When we consider cycling safety there are our obvious, go-to considerations.Helmet? Check! Headlights and tail lights? Check! Visible clothing? Check!Frequent use of hand signals? Check, check, check!There are so many obvious ones, but what about the safety measures that arent as well-known, or as obvious?What about bike radar? If you are thinking, Ummmmwhat on the earth is THIS? Do I really need it? then read on!The Garmin Varia Radar is a bluetooth device that lets you know when cars are coming up behind you. Additionally, the RTL515 version has a tail light that makes it easier for those cars to see you.Many cyclists think that having bike radar is akin to having a bike computer. Its a nice addition, but probably not 100% necessary.Honestly, I used to feel this way too. I originally purchased the Varia mostly because I wanted a really solid tail light.You see, I have spent a great deal of money on tail lights over the years. I am not sure if the problem is with me, or with the lights I keep buying, but I always have a hard time finding one that holds a charge.I decided to go out and get myself the tail light to end all tail lights.Since I heard there was a version of the Garmin Varia with an excellent tail light built right in, I decided to give it a go.The price was steep, but as I cycle more and more I find myself seeking out fancier gear and higher priced equipment.Ultimately, when it comes to safety, I find that this is where my money is really well spent. All the faster gearing and fancy carbon in the world isnt going to do much for me if I am in a terrible accident.Wondering if the Garmin Varia Radar Tail Light is worth the cost? Looking to see if its right for you? Curious if it really increases safety on the bike?If so, read on for our detailed review of the Garmin Varia Radar RTL515 Tail Light!Review in a NutshellPros:It is one of the most innovative pieces of safety technology on the market right now.You can see traffic coming up behind you directly on your bike computer or smartphone.The Varia Radar Tail Light is very easy to pair with your bike computer.It is incredibly easy to mount on your bike and the directions to mount it are very easy to follow.It is compatible with most road bikes (In other words it will easily mount on and fit around most road bikes).The tail light is VERY bright and has different modes to suit your needs. It really helps with visibility.It has up to 16 hours of battery life. I have never had it die on a ride, even a longer one as long as its fully charged. I can usually get a couple rides out of one charge.It can be used with a smartphone/even some non-Garmin bike computers like Wahoo.It has a Peloton mode so that it makes the light a little less annoying to other cyclists while riding in a group.Cons:The price. This is by far the biggest con and what kept me from purchasing it for some time.The entire unit IS long and just fits under my saddle bag. I imagine taller riders wont have this problem, but I am short (52) and ride a small bike (47cm Trek Domane). Its possible anyone shorter than me or with a lower saddle height could have a problem.Others in your household (ahem, my husband) may like it so much that they borrow it frequently. Luckily he is a very responsible borrower who always charges it up when hes done!On some modes in very high traffic areas it can get annoying when there is a lot of traffic.Price: $199 ListBuy at Garmin.comBuy at Amazon.comVery Easy to Pair With Your Bike Computer or Smart PhoneTo say that I am technically a bit challenged is the understatement of the year. I always struggle with tech, and bike technology is no exception.I honestly had absolutely no problem what-so-ever charging the Varia Tail Light and synching it with my Wahoo bike computer. My bike computer immediately recognized the bluetooth device.All you have to do is make sure the device is on, go into settings/sensors, select the Varia, and add it. Every time I ride as long as the Varia is on it immediately pairs with my Wahoo. I can tell it is paired because a grey bar shows up on the side of the screen of my bike computer.I have never once had to initiate the pairing again. The bike computer just recognizes the Varia and I am ready to go!Though I have not tried pairing it with any other device, and I can only imagine that it pairs just as easily, if not easier with Garmin bike computers or with a smartphone.Simple Setup Right Out of the BoxI was able to very easily mount my Garmin Varia Radar Tail Light right onto the back of my bike. It comes with a few different sized mounts to fit different bike seat posts.I quickly selected an inner mount that bit my bike post, and then simply stretched the included band around the post to secure it to my bike. Honestly, I am not great at attaching things to my bike (kind of like I am not great with tech) so if I say this is easy? It truly is easy.Once you have the Garmin Varia Radar Tail Light turned on, you are done. This device does all the rest.A grey bar is now visible on the left side of the screen. As a car comes up your bike computer will beep to alert you (it even has a more urgent beep pattern if the car is coming fast).The grey bar on the left is where the car icon will appear when a car is behind you. You will then be able to see a little car moving up the grey bar to indicate how close the car is to you.As the car drives by you, it disappears from the display. Thats truly all there is to it! And all the while the light is on to alert drivers to your presence.The Varia Radar Tail Light is Compatible With Smartphones, Garmin, and Wahoo Bike ComputersThe first thing that I researched with the Varia was whether or not it would work with my Wahoo bike computer. As much as I wanted the safety technology, I was not about to sacrifice my love for my Wahoo ELEMNT, nor shell out the money for a Garmin bike computer.I was thrilled to find that it was not only compatible with the Wahoo but also with smartphones. It is even compatible with the RideWithGPS app!With all of the different software pairing options, the Garmin Varia Radar Tail Light makes it easy to use with your favorite smartphone app or bike computer.Great to Use as ONE of Many Pieces of Safety Equipmentit is NOT a Substitute for Being Aware of Your SurroundingsI cannot stress enough that as awesome as it is to see cars coming up behind you, this is just one of many safety features and precautions that you must take on the road.One can see how it would be VERY tempting to assume there is no one behind you if the radar doesnt indicate anything, but you cannot rely on this alone.Always be sure to look over your shoulder in addition to checking your radar.Additionally, I would like to note that I can almost always hear a car before it shows up on my radar, which means that using our senses continues to be really important.I have a friend who loves the idea of the Varia because she is single-sided deaf, but I also know that she would also be sure to look over her shoulder before pulling out into traffic as well.It Really IS ExpensiveIt is hard to get past the price tag of this technology. Yes, its true, it is radar, it is pretty accurate, and thats amazing, but its still about $200.You can get the radar itself without the tail light for around $150, but that is still pretty pricey, AND you are going to have to find a way to mount the tail light in addition to the Varia. At the end of the day I do really feel it is worth it, but I understand that the price tag may put it out of the range of possibility and acceptability for many cyclists.Bottom LineEven though I spent a good deal of money on this product, I have never once regretted the purchase.There is something to be said for a high-end safety feature that does exactly what it says, and does it with ease.I have personally not had the same luck with Garmin bike computers, and have found them to be rather cumbersome, so the fact that the Varia is just SO easy to set up is just one of the many reasons I highly recommend this product.As someone with an old neck injury from a car accident that makes it hard for me to turn my head easily to the left, I must say that having the added safety of the Garmin Varia Radar Tail Light makes me feel so much better about pulling out into traffic.Other Stuff You Might LikeTips For Biking At NightTips For Solo CyclingBest Bike Lights To Keep You Safe In The DarkAbout The ReviewerStacy Ann Smith is a New England-based cyclist who strives to stay upright on her bike. She is the founder of Sascy Cycling, and her mission is to encourage women to love their body and focus on what it can do, not what it looks like. When Stacys not cycling she is teaching high school history and eating pizza with her husband and son. For awesome womens cycling tips and to learn more about Stacy, visit Sascy Cycling atwww.sascy.com.The post Garmin Varia Radar RTL515 Tail Light Review appeared first on Femme Cyclist.

So you want to start mountain biking but dont want to spend a ton of money to get your first bike. We get it. Thats why weve rounded up a list of the best entry-level womens mountain bikes under $1,000 (or right at). These bikes will help you get into the sport, and wont break the bank. You can always upgrade later if you find out you really love mountain biking.In addition to a list of our top sub-$1,000 mountain bikes for ladies, weve also included a list of tips on buying yourfirst mountain bike and what you should look for. Dont understand the difference between hydraulic disc brakes and mechanical disc brakes?Thats ok. Keep reading and well break it all down for you.Our Top PicksBikePriceWhat We Like1 Liv Tempt 1 $1,000A brand just for women!2Cannondale Trail 1$999Includes a dropper post3Specialized Rockhopper Sport$849Local bike shop support4Trek Marlin 6 Gen 3$999Good quality suspension fork5Polygon Xtrada$799Can usually get on saleLiv Tempt 1Price: $1,000Buy at Liv-Cycling.comLiv Cycling makes some of the best womens specific bicycles out there, and some of the best budget bikes, period. The Liv Tempt 1 is the lightest bike on our list, which pushes it into our top spot.We appreciate that it comes in an XS frame to fit women as small as 411, and it has a female-specific saddle. While it doesnt come with a dropper post, it does have internal cable routing to add one later on. The bike offers Tektro hydraulic disc brakes and 80mm or 100mm of travel (depending on the size) thanks to the Giant air fork. All the components on the bike are brand-name, and everything is durable.Cannondale Trail 1Price: $999Buy at REI.comThe Cannondale Trail 1 proves that you dont have to spend a lot of money to get a nice bike.While its not a womens specific bike, it is offered in small frame sizes and those smaller bikes have size-appropriate wheels. Designed thoughtfully for smaller riders, the extra-small frame accommodates those as petite as 46. Cannondale doesnt cut corners with cheaper, off-brand components on this model. Instead, theyve equipped the bike with entry-level but name-brand parts. The Trail 1 includes a Shimano CUES drivetrain and hydraulic disc brakes, ensuring reliable and smooth performance.It comes with a dropper post, which isnt standard on most bikes at this price point, and is one of the best inventions in mountain biking. Believe me, you want one! However, the bikes weight could be a sticking pointits a bit heavier than the Liv Tempt. This might be a concern if you frequently ride in hilly areas.Also, it features a 2x drivetrain, which includes two chainrings in the front, diverging from the modern trend of a single chainring setup that many prefer for its simplicity.Specialized Rockhopper SportPrice:$849Buy at Specialized.comThanks to the fact that Specialized is one of the biggest bike manufacturers in the world, they manage to produce high-quality bikes at a fraction of what other smaller brands can manage. The Specialized Rockhopper was actually my first mountain bike some 15 years ago, and that old bike still serves me well as a commuter bike.On the component front, the Rockhopper Sport boasts a dependable microShift drivetrain and Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, providing reliable shifting and excellent stopping power in all weather conditions. Like most of the bikes on this list, it has a dependable, though entry-level Suntour fork.The bike is offered in 27.5, and 29 wheel offerings, and it comes in XS to XXL frame sizes. Ive consistently had great luck fitting tiny riders on Specialized mountain bikes. While many bikes on this list are direct-to-consumer, Specialized allows you to order a bike online OR head to your local Specialized dealer. This offers the best of both worlds. Trek Marlin 6Price: $999Buy at TrekBikes.comTrek recently got rid of the womens version of this bike (sad!), but the Marlin 6 is still worthy of your consideration. Like Specialized, Trek is one of the biggest bike brands around which means you get nicer components for a lower price, and its easy to get local bike shop support if you need it. Trek bikes have a great warranty, and I know from personal experience that they take good care of you.While this bike just barely scrapes in at under $1,000, the little bit of extra dough is worth it. The bike comes with a RockShox Judy fork which is a definite step up from the Suntrour fork included many of the other bikes listed here.Also, the Marlin is one of the better fit options for small ladies. The XS frame size fits riders as small as 49.Like many other bikes on this list, the biggest drawback is that its heavy. If you can afford to spend more for one of the next levels of the Marlin, you might want to consider it.Polygon Xtrada 5Price: $799Buy at BikesOnline.comThe Polygon Xtrada is a direct-to-consumer budget mountain bike. This is a great bike to get started on.Despite its hefty weight, its a pretty decent climber. I felt fast on this bike when on flats or uphills.Like other bikes on this list, the Suntour fork definitely felt a bit stiff on the descents. For mellow beginner trails, it will feel fine, but once you start to progress, the fork will be a limiter. My biggest complaints is that there is no routing for a dropper post should you choose to add one later on, and the base level Xtrada 5 has a 2x rather than 1x drivetrain. Youll have to upgrade to the Xtrada 6 or 7 for a 1x. Review: Polygon XtradaWhat to Look For In An Entry-Level Mountain BikeFeel a little intimidated by all the bike-lingo? No worries. Heres what you should look for when picking your mountain bike.Womens Specific Mountain Bikes vs Unisex BikesA few years ago, every mountain bike brand on the market was coming out with womens-specific offerings. Now the pendulum has swung the other way and many brands have removed their womens mountain bikes.This isnt necessarily a bad thing. Marketing bikes as womens bikes often relegated women to a specific corner inside the sport. And whos to say smaller men and teen boys dont benefit from smaller frame sizes too?On the flip side, womens-specific mountain bikes are sometimes a blessing for smaller women who dont fit on traditionally-sized bikes, and for ladies looking for bikes in more feminine designs and colors. Generally, they also come with components that fit a larger range of women betterlower standover height, narrower handlebars, shorter cranks, and perhaps most important of all: womens-specific bike saddles (seats).On this list youll see a mix of womens-specific bikes as well as unisex bikes. These are bikes that are offered in smaller sizes and will work well for women regardless of their gender designation.The bottom-line is that you dont feel like youre limited a womens bike. If you find a mountain bike that meets all the other criteria well mention below and that is in your price range, go for it.SuspensionFor a sub-$1,000 bike, expect to buy a bike with front suspension only. Bikes with full-suspension will be more expensive or of inferior quality. But thats okay. A hardtail bike is a good place to start.All the bikes on this list have a pretty similar suspension fork. TheSR Suntour fork can be found on most bikes in this price-point and its a pretty decent little fork. It ranges between 100mm and 110 mm of travel, which isnt a ton, but its enough to get started.It is a lot stiffer than a higher quality fork, and you may feel like you get shaken around a bit. A good fork is the biggest reason to spend more money on a mountain bike. (Well talk more about this later). But if youre sticking to easy, mellow trails, the Suntour fork will do okay for you. Wheels and TiresMountain bikes come with several different wheel sizes 26, 27.5, and 29. Which size is best is largely a personal preference. Youll notice that fewer and fewer bikes are being offered with 26 wheels (it used to be the norm). Bigger wheels roll easier over obstacles, but also take a little longer to get up to speed and to maneuver in corners. For this reason, our personal favorite wheel size is 27.5.Tires come in a wide variety of sizes too. Of course, youll need tires that match your wheel size (26, 27.5 or 29), but there are also variation in widths. Again, this is largely a personal preference. A 2.0 tire is super narrow, and a 2.8 tire is beefy. In general, the more rocky and technical the terrain you are riding, the wider the tire youll want. If youre sticking to gravel paths, a narrower tire will roll faster.Finally, some wheels and tires are tubeless or tubeless-ready. This means that they can be ridden without tubes like traditional bike tires. Most bikes in this price range are not tubeless-ready, but a few are, and wed highly recommend it. Since switching to tubeless tires, Ive cut down on the number of flats I get by like 2,000%.DrivetrainThe drivetrain of the bike is everything that works together to propel the bike forward and to shift between gears. This includes the front and rear derailleur, the cassette, the front chainring(s), the shifters, shifter cables and chain.Between the bikes on our list, there isnt a ton of differentiation. The biggest difference youll notice is the inclusion or lack of a front derailleur.Over the last few years, higher end bikes have all but dropped a front derailleur. This trend is now trickling down to entry-level bikes as well.Youll notice that the bikes on our list either have a 1x (one-by) drivetrain or a 2x(two-by) drivetrain. On a 1x drivetrain, there is only one gear up front and no front derailleur. On a 2x drivetrain, there are two gears up front and a front derailleur to move between the two gears.Id highly enourage you to look for a bike with a 1x drivetrain. Beginners often have a lot of trouble with shifting, and this keeps things simple.In terms of brands, at this price point, expect a mixed-bag of component groups from a reputable brand-name company such as Shimano or SRAM. The nicest bikes on this list have a Shimano Deore drivetrain.BrakesModern mountain bikes come with disc brakes. This is different than mountain bikes of yesteryear that had rim brakes. Disc brakes offer significantly better-stopping power than rim-style brakes.Youll notice there are two different types of disc brakes: mechanical disc brakes and hydraulic disc brakes. Mechanical disc brakes are the cheaper and easier to maintain of the two. Hydraulic disc brakes, on the other hand, offer better modulation and performance but add additional cost and maintenance.In general, wed recommend choosing a mountain bike with hydraulic disc brakes. Just a few years ago, nearly all entry level mountain bikes had mechanical disc brakes, but today there are cheaper, reliable hydraulic disc brakes available.Youll notice that the majority of bikes on our list have Tektro hydraulic disc brakes. They are simple and work well, though lack the stopping power of the brakes youll find on more expensive mountain bikes. WeightUnfortunately, what these bikes save in price, they make up for in weight. Meaning that compared to more expensive mountain bikes, the rides on this list are HEAVY. This will be more noticeable if you live in an area with mountainous terrain (like Colorado), as opposed to an area with mostly flat trails (like Florida). Its also a reason to be kind to yourself if you are struggling to keep up with friends on hillsa heavy bike is slower. Once youve decided that mountain biking is your jam, youll probably want to invest in a lighter bike. Until then, have fun, be kind to yourself, and pick the lightest bike you can find in your budget.When You Should Consider Spending MoreIf youre just starting out mountain biking, getting a budget bike to start out might make sense. You dont know yet if this is sport you want to invest big dollars into.That said, if you already sold on mountain biking, and know that youre excited and ready to progress, you should consider spending a little bit more. There are plenty of hardtail mountain bikes in the $2k-$3k range that will grow with you longer than these will. They will offer features like a more comfortable suspension fork, a dropper post, tubeless wheelset, thru-axles, and more. With a little shopping, youll also find some options that arent as heavy as the hardtails on this list.An example of a little higher end hardtail that will get you further is the Specialized Fuse. More Resources to Help Get You Started In The SportWomens Bike Sizing GuideWhat To Wear Mountain Biking: Everything You Need To Know!Best Womens Mountain Bike Clinics, Camps, & EventsAbout The AuthorKristen Bonkoski is a USA cycling and NICA coach, bike educator, and founder of Femme Cyclist.Shes also the host of the Femme Cyclist podcast and runsRascal Rides, a website about biking with kids.Shes been riding bikes for more than two decades and is passionate about empowering women on the bike.IG:@femme_cyclistJoin Kristens Weekly Newsletter!The post Best Mountain Bikes For Women Under $1,000 appeared first on Femme Cyclist.

The 2026 Tour du Limousin-Prigord - Nouvelle Aquitaine took off to its 59th edition this Tuesday with a victory of home rider Noa Isidore (Decathlon CMA CGM Team). For the 21-year-old Frenchman, it's his first professional victory after a relegation from first position at La Route d'Occitanie earli...

When you are riding down the trail you have a lot to think about: which line to take, when to shift down, where youre going to stop for a milkshake after this epic ride is over. You dont want your helmet taking up any of your precious brain power, but you do want it to protect your noggin. This is why I like the POC Tectal the lightweight construction has plenty of ventilation to keep my head cool, the straps are comfortable, and there are no weird pressure points. Added bonus: the built-in adjustable visor helps keep the sun out of my eyes, so theres another thing I dont have to worry about.After two decades of mountain biking, the POC Tectal is the only helmet Ive ever purchased more than once. I have two: one in white and one in pink, and my husband rocks the Tectal as well.Review in a NutshellPros:Full coverageComfortable, easily adjustable strapsNo pressure pointsIncludes Recco reflectorAdjustable visorFun colorsMIPS and non-MIPS versionsCons:Larger profileHard to wear with a pony-tailVisor screw falls out easilyPrice: $220 (MIPS version) / $170 (non-MIPS)Buy at POC.comBuy at Amazon.comPOC Tectal Video ReviewFitUsually when I try a new helmet on in the bike shop, it feels great. I go ride for an hour or two, and it still feels great. But then, at hour 3 or 4 (or 24) it suddenly starts to hurt somewhere, slightly annoying at first until finally it hurts enough to take an ibuprofen. With the POC Tectal, Ive never had any pressure point issues. And based on comments from other friends, riders, and fellow reviewers, it seems that other people would agree.Same goes for the straps. I might be challenged, but I often struggleto get straps positioned correctly around my ears, so that either I look like a total dork or they are rubbing my earsjust enough to drive me crazy. The straps on the POC Tectal, thankfully,have a marvelous no-adjustment-required splitter around the ears that keep things looking tidy and feeling comfortable. All helmets should have this design for their straps.The helmet loosens or tightens via a fit dial at the rear. It is easy to operate, even one-handed and with gloves on, should you choose to adjust it while cruising down the trail.The one issue I do have with the Tectal that I havent seen in any of the male-written reviews out there is the pony-tail problem. Because of the deep-coverage that the Tectal provides, there isnt any room for a ponytail. I end up having to do a low pony or braid which I dont love because of the heat/sweat factor, but it is a worthwhile trade-off for the comfort and safety of the Tectal.AestheticsWhether or not you like the looks of the POC Tectal is largely a matter of personal preference. The profile is larger than other helmets, so if you like a slimmershell, pass on by. Personally I think the Tectal looks rad it has a hard-core enduro look that will make you look pro even if youre just cruising down the blue runs at the bike park.The other thing I like about POC helmets is the wide variety of colors that they come in. Dont offer your favorite color? Wait a month and they probably will.They seem to switch up the colors quite frequently.I also found that the color on the Tectal stays true. Even after a couple years of use, this helmet has stayed colorfast. Unfortunately, I cant say the same for my pink POC Trabec.VisorAs you would expect in this price range, the POC Tectal has an adjustable visor. (Unfortunately the screw has a tendency of falling out, which Ive had happen several times). That said, even when missing said screw, the visor works well raising up if you choose to wear goggles, andlowering for times of full-sun. POC also offers a replacement screw kit for $5 so youre not totally out of luck.SafetySo the POC Tectal is comfortable, it shades your eyes, and it looks good but what about safety? After all thats what a helmet is supposed to be about, right? Fortunately, the Tectal will do a good job in saving your noggin in the event of a crash. The PC outer shell and EPS liner meet all of those standard certs: EN 1078, CPSC 12.03, AS/NZ 2063:2008.The really cool part of the Tectal is the built-in Recco reflector. In the unfortunateevent that you should become lost or hurt, the Recco reflector bounces a directional signal that can be located by rescuers carrying a Recco detector. Of course, it is unlikely that you will ever need it, but if you often ride solo or venture out in the backcountry, the Recco reflector is a good insurance policy.The one surprising safety miss on the regular POC Tectal is MIPS. At this pricepoint and technology-level, you would expect the Tectal to come with MIPS, but it doesnt. Fortunately, the helmet is also offered as the POC Tectal Race MIPS which does offer the technology. Bottom LineThe POC Tectal is my helmet of choice. Even after trying several other mountain bike helmets, I keep coming back to the Tectal primarily due to its extreme comfort. Now that it comes in a MIPS version, Ill switch to that, but I cant think of any other good reason to venture much further than that. Compare to Other Great Mountain Bike HelmetsNot sure if the POC Tectal is right for you? Weve created a list of our favorite mountain bike helmets. See our other recommendations and see how the POC Tectal stacks up against them: Best Mountain Bike Helmets for WomenAbout The ReviewerKristen Bonkoski is a USA cycling and NICA coach, bike educator, and founder of Femme Cyclist.Shes also the host of the Femme Cyclist podcast and runsRascal Rides, a website about biking with kids.Shes been riding bikes for more than two decades and is passionate about empowering women on the bike.IG:@femme_cyclistJoin Kristens Weekly Newsletter!The post POC Tectal Mountain Bike Helmet Review: Why Its My FAVORITE Helmet appeared first on Femme Cyclist.