4ucycling

Everybody knows that cleaning a bike is nowhere near as fun as riding one. But ignore this at your peril, as maintenance is crucial to keeping bikes in as good a condition as possible. This is especially the case when it comes to matt finish and unlacquered carbon fibre frames, which are increasingly popular among bike brands and cyclists alike. While there are numerous bike cleaning products on the market, maintaining such frames isn’t the same as looking after shiny and glossy ones. Thankfully, Essex-based company Crankalicious has developed a line of products capable of cleaning and protecting matt frames. Founded in 2016, Crankalicious aims to produce the most technically-proficient cycle care products on the market. All of the company’s products are made by hand in small batches on site at their HQ in Elsenham, Essex, using the highest quality ingredients and environmentally friendly packaging. What is a matt frame? Whereas standard ‘shiny’ frames have a flat surface that...

To keep your bike in tip-top condition, before every trip, you should - Check that your tyres are pumped up Check that your brakes, lights, handlebars and seat are in good order and tightly secured. On a monthly basis, you should: Clean and lubricate your chain and check your gears are running smoothly; Wipe the dirt from your wheels and check the tread on your tyres.  If possible, check your brake pads and your brake cables. On an annual basis, you should: Give your bike a thorough service. Reputable cycle shops will have a mechanic who can do this for you. More detailed bike maintenance information is included in Sustrans’ Get Cycling guide, which can be downloaded below.  

Cycling Tips Equipment Know-How <<<(FAQ 6 of 12)>>> Back to Tip List Proper Shifting Helps Your Bike Last Longer, Work Better An important shifting rule is to reduce pressure on the pedals during shifts. Modern drivetrains will shift regardless of pedal pressure. But, if you can always ease up a bit, the shifts will be smoother and your chain, cogs and chainrings will last longer. Shift Before Hills The hardest place to ease pedaling, of course, is when you're struggling to get up a steep hill. The trick is to shift before the steep part of the hill so you can make the shift with little pressure on the pedals. Finesse Front Shifts Another thing to remember concerns shifting the front derailleur. You're shifting between chainrings that are significantly different in size. This means that the derailleur has to work hard to move the chain from one to the other. So, the light-pedal-pressure rule really applies here. If you can finesse this shift, yo...