Author: Dari Abdurehm

Building cycling stamina is no easier than any other type of endurance, but the payoffs of a successful training routine are enormous. Whether you need that extra edge to sustain your next racing breakaway, or you’re working up to your first century, developing muscular and cardiovascular endurance is among the most important parts of a cyclist’s training. These workouts are classic techniques designed to target different areas of fitness. They are not easy exercises, and you should have some fitness reserve before attempting them. If you have never used interval training before, try simple steady-state intervals before moving on to…

Cycling shoes are relatively simple in concept—they incorporate rigid soles with lightweight, foot-hugging materials and generally include a cleat that clips into special bicycle pedals. But while most riders find the initial transition to bicycle shoes and clipless pedal designs relatively painless, nearly every rider encounters some issues, which, if left unresolved, can sour the cycling experience. Foot Pain Nearly every rider experiences foot pain at some point. The reasons are usually simple: Cycling places a lot of stress on a relatively small area of the foot. If you’re experiencing pain on long rides, try loosening your shoes; or, if…

Cycling is by nature a calorie-burning activity, but not everyone has the time to take a long ride several times a week to get the benefits of a high-calorie burn. By using advanced training techniques, you can burn major calories on the bike in minimal amounts of time. Not only will you burn more calories, but you will also improve your endurance. Interval Training One of the best ways to maximize your calories burned in a short amount of time on the bike is to work intervals into your ride. By adding short periods of time during which you are…

Choosing a bicycle tire can be more difficult than it seems. Many bike shops have sections dedicated to tires, but this often is more confusing than helpful to beginning cyclists. Use these tips to find the right tire for your bike and riding style, keeping in mind that many riders try several tires before finding a good match. Instructions Difficulty: Moderately Easy Step 1 Select a tire that fits your wheels’ rims. There are two main types of tires: tubular, which glue onto the wheel rim, and the so-called clincher designs that are pressed or clinched against the rim by force…

The beach cruiser is built for comfort, but the fit will still need to be customized by the owner. Generally this includes both saddle and handlebar adjustment. Handlebars can be adjusted at the steering column and at the terminus of the handlebar stem. The first adjustment will allow you to raise or lower the bars, while the second will allow you to adjust the angle of the bars. Both adjustments will be covered here. Instructions Difficulty: Easy Height Things You’ll Need: 5mm allen wrench Measuring tape (as needed) Step 1 Loosen the stem expander bolt by turning it clockwise with a…

Whether you are a road biker or a mountain biker, where you live is important. You want a place that is safe and convenient for you to ride with lots of road and easy access to the trails. Here are some of the best spots for cyclists to live. Portland, Oregon Bike the best in Portland. Consistently ranked among the top U.S. cities for cycling, Portland, Oregon, has a large network totaling over 200 miles of bicycle lanes, trails and signed routes. Cycling is one of the top priorities of the people and government of Portland and several coalitions and…

While there’s more than one major manufacturer of bicycle gear shifters, each gear shifter is held in place by the same clamp design. The clamp is located on the backside of the shifter and is obscured by handlebar tape. A bolt passing through the body of the shifter serves to tighten and loosen the clamp. Like the clamp, the bolt isn’t exactly easy to find. Raising the rubber brake hood and peering inside will reveal the head of the bolt, buried in the interior plastic of the shifter. Locate this bolt before you begin the task of removing your old…

Road bikes are one of three prevalent types of bicycles, the others being mountain and BMX or stunt bikes. A road bike is lightweight in construction and intended for riding on paved or other smooth surfaces; mountain bikes are heavier in construction and designed for use on unpaved and rugged or irregular surfaces, and BMX bikes are smaller in size and are intended for performing stunts and tricks.Road bikes are divided into four categories based on their intended usage: cruiser, racing, touring and hybrid.Road bikes have a variety of configurations, but they have common parts: two wheels; a frame; at…

Cycling shorts come in many different shapes, fabrics and sizes. Here’s some advice on how to pick a pair of bicycle shorts for maximum comfort in the saddle. Back in the early 1900’s, bicycle shorts were made of wool and allowed little flexibility or stretch. The designs were modifications of men’s pants or women’s knickers and featured multiple panels in an attempt to eliminate fabric bunching and causing chafing in delicate areas. Multiple panels, however, require multiple seams to hold them together and those criss-cross seams in the crotch area caused considerable discomfort. To solve the problem, cycle short designers…

If your road bike is shifting sluggishly, and adjustments fail to reverse the problem, it may be time to replace the shifter cable. Each time you shift a gear, tension is placed on the cable. Over time, the cable stretches, lessening its effectiveness. While tightening the cable will work in the short term, “Bicycle Maintenance & Repair for Road and Mountain Bikes” recommends that cables get replaced at least once a year. Maintaining this schedule will help ensure crisp response from your shifters. Instructions Difficulty: Moderately Easy Removing Things You’ll Need: 5mm Allen key Needle-nose pliers Step 1 Make a mental…