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Saddle Bag Essentials

December 30, 2015 by Wade Shaddy

It doesn’t take many tools, but having the right gear in your saddle bag is vital to your next ride. Essential saddle bag gear should include the tools to fix anything that might occur while riding a deserted stretch of blacktop, or a quick run to the nearest convenience store.

Saddle Bag Essentials – The Right Stuff

Without tools and supplies you’re walking, or calling for help. It’s not so much having a tool for each and every issue, it’s about having the right tools and supplies to get you back on the road again. Bike equipment manufactures have designed compact tools and gear that don’t take up a lot of extra space, and perform exactly what you want it to, when you want it to.

Spare Tubes

Nothing is more important than a spare tube. If you’re doing any serious distance, pack two tubes. Discard the box, but keep the rubber band. Take care to keep it as small and unrolled as possible. If you have any kind of baby powder available, sprinkle it on both sides of the tube, and slip it in a zip-lock bag. The zip-lock bag helps to protect the fresh tube against drying out and protects it from friction from the constant rubbing inside your pack. More than a few cyclists have pulled fresh tubes out of their pack, only to discover they won’t hold air because of a small hole caused from friction.

Tire Levers

Tire levers are vitally important. It’s possible fix a flat without any levers, but it’s tricky. You only need two levers, but three levers come in handy if you have the space. Don’t pack those flimsy, flat levers that snap off the first time you use them. Invest in some substantial levers that will get that tire off and on when you’re using those stiff all-weather, puncture-resistant, clincher tires.

Patch Kit

Modern patch kits are minimal, and worth packing, particularly if you’re doing long distances, and running the risk of using all your fresh tubes. There are several types available, but most cyclists agree that messing around with glue is time consuming, and glue takes up extra space. Get some of those glue-free patches that stick right over the hole without glue. This type of patch is actually flatter, and more minimal than bulky patches that require glue, and better for skinny road bike tubes.

Presta to Schrader Adapter

This one might not be essential, but it’s so small that it’s a no-brainer to include one in your saddle pack. The small adapter allows you to use any air compressor or air pump, anywhere, to fill your presta-equipped valves. You should already have a frame pump, or device to fill your tubes anywhere on the road, and most of them have adaptable heads for both Schrader and Presta. But if your pump, or another cyclists pump fails, you can get them back on the road again with this small adapter and any air pump you can find.

Multi-Tool

The addition of a multi-tool to your saddle bag is critical. The multi-tool has underwent many changes over the years, some include things that you may or may not need. Choose one with basic hex wrenches and screwdrivers to keep it minimal in size, or go all out with the Swiss Army knife type if you have the room for it. In most instances, the basics are all you need to fix just about anything that goes wrong with your bike, or make minor adjustments to cables, or anything that’s loose on your bike. Don’t leave home without it.

Chain Breaker

It’s not often that you break a chain, but when you do, you’re dead in the water without a chain breaker. The chain breaker allows you to remove broken pins from your broken chain. Even though you might not anticipate that you will break a chain, the chain breaker is so small that it doesn’t make sense to leave it at home. It is best to get a multi-tool that has a chain breaker on it.

Master Link

The master link goes hand in hand with the chain tool. After removing the broken pin from the chain, the master link snaps together to join the two ends of the chain together. Get on your bike, add some torque to the chain to finish the job. The master link is smaller and thinner than a matchbook. Sometimes referred to as a missing link, there are different sizes for some chains. Make room for it in your pack.

Practice Makes Perfect

Fixing a broken chain can be tricky if you don’t understand how to use the chain breaker and master link. It’s highly advisable to practice at home on a spare or discarded chain. Get one from a bike shop if you have to, and use the chain breaker to practice removing pins. Master-links are user friendly, and you should be able to figure it out without practicing with a new one.

Fix a Flat

If you’re not familiar with repair procedures, it’s smart to practice them at home before attempting to do it on the side of the road. Remove a wheel, tire and tube from a spare bike. Use your patch kit to patch a hole on a tube, air it up and replace everything. You should be able to do it in your sleep. It saves time and you’ll never be intimidated again.

Personal Items

Make room for medications and identification. Place your meds in a small, flat container, and don’t forget to add some cotton. The constant vibration can pulverize pills and other meds. Always keep some form of identification in your pack, with your credit card or cash. Lots of saddle bags have exterior pockets for this kind of thing. Add some type of ointment — Neosporin is good — in case you go down. The spray type works better on grungy, dirty road rash. Add a few gauze pads.

Fast and Light

Road bikers travel fast and light, with minimalistic saddle bags. What you include in your underseat pack is up to you, and you can include anything you like, but your pack will only hold so much. The essentials of any pack should be there to get you back on the bike, without a lot of fuss and extra weight.

25 of the Best Gifts for Cyclists

December 11, 2015 by Lee Agur

So you are looking for the the perfect gifts for cyclists that have everything. Here is a list of gift ideas they may not have.

Cyclists love gadgets, do they need them? Probably not. But adding new gear to your cycling regimen can aid your performance, motivation, safety and comfort, and besides that, gadgets are just cool. Designers, inventors and technology has given cycling some of it’s coolest toys. Can cyclists get by without them, probably, but they are sure fun to use.

For those looking for something that goes beyond gloves, helmets, shoes or jackets for cycling enthusiasts, there are also many useful, unique and sometimes unusual gifts for Christmas, Birthdays or just because, that can make cycling more interesting.

Cool Gifts For Cyclists

Magnetic Lights

Price: $25 – $50

Stand out and stay safe on your next ride down the block or through the trails with powerful, palm-sized bike lights. LED powered, typically white for the front, and red for the back–shine in three different settings. Choose a steady beam, slow or quick flash. Strong magnets ensure that the lights stay put even on the roughest roads, but remember, magnets only work on selected frames, if you’re on carbon they won’t work. When you reach your destination, the brilliant little light snaps off and can be popped in your pocket or backpack until the next time you need to hit the road. There are lots of magnetic lights out there, but those from Lucetta run for 40 hours.

Glowing Bikes

Price: $300 – $400

If you like riding in the dark, a fixed gear nut, maybe even a bicycle messenger, or you just like green, glowing things, the Zulu is a fixed-gear bike that might be just the thing to use for night riding. The white-frame bike glows neon green after being in the sun for a half-hour during the day. The manufacturer says it will glow in the dark for an hour.

Laser Beams

Price: $10

This is one cool laser beam, actually two laser beams. It’s called the Cyclist’s Virtual Safety Lane. It’s a device that mounts on your seat and emits two red laser “virtual lanes,” one on either side of the bicycle, increasing your safety when cycling on dark highways, paths or anywhere else.. The six-foot long lanes are said to be visible from a mile away.

Giant Sock

Price: $60

The Velo Sock fits over a bike to keep sand and other dirt off the floor. The bike sock, which comes in a choice of colors and patterns, is machine washable.

Battery Charger

Price: $130

Transform energy from your next ride into reserve power by downloading your energy into a removable battery pack. Use the fully loaded pack to charge your USB-powered devices anywhere your ride takes you. The little powerhouse pack takes less than two minutes to install on your back wheel and lets you use the momentum you create while biking to fill the removable battery. This weather-proof charger/battery comes to your aid when you’re biking to an outdoor destination, such as a campsite or park, and will revive your phone, GPS, camera, or any of your other go-to devices.

Folding Helmet

Price: $99 – $200

Not sure why you would need a folding helmet, but they’re out there. Utilizing an elastic system, the helmet from Carrera folds up when it’s not in use, making it easy to store in your bag while you’re shopping, eating or otherwise off your bike. While it does collapse when you’re not using it, the brand ensures that top level safety is their priority when the helmet is strapped on your head.

Ass Savers

Price: $2 – $15

This one is a no-brainer if you cycle in wet weather, maybe commute or just don’t want to show up at work with the tell-tale stripe up your butt. Constructed from recycled materials, the lightweight mudguards fit on your seat rails in minutes to help prevent embarrassing stains from showing up on your backside.

Bike Pizza Cutter

Price: $10 – $20

What a cosmopolitan way to slice a pie! Durable stainless steel, double-wheel pizza cutter will take you on a gastronomic tour from crust to crust.

Phone Controlled Lock

Price: $139 – Not available yet… coming soon.

This gift is for all those cyclists who do everything with their phone. The phone technology is infused into the old-school, mechanical bike lock. Built from cut-resistant stainless steel, the BitLock employs a proximity sensor that automatically locks/unlocks your bike when your mobile phone — equipped with the app — is within a 3 feet radius. It also lets you grant access to other users, track calories burned, map your ride, and has GPS.

Barr Mitts

Price: $50 – $75

Cold weather riding is doable with gloves, but when your gloves aren’t enough, maybe adding bar mitts can do it for you. The neoprene cover slides right over your handlebars acting as a shield against the harsh weather conditions, protecting your fingers from freezing. They might appear bulkish, but they work, to keep direct wind off your hands. For just under $50, they’re cheaper than some gloves.

Boom Bottle

Price: $75 – $150

The boombottle is a wireless Bluetooth speaker, geared toward listening to music while you ride. It fits in your water bottle cage, with a built in microphone that works as a speaker phone. The rechargeable lithium battery lasts about 10-hours. The speaker feature comes in handy with group rides, or organized cycling events.

Crash Sensor

Price: $100 – $135

This gift could literally save your life. The ICEdot Crash Sensor, attaches to your helmet, and sends alerts to your contacts, with a GPS coordinates, when you’re in an accident. A countdown on the sensor app is triggered during the accident. If you’re not injured, you can shut it down.

50 Bikes That Changed The World

Price: $10 – $15

A gift for the knowledgeable cycling historian – From the Penny-Farthing, the Dandy-Horse and the Velocipede the design of the bicycle has evolved over the decades both in terms of style and technology. From high-performance cycles to practical run-arounds, conceptual bikes to commercial models, here are the 50 most important, pivotal bicylces from around the world.

Balaclava

Price: $20 – $40

A gift for the hardcore cycling enthusiast, this balaclava will keep them warm in all weather. The Chinook Multi-Tasker Pro can be worn as balaclava, a balaclava with face mask or as a neck gaiter.

Bike Chain Bottle Opener

Price: $10 – $20

Know a cyclist that likes a beer once in a while? I know I do. Get them the gift that keeps on giving, the handy bike chain bottle opener.

Bike Wine Holder

Price: $25 – $30

What if your cyclist isn’t a beer lover… it is ok, we will forgive them. Grab them a bike wine holder and put a little gift of wine to go with it.

Bike Chain Frame

Price: $30 – $40

Want to keep some memorable moments, grab this picture frame from recycled bike chain.

Bike Clock

Price: $25 – $30

Simplistic yet elegant vintage-style wrought iron bicycle frame is handsomely detailed with seat, springs, pedals, fenders, chain, brake cables, and more.

Bike Earrings

Price: $24

Women love any type of gift, but when you get them jewellery you know you are winning.

Bike Chain Bowl

Price: $50 – $89

This unique and gorgeous bowl is made from the most unlikely medium a recycled bike chain. With a great weight and classic shape it is perfect on an entry table for your keys a coffee table in the living room or even your desk at work. A great gift for the cycling enthusiast in your life.

Cycling Socks

Price: $10

Socks and underwear, that is all I generally need for Christmas… or my birthday. Keep it simple, or use them as stocking stuffers.

Road ID

Price: $25

Safety first with this gift in mind. Road ID can literally be a life saver.

Handcrafted Personalized Name Bike

Price: $30 – $35

Want a handcrafted bike with your name on it? Perfect for coffee tables, cakes and home decor, there is a choice between mountain bikes or road bikes. Select a maximum of 6 characters for the name and let them make it. You also have the option of adding a heart after the name.

Cycling Calendar

Price: $8 – $17

Can’t think of a gift to give the cyclist who has everything. Grab them a cycling calendar! Everyone can use another calendar.

Shut Up Legs Cycling Shirt

Price: $15 – $30

Who doesn’t love Jens Voigt? This “Shut Up Legs” shirt is going to kill as a present. You can’t go wrong here.

Best Gifts For Cylists

What have you found to be the best gifts for cyclists? Did any of our ideas make the list?

105 Versus Ultegra – What’s The Deal?

November 29, 2015 by Wade Shaddy

There’s lots of bike components out there, but walk into an average bike shop, and you’ll likely be offered a choice between two groups, the 105 and Ultegra, both of which are manufactured by Shimano. Bike shops often carry a majority of these two because they’re mid-range in price and entry-level, but still offer the status needed to compete and are reliable recreation riding.

Shimano is Everywhere

Shimano product sales constitute about 50 percent of the global bicycle component market. It’s the most prevalent supplier of bike components worldwide, but there are others. The hierarchy of brand names include SRAM, based in the United States, and Campagnolo, based in Italy.

It’s a Price Thing

Price is the biggest decision maker when choosing a bike. It’s one thing to say that you want the best. But the reasons to compare 105 and Ultegra go beyond that. The price difference between 105 and Ultegra is about $300 dollars. The price jump from the mid-range Ultegra to the high dollar Dura Ace is a whopping $700 or more.

Full Groups

You’ve probably heard bike shop salesmen state that a given bike is full Ultegra, or full 105. This means that the bike has been priced accordingly, and contains all the components from the stated group. In this case, a full 105 bike should be priced lower than a full Ultegra.

Recreational 105

Think of the 105 group as an entry-level component. It’s capable of racing, but cheaper. Lots of first-time racers run their first races using 105. If they like racing, and plan on doing more of it, then moving up to Ultegra is the next step up. If racing was a one-time fling, the purchase of 105 was the right move.

What 105 is Not

The 105 group is not a department store component. Shimano produces cheaper components for department store bikes. Sora and Tiagra, both lower on the tier than 105, are targeted more for entry level bikes or even department store bikes.

Ultegra Character

Ultegra has the status and performance required to be on a racers list, but not so spendy that it’s not appropriate for recreational riding as well. It’s not the high-priced racing gear of the professionals, who might go with Shimano Dura-Ace, SRAM red or Campagnolo super record, but it’s still got what it takes to win races.

Differences are Valid

The performance differences between 105 and Ultegra might seem subtle to the average cyclist, but they’re valid. It comes down to weight, engineering, performance and maybe a bit of cosmetics.

Shifter Handles

Cosmetically, Ultegra boasts a carbon shifter blade, while the 105 sports an aluminum blade. On the inside, Ultegra’s lighter, harder parts, higher quality bushings and springs make for overall better feel when operating the brakes or shifting the bike.

Subtle Shifting

If you’re new to cycling, you might not notice the differences in shifting. Even though subtle, Ultegra shifts with a slightly cleaner feel than 105, which can seem to have a robotic click, instead of a smooth transition. Again, it’s subtle, and virtually unnoticeable to the untrained cyclist.

Brakes

Braking power on both models is more than enough to get you stopped fast. Neither one claims the top spot for reliability, but 105 may be noisier than Ultegra. Better quality springs on the Ultegra, and in this case, pivots, allow for more braking power than 105. Brake pad quality is another significant factor in the performance of Ultegra brakes over 105.

Drivetrain Specs

With chains and cassettes, the differences between 105 and Ultegra are slight but still affect performance. Ultegra has a nickel-like finish on the chain, and a stronger riveting process that allows for a stiffer chain. The chain on a 105 chains has a duller finish, and due to a different riveting process, are more stretchy than Ultegra. An Ultegra cassette substitutes the aluminum lock ring for the steel one found on a 105. The machining on the aluminum cogs of an Ultegra cassette are held to tighter tolerances than 105.

Up Front

The Ultegra crankset is hollow. The Ultegra chainring shape blends nicely into the body of the Ultegra crankarm. The overbuilt structure of the crankset coupled with the chainring has better power transfer over the 105, which doesn’t sport a hollow outer chainring.

Trickle Down

It’s common for Shimano to introduce new engineering every few years. The previous years engineering advancements trickle down to the lower tier, meaning that the Dura Ace from last year, is now identified as a contemporary Ultegra. The trickle down engineering advantage is more likely to be found on Ultegra, than 105.

Basic Machining

New engineering means that Ultegra, for example, is machined to a higher degree than 105. The same goes for the brakes, shifters and drivetrain.

Stiffer

New designs and finer machining typically go hand in hand with new alloys that are stiffer, meaning that the parts on an Ultegra are lighter than the parts on a 105.

Lighter Not Always Better

It’s not always best to go with the lightest components. The lighter they get, the more delicate they are. In some instances, such as in dirty conditions, the 105 may be able to withstand more punishment, just because it’s heavier, and more substantial.

The Breakdown

105

Complete group weighs just under 6 lbs.
Entry level, recreational, but is race capable.
Reliable, maybe even more so when dirty or wet
Cheaper to repair or replace
Available in 11 speed, but more likely only 10.

Ultegra

Weighs in over a 1/2 pound less than 105 at 5.38 lbs.
Race level performance
Cleaner shifting and braking, subtle but noticeable.
11 speed more likely than 105

Wheel Advantage

It’s already been established that that spending $300 dollars more for Utegra saves weight, and theoretically makes your bike faster and more efficient. But there’s another way to accomplish the same thing, and some cyclists say with better results. Cyclists on a budget can often save more weight on wheels.

It can make sense to purchase 105, and invest the $300 in racing wheels. It might even be possible to talk the bike shop owner into swapping out the wheels on the 105 before purchase. It’s an option worth considering.

What You Need On a Long Bike Ride

February 15, 2014 by U.M.

Long bikes rides are a wonderful way to enjoy your time to yourself or others and get in some much needed fun. However, if you do plan on spending hours or even days on your favorite bike route, there are some things that you will want to take with you. This simple checklist will help you take on any challenge or emergency you may meet on the bike trail. [Read more…]