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...

Experienced riders will likely have several, but for those just setting out on their cycling adventure – it pays to know what you’re looking for. Battling with the wrong bike for your needs isn’t just tiring, it’s a waste of hard-earned cash. Think about where you are planning to go with it the majority of the time and who with? Is it training, commuting, family fun, trail riding or are you even considering getting into racing? To help you figure all this out, we recommend visiting one of our stores to speak to an expert colleague and where you could start test-riding a few options. It may also be reassuring to know that every bike bought at Evans Cycles comes with our Right Bike Guarantee, a 30 day, no quibble exchange policy. To start narrowing it down a little, we’ve outlined 4 very common types of bikes and the functions that define each. Hopefully, you’ll identify yourself with one before further exploring our online treasure trove. You need a Road Bike if… …you’ll be riding...

This year, why not dust off your bike, get back on the saddle and fall in love with cycling all over again! Here are our top tips for getting back into cycling: Get your bike checked over – there are a number of great bike shops in York who'll be more than happy to get your bike in tip-top working order ready for hitting the road again. You can also see our handy bike maintenance tips. Need a new bike? Your local bike shop will be happy to advise on the right bike and accessories for you, or pick up a bargain reconditioned bike. Haven't cycled for a while? Take a leisure ride and explore York – we've several easy to ride, scenic leisure route maps to get you riding again – with café stops to top up energy levels and toilet facilities all marked en route! Feeling a bit rusty on two wheels? Build your confidence on the road and brush up on your cycle skills with our superb one-to-one, personalised urban cycle skills training sessions. We come to you at a time to suit. ...

Whether you're starting to cycle for the first time, getting back in the saddle after a number of years away, or already cycle but would just like to cycle more, you'll enjoy lots of benefits by choosing cycling for some of your everyday trips: It’s a fast, cheap and stress-free way of getting from A to B It’s the perfect way to fit more activity into your daily routine – cheaper and much more fun than driving to work or going to the gym It’s a great way to spend time with family and friends or to meet new people It increases your life span – on average, cyclists live two years longer than non-cyclists It gives you a natural healthy glow and the endorphins make you feel great Cycling allows you to enjoy those little pleasures guilt free – a 20-minute bike ride burns off the same number of calories as in a cappuccino, a bar of chocolate or a 175ml glass of wine!

What is safe cycling? You’ll probably get a different answer from every website you read or any other cyclist you talk to. To me, ‘safe cycling’ relates to the combination of common sense, road rules and cycling knowledge to get you from Point A to Point B in a safe and efficient way, preferably with the journey having been a pleasant one and not fraught with danger. Firstly, please make sure that you are visible when you go out on the bicycle. Fit bright lights to your bike (steady white light in front; flashing red light behind the saddle); wear reflective strips or bands eg around your ankle where the motion attracts attention, and wear bright coloured kit (luminous colours work well) – especially when it is rainy, misty or overcast or at dawn/dusk. What do you need in order to cycle safely? a) You need the right vehicle… Choose the right bicycle for the job. I prefer using a hybrid or mountain bicycle for commuting purposes. It is more comfortable than a road racing bicycle ...

If you're pretty sure your bicycle fits properly, any hand discomfort you experience may be related to how you ride and your equipment. Remember the most important rule of hand comfort: change hand positions often. Even if your bike is equipped with flat bars it's possible to move your hands around to grip different parts of the bar. Also, consider adding bar ends to provide additional spots to hang on. Dropped Handlebars These are the bars found on many touring and all road-racing bicycles. As shown on the right, there are many places to rest your hands, which means you can change grips regularly to prevent any pain or numbness. Most riders use the positions they like best. For example, the top illustrations depict extreme  positions designed for fighting headwinds or racing because they place you in an aerodynamic and powerful "tuck." The middle illustrations show higher holds excellent for climbing when standing (fingers wrapped around the brake hoods) and when...

How much tire pressure should you run? Start by trying the manufacturer's recommended pressure, which you'll find printed on the tire sidewall (it's often on a small label but it might be molded into the casing, too, so look closely). This suggested inflation range is a good starting point. If it's a wide range, for example 40 to 60 psi, experiment to find which pressure works and feels best. Pump Road Rubber More, Knobbies Less The most common mistakes are riding with too little pressure in road tires and too much pressure in off-road rubber. The former happens because road treads don't have a lot of air volume. Sure, road tires are pumped up to high pressures. But, because they're skinny tires, there's hardly any air inside. Consequently, even if only a little leaks out (most bicycle tubes are made of butyl rubber, which is porous and naturally seeps air), the pressure and volume are greatly reduced. To prevent this, check tire pressure on a road bike bef...

Once you've rounded up the essentials (helmet, pump, seat pack, patch kit, spare tube, tire levers, mini tool, cycling shorts, gloves, jersey, shoes/pedals), these accessories will make your cycling even more enjoyable. Floor pump: The frame pump (often called a "mini-pump") is essential for emergencies on the road and trail, but for everyday use you'll want a floor pump. It'll make short work of airing your tires and save wear and tear on the frame pump. Cyclo-computer: One of the joys of cycling is being able to cover lots of ground and a cyclo-computer can tell you how far, how fast and how long you've ridden. Some even have extra functions such as heart rate, cadence (how fast you're pedaling), altitude, and temperature. There are wireless models for a super clean installation too. Vehicle (car) rack: The trails or roads you bike aren't always riding distance away, so you may want a rack designed to easily and safely transport your bike on yo...

Get the right bike for you If you are new to cycling, you will probably want to start with a bike that is fairly stable and easy to ride. Mountain bikes are great for beginners because they have fairly wide wheels and a good range of gears. Racers or road bikes have much thinner wheels and are built for speed. You will need to keep a careful eye on the road or path ahead. Potholes or large cracks in the surface of the road are more likely to knock you off a racer bike than a sturdy mountain bike. Many people find hybrids or commuter bikes a good compromise between speed and stability. Frames come in many different sizes and you should try and get one appropriate for you. Your seat should be high enough so your legs can completely straighten. This helps with your pedalling efficiency. Make sure you can be seen Black is definitely not the best colour to wear when you are riding, as it makes you the same colour as the road. You are at increased risk of being hit by a car if the drive...