during the last leg of a long mountain climb.

There is debate within the cycling community whether carbon fiber can hold up as well as standard alloys. Still, science has debunked the myth of its inferiority in recent years.

As a result, more of the top-line manufacturers of mountain bikes are jumping on the bandwagon of carbon fiber technology. The race to make the lightest bike is on, and the gap between the road bike and its rugged mountain counterpart is closing. The fact that the disparity in weight is being relieved by superior technology could eventually result in novice riders opting to go off-road instead of hitting the pavement.

2. Street tires on road bikes are designed for speed

The narrower tires on a road bike have a smaller contact patch, meaning less of the tire contacts the pavement and therefore creates less resistance between the tire and the road. The advantage of this is being able to realize greater speeds, not only downhill, but around corners.

The main disadvantage of the narrower tire is that you have less control, especially at speeds over 27MPH. Many competitive cyclists know the pain of having their bike slide out from under them around a sharp turn at the bottom of a long downhill.

Mountain bikes have less of a problem with handling since the tires are wider and have a larger contact patch. The added grip allows the rider to control the bike more easily down steep hills and around corners.

But if the road cyclist is willing to give up some speed for added control, there is a solution. By increasing the tire width by only a few millimeters, ride comfort and handling are increased, while only sacrificing a minimal amount of potential speed.

3. … Read More

Strong leg muscles enable cyclists to pedal harder and faster. This is important for increasing speed and successfully cycling through the difficult sections of the course.

The popularity of cycling is steadily increasing. Numerous cyclists have asked if muscles can be built by cycling. The answer is yes. Cycling can be used to effectively build leg muscles. The two main muscles targeted are the hamstrings and quadriceps.

When riding a bicycle, the hamstrings and quadriceps perform most of the work while pedaling. The soleus and gastrocnemius muscles in the calf are also impacted. There are specific techniques for building muscle while cycling.

Cycling Techniques for Building Muscle

Cyclists can increase the rate at which muscle is built by using a variety of different techniques. Some of the best and most frequently used techniques are defined below.

Standing While Riding

Cyclists who sit while riding will not build a lot of muscle. Sitting not offer enough resistance while pedaling. The most common result is increasing endurance, toning up and strengthening the muscles.

In order to really build muscle, one of the best techniques is standing while cycling as opposed to sitting. The weight of the body increases the level of resistance to provide a great workout, especially for the calf muscles.

The best option is beginning with a slow ride, staying in the standing position and gradually raising up the heels. This will apply extra weight on the down-stroke, while creating additional resistance for the upstroke.

The added tension and weight will help the cyclist build muscle. Starting slowly is important to help ensure the cyclist does not become imbalanced, leading to a potential fall.

Monitoring Cadence

When cycling, cadence is the rate at which the cyclist is turning the pedals or the number of times the crank is turned per minute. Cadence is extremely important for the development of leg muscles.

Once the cyclist determines their peak cadence, cycling can be adjusted to ensure peak power levels are achieved. The cyclist needs to begin by determining their natural cadence in accordance with their level of fitness.

This simply means the cadence the cyclist achieves when cycling smoothly at peak power levels. For the majority of cyclists, this is between 90 to 100 RPMs.

Riding Uphill

Building muscles cycling on flat surfaces is difficult because there is not enough resistance. The best option is cycling uphill as much as possible. Gravity will force the body to use the leg muscles a lot more.

Once the muscles are no longer in a comfort zone, cycling against the added resistance will result in muscle growth. Cycling uphill forces the body and bike to fight the resistance. This is an excellent way to build … Read More

If you are a beginner in cycling or wish to start riding soon, then congrats for a decision you will be proud of.  At this stage, you are probably wondering whether cycling is for you and let me tell you that the higher odds are it is! You will not only build your stamina, strength, and fitness but also improve your mental and psychological health.

A common question during this time is ‘how long should a beginner cyclist ride’. Well, there is no exact answer because every individual has different levels of fitness, stamina, and skills. On average, we suggest 30 minutes of daily cycling using a beginner’s road bike at moderate speed. You may then try and increase the speed to 45 minutes as you increase your stamina. 

If you plan on using a bike to commute to college or work then you don’t have much choice because you will want to cover that fixed distance. For those who wish to start cycling to improve fitness, lose fat, or for recreation purpose then there’s no fixed limit. However, we suggest that you avoid over-exerting your body as this can be bad for your health.

Each Cycle And Cyclist Is Different

You should also consider the amount of beating your bike can take. Not all bicycles are equal. Some are built to cover longer distances in the smooth and clean city roads, but they can’t fare well in the rough terrains. Mountain bikes, on the other hand, are designed to take on the rough, rocky, and bumpy roads with equal ease.

As a beginner, cycling may feel a little overwhelming but as you get comfortable you will realize there’s so much adventure in store. In this post, I am going to share some useful tips that will make riding less stressful and more fun for beginners. Later in the article, I will also explain how you can boost your stamina, improve your speed and increase the distance you cover.

Beginner Tips That Make Cycling More Fun

#1. Adjust the seat height

A new cycle comes with default settings that need to be adjusted based on your requirements. If you get pain on your knees from cycling then probably the seat is too low and your knees under-extend while pedaling. A wrong saddle height can not only cause pain in the knees but also put you at risk for potential injury.

You will know you’ve got the right height when your knee bends slightly when you are at the bottom of the pedal stroke. The pedal movements should not rock your pelvis area. If you still can’t figure out the right height, take your cycle to a local bike shop and … Read More