Rachel Lee

Believe it or not, toe clip pedals have been around since the late 1890s.

People have been using toe clips to stabilize and secure their feet on the pedals of road bikes for (literally) more than 100 years. They offer a lot more safety, a lot more stability, and a lot more security than you would have gotten out of “flat” pedals – and all of that translates to a smoother ride, a speedier ride, and a lot more confidence every time you pedal your bike.

At the same time, not all toe clips are created equal.

Some of the best toe clips can be used even when you are wearing casual shoes, whereas others require you to wear specialty “cyclist only” shoes that lock it into position, provide a lot of extra grip and security, and really help you become one with the bike in a way that would have been tough to do otherwise.

The trick is finding the right toe clip pedals for your needs, especially if you are going to be adding these to a road bike you already love to ride.

You’ll want to find some that are lightweight, durable, and extra secure while still being a pleasure to pedal – even when you aren’t wearing shoes specifically designed to cycle in (unless you want to bring other shoes with you in a backpack, for example).

But that’s why we have put together this quick guide.

Below we highlight six of the best toe clip pedal options you’ll find on the planet today.

All of these top choices have been carefully selected because of their build quality, the design and engineering that went on behind the scenes to create these pedals, and the results that they produce.

A little bit later we’ll get into a couple of key things you want to focus on when choosing any new toe clip pedal as well as tackle some of the frequently asked questions new cyclists have about this aftermarket upgrade.

Let’s jump right in!

Editor’s Choice – YBEKI Bike Pedals with Clips and Straps

Our Six Favorite Toe Clip Pedals for Road Bikes in 2020

#1. Venzo Shimano SPD Pedals with Toe Clips

The beautiful thing about these toe clip pedals in specifically is how versatile they are compared to a lot of the other options on the market right now.

For starters, these toe clip pedals work just as well on road bikes as they do on spin bikes and even on mountain bikes. You’re going to be able to attach these pedals to pretty much any bike you own (quickly and efficiently), keeping the pedal experience consistent across the board – something that’s tough to … Read More

You are here indicates that you’re concerned about the feeling of perennial numbness below the belt after a long bike ride. Let’s talk about balls today, yeah a sensitive topic for sure but almost every guy who enjoys cycling feels the bouts of numbness, acute testicular pain, and saddle sores.

If you fear the worst then let me clear the air and help you get rid of the misconception – Does cycling cause erectile dysfunction? No, sitting for long periods on an uncomfortable bike seat may cause pain in the groin, but it does not cause erectile dysfunction or infertility.

To support this, there was a study conducted using over 5,282 male cyclists and the results were published in the Journal of Men’s Health (July 2014 issue). According to the study, no matter how many hours or miles the cyclists logged each week, there was no connection found between cycling and ED.

That does not make you immune to the cycling discomforts and pains. However, you can prevent it by maintaining a correct sitting posture or using the best bike seat for your balls. The specially designed bike seats limit the perineal pressure and significantly reduce the incidence of poor positioning.

The correct bike fit and saddle adjustment also distribute the weight to the right places – your sit bones or ischial tuberosities. Other factors like the correct position of handlebars also help in minimizing the pain and numbness in the testicle peripheral area.

Finding the perfect bike seat is easier said than done as the market is flooded with a plethora of brands and models that can confuse even an experienced cyclist. To minimize your stress, we have reviewed several bike seats based on their design, quality, build, and customer reviews.

Read on to find our unbiased reviews of the prostate friendly bike seats handpicked by our team. If you are in a hurry to place your order, we suggest that you go with our editor’s choice –  Bikeroo Most Comfortable Bike Seat (see Amazon) for Men, a versatile saddle that comes with a hollow core, center cut, waterproof cover, and mounting tools.

#1. ISM PR 3.0 Saddle 235mm x 145mm: Black

If you feel numbness in your butt and man parts after a long cycling trip, consider replacing your existing bike seat with the ISM performance recreation saddle. Based on the same model as the ISM’s performance short saddles, the seat comes with extra padding for comfort.

The design features PR 3.0, which is ISM’s premium level padding plus a wider 145mm rear end suitable for upright bikes or anyone who struggles to get a suitable position. Equipped with the 60-series foam and gel padding, this … Read More

When you travel to a parking lot close to work and have a few blocks or miles to go, then a bike can make the trip much easier and faster. Having a functional bike rack will allow you to commute to work from any location. You can avoid the traffic and get where you need to go on time.

Taking care of ourselves means spending time exercising. One fantastic way is to bike your favorite trails. If you own a Honda CRV, then having a bike rack that fits your gear is necessary. You can travel to state parks, hiking trails, or take a weekend trip to a location near you. All you have to do is find a place to park and get your bike down from the rack.

Helping the environment is great motivation for getting more exercise. When you have a bike, then you can travel anywhere you want. When you want to take your bike with you to go on vacation or travel to a new destination, then all you have to do is hook it up to the rack. We talk about several types of bike carriers in this review, including items that tilt to allow you better access to the cargo area of your vehicle.

If you are in a hurry to make your bike rack purchase, then we suggest going with the Thule T2 Pro XT Bike Rack (learn more). This model requires no tools for assembly. You can purchase an add-on for two-inch hitches to carry an additional two bikes on the rack. This item folds up to stay out of the way when you are not carrying bikes. The rack also tilts out of the way to let you access groceries, fishing gear, and camping supplies.

Comparing Eight Bike Racks for Honda CRVs

1. Swagman XC2 – Best Stable Bike Rack

When you travel on the highway or go long distances, you need to know your bikes will be secure for the trip. The Swagman XC2 Bike Rack comes with a … Read More

Gel seat covers for bikes are a great way to get into the saddle without ending up walking around like you just got off your horse. The biking snobs will tell you that the hard seats are better in the long run, once you develop your seat. Well, if you are planning to ride in the tour de France and measure your miles by the month not by the hour, why go through the agony?

For those of us who ride for pleasure and are not willing to go through the painful indignities of developing a saddle-resistant butt, gel cushion bike seats are an excellent option. With a silicone gel suspension and various levels of foam padding, gel seats provide riders with a pain-free ride.

The main cause of saddle soreness is the pressure that rider’s experience on their sit bones. Harder seats do not absorb the thumps and bumps common to street surfaces leaving you feeling like you have been under torture, not a leisure ride. Let’s have a look at 8 the best gel seats covers in 2021 and see if we can find your perfect fit.

Editor’s Choice – Cevapro Bike Saddle Cover for Narrow saddles
Daway C6 Large Wide Foam and Gel Padding for Large Saddles

#1 Daway Comfortable Excercise Bike Seat Cover C6

The Daway C6 is a durable and ergonomically designed saddle seat cover that delivers maximum comfort for your stationary bike or road bike. Many people complain that gel seats are hot, and become sticky but in … Read More

You may have a gorgeous and expensive bike frame but it’s good only as long as you have the best hubs for mountain bike. The hub forms the central part of the bike’s wheels (both rear and front), and it connects to the wheel’s rim through spokes, allowing the wheel to spin on bearings.

The type of mountain bike hubs you use will determine whether your wheels make a buzzing noise while spinning or stay silent as you catch up your riding mates from the behind. Besides the noise, the quality of hubs also decides how far the pedals turn before the rear wheel begins to spin.

As a bike enthusiast, you already know that the front and rear hubs differ widely. The front hubs typically constitute a tube that has an axle, a disc brake mount, and bearings. The rear hubs on the other hand include freehub and a ratchet that vary in design and performance based on brands. 

If you are in the market looking for the best hubs for mountain bikes, you will need to consider five important things – materials they are made of, bearing type, disc mount standard, axle type and rims.

Those who are in a hurry to get new hubs, our team has done the research work for you based on the factors mentioned above. We have reviewed numerous front and rear hubs to come with a list of top 3 products in both categories, with their detailed review. 

Read on to find our complete review and if you don’t have the time to read until the end, we suggest the SHIMANO front and rear hub for anyone who doesn’t want to take chances with quality. For others who want good aesthetics along with quality performance, we would recommend the attractive-looking Talisman DC4 Dual-Ano 6-Pawl Disc MTB Hub Set.

Front Hub

The front hub comprises of a tubular body (mostly made of metal) with a set of bearings at both ends. They may be loose ball-type bearings or the cartridge-type ones that press in like a single unit. The axle may be either secured to the frame using quick-release clamps or bolts, depending on the type of bike.

#1. SHIMANO Front Mountain Bicycle Hub – HB-M525

The Shimano HB-M525 Front Hub is one of the well-designed and a good value disc-compatible front hub that comes with a standard 6-bolt disc rotor fitting. It works best with the Deore hydraulic as well as mechanical disc brake systems.

The low-friction Borozon treatment for bearing surfaces enables a smooth action and long bearing life. We love the low-maintenance design that comes with only a single contact seal to keep water and mud away. The product is available in 32 and … Read More

If you are spending more time on your bike than your feet most days and your job involves delivering items to clients, you will need a specialized carrier bag. Comfort and ease of access are essential when working on two wheels, as well as durability and design.

The eight best messenger bags combine form and function, are stylish and practical. No one wants an uncomfortable ride, and you need a messenger bag that aids you in doing your work and not hinders you. Protective padding and comfortable cross straps and a whole host of other features are what you need to consider.

Alternatively, not everyone wants a messenger bag to use for deliveries. Some choose the comfort of the messenger-style bag, at the office, or commuting, and we have options for those folks as well. If you are looking for the best messenger bag, please read on and find the messenger bag that most suits you.

Editor’s choice – TIMBUK2 Lightweight Flight Messenger Bag

#1 Manhattan Portage Medium Bike Messenger Bag

The Manhattan portage is a durable and spacious bag with easy access to the main compartments and a cross-fit strap to stabilize your carry load. The cordage nylon is tough, and the inner watertight vinyl covering is great for poor weather and is a bright and sunny yellow.

The portage seems the best fit for those who carry lighter loads as the main strap is not padded. The Manhattan portage is super safe with two wide, reflective bands that are perfect for riding at night or dusk.

The main compartment has a sturdy closure with a Velcro band and two durable clasps. There is a back pocket … Read More

Whether you want to build up a fixed gear bike or change a few factory components in your new bike to improve performance, the single speed crankset is an important part to consider. As an essential component of your bicycle’s drivetrain, it can make or break the performance.

The crankset helps in converting the reciprocating motion from the rider’s legs into a kind of rotational motion that aids in driving the belt or chain. This in turn drives the rear wheel to accelerate your performance on any type of terrain.

Unlike the traditional cranksets, the modern ones come equipped with advanced features and a few models will include bottom brackets to better your game. As these components are lightweight, they do not add any extra weight to the bicycle.

That being said, what to look for and what to avoid in a Crankset can be tricky as there are so many different brands and styles to choose from. Furthermore, there are so many things you need to consider – optimal gearing ratio, track components, suitable parts, and so on.

Stress no more, because we have scoured the Internet and reviewed more than a dozen products from different brands to help you choose best crankset for single speed. Read on to find the detailed review of the products carefully selected by our review team.

If you are in a hurry to get your single speed crankset and don’t have the time to read until the end, we suggest the Retrospec Fixed-Gear crankset (learn more). It has a durable build quality, lightweight, and comes with several color options at an affordable price.   

1. State Bicycle Co. Fixed Gear/Single Speed Bike Crankset

This solid three-piece forged 6061 aluminum crankset by State Bicycle Co has gained popularity among riders due to its ability to look great on all types of bikes. Available in various colors and 46 tooth count, it provides an excellent manufacturing quality at a low price point.

The complete crankset is made from forged alloy and the arms are made of sturdy 6061 aluminum to give more durability to the product. It comes with a stamped chainring that is 170 mm in length, featuring an impressive ratio of tooth count and chain length.

Compatible with 1/8″ chains, the crankset is best suited to help bikes designed for the less hilly area, to achieve higher speed. Built securely with 5 bolts, these cranksets give the bikers more reliability when riding on any type of terrain. Although the build quality is great, you may sometimes see occasional paint chips in certain areas.

Product features and specifications

• Measures 11.5 x 6.8 x 2.4 inches
• Weighs 1.7 pounds
• Bottom bracket not included
• Fixed Gear/Single