Biking
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I am looking for a good hybrid bike to ride on weekends with my kids and to also ride to work a (a 30-mile trip one way). I visited a local bike shop recently and they recommended the Trek 7.1 FX. What would you recommend? Seth Wayland, MA
In the past, I've ridden men's frames. I'm 5'10″ and there's been a lack of options in women-specific frames, especially for taller women. But recently, a lot of companies have been logging R&D overtime in order to design frames fit for all women. Women tend to have shorter arms, narrower…
Over the past six months, I’ve been in charge of testing 56 bicycles, with the goal of picking the best bikes on the market for 2011. I’ve plowed road bikes to 10,000 feet in swirling New…
What is the best casual, but functional, mountain biking pant? I'm looking for something breathable, high-backed, durable, and not fully waterproof. In other words, something I can ride in Moab, then pull on a clean T-shirt and sit down for a served dinner. Eric San Diego, CA
Jake the Snake (2009) I put thousands of miles on my Jake the Snake before calling Kona to ask if my bike was really named after a reptile. Turns out Jake…
Over the past six months, I’ve been in charge of testing 56 bicycles, with the goal of picking the best bikes on the market for 2011. I’ve plowed road bikes to 10,000 feet in swirling New…
I'm looking for a kid's bike helmet and would like to know if there is difference in a $10 helmet compared to a $50 model. In addition, are there any exchange programs when the child out grows the helmet? JonathanClegg, ME
Louise Kobern earned the nickname La Ruta Lou by becoming the 4-time winner of arguably the hardest mountain bike stage race in Costa Rica. Recently, she set a new course record…
Louise Kobern earned the nickname La Ruta Lou by becoming the 4-time winner of arguably the hardest mountain bike stage race in Costa Rica. Recently, she set a new course record…
The current state of bikes. With increased infrastructure funds for bike access, more flow trails, and safer cycle, now is an awesome time to invest in a new ride.
Tips and advice on what to look for and where to put your money when buying a mountain bike.
Tips and advice on what to look for and where to put your money when buying a road bike.
My wife promised me a new bike for my birthday. My current bike is a Marin San Rafael, which is serviceable, but heavy and not very fast. I am looking for more of a road bike that can also handle gravel and off-road trails. Will cyclecross bikes fit this bill? AlbertChicago, IL
A boy in Ghana receives his bike (Photo by Dan Austin) The Seattle-based 88bikes Foundation announced travel plans today for their fifth and largest bike-giveaway project to date. Beginning with trips to the Republic of Mozambique and South Africa later this…
What's a good headlamp for mountain biking on singletrack at night? Brightness is obviously important but battery life (especially in freezing temperatures) is my priority. Ian Hayward, WI
By Stephen Regenold Traveling the world with a bike in tow is a challenge. But for cycling enthusiasts who need their wheels on site for a trip, most major airlines have policies in…
In our March 2011 issue, writer Tom Vanderbilt analyzes the hostile relationship between cyclists and drivers. If you're a year-round city rider, you know it's hard enough to navigate erratic cars, deceiving potholes, and zoned-out pedestrians without worrying about what you're…
I'm new to mountain biking and can't decide whether to buy a standard 26-inch wheel or a 29er. The Editors Santa Fe, New Mexico
What is the best winter cycling glove?TonyLong Beach, CA
More than any season, winter demands good gear. Keeping comfortable while staying active in the cold months is a challenge, as is staying upright on a bike or in running shoes on icy winter trails. Here are a half-dozen winter products for runners and winter bikers to improve…
What gear should I use while biking with my dog running alongside? BrettShaker Heights, OH
Wind, waves, rushing rivers, deep snow, vast woods, and towering mountain peaks — these were but a few of the obstacles encountered on my adventures around the world in 2010. Indeed, with trips and expeditions to Nepal, Iceland, Patagonia, and the Alps, the past 12 months can go on record…
By Stephen Regenold Will 2011 mark the rebirth of the waterproof-breathable hardshell jacket? A slew of recent news points to significant effort to upgrade the category, which has long been lacking on the “breathability” side of the equation. Today on GearJunkie.com, I…
How much does a bad mountain bike tire affect your riding? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
The bike weighs about 29 pounds. It folds up suitcase-small — to about 36 x 38 x 12 inches — and it was initially developed in 1997 for the military with seed money from a U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) grant. It's called the Paratrooper, and…
I need a cool, new commuter bag. What do you recommend? The Editors Santa Fe, NM
Cannondale is now manipulating carbon fiber for high-end race bikes as well as anyone, but the company hasn't completely abandoned its deep aluminum heritage. The Six 5 weds a carbon rear end and fork, which minimize painful road vibrations, to a stiff aluminum front triangle for pedaling efficiency. The frame…
Mountain Anticipating a trip to Moab in July? The Instinct’s cooling system has gaping channels that funnel air through like a fan. www.specialized.com Bonus: The on-off mountain visor is fast and easy.
Why It’s Coolhen the Trek engineers responsible for keeping Lance Armstrong in yellow had lightened the man’s frame as much as they could, they turned to aerodynamics. Using a wind tunnel, the team refined the tubing on what would become the Madone to eliminate tiny drag differences that purportedly added…
A fit system perfectly adjusts the Boss to your head—up, down, and around. And the smart closure on the strap is easy to manage even while you’re bouncing about on the trail. Bummer: Why no visor? uvexsports.com…
HEAD FOR THE HILLS In 2007, the mountainous Giro d’Italia and the best-climber’s jersey at the Tour de France were both won on Cannondales. It is with that climbing pedigree in mind that the company launches its new SuperSix. This is the same full-carbon frame Cannondale’s top pros are on…
Most people’s feet tilt down and out when they dangle. As with all Specialized Body Geometry shoes, the carbon-soled S-Works are designed around this natural cant, to reduce knee and foot strain. specialized.com…
The fully-custom, carbon-and-titanium XS can save your ass, literally. One tester spent 19 hours on it—in a single weekend—and was still able to walk afterwards. Indy Fab, an employee-owned boutique builder in Somerville, Massachusetts, is known for its artistry (check the laser-cut lugs) and regularly pulls down awards at the…
Utility City, Smarter Our favorite commuter helmet, the Section is the lightest in its class and sports eight vents. Too few? If you ever yard-sale in this hard hat, you’ll appreciate its tougher shell and rounded profile—which won’t twist your neck like a more aerodynamically shaped helmet can when…
Mr. Versatility Naming this sly cyclocross beast “Fox” (in Italian) was perfect: Whenever we got in a sticky situation, its big all-terrain rubber, triple chainring, and forgiving steel frame saw us through in style. And if you’re not riding your local trails or CX course on the weekend, you can…
One tester spirited away the Apache as soon as it arrived and only returned it a few weeks later, after we threatened to withhold his pay—and even then it took a few days. The Apache is simply one of the most fun cross-country bikes we’ve ridden, especially for the…
If the thought of spending more for a quality bike than a decent used car makes you want to take up jogging, the Dakar will keep you on two wheels. The aluminum frame is stiff and responsive, and can take a lot of abuse. (We crashed ours into both…
STEALTH RACERScott checks in with one of the lightest competition frames on the planet—a blend of custom tubes and carbon welding that weighs a feathery one pound 15 ounces. For a frame this light, it’s surprisingly solid. When it was decked with Campagnolo’s midrange Centaur group, our test bike came…
Keep your cool without losing your teeth. This comfortable full-face helmet is almost as airy as most XC buckets (21 vents) and delivers a superb fit with its highly adjustable retention system. specialized.com…
CHEAP THRILLS With so many astronomically expensive bikes on the market, it’s easy to get the impression that entry-level bikes perform too poorly to warrant consideration. The Xenith Comp proves that’s not the case. The full-carbon frame offers about as stiff a platform as you’ll find at this price, and…
A great entry-level race shoe for high-volume feet, the MX170 has a heel-mounted Boa lacing system that cinches the shoe around the ankle to prevent heel lift. lakecycling.com…
We have to break out the superlatives for this out-of-the-box racer. It's the lightest and stiffest frame that Giant has ever produced—the same one (albeit without the integrated seat mast) that was ridden to more pro wins last year than any other bike. Granted, the SL 2 is hung with…
Road Comfortable Crossover In many ways, the Sterling is on the opposite end of the spectrum from the Prolight. There’s a removable (and padded) bug-net lining, a Boa-like knob that dials in the perfect fit with a few clicks, and a visor for mountain biking. All that, and it’s…
Easy Rider Using the Ritchey Breakaway system, this chromoly touring bike’s frame splits, and the whole thing packs down beautifully into one checkable suitcase in about ten minutes. Upon reaching your destination, you’ve got a sprightly ride that takes full racks and fenders, comes with fat 35-millimeter Schwalbe rubber…
ITALIAN FLAIR FOR THE MASSES Before carbon took over cycling, aluminum was the racer’s material of choice. And before Trek took over the Tour de France, Pinarello owned that event. While the Italians’ top offerings can cost more than college, the aluminum FP2—which comes with a vibration-damping carbon fork and…
As many manufacturers pare down their bikes, Ventana goes gleefully big. Bouncing into the growing 29er fray—these mountain bikes sport XXL wheels for higher clearance and better momentum than you get with their 26-inch counterparts—the El Cap is a handcrafted, dual-suspension aluminum rig that soaks up bumps like an…
SPORTS SEDANA champion’s philosophy underscores each LeMond rolling out of the Wisconsin plant: Comfort trumps efficiency. That’s how Greg LeMond won three Tours de France—atop buttery steel frames like this one. And the Buenos Aires offers something extra: carbon fiber. By mating carbon tubes in the top half of…
The aptly-named Robota hugs the head with an even and snug grip, thanks to the proprietary Spiderlock Elite system. Bonus points for the detachable visor and moisture-wicking liner. louisgarneau.com…
FORMULA ONE ON TWO WHEELS The purest racer in our lineup, the updated Tarmac shaves ten grams off its predecessor while delivering better drive-train efficiency. The tapered head tube widens at the bottom for increased stiffness. This also allowed designers to move the bearings up so that steering forces are…
By bolting a stiff carbon insert to a nylon frame, the microfiber-and-mesh SRS’s provide just enough toe flex to keep the blood flowing, without sacrificing efficient energy transfer. sidiusa.com…
From a world championship–winning race bike to a revolutionary all-mountain bomber, dozens of bikes took our abuse for months on trails all over the Southwest. Our verdict: Suspension technology is doing things we couldn't have imagined five years ago, and carbon fiber is changing our expectations of what bikes should…
Road Fastest and Lightest The Prolight is back—and it’s nothing like the 1985 original. The lightest helmet on the market has a streamlined design and ultrathin, minimalist webbing that make other helmets look comically overbuilt. The only downside is that it’s not as easy to tweak the fit. 5.9 oz;…
SCOTT CX TEAM BIKE features a Shimano Ultegra build and ‘cross touches like wide tire clearance and a shaped top tube for easy shouldering. Tread is key, too.
BEAT THE CLOCK With a one-inch-wide head tube and bladed fork, the full-carbon B2 enters the wind like a dart. A multi-position stem adjusts for the sweet spot between aerodynamic crouch and lower-back comfort. Shaped tubes keep everything hidden behind the front end to minimize drag, and even the rear…
Meet the Houdini of bikes: On the trail, the Anthem is so smooth it feels as if the bike has disappeared beneath you. Giant brings Maestro, 2005’s award-winning suspension, to 3.5 inches of travel, creating a lightweight ride that thrives on all manner of terrain—especially fast, technical, roller-coaster singletrack.
DISCOUNT TICKETThink of the Competition as a two-wheeled iMac: Pros may want more, but if you’re looking for a worry-free performance machine, clip on in. Raleigh is coming on strong for ’05 by combining cutting-edge frames with styling that harks back to the brand’s late-seventies/early-eighties heyday. Carbon tubing, aluminum lugs,…
A SMARTER WAY TO RIDE You know those glorious and rare outings when you think only about riding—and not about your bike? That’s what every ride is like on the carbon-fiber Epic. This year Specialized became the first major bike company to manufacture its own rear shocks, and their redesigned…
CROSS-COUNTRY REVELATION The Mach 4 is the first cross-country offering from MTB-design legend Chris Cocalis’s newly launched Pivot brand. It’s built around the same dw-link platform as the Gear of the Year–winning Ibis but tuned a bit firmer to stay active while eliminating energy-sapping pedal bob. The bike blasted up…
While most folding bikes compromise wheel size or frame design, Ritchey’s unique coupling system delivers a full-size race rig. Also available in a sultry mix of titanium and carbon. ritcheylogic.com…
Though built for aggressive trail riding, this bike dished up so much speed, we had to double-check its specs. The aluminum Trailfox definitely uses all 5.5 inches of its travel, but the general consensus was that it often pedaled as well as a short-travel racer. “One of the fastest rides…
Mountain Happy Trails The comfiest mountain-bike helmet in the test? You’re looking at it. The thumbwheel up top lets you snug a headband around your noggin via a cable for a pressure-point-free fit that every tester raved about. Bonus: enough vents for the hottest days. 9.8 oz;…
CHALLENGE‘s handmade and all-conditions GRIFO OPEN TUBULAR TIRES offer tubular-like suppleness but mount like a clincher.
Keep It Simple Live in a flattish city and looking for a stylish, affordable everyday bike? That’s the whole point of this durable steel single-speed, which takes racks and sports a SRAM Torpedo rear hub that easily switches from freewheel to fixed with a screwdriver—no wheel flipping necessary. Tiny gripe:…
Attention, bicycle junkies: Whether you replace that quiver of bikes clogging your garage or just add to it, the Zirkel is for people who maintain a bike fund the way others stock a 401(k). This three-inch-travel cross-country cruiser picks up where Moots’s now retired Smoothie left off, with a…
SPECIALIZATIONA cousin to the bike that won a Gear of the Year award in ’03, the Epic is the best full-suspension climber on the market. True, this bike’s design isn’t quite as buttery as some others’, and its twitchy steering has scared off more than a few riders. But the…
A BIG-WHEELED RACER There’s only one problem with a bike this beautiful: You may hesitate to inflict the first scratch. Fortunately, the feeling passes. We fell in love with the Mamasita’s exquisite skewers and gorgeous paint job, and then our affection deepened after we banged it around the desert trails…
ALL-AROUND PERFORMER After each ride, we had to check the price tag—could a bike this good cost this little? Not only did Mongoose equip this four-inch ride with a plush Fox RP2 rear shock and smooth RockShox Recon Race fork; they also threw in a complete Shimano XT group, a…
How does Giro improve on its popular E2 cross-country race helmet? With an adjustable visor, an easier and more snug fit, and a lower profile that provides better coverage while increasing weight by less than an ounce. giro.com…
Like the Epic, the brand-new, full-carbon Blur XC is scary light—one tester pulled it right off the ground while navigating a short, punchy climb. And while its rear shock doesn't boast the same techy approach the Epic's does, the Blur flat-out rips on fast singletrack. Credit Santa Cruz's proven Virtual…
Carbon Comfort Carbon-fiber bikes in this price range are no longer an anomaly. To keep costs down, they’re constructed with a slightly heavier weave. The result is usually a significantly smoother road feel than aluminum-framed bikes have, though generally not quite as forgiving as the finest carbon cloth. The ultrastiff…
The nylon soles on SIDI‘s new SPIDER SRS SHOES are firm enough for pedaling but just forgiving enough for muddy sprints.
We expected the Epic to be fast—it's the same full-carbon bike that Swiss Christoph Sauser rode to the 2008 XC world championship—but not this fast. The Shimano XTR components and carbon cranks certainly help, but really it's all about the gray matter. The front and rear shocks feature Specialized's Brain…