14 of the Best Trail-Ready Mountain Bike Shoes

best mountain bike shoes

Updated 10/11/21

When you first start mountain biking, an ordinary pair of running or hiking shoes will probably do you just fine. But once you’ve decided this is the sport for you, a more specific shoe can definitely help improve your performance.

What you go for will depend on the type of riding you do, the weather conditions you ride in, and your budget.

Read more

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.

Read more

The Best Fat Bikes: The Definitive Buying Guide for Unlimited Adventure!

best fat bike

 

Fat bikes may have been created for cyclists in extreme climates, but they’re been embraced by riders in all corners of the globe. Why? Because they’re unstoppable on virtually any terrain and they’re loads of fun.

With more fat bikes to choose from than ever, which one is best for you? Our fat bike buyer’s guide breaks down everything you need to consider and reviews a few of our favorite fat bikes for different riding styles and budgets.

Read more

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. 

Read more

How to Choose the Best Gravel Bike for Your Next Adventure

best gravel bike

 

A gravel bike may be the most versatile bike on the planet. If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to go where the pavement ends or where the gravel, ruts and washboards begin, then a gravel bike may be your next n+1. You don’t have to race gravel grinders to enjoy the heck out of these bikes. First things first: What exactly is a gravel bike? And, more importantly, is it actually useful or a clever creation invented to sell more bikes?

Up Front Best Gravel Bikes

  1. Salsa Warbird: Best for Gravel Racing
  2. 3T Exploro: Runner Up for Gravel Racing
  3. Cannondale Slate: Most Comfortable
  4. Trek Checkpoint: Runner Up for Comfortability
  5. Surly Midnight Special: Best for Daily Commuter
  6. Specialized Diverge: Most Capable Gravel Bike
  7. Raleigh Willard: Best Overall
  8. Diamondback Haanjo Tero: Best Budget Friendly
  9. Diamondback Haanjenn Comp: Best Women’s Specific Gravel Grinder

Read more

The Best Bikes for Women (That Aren’t Pink-Colored Men’s Frames!)

Let’s begin by clearing up one common misconception: Just because you’re a woman doesn’t mean you have to ride a women’s specific design (WSD). If you’re struggling to find a bike that fits, trying a WSD model is a great first step. After all, companies try to design the best bikes for women to address their specific needs like a shorter reach and torso.Read more

Best Mountain Bikes Under $2,000

best mountain bike under 2000

Flying over rocks and dirt on a bicycle has been an obsession for cyclists from the beginning. Mountain bikes have an incredible evolution from early “klunkers” to the current batch of most confidence-inspiring machines the industry has cooked up today. Mass-production and technology trickle-down has kept prices stable so that most of us can afford a fun, durable, capable bike without taking out a loan.

Many of the current mountain bikes around $2,000 are the perfect option for someone who is new to the sport but doesn’t want to mess around with an entry-level bike, or experienced riders looking to replace an older bike. Two grand might sound like a lot of money for a bicycle. However, it is the current market value of a bicycle that is masterfully designed and equipped to handle the abuse and challenge of modern mountain biking. In that context, it’s money well-spent.

Read more

Best Cycling Rollers: The Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

best cycling rollers

 

If you’ve ever struggled to ride in a straight line or nearly swerved off the road reaching into your jersey pocket, then cycling rollers could improve your balance and coordination. Any pro rider will tell you that it’s not necessarily the size of the engine that matters most, but how efficiently you use it. Developing a smooth, efficient pedal stroke will not only teach you how to ride more economically, it’ll also improve your balance and core stability. Not all rollers are created equal. Here’s our roundup of the best cycling rollers to fit the needs of recreational riders and racers.  

Read more

How to Choose the Best Bike Trainer: Ultimate Buyer’s Guide

best bike trainer

If you want to turn cycling into a year-round activity, but don’t live in a warm locale, chances are you’ll need an indoor bike trainer. For years cyclists equated training indoors with a cycling death sentence, but then apps like TrainerRoad, The Sufferfest and Zwift transformed these mind numbing indoor miles into an opportunity to ride the world’s best courses and compete against our virtual and real-life cycling friends.

With so many apps and trainers flooding the market, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. What trainers are compatible with which apps and do you need a smart trainer to use Zwift? And what exactly is a smart trainer? From magnetic to direct drive, here’s everything you need to know to get started with an indoor bike trainer.

Read more

Best Cyclocross Bikes Under $1,500

best cyclocross bikes under 1500

Can’t decide between a road bike and a mountain bike? Or maybe you love the idea of riding on dirt roads and gravel, but don’t feel comfortable riding them on a road bike.

Enter the cyclocross bike. In a nutshell, it’s a little rougher and tougher than a road bike, but faster and more fun to ride on the road than a mountain bike. It’s also the perfect commuter.

If you’re looking for the best cyclocross bike under $1,500, here are some of my favorites, including our number one pick, the value-packed Women’s specific Raleigh RXW here.

Read more