I Love Bicycling

I Love Bicycling is a website that is geared towards cycling for beginners with road cycling tips, training articles, nutrition tips, weight loss, how to’s and bike repair articles.

The Best Mudguards to Get You Through Winter Riding

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Many cyclists think slapping mudguards on a carbon fiber bike is a little daft, but once you try them you will realize just how useful they can be. Unless it’s pouring rain, it’s the spray from the wheels that most often get you wet, so mudguards are your first line of defence. Not only do they keep spray from flying into your face and going up your back, but they are also a common courtesy on group rides.

Winter riding can be a ton of fun, but it also makes for some tough riding conditions. Between the sudden changes in weather and wet roads with muddy shoulders, mudguards can make all the difference. For commuters, fenders are a no brainer, but for cyclists heading out on training rides, they also have the advantage of keeping your feet and legs from getting soaked and chilled. That means you’ll be able to ride longer (also a no brainer).

Best Mudguards

Types of Mudguards

Full Length

Full length, bolted mudguards are most commonly seen on touring bikes. These obviously provide the best coverage and protect the rider behind you, but they do have limited clearance and won’t fit all bikes. Some have a large rubber flap on the end of the front of the mudguard as well. The longer the front mudguard, the better chance that you feet will stay dry as they are in the firing line for water kicked up from the front wheel. For a bike to accommodate full length mudguards, you’ll want to make sure you have enough clearance under the brakes and behind the seat tube. You also want to make sure it has mudguard mounts.

Plastic Clip-On Guards

Plastic clip-on guards will attach to most road bikes. Clip-on guards are great for bikes without mudguard eyelets, but they typically provide less coverage.

Mountain Bike Style

Mountain bike style mudguards attach to the downtube and seatpost. These will fit on almost any bike, and provide a ton of clearance, but provide the least amount of coverage.

The Best Mudguards

Full Length: Portland Design Works Full Metal Fenders

Price: $118

Made of anodized aluminum and adorned with laser graphics and an embossed alloy head badge, the Full Metal Fenders look great. They provide full-wrap coverage, even shielding your shoes and riders on your rear wheel thanks to sturdy rubber mudflaps. Safety release tabs ensure your wheels keep turning even if debris gets lodged between the fender and tire. The mounting system has a creative workaround for forks that do not have a center mounting hole through the use of zip ties. They have two sizes: “The Road” and “The City” that cater to road or commuter bikes.

Full Length: SKS Chromoplastic

Price: $115

The SKS Chromoplastic are a great full length option that have stood the test of time. Made by sandwiching aluminum strips inside plastic housing, they are durable and provide great coverage. They feature stainless steel stays and hardware, with a front fork crown fitting and secu-clip to lock it in place. The Chromoplastic also include a mudflap on the front and a reflector on the rear. They’re available in a variety of sized to fit tires from 20 – 45mm.

Full Length: Velo Orange Hammered Alloy Fender

Price: $65

These fenders feature a classic hammered pattern and include a hardware kit to work with almost any type of mounting in the same finish as the fenders. Made from aluminum alloy for strength while staying lightweight, they come in a variety of sizes to ensure a good fit. They can be a pain to install, but they are built to last.

Clip On: SKS RaceBlade Pro XL 

Price: $60

These easy to install clip on plastic mudguards are designed for 700c tires up to 32mm in width. They can adapt to the radius of the wheel by adjusting the length of the stays. Each mudguard consists of two parts that join together with steel brackets, held by the brake caliper bolt. They do a great job of keeping both your feet and your bottom dry, and protecting the rider behind you from getting sprayed in the face.

Mountain-Bike Style: Zefal Swan Road

Price: $15

If you don’t have mudguard mounts and are looking for some protection from road spray from your rear wheel, then the Zefal Swam Road is a great option. It includes a simple but sturdy bracket that attaches to the seatpost, making it super easy to take on and off.

Mountain-Bike Style: Crud Catcher

Price: $15

The Crud Catcher fits on your downtube to catch any loose mud being flicked up from your front wheel. Mostly used on mountain bikes, you can use it on your road bike as a means of keeping mud and spray out of your face. It’s easy to mount with the supplied fittings, and gets the job done with little fuss.

A Review Of The Tigra Sport Handlebar Phone Mount

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handlebar phone mount

You go pretty much everywhere with your phone be it the grocery store, work, or on your ride. There are a lot of cycling apps out there that you can use during a ride. Strava anyone? How about a map when you’re exploring new roads or trails? So why not make use of your phone during a ride? Digging your phone out of your pocket can be cumbersome not to mention dangerous at times. This on top of your phone having the capability to operate as a cycling computer giving you real-time data, and more than just your speed and time ridden, are reason enough to have a handlebar phone mount.

Having the Need to See Who’s Calling/Texting/Emailing…

Additionally, you probably get the text from the significant other about when you’ll be home or from your friends about going out later. How about the unexpected call that could be work that can’t wait, or parents who can wait. Knowing right away whether it’s something you need need to pull over and take care of or if you can keep riding and get to it later is super convenient and saves you from having to reach back frantically and pull your phone out of your pocket. Having it right there in front of you solves these problems.

The Need of a Handlebar Phone Mount That Will Reliably Keep Your Phone Safe

With a handlebar phone mount however, your phone is out in the elements and in an exposed spot to fall and break be it on bumpy roads or trails or in the event of a crash. Having your phone securely mounted with a reliable piece of equipment is extremely important. After all, smart phones aren’t exactly cheap. Here we review the Tigra Sport Handlebar Phone Mount and see if it’s up for this rather large job.

What is The Tigra Sport Handlebar Phone Mount?

handlebar phone mount

This handlebar phone mount is a two part system to mount your phone. The first is the mount of which ours was the Mount Case Bike Forward Mount. They have a number of different types of mounts depending upon your setup and desire. This mount is made from aluminum and is quite sturdy. The second part is the case that your phone is in. This isn’t similar to your standard, durable smartphone case, but rather is a durable smartphone case, just with an elevated section of material on the back of which the mount attaches to.

handlebar phone mount handlebar phone mount

How the Mount Attaches to the Bars

The mount first attaches to your handlebars with an aluminum backing that is bolted on with two small bolts with allen heads; much like clip-on aerobars if you are familiar with them. The mount comes with multiple rubber strips preformed to go between your handlebars of any diameter, and the mount to prevent slipage as well as to ensure that it’s tight on the bars. Two more small bolts then attach the piece that contains the attachment points for the phone as well as a camera mount beneath. The four bolts do seem a bit small and like they would be a pain to install but in-fact it was simple and straightforward.

handlebar phone mount

How Your Phone Attaches to the Mount

The phone itself is not actually attached to the mount but rather is in a case designed specifically for it. Tigra Sport makes mount cases for practically every smartphone. (I’m a bike expert not a phone expert but clicking around their website it seemed like they had every type of phone covered.) Our mount case was for the iPhone 6 and it fit snug, like any phone case would. It is also quite sleek and if you can deal with the thicker material in the center, on the back in your day-to-day life, it can be an everyday phone case.

This mount case then rotates and clicks in to the mount itself, much like a Garmin mount or any other computer mount, except this one is a bit bigger and a bit more secure. To remove the phone from the mount, you can’t just rotate it. You have to press down on a little tab and then rotate it. This seems like the ticket to keeping the phone mounted no matter what.

The Security

This handlebar phone mount is quite secure on the bars. There is virtually no play or movement in the mount itself and only a little bit in the phone case to mount connection but not enough that it would go anywhere. (Upon first testing this product I didn’t want to risk doing much of a ride and breaking my phone if the mount were to fail so was quite hesitant but once I saw how secure the phone actually was I knew I didn’t have to worry.) If you were to apply abrupt, direct force to the phone, say in a crash, the system would fail at the point where the phone case clips into the mount itself. For this to happen, it would have to be in a crash as simply riding down a crazy rough road or rocky trail would not apply enough direct force to the phone. For the phone to come out of the case it’s in; it simply won’t happen because of the weight of the phone and how tightly the case is on it.

The Functionality

The Tigra Sport Handlebar Phone Mount is quite simple but also functional for what you want to do with it. The mount attaches to your handlebars just to the left of the stem which is the only option if you want the mount out ahead of your bars, otherwise you can pace it on the other side to have the phone just above your stem. Either position puts the phone in the best place to use yet still be out of the way. You can angle the mount so that phone faces more up to you or so it lies flat and is more aerodynamic. With its sleek turn and lock attachment system, it can also rotate so the phone is horizontal to you. This is a great option if you’re riding the trainer or rollers in the winter and want to watch a movie.

handlebar phone mount

For anything to be functional on a bike, it must stand up in all weather. The mount will easily but your phone on the other hand… The case comes with a cover that snaps over the front of the phone which wouldn’t be 100% waterproof, say dropping it in a lake, but if you were to get caught in the rain, the cover would keep your phone dry. They have small removable covers for the power cord and earphone jack that simply rotate out and stay attached so you don’t loose them. The one big drawback with the cover is that it makes it very difficult to use your phone as it doesn’t provide good contact with the screen to be able to swipe, type, anything really. (note: I do have a glass screen protector on my phone so both of them may be the reason why it doesn’t work.) You can see fine through the screen protector which seemed like it would be an issue before it was on the phone.

handlebar phone mount

The Take Away

This is a pretty sweet handlebar phone mount. Simply, it keeps your phone secure on your bars, priority number one, and has the functionality to be able to be positioned almost any way you like. Additionally, having the option to attach a camera, say a GoPro, to the bottom of the mount is pretty sleek. The biggest drawback is the screen protector being too thick or made of poorly conducting plastic for you to be able to utilize the screen. You don’t have to ride with it on however and can just leave it in your pocket just in case the rain comes.

Best Bike Chain Lube For All Bikes

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So you are looking for the best bike chain lube on the market? Well, we take a look at the various brands. First off, you have to decide what kind of lube you want, wet or dry.

best bike chain lube

How To Pick the Best Bike Chain Lube

Lube is to prevent your gears from getting dry and creating friction, keep the dirt out and also keep everything from rusting. There are two kinds of lube, wet and dry.

Wet Bike Chain Lube

Generally you use wet lube in wet conditions, the consistency of the lube is thick and slippery so that it won’t wash away in the rain or when biking through puddles.

Dry Bike Chain Lube

Dry lube is used in dry weather as it is not as thick as wet lube and does not collect as much dirt. The lube goes on wet, but dries quickly leaving a wax like synthetic film to protect your chain. The downside to dry lube is it does not last as long and has to be re-applied more frequently.

Applying Bike Lube

Note that you do have to apply all lubes to dry and degreased chains. Make sure you avoid all brakes and rotors when applying lube. Aim to put one drop per link and take off any excess lube with a rag.

What Happens If I Don’t Lube My Chain?

If you do not lube your chain it will pick up dirt and grimme and get stuck in the links making it less efficient to cycle. The chain links will dry up and corrode making shifting and biking more difficult.

The Best Bike Chain Lubes Review

Finish Line Dry Lube

best bike chain lube - finish line dry lubeFinish line dry lube is one of the industry leaders, it includes teflon which decreases friction so you use less energy to turn the pedals.

Make sure to use this lube in dry conditions and give it enough time to dry off.

This comes in 2, 4 and 8 ounce squeeze bottles, an 8 ounce aerosol spray can, a 32 ounce jug and a 1 gallon jug.

Finish Line Wet Lube

best bike chain lube - finish line wetThis is the wet version of the finish line products and will protect your chain in the wettest conditions as it totally repels water. This lube will get in to every little nook and cranny and keep mud and dirt out.

Again, the teflon makes nice and efficient pedaling and is the most popular brand in the world.

This comes in 2, 4 and 8 ounce squeeze bottles, an 8 ounce aerosol spray can, a 32 ounce jug and a 1 gallon jug.

Rock N Roll Gold Lube

best bike chain lube - rock n roll lubeCoined the king of lube, albeit self proclaimed, is a great all purpose road and mountain biking wet lube. This lube simultaneously cleans and lubes, it will dissolve any dirt and make the chain look like new. This lube is not a degreaser or a cleaner, but it does help clean the chain.

Comes in 4 and 16 ounce bottles.

Tri-Flow Bike Chain Lube

best bike chain lube - tri-flow lubeTri-Flow is formulated to clean, soften and remove dirt contaminants it has a light viscosity to ensure it penetrates deep in to all of those hard to reach moving parts. Tri-Flow also uses teflon and works well in all temperatures.

Search and State S1-A Cycling Jersey Long Term Review

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s1-a cycling jersey

Search and State are among the new wave of cycling clothing brands who put emphasis on a clean look, quality materials, and a good fit. All of their garments are made by hand in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. For initial impressions of the Search and State S1-A Cycling Jersey check it out here! In this review I get into my long term thoughts on the jersey.

The Fit of the S1-A Cycling Jersey

Over the past few months the S1-A Cycling Jersey has worked its way into the role of ‘first pick’ in my cycling wardrobe. It is the first I go to just after laundry day. It has a lot of positive attributes, but for me the main one is fantastic fit. As someone who is hitting 30 this year and who loves beer, I am still very fit but am very close to ‘dad body’ territory. The S1-A has no quarrel with that and supports me with my lifestyle. It fits great on the bike, but still gives me a little room while keeping the slim look.

The Material

The material of the S1-A Cycling Jersey is very durable and after months of use, it remains strong. I regularly wear it on the road, as well as on the mountain bike and don’t think twice about damaging the jersey in a bad crash. Additionally the moss green color looks great should a ride start or end at the coffee shop and you have to mingle with the general public.

The Pockets

The pockets of the S1-A  fit naturally on a more road oriented jersey. They are adequately deep and are not difficult to access.

Too Thick for Hot Days?

The downside to the material of the S1-A jersey is that it is too thick for those hot days. I would grab another jersey when the temperatures go over 25 degrees C (77 F).

search-and-state-bibs-s1s-3

Price and Value

Despite the durability, clean look, and great fit of the Search and State S1-A Cycling Jersey, for $150USD, I would like to see a few minor touches and material variations in the jersey. This price in comparable brands typically gets you a 4th pocket, and a mix of materials, such as mesh in the armpits or different elasticity in high stretch areas.

Is Made In America Better?

This is where the question arises whether the higher price tag is worth the ‘handmade in America’ tag next t0 it. Is the S1-A better than the equivalent jersey made in China?  Search and State would say absolutely. It supports your neighbor and every $1 that is spent on manufacturing leads to an extra $1.40 being added to the economy. All I know is that they have made a great jersey for getting a coffee, or that has your back while riding the all day epic.

SAS_Green_Jersey

PROS:

-Great Fit

-Great Materials

-Great Look

CONS:

-For the price, comparable jerseys have more features and material mixes.

Price: $150Usd

www.searchandstate.com

Best Exercise Bike to Lose Weight

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Honestly, the best exercise bike to lose weight is the one you will spend the most time in. Make sure you select the exercise bike that is the most comfortable. There are two styles of exercise bike: the upright seated position bike or the recumbent bike that has the reclined seat and you can settle back in to.

best exercise bike to lose weight

Upright Exercise Bike

The upright exercise bike more closely mimics the road bike and truthfully, if you are a cyclist, this is going to have you in a more beneficial position to build the required muscles.

Recumbent Exercise Bike

The recumbent exercise bike is more of a sit back comfort bike that has more back support. It is generally easier to spend longer durations on this style.

Best Exercise Bike to Lose Weight

Comfort is everything when you are looking to lose weight. It is easier to sit in a recumbent exercise bike and watch a movie or a TV show while pedaling sitting back comfortably. Intensities may not be as high on recumbent bikes but the average duration is 1.5 times longer, a fair trade off when you are looking to burn calories.

Convenience is another huge contributing factor to determining the best best exercise bikes for losing weight. Factors such as sticking the bike up in the attic or finding one that can fit in your TV room are important. Recumbent exercise bikes generally take up more room, do not sacrifice convenience for comfort unless you are a very disciplined individual.

So What is the Best Stationary Bike for Weight Loss?

Any exercise bike you select is going to burn a significant amount of calories, but if you are a stats person, make sure you select a bike with a display that tracks the amazing features that are going to drive you to work hard such as: a calorie counter, heart rate monitor, distance travelled, time spent spinning or difficulty of workout.

There are a plethora of exercise bikes designed to help you lose weight click here to view them: Best Exercise Bike to Lose Weight.

 

105 Versus Ultegra – What’s The Deal?

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105 Versus Ultegra

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 vs ultegra105

  • 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 vs 105Ultegra

  • 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.

Peloton Cycle: An Interesting Twist to the Traditional Stationary Bike

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Peloton Cycle- an interesting twist to the traditional stationary bikeWhen people talk about a new gadget, it usually has something to do with wearables that have a pedometer or a new smartphone that can track a person’s heart rate. This new fitness machine, however, shows that gym equipment isn’t necessarily an archaic piece of technology, as there’s an instrument now that elevates workouts through interactive cycling classes.

The Peloton Cycle is a top-of-the-line exercise machine for those who want take advantage of technology while exercising. As the title suggests, it has an interesting twist to the traditional bike, and its training regimen can be quite addicting and encouraging to fitness workouts. The Peloton Cycle allows people to stream live or play in-demand cycling classes straight through the machine’s 21.5-inch Android waterproof touchscreen. This means that if your trainer catches you slacking off, he or she can spew words of encouragement to keep your legs moving, wherever you are in the world.

Apart from the interactive classes, the Peloton Cycle monitors a user’s burned calories, distance traveled, and pedaling rate. There’s also a leaderboard in order to motivate users to get themselves into the top 10, or beat an exercise buddy who’s also using a Peloton Cycle.

While the Peloton Bike is an interesting piece of kit, this piece of high-tech machinery comes with a hefty price tag. The bike and monitor cost $1,995, and a $39 per month subscription is needed to stream the cycling classes.

Perhaps people would consider this product more if its Android monitor offered games. Right now, the screen has no use apart from watching classes, which is a shame because some stationary bikes use casual games such as poker, slot machines, or black jack to help people pass the time while exercising. Gaming Realms, a software giant based in the UK that hosts a number of games through its proprietary website, says that online game sales are expected to hit over $40 billion this year. Perhaps the makers of the Peloton Bike should’ve considered tapping into the popularity of video and online games for their product to reach a wider audience.

If you can afford it, however, there’s no harm in trying out this equipment. Peloton Cycles looks top-of-the-line, and their online cycling instructors seem to know their stuff.

Best Tag Along Bike

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The Wee Man Is the Best Tag Along Bike

tag along bikes
Want to have as much fun as this family?

The WeeRide Co-Pilot is just the thing for a child who wants to tag along with Mommy or Daddy, but doesn’t have the legs for it. It gives you the control of steering and braking while keeping you child engaged while they pedal to help you along, or just coast and enjoy the scenery. Either way it’s fun for both of you. Sturdy construction – just like a regular 20-inch bicycle with regular handlebars, seat, and pedals. Attaches easily and quickly to almost any bicycle with a seatpost, and folds up for storage when not in use. And it even comes with a safety flag to alert motorists. This tag along bike is great for the whole family, nothing says togetherness like a family bike ride.

Tag along bikes are great for teaching your child how to ride a bike if they are not already familiar.

10 Best Chamois Butter

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There is a lot of debate about the necessity of chamois butter in the modern cycling world, particular since the introduction of synthetic chamois in cycling shorts. However, even beyond the antibacterial properties, chamois butter is also useful when it comes to comfort as it can reduce the levels of friction between your sensitive regions and the saddle, cutting down on saddle sores in the process. Here we look at ten of the best on the market today.

  1. Chamois Butt’r Original 8oz tube

1-Chamois-Buttr-Original-8o - best chamois butter

Price: $13 – $18

Marketed as the original chamois butter, this is used by a host of professional and endurance cyclists and comes with a good pedigree when it comes to performance. It is non-greasy and contains no artificial fragrances of coloring, plus it is exceptionally easy to wash off when you have finished riding.

  1. Chamois Butt’r Her’ 8oz tube

2-Chamois-Buttr-Her-8oz-tub - Best Chamois Butter

Price: $13 – $18

Designed with the women in mind, this chamois butter utilizes a range of naturally occurring materials, such as aloe vera and tea tree oil, to create a product that feels great and performs excellently. Better yet, it is completely gluten-free, making it ideal for people who suffer from an intolerance.

  1. Chamois Butt’rGoStik Skin Lubricant

3-Chamois-Buttr-GoStik-Skin - Best Chamois Butter

Price: $11 – 15

This chamois butter comes in a stick, making it much easier to apply while still maintaining the effectiveness of other butters on this list. It is specially designed to protect against chafing and other skin irritations that are common in the sport of cycling.

  1. Gooch Guard Chamois Cream

4-Gooch-Guard-Chamois-Cream-Best Chamois Butter

Price: $15 – $23

Comedic naming aside, Gooch Guard does exactly what it says on the tub – it protects your more sensitive regions from the rigors of cycling. Made using natural ingredients, it offers a lubricated barrier that cuts down on friction and soothes the skin at all points of the ride.

  1. Chamois Butt’rEurostyle

5-Chamois-Buttr-Eurostyle-8- Best Chamois Butter

Price: $17 – 20

Made using menthol and witch hazel, so you can be sure you’ll stay fresh “down there”, this chamois butter can be applied both to your skin and your cycling shorts before a ride to ensure that you reduce friction levels and protect yourself from saddle sores.

  1. Eastern Mountain Sports PACELINE Chamois Butt’r

6-Eastern-Mountain-Sports-P-Best Chamois Butter

Price: $13 – $15

As the name implies, this is the perfect chamois butter for people who like to go a little off the beaten track when they ride and is used by both professionals and recreational cyclists alike. It washes off easily and contains no artificial fragrances, making it ideal for people looking for a natural chamois butter.

  1. Chamois Glide Stop Saddle Sores Balm

7-Chamois-Glide-Stop-Saddle-Best Chamois Butter

Price: $8

Easy to apply and completely portable, so you can take it out on the road when you are adventure cycling and use it whenever you need, this chamois butter is dry and long-lasting. It also resists against sweat, so you won’t need to worry about it washing off during the ride. The least expensive, it still does the trick but it feels as if it goes on a bit dry.

  1. DZ Nuts Pro Chamois Cream

8-DZ-Nuts-Pro-Chamois-Cream - best chamois cream-Best Chamois Butter

Price $17 – $24

The name makes no bones about the area that this butter aims to protect, but it’s one that will resonate quite readily with men. The antibacterial nature of the cream means that you don’t need to worry about inflammation or other skin irritants, plus it ensures your skin heals quickly should you suffer from any chaffing incidents.

  1. Udderly Smooth Chamois Cream

9-Udderly-Smooth-Chamois-Cr-best chamois cream

This chamois cream is enriched with Shea butter and has received rave reviews in a number of different cycling publications. It’s as smooth as the name suggests and there are few better for protecting against the hazard of chaffing and other friction-related issues.

  1. Assos Chamois Cream

10-Assos-Chamois-Cream

Price: $23 – $26

This chamois butter offers everything that a chamois needs, allowing the chamois to maintain its supple texture and antibacterial properties while also protecting the rider’s skin at all times. It can be applied directly onto the skin in addition to being rubbed into the chamois itself. This is our my favourite! Assos makes the best quality product on the market.

Best Cycling Multi-Tools – Ever!

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cycling mult-tools

The cycling multi-tool is an essential part of the kit for avid riders. It contains practically everything that you need to ensure that your bike stays in good condition and many riders will keep a good cycling multi-tool forever.

However, not all multi-tools are made equal, so we have come up with a list of a few different ones based on categories we think are important that are all worth your time.

One of the main things to look for is how many different functions the multi-tool has. For some of those shorter rides that you have your cell phone or perhaps during a race you don’t need the 20+ function multi-tool. However, if you are going on an epic back country ride, arm up for bear and grab the biggest multi tool you can!

Racing Multi Tool Review

Topeak The Mini 9-Function Bicycle Tool

Best Cycling Multi Tool

Price: $14 – $17

At just 92 grams this Top Peak mini multi tool is great for quick repairs, designed to fix the essentials. Going in a race or going for a quick rip around the block? This 9 function multi tool is for you. Fit this little one in with your flat repair kit and you won’t even notice it is there.

Everyday Riding Multi Tool Reviews

Park Tool I-Beam 3 Mini Tool IB3

Best Cycling Multi-Tools

Price: $27

Park Tool are perhaps one of the most common brands in the cycling multi-tools industry, so it shouldn’t be a surprise to anybody that one of their tools makes the list. The I-Beam 3 is their mid-range tool, offering everything that you need for basic bike repair, plus a chain breaker and tire lever right on the multitool. It’s lightweight, compact and extremely versatile.

Topeak Hexus II Multi-tool

Best Cycling Multi Tool

Price: $19 – $28

This is one of the most popular multi tools in the world and for good reason. The Hexus 2 has 16 different functions including tire levers, chain breaker and spoke wrenches along with the typical allen wrenches, philips head and flat head screwdriver. At 167 grams, this is a great everyday multi tool that takes care of most of the issues out on the road. This is one of the most well-rounded cycling multi-tools making it an excellent choice for novice road cyclists who want to have a tool handy but won’t be needing to make particularly complex repairs.

Back Country Multi Tool Reviews

Topeak Mini 20 Pro Multi-Tool

Best Cycling Multi-Tools

Price: $40

Featuring twenty different tool options, this multi-tool is a rather remarkable choice due to the extremely compact construction. This makes it ideal for rides where you aren’t going to be taking much equipment. However, bear in mind that this compact design can cause a few issues when it comes to tool access. The perfect tool for endurance racing and training.

Top Peak Alien 2 Multi-Tool

Best Cycling Multi-Tool

Price: $40 – $50

The Topeak Alien II multi-tool is pretty incredible. It’s an entire tool box that fits comfortably into your hydration pack or jersey pocket. There are 26 tools in all, and short of a cracked frame or complete fork overhaul, you should be able to fix just about anything with the Alien II. The Topeak Alien II combines pressed stainless steel with engineering-grade plastic for lightweight durability. It also splits apart for ease of use. The Alien II comes with a chain tool and a chain hook to assist with chain repairs. It also comes with a 15mm pedal wrench and two tire levers. As for Allen bits, this Alien has them covered from 2 to 10mm, with a T25 Torx also included. 8, 9, and 10mm box-end wrenches, along with 14, and 15-gauge spoke wrenches, and #2 Phillips/flat-head screwdrivers, round out the Alien II’s features. At 260 grams this multi tool has it all.

Stylish Multi Tool Review

Full Windsor The Nutter Cycling Tool

 

Price: $60

From solid and practical through to beautiful and interesting, this is the multi-tool for the fashion-conscious cyclist who wants to have something a little bit different. This is definitely the sexiest multi tool on the list and only weighs 110 grams. That’s not to say that this doesn’t have a good range of tools with 13 different tools, including a bottle opener, but the fact that it comes complete with a nifty saddle bag makes it a great choice for those who want something a little more stylish.

Brooks Saddles MT21 Tool Kit

 

Price: $60

You may end up paying a little more for this than the rest of the options on the list, but with the Brooks Multi-Tool you always know that you are going to get high-end quality. It’s heavy, stylish and features a wide range of tools and 21 different functions, making it great for adventure cycling but a little less useful for those who are trying to stay as light as possible. It comes with a knife and a bottle opener, for all your outdoors needs.

Whatever your needs may be this is a list of the best cycling multi-tools on the market! Do you have one of these or is your favourite something else? Let us know.

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