Product Reviews

As a passionate biker, I have never feared bad weather or rough terrains before taking on the longest road routes or a hilly trail. I am proud to say that along with my group of ardent bikers, we have covered some of the most challenging terrains, often in freezing cold weather.

So, what is it that keeps us going despite the hurdles that the weather and difficult route throws at us? Well, it’s the right cycling outfit and gear. In this post, we will talk about the best mountain bike pants for winter that form one of the most essential and protective garments for any bike rider.

The riding trousers or bike pants are not lycra tights, but they are often made from similar materials that shorts are made from to give you comfort with protection and warmth. In the past few years, the riding trousers have undergone a lot of change in terms of tailoring technique and fabric technology.

They are no more looked upon as something that is reserved only for the downhill racers. You can find bike pants for winter and also for wet trail ride (waterproof pants). The bike mountain pants are no more heavy, thick, or clunky. Instead, they are made of stretchy breathable fabrics, slimmer knee pads, and vents.

Beginners often think why do they need to invest in mountain bike pants. Why can’t they wear their regular thermals, lycra pants, or just regular jeans? Well, it just takes one ride or maybe two in cold weather wearing a simple leg warmer or regular trousers to realize that they are not the ideal solution.

 MTB pants not only provide the much needed extra warmth but also acts as the first layer of protection from the muddy pellets flung by the fast action of wheels. They also defend you against any fern burn or gravel rash in case you accidentally fall.

If you are in the market looking for that perfect mountain bike pants for cold weather, the wide range of options available are sure to confuse you. We have spent several hours reviewing dozens of cycling trousers for winter and comparing them to make it easier for you to find the right product.

Those who are in a hurry to place an order can go with our editor’s top pick Sobike NENK Winter Pants Men Cycling Pants. Mad from a double-layer synthetic material, superior breathable, windproof and waterproof outer layer, these pants are perfectly cut and tailored for bikers taking the mountain trails.

#1. INBIKE Winter Fleece Windproof Thermal Pants

When cold weather does not deter you from embarking on a biking trip on the mountains, equip yourself with superior quality bike trousers such … Read More

With the onset of Winter and Spring, going on a bike ride calls for preparing yourself well for an unexpected shower. The regular wind breaking pants may be able to keep you dry in a light shower but when it starts to pour, you really need something that can hold up.

Whether you use your bike for a recreational ride, mountain biking, or everyday commute to the office, who likes to arrive with soppy and drenched clothes. Equipped with the right outfit and equipment, you will not have any rainy day excuse to stay at home, but riding becomes more fun.

The best cycling pants for rain are ones that strike a perfect balance between keeping the rainwater out while ensuring that you don’t break into a sweat. They are made of breathable material that allows sweat to evaporate without letting your clothes get wet.

Pairing good-quality cycling pants with a waterproof jacket and rain cape ensures that your entire body is well-defended from the rain. It prevents the water from running from the jacket to soak your legs and also helps in keeping your torso dry and warm.

What Do We Recommend? Our Top Pick

While cycling pants are definitely useful for your comfort, they do not come cheap. Thus, you must do your homework well before choosing one. With so many products online, we know it’s not an easy process hence we have handpicked some of the top-rated products for you.

We have selected these products after evaluating the design, build, performance, customer reviews, and compare them with competitor products. Read on to find our unbiased and detailed reviews. If you don’t have the time to go through all reviews, we recommend the – Trailside Supply Men’s Snow Rain Pants for its ability to withstand higher rain pressure and still keep your dry within.

For women, we suggest the Pakka Womens by Mountain Warehouse. Made from fully waterproof yet breathable fabric that gives you protection and comfort rolled into one. They are also much easier to wear and gives you a perfect fit.

1. 4ucycling Windproof Athletic Pants for Outdoor and Multi Sports

Made from dual-layered synthetic material, this cycling pant from the house of 4ucycling is a professional athletic pant designed for the outdoor activities. It comprises of 75% polyester material for more comfort and water-repelling qualities. It keeps rain away without being too tight or clingy to your body. It also gives more flexibility and mobility to the riders. At the back, the material is composed of 85% polyester and 15% spandex. The pants are specifically engineered to provide extra cushioning and padding, with enhanced breathability to ensure that you don’t feel uncomfortably hot during your … Read More

What’s that one thing you crave for during a long biking trip? Cool water to boost your energy levels and refresh you…aah! Now imagine getting room temperature or worse lukewarm water when you are all hot and sweaty. Disgusting, isn’t it?

No wonder cycling is one of the most strenuous form of physical exercise. Whether you do casual biking or prefer mountain biking, the importance of staying hydrated cannot be emphasized enough. Besides keeping the energy level high and maintaining the right body temperature.

Studies show that when you don’t drink enough water while riding, it results in a decrease in performance. As you sweat, the body weight declines by 2% and this impacts a biker’s overall performance. When the body weight drops by 10%, you can experience heatstroke and circulatory collapse.

Thus, a water bottle is perhaps one of the most important things other than a reliable bike and properly fitting helmet. However, just any water bottle is not enough. On freezing days, a sip of cold water from the bottle can drastically bring your temperature down and make you sick.

Similarly on hot and humid days, you may want to refuel your energy levels with cold water or icy beverages. This is when you really need an insulated water bottle for cycling. They are designed to maintain the right water temperature – hot or cold, during your ride.

If you start looking for insulated water bottles, there are hundreds of options to confuse you. Relax and read on because our team has taken the stress out of decision making. We have tested, reviewed, and compared over a dozen products to help you choose the right one.

Features	Pro Bike Tool	Travel Kuppe	Polar Bottle	CamelBak	CILLE Bottle	R.M.Stone Bike
Weight	3.52 ounces	3.04 ounces	5.1 ounces	3.49 ounces	15.2 ounces	11.4 ounces
Capacity	24 oz	20 oz	20 oz	21 oz	24oz	16Oz
Insulation type	Double-wall	Double-wall	Double-wall	Double-wall	Double-wall	Double-wall
Material	Stainless steel	Stainless steel	Low-Density Polyethylene	Trutaste polypropylene	Stainless steel	ABS plastic, stainless steel
BPA-free	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dishwasher safe	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Lasts	NA	Up to 48 hours	Up to 24 hours	NA	Up to 24 hours	Up to 24 hours

Read on to find the detailed reviews and our buying guide at the bottom. For those who don’t have the time to read this until the end, we recommend the CILLE Water Bottles as they boast double-wall insulation and a capacity of 24oz. The beverages can also maintain their original temperature for up to 24 hours, which is highly commendable.

#1. Pro Bike Tool Insulated Bike Water Bottle

This double wall insulated water bottle comes from … Read More

When you spend hours a week on a bicycle or taking spin classes, you need a durable pair of shoes. Your footwear also needs to be comfortable and supportive. This review will cover four of the best shoes for men and another four pairs for women who like to ride bikes.

A good pair of cycling shoes requires a thick cushion for the heel. The correct insole can prevent foot and leg pain from repetitive impacts. The shoes need excellent arch support to keep the feet in proper form as you ride. Footwear also needs to hold up to lots of use with a tread that helps your feet stay on the pedals.

How you fasten your shoes might be important to you. You may want a pair with Velcro to minimize the number of times you have to stop to tie your laces. Others may prefer a tight lacing pair that they can snug up against the foot for extra support. We talk about a variety of shoes to give you plenty of choices.

If you are in a hurry to make a purchase for your next exercise class or marathon trail ride, then we suggest the Giro Berm Men’s Cycling Shoes, and for women, the Giro Petra VR Women’s Cycling Shoes. Giro makes shoes compatible with two-bolt cleats. These shoes are also light on your feet to prevent that dragging feeling you can get after wearing heavy shoes for long periods. The San Francisco company relies on over 35 years of experience to help them design and manufacture high-quality cycling shoes.

Comparing the Top Four Men’s and Top Four Women’s Regular Cycling Shoes

Men’s

Name	Size	Sole Material
1. Rockport Men’s Leader 2	12.6 x 7.8 x 4.8 inches	Synthetic Rubber
2. Giro Berm Men’s Cycling Shoes	11.42 x 8.46 x 4.33 inches	Rubber
3. Adidas Men’s Predator 20.4	11.4 x 7.8 x 4.3 inches	Rubber
4. Etnies Men’s Marana	11.81 x 7.87 x 1.97 inches	Rubber

Women’s

Name	Size	Sole Material
1. Louis Garneau	8.5 x 4.5 x 2.1 inches	Nylon and fiberglass
2. Giro Petra VR Women’s Cycling Shoes	10.4 x 8 x 3.9 inches	Rubber
3. PEARL IZUMI Women’s W X-alp	5 x 5 x 0.7 inches	Synthetic
4. Nike Women’s	11.7 x 7.9 x 4 inches	Rubber

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Rockport Men’s Leader 2 – Best Commuter Shoe for Men

When you travel around the city by day and head to the trails at night, a dual-purpose shoe is a necessity. The Rockport Men’s Leader 2 Shoes are sleek and comfortable. You can ride straight to the office without needing to carry an extra pair of shoes in your pack.

Cycling Shoe Benefits and Features

… Read More

For some people (including me), the iPhone is like our soul. It’s the virtual replica of us containing our identity, memories, important numbers, essential apps, maps, and so on. As we can’t imagine leaving them behind when embarking on a ride, it pays to invest in the best bike saddle for iPhone.

You may have that old pouch or backpack for stashing your essential stuff like credit cards, keys, cash, and even a patch kit, but it’s not the ideal place to keep your $1,000 iPhone. A smartphone that expensive demands a specially designed bag to keep it well protected and accessible at the same time.

Most professional riders avoid carrying too many things on their bike to avoid adding up the total weight that may compromise speed and riding comfort. So, most of the saddle bags are designed to accommodate your iPhone and a few essential items that you may need during a road trip.

We know that with so many different brands and models around, shopping for a bike saddle bag is not easy. So, our team has reviewed a plethora of bike bags based on various factors like weight, size, space available, ease of use, weather protection and so on.

If you don’t have the time to read till the end then we recommend that you choose ROCKBROS Bike Seat Bag (learn more) for road trips.  We love that it is sturdy, expandable, waterproof, and comes with a manufacturer’s lifetime warranty which makes it a risk-free investment.

For mountain biking, we suggest Topeak Aero Wedge Velcro Pack for its unique aerodynamics wedge shape. It has good reflective strips for visibility and a well-built exterior for rough terrains.

#1. BV Bicycle Y-Series Strap-On Bike Saddle Bagely

A serious biker needs a serious-looking bag and the BV Bicycle strap-on saddle bag fits the bill perfectly. This is the extra small size belonging to the BV Y-Series that also includes a large, medium, and small size. However, we have chosen the smallest size for carrying the iPhone and other stuff to ensure that we don’t increase the weight and still have the necessary items easily accessible at hand.

Although extra small in size, the saddle bag has sturdy and rugged exterior and soft interior to hold your iPhone, iPod shuffle, iPod Nano, and so on. It has an inner mesh pocket to store smaller items like snacks, keys, money, and so on. It has a zippered opening for quick and easy access, plus a taillight on the outside to enhance visibility at nighttime. It also comes with a sturdy elastic strap to securely hold the bag to the bike frame, preferably under the seat.

Product features and specifications

• Capacity 18.84

… Read More

Today you will find various brands dominating the bike tire market. As a result, it can be confusing to pick one with the right features that suit your purpose best. One topic of debate amongst bike enthusiasts is choosing between Continental Gatorskin and Continental Grand Prix 5000.

Both these brands provide premium quality tires ideal for high-paced bike usage. Continental manufactures its handmade tires in Germany and offers various features like puncture protection and increased rider comfort.

Continental Gatorskin is an older model manufactured since 2015, whereas Continental Grand Prix production started around 2018. Gatorskin weighs heavier at around 8.5 ounces than the lighter, 7.5 ounces of the Grand Prix. Even though Gatorskin is more puncture-resistant, it has a weaker static grip result. On the contrary, Grand Prix is more prone to punctures but has a fantastic static grip result.

Are you also unable to choose between Continental Gatorskin and Continental Grand Prix 5000? Read more to know about it.

Brief Introduction About Continental Tires

Continental made its first bike tire in 1871 and has been a pioneer in the biking industry ever since. Based out of Germany, Continental makes handmade tires suitable for rough terrains, gives higher mileage, and survives unexpected weather changes.

As a result, Continental is now the globally recognized brand preferred by professional and amateur bike riders. Utilizing new technologies, Continental has launched various tire series ideal for different purposes like puncture resistance, commute, and racing.

How to Choose the Best Tire for Your Bike?

When your old bike tires have gone through enough wear and tear, it’s time to replace them. But with different varieties of tires available in the market, it is easy to get confused. Two famous names in the market today are Gatorskin and Grand Prix 5000.

If you face any of the below-mentioned problems, you should start looking for new tires.

• Tire distortion
• Cracked rubber on sidewalls
• Presence of thread pattern on sidewalls
• Wear indicators are disappearing
• Presence of tiny slits or cuts on the tire surface
• More flats than usual

But before you go forward with the purchase, here are a few points you should keep in mind.

• Tire Size – Note down the correct tire size from the sidewall of the existing tire. If the tires are not the same size, they will not fit the bike. For example – If the number printed is 2.2 27.5″, your mountain bike requires tires of width 2.2″ and outer diameter 27.5″.
• Tread Pattern – The correct tread pattern will help you easily navigate various terrains and improve the bike’s grip. Usually, road bikes have no treads or subtle grooved patterns. On the other hand, mountain bikes have knob patterns.
• Tire Carcass and TPI – TPI stands

… Read More

People with bicycles that have 20-inch wheels often wonder if there’s a bike trainer stand that can accommodate that size. While most trainer stands are designed to fit in 24-inch wheels, if you own a BMX such as a BKOOL, CycleOps, or Elite with 20-inch wheels then your options are limited.

Well, the good thing is that – yes, there are several manufacturers that make bike trainer stands for 20-inch wheels and some come with adapters to enable small wheel size to fit. You just need to be careful in your search and choose correctly.

We know it’s easier said than done with a wide range of options available, so our team has taken the pressure off you. After spending several hours reviewing the products online, our team has handpicked the top four to narrow down your search.

Keep reading to find the unbiased and detailed reviews of this bike trainer stands below. If you are too busy to read until the end, we suggest that you go with – ELITE Qubo Fluid Home Trainer 2016 (see Amazon) that embraces cutting edge technology for the fitness enthusiasts, and can be used by both amateurs and professional trainers.

Product Names	Weight	Resistance
#1. ELITE Qubo Fluid Home Trainer 2016	26.3 Pounds	Fluid	See Price
#2. Kinetic by Kurt Rock and Roll Smart 2 + Kinetic Wheel Adapter	47 pounds	Fluid	See Price
#3. LUCKFY Indoor Bike Trainer Stand	24 pounds	Magnetic	See Price
#4. Gets Bicycle Indoor Trainer Stand	19.84 pounds	Magnetic	See Price

#1. ELITE Qubo Fluid Home Trainer 2016

This fluid home bike trainer stand comes from the Elite Force and it appears to be a more simple and powerful roll. It also comes with a large steering wheel that provides a high level of resistance for optimum workout performance even at low speed.

The qubo casting unit and resistance projected on the fluid technology allows users to train with high speed, while at the same time stimulate the real road-like behavior. It can easily adapt to wheels that come with a diameter ranging between 20 to 29 inches.

When not in use, the trainer stand can be easily folded and kept away. The elastogel -lock fast fixing lets you adjust your desired angle while reducing noise by 505 and tire wear by 20 percent. This trainer can be used by both professional and amateur cyclists.

Product Features

• Simple and powerful roller
• Great steering wheel
• Elastogel -lock fast fixing
• Quick and easy folding
• High levels of resistance
• 50% less noise
• 20% less tire wear

User/ Customer reviews

Those who have bought the product are extremely happy with their purchase as it offers cutting edge innovation at their disposal. Users are … Read More

If you are passionate about cycling like us, then you can’t start your day without it even when the weather outside is bad or your health condition prevents you from going outdoors. The best option, in this case, is inevitably the bike trainer stand for 24-inch wheels.

Besides fulfilling your desire of going for a nice ride, a bike trainer stand also gives you the freedom to exercise at any time you want in the comfort of your home. When done correctly, it can turn out to be one of the best workouts in a highly-controlled environment.

For a 24-inch bicycle, you will need a trainer stand that can perfectly accommodate the 24-inch wheels. The stands are made of a frame, and a clamp used to hold the bike securely. It is also used to provide the right amount of resistance when you mount the bike on the trainer.

So, if you are in the market to find that perfect bike trainer stand, expect to feel perplexed with a wide range of options available. There are so many brands and models available online that choosing that perfect one can be a tough task, but don’t lose hope.

Our team understands your predicament, hence we have done the homework for you. We have spent hours to scour the Internet and find the top-rated bike trained stands that fit 24-inch bikes after careful analysis and comparisons. 

Read on to find our complete and unbiased reviews of each product. If you are too busy to read until the end, we suggest that you go with our top pick – ELITE Novo Force Home Trainer that uses magnetic resistance to power your workouts and comes with Elastogel Roller to reduce noise by 50 percent.

Product Names	Max Resistance	Resistance Type
#1. ELITE Novo Force Elastogel Home Trainer 2016	n/a	Magnetic	See Price
#2. Saris CycleOps Magnetic and Magnetic Plus Indoor Bike Trainer + Saris CycleOps Wheel Adapter	n/a	Magnetic	See Price
#3. Kinetic by Kurt Road Machine Smart Bike Trainer + Kinetic Wheel Adapter	1400 watts at 35 mph	Fluid	See Price
#4. Kinetic by Kurt Rock and Roll Smart 2 + Kinetic Wheel Adapter	1800 watts at 30 mph	Fluid	See Price

#1. ELITE Novo Force Elastogel Home Trainer 2016

When you wish to work out like a professional right at home, we recommend the ELITE Novo Force Elastogel Home Trainer (see price). It houses a compact magnetic resistance unit that features 8 levels of resistance for different people. The Elastogel Roller improves grip, reduces 50% noise and 20% tire wear.

The Elite Trainer comes with a sturdy frame that easily adapts to wheel sizes ranging from 24 inches to 29 … Read More