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How the Hell Do You Get the Last Bit of a Tire Back On?
I’m losing my mind over here. Another flat tire. Another war with the damn rubber band. I’ve fought it, swore at it, and left blood on the battlefield. Yet here I am, a blister on the heel of my hand, cursing the universe as I try to force the last bit of the tire back…
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The Lifespan of GP5000: Seven Things You Need to Know
You think the GP5000 is going to last forever? Think again, pal. Those tires might make you feel like a superhero on two wheels, but like all good things, their time eventually comes to an end. And when it does, it leaves you flat (pun intended). But don’t panic; let’s take a ride through the…
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The Miracle of Standardized Bottle Cages: A Cycling Victory Amidst Chaos
The sweet sound of victory. But wait—it’s not from a race or a new gear setup. It’s the moment you realize your 1986 bottle cage fits both your Peugeot and your new Specialized. Miracle of miracles. We’re talking about something as simple as a bottle cage. A piece of equipment that’s so low on the…
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Heavy Riders, Light Frames: Carbon vs. Aluminum and Which One Reigns Supreme
It’s all about the bike, baby. The ride. The speed. The freedom. But let’s be honest, when you’re a heavier rider, it’s about a lot more than just pedaling through the breeze and feeling like a Tour de France champ. It’s about keeping your bike intact and not listening to the crack of a frame…
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Slightly Off-Center Front Wheel: Ignore It or Fix It?
I had a friend once who swore his bike was cursed. Said it pulled left like it had opinions. He kept riding it anyway. “It’s just character,” he’d say, like a father defending a delinquent son. Turns out, his front wheel wasn’t centered. And neither is mine. Maybe yours isn’t either. Maybe you just haven’t…
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Carbon Forks Chipped at Dropouts – Acceptable or Not?
One minute, you’re cleaning your bike, admiring the curves, the sleek lines of your Felt FR40. The next, a tiny piece flakes off, and suddenly, your mind spirals. A chip. A small one. Insignificant, really. But in the back of your head, you hear horror stories of catastrophic failure. One second, you’re cruising, the next,…
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The Pros Of Hand Built Wheels: A Ride Like No Other
So, you’ve been rolling with your stock wheels, your trusty HiFi or Hunt, and they’ve been fine, right? They spin, they stay true, and hey, you’ve never had a flat from riding through a field of potholes at 60 mph. But you keep hearing these stories about hand-built wheels. They’re supposed to be the holy…
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Training On Carbon Wheels – Smart or Low IQ?
We’ve all heard it—the half-baked advice to not train on your race wheels. Apparently, it’ll ruin them. It’s one of those rules people love to repeat, like “don’t ride in the rain” or “only wear black socks.” But, like a dog chasing its tail, no one ever stops to ask: Why? I’ve been riding bikes…
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The Lifespan of Steel Frames
You ever fall in love with a chunk of metal? I have. And I’ll tell you, steel isn’t just metal—it’s a damn good love story. My 1980s Japanese road frame? Rides like a dream. No cracks, no rust, just me and the open road. Could it last another 40 years? Hell, could it last forever?…
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My Take On The Surly Corner Bars
I’ve gripped a lot of handlebars in my time. Some were good. Some were bad. Some felt like they wanted to kill me. And then there are the Surly Corner Bars—strange creatures in the cycling world, hovering somewhere between genius and madness. People either love them or scratch their heads in confusion. Like a book…