Bikes FAQ

150mm - 160mm Travel

"All Mountain" Bikes Around 150-160mm travel is generally what bike companies are calling "All Mountain" bikes. These are designed to go down rough trails quickly, while still maintaining at least some degree of uphill friendliness.

80mm - 100mm Travel

"Cross Country" Bikes The smallest amount of suspension that is commonly available these days is around 80mm. Most modern full-suspension bikes that are designated for cross country (i.e. designed to go uphill fast) are coming with 100mm-travel suspension. Many hardtails available these days are coming spec'd with 100mm forks.

~200mm Travel

"Downhill" Bikes Most downhill bikes come with around 200mm of travel. While pedaling efficiency is still important, most downhill bikes aren't built with any amount of uphill in mind—the frame and suspension designs are focused on making the bike go down rough trails as fast and as smoothly as possible. A chairlift or a pickup truck is the assumed means of getting to the top.

Keith Bontrager famously said of bicycle parts:

"Strong. Light. Cheap. Pick two."

SAG Wagan

"Support and Gear"

~130mm Travel

"Trail" Bikes Around 130mm travel is what most companies would call a "Trail" bike. These are generally designed for all around riding. They climb pretty well, and they descend pretty well. 130mm is also about the longest travel fork that you'll commonly find on a hardtail. As noted above, bikes that are designed for rougher trails generally have more suspension travel. Beyond 130mm travel, most people find that the benefits of the hardtail are outweighed by the roughness of the trail.

Why people prefer bib shorts

1. No uncomfortable/ itchy waistband cutting into body 2. The chamois stays in place 3. No "plumber's crack": With bib shorts being obviously cut higher than a traditional short, a seamless transition between shorts and jersey is maintained at all times.

E-bike Benefits

1. You'll ride a lot more- legs not as tired, "legal doping" 2. Faster, enjoyable, less sweaty commuting 3. Allows people of mixed ability and age to ride together 4. Explore new terrain- e.g., hills 5. There's an e-bike for everyone- Name a type of riding, and there's an e-bike for that. 6. They're considered the future of urban transportation

26in wheels

26in wheels were the original mountain bike wheel size and are still used sparingly today thanks to being nimble and light. The shift in recent years has been to larger wheels that offer more traction and a better ride quality so 26in wheels are rarely seen on new mountain bikes.

29er vs 27.5

27.5 in. wheels have faster acceleration while 29ers are more efficient on longer rides. Because of their greater surface area (aka "contact patch"), 29 in. wheels have better traction (when comparing comparable tires). 29ers roll over objects more easily. 27.5 in. wheels are lighter. 27.5 in. bikes are more maneuverable. 29ers are often better suited to taller riders.

Amount of Suspension / General Bike Categories

80mm - 100mm Travel: "Cross Country" Bikes ~130mm Travel: "Trail" Bikes 150mm - 160mm Travel: "All Mountain" Bikes ~200mm Travel: "Downhill" Bikes

Bottom bracket power meter

A bottom bracket power meter is similar to a crank-based power meter in that your current crankset is often replaced for a new, power-equipped one (but not always, as you will see below). However, the location of power measurement differs. Bottom bracket-based power meters measure torque in the axle. ROTOR manufactures its 2INpower DM and INpower DM power meters. Likewise, Easton and Race Face offer their CINCH power meter. Advantages: The axle-based design means that the critical components of the power meter are safe from impact, dirt and water The 2INpower DM, INpower DM and CINCH all offer compatibility with almost every bottom bracket standard which means there is a high likelihood of compatibility with your bike More affordable than some other power meter types as the INpower DM and CINCH sell for $799 and $599, respectively

Left Only Crank Arm

A left side crank arm-based power meter doubles your left leg power in order to get a total power figure. This method of calculation assumes that both legs produce the same force. Stages Cycling, 4iiii Innovations and Pioneer use an OEM left crank arm (such as Shimano or Campagnolo) and attach their power sensor (strain gauges, electronics and battery) to the inside of the crank arm. Note because the electronics sit on the inside of the crank arm, there exists the possibility of clearance issues with your bike frame (the chainstay). So pay special attention to frame compatibility when purchasing these power meter types. Advantages: More affordable than most power meter types since you are just buying the left side crank arm Lightweight as these power meters only add about 10-20 grams to the weight of the crank arm This design allows for easy installation and swapping of the power meter between bikes (assuming both bikes have compatible cranksets) Considerations: You should always be sure your bike frame is compatible before buying a power meter. This is especially true with crank arm-based power meters as there can be clearance issues with the frame and the crank arm If for some reason (perhaps due to a previous injury), you produce more power with one leg versus the other, these left only power meters can lead to less accurate results. For the majority of riders however, this isn't much of a concern

Benefits of Owning a Single Speed Bicycle

A single speed bicycle doesn't have front or rear derailleurs and shifters, which is the most common cause of bicycle malfunctions. The only thing that a single speed owner needs to worry about maintaining on their bicycle is the tire pressure, chain tension, and brake adjustment.

What is a smart trainer?

A smart trainer is a tool you mount your bike on that offers resistance like a normal trainer, but with the added benefit of allowing the resistance to be controlled by cycling apps such as Zwift.

What is a smart trainer?

A smart trainer is a tool you mount your bike on that offers resistance like a normal trainer, but with the added benefit of allowing the resistance to be controlled by cycling apps such as Zwift. It makes indoor riding so much more engaging. When riding a virtual course on a smart trainer, if you begin to climb a hill the resistance ramps up and you have to pedal harder, just like when riding outdoors. When doing group rides or races on Zwift, the resistance gets easier when you are riding in a group, simulating a draft, and when you are alone in the wind. Similarly, when doing workouts on something like TrainerRoad or The Sufferfest, a smart trainer automatically sets resistance to the exact prescribed wattage, so you don't have to worry about gauging or pacing your effort. So, there are key reasons to use a smart trainer: to make indoor riding much more fun and more productive.

Commuter cycling helmets

Again, depending on your position on the bike and, of course, personal preference, you can wear a road helmet, a mountain bike helmet or one that has been designed for urban commuting specifically. A helmet with less vents will aid protection from the wind and rain, although you could add a helmet cover to a vented road cycling helmet. If you want to be better seen on the roads, especially in gloomy weather, *choose a helmet that offers better visibility*.

Continental Grand Prix 4 season

All season winter/ wet weather tire, puncture resistant yet still light and less rolling resistance (faster) than the gatorskin

Bontrager AW 3

All weather tire

Tubular tires

Also called a sew-up, tubie or tub - is exactly what it sounds like: a combination, one-piece tire/tube. You have to mount a tubeless tire to a special tubular rim - typically this is done by gluing the tire to the rim or using a special adhesive rim tape. When you get a flat tire, you then have to remove the tubular tire from the rim and repair or replace it. The primary advantage to a tubular setup is that tubular wheels and tires are typically lighter than an equivalent clincher setup due to the lack of rim bead so they feel easier to accelerate and better during climbing. You can run a wider range of tire pressures with less risk of pinch flatting, and the ride quality generally feels smoother than it does for clinchers. That's why racers like them. The major disadvantage is the process of setting up tubular tires and repairing them if you do flat. Frankly, gluing on a tire can be a mess, and it takes time for the glue to dry, but using the newer adhesive rim tape is somewhat easier. Racers are more likely to use tubulars than recreational riders because if they do get a flat, they can simply swap out the entire wheel via their follow car or neutral support. But even many racers will opt for clinchers for their training wheels and save their tubulars for racing. Tubulars are what most pro riders use for racing. The other way a tubular tyre differs from a clincher is that it has to be glued (or taped using special double-sided tape) onto a rim specifically made for tubular tyres. Unlike rims designed for clinchers, tubular rims don't have bead hooks inside the sidewalls for a tyre to clinch onto. Tubulars rely on tyre pressure and glue to hold them on the rim. Gluing a tubular is no piece of cake either and a bad job can result in the tyre rolling off the rim and a painful crash.

Dual-Sided Crank Arm

At a higher cost, Stages, 4iiii and Pioneer also sell complete cranksets. With their complete cranksets, they attach a second power sensor on the inside of the drive-side crank arm. With two sensors, one on each crank arm, these power meters can measure total and well as independent left/right power. Verve Cycling takes a different approach with its InfoCrank Power Meter. The InfoCrank is also a complete crankset (crank arms, spider and chainrings) and also has a power sensor on both the left and right crank arm. However the InfoCrank places its strain gauges within the crank arm - the only power meter manufacturer to do this. The result is +/- 0.5% accuracy, all the way to 3,000 watts.

SPD mtb pedals

Best road bike pedals for commuting, gravel, cyclocross and other dirty riding If you already have a pair of MTB shoes, like the idea of double-sided entry (ideal for riding in traffic), see yourself riding in particularly unpleasant conditions and prefer the walkability of regular SPD pedals, these are a great shout. The pedals can be left alone for years at a time with nary a complaint and will perform far better than any 'road-specific' pedal should the going get grimy. They're fully serviceable but many treat them as disposable as they're incredibly long-lived even if you never bother, and cheap to replace when you finally kill them. If the slightly higher weight offends you, you can always plump for the lighter and prettier M540, XT or XTR pedals. For most riders, the extra 40g over Shimano's cheapest road pedals will probably never be noticed.

Rear suspension

Comes in many forms. All try to achieve similar things, which is to isolate braking and pedaling forces from the suspension action. The Four Bar system is perhaps the most common and features a chainstay pivot, a pivot behind the bottom bracket and a pivot on top of the seat stay which is connected to a leveraged shock linkage. The Faux Bar system is very similar to the Four Bar but with pivots on the seat stays. A variation on the Four Bar is the Virtual Pivot Point (or VPP) and the DW-Link which both use twin links to isolate the rear end. A Split Pivot has a rear dropout pivot placed in line with the rear wheel axle, and is virtually the same as Trek's Active Braking Pivot (ABP). A single pivot suspension system is the most simple option featuring a swing arm and one main pivot located above and forward of the bottom bracket.

Good training tire for road bikes

Continental Gator Hardshell It's very quick and tough enough for winter riding, audax and fast commuting — so long as you're running the right tyre pressure and remove any debris embedded in the tread. The Gator Hardshell version has a bit more puncture protection and slightly longer wear life than the standard Gatorskin by virtue of a bit more tread rubber, a wider polyester breaker strip under the tread and a three-ply rather than two-ply polyamide casing. They're not the lightest tyres around, but they roll surprising well in spite of that puncture protection and beefy tread. Alternatives: Continental Gatorskin Continental Grand Prix 4 Season

Crank (spider) powermeter

Crank-based power meters are located on the cranks of the bike. They measure torque using a strain gauge positioned inside the crank spider. These units require specific cranks or cranksets, but can be interchanged between bikes, depending on compatibility. A typical crank power meter adds approximately 50-250 grams to the crankset. Crank-based power meters were the first type of power meter ever made and they remain the most heavily adopted system by professional athletes due to their accuracy and reliability.

XCO

Cross Country Olympic, an Olympic sport that typically consists of 1-2 hour long races held on technical and hilly loop courses.

Wahoo KICKR Trainer

Direct drive smart trainer -Built-in power meter that allows you to not only accurately measure your efforts, but also control them. There are a few ways to do this. -The simplest way to control the Kickr is with Wahoo's app. With that you can set the exact level of resistance in watts and then pedal at whatever cadence and in whatever gear you like. Change gears or change cadence? No problem, the Kickr will adjust. -The better way to control the Kickr is with a program such as Zwift or TrainerRoad, which control the resistance in real-time to follow along with either a specific workout or a video course. As with the app, you can change your gears and your cadence, and the resistance will adjust to keep the prescribed power right on target. -You can use Zwift and TrainerRoad with a standard trainer or even rollers, but keeping the power level on target will be up to you. The beauty of smart trainers, and the Kickr in particular, is that you don't have to think about it — you just lock in the workout and pedal. -The direct-drive style works well. Subtracting the rear wheel and tire from the equation eliminates both wear on those parts and the variability in power measurement that they can cause (if measuring/applying power at the tire). The trainer is very sturdy, with adjustable-height feet locking into place and a quick-release hub mount providing a familiar interface. Even when out of the saddle, the trainer simply doesn't move. -The sound is relatively subdued, but still plenty loud to annoy people in close proximity, especially at higher cadences. The Tacx Neo is a little quieter, but other smart trainers are about as loud. -You are not bringing this thing to a race to warm up on; you are using it for riding Zwift or doing specific power-based training indoors. This is true of virtually all smart trainers.

Double Chainrings

Double cranksets offer a narrower gear range with less overlap than a triple. They use a smaller inner ring (22- to 28-tooth), while the larger outside cog offers a gear that's generally well-suited to faster riding (34- to 36-tooth). Double cranksets are found from entry-level bikes through to high-end models but their popularity is on the wane too.

Enduro / All mountain

Enduro riding is a unique form of mountain biking where downhill sections of a course are timed, but the uphill sections are not. The stage race format rewards the rider with the lowest accumulated time for a set number of downhill runs. Although the uphill sections aren't timed, on many occasions there are time cut-offs to adhere to. Enduro is one of the fastest growing disciplines in mountain biking. The jumps are more challenging, the drops are bigger, and the trails are more likely to be black level. Enduro bikes are designed to take the rider uphill, but then shine on descents. Look for a bike with 140-170 mm of suspension travel front and rear, a 'dropper (height adjustable) seat post and tires of 2.3in width or larger. The headtube angle will be slacker than that of trail bikes, but slightly steeper than downhill bikes so that the trek back up with mountain is more manageable.

Why are fixed gear bikes popular?

Fixed geared bikes are popular specifically among fitness buffs and road riders because of the way they're built and function. Since this bike requires constant pedaling in order to move forward and to control speed. Minimal maintanence

Float

Float is measured in degrees and refers to the amount your foot can move before it's released from the pedal. The thing to bear in mind is the more float you have, the further you have to twist your foot in order to release it.

What Garmin does Mia T have?

Garmin Edge 500

Gravel Bikes Vs. Cross Bikes: Five Main Differences

Geometry: Gravel bikes are optimized for comfort over longer distances ridden on gravel and fire roads and sometimes even some smoother singletrack whereas 'cross bikes are intended for short duration (<2 hour) high speed events around short cyclocross courses. Cyclocross bikes require high maneuverability around tight turns and over barriers and other obstacles, so their designers prioritize speed and agility over comfort. A typical gravel bike will have longer chainstays, a longer wheelbase, a slacker head tube angle, a slacker seat tube angle and a lower bottom bracket than a typical cyclocross bike. Gravel bikes tend to have more mountain bike-like geometry while 'cross bikes tend toward a racier, road bike geometry. Gearing: On such short cyclocross courses, there can only be so much change in elevation; hence riders need a narrower gear range. The pros, especially, can power up the quick, punchy climbs in bigger gears. Gravel riders face much more varied terrain, including climbing and descending mountains, so do better to have wider gear ranges. Tire Clearance: Modern gravel bikes comes with tire clearances of at least 40 mm. That means you can run relatively wider tires without fear of them rubbing against your frame or fork. Bigger tires mean more comfort while pedaling hour after hour over rugged gravel terrain. Elite cross racers are limited in what width tires they can ride per UCI regulations to 33 mm; hence they have no need for large tire clearances. Accessories: Pure 'cross bikes are for racing short distances so they come with few or no water bottle mounts and no eyelets for rack mounts whereas a gravel bike will typically have several water bottle mountains and the ability to easily attach racks to carry panniers and trunk racks. Weight: Cyclocross is all about racing: every gram counts, and lighter is faster. Not only are 'cross bikes subjected to being ridden in less rugged conditions for shorter periods of time, they must be light enough to be carried by their riders running up stairs and over barriers and other obstacles

Hardtail MTBs

Hardtail mountain bikes only have suspension in the front of the bike and no suspension in the rear, creating a 'hard tail'. As hardtails have less moving parts they are typically lighter and more affordable than dual-suspension mountain bikes, and require less maintenance. As with dual suspension lock out systems, the front suspension mechanism on hardtail bikes can also be locked, effectively creating a fully rigid bike. The lightweight and stiff nature of hardtails make them suited to less challenging trails and cross country riders who are chasing speed. The limited suspension still offers plenty of comfort, so aside from the roughest of trails or steep downhill sections, hardtails are well suited to a variety of different off-road trails.

Full suspension MTBs

Have suspension in the front and rear of the bike. The suspension helps absorb the impact from the trails, reducing the impact on the rider and improving traction and comfort. The suspension helps keep the wheels on the ground for traction, as a result, the rougher the trail, the more suspension required. Typically travel will range from 80 mm - 200 mm front and rear, depending on the intended purpose of the bike. Downhill bikes for example are built to go down steep, technical tracks as fast as possible, so have large amounts of travel to provide additional traction and support. At the opposite end, cross country bikes need to be light and efficient to pedal and so will typically feature around 100mm of travel. Many suspension systems allow riders to 'lock out' the suspension which effectively renders the shocks inactive, consequently reducing movement and making the bike stiffer which is better for climbing back up to the top of the mountain or riding on the road to the trail head.

Continental gatorskin tire

Heavy super puncture resistance training tire

SLX

If Deore is the mountain bike equivalent of Tiagra, then SLX is the mountain equivalent of Shimano's 105 road group. SLX offers almost the same features as the hugely popular XT but weighs slightly more, is made from less expensive materials and provides marginally slower shifts. Mountain bikes equipped with SLX will perform well on almost any trail and is suitable for a wide range of riding abilities. SLX is available in 10 or 11-speed, and the new 1x11 SLX groupset is a popular choice on 2017 mountain bikes.

Stack and reach

If you know these two values you'll always be able to find the appropriate sized bike regardless of manufacturer or frame description.

Wet vs dry lube

If you ride in the winter months a wet lube will resist salt corrosion. ... In dry, spring and summer conditions you want to use a lighter lubricant, normally a wax-based 'dry' lube. Dry lubes are much cleaner to use and attract less dirt build-up even with repeated application.

SHIMANO SHADOW Rear Derailleur

Intended for more aggressive riding. Its super low profile design carries many benefits. Because of its low profile and single tension construction, the derailleur does not hit the chain stay in rough riding conditions.

Old-style - or 'urban' - helmets

Known as old-style, lids, urban or peanuts these helmets are generally favoured by freestyle or BMX riders and skaters. Some commuters also choose to wear this style, which is less about venting and more about looks. Of course, the helmet still needs to comply with safety standards and will offer good protection should you fall off your bike but if you are planning to work hard cycling many miles you will find these helmets make your head a bit sweaty!

Difference between road and MTB helmets

MTB helmets have fewer vents and cover more of the back and sides of the head. MTB helmets are designed like this because if you fall off you will land on uneven terrain that might be littered with stones, branches and tree roots. Also, MTB helmets usually have a built-in visor. While many trail riders will wear eye protection when cycling most prefer not to wear sunglasses because it can make riding through dark woodland tricky. The visor helps to keep the sun out of a mountain bike rider's eyes and as the rider's position on the bike is more upright, it won't obstruct his or her vision as can be the case on a road bike.

Release tension

Most pedals allow you to adjust the pedals' release tension — the amount of force required to disengage your foot from the mechanism. If you're a beginner, start off with a low tension for easier release. This will also make it easier to clip into the pedal. As you become more confident riding with clipless pedals you can increase the tension for a more secure connection between you and your bike.

Rigid

Mountain bikes with no suspension at all are referred to as 'rigid' bikes. The lack of suspension limits the potential usage of rigid bikes to easier trails, with the tires providing the majority of the comfort. The lack of suspension makes rigid bikes lighter, and with less moving parts they are also cheaper then hardtails and dual-suspension bikes. They also require little maintenance in comparison to their suspension equipped brothers. However, advancements in suspension design and typically lower costs means rigid bikes are becoming less common and are typically now only sold in niche categories.

Gravity / Downhill

One for the adrenaline junkies, as the name suggests, this type of mountain biking is all about flying down. Riders will either get a lift up to a certain mountain point, or they'll sometimes even walk up with the bike. Ski resorts around the world are starting to operate chairlifts throughout the year - not just during the snow season - which makes downhill riding a more accessible. Once at the top, it's all about getting down to the bottom of the hill as fast as possible while handling the drops and jumps, gaps and rocks, slips and slides as you go. For this type of riding you're looking at a bike designed for the descents and little more. Look for a bike with front and rear suspension travel between 170 - 210mm, a long wheelbase for high speed stability, secure hydraulic disc brakes and tires at around 2.5in in width. Gears don't matter as much, with the top pro's typically racing with just seven. 27.5in wheels have overtaken 26in as the new standard for this type of bike. The head tube angle for downhill bikes is the slackest of all mountain bikes, at about 62-65-degrees, to account for the high speed and stability required. Don't forget to budget for body protection when doing this type of mountain biking. A moto-style full face helmet, goggles, and knee protection are typically sound investments.

Pedal-based power meters

Pedal-based road power meters incorporate strain gauges inside the pedal itself. Favero Electronics, Garmin, PowerTap and SRM/LOOK all make a pedal-based power meter. These power meters come with proprietary, LOOK Keo style cleats that must be used with the pedal. Of all the power meter types, pedal-based systems are perhaps the most convenient in terms of compatibility and installation. These advantages make them one of the most popular power meter types. Advantages: This design typically allows for easy installation and pedals can be quickly moved between bikes They are compatible with almost any bike since they attach just like a normal pedal (note the SRM/LOOK EXAKT takes a bit more work to install) You can measure each leg's power independently (if you purchase a dual-sided system) Considerations: You must use the cleat system that is specific to your power meter. Currently, all pedal-based power meters use cleats that are similar to LOOK Keo cleats. Note that Favero, Garmin and SRM/LOOK pedals can also be used with original LOOK Keo cleats Speedplay pedals remain unsupported by existing pedal-based power meter offerings Currently, no manufacturer offers a pedal-based power meter for your mountain bike

Bontrager R4

Pro peleton level race tire; crazy light, aero wing bead

Fork suspension

Provided by a spring which 'bounces' open after it has been compressed from hitting an obstacle along the trail. The spring can be either air, coil or both. Air springs are light weight and highly tuneable using a shock pump. Coil springs are used on lower cost bikes and also feature on downhill or gravity bikes. Made from either steel or titanium, the coil springs are extremely durable, providing a more responsive feel than air springs due to a lack of tight seals.

Wahoo Kickr

Quiet, fold-down smart trainer Pros: easy-to-use & take bike on/ off, quietest smart trainer Cons: Power measurement requires calibration to be accurate; accelerations aren't measured quickly (wheel-on smart trainers require calibration each time you put your bike on them, which includes a 10-minute warm-up)

Bontrager R3 tire

Racing and road riding tire, low rolling resistance, excellent cornering grip

Continental Grand Prix tires

Racing tires- least rolling resistance; light

Titanium

Rare and high cost frame material. Titanium is relatively light weight, highly durable and won't corrode like steel. Unlike carbon fiber and aluminium that can easily be molded, titanium is hard to work with which makes it an expensive material choice. Titanium has a distinct advantage over aluminium and carbon fiber in that it's incredibly resilient in the event of a crash. It takes a lot to damage titanium which is why people choose it as a lifetime luxury purchase. As well as being durable, titanium frames are comfortable and with new machining techniques the tubes can be made very thin enabling the weight to be kept low.

XT, XTR and then XTR Di2

Shimano's groupsets move deep into the high performance category, beginning with XT, XTR and then XTR Di2. All of these groupsets are made with high quality materials, reduce weight over other groupsets, are durable and provide excellent shift speed and quality. XT is available in single, double and triple cranksets which feature high grade alloys. XTR saves a little weight over XT, and electronic shifting is introduced with the XTR Di2. The electronic groupset isn't susceptible to reduced performance in the mud and dirt like mechanical systems. Riders can now virtually change gears automatically with Syncro shift, which automatically adjusts the front derailleur depending on gear selected on the rear, and can also program shift buttons to change multiple gears at the press of a button. The system is slightly heavier than XTR but for the performance gains and flawless shift quality, it's a small price to pay. As with the road groupsets, Shimano products are made to work with each other so as long as the components share the same number of gears they can be swapped, mixing SLX with XT for example.

Deore

Similar to Sora or Tiagra in road riding, Deore is considered the first real step into 'proper' mountain biking. The groupset is still considered entry-level but features many attributes of higher tier groupsets. Deore has either 9 or 10-speed gearing options that can be paired with a double or triple crankset. For the majority of riders, Deore has everything you'll ever need with reliable and durable components and a big step up in braking.

Difference between fixed and single speed

Single speed bikes are fitted with a freewheel, whereas fixed gear bikes are not. On a fixie the rear cog is joined with the rear hub, so when the wheel turns, the cog will turn too. ... This means that you are essentially always pedalling on a fixed gear bike with no way to coast.

What's the difference between women's and unisex/men's bikes?

Smaller sizes Lowered top tube — this mostly applies to hybrid or commuter bikes. They have a lower or sloping top tube, which allows a lower standover height, making it easier to get on and off A shorter reach — this refers to the distance from the saddle to the handlebars. Shorter crank arms — for riders with shorter legs, shorter crank arms reduce the stretch that the leg needs around the pedal stroke, which reduces strain and makes pedalling easier Narrower handlebars, shallower drops on road handlebars — narrower handlebars are designed to suit narrower shoulders Smaller range choice — women's bike ranges typically have three or four models, whereas a unisex range can have more. This often means less choice for women if they are looking for a women's specific bike, but many women find unisex bikes suits them fine Lighter shock tune — mountain bikes that feature suspension will have this set up to accommodate the on-average lighter weight of female riders Women's saddle — women's bikes usually come with a saddle designed to be comfortable for female riders. However, because saddles are a personal thing, you may still want to try something different

Continental black chili

Special grip resins/ high grip compound that delivers maximum microflexibility

Speedplay pedals

Speedplay pedals reverse the normal arrangement, so the clip mechanism is bolted to your shoes and the pedals act as the cleat. Bike fitters love Speedplays as they have far *more adjustment* than any other pedal, allowing anything between 10-15 degrees of float, as well as plenty of fore/aft and lateral adjustment. If you have aero concerns, these Speedplay pedals are reputedly the most slippery through the air, especially if you pair the Zero Aero model and its golf-ball-like dimples with the company's Walkable Cleat covers . The pedals run on needle bearings, which might need some maintenance in the long run. When used on three-hole shoes, the pedals have a stack height of 11.5mm.

XCM

Stands for cross country marathon, with races covering varying terrain for distances ranging from 50 to 150+km in length

Travel

The amount that a suspension fork or suspension frame can compress.

SPD-SL road pedals

The best all-rounder road bike pedals Adjustable spring tension

E-bikes: speed

The harder you pedal, the bigger the boost, the faster you'll ride—to a point. The motor is governed to stop propelling you further when you hit 20 to 28 miles per hour, depending on the bike. You can also control how big of an assist you get. Most e-bikes come with a power switch that lets you adjust the boost setting from "eco" (low) to "turbo" (high), for when you want a little more oomph to help you, say, up a steep hill.

What is different between the Wahoo BOLT and ELEMENT BOLT?

The most obvious difference is that the original ELEMNT is larger than the BOLT. This means it has a larger screen size: 2.7 inches versus 2.2 inches on the BOLT. Neither unit has a touchscreen (like the various Edge units that do have touchscreen). They both have greyscale displays rather than color (or indeed color).

Clincher tires

The most popular tire type and tend to be the default setup for most bikes. Constructed with a bead that hooks onto a wheel with a clincher type rim. Inside each tire is an inner tube that you fill with air. When you get a flat tire, you remove your inner tube and repair it or replace it with a new one. Because clincher tires and tubes are ubiquitous, they are a good choice for many riders. It's easy to source new tires and tubes, and maintenance and repair are straightforward. Plus they tend to be cheaper than the other tire types.

1x drivetrains

The most significant trend in mountain bike drivetrains over the past five years has been the movement toward wide-range drivetrains with a single chainring. Commonly referred to as a '1x' ('one-by'), this arrangement has been popular on downhill mountain bikes for years, where large gear ranges aren't needed and chain security (that is, no dropped chains) is very important. Following SRAM's launch of XX1 and the introduction of subsequent wide-range 1×11 and 1×12 groups, the single-ring drivetrain is becoming the norm on high- to mid-level mountain bikes, and is increasingly found on entry level bikes too. Chainring size ranges widely, depending on the intended use, from 38-tooth chainrings for strong cross-country racers down to 28- and even 26-tooth chainrings on some fatbikes. Most bikes with 1x drivetrains come with 32- or 30-tooth chainrings. One key attribute of 1x drivetrains is the use of a chainrings with tall, unramped teeth (since there's no need to shift between chainrings) and alternating tooth widths that match up with the inner and outer links of the chain. Both of these features are designed to keep the chain in place without the aid of a front derailleur or chainguide.

Triple Chainrings

The old classic. It consists of three chainrings, the largest often being a 42- or 44-tooth outer ring. The middle ring is usually a 32 or 34 and the smallest, inside ring, is often a 22- or 24-tooth. This setup can offer the largest range of gears, but there is significant redundancy in terms of gear ratios. Cross-chaining is also a concern with a triple. While Shimano still offers high-end triples, cranksets with three chainrings are rarely found on modern high-end bikes. They are disappearing from the entry-level market as well.

What Is The Same Between The ELEMNT and the BOLT?

They both offer a range of navigation features, including turn-by-turn instructions and on device maps. Without going too far into the weeds, neither the ELEMNT nor the BOLT are 'intelligent' when it comes to mapping. You can't create a route on the device itself; they won't re-route if you go off course. However, they do work closely with your smartphone, via the Wahoo companion app, to get to a position where you can create and amend routes on the fly, and then sync them with the GPS device. Sensor compatibility - exactly the same for both - Bluetooth Smart can be used to connect with HR straps, cadence and speed sensors; ANT+ for HR, cadence and speed, as well as power meters, electronic gears and assorted ancillary ANT+ accessories (argh); Setup and control is primarily via the Wahoo companion app - a key area where Wahoo differs from Garmin, where more of the latter's setup and fettling is done via diddling on the device itself; Call and text notifications - they pop up on screen (depending on how you configure it); Indoor trainer control - again exactly the same ... and, until about a week ago, only limited to Wahoo's own KICKR range of trainers. Since then, both the ELEMNT and BOLT have received a software update that enables them to use the ANT+ FE-C protocol used more generally amongst indoor trainer companies (i.e. they now work with most smart indoor trainers); Integration with cycling and training apps - you've got your Strava, your Training Peaks, your RideWithGPS, amongst others. In the case of Strava, both the ELEMNT and BOLT can handle Strava Live Segments.

Full-face cycling helmets

This does what it says in the title - it offers full-face protection for more extreme off-road cycling, such as when doing downhill riding. These helmets are similar to motorbike helmets, except they are a lot lighter.

Stack height

This is measured from the middle of the pedal axle to the sole of the shoe. The lower the stack height the better because it places your foot closer to the axle for the best possible efficiency. You may need to adjust your saddle height if you change pedals because every model has a slightly different stack height.

Cross country

This is the 'original' form of mountain bike riding and is done on naturally occurring trails or trails that have been purpose-built. The terrain can be almost anything - hard-packed, muddy, rocky, gravel, tree roots, soft from vegetation. Along the way you might come across naturally-occurring obstacles or man-made challenges. Almost any kind of mountain bike is suited to cross country due to the variety of graded trails. Hardtails can easily cover green and blue trails, but as you move further into red and black trails, suspension becomes increasingly important. For these tougher trails, dual-suspension mountain bikes with 90 - 120 mm of travel are great options. Cross country courses require a lot of pedaling, so a drivetrain that is lightweight and efficient is also an item to be ticked off. Tyre size will also depend on the type of trail you're riding but either 26in, 27.5in or 29in will get the job done. Head tube angles will vary, bikes more focused on speed and technical trails will have a steeper head tube angle to provide fast, responsive handling.

Trail

Trail riding is arguably the non-racing aspect of cross country riding. This is simply 'mountain biking' to many and will generally cover trails with greater technical difficulty than those designed for cross country. A trail bike sits somewhere between a bike designed for cross country and Enduro racing. These are designed to perfectly balance both climbing and descending, a jack of all trades if you will. Many trail bikes can be raced in cross country events, but may be heavier and slower on climbs. Dual suspension bikes with 120 -140 mm of suspension travel will perform well on any trail, and as with cross country riding, 27.5in or 29in wheels will work well. Given the extensive range of trails you can encounter, a drivetrain with a large gear range is something to look out for. The head tube angle will again vary on the level you plan to be riding at, but generally will be slacker than cross country bikes with angles somewhere between 67 and 69-degrees.

Tubeless tires

Tubeless setups are the newest tire option and are rapidly increasing in popularity for road and cyclocross use although they've been the top choice for a majority of mountain bikers for nearly two decades. A tubeless setup uses only a rim and tire - no tube. The setup is airtight. Most cyclists will also use a tire sealant inside which allows small punctures to automatically fix themselves as they occur. When they first came out, setting up tubeless rims and tires was more of a challenge, but rim, tire and sealant design have evolved to the point that road and cyclocross tubeless tire setup is straightforward just as it is for mountain bikes. The major advantages to the tubeless setup are 1) that you rarely get flats and 2) that you can run lower pressures (without pinch flatting) for better traction and ride quality than clinchers. If you do get a flat, you can simply add more sealant and/or use a tire plug to fix it. Or you can always put an inner tube in it to finish off you ride. In summary, tubeless setups offer many of the ride quality advantages of a tubular with simpler maintenance and lower costs more like clinchers - which is why many road racing teams are making the switch to them. Team managers love that they can buy just one set of wheels for training and racing for each rider vs. a set of clinchers for training and tubulars for racing for each rider.

Hub power meter

With a hub-based power meter, the strain gauges are located in the rear hub and measure power through the drive chain. PowerTap remains the only manufacturer of a hub-based power meter. Note that in theory, a small amount of power is lost or absorbed in the drivetrain. Therefore, power measured at the hub might be slightly less than power measured at the crank. To be clear, this doesn't make hub-based power meters less accurate, they just measure power a bit differently. Hub-based power meters have been a go-to power meter for years and they remain a trusted option among cyclists of all levels. Advantages: Starting at $399, the PowerTap G3 is one of the most affordable, direct force power meters capable of measuring both left and right leg power Quick and easy installation if you buy a wheelset with the hub pre-installed. Swap out your old rear wheel for your new one and you're ready to roll! Hub-based power meters are easy to interchange between bikes. This assumes your rear wheels are compatible Considerations: If you purchase a stand-alone hub (not pre-laced into a wheelset), you need to have your local bike shop lace it up for you. This is easy for them, but an additional cost for you In the event of a flat or wheel change in a race, you would lose your power meter. (This is unless your back-up wheels were also equipped with a hub-based power meter)

Zee and Saint

Zee is the first specialized groupset, targeting specifically downhill racing. Zee features much of the same technology as the top tier downhill groupset Saint does, but is heavier and uses less expensive materials. Saint is positioned for elite downhill riders chasing victory. Both groupsets have only a single chain ring on the front as a wide gear range is not required when you're only riding downhill.

Alivio

a significant step up for Acera featuring 9-speed cassette, hydraulic disc brakes, multiple crankset options and a reduction in weight. Alivio is most likely to be seen on rigid and hardtail bikes, and possibly on some entry level dual-suspension bikes too.

29in wheels

also called '29ers' and thanks to their increased size, they provide more traction, greater roll-over ability on technical obstacles and a smoother ride from increased air volume. 29er wheels have become the most popular choice in many mountain bike disciplines. Their increased stability also means they're good on the descent. They do, however, weigh more than the smaller wheel sizes, can be cumbersome in small frame sizes and are slightly limited in the amount of suspension that can be incorporated around them. For this, 29er bikes are best used in cross country and trail-type riding, where generous suspension travel is usually not needed - although this is fast changing as many of the world's best enduro bikes are now being offered in 29in wheels too.

Bike sizing

distance from the center of the crank to the top of the frame at the seat tube. A mountain bike uses standard measurement for frame measurements, while road bikes use the metric system. Kids bikes refer to wheel size

Q factor

he distance between the pedal attachment points on the crank arms, when measured parallel to the bottom bracket axle

More expensive groupsets are generally:

lighter, more durable, and provide a smoother, more precise and quicker shift between gears

Acera

most likely to be found on entry level rigid or hardtail bikes. The components are more durable and corrosion resistant, an essential feature for anyone planning to go off-road and ride in anything less than ideal conditions.

Travel

mountain bike terminology for the amount of suspension movement available

stack

relates to the height of the bike measured vertically from the bottom bracket to the top of the head tube

reach

relates to the length of the bike measured horizontally from the bottom bracket to the head tube

Fat bikes

require specific wheels that are hugely oversized to provide comfort without requiring suspension and enough traction to cover sand and snow. Fat bikes have increased tire clearance to handle tires ranging from 3.5in to 5.5 in in width.

27.5in wheels

sometimes referred to as '650B' and have essentially replaced the 26in wheels. These wheels offer slightly improved roll-over ability, traction and air volume than 26in wheels. 27.5in wheels are lighter, stronger and typically more nimble than the 29in wheel size so depending on the type of riding you do, these might be a good option.

MTB Groupsets: Shimano Tourney and Altus

the introductory groupsets from Shimano that are found on kids mountain bikes and mountain bikes under $500 USD. They are suited to recreational riding but true off-road riding is probably beyond these two options. Both groupsets will most likely have a triple crankset and feature either 6, 7, 8 or 9-speed cassette.

plus sized wheels

these wheels sit somewhere between normal and fat and claim to offer improved traction, control and comfort over a standard wheel. Offering a large volume 2.8 to 3in width, Plus Sized wheels are available in either 26, 27.5 and 29in rim diameters but add further height beyond that. For example, a 27.5+ tire measures close in diameter to a standard 29er tire.

Garmin Edge Explore 820

~$280 As we've already seen, Garmin likes to target touring cyclists with exploration-friendly versions of its bike computers, which is why the Garmin Edge Explore 820 could hit the sweet spot of price and features for many riders. It's based on the same form factor as the Edge 820, but eschews high-performance data like functional threshold power estimates and Strava Live integration. You'll still get Bluetooth Smart to alert you to incoming phone calls and bad weather, and it keeps the incident detection capabilities of the Edge 820. There's a 2.3in colour touchscreen that works in the wet and with gloves, and the GroupTrack and LiveTrack features remain too, which some might find useful. It'll connect to a heart rate monitor as well. Most potential buyers will be asking if the navigation features are any good and it's the same story as reported above for the Edge 820. The good news is that it'll create a route for you on the fly and delivers turn-by-turn navigation with alerts as appropriate. The bad news is that it's still limited by screen size — just too small for many users, who'll soon tire of trying to zoom in and out by poking at elusive on-screen icons. One impressive feature that this model shares with the Edge 820 and above is WiFi uploads. This means your ride will appear on Garmin Connect and Strava mere moments after you enter within range of your home WiFi network or sync the device via Bluetooth with a smartphone. Also worth mentioning is the battery save mode, which can extend battery life by up to 50 percent while still recording your ride.

The Garmin Edge 820 (released in 2016)

~$280 Promises most of the smarts found in the top-end Edge 1000, but for less money and in a smaller, lighter form factor. It really is packed with features: you get a 2.3in colour touchscreen, oodles of advanced performance monitoring, Strava Live segments, navigation, handy text/call notifications and more. It also gets a clever feature called GroupTrack, which helps you keep tabs on everyone in your riding pack. It gives you an on-screen map that shows where everyone else in your group is — providing they have a Garmin device that's compatible with LiveTrack, that is. Routes can be created by the unit itself, once you've inputted the address you want, but we would recommend uploading from a known ride, or using Strava's Route Builder or Ride With GPS. As with other models like the Edge 1000, you can tell the Edge 820 to route you along bike paths, roads or trails, depending on your preference. While the turn-by-turn directions are great, the relatively smaller size of the 820 compared to the 1000 makes it a little cumbersome if you want to zoom in or zoom out to see more detail. Other high-end features that make an appearance on the Edge 820 include incident detection, compatibility with Garmin Varia smart lights and ViRB action cameras, and dual GPS/GLONASS capabilities.

Garmin Edge 1000

~$300 Until the Edge 1030 was announced in late 2017, the 1000 was the premium Garmin Edge bike computer. It has a slew of features: turn-by-turn navigation on a huge 3in colour touchscreen that automatically adjusts for light conditions, data tracking for a vast array of rider performance metrics, workout and Virtual Partner features, Strava Live integration and lots more. It comes at a hefty price, though. The Garmin Edge 1000 was launched in 2014 and is comparable in size to an iPhone 4, albeit a little deeper in the belly. It's got both GPS and GLONASS (the latter speeds up satellite reception, at a slight battery life cost), Bluetooth Smart so you can receive text/ call alerts and weather reports plus upload your ride, WiFi uploads, and compatibility with the latest Garmin Varia smart lights and ViRB action cameras. Thanks to ANT+ it will connect with nearly any sensor out there. And the navigation is superb, with detailed mapping that can be switched between a top-down bird's eye view and a 3D purple line to follow. You can select a routing mode so that it knows whether to guide you across bike paths ('Tour Cycling' mode), trails ('Mountain Biking') or tarmac ('Road Cycling'). But it's the enormous range of possible data screens that make this unit stand out for data-hungry cyclists — you can configure up to 10 screens, which you swipe through like a smartphone. Metrics include variations on speed, altitude, power, heart rate, cadence, calories, gears (for Shimano Di2 and SRAM eTap), distance, time, temperature, sunset time, workout counters and more. Battery life is the only issue; when using turn-by-turn navigation and a bright screen we were seldom able to get more than 5 hours from a full charge.