Cycling Tips

Bicycle fenders seem like an afterthought to many riders when sunny skies prevail. But when dark rains descend, that spray bath from your slicing wheels makes a compelling case for adding fenders! In this article, we’ll cover: Trust me, while fenders may not seem “cool,” anyone soon grateful for a set when the heavens open up. Don’t be caught unprepared! Fenders Defined: What Are Bicycle Fenders Anyway? Before detailing why bicycle fenders matter, let’s cover what exactly they are for …

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As every Rad Rider knows, flying down local trails or bombing along back roads on one of these electric beasts delivers a unique sense of two-wheeled freedom. But what if your trusty Rad Power Bike could go even faster while retaining all its torque-y, hill-climbing goodness? The expert tweaks ahead will show you how to safely tap into extra velocity potential from your battery-powered buddy that the manufacturer limits to 20mph…without voiding your warranty or breaking the bank! Let’s get …

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From the pantheon of curmudgeonly bike components, downtube shifters stand out as one of the more temperamental. While many cyclists pine for their graceful retro aesthetics, getting these finicky devices tuned properly can try one’s patience. However, with some mechanical sympathy and a few handy tips, you can have your vintage steed shifting smoothly. The Allure of Retro Shifting Before indexed shifting changed the game, downtube shifters graced the cockpits of road bikes for decades. Their mechanical elegance speaks to …

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SCREECH! That spine-tingling sound every time you hit the brakes can only mean one thing—it’s time to replace your worn out brake pads. As much as we’d love our brakes to last forever, those pads take a beating mile after mile and eventually wear down like erasers on pencils. Don’t let squealing, grinding brakes go on too long. It’s only going to get worse, and you’ll just end up causing damage, getting stranded somewhere, or worse yet, getting in an …

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So you’ve decided it’s time to upgrade the groupset on your road bike. Maybe your old shifters and derailleurs are looking a bit dated. Or perhaps you want to shed some weight with a lighter groupset. Whatever the reason, swapping out groupsets can completely transform the performance and feel of your bike. But where do you start? With so many groupset brands, components, and compatibility issues, it can get confusing. This comprehensive guide will walk you through everything you need …

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As your cycling performance increases, you may find your bike’s stock chainring sizes are no longer optimal for powering up climbs or hitting top speeds on descents. The solution is likely new chainrings, but for many riders, changing them on a Shimano Ultegra drivetrain seems intimidating. Not to worry – with this detailed tutorial, you’ll learn proper chainring selection, compatibility, removal and installation steps, front shifting optimizations, and everything in between. You’ll gain the knowledge to upgrade your Ultegra bike’s …

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Few things can ruin a great bike ride faster than the dreaded hiss-clunk of a flat tire. And one of the leading causes of flats is underinflated tires. But who wants to haul out a pressure gauge and go through the whole filling routine every time you hop on your bike? Ain’t nobody got time for that! Lucky for you, with a bit of practice you can learn how to accurately eyeball and feel out your tire pressure. By looking …

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Having the proper seatpost height adjusted to your measurements is crucial for cycling efficiency, power transfer, and injury prevention. While you can always raise your seat post for a higher saddle position, lowering it requires physically cutting the post to achieve your ideal saddle height. Cutting through a metal or carbon seatpost may sound daunting, but it can actually be a straightforward process if you follow some key tips. With the right preparation, tools, and techniques, you’ll be able to …

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Bicycling is a great form of exercise and transportation that many men enjoy. However, it’s not uncommon to experience some testicular discomfort during or after cycling. Testicular pain from bike riding is usually temporary but can sometimes be concerning. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about treating and preventing testicular pain from cycling. What Causes Testicular Pain During or After Biking? There are a few potential culprits that can lead to sore testicles when cycling: Friction and …

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