Alison Ingleby, Author at Cycling Hacks

Definitive Bike Rack Buying Guide: 16 Reliable Racks for Cars, Trucks & SUVs

March 2, 2021October 12, 2017 by Alison Ingleby

Unless you have an endless supply of perfect roads and trails on your doorstep, at some point you’re going to want to carry your bike on your car. If you don’t have a huge trunk and a love of taking your bike apart and putting it back together again, this means you’ll need to buy a bike rack.

With hundreds of different styles and models of bike rack available, choosing the right one can be harder than picking your perfect bike. (And let’s face it, not nearly as exciting.) While you can ask your mates for recommendations, their needs are likely to be different to yours. The right bike rack for you will depend on your vehicle type, the number and style of bikes you need to transport and a whole host of other factors.

The good news? We’ve gone through the bike rack market to pick out the best racks across the five most common types: hitch, roof, trunk, truck bed and spare tire. Plus, we’ve summarised the pros and cons of each rack type to help you figure out which style will work best for you.

16 Best Bike Computers: Definitive Buying Guide For Every Budget

January 6, 2023July 16, 2017 by Alison Ingleby

Jumping into the world of bike computers is a bit like getting your first smartphone. You can’t see what all the fuss is about, then you get one and never look back. But with a huge number of makes and models on offer, finding the one that suits you best can be tough.

Thankfully, we’ve done the hard work for you. We’ve reviewed sixteen of the most popular and reliable bike computers across a range of categories. Whether you’re buying your first bike computer or looking to upgrade, here’s our buyer’s guide and round-up of the best bike computers for 2017.

If you just want to compare the statistics, then jump straight to our comparison table below.

Speedplay vs Look: The Ultimate Pedal Shootout!

June 23, 2021June 1, 2017 by Alison Ingleby

Is that the clip-clop of a pony trotting up the road towards you? No, it’s just a road cyclist eager for their morning coffee. Unlike mountain bike clipless pedals, road cycling pedals have an exposed cleat system that’s designed for one thing – to transmit power from your legs through to the bike.

If you’re new to clipless pedals, I’d recommend reading our complete guide to clipless pedals. In this guide, we compare two of the most popular manufacturers, Speedplay and Look, to figure out which pedals are best for you.

Speedplay vs Shimano: Which Pedal Is Right for You?

July 5, 2021June 1, 2017 by Alison Ingleby

Pedals equal power. (At least in part.) And when it comes to road cycling, power is what it’s all about. With the right pair of pedals, you’ll be sailing up those hills faster than Sagan in a sprint.*

If you’re reading this article, I’m assuming you’re after a pair of road pedals. So, when we’re talking about Shimano pedals we’re comparing the SPD-SL range rather than the mountain biking SPDs.

If you’re new to clipless pedals, you may find our complete guide to clipless pedals useful, and if you’re interested in Look pedals, check out our comparison of Speedplays and Looks.

Right, let’s get started. Here’s a recap of what we’re looking for when comparing road cycling pedals.

*Cycling Hacks cannot guarantee this.

Garmin Edge 520 vs 820: Who Wins the Best GPS Battle?

March 2, 2021April 24, 2017 by Alison Ingleby

Garmin has dominated the bike computer market for years, so if you’re looking to invest in a new computer, likelihood is you’ll be looking at their range. But which of their (many) products is the right one for you?

Today we’re pitting two of Garmin’s most popular and advanced models against each other: in the red corner, we have the Edge 520, and, challenging in the blue corner, is the Edge 820.

These are not basic GPS units – they’re designed to be advanced training and performance tools. If you’re just starting out cycling and looking for a basic unit to track your rides, then I’d recommend the cheaper, more basic Edge 25. But if you’re a Strava addict or want to monitor your power numbers, then you are in the right place.

So, without further ado, let’s get down to business.

How to Choose the Best Cycling GPS: The Garmin 820 vs 1000

June 29, 2021April 20, 2017 by Alison Ingleby

So, you’re in the market for a new bike computer and you want the best that money can buy? While you may have considered other computer manufacturers, your eye keeps on straying back to Garmin.

The only trouble is, the top-of-the-range Garmin Edge 1000 is no longer the newest and brightest model on the catwalk. In fact, it’s starting to look a little bit dated now that the 820 is clawing its way up to the number one podium spot. The 820 is also a cheaper model, though you can still snag a deal on the 1000.

So are the days of the Edge 1000 numbered? Or is the Edge 820 just a bit too good to be true? Read on as we pit these two kings of the bike computer world against each other to figure out which is the best buy for you.