Stories

Cyclist Demographics — Just Who is Riding

April 2, 2016 by Wade Shaddy

The popularity of cycling has continued to grow steadily and has skyrocketed in visibility, but who’s really out there? Describing the cycling community with simple census data isn’t ideal for several reasons. Cycling data has indicated that while cycling may have became less popular as a pastime, it has grown in epic proportions as a sport and thus skews the overall demographics somewhat. Another issue with cyclist demographics — just who is riding — is that they don’t always provide a clear distinction between trends and hard statistics. With all that in mind, here are a few statistics taken from a few sources.

Market Data Demographics

Describing the cyclist demographic with marketing data might be a good place to start. A marketing study done by Gluskin Townley Associates has produced a few quick out-takes about the cyclist demographic which provides a good overall look at just who is riding.

Bicycling is not just for kids anymore. As kids continue to bury their heads in cell phones, typing away mindlessly, more adults are getting on bikes. (adults are also guilty of cell phone addiction)
Youth equals diversity in the United States. Most of the children in America’s largest cities and states no longer have an Anglo-American cultural background. But more than 85 percent of bicycle riders are non-Hispanic and white. (A report done by the Cycling Commuting Center reports that the cost of a bicycle could be behind this statistic).
Enthusiasts are driving growth. The number of frequent, dedicated cyclists continues to grow. (this is where racing and recreational cyclists tend to split the demographic data)
Older riders ride more miles. Participation in bicycling falls off after the age of 55, particularly among women, but male riders who belong to the baby-boom generation show few signs of slowing down. In fact, riding days for men tend to increase after the age of 65.

Bike Trip Demographics

If you portray cyclist demographics on bike trips, the demographics are different. Here is some data provided by the Sightline Institute of bike trips broken out by racial and ethnic categories:

Income Levels and Bike Trips

A chart created from a study done by the University Transportaion Research Center, and authored by John Pucher at Rutgers University and Ralph Bueler at Virginia Tech, reveals that cyclist demographic data by bike trip is almost evenly split between income levels.

Demographics by Types

A study done by McGill University has yet another demographic based on transportation and infrastructure studies and has broken the demographic down into four cyclist types:

Leisure Cyclists

Leisure cyclists account for 17 percent of the cycling demographic and ride just for fun, not just to commute. Leisure cyclists like to stay safe and out of traffic and prefer bike paths, especially when riding with children. Leisure cyclists typically do not view themselves as cyclists.

Fairweather and Sensible

Fairweather riders are a bit more hardy than leisure riders and make up about 23 percent of the demographic. They prefer good weather and they’ll opt for another form of transportation in rain or snow. They also like bike paths, prefer to stay out of traffic, and may or may not identify themselves as a cyclist.

Path-Using Cyclists

Path-using cyclists are the first group to actively view themselves as a cyclist and account for 36 percent of the demographic. They are motivated by fun and convenience and the identity that cycling offers them. They try to avoid traffic, but won’t shy away from it if necessary. They were likely actively encouraged by their parents to ride for fitness and to get places.

Dedicated Cyclists

Dedicated cyclists make up 24 percent of the demographic and are the only group that take pride in viewing themselves as a cyclists. The decision to ride a bicycle is not strongly impacted by weather conditions. They like the speed, predictability, and flexibility of bicycle trips which are their main motivators to ride. Peer and employer/school encouragement are also key factors influencing dedicated cyclists. They do not mind — and sometimes even prefer — riding in traffic. Dedicated cyclists aren’t as interested in bike paths as the other three groups, but won’t go out of their way to avoid them either.

Cyclist Demographics by Sales

Demographics, pie charts and statistics can make your eyes glaze over. In a nutshell, it might be easier to understand who’s out there by the bike they ride. Note that statistics like these don’t take into account mileage and the obvious fact that high-end road or mountain bikes obviously sell at less volume than cheaper or department store bikes. The team at Brandon Gaillie, marketing experts has provided this look at industry bicycle types and sales by category:

Mountain Bike – 24%
Hybrid/Cross – 21%
Road – 20%
Comfort – 15%
Youth – 13%
Cruiser – 6%
Recumbent/Tandem – 1%

Who’s Really Out There

Cyclists are a community of progressive, environmentally conscious, free-minded individuals who use bikes for transportation, fun, health, and competition. While cyclists may choose to embrace their own disciplines, it’s important to note that they all share the roads, paths, and trails together as brothers and sisters, mothers, fathers, daughters and sons. While cyclist demographics are interesting to cyclists, it probably doesn’t really matter who’s out there to them, what kind of bike they ride, or the path they choose — as long as they ride.

Study Concludes With New Virtual Reality Stationary Bike That Will Change Bike Riding As You Know It

April 1, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

The College of Athletic Performance at the University of Chestester has concluded a research study on the physiological and psychological effects of riding a bike at high intensity with external stimulations. Their study simulated real world riding conditions through the use of a stationary bike, a shaking mechanism, fans, mist, along with video eyeglasses and ear buds that the rider would wear to simulate what they would see and hear if they were riding down a road. The rider was placed in varying conditions featuring other riders riding and racing with them along with vehicular traffic which was coupled with road vibration, wind, and rain effects. This caused the riders body to generate normal feedback as if riding in the “real world”. The riders heart, lung, and brain activity were monitored along with how the rider felt and how tired their legs were. This was then followed with the same testing and monitoring of the rider on open roads under similar conditions to compare the findings and validate the “controlled” study.

The Findings

The results of the study found that increased mind stimulation and body output could be achieved through the use of a “real world simulating stationary bike”. Increased levels of adrenaline and endorphins were found in the body during exercise on the stationary bike. This was also correlated with how the riders said they felt after a particularly invigorating ride that featured simulated pot holes, wind from a descent, and close calls with vehicles in the video eyeglasses. When the rider was placed “racing” against another rider, increased power, oxygen uptake, and a higher level of physical output were observed.

This means that a rider can have more of a “real world” feel, both mentally and physically, through the use of a real world simulating stationary bike than actually riding outside on the roads. This is because the intensity of stimulating factors, such as a scary descent or a car buzzing you closely, can be increased to create an increased response from the brain. The resistance of the stationary bike could also be adjusted to induce more stress on the legs thus resulting in increased physiological adaptations.

The “Fake It – Live It Stationary Bike”

As a result of the study the researchers developed an all in one virtual reality bike called the Fake It – Live It Stationary Bike. The bike has all of the features above: vibrations, wind, and mist, along with the video eyeglasses and ear buds along with varying resistance to give a complete real world feel.

Features

A vibrating mechanism that shakes the whole bike when you hit a pot hole or other obstacle.
An industrial strength fan that rotates around you to simulate wind from the front as well as the sides of you to simulate a cross wind. (It almost feels like you are going to tip over.)
A mister is placed in front of you which simulates rain. (Great for keeping cool as well.)
Video eyeglasses show real world routes. (Turn your head to see the views off the side of the road.)
High grade ear buds simulate the sound of the wind.
It is connected to WiFi so when you pass other riders you can give a friendly hello or even ride with them and have a conversation as well as race them if desired.
The resistance of the stationary bike is connected to a computer program via your smart phone which adjusts the resistance to match the roads you’re riding in the eyeglasses.

Additional Features

The Fake It – Live It Stationary Bike is also programmed to give you a higher adrenaline and endorphin response along with a greater physiological stress on your legs than a real world ride would give. It does this by monitoring your activity levels throughout your day (such as how much your walking, sitting around, etc.) through the motion sensor in your smart phone along with how much you sleep at night. It then calculates how fatigued you are and places you under the maximum mental and physical stress your body can handle. You tell it how long you have to ride and it then places you in a ride to obtain the appropriate stressors to achieve the proper response from the body and mind.

Why You Need One

The Fake It – Live It Stationary Bike is now recommended by doctors, athletic trainers, and sports psychologists as the new best way to keep your body fit and healthy along with keeping your mind sharp and fresh. It can do all of this while keeping you safe in your own home where don’t have to worry about getting hit by cars, dogs chasing you, other cyclists causing you problems, ever getting lost, finding new roads and experiences, and ever actually having fun on your bike again. You can purchase one for the price of $16.70 Chestester University Dollars which is equivalent to 1/3 of 1/8 of $401.16Usd at your neighborhood convenience store. Don’t get fooled by how much of an affect riding inside can have on you.

Happy April Fools Day. Get out and ride!

A Simple Bike Rack Review – The Allen Sports Premier Two Bike Trunk Carrier

March 31, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

There are a number of things that need checked off the list when you are trying to find a way to transport your bike or bikes from point A to point B. A few of those might be:

A bike rack for the rear of your vehicle.
Securely carries your bike/s without worry.
Small enough to easily handle and place on your vehicle as well as to store.
Is at a price point that leaves you with money to spend on bikes.

The Allen Sports Premier Two Bike Trunk Carrier accomplishes all of these and more. We put the rack through its paces where we found its quality, durability, functionality, and its flaws.

What is the Allen Sports Premier Two Bike Trunk Carrier?

The Allen Sports Premier Two Bike Trunk Carrier is designed to fit on the rear of your vehicle and carry up to two bikes. The rack easily fits on the back of compact cars with trunks and hatchbacks or SUV’s with a vertical rear trunk and window. The rack attaches via five adjustable straps and two “feet” with rubber protectors that rest against the rear of the vehicle. The bikes attaches to the rack via rubber mounts in which the bike rests on and then two rubber straps hold each bike securely to the mounts.

Features

Small, lightweight construction.
Folds up into a small, easily storeable rack. (An issue with many racks of this nature.)
The rack opens up and easily snaps into place with two large, spring loaded clips.
Rubber mounts on the rack (not the strap clips) to protect the finish and/or glass on your vehicle.
Visible red ends on the mounts to avoid having someone run into it while on the back of your vehicle without bikes on it.
5 durable straps to securily attach to your vehicle.

Pro’s to The Allen Sports Premier Two Bike Trunk Carrier

The Allen Sports Premier Two Bike Trunk Carrier accomplishes the goals of a bike rack with ease. It works like it should and the biggest fear with any bike rack is your bikes falling off. You know your bikes are secure with this rack.

The strong, durable, and adjustable straps give you the security that your bike isn’t going anywhere even down a bumpy road.
A big pro to this rack also is that when you’re not carrying your bikes on your vehicle, you can fold the rack down and easily fit it inside your car. Not an easy thing with many racks.
This rack is small meaning the mount arms are not placed excessively far apart. This means that you can easily fit smaller framed bikes on the rack whereas with some larger racks, there is not enough space on the inside of the frame.

Potential Drawbacks

We found that the clips that attach to your vehicle are metal and are not coated with rubber or another protective coating. This may not be an issue but depending on your vehicle and the angle at which the metal straps touch your car, it may rub the paint off. A rubber coating would have been a simple solution to this.
Your bike/s may flop around as the top tube is the only part secured to the rack. An additional bungy cord should be used to keep you handlebars from swinging and your bikes from bouncing into each other.

Price and Where to Buy

MSRP on the Rack is $119.99. You can purchase the rack here and at a lower price than MSRP.

Bike Electronic Shifting – What Is It And Why Should You Be Interested?

March 26, 2016 by Wade Shaddy

Electronic shifting should be considered a great leap forward for the bicycle. The smooth reliability of the contemporary bike electronic shifting is something that can’t be denied. The electronic shifting bike has been around for years but with the introduction of SRAM’s Red Tap in the spring of 2016 and the existing Campagnolo EPS, and Shimano’s DI2, Di2 and Di2XTR for mountain bikes, electronic shifting is something you might want to take a look at.

It’s Not So New?

Electronic shifting is nothing new. Cyclists began seeing versions of electronic shifting bikes bikes in about 1990 with offerings from Suntour and Mavic — but it’s been sketchy going forward. Other companies also tried it, but most of them failed at commercial applications because of reliability issues — some failed in the rain for example — and were subsequently discontinued.

The Big Three

One system was commercially available as of 2009; Shimano’s Di2 for road bikes. In 2011 Shimano introduced the Ultegra Di2 electronic gear change set; a cheaper version of the electronic Dura-Ace system. Campagnolo introduced their first system of electronic shifting in the same year. By 2012 Campagnolo had three electronic shifting systems available and cyclists began to see a growing range of electronic alternatives to traditional mechanical shifting. In 1997 an electronic shifting bike was used to win the first time trial in the Tour de France.

Bike Electronic Shifting – What Is It And Why Should You Be Interested?

Bicycle purists may scoff at electronic shifting bikes but just looking at one can make a believer out of you. Lean and mean, you can hardly recognize it as a brainchild of electronic engineering — wireless versions even more so. They are are missing cables, springs and derailleurs. They have buttons instead of levers and appear like stripped-down bikes. They look fast — and they are fast.

How They Work

Traditional mechanical shifters use cables to move the chain between gears. The cable is connected to a derailleur and a shifter mounted on the handlebar. A spring forces the derailleur to one side and cable tension to the other. When you use the shifter, you’re allowing the spring to move the derailleur, or pulling it against the spring tension with the cable to shift gears.

Cables Versus Wires

Electronic shifting swaps cables for wires. When you push a button, you enter a command into a computer (more like a chip really) rather than adjusting tension on a cable. Electric servo motors (often used on robotics) on the derailleurs then move the chain to a different gear as directed by the computer.

Cable-actuated spring mechanisms can’t match the power and precision of electronic computer-controlled servo motors. The crisp, clean, and click — if you even feel the click — is more positive than the best indexed shifters.

Hidden Wires

Wires can be routed out of the way inside tubes, hidden from sight and exposure. It increases their ability to survive crashes and hard riding and also eliminates the effect of dirt, mud, and other foreign objects that get inside traditional cable housings.

Shifter Variations

Shifters can be placed wherever you want them. The re-location benefit probably pays the most dividends on a road bike where you can position the shifters almost anywhere in the drops, on top of the bars or both. But even just being able to achieve an optimum reach for your thumbs on a mountain bike’s flat bars is beneficial as well.

Fast and Accurate

The biggest benefit is speed and accuracy of shifts. Without having to think about using it, electronic shifting gives you the fastest possible shifts up or down. The system won’t succumb to the shock of impacts or jostling of rough terrain, and that’s a huge advantage in cyclocross. If you’re able to hit the button, it will complete the shift perfectly — every time. There’s no slop or waiting for the chain to crawl onto the big chainring. It just moves to its new position with controlled accuracy.

Safer in Packs and Pacelines

You can get dual shift buttons in your drops or on the hoods — it’s a huge safety advantage of electronic shifting. You never need to remove a hand to execute a shift. This is extremely valuable when in a tight pack situation or paceline where even the slightest wobble can take out the whole group.

Faster Rides Overall

Electronic shifting should make you faster. The more hilly and curvy, the more the advantage. You brain is wired directly into your drivetrain. You don’t even think about shifting and might not even remember that you shifted the bike. Your thumbs just seem to shift automatically. It just happens. You shift far more often and more efficiently using both chainrings because it is so easy and automatic. You should never get bogged down in a corner because you’re in a big gear and can’t reach to shift while trying to accelerate.

The Double Shift

The double shift. With electronic shifting you really can wait until the last second and you can and will double shift – drop to the small ring while simultaneously shifting down two cogs in the back. We all do it.

The Battery

The rechargeable lithium-ion battery is usually located in the seat post, which looks a bit more substantial than your typical seat post. And yes you need to charge the battery occasionally; once every month or two should do it. It depends on type and how often you ride — some may require charging more or less frequently.

1,000 Mile Range

Batteries will give you plenty of warning that it needs recharged. Just hold down any shift button on Shimano and it tells you how much charge is left. A general rule of thumb is that each charge should run you about 1,000 miles or more. Don’t worry too much about running the battery down — you remember to charge your phone don’t you? And if you do run down the battery, it’s like breaking a cable, you can still ride back home.

Maintenance Issues

Maintenance is another issue though. Mechanical shifting problems are very easy to diagnose and seldom require anything more complicated than replacing a cable or some housing. It can seem complex at first but it’s one of those things that after you’ve done it a few times, you get it figured out and you can typically tinker with it until you get it shifting smooth again.

Electronic shifter maintenance — not so much. Any real issues with your components typically require them to be serviced by a trained technician which is probably good since not too many cyclists have the engineering expertise to figure out what’s wrong, or even know where to begin to fix it. Most fixes require connecting the bike to a computer to diagnosis and/or update the software. (You never thought you would hear those words did you?)

Don’t Rule Out Mechanical

The innovation of bike electronic shifting shouldn’t automatically be the death of mechanical shifters. Some of the best mechanical systems are beginning to approach the performance of electronic so mechanical shifters aren’t going anywhere. But there’s no reason why mechanical and electrical systems can’t share the road together and that’s probably the way it’s headed. Electric brakes? Probably not. They’re going to hydraulic disc.

SeaSucker Bike Rack Review – The Rack of Racks

March 23, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

Taking your bike wherever you may drive can give you access to new and different roads and trails, not to mention events across the board be it multi-day mountain bike races or 100-mile charity rides. Depending upon your vehicle, putting your bike in your car isn’t always an easy option and if you have to fit more than one bike, oof, that’s going to be a challenge. You have probably seen a multitude of bike racks on top of cars, on the trunks of them, or in the bed of pick-up trucks. There are a lot of options when it comes to bike racks but they all have their pro’s and con’s as well as price points. The best bike rack is the kind that you can place on your vehicle when you need it to transport bikes and then easily remove it when it’s not needed. The SeaSucker Bike Rack does just that via industrial grade suction cups that securely attach to your vehicle to transport your bikes.

What is The SeaSucker Bike Rack?

The SeaSucker Bike Rack is a bike rack that is attached to suction cups that adhere to a vehicles roof or rear windows. It does this with multiple large 6-inch rubber suction cups that have a pumping mechanism that creates and sustains a vacuum that is immovable. A solid platform with quick releases is attached to the suction cups of which the bike is attached to. An additional suction cup and mount is then placed at the rear wheel to secure it as well.

Why It’s Different

The SeaSucker Bike Rack is radically different than other racks because it attaches to your vehicle via suction cups instead of bolts, pre-installed rails, or a form of straps. The majority of these can not be easily removed whereas the SeaSucker Bike Rack can be removed in seconds just by releasing the suction cups leaving nothing on your roof or the rear of your vehicle.

How Do You Know It Won’t Fly Off?

The SeaSucker Bike Rack won’t pull off on its own due to the strength of the vacuum created. In addition to the vacuum, there are multiple suction cups so if one did fail there are others in place to keep your bike attached to your vehicle. The rack works in any condition from dry, hot weather, to rain, to below zero temperatures.

Advantages of the SeaSucker Bike Rack

Super small compared to other bike racks and can be easily stored inside your vehicle should you ever need to put your bike on the roof in a whim.
With the small size, the racks can be flown on airlines in your bike bag and easily used on a rental car at your destination to transport your bike. No more trying to find a vehicle large enough to accommodate your groups bikes.
With being able to place the racks practically anywhere on a roof, you can position the racks and bikes in a way to accommodate many more bikes than a normal bike rack can carry.
Depending upon the type of rack, you can also place your front wheel on the roof. Not an option with many racks.

Disadvantages of the SeaSucker Bike Rack

The standard rack is not lockable but multiple styles of cable anchors are available to lock your bike/s to your roof depending upon your vehicle and personal preference.
If you have a roof that is not smooth such as one with ridges, the SeaSucker Bike Rack will not work since it requires a flat surface to adhere to. Fortunately it can also be secured to glass so depending upon your vehicle you could simply place the rack on a different part of the roof or rear of your vehicle.
The racks are more expensive than some but you definitely get what you pay for.
Over time the suction cups can lose suction but pumping them every time you stop keeps them tight.

Types of Racks

SeaSucker has a number of different styles of racks which hold anywhere from one to three bikes. Once advantage with SeaSucker racks is that you can get an one or an assortment to fit your desired number of bikes on your roof.

Bomber

Mini Bomber

Talon

Komodo

Also available are ski racks, board racks, kayak racks, along with many other accessories.

www.seasucker.com

Specialized FUCI Bike – Bike of the Future?

March 23, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

Bike design has not changed radically over the years largely in part to tradition and governing rules over racing bikes. The original two triangle tubed design of the bicycle was incredibly innovative to the point that improvements were made around it instead of different radical designs being adopted. A few bikes such as recumbents have strayed from the original modern design but have not become mainstream. The typical bike you see out on the roads or around town are still tubed, two triangle designed bikes. The Specialized FUCI Bike may be the first radically different bike that is widely adopted in the future.

What is the Specialized FUCI Bike?

The Specialized FUCI Bike is a bike that was built for speed and function without regard to current trends and rules. It simply was designed and built by Robert Egger, creative director at Specialized Bicycles, using the best solution for each individual problem be it structural, aerodynamics, or functionality. The UCI (the governing body in the sport of cycling: Union Cycliste International) sets standards and rules particularly around the bicycle and what can and can’t be used in racing. It basically limits what innovation can be implemented around the racing bicycle and thus deters companies from creating new, radical bikes like the FUCI bike. And what does the “F” stand for? Well now you probably can figure it out.

Features

Perhaps the most defining feature of the FUCI Bike is how integrated and aerodynamic the whole bike is. This as a whole gives the bike it’s finest quality: speed.

Integrated front wheel.
Faring and windshield much like that of a motorcycle.
Strategic fork design to conserve aerodynamics and ride quality.
Smaller front wheel with a larger rear.
3-bladed spoke wheels.
Storage faring behind the saddle also aiding in aerodynamics.
Integrated smart phone docking area.
Motor to help get the bike up to speed.
Front and rear lights that turn on when the bike senses darkness.
Brake lights that turn on with the use of the brakes.

Constant Innovation in Cycling but ever Radical?

The majority of cyclists don’t even know what the UCI is let alone ride under it’s jurisdiction. The cycling industry is largely trickle down meaning that new innovation and products start at the professional level and then trickle down to the mass consumer. This means that the majority of bikes and parts are in fact legal with the UCI. This restricts what is designed by companies and leaves the majority of them to make UCI legal bikes of which are then sold to the general public. Even though the FUCI Bike is in “concept” form, it’s a start for companies to go the other direction of making bikes for the general consumer and then allow the racing community to adopt it if desired with rule changes. A prime example of this is the use of disc brakes on road bikes. They were first implemented on mountain bikes, then cyclocross bikes, and now because of their effectiveness, are being adopted by the pro road peloton of which the UCI had to approve of their use.

Who Will Ride This Bike?

The Specialized FUCI Bike and other newly innovative bikes will not be adopted by that of racing cyclists, at least at first, but rather will be ridden by the cyclist who is after speed, functionality, and the latest and greatest in the cycling world. As with any new bike, they also will have to have a bit of spare change to put toward a bike as this type of bike will likely cost a pretty penny. Being adopted by the racing community and the UCI will be a tall order however as cycling as a whole is steeped in history and deters change. Industry will help forward those changes because a lot of the money in the racing world comes from cycling companies and they want the top riders in the world on the products that they are trying to sell to the everyday consumer. This will then force the UCI to make rule changes as they have done with the road disc brake.

When Will a Bike Like This Become a Daily Sighting Out on the Roads?

As this style of bike grows in popularity, it will become more and more of a regular sighting like other new, high end bikes. The change though is not going to happen overnight particularly with this bike not yet being in production. Companies will first need the bike widely available and then will have to convince consumers that the money spent on it is well worth it. Fortunately the cycling industry is full of competition which forces companies to constantly innovate and offer new products. The first company that brings a bike such as this to market will have a first mover advantage and can quickly acquire a returning customer base provided that they give a quality product and continually improve it. It will be an interesting style of bike to follow to see who brings it to the masses first and how they go about doing so.

What other features would you like to see in this bike? Let us know in the comments below.

Vittoria Mezcal Graphene Tires – Just In!

March 22, 2016 by Ryan Taylor

The new Vittoria Mezcal Graphene plus tire. — *The new Vittoria Mezcal Graphene+ tire.*

Most people know Vittoria because of their road tires. They make some of the best in the business and have many world championships under their belts to back it up. Vittoria also makes great mountain bike tires but until this year they were branded as ‘Geax’. This year Vittoria completely revamped their mountain bike line. They brought the branding back home to the Vittoria label and introduced something very special.

What is Graphene?

Graphene is a newly discovered material consisting of particles of carbon. In its most extreme form it is 1 atom thick! Vittoria uses particles 2-8 atoms thick in the rubber compounds of many of their 2016 tires, both road and mountain, and also in their newly released wheels.

What are the benefits of Graphene you ask?

1. Enormous surface area: 1 gram = around 2,630 m2 (that’s meters squared) that can facilitate any chemical process
2. High mechanical resistance: approximately 200 times stronger than steel
3. High thermal conductibility: more than 2 times that of a diamond
4. Less density: is equal to half that of aluminium
5. High elasticity: equal to 6 times that of steel
6. High electrical conductibility, transparency, lightness, flexibility and mechanical resistance

This might seem like science class and not a tire review, so how does it perform when added to mountain bike tires?!

When added to rubber compounds graphene can cause the tire to have less rolling resistance along with more grip in wet conditions particularly because of the strengthened knobs which generally make a better tire. If graphene pans out the way Vittoria claims it does, this is a massive step forward in bicycle tire technology. Expect to see graphene not only in the bicycle industry but also trickling into all industries, especially electronics in the coming years.

*The tread pattern on the Vittoria Mezcal Graphene+ Tire.*

So what about the Vittoria Mezcal?

The Mezcal is Vittoria’s XC race/off road Tri/Xterra tire. The 29 x 2.25 size is a great balance between fun, cushion, and efficiency for racing or fast trail riding. The tread looks promising in dry-to-tacky conditions but looks to have knobs too close to perform well on a proper wet and muddy day. The real weight of the Mezcal is 711g which is slightly heavier than claimed.

What makes a quality tire is one that not only performs well but also is durable enough to get you home. Over the next few weeks we look forward to seeing if Graphene is in fact a game changer!

Price – $69.99 US

Where to Buy

www.Vittoria.com

Top 10 Biking Mistakes a New Cyclist Makes

March 19, 2016 by Wade Shaddy

All cyclists make mistakes, even the pros. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about and learning from the mistakes is part of cycling. Most of the top ten biking mistakes are simple and easy to remedy. Here’s a rundown of the most common.

Biking Mistakes

The good thing about common biking mistakes is that they can be addressed with little effort and require nothing more than a few tools and a bit of thought.

#1: Seat Too Low

You have probably seen this in action many times; riders with folded legs pumping up and down, furiously uncomfortable. It’s difficult to even watch it. Riding with folded, cramped legs is not only uncomfortable, you never develop power speed or anything that resembles efficiency.

Solution:

Raise your seat until you have only a slight bend in your knee while your foot is at the bottom of your peddle stroke. This article gives a detailed run-down of how to determine your proper seat height.

#2: Cross-Chaining

It’s one thing to use the wrong gear on the back; it’s not that big of a deal but drivetrains do have their limits. Cross-chaining is when your chain is diagonal from the biggest gear in front — to the smallest gear in back — or vice-versa. Cross-chaining will quickly wear out your chain and gears. It stresses the gears and chain sideways and can damage them if done too much. Always strive to keep the gears in a position that allows for a nice, straight chain line from front to back.

Solution:

Briefly cross-chaining your bike won’t hurt it. If you notice that you’ve cross chained, immediately shift either one — front or back — of your gears to compensate to align the chain back into more of a straight line.

#3: Using The Wrong Seat

First timers are often drawn to the widest, squishiest saddles available. These plush giants are not your friend. A hard, thin saddle gives your sit bones proper support, allows for enhanced movement, and prevents chafing.

Solution:

You don’t have to go rock-hard and skinny as a toothpick. There are plenty of medium-hardness saddles available. Bike shops have a wide range of proven test saddles. Try them out and read up on choosing the right saddle for you.

#4: Improper Tire Pressure

Riding with under-inflated tires has always been among the top ten biking mistakes. High pressure road bike tires are typically rated at 125-130- lbs or more. Testing them with your fingers by pinching them doesn’t work because unless they’re extremely low, they always feel stiff and hard. Riding with under-inflated tires is incredibly inefficient. You might not even notice that you’ve wasted a whole day, getting nowhere.

Solution:

Top off your tires before every ride. Use a tire pressure gauge to inflate them to the indicated psi printed on the side of the tire. And then adjust the psi for the conditions at hand.

#5: Wrong Clothing

The experienced – or the well-prepared, at least – pull out a lightweight jacket and protect themselves from the worst of the weather. Other issues with clothing might go the other direction; failure to wear adequate gear in hot weather, resulting in a red, blistering condition known as sunburn.

Solution:

Watch weather reports ahead of time and take precautions against bad conditions. Include a nylon shell that you can fold up and stash in your jersey pocket in case of rain or unexpected cold weather. If it’s hot, wear light-weight materials and sunscreen.

#6: Stationary Crashes

This first time biking mistake is not isolated to first timers. It catches most cyclists off-guard at some point but happens to first timers almost invariably. You forget to unclip until the last minute and fall over into a curb or beside the road at an intersection — it’s damn embarrassing. Another slow-speed or dead-stop crash is caused from dirty cleats that fail to release immediately and you topple over like a bag of potatoes.

Solution:

Be aware of it when rolling to a stop. Don’t allow distractions to get the best of you. Unclip your favorite foot a few moments before you stop. If you step in mud, sand, or any other kind of material that sticks in your cleats, it transfers to your pedals. Keep that in mind when you next try an unclip.

#7: Over-Confident

Over-confidence manifests itself in a number of ways. One of the most common is blowing up during a climb because of the failure to pace yourself.

Solution:

Never underestimate hills. They can be steeper than they appear, or much, much longer. Always reserve energy and pace yourself appropriately. Once you’re close to the top, and you are sure, you can then give it your all knowing you will make it. Finishing strong is better than starting strong and then faltering.

#8: Attacking for No Good Reason

Attacking for no good reason is a typical biking mistake of the new rider. Sure, it looks impressive, but why? Attacking or attempting to pass other riders at high speed increases your heart rate to the point of no return and just makes everyone else mad in your group.

Solution:

Stay with the flow of other riders. If you need to pass, make your intentions clear. When appropriate, slip by them courteously. The exception to this of course is if you’re in a competitive ride. Then attacking is encouraged but there is always a time and place.

#9: Pushing Big Gears

It’s one thing to push the big ring if you’re a pro, you have every right to do so. But first timers or beginners often push the big ring way too much. It leads to cramps, wears you down quickly, and it’s for the most part insufficient for cruising in wind, hills, or rough surfaces.

Solution:

Your bike has at least two gears up front, get to know them both. Use the smaller ring to spin more often. Find a cadence that you can maintain for the duration of your ride. A higher cadence places less stress on your muscles allowing them to last longer.

#10: Getting Lost

It’s not uncommon on organized group rides to stray down the wrong road for miles and miles when you suddenly realize that something’s wrong. It typically happens when you have your head down, following someone’s rear wheel, and you miss a designated turn. You might not think that this one is a top ten biking mistakes but if you’ve ever ridden with group of cyclists, it’s more common than you might think. It’s an accumulative error; like sheep leading each other.

Solution:

Never take for granted that the leader of the pack knows where he or she is going. If you begin to feel that you’ve taken a wrong turn, stop. Take a few minutes to evaluate your situation and take steps to get back on the right path again. Use maps if you have them. If all else fails, ask a local where you are.

Crank Brothers Y-16 Multi-Tool, Just In!

March 17, 2016 by Ryan Taylor

Crank Brothers is a brand which is no stranger to shaking up the bicycle industry. They have re-invented the wheel, brought ground breaking pedal designs to the market, and introduced clever, chic multi-tools.

The Crank Brothers Y-16 Multi-Tool

The new Crank Brothers Y-16 Multi-Tool sits at the top of their list for usable tools. It’s features include:

CO2 Inflator
Chain Tool: 8/9/10 speed compatible
Spoke Wrenches: #0, 1
Hex Wrenches: #2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8
Screwdrivers: phillips #2, flat #2
Torx: t-10, t-25

Most muli-tools in this price bracket do not feature a C02 Inflator and its nice to have this included along with all the other emergency bits you may need all in one unit.

Initial Impressions

*The Y-16 multi-tool has many interlocking features. Such as the y-handled tool holding the chain tool.*

Construction

The Y-16 is no lightweight. At 260 grams it is a utilitarian multi-tool not meant for any weight weenie. This is a good thing when it comes to a do-all tool as it signifies quality. When holding the Y-16 it becomes apparent that a lot of thinking outside the box has come into play with this multi-tool. The 2 Y-tools which hold the Torx and allen head keys are held together with internal magnets, with the C02 inflator, chain tool, and small stash of bits surrounding this.

There are a lot of great materials being used with intricate stamping and forging. It is interesting that all of these quality crafted items are held together with a plastic skeleton. The torx bits are held into a canister with a piece of foam instead of a hinged top.

We will put this multi-tool through a thrashing and have a follow up review of how it holds up!

Price – $49.99 USD

Link to Buy

The S1-A Search And State Cycling Jersey – Hand Made in Manhattan

March 17, 2016 by Ryan Taylor

You dont see this label on much clothing these days. — *You don’t see this label on many clothing items these days.*

Search And State has been gaining traction as a small cycling specific clothing company based in Midtown Manhattan. Their mantra is “Handmade products designed to last with all USA produced fabrics.” This is a bit of an anomaly in the clothing industry these days and S&S would have it no other way.

The S1-A has rugged features throughout. — *The Search And State Cycling Jersey S1-A has rugged features throughout.*

The S1-A Search And State Cycling Jersey

In the S1-A jersey there are many hidden, finer touches that point to great attention to small details. First impressions of the S1-A are that of being very rugged. This is not a lightweight climbers jersey. The S1-A is heavy and robust to the point where riders in warmer climates may find it too hot but else where is of perfect construction.

Search and State S1-A in a color on featured on the website. Possibly a new color? — Search and State S1-A jersey in a color not featured on the website. Possibly a new color?

Zipper Construction

The S1-A is constructed with a Riri zipper, which is the best in the industry. It offers a very positive feel similar to that of a Campagnolo Shifter. There is a zipper covering on the inside of the jersey to protect from pinching the rider during use and to keep that annoying chilly breeze from going through the zipper onto your bare skin.

Material

The jersey material itself is the same throughout and this jersey is a very pleasant olive green with hunter orange accents. Similar to the stitching and zipper construction, it is heavy and durable. After a formal long term test of its wicking ability and warm temperature performance we will have a follow up review.

Search and State market themselves as primarily a maker of road oriented clothing. Using the S1-A on the mountain bike however, you wouldn’t think twice about it. The durability of the product is that confidence inspiring.

The Fit of the S1-A Jersey

The fit of the S1-A is an accurate race cut. The materials are thicker and don’t have as much stretch as some of the lighter jerseys coming out these days. It pays to buy the size that fits, instead of a size down hoping for a skin tight fit. Being more of a race, there is a gentlemanly relaxedness to it, not too tight, but not too loose either.

We will be back in a few months with a long term review of the Search And State S1-A Cycling Jersey!

Price – $150 USD

Where to Buy

http://searchandstate.com/

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