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The 10 Deadly Mistakes When Getting a New Bicycle
I once bought a bike like a man buys a bad drink—too fast, too eager, and with zero self-respect. It was a mistake. A costly, back-breaking, soul-crushing mistake. A bicycle is supposed to set you free. Instead, mine chained me to regret. I had picked the wrong size, the wrong type, and spent the wrong…
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The Myth That Handlebar Bags Slow You Down When Touring
I once met a guy who swore a handlebar bag cost him a race. He blamed it for his fifth-place finish. Said it ruined his aerodynamics, weighed him down like a bad marriage. I nodded, took a sip of my beer, and let him rant. But here’s the thing—he was slow before the bag. 1.…
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Discussing The Optimal Cycling Height
Let’s get one thing straight—if your feet reach the pedals, you’re good to go. That’s the only damn rule that really matters. But no, the cycling world wants to talk about “optimal height.” Like it’s some sacred number that will magically make you fly up Alpe d’Huez or crush a time trial like you’ve got…
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About The Tall Riders With Ridiculously Small Frames
You ever see a guy built like a lamppost riding a bike two sizes too small, looking like he stole it from his younger cousin? Yeah, me too. I used to think they were lost. Maybe suffering. Maybe they got a discount and took what they could get. But no. Turns out, tall riders on…
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Carbon Frame With Tiagra or Alloy Frame With 105?
Let me start this off right. You’re standing in a shop, or staring at your screen, torn between two road bikes. One’s a sleek carbon frame with the Tiagra groupset, and the other—well, it’s aluminum with the 105. It’s like choosing between a hot dog and a fancy charcuterie board—different vibes, but both are satisfying…
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The Reality Of Getting a Flat Bicycle Tire at High Speeds
There you are, the wind rushing past you, the hum of the tires on the pavement, and that feeling of pure freedom. You’re flying downhill like you’re the king of the world, until—bam!—the tire goes flat. Suddenly, you’re just another guy on a bike wondering if you’ll make it through in one piece. How does…
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Expectations From Your First Criterium (Mental Preparedness)
I don’t remember much from my first criterium. Mostly pain. Some blurred wheels. A deep, burning hatred for the guy who cut me off in the second lap. And a moment of brief clarity when I realized I’d rather be drinking beer in a dive bar than gasping for air in a pack of jittery,…
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What to Expect When Transitioning from SPD to SPD-SL?
I should’ve known better. The old pedals were fine. The shoes were fine. But then, like some cursed siren call, a deal appeared. A pair of sleek Lake road shoes. Ultegra SPD-SL pedals. At a price so good it whispered, Buy me, you fool. So I did. And now, here I am. A man about…
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The Cases When Studded Bicycle Tires Rock
Riding a bike in the winter is a stupid idea. That’s what they told me. You’ll die. You’ll fall. You’ll freeze solid like an idiot-shaped popsicle. They all nodded, smugly sipping their hot coffees from inside their warm, dry cars. And yet—AND YET—here I am. Gliding over ice like a deranged figure skater, slicing through…
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Cycling Basics: Find The Direction Of The Wind
Wind’s a dirty trickster. It’s there one minute, slapping you in the face, and gone the next. You try to figure it out, but it just messes with your ride. Yet, you gotta know it. You gotta feel it. Because if you don’t? Well, good luck fighting it. Here’s how to get a better grip…