The newly released LifeStraw Sip is the world's first reusable stainless steel water filter straw capable of removing microplastics, bacteria, and parasites from drinking water, and it's small enough to slip into any bike bag. Learn more here...The post The LifeStraw Sip Weighs Just 51 Grams appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

CyclistWhich gear ratios are best for climbing on a road bike?When it comes to climbing, most cyclists would admit to wishing they could reach summits a bit quicker or at least a little more easily. Having the correct gear ratios is a hugely important factor, but what exactly is the correct gear for climbing?An increase in the range of gearing options available from the best road bike groupsets has left many cyclists in a land of confusion, instead of pedalling toward paradise. While pro-oriented options have become ever-harder, with Shimano replacing 53/39t cranksets with 54/40t, super-compact 48/32t cranksets are now an option for amateurs. Cassette ranges have become wider too, with 11-30t or 11-34t cassettes replacing the 11-25t or 11-28t typical a few years ago and ridden even by the pros.Both SRAM and Campagnolo now offer cassettes with a 10 tooth smallest sprocket, paired with smaller chainrings, making it even more complex for riders to select the right gear ratios for climbing, while still having adequate top-end speed. Related Posts Aero vs lightweight vs all-rounder: which is the fastest road bike? Bicycle gear ratios explained Cadence: High or low, which is better? Buyers guide to road bike groupsets How much better are pro cyclists than amateurs? Should you sit or stand when climbing on a bike? Why have gears?CampagnoloAt a basic level, gears allow a rider to vary the effort required at the cranks to turn the rear wheel for a given speed. If your biggest chainring has 52 teeth and youre turning a 26-tooth sprocket at the rear, the ratio is 2:1 meaning a complete pedal revolution turns the rear wheel twice. The greater the difference between the size of front and rear gears, the harder it will be to push.Inseparably linked to choosing gear ratios is the concept of cadence i.e. how many revolutions per minute you turn the pedals.Although varying between riders, in the region of 80-100rpm is considered standard. If you wanted to trundle along the flat at 24kph, you might select a 3617 combination, allowing you to spin at a reasonable 90rpm.In theory you might instead select a 5212 ratio, which only requires a cadence of 45rpm.Although you may think turning the pedals fewer times a minute for the same speed would be beneficial, this would be a difficult gear to ride at relatively low speed.Spinners are winners?When the road starts heading upwards, efficiency becomes the name of the game and asking too much from your legs up a climb is a certain route to failure.Finding the right balance between your strength, fitness and gearing will ultimately garner the best results.This is arguably where the biggest difference between professionals and the average rider can be found; WorldTour level riders can turn much bigger and harder gears at the same or sometimes higher cadence.Stage 10 of the 2015 Tour de France ended with a 15.3km climb toward La Pierre-Saint-Martin, with an average gradient of 7.4%.In his prime, Chris Froome averaged just over 22kph for the 41 minutes and 28 seconds it took to reach the summit.Gearing consisted of 52/38 chainrings, and an 11-28 cassette, which he turned at an average cadence of 97rpm.Using this information, and some complicated maths, we can estimate that Froome spent most of his time using a 3821 gear ratio.What then of an average rider? Those not blessed with pro-level abilities might choose a compact chainset offering a 34-tooth inner ring.How much further behind then would our mere mortal rider be by the time Froome had finished?Using a compact chainset and the same 11-28 range cassette allows for ratios as low as 3428, but for this comparison well use the same cog selection at the back.How far then could a rider spinning 3421 expect to travel up the same climb?Based on a cadence of 97rpm, after the same time it took Froome to finish, the compact rider would have only covered 13.6km of the 15.3km ascent.Even the semi-compact rider on a 3621 ratio would find themselves almost a full kilometre behind the yellow jersey winner.The tale of the cog and sprocketWhere you ride is perhaps the most important consideration to make when choosing gear ratios.If your local roads are pan-flat, theres going to be little need for a 34-tooth rear sprocket.Likewise if you commute over a mountain pass, youll want to skip over that 11-25 cassette in favour of something more forgiving.The length of cage fitted to your rear derailleur dictates the largest useable rear cog. This has grown hugely in recent years, with road bike rear mechs now routinely handling 34t or 36t largest sprockets, in place of the 28t of a few years ago. Cassettes are only one part of the drivetrain puzzle however, and matching them with an appropriately sized chainset can unlock your full riding potential.Similarly if you are growing in strength it might be time to spec larger gears to your bike.Ideally you shouldnt be wearing through one chainring at a much quicker rate than the other, as this is a sign that your inner ring is too small or your big ring too big.Although climbing is a unique skill in itself, selecting your gears doesnt have to be any scarier than the rest of your riding, such as tyre width and pressure.The gears at your disposal should be appropriate for your surroundings as well as your ability.Attempting to push pro level gearing can be a recipe for disaster if your bike is writing cheques that your legs cant cash.If you want to look pro, copy their cadence instead of their drivetrains, as they tend to spin a gear that allows them to stay in their most efficient RPM range as you should too.This article first appeared on Cyclist.co.uk in October 2016 Related Posts Aero vs lightweight vs all-rounder: which is the fastest road bike? Bicycle gear ratios explained Cadence: High or low, which is better? Buyers guide to road bike groupsets How much better are pro cyclists than amateurs? Should you sit or stand when climbing on a bike? The post Which gear ratios are best for climbing on a road bike? appeared first on Cyclist.

Throughout the Giro d'Italia, there will be many riders to withdraw from the race, for several different reasons. We make a list of all riders who leave the Corsa Rosa, as well as list out a few of the main crashes that take place during the race.Stage 1No riders have abandoned the race on it's fir...

CyclistLondon Bike Kitchen is fundraising to reopen DIY bike workshopLondon Bike Kitchen, the female and non-binary led bike repair shop and sometime bike DIY space in Londons Old Street, is running a GoFundMe campaign to save and reopen its self-service workshop space.Founded and run by Jenni Gwiazdowski, who Cyclist spoke to in 2023, LBK opened in 2012 with DIY its main offering. The more traditional bike shop element came later, in 2016, seeing the business through the tumult of Covid lockdowns and the various associated ravages on the bike industry.Currently, the bike shop is open while the DIY element is closed, but Gwiazdowski is hoping to raise 15k by the end of May (25% complete at the time of writing), which will enable the DIY space to reopen with an energised new offering.Fred MacGregor / CyclistLBK will continue to be a female and non-binary led operation that is first and foremost a place for riders to learn how to fix their own bikes. Going forward, in addition to Gwiazdowski, mechanics Amie, Silvi and Jamie will lead tutorials and supervise workshop hours.Once up and running, the workshop will allow punters access to a work stand, every tool imaginable, a parts washer and, of course, support from a mechanic. Funds raised will go towards clearing out the old workshop, installing new lighting, refreshing tool stocks, overheads and website redesign.You can find out more at LBKs website, sign up for the excellent Substack newsletter or head straight to the GoFundMe donation page. Related Posts The people behind a WorldTour team #4: The mechanic RideLondon bike check: 5 maintenance tips and what to avoid ahead of the big day London Bike Kitchen: Were here to fix things On the road with the Tour de France mechanics The post London Bike Kitchen is fundraising to reopen DIY bike workshop appeared first on Cyclist.

Stage 10 of the Giro d'Italia 2024 promised changes in the general classification as it was the second high mountain day of this edition of the Corsa Rosa. Valentin Paret-Peintre was the day's winner. Romain Bardet, however, did jump into the Top 10 after his second place in the day.Tadej Pogacar r...

It is the first sprint stage of the second week of the Giro d'Italia. Stage 11 is expected to finish in a battle amongst the fastest men in the race and will be a calmer day in comparison to what we've found over the past few days.Stage 11 sees the riders close to the Adriatic sea, a transition da...

Last year, Team Visma - Lease a Bike (at the time Jumbo-Visma) established itself as the best team in the World Tour by winning all three Grand Tours: Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a Espaa; far ahead of UAE Team Emirates, which was hit especially hard by Tadej Pogacar's defeat in the Gra...

Dean Harvey (Trinity Racing) has put in a strong day out front in the breakaway on the opening stage of the Four Days of Dunkirk on what was his debut at 2.Pro level racing. However, though Harvey flew the flag for Ireland for much of the 173km stage from Dunkerque to Le Touquet, the Irish []The post Harvey attacks in Dunkirk, Bennett & Townsend mix it in sprint | Video appeared first on Sticky Bottle.

The Cork Cycling Campaign has teamed up with the Cork Folklore Projectfor Cork Through The Spokes an oral history recording event tomorrow, Wednesday May 15th.Do you remember the bike delivery boys, do you have a story about cycling down Patricks Hill? Wed love to hear about that and anything else, come join us for a chat, the campaign said.The two groups are inviting anybody who wants to take part to drop into North Cathedral Visitor Centre tomorrow afternoon from 2:30 4:30.The event is one of over 200 Bike Week events across this week in Cork city and county. For more details of whats yet to happen this week, check out the programme for Bike Week in Cork.

The Ride with GPS global heatmap layer is now available with your choice of all-time, 7-day, and 30-day filters, providing a clearer snapshot of where folks are riding. Learn more about the new feature here...The post New Ride with GPS 7-Day & 30-Day Heatmaps appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.