Cycling is a fun way to stay in shape, enjoy the outdoors, and even to get from point A to point B. There are many different types of bicycles and cycling, from road cycling to mountain biking that are best suited for certain personalities and that require a particular set of skills. No matter what type of biking you choose, cycling is a varied, exciting, and versatile activity. Many people who get into cycling, really get into cycling. It can be said that cycling gets into people's blood and becomes a way of life.

As a result, a lot of people who get into cycling buy a complete bicycle as their first bike. This makes sense as it comes with everything you need to be included, often already put together. But these are going to be very standard bikes that are not customized to your needs and body type, and that are not necessarily designed with performance or the type of biking you are doing in mind.

Mountain bikers have long advocated building a bike from separate, quality, professional parts, but more and more frequently, people who are road bikers are doing the same. Road biking is a broad spectrum of riding activities that all take place on paved surfaces. This can be biking to and from a job, biking on paved bike paths, speed biking, etc. As road biking has increased in popularity, so too have the options for high-end, professional-quality bike frames and parts increased in availability.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Bike Frame

First of all, you will want to know the difference between the two main types of road bike: racing road bikes and sportive road bikes. A racing road bike will be long and low for faster overall top-speed. A sportive bike will have a higher front end, which provides enhanced comfort but at a cost to top speed.

There are now also what are called cyclocross bikes, which are a relatively new style of bike intended for more casual rides and that are also suitable for going off-road.

One of the biggest things you need to take into account when choosing a road bike frame is the frame height. You can easily find sizing charts on the Internet that show you what the ideal sized bike frame is for your height. As you might expect, the shorter you are, the smaller the frame, the taller you are, the larger the frame.

You also need to consider the frame material. Are you looking for a cost-effective aluminum frame or a high-end carbon frame with carbon forks to add strength and save on weight? Another key thing to look for is a frame that allows for a lot of adjustment. This will help ensure that you can adjust the seat, saddle, and other features for the type of biking you are doing, as well as your particular body type.

Once you have considered all of these aspects and determined what is most important to you, it is time to start to consider particular frame options. What follows is a brief review of three different, high quality, and well-recommended bike frames:

Schwinn Phocus 1600 Men's Road Bike Frame

​Almost everyone has heard of Schwinn bikes. They are a time-honored and trusted maker of road bikes of all shapes and sizes. They are known for making some of the highest quality bikes available on the market and their road bikes are no exception. Their Phocus 1600 Road Bike is an excellent value at less than $400. It is a top-of-the-line, professional-quality road bike frame that is perfectly suited for riders of all shapes and sizes.

It is constructed from an aluminum road frame with a sturdy, tough carbon fiber road fork. The bike features a Shimano Claris 16-speed dérailleur with a micro shift integrated brake and lever combo.

The bike also features Promax alloy dual-pivot caliper road brakes which provide enhanced braking power. The frame also features an allow crank, which allows for a wide gear range depending on the rider's needs.

Vilano R2 Commuter Aluminum Road Bike

Vilano is another trusted name when it comes to high-quality bikes and related accessories. Their R2 Commuter Road Bike is an excellent blend of comfort and performance, available for less than $400.

It features a 6061 double butted lightweight aluminum frame. It also boasts Shimano A050 21-speed shifter, making it a great performing bike under a wide range of different grades of incline.

The bike also features a 700c double-walled wheel set and quick release skewers for optimal performance. The frame comes with free pedals.

Vilano Aluminum Road Bike Commuter

Another great option from Vilano is their basic Road Bike Commuter. This is an excellent option for some just starting out with road biking or who simply wants a quality bike for basic commuting needs. It is an excellent value at less than $300 and is available in two color choices.

The bike features a lightweight 6061 double-butted aluminum frame, as well as a Shimano 21 speed thumb shifters. The bike features 21 speeds, allowing you to easily handle hills and flat spaces with a few clicks. The frame also comes with free pedals included.

The bike frame is the skeleton or body of the entire bike. Naturally, this is one of the most important parts of a road bike and choosing the right frame for you is important to performance and comfort. Knowing the basic differences between the different types of road bike frames available will help you determine what type of road bike frame you are even looking for. You will also want to take into account your height, as this will ultimately decide the size of bike frame you need. It is also important to look for frames that allow for a lot of adjustments, as this will make it easy tailor the bike to your needs.

We then briefly reviewed three different potential road bike frames that are a great combination of value and performance. Whether you choose one of the models we describe here or use this guide as a starting point for further research, we're sure that if you do your homework and know what to look for, you will find the perfect road bike frame for your body type, budget, and needs.​

Whether you are a professional mountain biker looking to take part in some extreme outdoor activity or you simply want a relaxing way to enjoy the great outdoors, mountain biking is a fun and exciting activity for people of all ages. Mountain biking is a great way to help stay in shape and spend time with friends and family, as well as to experience the beauty and tranquility of nature. This is why mountain biking is one of the outdoor activities that is seeing a boon in popularity. For good reason too, it is something that almost anyone can do and most of us live near enough to a park or natural area that allows us the opportunity to get away from it all, even if just for a little while.

Another great thing about mountain biking is that it doesn't require a ton of expensive equipment. The biggest investment is, of course, going to be the bike itself. Aside from the bike, all you really need is some basic protective gear such as a helmet and mountain biking gloves. Most people remember the helmet, but often forget the gloves, which is a big mistake.

Benefits of Wearing Mountain Biking Gloves

Whether it is summer or winter, a leisurely ride or an intense ride, mountain biking gloves are highly recommended by professional and novice mountain bikers alike, and for good reason. With a quality pair of mountain biking gloves, you get the grip you need, even if your hands are sweaty or the weather is cold. This is really important as you do not want to take the risk of losing your ability to steer accurately.

In addition to having a better grip, which makes it easier to maneuver, gloves also provide protection for your hands. Handlebars are made to be gripped and as a result, lead to constant friction between your hands and the material the handlebar is made from. This can lead to chapped and even blistered hands, which can be incredibly painful and make it almost impossible to bike. A quality pair of gloves will also provide your hands protection from this potentially damaging friction. People who regularly bike can also protect themselves from long-term issues relating to gripping handlebars without protection, like numbness in the fingertips and even carpal tunnel syndrome.

Mountain Made Crestone Cycling Gloves with Touchscreen

Mountain Made is a trusted and well-known brand that makes a variety of different types of mountain biking-related gear and equipment. They make a highly recommended and affordable full hand mountain biking glove, their Crestone Cycling Gloves, available at a great value of less than $15.

These are lightweight gloves that allow you to get a good grip on your bike but still giving you that fine control you expect. The gloves are breathable, so they are great for biking even on the hottest of days. They also have an index finger opening to allow you to use a touchscreen, even while wearing the gloves.

Mountain Made Outdoor Gloves for Men and Women

Another excellent offering from the well-known brand, Mountain Made, is their outdoor gloves. These are a great value and provide professional quality protection against the elements while still providing a high-quality grip and comfortable feel. They are a great value for a winter-appropriate mountain biking glove, available for less than $30.

The outdoor gloves are a great combination of comfort and performance, allowing you to ride with comfort and ease, even in really cold weather. These gloves provide a snug, comfortable fit and are versatile, suitable for a wide range of outdoor activities from mountain biking, shooting, driving, and more.

​The gloves have touchscreen technology that allows you to be able to use your touchscreen devices, even while wearing the gloves, something that most other brands don't offer. While they provide excellent protection from the elements, the gloves are lightweight and not at all bulky, giving you plenty of freedom of movement.

The gloves also feature an improved YKK zipper which makes for simple removal.

HuwaiH Cycling Gloves Mountain Bike Half Finger Gloves

HuwaiH is an up-and-coming brand that makes a wide range of biking and outdoor related accessories and products. Their half-finger cycling gloves are high quality, affordable biking gloves that allow you free use of your fingertips while riding. They are a great value at less than $15.

Available in three colors, these gloves are a comfortable and unique way to secure the protection of biking gloves, without giving up the fine motor control you get with bare hands. The gloves are made from a Lycra-spandex combination that is lightweight, comfortable, and breathable, making it a great choice for summer performance biking.

The gloves also feature a gel palm pad for enhanced comfort, even after a long period of time spent gripping. The wrist features a sticky Velcro buckle which makes for easy removal.

No matter what your skill level, mountain biking is a great way to be physically active, enjoy nature, and spend time with the people you love most. You can enjoy mountain biking as a leisurely pursuit or as an extreme way to stay in shape, it all depends on your skill level and comfort. The great thing about mountain biking is that even those of us who live in the big city often have access to nature areas that allow us to get away from it all for a little while and enjoy the great outdoors.

There isn't a ton of equipment required for mountain biking, you really just need a bike, helmet, and a quality pair of mountain biking gloves. Not only do mountain biking gloves provide protection against chafing, blisters, and even certain injuries that can result from repetitive unprotected gripping, it also helps provide a more comfortable, solid grip that makes it much easier to steer and maneuver the bike with ease. Whether you choose one of the quality mountain biking gloves we briefly review here or use this guide as a starting point, we're sure you'll be happy that you invested in a quality pair of mountain biking gloves.​

OK, so you’ve bought the mountain bike or road bike, but it doesn’t come with fenders and mud would spray up from the tires all over you. Not to worry, there are plenty available on the market to buy that won’t set you back a fortune. There are many reasons as to why a cyclist may want to consider attaching fenders—or mudguards as they are known in the UK—to their road bike. But the main one is protection. Fenders, especially the rear fender, protect the brakes, as well as you and your clothes from getting splashed with water or mud as you ride through puddles or wet roads. They also protect the bike from dangerous elements such as debris, dirt, or sand that could cause significant damage over time.

Choosing the right fender for you

Like with most products these days, there are different variations of the road bike fender. So, now that you’ve made the decision to buy some, you just need to work out what type you need. The two main types of fender are:​

Other considerations

Before you make your road bike fender purchase you may also want to keep in mind:​

To give you a head start in your fender shopping expedition, below are a few of the most popular road bicycle fenders available currently:

1. Planet Bike Clip-Ons bike fenders

Price range: Mid

As far as clip-on bike fenders go, these are pretty good all around. They’re made of a weather resistant polycarbonate material that is hard-wearing and will last for years. You can clip them on and off with ease and they’ll fit on almost any bike. They’re very effective at keeping mud at bay and will make a great accessory to any bike.

Weight: 243 grams

Verdict: I love the sleek black look and the fact that they feel really sturdy too. However, you may need to use zip ties to keep them in place as they don’t feel mega secure when going over bumps.

Overall rating: 8/10

2. VeloChampion Rear Guard – Folding Road or MTB

Price range: Low

For a slightly more secure fitted bike fender you want to consider this model as a permanent fixture to your cycle. It’s simple yet effective design is flat at first then transforms into a curved mud guard once placed into your saddle’s rails. No tools or brackets are needed to fit this road bike bender either.

Weight: 20 grams

Verdict: These are extremely lightweight and you hardly even notice they’re there. They look good and provide adequate protection against the rain and mud. My only gripe is that they are a little on the flimsy side.

Overall rating: 9/10

3. SKS Raceblade Pro Bicycle Fender Set

Price range: High

If you’ve got a few dollars to spare then check these road bike fenders out. Made with a quick-release fitting system, these fenders provide great protection in even the worst of weather conditions. After some slight adjusting they can be removed and replaced in under 30 seconds and are fully disc brake compatible. They also have a paintwork protection film applied to keep them looking their best for longer.

Weight: 355 grams

Verdict: I love how solid these fenders feel and the ease at with which they can be put on. Definitely worth the extra money.

Overall rating: 10/10

4. Planet Bike 7058 Cascadia Fender Set Road

Price range: High

Another of the higher end models, these Planet Bike road bike fenders are very well built and, at 130 mm long, they provide more coverage than most standard models. Their all-weather-resistant coating means they can withstand even the harshest of weather conditions ensuring they remain looking their best for a long time.

Weight: 37 grams

Verdict: These fenders are very well made and will look great on any bike. They are a little awkward to fit, but once you have them on they do a great job at keeping you dry.

Overall rating: 9/10

5. BlueSunshine Adjustable Road Mountain Bike Fender Set

Price range: Low

If you want to add a splash of color to your bike, then look no further than these road bike fenders. Lightweight, easy to assemble, and available in a range of colors, these fenders will keep you looking fresh in the worst of weather. Made of high-quality synthetic fiber plastic, these fenders were built to last. They’re extremely stylish and will fit almost any road bike out there.

Weight: 203 grams

Verdict: They’re funky, they’re a great price, and they work well. And, considering they’re of the budget range, the quality isn’t too bad either. For the money you’re paying, what more could you ask for?

Overall rating: 10/10​