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50 Of The Best Cycling Gifts

December 18, 2016 by Emma Lujan

This cycling gifts article was a collaborative effort from our writers Emma Lujan, Josh Friedman, Bria Edwards, and Adam Farabaugh, all of which have diverse backgrounds in cycling. These gifts are a combination of things we have and love, things we have used or played around with in the past, or just things that we think would make for an awesome cycling gift. We hope you enjoy the holidays! -The I Love Bicycling Team

You don’t need to spend exorbitant amounts of money or time on cycling gifts for your bike riding friends and family members this holiday season. These cycling gifts are sure to have an “Oh Wow! This is Awesome!” response when someone opens one. We hope you enjoy our curated cycling gifts list as well as the people receiving them!

1.Buff A Canadian brand that makes buffs (or neck tubes) which can transform and serve as a helmet liner, neck warmer, bandana or head band. They come in merino wool, varying thickness, and tons of designs.

2. VeloToze. A great stocking stuffer, these booties are super aerodynamic and come in lots of colors.

3. Chamois Butt’r. Chamois Butt’r is a gift that is always appreciated! And great to fill up the stocking.

4. Night Rider Lumina 750 bike light. At 750 lumens this handlebar mount light that provides a huge wide ray for nighttime mountain biking, or road riding.

5. CamelBak insulated water bottle. These bottles will keep your water ice cold, and have an easy to open and close lid.

6. SwiftWick Cycling Socks. These socks come in varying lengths, colors and offer a snug fit and help with feet swelling in hot conditions.

7. Lara Bars. Keep your cycling friend well fueled! Any cyclist will be happy to receive ride food.

8. French Coffee Press. Most cyclists love their coffee, and love to make their own! French Presses are an affordable coffee machine, and easy to use.

9. Park Tool Pizza Cutter.

10. Wine Bottle Holder

11. Campagnolo Corkscrew. This is a perfect gift for any cyclist wine-lover in your household.

12. Strava Premium Membership. Get your cycling friends motivated to head outside and chase some KOMs this new year.

13. Garmin 2S Vector Power meter Pedals.

This power meter will fit on any bicycle, and provides power from both sides to see left/right power discrepancies.

14. Giro Empire ACC mountain bike shoes. These beautiful shoes will make any lady cyclist excited to head outside on her cross or mountain bike!

15. Clug Bike Clip. These bike clips are super versatile and make storing your bicycle easy, and keeps things neat and tidy. They can be hung on the wall vertically, or in the corner attached to the ground.

16. Rapha Musette. Anything Rapha is amazing, and these bags are super handy and have a really cool Euro look to them.

17. GRID Trigger Point Foam Roller. The perfect gift for that avid cyclist who takes their recovery seriously. The GRID can also pack easily into a suitcase for travel and it is hollow so you can pack your socks in there to save space in your suitcase!

18. Louis Garneau Winter Mountain Bike Shoes. These boots are waterproof and will keep your feet toasty warm for any winter escapade.

19. Gore Windstopper Winter Cycling Gloves. These gloves will block out the wind chill and make riding outside much more enjoyable!

20. Bike fit – If you have been reading the performance articles here for a bit, you know the importance of proper bike fit for peak performance. Find the best local bike fitter and get a certificate for the cyclist in your life.

21. Phil Wood Hand Cleaner – Phil Wood hand cleaner works well, is biodegradable and does not leave a strong scent. Plus the celeste green bucke is iconic. Nothing says the recipient is a discerning mechanic like Phil Wood hand cleaner.

22. Pedro’s Intensive Care Unit Multi Tool – A good, comprehensive multi tool can get you out of most jams out on the trail or road. Pedro’s has most of those situations covered here. They have years of experience putting out functional tools without flash.

23. Oakley Radar Shield Sunglasses – Sunglasses finish off a kit with style. Oakley Radar Shield sunglasses are one of the most popular in the peloton with great coverage and optics. Protect those eyes, you do not get another pair.

24. Pedro’s Starter Tool Kit – For the cyclist that is starting to wrench on his or her own, the Pedro’s Starter Tool Kit covers the basics of maintenance with quality tools in a handy tool roll.

25. TORQ USA Performance Nutrition – TORQ USA has all the nutritional products you need around the bike including: sports drink mix, recovery mix, gels, bars, chews, and other accessories to go with them. They’re a great all-around choice for someone else or you in the new year.

26. Silca Imperio Ultimate Frame Pump – Silca’s resurrection as a company has lead to the production of art quality, yet still functional pumps. A Silca frame pump is the crown jewel of a well appointed road bike and is a valuable tool out on the road.

27. Zipp 404s – Zipp 404s are the benchmark of quality aerodynamic wheels. They provide a large performance enhancement for equipment through their clever design. The braking is also superior to most other carbon wheels on the market.

28. Castelli Gabba 2 Convertible Jacket – Being able to stay warm and dry when the weather is harsh is difficult, but the Castelli’s Gabba line of bad weather clothing is among the best on the market. This jacket will work over a range of conditions, ensuring the recipient more hours riding outside.

29. Garmin 520 – Garmin’s latest iteration of their basic ANT+ compatible GPS computer is far from basic, with Bluetooth integration, an enhanced display and more fields of information than you can imagine. It is an invaluable tool for the cyclist that diligently keeps track of ride data.

30. Coaching – Coaching is the biggest performance enhancer overall. Dialing in your training for your goals will help you achieve and surpass them. Find a coach through the cycling community that is trusted; word of mouth is the best way to track down the best.

31. Zwift – A subscription to Zwift can make the winter hours on the trainer go quicker. It is a virtual world where you can with and against other people. You will need some sort of device to tell Zwift how you are doing – a power meter, wheel sensor, a smart trainer or all of the above.

32. CycleOps Magnus Smart Trainer – A smart trainer goes great with a Zwift subscription. The trainer alters resistance based on the terrain in your virtual cycling world. It is a lot more interesting than smashing away in the basement hoping for spring.

33. Pearl Izumi Amfib Lobster Gloves – Pearl Izumi Amfib lobster gloves are a staple of cold weather cyclists. They do a phenomenal job of keeping hands warm in harsh conditions. Your experience may vary depending on circulation, but head to head with almost every other glove, these win.

34. DeFeet Woolie Boolie Socks – Nice socks are very inexpensive in the realm of gear but make a big difference. Woolie Boolie socks are durable, warm, and do not stick even after repeated wear. Everything DeFeet makes out of wool is great for that matter.

35. Green Guru Gear Commuter – Every cyclist needs a good backpack at some point. And most cyclists are environmentally conscious. Mix the two together and you get the Green Guru Gear Commuter backpack, made from upcycled materials and designed with commuting in mind.

36. Santini Men’s Eroica Ribbed Wool Cycling Sweater – This retro styled sweater subtly says you are a cyclist without screaming florescent colors. It works great off the bike and on the bike when you are riding your city bike or retro racer.

37. Cycling Coffee Mug – Every cyclist needs a good coffee mug whether they drink coffee or not.

38. The Stick Muscle Massage Tool – Not many riders get a massage every day, but with a massage stick, you can get a close approximation. Help tired muscles recover after a long day in the saddle from the comfort of your couch.

39. Coupons – These coupons are not for purchases. Give them to your favorite cyclist. Examples are: extra long ride, post-ride nap, long training camp weekend. It is an opportunity for you to get creative and spend very little money.

40. Handpresso Portable Espresso Maker- for the coffee lover on the go! Easy to use, easy to pack, and espresso on the spot! Using pre-packed espresso pods; pop one in with some hot water and you’re good to go!

41. Jaybird Headphones– perfect for indoor rides; music without the fuss of cords! Using bluetooth technology, these headphones sync to your device easily and provide crisp sound.

41. Fly6(v) Rear Cycling Camera– your eyes for the road behind you. You can never be too safe when it comes to riding on the road. With the rear light and built in camera, be sure to always keep a visual on traffic.

42. Garmin Varia Rearview Radar– Alerts you when cars are slowly (or quickly) approaching. With a rear sensor, and a front handlebar display, always be in the know.

43. Speedsleeve– look no further to carry your cycling essentials. The Speedsleeve is a lightweight, water resistant saddle pack made to protect your belongings.

44. EVOC Bike Case– Traveling with your bike for the holidays has never been easier. Light and portable, making it easy to move around a crowded airport. Soft case with internal structure support makes your bike extra stable during travel.

45. Helmet– Cyclists are suggested to replace their helmet every 3-5 years, and especially after any collision/impact. All helmets must pass the same safety standards, but can vary on weight, ventilation, and aerodynamics. Protect your body’s most important organ!

46. The Feed Zone Cookbook- Offers 150 athlete-friendly recipes that are simple, delicious, and easy to prepare. A staple in every cyclists kitchen!

47. Assos Leg Warmers– Tired of the tight thigh band? Look no further. With an upper hip grip, held into place by your bibs Assos leg warmers are some of the best on the market. Water resistant fabric on the outside, with warm moisture wicking fleece on the inside.

48. Spurcycle Bell- For the stylish cyclist in your life that wants to be heard. No more yelling “on your left.” This bell can be heard from far distances and echos so the sound remains.

49. Muc-Off Bike Cleaning Kit- winter days call for dirty bikes when you can finally ride outside. No better way to get the road salt and grime off your bike than with the ultimate bike cleaning kit. All the essentials you need to make your bike show room floor clean again!

50. Knog MilkMan Lock– quick stop at the coffee shop? No problem for this lock. Fits easily into your back pocket to make locking up your bike a breeze!

Tigra Sport Trio Fitness Sensor and App – Review

December 14, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

Data and knowledge are ingrained into our day-to-day lives in nearly everything that we do. From driving home for the holiday and following our GPS on our phone to having our phone measure how many steps we have taken in a day to measuring how good we sleep at night. Getting that data and making it useful for us in the moment is a challenge all consumer-focused tech companies face. For exercising, and specifically cycling, some companies are very good at giving you one or the other: the really good heart rate monitor or the really good interface for exercising (map my ride or run anyone?). Tigra Sport has the multi-functionality through its Trio 3-in-1 Fitness Sensor of which we tested to see how good it actually is and if it’s worth buying.

What is the Tigra Sport Trio 3-in-1 Wearable Fitness Sensor?

The Tigra Sport Trio Fitness Sensor is a 1-piece device that attaches to your arm for running or leg for cycling and measures your heart rate through an optical heart rate sensor. Additionally, it measures motion so when cycling it can measure what your cadence is or when running or walking, your step cadence. The device works via Bluetooth and connects to your smartphone (iphone or Android) to display and record your activity through your app of choice. Tigra Sport makes it easy with their app which the device connects with seamlessly as well as gives you additional data through the phone’s GPS.

What is the Tigra Sport App?

The Tigra Sport app is their solution to transfer the data collected through the wearable to useful knowledge. The app is free and has the added benefit of incorporating GPS data which gives you speed with cycling, distance, elevation climbed and descended, as well as maps your route. There are multiple displays of which you can customize to see what you want while riding. When your ride is finished, all the data is compiled into a broken down, easy to read screen to give you the insights into every data point measured with the ride. With this, you can view graphs of your speed, heart rate, cadence and other metrics. Also, you can see the route you took which also can be viewed mid-ride which makes for easy navigation. You can also export the data from the app should you choose to do so.

How it Works Cycling

With cycling, the Trio Fitness Sensor works by strapping onto your lower leg. It comes with 2 straps; one for your arm for running and 1 for your leg for cycling. These straps are surprisingly comfortable and with both riding and running with it, I could barely feel it and actually forgot it was there. After being turned on and the Tigra Sport app fired up, it connects quickly and the app then asks if you’re ready to start your activity of which you choose what it is. It has the option of being used indoors of which it doesn’t use the GPS signal. The heart rate while riding was accurate as well as the cadence. You won’t have any issues with getting an accurate measurement. While riding, you can see all of your data which is useful if you don’t have to reach into your pocket to get your phone. They also have a solution for this with their handlebar phone mount of which we reviewed here. The two, or three things if you count your phone, are excellent pairings and make riding and having your workout information incredibly easy.

How Good is the Tigra Sport Trio Fitness Sensor?

So in review, the Tigra Sport Trio Fitness Sensor is a good product. It does what it says it does, excellently at that, and is a quality product that seams like it will last, even through abuse. An added benefit is that it is rechargeable with a usb cable. The battery also seems to last quite awhile, 8+ hours per their estimate. How good is the app? It’s good and does everything you need it to but is it as sleek as it could be? No; it seams a bit dated but being free you can’t complain. The good thing with this wearable too though is that you can pair it with your app of choice such as map my ride or run.

Is the Tigra Sport Trio Fitness Sensor Worth Buying?

So the bottom line; is the Tigra Sport Trio Fitness Sensor worth buying? If you just want to go out and ride and don’t care what your heart rate is, what your cadence might be, or where you went then you’re best bet is to just go ride and enjoy it without any devices. If you want that data however and like to track your progress, the fitness sensor is a great buy. It is an even better buy if you not only ride but walk or run and wish to measure that. You can have all your activities with one device and on one app.

Pros:

Easy to use
Barely noticeable on your leg for cycling or arm for running
Easily integrates with their app
Can be paired with any app

Cons:

Its price: for a simple device, it’s a bit expensive
If you don’t like wearing things on your arms or legs this device isn’t for you unlike a heart rate monitor
Their app is a bit dated
No social sharing capabilities with the app (email export only)

Take Away

Tigra Sport makes some great stuff that is functional and somewhat affordable. You can have all of your gadget needs met by them particularly with their handlebar phone mount for your phone so you can see the data while riding. This wearable is also good in that you can use it for more than just cycling. Have you used this wearable? Let us know in the comments below what you thought of it!

Where to Buy

If you’re interested in buying the Tigra Sport Trio Fitness Sensor you can purchase it here.

Interesting Things You Didn’t Know About Carbon Fiber Bikes

November 27, 2016 by Emma Lujan

Carbon fiber bikes are the most popular performance bicycles on the market today because of their incredible strength to weight ratio as well as their stiffness. Many companies have managed to create frames which are under 700 grams, yet they are strong enough to sustain the load from sprinting, climbing and high speed cornering. The best carbon fiber bike frames are super stiff which makes for efficient power transfer at the bottom bracket and very little flex anywhere else laterally but allows vertical flexation to allow for a comfortable ride. However, there are several things you may not know about carbon fiber bikes.

What Carbon Fiber Bikes are Made From

Most of the carbon fiber used in bike frames are constructed from organic polymers called polyacrylonitrile (PAN) (link to how it’s actually made). They are made up of long continuous strings of molecules held together by carbon atoms. Carbon fibers in bicycle frames are combined with epoxy resin in the simplest sense to take a pliable cloth-like material into and turn it into a rigid, solid material.

Types of Carbon Fiber

Bicycle frames are composed of bundles of carbon fibers held together by resin. The carbon used in bicycle frames comes in what is called ‘sheet style’ or carbon ply and is woven together from spools of carbon fiber, much like a large spool of thread. There is another type of carbon fiber called chopped style which is very short in length compared to sheet style, and is used in products like pedals.

Types of Weaves in Carbon Fiber Bikes

Woven carbon fiber has a number of different weave types. The physical properties of carbon fiber is that it is strong in one direction meaning that perpendicular to the direction of the strand, it is week. Thus you need a strand going in that direction also to make the ply strong. This weaving can be done in a number of different ways to best utilize the strength of carbon fiber. Below are a few of the main types of weaves of which have different qualities of strength and thus are utilized on different areas of the bike depending on the approach of the frame design.

2x2 Twill Pattern — 2×2 Twill Weave Pattern

4x4 Twill Pattern — 4×4 Twill Weave Pattern

1×1 Carbon Fiber Pattern
2×2 Twill Weave Carbon Fiber Pattern
4 Harness-Satin Carbon Fiber Pattern
5 Harness-Satin Carbon Fiber Pattern
8 Harness-Satin Carbon Fiber Pattern
4×4 Twill Weave Carbon Fiber Pattern
Unidirectional Carbon Fiber Pattern

An example of one weave pattern can be seen on this stem.

Carbon can be incredibly strong is some directions, such as a the forces imposed on a bicycle all work in the same direction. However, the material is brittle in others, for example you would NEVER want to hit your top tube with a hammer.

Where Carbon Fiber is Made

Manufacturing carbon fiber is a difficult industrial process and only a handful of companies across the world have the capacity to make it. Companies such as Mitsubishi, Toho, and Toray manufacture the majority of the world’s carbon fiber in Asia. There are few domestic companies in the US that make less than one third of the world’s carbon. (Greg LeMond’s company is slated though to work with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee to develop low-cost, high-volume carbon fiber and not just for the cycling industry but a number of industries including transportation, energy, and infrastructure.)

How Sheets of Carbon are Made into a Frame

After you have the plys of carbon, (the carbon cloth) it is then cut into the shapes desired and is laid with an epoxy that consists of two parts; a hardener and a resin. There are many different properties that epoxy can take so refining it so it is strong enough yet not brittle while being able to withstand heat is a delicate challenge.

Each layer of carbon is laid by hand in a metal cast in the shape of the frame around a bladder that will expand to place pressure on the inside of the frame pressing the layers of carbon together. The frame will have different types of ply in different areas for performance and strength along with a different number of layers in each section of the frame. For example, there will be more layers of carbon around the joints as opposed to in the center of a tube.

Once the frame is fully laid with layers of carbon in the metal cast, it is placed in a press to hold the mold in place. At the same time the inner bladder is inflated which compresses the carbon layers together. This pressure allows the resin to flow while in an industrial oven to ensure a close contact of each layer of carbon. Once set, the frame is removed from the press and the bladder is deflated and removed. Typically each part of the frame is built in its own mold and then is fitted together after each piece has set. The video below is of Giant’s manufacturing facility in Tachia, Taiwan which shows the stages from start to finish. Pretty cool indeed.

Pros of a Carbon Fiber Bikes

Carbon fiber bike frames possess the best weight to strength ratio in comparison to steel, aluminum, and titanium. Carbon fiber bikes also have the longest frame fatigue and often companies offer lifetime warranties (excluding crash damage). Carbon also is more comfortable since the woven fibers can dampen vibrations on long, bumpy rides. Because of the flexibility of the material and strength is has, companies are able to design really cool unique bike frames that are durable and strong such as this Trek TT bike or the Cervelo P5.

Repairing Carbon Fiber Bikes

It is possible to repair a carbon road bike if you were to crash or crack the frame. Most bike shops do not have the resources to repair the bike in shop, so most of the time the frame is sent away to specific carbon repair experts (such as a place like this). It is suggested to NOT attempt repairing the carbon frame yourself with an at home kit, as the integrity of the job will not likely last. The experts however, will add extra layers of carbon to extend around the damaged area to form a stronger, next to inseparable, bond becoming part of the existing carbon structure.

Carbon is just one of the several type of materials that is used when constructing bicycles. While carbon fiber bikes may come with the highest price tag, there is a reason for it, and hopefully understanding a bit more about the material will allow you to greater appreciate the coolness and complexity of bicycle design!

Best Bike Trails in the World

November 27, 2016 by Josh Friedman

Click the Interactive Map below to zoom in and click on each area. Additionally, clicking on each title in the article will take you to a respective website for that area.

Mountain bike trails offer qualities that paved trails often cannot: seclusion, contact with nature and a variety of terrain that requires different skills and equipment. Each of the best bike trails below will meet all three qualities to some degree. See how many you have already ridden and perhaps you will find a new one to pique your interest and plan your next trip around. Let us know what you would like to see added to this best bike trails in the world list as we will continuously be updating it. Without further ado; a few of the best bike trails in the world:

Kingdom Trails – Vermont, USA

Kingdom Trails in Vermont is a unique bike trail system built on private land. A non-profit maintains the bike trails and the cooperation of the land owners to provide over one hundred miles of singletrack that is uniquely east coast – rocky, twisty and rooty. There are different routes for different ability levels so there is something for everyone here.

Maah Daah Hey – North Dakota, USA

The Badlands of North Dakota provide good riding on the Maah Daah Hey trail. Campsites along the way allow you to see the entire 97 mile trail without doing it in one shot. The ride can be a rugged back country experience coupled with incredible vistas and excellent trail riding.

Mt. Tam (Tamalpais) – Marin County, California, USA

Go back to the roots of mountain biking and ride Mt. Tamalpais, across the bay from San Francisco in Marin county. This is where Tom Ritchey, Gary Fisher, Joe Breeze and many others started the first mountain bike races on what now look like extremely rudimentary bicycles. Rip along the trails on your modern bike and wonder how these pioneers handled the trails back then.

Whistler – British Columbia, Canada

Whistler mountain bike trails are legendary. Some say it is the original location of lift service downhill riding. There are also miles of cross country trails if you do not do downhill. The mountain bike culture pervades this area in the Canadian Rockies, while offering up dramatic views and extreme elevation changes throughout your day, whether you pedal or take the lift.

Slickrock – Moab, Utah, USA

Slickrock in Moab, Utah is named for the surface that is difficult for shod horses to walk on. In reality, riding the sandstone is some of the grippiest riding you will ever do. Loads of traction does not mean the riding is not difficult. And try not to fall; it is like falling on sandpaper. The barren landscape of petrified sand dunes will keep your attention. There are few other places like it in the world.

The North Shore – British Columbia, Canada

North Shore riding originated in British Columbia and Severed Dick is one of the original trails. North Shore riding is known for built features that bypass unrideable sections, making them into spectacular challenges. Severed Dick does not have many of these features, but it does have plenty of other natural features that make North Shore riding renowned for challenging terrain.

Graham Hills and Blue Mountain – (outside of) New York City, USA

Why include two separate parks with trails that are probably not world class? Because of their proximity to New York City (they are still very nice trails). They are both easily accessible by train from the city, one of the busiest and most influential in the world. There is no shortage in outdoor adventure close by. You just have to know where to look. Be sure to keep your eyes open where you live too.

The French Alps – France

You already know about the Alps from the iconic climbs of the Tour de France, but did you know that mountain bike trails line those same mountainsides? Check out the views that you have seen watching the Tour, but from a different perspective. Alpine trails have lots of exposure and the opportunity to get to quite lofty elevations. Come prepared with a fit pair of lungs.

Table Mountain – Cape Town, South Africa

Table Mountain overlooks Cape Town. It is a famous vista, best enjoyed after a strenuous ride to the top. Do not let the vista take your concentration from the trails, because they are still a challenging ride. Visit in the South African summer for a nice break from the cold and wet winter back home.

Finale-Ligure – Italy

Finale-Ligure has a wide range of trails to suit all abilities. It is probably the number one mountain bike destination in all of Europe. Like most the the above bike trails, the trails here have spectacular views. Spend your days taking the lifts up or riding cross country. There is something here for everyone.

The Best Bike Trails

The best bike trails are scattered throughout the world. Find what is close to you and ride it regularly, sprinkling in one of these amazing once in a while. We of course missed a few. Let us know what you think we should add as we will be continuously adding to this list of the best bike trails in the world.

Looking for more awesome rides around the world? The book Epic Bike Rides of the World is an excellent choice and also makes a great gift!

The Best Bike Trainers

November 25, 2016 by Emma Lujan

With the winter months upon us, investing in a stationary bike trainer can provide you with the opportunity to improve your fitness and technique while avoiding the cold darker days. The best bike trainers are a great investment since they allow you to have a very specific and dedicated ride since there are no downhills, no coasting and every pedal stroke will require effort. It is a good idea to have a fan, some music or movie, water and electrolytes as well as a towel or two to prepare for the indoor season. There are four main types of bike trainers:

Wind Bike Trainer
Bike Rollers
Magnetic Bike Trainer
Fluid Bike Trainer

The Best Bike Trainers

Best Wind Bike Trainers

Wind bike trainers are among the most affordable best bike trainers around. Pedaling powers a fan that provides the resistance for the trainer. The resistance increases as the rear wheel spins more quickly either from increasing the cadence or using a bigger gear. Wind trainers are inexpensive and durable, however they are quite loud and the resistance is often limited and does not always mimic a road-like feel.

Cycleops Wind Trainer

The Cycleops Wind trainer is durable, easily adjustable and has a great warranty. The wind resistance provides a frictionless ride. With an affordable price point, the Cycleops is one of the best wind trainers around.

Price: $130

Bike Rollers

Rollers are a type of trainer that require the rider to have great balance, an engaged core and efficient pedal strokes. They take some getting used to, as well as learning how to mount and dismount, but they provide a very realistic and quiet road-like feel. They also have the added benefit of being much more fun to ride than a fixed trainer.

Elite Arion Rollers.

The Elite Arion Rollers is one of the best trainers on the market today because it is built with light-weight but tough thermoplastic frame, a step-up for ease of mounting and dismounting, and is easy to fold for storage or transportation.

Price: $250

Best Magnetic Trainers

Mag trainers use a magnet flywheel to provide resistance. These trainers are easily adjustable for resistance and are not as loud as wind trainers. The resistance can be manually adjusted from a knob on the flywheel or a handlebar attachment. However, it is possible to overpower magnetic trainers on the toughest setting as your fitness improves. For an average cyclist looking to log some miles through the winter a mag trainer can get definitely get the job done.

Blackburn Tech Mag 6

The Tech Mag 6 trainer from Blackburn comes with 6 different resistance settings, a bar-mounted resistance control and a tubular steel from with adjustable height. This trainer offers durability and is easy to adjust the workload. The Blackburn Tech Mag 6 is one of the best magnetic trainers on the market.

Price: $180

Tacx Blue Motion

The Blue Motion magnetic trainer from Tacx is one of the best trainers around since it offers 10 positions of resistance, taps out at a whopping 950W, and the flywheel mimics a realistic pedal stroke and road-like feel.

Price: $270

Best Fluid Trainers

Fluid bike trainers have a flywheel mechanism that’s driven by the bike’s rear wheel, but it creates resistance through fluid spinning around in the flywheel. As the temperature increases, the fluid becomes thicker, so when you pedal faster the trainer resistance becomes more of a challenge. Also, in conjunction with that, as the flywheel within the fluid spins faster and faster, the resistance increases on a logarithmic scale which means the harder you ride, the more resistance there is. With this. fluid trainers have the most realistic road feel, they are very quiet, and they have a wide variety of features like pairing to power and the internet.

Kinetic Rock and Roll Smart Trainer

The Rock and Roll trainer is the the top of the line trainer around. With its wide base it offers stability for standing on the bike for a very realistic road feel. It has an electronic control that allows you to do targeted workouts, ride simulations and it pairs with Zwift and Trainerroad. This trainer is super quiet, accurate and reliable. The Rock and Roll trainer also is compatible with thru-axle bikes.

Price: $850

Cascade Fluid Pro Trainer

The Cascade Fluid Pro is one of the best fluid trainers on the market because it has a thermally sealed fluid drive which is very unlikely to ever have leaks. The trainer is easy to set up; it folds for ease of transportation and it is very quiet so you won’t need to have the volume on max while working out to tunes!

Price: $350

Riding a trainer through the winter months can be an efficient way to workout without spending heaps of time dressing in layers and charging lights. Because of the ‘no rest’ periods trainers provide, a 1 hour trainer ride is equivalent to at least 90min out on the road. Trainer riding can be super fun too especially if you have one of the best bike trainers since you won’t have to worry about it failing you in any way. Get a good playlist of music, invite some cycling friends over and be prepared to sweat!

Cool Bike Helmets for Your Type of Riding

November 13, 2016 by Emma Lujan

Nowadays it is hard to justify not wearing a helmet because you think it makes you look dorky. There are a lot of different cool colors, styles, and accessories in the helmet line to assist in making you look super cool while on your bike. Helmets should fit snug, but without any pressure points, should have an easy to adjust tension system, fit your budget, and you should enjoy the way it looks. There are three main types of helmets: road, mountain and urban. Below are some cool bike helmets from each of these categories.

Cool Bike Helmets to Consider per Your Riding Type

A bike helmet is not just a bike helmet. The full face helmet a downhill mountain biker wears is built for different impacts than what a road helmet is designed for. Functionality wise, they are also a bit different because the riding conditions are different from road riding compared to mountain biking compared to a helmet for around riding around town. Having the correct type of helmet for the type of riding you’re doing is very important. Plus you don’t look as cool wearing a road helmet on the trails or vice versa.

Cool Road Bike Helmets

Road helmets are designed to have a lot streamlined vents, be aerodynamic, and they do not come with visors. The high-density foam in road helmets is built up on the temple as well as the front of the helmet since that is where the majority of impact occurs when crashing on the road.

Giro Synthe

The Giro Synthe is top of the line for road bike helmets. It is the most aerodynamic well-ventilated helmet on the market today. The Synthe is sleek, light-weight, very breathable, and a very cool bike helmet. Giro Synthe

Catlike Whisper

The Catlike Whisper is one of the most recognizable helmets out there. It comes with upward of 30 vents, and has a unique look similar to that of a beehive. While it is not as aerodynamic as other road helmets, it makes up for it in comfort, light-weight and mad style points. It is also the official helmet of the Movistar Professional cycling team. Black Catlike Whisper

Cool Mountain Bike Helmets

Mountain bike helmets are different from road helmets in several ways. There are usually fewer vents in comparison to road helmets, but they are deeper because the average speed in mountain biking is slower than on the road, so the air will flow up and out of the helmet versus through. Mountain bike helmets come with a visor, and the foam is more built up at the back of the helmet since it is much more common to fall backward while riding on the trails versus the road.

POC Tectal Race

POC is a Swedish company that manufactures some of the coolest helmets around. The Tectal Race from POC is highly ventilated, offers exceptional coverage for the temple and rear of the head and is built specifically for the extreme cross-country and enduro mountain bike rider. POC Pink Tectal Race

Smith Forefront

The Smith Forefront helmet offers a full coverage helmet that is designed for all-mountain racing and shredding. It is a low-volume helmet and is very well ventilated and comes with a mesh covering the many vents to protect from dirt and bugs falling into the helmet. Smith Forefront (MIPS)

Cool Urban Helmets

Urban helmets will often come equipped with a light mount, a removable visor, and really tough outer shells. They often look more like hats than road and mountain bike helmets do, and therefore it is easier to match to your outfit.

Bell Hub

The Bell Hub comes equipped with a light mount, a soft-brimmed visor, reflective trim and an easy to adjust tension system. The HUB also comes in a variety of colors both bright and sleek making it a versatile cool bike helmet option. BELL HUB

Giro Sutton

The Sutton from Giro comes in a variety of colors and has a soft removable visor which gives is a very cool Euro look. Plus one of the vents in the helmet is reinforced and can double as a lock port so you can lock the helmet to your bike. Giro Sutton (MIPS)

MIPS

Lots of helmets these days, both road, mountain and urban, have an extra safety feature built into them called MIPS. MIPS stand for multi-directional impact protection system. The technology behind MIPS uses two layers inside the helmet to help the head rotate slightly upon impact with the purpose being to reduce the severity of concussions. Purchasing a helmet with MIPS adds a bit to the cost, but it is an excellent extra safety feature to have.

Wearing a helmet every time you ride a bike is super important. With so many cool bike helmets for sale today, it is easy to find one to suit your color preference, style of riding and budget.

Best Cycling Kits of 2016

November 7, 2016 by Emma Lujan

The wonderful world of cycling allows riders to challenge themselves, make friends and explore, furthermore cycling acts as an outlet for freedom of expression. The latter can be attacking on a climb, winning a sprint or the simple act of showing up looking damn fine in some sweet cycling kit. 2016 saw some of the most unique kits released from cycling companies worldwide. From flashy bright designs, to funny logos and everything in between, there was something everyone wanted to buy to suit their riding style as well as their personality out on the road. Here are a few of the best cycling kits of 2016.

A Few of The Best Cycling Kits of 2016

MAAP

MAAP was one of the biggest Instagram sensations of the year and produced some of the best cycling kits of 2016. MAAP is keen on the geometric shapes and thick blocks of colors. MAAP is also the title sponsor of the Continental team State of Matter MAAP. MAAP Tilt Jersey

La Passione

La Passione is an Italian company that does simple, yet sleek cycling kit designs. Their stuff is top-end quality, affordable and minimalist. Summer Square Ciclamino Jersey

Team Dream

This California based cycling kit company has a super cool west coast style in the form of funny logos and playful colors that many other companies have since adopted. Team Dream has some of the best cycling kits of 2016 because of their chubby bobcat logo sneaking its way onto all the clothing as well as their large line of on point accessories like socks, vests and hats. Team Dream Purple Compression Bib

Rapha

A best cycling kits of 2016 list would simply not be complete without the addition of something from Rapha. Rapha is known for its high quality, tight race-ready designs, comfortable clothing and how freaking cool it looks. Rapha is very popular on social media making most riders jealous with its beautiful photography of people riding in amazing locations. Rapha is also one of the main sponsors for the UCI pro team Canyon/SRAM. Canyon/SRAM Core Jersey

Attaquer

Attaquer’s style is a blend of out-there and attention-drawing, yet doing so in a good-looking way. Their kits are some of the best of 2016 because they will compliment the rider looking to wear something different from the norm and to look fantastic while doing it. Attaquer utilizes a lot of camo and bright colors, and has a really kick-ass logo of a skull with its tongue sticking out while wearing a bike helmet. Attaquer Core Brush Blue Jersey

The look good, feel good principle not only applies in the work place, but also onto the bike. With some of the best cycling kits of 2016, you will not only let your own personality shine through, but you will look pretty killer winning the Saturday bunch sprint, or simply sipping coffee afterwards in some of these bright, colorful and uniquely designed kits.

Why You Should Have A Single Speed Mountain Bike

November 7, 2016 by Josh Friedman

Single speed mountain bikes are everywhere – out on the trail, in single speed specific races and in your favorite bike shop. There is something very appealing about a single speed mountain bike, most likely the idea that it is a machine that can theoretically conquer everything yet is so simple. But just like any bike decision, there are tradeoffs. Those tradeoffs may be worth it to you.

Simplicity

The drivetrain of a single speed mountain bike consists of a crank, one chainring, the chain and one cog. That is all; there are no derailleurs, multiple cogs or chainrings, cables or shifters. Skipping all of those parts saves weight and maintenance. The bike will be cheaper than a geared alternative, with perhaps a slightly more tricked out cockpit and wheel/tire setup.

While the bike is more simple, it takes a bit more forethought to pedal over obstacles that you could tackle with a geared bike. Gears make bikes faster and more efficient. And sometimes you will come to a section of trail that will be a pure leg-breaker, perhaps bordering on knee-breaker if you get bogged down enough in your single gear (a single gear, which on the same ride could be both radically undergeared and overgeared depending on terrain). The bottom line is that your riding style will change.

A single speed mountain bike should be quieter. As long as you tension the chain properly, there should not be any chain slap as you roll over rough terrain. There is no whirring of the chain through the derailleur pulleys or rubbing on the front derailleur. It could be a nicer nature experience, unless your deep breathing drowns everything else out. That is what you are out there for anyway, right?

When you are after simplicity and the challenge of human versus terrain, a single speed mountain bike can fit the bill. You will end up thinking more about tackling the terrain and less on the equipment.

Weight

By leaving off chainrings, shifters, cables and cogs you will save some weight. It may be easier to move the bike around maneuvering on a trail, but the thousand or so grams you leave behind are not significant in the overall rider/bike package. It would be easier to shave that weight from your body than to build an entirely new bike and you would come out more fit on the other side. Of course this depends on if you have the weight to lose or you are already at the razors edge for fitness and body composition.

Weather Conditions

Have you ever ridden in the snow or mud and had your cassette almost entirely block up? This will not happen on a single speed mountain bike. Because the chain is running on one chainring and one cog, it keeps anything from building up on the drivetrain, keeping you moving forward.

Cleanup after a ride is also easier. There are fewer moving parts to pick grime out of and then lubricate. When the drivetrain does wear out after riding in all of the slop, it is cheaper to replace. If you want to spend more time riding and less time working on your bike, a single speed mountain bike might be the ride for you.

The Terrain You’re Tackling

With only having one gear, most of the time you are going to be either over-geared or under-geared. This means you will spin out easily on fast trail or dirt roads or when the going gets steep, you simply have to get off and walk. Both are part of single speed mountain biking but the trails you choose will be more enjoyable if you have the right gear for it. Trails that are more flat and leave you at roughly the same speed are great for the single speed mountain bike. The flip side of this is trails that are up and down but the climbs aren’t so steep that you have to get off and walk. Your cadence is slower but you can still manage. And then coming down the descent on the other side, you’re not pedaling. Just freewheeling, ripping the descent.

Try a Single Speed Mountain Bike

Give single speed mountain biking a try. Borrow a friend’s bike or see if you local bike shop has one they can lend you. That will be the ultimate way to decide if a single speed mountain bike will be your next bike. If you have fun doing and like all of the aforementioned benefits, you will see one in your future.

The Best E-Bike For Every Cycling Application

November 4, 2016 by Josh Friedman

E-bikes are making a surge in the cycling world. From pedal assisting up a steep climb to speeding up your commute to getting you to your destination without breaking a sweat, the benefits are myriad. If an e-bike can keep you from walking up the hill in the woods or out of your car for your commute, it may be worth it to explore why you may want an e-bike.

For the Commute

If you live in a totally flat place like Amsterdam an e-bike might be overkill. For the rest of the world with hills and E-bike can deliver you to your job without being a sweaty mess. Because an e-bike is still a bike with pedals, you can smash on your way home and get as sweaty as you like, getting your exercise for the day. You may even get a little extra sweaty because the motor and battery will make the E-bike heavier than your regular bike. Remember that by riding any bike, including an e-bike, you will be keeping another car off of the road. In particularly congested areas, you can dramatically speed your commute with an e-bike.

The Faraday Porteur has everything you need in a commuting e-bike – fenders, a low maintenance belt drive and internal hub, commute specific tires and a built in headlamp to light the way. It has an up to date retro style to it too, just in case you are into the aesthetics of your commute. When you are passing all of those cars, you want to let them know that you are a cool kid too.

For Cargo

Pedaling to pick up a big load may be no problem, but the way home may leave you grunting and swearing. A little pedal assist could do the trick to get you home without wanting to swear off bikes forever. Cargo bikes can be significantly heavier than a standard bike. The electric assist may even be a welcome addition addition if you are pedaling the bike empty in a hilly place. You can also use your cargo e-bike to haul your kids around town without strapping them into a car.

There are a few different styles of cargo bikes. If you are going to get an E-bike, get one that can carry a big load, you will want a long bike or bakfiets in that case. The Urban Arrow Family Cargo Bike is a premium bakfiets with electric assist, a disc brake in the front to slow down that heavy load and a Nuvinci internal-gear rear hub.

Mountain Biking

Bombing down a sweet trail is a great thrill, but pedaling your long travel bike back up the hill can be a drag. With e-bike technology becoming smaller and more efficient, there is a burgeoning market for motorized mountain bikes to take the sting out of the ascent to the top of the trail. There is some debate whether E-bikes can use certain trails. If you do get one, check your trail accesThe before going hitting the trail.

The Specialized S-Works Turbo Levo FSR 6Fattie is a top-shelf E-mountain bike. It is equipped with parts you would expect on an S-Works mountain bike, with the addition of a motor to provide up to an additional five hundred thirty watts when needed.

Road and Touring

E-bikes are even making an appearance in sport road riding, and it is not for racing. That is clearly illegal. Road e-bikes are for those looking for a little help keeping up or cresting big climbs. This can be especially helpful when loaded touring. Whatever your reason for getting a road E-bike, there are more an more options out there, even from major bike manufacturers.

The Giant Road E+ has the spec of a mid-range alloy road racing bike. That downtube is not aerodynamically shaped, though. That is the battery pack and motor to give you that extra kick out on the road.

The E-Bike For Any Application

Technological advances have made the battery and motor designs cheaper and smaller. This has created a small explosion of available e-bikes for people to choose from. A pedal assist bike is no longer an at-home hack job. It is a fully polished complete bike ready to ride.

Biking and Pokemon Go!

October 31, 2016 by Emma Lujan

This past summer saw more people than usual staring at their phones while walking through parks, streets, as well as into traffic. In fact there were thousands of people running around being guided by their smartphones playing the newest app sensation Pokemon Go.

Tapping into people’s childhood memories, Pokemon Go is a game requiring you to actively go and catch em all (all the Pokemons that is). However, time to get a competitive edge. Enough with the running down Poke characters, time to up the ante and start biking and Pokemon Go -ing to track down more of those Pokemons faster.

What is Pokemon Go?

Pokemon Go is an app for smart phones that uses the players GPS technology making the player track, locate and catch the Pokemon creatures. It is an artificial reality game where players create their own avatar and the game makes players actively walk, run, or in this case bike, down the next Pokemon they need to catch. Pokemon Go was released in July of 2016 and quickly became one of the most popular apps worldwide.

Why Play Pokemon Go?

Pokemon first became popular in the mid nineties with kids collecting and trading the cards in an effort to collect all the Pokemons. At elementary schools recesses and lunches would see swarms of kids battling and trading the cards. It got to the point where many schools banned Pokemon cards to avoid fights and distractions. Pokemon cards were often sold behind locked glass cabinets at stores because they were such a hot commodity! So the answer to why play: nostalgia. Most people have since sold off or given away their cards, so it is a blast from the past to be able to go outside and actively chase down your memorable Pokemon characters.

Biking and Pokemon Go!

Pokemon Go is a competitive game, so why not look for that extra edge and attempt to catch them all faster?! Pokemon Go using a bicycle can be done with only a couple limitations. Firstly you will need to get a smartphone mount for your handlebars. Secondly, your phone battery tends to drain quickly when playing the game so an external battery pack may be necessary to attach to a pannier if you want to play for a considerable amount of time. Thirdly it is best to set the phone to vibrate when a Pokemon appears on the map, so you can feel the vibration through the bars while keeping your eyes on the road!

Safety for Playing Pokemon Go on Bicycle

Biking and Pokemon Go at the same time can be dangerous if you try and look at your phone while still riding
Keep your speed under 15km/hr or 9.5mph
Make sure to scan your surroundings before pulling over and stopping to look at your screen to catch to Pokemons
Do not look at your screen while riding. You will likely hit another cyclist, car, pedestrian or stop in traffic
Get off your bike to trap the Pokemon.

As usual the bike makes everything better and that definitely goes for biking and Pokemon Go. So time to rig up a phone mount, battery pack and maybe get some cool half finger gloves just like Ash had, and you will be on your way to catching all the Pokemons!

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What is the Tigra Sport Trio 3-in-1 Wearable Fitness Sensor?

What is the Tigra Sport App?

How it Works Cycling

How Good is the Tigra Sport Trio Fitness Sensor?

Is the Tigra Sport Trio Fitness Sensor Worth Buying?

Pros:

Cons:

Take Away

Where to Buy

What Carbon Fiber Bikes are Made From

Types of Carbon Fiber

Types of Weaves in Carbon Fiber Bikes

Where Carbon Fiber is Made

How Sheets of Carbon are Made into a Frame

Pros of a Carbon Fiber Bikes

Repairing Carbon Fiber Bikes

The Best Bike Trails

Looking for more awesome rides around the world? The book Epic Bike Rides of the World is an excellent choice and also makes a great gift!

The Best Bike Trainers

Bike Rollers

Best Magnetic Trainers

Best Fluid Trainers

Cool Bike Helmets to Consider per Your Riding Type

Cool Road Bike Helmets

Giro Synthe

Catlike Whisper

Cool Mountain Bike Helmets

POC Tectal Race

Smith Forefront

Cool Urban Helmets

Bell Hub

Giro Sutton

MIPS

A Few of The Best Cycling Kits of 2016

MAAP

La Passione

Team Dream

Attaquer

Simplicity

Weight

Weather Conditions

The Terrain You’re Tackling

Try a Single Speed Mountain Bike

For the Commute

For Cargo

Mountain Biking

Road and Touring

The E-Bike For Any Application

What is Pokemon Go?

Why Play Pokemon Go?

Biking and Pokemon Go!

Safety for Playing Pokemon Go on Bicycle

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