How to Archives - Cycling Hacks

How to Tune Up a Bike at Home: DIY Tips to Save Money

June 14, 2018 by Jonathan Nolte

Your reliable local bike shop will likely charge no less than $50 for a basic tune, but it can be hundreds if they need to go deep and replace parts. Learning to work on your own bike will save you the time and money involved in taking it to a bike shop, prevent fun-ending (and potentially dangerous) mechanical failures, and provide you with the satisfaction of embracing the DIY spirit.

This guide will cover the basics to get your bike rolling for spring. For detailed guides to specific parts on your bike, consult Park Tool’s Repair Help website for general instructions or the service manual for the specific component, which is often available on the manufacturer’s website. Sheldon Brown’s amazing website is a witty treasure trove of useful technical information as well.

Choose Your Own Adventure: How to Turn Any Bike Into a Gravel Grinder

April 5, 2018 by Jonathan Nolte

Grinding gravel is all the rage among the cycling community, but cyclists have always ridden dirt roads, often because those were the only roads available to them. Even the pros are opting for dirty adventures and fatter tires as more cyclists have begun seeking out long dirt road routes and races to “grind” out long miles amid the bucolic scenery, and challenging terrain and away from traffic.

How to Replace a Bike Chain: 7 Easy Steps

February 4, 2018February 18, 2018 by Amanda Wilks

If you’re an avid cyclist, then your bike is surely important to you. And as it is the case with anything that matters, you need to take good care of it. This covers everything from how you ride it to how often you perform maintenance checks on it.

How to Wheelie a Bike: 7 Simple Steps to Wheelie Like a Pro

January 28, 2017May 12, 2017 by Jessie Linder

Want to unleash your inner Peter Sagan or just show off for your buddies? Not only do they look cool, but wheelies are a great tool for navigating unexpected obstacles, learning how to pull your front wheel up and over large obstacles and for having a rad time.

Home Bike Repair Made Simple: How to Remove and Replace Bike Pedals

January 8, 2017February 18, 2018 by Cycling Hacks

Whether you’re replacing your pedals to go clipless, removing them for maintenance or packing up a bike to ship it, eventually you’ll need to know how to remove and replace bike pedals.

A Quick and Dirty Guide to Biking in the Rain: 24 Tips to Stay Dry

November 6, 2016August 31, 2017 by Cycling Hacks

What’s the best plan for the days when your training plan, weekly group ride or that Fondo you paid top dollar for, don’t coincide with a sunny weather forecast? Some days you just have to kit up and ride in the rain. When the pros do it, it often leads to some of the most action-packed stages. Biking in the rain takes a few additional skills, but if you dress accordingly and follow a few tactical tips, not only will you discover what you’re truly capable of, but you’ll learn to enjoy and embrace those rainy rides.

Hit the Deck? The Most Effective Road Rash Treatment

October 23, 2016October 23, 2016 by Cycling Hacks

If you’ve ever wiped out on a bike, you’ve no doubt experienced road rash. Pros Tweet about the perils of trying to sleep with oozing wounds stuck to their sheets. A common cycling injury, road rash refers to a superficial injury or abrasion to the skin and its underlying tissue caused by rubbing or scraping. Need to heal fast? Follow this effective road rash treatment to avoid infection and get back on the bike in no time.

Some Like it Hot: A Cyclist’s Guide to Embrocation

September 12, 2016September 2, 2017 by Cycling Hacks

Fair-weather riders, listen up! Cyclists have long relied on a secret salve to help adapt to the changing seasons. Embrocation is the answer to those cool fall mornings when leg warmers are too toasty, but the thought of bare skin is goose bump inducing. Want to keep your legs happy as old man winter nips at your heels? Here’s the lowdown on embrocation and reviews of a few of my favorites.

Treat and Prevent Saddle Sores: 6 Simple Remedies

August 21, 2016June 18, 2017 by Cycling Hacks

Nothing can derail the perfect ride faster than a saddle sore. It’s the bane of amateurs and pros alike and most cyclists have experienced this painful condition at some point. Despite having an expensive chamois or high-end saddle, this ailment can still affect even the most experienced riders. How can you keep this from turning into a chronic condition? Here are some tried and tested tips to prevent and treat saddle sores.

Complete Guide to Clipless Pedals: How to Get Started Now

August 15, 2016February 18, 2018 by Cycling Hacks

As a beginner, upgrading to clipless pedals can feel like learning how to ride a bike all over again. But once you master the initial learning curve, you’ll no-double feel more in control and powerful on the bike. Ready to take the plunge? Here’s everything you need to clip in and elevate your riding to the next level.