8 Awesome Bike Helmets for Under $100

Whether you’re commuting to work, running errands, heading out for a long all-day ride with the crew, or just tooling around the park, you should wear a helmet.

There aren’t any laws in this country requiring cyclists to wear helmets (unless they are under a certain age) but statistics do show that the risk of serious head injury is reduced by 70% if the rider is wearing a helmet.

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7 Best Budget-Friendly Mountain Bikes Under $1,000

best mountain bike under 1000

 

Mountain bikes are quite versatile and conducive to all sorts of riding. They’re great for ripping through trails, exploring mountains, and even commuting.

Mountain bikes under $1,000.00 are usually hardtails. This means they only have suspension on the front wheel. They come predominately in two wheel sizes: 27.5” and 29”.

While more expensive mountain bikes will offer more options in terms of weight, frame materials, suspension and components, spending $1,000 is a great way to score an entry level mountain bike and get a taste of riding knobby tires.

Here are some of the best bikes you can find for under $1,000. 

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Comfort and Style: 9 Awesome Bib Shorts That Go the Distance

Comfort and Style - 9 Awesome Bib Shorts That Go the Distance

I’ve spent an inordinate amount of time searching for the perfect pair of bib shorts and, honestly, I’m not sure I’ve found them yet. It’s the old Goldilocks syndrome: you know, this one is too this, this one is too that, but this one is just right. Only, the ‘just right’ one is ridiculously hard to come by.

During my brief amateur racing “career”, our team kits were made by Vomax, then Sommerville Sports and, in my third year, Hincape. Of those three, Hincape wins hands down (and is still one of my favorites). The Hincape bib shorts have the best, least stiff, and most comfortable chamois. The leg grippers don’t cut into my thighs and they have the option of a shorter inseam length (which I much prefer, especially in summer).

In contrast, the chamois in both the Vomax and Sommerville Sports versions, is very stiff so that, even after multiple wears, it still pokes out in the back just below the tailbone (not the most attractive silhouette!) Also, the Sommerville shorts have leg grips of death. My entire team had to insert rolled up towels into the legs to try and stretch them out before we could wear them without cutting off our blood circulation.

Unfortunately, Hincape doesn’t seem to offer their standard team kit bib short for sale to the general public – at least I haven’t been able to find it. In my quest to find the perfect bib shorts, I think I’ve slipped into every chamois out there. Here are some of my favorite bibs and what I’ve discovered along the way.

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Versatile and Insanely Bright: Light and Motion Urban 350 Review

light and motion urban 350 review

 

If you’re a bike commuter like me, you know how important it is to have a good, reliable light. Bike lights provide two functions, both equally important. One is to be seen and the other is to allow you to see. There are a lot of options out there so it can be hard to know which one to go with. If you’re still trying to decide on a light, check we’ve rounded up and reviewed our favorite head and tail lights here.

First off, in case you were wondering, those little blinking lights don’t do much at all. They’re normally not bright enough to cut through rain or fog or haze. As a daily New York City commuter, I can attest to the fact that you really need to invest in a light with at least 350 lumens at its brightest. You want a light that you can operate at varying intensities and patterns – flashing, strobing, always on – depending on what conditions you’re biking through. And

You want a light that you can operate at varying intensities and patterns – flashing, strobing, always on – depending on what conditions you’re biking through. And it’s super helpful if your light is waterproof.

The Urban 350 Bike Light from Light and Motion offers all of these things.

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The Brightest Light for the Buck? Cygolite Metro 400 Longterm Review

cygolite metro 400 review

The Cyglolite Metro 400 has, as its name suggests, a 400-lumen output. In daylight flashing mode, it puts out 500+ lumens in short, bright spurts. It has 6 different modes, 3 steady, 2 flashing, and 1 walking and side illumination ports for better visibility.

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9 Amazing Folding Bikes: Complete Reviews and Buying Guide

best Folding Bikes

If you’re a mixed commuter looking for a bicycle you can take and store almost anywhere, a folding bike may be just the thing for you.

We’ve rounded up 9 of the best folding bikes and provided a handy buying guide to answer all your folding bike questions.

And if you’re wondering what this NYC commuter’s top folding bike pick is….it’s the Dahon Speed 7, a super-affordable bike that’s sporty, excels at climbing and is a blast for rolling around town. 

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The Best Chamois Cream: How to Save Your Ass and Ride Longer

best chamois cream 

 

If you’ve been cycling for any amount of time, you’ve probably heard talk of something called chamois cream. And you’ve likely figured out that it has something to do with your undercarriage but, may not be sure exactly what it is or what the best chamois cream for you may be.

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How to Stay Dry: 9 of the Best Waterproof Cycling Jackets

best waterproof cycling jacket

Many cyclists say they don’t enjoy riding in the rain but, if you’re a daily commuter (in all weather, just like the postman) or the kind of rider that will opt for a day outside over the indoor trainer, you’ll likely need — and want — a good waterproof cycling jacket.

There are many options out there and some of them get very expensive. So let’s clear up any confusion and figure out what the best waterproof cycling jacket is for you.

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Mountain Bike Buying Guide: What You Need to Know to Hit the Dirt

Mountain Bike buying guide

You’re ready to hit the trail, but where do you begin? There so many are different types of bikes, various frame materials, suspension and wheels sizes. No two mountain bikes are created equal.

But that’s good news because you can find exactly what works for you and compliments the terrain you intend to ride.

Before you start shredding singletrack, let’s walk through what you need to consider to find the perfect mountain bike for you.

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Outwit Bike Thieves! The Best Bike Locks

Best Bike Lock

If you’re a commuter, someone who likes to run errands by two wheels, or a person who attends most social obligations with a bike helmet stuffed discretely into your bag, you’ve probably locked your bike up somewhere. There are various styles of bike locks on the market and numerous things to take into consideration when purchasing one. Here are the best bike locks for keeping the wheels on your bike and your bike where you left it. 

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