What’s the best clip-less system for road bikes?

Wow, this is definitely a great question for any cyclist to answer. I have been riding for some years now, transferring from MTB to Road Biking. The shift was good and at the time I was really focused on just getting a decent bike that would last and get me out on the road. So I spent more focus on getting a bike, and components that would last me longer than rather spicing up my gear closet. I carried over my Sidi MTB shoes and actually swapped out my MTB Crank Brother cleats onto my new Road Bike. I have been riding this setup for some time now and to be honest I can’t complain. It becomes very convenient when I need to walk some distance due to a bike malfunction, but can be challenging to un-clip.

Now the market today gives a lot of systems for the cycling consumer to choose from, but what have been dominant throughout the cycling community are the SpeedPlay clips. I have only played with them in my local shop, but lots of rumors and comments have stated that this pedal system is a much “forgiven” one, leaning more towards a convenience for the rider. They offer great float is one is looking for this, while maintaining a light, and easy to get in and out of function. If your racing, these pedals work wonders on turns due to a high clearance. The SpeedPlay system is very comfortable for the rider, by offering a low “hot spot” ratio within the knee. Many manufacturers are making cleats very compatible to this system, which becomes another convenience factor for the rider. Having the capability to walk into any local bike shop and find a tool or part for your clip-less system is only a bikers dream.

Another brand that is growing among cyclists is Look. This clip-less pedal system is somewhat comparable to the SpeedPlay setup, by offering great easy in and out functions. This is always an important factor to the daily cyclists because why do you want to be out on your group rides always fighting at each stop light. Trying to get out and back in your cleat constantly can be very irritating and cause you to trail the group. Look has grown just like the SPD within the cycling community, due to its convenient availability at local shops, and reduction of hot spots within the heel.

It really comes down to what works for you. If you like a tighter more locked in ride then look maybe at some Crank Brothers systems or Shimano. Both great brands that offer quality material, but at times can be a little challenging to deal with on a weekend ride with the pals.

Good luck and please let us know what setup you ride…!

What Headphones to Wear when Cycling?…Or if any!

When I go out on a ride I do like to have some short of tune source with me to pass the time by. But, for you rookies out there who are just getting into the sport of cycling I wouldn’t recommend listening to music off the bat. Get your surroundings first and understand the elements of the road, and the atmosphere around you. Cars come screaming over hills, hugging the center line all the time, so please be careful.

What’s great about my whole setup is that I bring my iPhone 3G with me and use it as a source of tunes and emergency, incase I find my way into trouble. Kind of like a get out of jail free card. My headphones that I bring along the rides are these Green Sony ones that wrap around your ear, and have bud to go deep in for sound. They work magical things and at the same time if the volume level is at a median, I can still focus on the sounds around me.

Depending on what kind of listening source you’re going for, many styles ranging from $20 to $100 can work. I used to use my iPhone White ear buds that came with the phone and they also worked very well, but sometimes popped out of my ear once I had some sweat source on my face. Get something that is going to be snug, and where you won’t have to worry about during your ride. Because the last thing I feel like doing while climbing a hill is fix my headphones, F$*@ that!

There are many brands of ear buds, headphones, and mp3 portable speaker devices on the market today, but without given some a try you will never find what fits you. Think about it, everyone’s head and face structure are shaped different. You can read reviews non-stop all day until you’re satisfied, but ultimately “who knows”! Who knows what fits you the best and what makes you happy. So, again this is a bit of personal preference, but I will say that some brand qualities are no doubt better than others.

Spend the money on clothing gear rather than little dinky accessories…that’s my own opinion.

Best Cycling shorts for long rides…..!

This is a great question when it comes to those days where its time to tackle those long, curvy hills for about 2-3hrs of pure riding power. You need to look at some factors when deciding on this, which include padding, material, temperature, fit, and Brand.

Lycra a great brand making cycling shorts for sometime now, offering a great short or bib that fits like a beauty with a butt-pad. Another brand that has developed a cycling short with comfort and durability is Royal. They have a great line of Road Bike clothing ranging from socks to bibs, do a Google search and you’ll be impressed with their products. You can also go on Performance.com and see what they have to offer too.

Now if you’re a little more anal, like myself, and kind of are hesitant about ordering online because a picture doesn’t do much justice, then drive over to your local cycle shop, or even sports retailer, like Dicks. Both places will carry very similar products, which can give you a better idea on fitting, padding, and material as you can try on multiple styles. Usually what you’ll notice is that the padded shorts are for more comfortable than non-padded, but to each his own. As you go from a low price short to a higher one you will realize that the brands on the upper level of cycling shorts are a lot better in quality and fit, which might be a solution when investing in a $80 pair of shorts.

Here’s the tricky part. Like I said up above its all about personal fit and the way that short feels on your body when you’re in the saddle. Lycra bibs with very limited padding tend to fit and feel a lot better on longer rides, due to lack of bulkiness and crowdedness in the groin area…if you get the picture. You are going to be sitting for 2-3 hours maybe and after constant pedaling for that time many things can start to develop if restriction comes into play, so just plant that into the back of your head when deciding.

What is the best position for my cycling cleats?

How should I fit my cleats on my Road Bike? This is a repeated question among the cyclist community and can ultimately be answered through your own personal experience of riding. Just like running there are people who ride with overpronation and those who are basically a neutral rider, but because of this you must compensate your riding setup. If you find yourself having trouble with your knees and riding is becoming a strain on your body, then I would try and point your cleats towards the outside of your cleat just a bit. This might relieve any pain or burden on those knee caps, which in the long run will keep you out on the bike for a longer time.

Another important tip to use when fitting your cleats on you Road Bike is the placement of the spindle. Most common cyclist place this spindle directly under the balls of your feet, but again depending on your own ride, personal preference comes into play. What most people will do just to get a ballpark of where there proper setup would be is go and get fitted. Your local bike shop should fit you for your own personal ride position on your bike at a low cost. Then once you get a standard position you can tweak it as your begin to ride more and more and feel different stuff. Now what’s really cool about going to the bike shop especially if you pronate or over-pronate, the shop can put an insert/wedge under your cleat to make your ride more personal.

Thirdly, I would recommend this easy and useful tip to find your cleat and riding position. Get on top of a table and sit on the edge having your feet dangle down. What you will notice is that when you legs hang down your feet are not directly resting parallel, and are more likely to face outward. Now, get on your bike and face your cleats a bit slanted to the outside, but remember depending on what goal your trying to achieve you either want to be on the ball of your foot, for comfort, or a bit forward to gain more power.

Good luck and I hope you find that perfect position for your knees to enjoy the ride.

Kinethic Kierin Fork perfect for that Bar Spin

It’s been awhile with all the Holidays passing through since the last time I posted, but here I go. The sport/industry of track bikes is rapidly growing among every urban city across the nation. Modifying your bike to fit your own needs, and painting it to go with your fresh new kixx, has only become a regular thought in many city dwellers. Riding down Broad St. one Sunday morning, clear of cars, popping that ultimate wheelie while showing your boy how sick it is to spin your handle bars in mid air, can only be a perfect moment for daily track bikers.

Well, the famous Kinethic group developed a fork, named Kierin Fork, which gives you the ability to spin those bars, and do those nasty moves, down your neighborhood street. Coming in at zero rake and 395mm in length, this fork fits on all Kierin and many other track bikes, and at the same time does not affect the feel while riding. Check out the Link below to find out more on this latest product.

Kinethic Fork

Franks Dog Messenger Bag

Do you ever find yourself not satisfied with what is carrying your most precious belongings? I recently was gifted this revolutionary bike bag that not only comes in handy when riding, but also provides great shielding from mother nature’s most extreme weather conditions. The Franks Dog Messenger Bag is a great fit for ones laptop, folders, charger, and even your mid-day snack. Just recently being the new owner of a Mac Book Pro 15”, I was so eager to start playing with this new bag. Protection, Durability, and Style, all in one bag, can’t be beaten.

After having some alone time with my new little gift and getting it all situated onto my bike, I wanted to do some research online and see what other people have to say about Franks Dog bag. Sure enough within seconds I came across this review that sums it all up. Check out this Link

So if you have some money to spare and are in the hunt for a new bag, with a purpose, I would suggest grabbing one of these bad boys. You truly get “More Bang for Your Buck!”, MSRP AT $120, and will save maybe hundreds in the long run. Take a shot and grab Franks Dog Bag and watch those doggies bark!

Evolution Mini Lock

Trying to find that perfect lock that is easy to transport, but at the same time reliable, check out the Kryptonite Evolution Mini u-lock. Its perfect for anyone’s budget costing $60 and is made from solid steel. Living in the city can not only be very cautious for cyclists, but also a fashion statement. Take a ride through your city where you live and I can guarantee on about 80% of riders that pass you on their bikes have this u-lock either in their back pocket or hanging off of their backpacks. Its so simple, with its unique shape that cyclist tend to purchase this lock knowing the benefits it has. Tune in to an article by Urban Velo, and read about the functions that make this lock so feasible for the daily rider. The Evolution Mini…”it is what it is”.

My Top 5 Holiday Gifts

Smartwool Adrenaline Mini Crew Socks

One item that is a must for any outdoor enthusiast must be a pair of Merino wool socks. I, myself have about 5 pairs and these suckers are great for when the weather is at its worst. Very soft to touch, these socks will keep your feet warm in the winter and cool during those hot summer rides. Whats so unique about this type of fabric is that even when it gets wet, washed, or dried it always keeps its original “fluff” and shape. Going for about $15 a pair I hope Santa can put some of these in my stocking this year.

V.I.O sport POV.1 video camera

Another great item, maybe my favorite since I love the technical stuff is the new V.I.O sport POV.1 video camera. This is truly one of the best gadgets to invest in if you do a lot of touring through the mountainside. It can be mounted on your helmet and also on your bars, which ever the best camera angle might be. But wait I haven’t told you the best part, it comes with a preview screen so you can focus on the the best shot possible on your ride. No need to worry about mother natures forces because this puppy it water and mud proof right out of the box. For more details check this video out.

MSRP- $680

Hudz Hoods

Need that perfect stocking stuffer for the cyclist in your life, check out these fancy shifter hoods that can bring some spice to their bike. Hudz is offering 14 different color options that can make the whole customization process even that much better. No need to worry about if the hoods will fit the shifters because they offer sizes for all the top Brands used in today’s cycling world from SRAM, Campagnolo (10 and 11) and Shimano (Dura-Ace 7800 and 7900, and Ultegra 6600) come in 14 colors. Not a bad way to spend $35.

Terry Cashmina jersey

Do you have that lady in your life who loves to stay stylish? Check out this new jersey made from micro fleece that can instantly keep your SWEETHEART nice and toasty out on the road. Not only does it act as a perfect top layer over your base layer, but it will fight those nasty gusts of winds as they cruise down the street. Worried about extra room for your phone or gloves? No need because this jersey offers three roomy back pockets for perfect storage.

MSRP-$85

Breaking Away

Want to really but a smile on your cycling friends face, well surprise them with this one of a kind film. Breaking Away, a popular 1979 Academy Award winning motion picture, discusses the common struggles that teenagers tend to face. Its about four young teens who just graduated from their high school in a small Indiana town and are seeking for some guidance in there next phase of life. One of the boys who is lovesick with the sport of cycling, Dave, longs for the culture of Italy. Bored one rainy night and wanna spend some time in doors, grab this “blockbuster” and call it a date.

MSRP-$15

Radius Jersey: More Bang for the Buck!

Trying to stick to a budget and need some supplies to get you out on the road, well take a look at this new polyester top, offered by Nashbar. Offering plenty of space in the rear with three over sized pockets and an additional horizontal zipper pocket for securing purposes, you’ll never have to worry about you wallet or cell phone again

A very simple design with a decorative “N” on the front chest that becomes a reflective tool during your night rides. Nasbar gave this jersey the perfect cut in keeping the rear a little longer than the front, which keeps the top in position on steep climbs. You can read more at bicycling.com

Cyclists Fight back with Exploding Bike Locks

Is my bike Safe where I left it? Did that bike store employee sell me a cheap bike lock? These are common questions that run through the common cyclist’s everyday after they park their bike when they havemet their destination. It wasn’t until a man by the name of Michael Lambourn and Industrial designer had an idea that would end all harms way and reduce the risk of bicycle theft. His idea was to mimic the dye solution that some fire alarms pulls and clothing tags have built inside of them, and integrate this dye pack to explode when the lock is broken, which would result in covering the thief and bike in a piercing purple color.

What’s great about this new solution is that these locking devices will now frighten the pioneer thief by generating an experience very distasteful and at the same time not creating any harm on the abuser himself.

The name of this device is called the Smartlock, which is a cable lock. Inside of this device consists of compressed air and liquid dye throughout its frame. When cut, just like a clothing tag, the liquid core begins to spray up and out all over the thief, his personal belongings, the bike itself, and ultimately the scene. But in the end the stolen bike will cherish no value for re-sell because of its hideous dye that was established during the break in.

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