If you’re looking for an upgrade or are ready to get serious about investing in a road bike, these top road bikes under $2,000 are a great place to start. This price point hits the sweet spot between entry level road bikes and more serious racing machines.
Drop 2k and you’ll have the pleasure of riding full carbon fiber. You’ll get a taste of a lighter bike that’s more speed and performance oriented. These tend to be solid all-day rides or decent entry level race bikes.
Road riders are very particular about the function and feel of their drivetrain, braking, and shifting. The collection of components that are designed to be used together is called a group, groupset, or “gruppo” if the movie Breaking Away did not sully your your love of Italian cycling affectations.
Shimano has a reputation for building superb groups with technology that trickles down from one elite generation of Dura Ace components, down through Ultegra, 105 [one oh five], Tiagra, Sora, and the humble Claris line. There is some room for mixing components from various groups, but many of the components only work within their tier.
Let’s focus on the middle of that lineup, 105 and Tiagra. Choosing one of these options over the other might best serve the discerning and budget-conscious cyclist. The Tiagra line is considered one step below 105 because 105 is a tad lighter has smoother operation. But 105 has its limitations, and not everyone is counting grams and fractions of a second.
Is it worth the upgrade to 105 or does Tiagra fit the bill? Let’s take a closer look.
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.
Stages power meters are known for two things: bringing power meters into the budget range of the everyday cyclist, and gracing Team Sky’s Tour de France winning bikes.
But despite their endorsement from the pros, Stages haven’t totally dominated the power meter market. Issues with the reliability and accuracy of data, plus the waterproofing (or lack of) of the casing plagued earlier generations of meters, issues which Stages claim to have fixed with this year’s Gen 3 range.
There is no bigger buzzkill than a sudden loss of tire pressure during a ride. Learning to remedy a flat tire on your own is absolutely the most important skill that every rider must learn in order to keep riding fun and safe. Here is everything you need to know to be prepared and confident when this situation inevitably deflates your pneumatic fun.
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.
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.
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.
When you think of high end, direct drive trainers, two names instantly come to mind:
While Tacx touted their near-silent Neo and Wahoo claimed a true-to-life ride experience, Elite released the Drivo, a behemoth — built like a tank — with near perfect power accuracy. But is the Elite Drivo a third party contender or a worthy candidate for the best direct drive trainer?
Eddie Merckx said it’s better to ride up grades than to buy upgrades, but if you’re looking for an instant performance boost, a new wheelset is your best bet. Use this guide as your cheat sheet to navigate different wheel materials, decide on rim depth and width and pair the best road bike wheels with your terrain and cycling goals.