The Black Shorts: The Review That Reveals All Looking for a budget pair of cycling shorts? So was I. Here are some early thoughts on the Black Shorts brought to you by the Black Bibs people. Black Shorts At a Glance Decent price of $40. The chamois reminds me of an old pair of Castellis…
Gear
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DIY Titanium Anodizing for Bikes: Helpful Tips to Personalize Your Frame
DIY Titanium Anodizing at a Glance The post will cover: Getting Started — Basic Supplies How to Anodize Titanium the Basic Way What Colors Can You Make? Attempting a Fade Lessons Learned When I bought a titanium mountain bike frame, I had a long list of reasons why I wanted one: Well-built titanium can last…
Does the Cycliq Fly 12CE Really Suck That Much?
I’ve been riding with a Cycliq Fly 12CE bike camera for a few years now. When I first got it, Facebook served up a suggestion that I join a Facebook group about Cycliq and its cameras. I did, because it’s always good to know what’s up with your gear. Especially when it’s a niche item…
I Rode a Singlespeed for 3 Years. Then I Tried Full Suspension Again.
[I originally published this hardtail versus full suspension bike blog post in March of 2020, right when COVID-19 started to hit. It just got a major update. Read on for the fun!] I’ve been riding a singlespeed mountain bike for the last three years. During that time, my 2011 Santa Cruz Superlight sat in the…
5 Important Types of Bike Accessories for New Cyclists
A Roundup of Bike Accessories At a Glance Bike accessories can be just as important as the shiny new bike you’re buying. Here’s a quick breakdown of the categories we’ll cover. Keep scrolling for all the details! –Stuff to Wear When You Ride –Hydration Supplies and On-Bike Storage –You Break It, You Fix It –Electronics…
How to Buy a Full-Suspension Bike – 2021
How to Buy a Full-Suspension Bike at a Glance Try Rental Bikes Get Familiar With Geometry Think About Frame Material Don’t Obsess About Parts Considerations with Buying Direct Pick the Right Bike Shop One of my co-workers is looking for a new bike, and he asked me for some pointers about how to buy a…
4 Awesome and Random Short Bike Gear Reviews
When I buy new bike stuff, it’s usually because I broke something I already had or I just wore it out. And it generally doesn’t require a thousand words to tell you what I think of it. That’s why I’ve concocted some handy mini-reviews of bike stuff I’ve had to get lately. Here we go!…
Thinking About Buying a Bike in 2021?
Here’s a handy roundup of advice for people buying a bike in 2021. Here’s what we’ll cover: Hybrid Bikes Gravel Bikes Mountain Bikes Random Thoughts This post is inspired by a message from one of my high school friends: “Any advice on buying a bike? I haven’t ridden since freshman year of college. I’m just…
Forget the Tesla Killer. Which Electric SUVs are a Subaru Killer?
The current bunch of new and soon-to-be released electric SUVs are a weird crop. They look like SUVs, sure. But are they really just 21st Century station wagons? When it comes to compact SUVs, I think of the Subaru Forester as a great example with plenty of internal space, plus the capability for moderate off-roading…
How to Safely Transport Bikes on a Car
How to Safely Transport Bikes on a Car: At a Glance Here are the main ways to transport bikes safely on a car. This article will break them down in greater depth. Hitch-Mount Racks Roof-Mounted Bike Racks One for the Pickup Drivers For the Trunks and Hatchbacks Going Rackless When people start getting serious about…
Who Makes the Best Cork Yoga Mat?
I’ve used a cork yoga mat since 2015. I bought it after being fed up with using regular mats in a hot yoga studio. Hot yoga people always have to use towels with a grippy back to avoid sliding all over the mat when things get sweaty. As one of the sweatiest of the sweaty,…
Steel Road Bikes for 2020 and Beyond
All of you people searching for info about the Lemond Zurich and various other steel road bikes have inspired me to give you something new to chew on. I already wrote about what were then “modern steel road bikes,” but things change. Let’s have a look at what advice I’d give someone buying a steel…
8 Versatile Camping Essentials for New Campers
Camping Essentials at a Glance Light sources A decent fixed-blade knife Tools for starting a fire A way to carry and collect water The super-versatile shemagh Cordage Carabiners Cookwear I don’t have the numbers to prove it, but I’ll bet COVID-19 has done wonders for camping. Without the option of easy air travel, my family…
Testing the SOS Hydration Mix
Hydration is the difference between a good ride and a low-down, cramp-filled, no-good sufferfest that will make you regret ever getting on a bicycle (or running, or kayaking, or whatever it is that you do). I largely have my regimen set, but I’m always on the lookout for the Next Big Thing. That’s why I…
5 Tips for Buying a Titanium Bike
If you’re thinking about buying a titanium bike, I understand why. You’re probably after a combination of ride quality, cool factor and longevity. People can debate the ride quality to death – there are plenty of variables that can impact this, especially tire pressure. Also, some people think the stealth fighter look of carbon fiber…
Is the Toyota RAV4 PHEV Right For You?
Toyota is making headlines over its new RAV4 PHEV. What does that bunch of letters even mean? It’s easy – RAV4 is of course the name of its compact SUV or CUV or whatever you want to call it. The PHEV part is where it gets interesting: This stands for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle. That…
Do Bicycle Safety Cameras Really Help?
Bicycle safety cameras are a big deal right now. More cyclists are worried about getting run over by drivers. Some cyclists are abandoning road riding altogether, which contributes to the rise of gravel bikes (just look for threads about this in the SteveBay community on Facebook). Some of us are stubborn, though. Instead of letting…
One Year With an Electric Car
I’ve now driven more than one year with an electric car. I want to share a few thoughts about what I’ve learned for people who are thinking about giving up their gas cars. I think you’ll be in for some surprises. I live in the U.S., so some of this will vary according to where…
Reborn Marzocchi Bomber Z2: Good News for Thrifty Riders
If you need a solid but relatively affordable mountain bike fork, you should be excited about the Marzocchi Bomber Z2. The original Z2 that came out in the late 90s was a huge step forward with its coil springs and open oil bath system. The reborn Bomber Z2 has travel options ranging from 100 to…
Bike Test: Electra Sprocket 1 and Giro Scamp MIPS Helmet
Here’s a long overdue discussion of the Electra Sprocket 1 bike and Giro Scamp MIPS helmet. We picked these items up as early birthday presents for our now-4-year-old daughter. She warmed up to both nearly instantly, but then mysteriously stopped riding. She retreated to her balance bike, which she rode in the house and front…