Category Archives for Bike Accessories

Saddle seats for road bikes must be the right size in order to be comfortable. Unlike with mountain bikes, where you are going short distances, you are setting yourself up for a whole lot of misery if you buy the wrong size seat and go on a long ride, even if that seat is otherwise high quality. The best bicycle seat on the market does you no good if it’s sized wrong, so first and foremost you need to focus on getting the right “bike fit” for your saddle seat.

Seats are available in a variety of widths and positions like the noseless saddle from good bike shops but the “right” size—at least according to experts—is the one that supports your sitz bones or “sit bone” area. This is the bony part of the pelvis where your leg and bottom join together. Though you can sit on and try out a variety of bicycle seats to find one that feels comfortable, your best bet for getting the right fit is to be fitted by a pro. Bike shops usually have sitz bone width sizing tools, so you’ll get a measurement that you can use to guide your buying choices.

Everybody is different, but by combining measurements with your general comfort level, chances are you’ll be able to get a saddle seat that is right for you.

Road saddles are usually V-shaped. They have a more pronounced seating area with a longer nose. Saddles for females typically have shorter noses, though.

​Saddle seats sometimes don’t look as padded as some of the other style seats available, but there are actually road bike saddle seats that are extremely padded. Just remember padding will add weight, so you’ll need to account for that if you’re racing. If your goal is comfort, you can get saddle-shaped seats that have added gel or thicker foam than normal. This can come in handy for recreational riders, but if you’re focused on time you’ll need to sacrifice padding.

Do All Saddle Seats Have Cutouts?

No, there are seats without cutouts, but most riders tend to prefer them from a comfort point of view. Cutouts offer relief and prevent pressure from building up on soft tissue during longer rides. Since saddle seats tend to be gender specific, the cutout can keep pressure minimal and enhance the pelvic tilt for greater comfort. This is especially true for riders that tend to have a forward tilting pelvis, which is nearly everyone.

One final note:

Saddle seats tend to be expensive, but they’re a good investment if you’re serious about riding. A quality saddle can last as long as a decade, so you’ll be making an investment. Of course, quality affects how long any seat lasts, so don’t assume that if you invest in a cheap road bike saddle seat you’ll be using it for the next 10 years. Seats made of synthetic leather tend to break down faster and cheaper seats usually have gel or foam that wears out faster.

What are the Best Road Bike Saddle Seats?

Fabric Scoop Pro Saddle

The Fabric Scoop Pro Saddle can be used on road and gravel. It is carbon fiber and nylon base offers shock-dampening assistance and it only weighs 198 g. We love it because it’s durable and offers high-performance, all-day comfort. There are three different shapes available that help you get the fit that’s right for your pelvic structure. There’s no pressure relief channel like you’ll find on other seats, but most riders think this is a very comfortable saddle option. It retails for about $150 to $200.

​WTB Women’s Deva Race SE Saddle

This saddle is designed for female road and cross-country riding. It features foam enhanced with vibration dampening gel. It’s heavier than some of the other saddles available, but it had a flat profile and is very comfortable because of the pressure relieving channel. It’s shortened nose and smooth edges make it good for standing and climbing. This is a great bargain saddle and retails for about $35.

ISM Adamo Road Saddle

This saddle is ideal for riders who struggle with perineum pressure when riding. This saddle is nose-less and is radically channeled with gel and foam padding. This allows for maximum blood flow and reduces pain on all length rides. Triathletes love this saddle because they spend so much time in the aero tuck position. The seat is made from quality materials and is long-lasting and tough. It has 100 mm of fore-aft rail adjustment, but riders usually sit further forward on this seat than they do on others. It retails for between $120 and $250.

Terry Carbon Butterfly

This women’s saddle seat has been around for several decades and is still a favorite among female riders. It’s designed to fit the shape of the female pelvis and was one of the first saddles designed with a woman’s body structure in mind. The overall design has stayed the same since the seat was introduced in 1999, but now it features much softer padding and is made from durable carbon rails so it weighs less than the original seat. Riders get support and comfort and a thin layer of shock-absorbent and fatigue-reducing gel. This saddle retails for about $185.

Brooks England Standard Saddle B17

This is a classic saddle. It’s made by Brooks, a company that has been making seats for more than a century. This saddle requires some breaking in and, initially, it’s uncomfortable. It features a full-grain leather cover, which, once broken in, adjusts to the body temperature of the rider. This means it will keep you cool on hot days and warm when you’re cycling on cold days. Breaking in the saddle also means riders will get a completely customized seat body if you’re willing to put up with some riding discomfort to break it in.

It features steel rails to ease road shock and provides long ride support. It also helps to cut down on chafing.

This seat is not everyone’s cup of tea, but we love it for a couple of reasons. First, it’s a classic. You know you’re riding on something reliable that’s been loved by cyclists for more than 100 years. Can something be that bad if it’s been popular for so long? And we love how customizable it is. You get a saddle custom made to your body, if you’re willing to put up with some riding discomfort to break it in.

This saddle is available in black and brown leather and retails from $95 to $180.​

If you’re a mountain biker in the market for new bike tires, you’ve likely already determined there are several different options—including tread patterns and front and rear tires. It can help to read reviews to narrow down your choices. This way you’re able to comparison shop and determine which tires will be best for you purposes.

Determining which tires you need comes down to a few important factors: size, width, and TPI or threads-per-inch rating.

Size-wise, slimmer tires tend to be faster, but the trade-off is stability. You won’t feel as stable riding on rough terrain when you’re on slim tires. Most mountain bike and trail bike tires are 26 inches or 29 inches, and typically have a width of more than 2 inches. 2.6 is the highest and strongest width available in standard mountain bike tires to tackle rough terrain.

As far as tread goes, you’ll want something with a lot of grip. Smoother tires are designed for smoother surfaces and you need something that can stand up to muddy, rocky trails and not make your rides any bumpier than they already are.

Once you know what size and other specs you’ll need, you can begin comparing the various bicycle tires on the market. Here are some that we think are the best options:

Schwalbe Hans Dampf

These tires are ideal for those who ride on a variety of different terrains. They are available in 27.5 inches and are tubeless. Riders love the great grip these tires provide on harder terrain, making them some of the safest tires you can buy. Unfortunately, they aren’t as durable as some of the other options and they are not appropriate for on-road rides. In general, they’re a great all-around tire that works when on several different surfaces. It’s also possible to inflate the tires more if you’re riding on harder, rockier terrain. The tires come with sidewall protection that reduces the risk for tearing even if you’re riding around sharper rocks. These tires are slow, but we like them because they give a great off-road performance that’s reliable and safe.

Maxxis Mammoth

These bicycle tires are a great option for hard-packed terrain and colder weather riding. They are 26 inches and tubeless. You’ll pay up for these tires, but we think it’s worth it. This tire tends to be faster, relative to off-road tires, due to the smaller profile center tread. We love this tire’s performance on harder-packed terrain, but it’s not the right tire for everyone, especially if you aren’t doing the majority of your riding on harder surfaces.

Michelin Wild Race’R

This tire is a great option for those riding on rockier terrain. It’s 29 inches and gives rear tire traction that helps with cornering. It’s also a durable tire, but you’ll pay up for quality. There are cheaper options available, but if it’s in your budget, you won’t regret investing in this tire.

We love that this Michelin tire is fast rolling that is ideal for dry conditions on all surfaces. It features a shallow, hard center that keep rolling resistance down, which means you’ll get fast acceleration and be able to dig into corners even when the terrain is loose. We also think it’s a good option for long distance riders. The only downside about this tire is how it handles the mud—if you’re riding in wet areas on a regular basis, you’ll want to opt for another tire.

Schwalbe Racing Ralph

This is a great tire if you’re tired of sacrificing speed and you’re willing to give up some durability for it. It’s available in a variety of sizes and offers great cornering. This tire has a cult following for riders who love speed and because it offers so much flexibility size-wise. Among the tires that offer speed for mountain biking, these offer the best support for riding through patches of looser dirt and mud—most of the faster tires available aren’t going to offer this. If you want faster race times and you’re OK with tires that wear out fast but help you get the time you want, these are a decent option.

Continental Trail King

These tires are ideal for those who spend a lot of their time on rocky terrain. They are 29 inches and handle well on just about any type of terrain. They aren’t the best mud option, but if you spend the majority of your rides on hard-pack rocks and loam, you’re going to love this tire. The tire has a soft, conforming feel that is still fast and durable. Most riders report they are surprised by their ability to corner and brake with this tire—they were expecting less based on the cost and look of the tire. You’ll find you slip on mud, so stick to dry trails when riding otherwise, this is a solid choice in mountain bike tires.

Schwalbe Rock Razor

If you’re looking for a tire that works well on rocky trails and you’re OK with slower riding, this is a great option. It comes in 26-inch and 27.5-inch sizes. It works great on rocky terrain but tends to slip when you break quickly. We love this tire for downhill use because it allows for fast acceleration and can continue to hold speed on a rocky terrain and corners well. Keep in mind it’s designed to be used only as a back tire. This tire isn’t going to work for you in loose or wet soil, so keep it away from muddy terrain.

WTB Wolverine

This tire is a great, versatile option that works well for simple mountain biking. It’s our top pick for beginners and for those who just want a simple choice and don’t need a lot of specialization. It comes in 26 inches or 27.5 inches. It works well on loose surfaces (as long as they aren’t too deep) and gives a decent amount of traction, especially for riders who aren’t pushing too hard. It’s great for general riding, but not “racing fast” and not durable enough to stand up to seriously hard riding.​

Is it time to buy new bicycle tires for your wheels? The number of options you have available can seem overwhelming and it helps to do a little research in advance of making your purchase. What should you know before buying new bike tires?

First, you’ll need to double check the size of the tires you need. In general, road bike tires are available in 26-inch or 29-inch rims. Other than custom order sizes, mountain bikes typically have wheels with a 27.5-inch rim. Most BMX bikes usually have 20-inch tires. It’s the 20-inch tires we’ll be recommending here.

There is another aspect of tire size you’ll need to consider: width. The diameter is the larger number, so we’re looking at 20-inch diameter tires. And that category is then broken down further into various widths, which are usually about 1.5 to 2 inches or if they are measured in millimeters, about 23 mm wide.

So, what width tires do you need? There’s a basic formula you can use to determine a good width for your tires. The faster you want to go the slimmer the tire you’ll need. Slimmer tires create less contact with the road, so you’ll go faster, but you’ll need more air pressure which creates a firmer, bumpier ride. This means if you’re riding on all terrain or an already bumpy surface, those skinnier tires are going to make for an unpleasant ride. Slim tires also tend to wear out faster and experience greater sidewall damage.

Wider bicycle tires, which are typically what you’ll be looking for with BMX tires, give you greater stability because they allow more contact with the road. This is ideal for surfaces that are unpredictable or irregular.

If you’re not sure what size tires your bike currently has, you can figure out the appropriate size by:​

In addition to diameter and width, you’ll need to consider tire weight. The weight of the tire isn’t that important unless you’re competing so, in most cases, any weight in the right size tire will be suitable. If you’ve found a tire that otherwise suits your bike, there’s no need to give much consideration to the weight of that tire.

Tread

Now that you have an idea what diameter and width tires you’re shopping for, you can think about the type of tread you’ll need.

To determine the type of tread, you’ll want to think about the surface you’ll typically be riding on. Racing tires that are used on the road tend to be smooth. Knobbier tires tend to be used on mountain bikes when you’re riding on a bumpier surface. These tires also work best for trails where things tend to get muddy.

It’s also possible to get hybrid tires that have a smooth center thread and knobby out treads, so you get the grip you need without sacrificing speed. These tires are still best when riding on smoother surfaces, though, and if you’re on trails you’ll want to give up some speed for the added stability provided by deeper tread.

Durability of Your Tires

One of the most important factors when buying new 20-inch bike tires is their durability. Are you going to be using your bike every day? Are you riding for sport, which is often the case with BMX tires, or are you using your bike to commute? Is the tire for your child who will be riding on a daily basis for recreation or an adult that’s riding for exercise?

It’s also important to consider the surface on which you’ll be riding. Will you encounter a lot of debris and rocks, or riding on a smooth, predictable surface? Puncture-resistant tires are available and they are a great option if you know you are bound to encounter things that can poke a hole in your tire. It might also be a good idea to get tires with additional upgrades that make them even more durable, like Kevlar reinforcement. It’s possible to get more than 2000 miles out of quality tires, but only if you make a smart buying decision.

Now that you have an idea what to consider when buying new tires, let’s check out a few of the best options out there for 20-inch bike tires.

Bell 20-Inch BMX Bike Tire, White

These tires retail for around $10 each, so they’re a great option for bargain hunters that don’t want to sacrifice quality. For many users, the worst part of these tires is getting them onto your bike because you’ll need to cut out metal liners in the tires. These are classic-style BMX tires and many people buy them for nostalgia purposes.

Sunlite Freestyle BMX Kontact Tires

These tires are available in a wide variety of colors—not a necessary feature, but one that can make riding a whole lot more fun. They retail between $10 and $30, depending on the color you choose. Users say these tires are easy to mount and are much better than the stock tires that usually cost more. It’s possible to find similar tires in a bike shop, but you won’t get the color variety and you’ll likely pay more, especially if you opt for something that isn’t the standard black option.

Goodyear Folding Bead BMX Bike Tire, 20 inches

These tires are 20 inches by 2.125 inches. There are available in black and white, so fewer color options than the previous tire, but Goodyear is a brand name with familiarity. These tires retail for around $15. Users love these tires and claim they are high quality and have a perfect fit when measured properly. Despite having deep tread, these tires work well on smooth surfaces and provide the traction and durability needed to ride.​

Whether your goal is to improve your fitness or you’re training for a race, a speedometer will be an essential tool. Buying a bicycle speedometer is a great way to track your performance and keep track of your progress when riding. There are plenty of great speedometer options on the market, so it can be tough to narrow down your choices. We’ve put together a list of our top five favorites to help you make your decision a little bit easier.

Our list was based on a few important factors:

Budget

We looked at the cost of each of these speedometers. We’ve attempted to provide a few options in a few different price ranges. We know you don’t want to break the bank when buying a speedometer, but we also know a lot of people in training are willing to spend a little more to get a high quality, accurate bicycle speedometer that gives accurate average speed, maximum speed, and trip distance readings and so on.

Think about how you intend to use your speedometer and how many “bells and whistles” you need. If you simply want to keep track of how fast you are going, you can buy a very affordable, basic speedometer that has a unit on the bike handlebars and a simple speed sensor on the tire. On the other hand, if you’re after a virtual bike computer with the latest LCD screen that also takes into account current speed, heart rate, a GPS system, and a map, for example, you’ll need to pay for an upgrade.

Design

You’ll have a lot of design options when choosing a speedometer. Do you want wireless or wired? Surprisingly, wireless speedometers tend to be less accurate than wired ones. You’ll also need to consider size. Most people want to keep their speedometers fairly small, but you need to make sure it’s large enough you’re able to read the screen while you’re riding. Also, consider whether you want something that can be easily removed from your bike when you are done riding.

Additional Features

Now to the bells and whistles mentioned earlier. If you’re willing to spend a little bit more, you can get a speedometer with a wide variety of features and functions. Basic speedometers simply track distance, speed, and calories burned, but more elaborate ones track heart rate, cadence, temperature, and maximum and average speeds. You’ll get a lot of data you can track and compare – something a lot of riders love having.

You’ll also want a unit that’s weather and rain proof if you intend to do any serious riding. If you’re the type of rider who will only go out when the weather conditions are ideal, there’s no need for this. However, serious riders that are on a training schedule of some kind will need to track their data in all weather conditions.

Other issues to consider is how easy it is to install the speedometer onto your bike. This is especially true for riders who intend to use different bikes or who want to be able to remove the speedometer when it’s not in use.

Finally, consider whether or not you want the speedometer to have the technological capability to sync with your smartphone. Nowadays, riders love to be able to record and track their data in their smartphone because it’s such a convenient option. Not all speedometers offer this feature, but many do. It’s important for you to understand whether or not you want this feature or if it would just be something extra and not worth the extra money.

Comparing Speedometers

At this point, you’ve narrowed down the features you’re looking for in a speedometer and you can begin to compare models. Listed below are five of our favorite models:

Shanren Raptor II

The Raptor II by Shanren is one of the top wireless speedometer options. It is easy to program and operate and provides 17 different functions for users, allow you to track all of your fitness and performance metrics and meet your cycling goals.

It has a backlit LCD display that makes it easy to read in low or bright light. You’re able to see all of your data with just the touch of a button including speed, distance, time, cadence, and calories burned.

CatEye CC-RD300W

This reliable speedometer works every time you ride. It’s a popular option because it’s affordable and offers a quick response. Most users consider it powerful because it’s able to work for any type of riding. It features a large display screen and speed functions and incorporates the highly acclaimed CatEyeClickTec interface, allowing riders to switch through the seven modes with the push of a button. This speedometer also features the innovative FlexTight bracket that makes mounting it easy and fast.

OutdoorMaster JUNSD

The OutdoorMaster is lightweight, durable, and easy to operate. It’s also waterproof so you’re able to ride any time. It can track mileage, speed, and cycling time. This is a wired speedometer, so you know you’re getting accurate damage. Despite it is wiring, it’s still easy and convenient to use, and the small wires really don’t interfere with riding.

It’s easy it is to install and no additional tools are needed. This speedometer also features a 100% satisfaction return policy so you can buy with confidence.

Bell Dashboard

The Bell Dashboard is consistently ranked among the top speedometers on the market. It’s easy to install and weather-resistant. It also features 12 functions that allow riders to efficiently track their speed and distance during the ride. This provides data on current, average, and max speeds.

Ultega Wireless

Riders love the efficiency of the Ultega Wireless All-round device. It’s a powerful multi-functional computer that uses wireless functions and the ability to transmit data on your smartphone or tablet. It features a clear display so you’re able to safely see information registered while riding. It comes with user-selectable of 12- or 24-hour clock, so you can customize your entire experience. It’s also water-resistant, so you’ll be able to schedule your rides in advance and not really worry about weather conditions.

While this isn’t a complete list, it’s a list that should be able to help you narrow down your choices and get a speedometer you love.​