Foldable Bikes Party: November 2016

Wednesday 30 November 2016

Strava picks BikeRadar as 1 of 30 Verified Clubs

http://ift.tt/2gMtGgI

Strava recently picked BikeRadar to be one of 30 Verified Clubs to test a new content program. Many of you have already joined BikeRadar on Strava — it’s free — but if you haven’t, now is a great time because you can also get some of our best stories, photos and tips in your feed.

One of the things I appreciate about Strava is seeing photos from rides all around the world. I enjoy scrolling through the BikeRadar Strava club feed, and seeing images like downtown Singapore lit up at 5:30am, Swiss singletrack in the snow, the expanse of the Australian outback, and rides in shorts next to Arizona cactus. (Okay, that one makes me a little jealous as it is now below freezing in Colorado.)

You guys are getting after it out there, and it’s great that we can share with people we’ve never met.

With the new Beta Club content program, we’ll be sharing a few of our best stories and photos on Strava.

Here is what Strava has to say about the new Beta Club content:

"The Beta Clubs mark the first time that content other than an activity could show up in your feed, which is a big step toward serving every need of the athlete. That’s an ambitious goal, and no doubt we’ll be learning and iterating along the way. But we’re up for the challenge, and these Beta Clubs will help lead the way. Only these clubs can post for now because we trust them to be awesome — they are going to show us and the rest of the Strava community what it means to run a great club. They’ll set the standard, and it won’t be long before we open the ability to post content to all clubs and athletes."

You can read more at BikeRadar.com

via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://ift.tt/2gMwkn1

GoPro cuts staff by 15-precent, closes entertainment division

http://ift.tt/2gMtGgI

It’s been an interesting couple of months for GoPro. In September the action camera giant released its highly anticipated Hero5 cameras and Karma Drone.

Then, 16-days after the Karma Drones went on sale, they were recalled for "intermittent power failure during operation," which literally caused the units to fall out of the sky. This was also closely followed by the release of the DJI Mavic Pro drone, which is similarly priced and according to the spec sheet flies farther, higher, longer, is smaller and offers autonomous "follow me flight" and object avoidance technology.

Now, the California-based tech brand has announced a company-wide restructure where it will be closing its entertainment division and reducing its workforce by 15-percent, letting about 200 full-time employees go.

This comes as the result of GoPro’s company stock losing half its value since the beginning of the year. In early November the stock dropped another 20-percent after the brand said its third-quarter sales were down 40-percent from the same time last year. GoPro is also facing a lawsuit that alleges the company misled investors about demand for the Karma. Amongst all these problems, GoPro president Tony Bates will be leaving the company at the end of the year.

This announcement came in a press release touting the Hero5’s success with Black Friday camera sales up more than 35-percent year-on-year at leading US retailers. GoPro reported that Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday sales of camera units at GoPro.com were similarly strong — up approximately 33-percent year-on-year.

You can read more at BikeRadar.com

via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://ift.tt/2gHHmNZ

4 simple steps to set up your mountain bike

http://ift.tt/2gMtGgI

Bike set up is important. So important in fact that getting the right position can make the difference between riding faster and harder without buying loads of upgrades and suffering on with discomfort that can lead to aches, pains and injuries. Happily, it's quick and easy to get your basic set up right.

Many mountain bikers are focussed on speed. You may find yourself asking, can I get fitter to get faster? Can I eat better to lose weight and go faster? Should I get a better bike to burn off my mates?

However, the first thing to look at is your bike, Most of us don’t spend enough time setting up our bikes correctly to get the optimum position for speed and with a little time and understanding, you may be able to go faster without any hard training sessions or extra cost.

The most important factor is saddle position. If the saddle is too low, you won’t be able to make full use of the power in your legs and if the saddle is too high you’ll feel your hips roll from side to side as your legs stretch too far at the bottom of each pedal stroke.

The fore and aft position of the saddle is also very important to ensure effective use of your quadriceps and prevent any knee injuries.

Another common problem for riders is a stiff neck or shoulders. So check your posture throughout your rides to make sure your neck and shoulders are relaxed to prevent unnecessary aches and pains, and keep yourself in the right position to unleash your speed potential.

1. Saddle height

2. Set the fore and aft position of your saddle

3. Set your handlebar height

How to adjust your handlebar height

4. Find your handlebar reach

Trail tech: are wider bars better bars?

MTB tips — body position

Looking for a more detailed guide to mountain bike setup? Read our perfect mountain bike fit article for the lowdown on what to look out for when setting your bike up.

You can read more at BikeRadar.com

via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://ift.tt/2fGa95T

Enter the 2016 Cyclingnews Reader Poll

http://ift.tt/2gMtGgI

The year end's imminent approach means it's time to look back at the best performers and performances of 2016, and you get to weigh in with the 2016 Cyclingnews Reader Poll while earning a chance to win a Pinarello Dogma F8, courtesy of Pinarello.

The annual poll of our sister site invites readers to look back at the past 12 months and pick the riders, teams, races, moments and equipment that have stood out from the pack. Who was the best rider of the year? What was the most exciting race? This is the chance to have your say.

To keep things simple, we'll be asking you to vote from a fixed selection in each category, so the survey should take you less than five minutes to complete.

Upon completion, you'll have the choice of leaving your details to be entered into a draw to win a top-of-the-range Pinarello Dogma F8. The bike comes with a full Dura-Ace groupset and Fulcrum wheels.

Voting opens Wednesday, November 30, and closes at 23:59 (GMT) on Monday, December 19, 2016.

CLICK HERE to vote in the poll and be registered to win.

You can read more at BikeRadar.com

via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://ift.tt/2fGeJRf

Black Friday is here to stay – and that’s no bad thing

http://ift.tt/2gMtGgI

It’s a fine time to be a cyclist, isn’t it? Participation levels are on the up, new cycle lanes are popping up everywhere and bike technology is incredibly good. But – oh dear – that encourages marketers to prise filthy lucre from our enthusiasm, polluting our enjoyment and hijacking our holidays with overwrought shopping events… doesn’t it? Actually, I’m not sure it’s that black and white.

If you’ve been on BikeRadar in the past week or follow us on social media, you’ve probably noticed stories about Black Friday and its younger brother Cyber Monday, where we rounded up the best deals we could find. (Full disclosure – we make a small amount of money on each of these deals if you click a link on BikeRadar to go to the retailers' site. That commission is paid to us by the retailer and is not added to your basket price. It helps keep the good ship BikeRadar afloat in these non-paywalled times.)

So far, so obvious. You, dear reader, love bikes. Of course you do, the best, cleverest and wittiest people generally do. Bike companies and online retailers want to sell you things, and the lure of a deal helps them clear stock at a time when the 2017 models are due in anyway. And if we can help you get a good deal on some shiny new bike kit that you'll enjoy using, all the better.

Why Black Friday sucks

There are lots of reasons to dislike Black Friday – like its silly name, which refers to the traffic that follows Thanksgiving and the start of the Christmas shopping season in the US. Though many UK readers will be familiar with the name for another reason – the last Friday before Christmas, also known as ‘Mad Friday’, when people get pleasantly merry in the festive season. Then vomit, or fight.

It’s so clearly of US origin, and if you’re a UK reader you might be asking what on earth are we doing importing an American shopping bonanza? It’s just not cricket! Next year we’ll be celebrating Halloween and forgetting Guy Fawkes Night (despite All Souls’ Eve and Mischief Night being celebrated on British shores long before carved pumpkins appeared in America). Yet there are plenty of things that hail from the United States that us Brits are quite fond of. Like denim jeans, say, BBQ food, or rock music (which has its roots in the blues music of the Deep South cotton fields). Or mountain biking.

Why Black Friday doesn’t suck

What'cha gonna do about it?

You can read more at BikeRadar.com

via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://ift.tt/2gMyCSL

Bryton Rider 530 review

http://ift.tt/2gMtGgI

The cycling computer market is fast and furious, and it’s rare to find a genuinely bad unit. Most offer a slew of data fields, GPS recording and an ever-growing set of wireless compatibility. And Bryton’s Rider 530 has plenty to offer being the Taiwanese tech company's most feature-rich cycling computer yet.

We’ve previously looked at the 310 and found, for a small unit,that it packed quite a punch when it came to features and functionality. The Bryton 530 is aimed at data hungry roadies and offers a similar feature-set to the Garmin 510.

Impressive battery life

Like the 310, the 530 has a best-in-class battery life, and we found it be spot on the claimed 33-hour battery life — more than doubling the Edge 520's claimed 15-hours and outlasting the Edge 820's claimed 24-hours in Ultratrack mode — it always came as a surprise when the low battery notification flashed on the screen.

Speaking of the screen, it measures a large 2.6in and can display 12 metrics per page, and there are up to seven pages of customisable screens available. Even with 12 metrics on the screen the high-contrast unit still displays each box large enough to be read at a glance.

With such a large screen it’s by no means a small unit, measuring 54.9mmx92.2mmx17.6mm, but is surprisingly light at 76g. One of our testers noted that it's so light it "sort of feels like a toy in your hand rather than a cycling computer."

Bryton Rider 530 connectivity and features

There are pre-programmed workouts to determine max heart rate, FTP, lactate threshold and max anaerobic power

Mounting the Bryton 530

Final thoughts

You can read more at BikeRadar.com

via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://ift.tt/2fG8HAe

How to eat well to stay well

http://ift.tt/2gMtGgI

Nutritionist Frida Harju, from Lifesum.com, explains how to fight off winter cold and flu bugs by building resilience and resistance.

Get your juices flowing

Start your day with freshly squeezed oranges or kiwi fruits. The vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells, which is key to your body fighting infections. It’s also an effective antioxidant. Because our bodies don’t produce or store vitamin C it’s a good idea to add a daily intake to your diet, just one kiwi will take care of the recommended daily amount.

Press on with garlic

Garlic helps the body lower cholesterol and prevent the hardening of arteries. It is also highly concentrated in allicin, which fights infections and bacteria. It’s also a delicious way to add flavour to food as well as being fantastic at helping our bodies fight infections. Adding garlic to your diet even twice a week will have the required effect on your immunity.

Turn to turmeric

Turmeric’s antibacterial and antiviral properties strengthen the immune system and can improve your chances against suffering from cold and flu. It also contains a substance that stimulates the body’s immune system and kicks it in to action if you have a cold. It’s also a good natural disinfectant and wound healer, helping repair damaged skin cells.

Drink cranberry tea

The proanthocyanidins (antioxidants) in cranberries contribute to treating liver ailments and gastric ulcers and have antibacterial elements to ward off sore throats and colds. Tea is also a great way to boost your immune system, it’s packed with flavonoids — a great antioxidant — and amino acids, which improve the production of germ-fighting compounds.

You can read more at BikeRadar.com

via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://ift.tt/2gMyCCf

This 1999 Scott Endorphin is everything that was wrong with MTB tech in the nineties

http://ift.tt/2gMtGgI

What do you have stored in your garage? A handful of beloved bikes? A collection of superfluous, cycling crap? While everyone’s hoarding habits are different, I can assure you that whatever you’re keeping a hold of, it isn’t nearly as impressive as what former XC world champion, José Hermida has stowed away in his garage.

Clearly quite the sentimentalist, José has made a point of keeping at least one bike from every season of his 25 year career. Plus, if you throw in to the mix the odd occasion when he’s raced on bendy-barred bikes, his collection is unsurprisingly extensive.

Stepping into the tightly packed space, my eye was immediately caught by this colourful, thermoplastic-throwback, which was hiding among the plethora of bikes.

With so many bikes in his collection it should come as no surprise that José struggled to remember many specific details about the bike, but a cursory search around some of the darker, retro-obsessed corners of the internet reveals that this particular model is a top-end, 1999 Scott Endorphin Pro World Cup, which José rode during his time with the catchily named “Scott — One Life, Live It” team.

Thermoplastic-fantastic

Braking is taken care of by Shimano XTR V-brakes which feature the brand's ingenious parallel-push linkage

A retro collector's dream

Green with envy

Infallible suspension

Reflection = progress

You can read more at BikeRadar.com

via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://ift.tt/2gMDdog

More Londoners are loving the cycle superhighways

http://ift.tt/2gMtGgI

Usage of London's cycle superhighways and quietways has expanded massively in the past year, says a report just out from Transport for London (TfL).

According to the report, use of the east-west superhighway along Victoria Embankment has increased by 54 per cent since November 2015. That figure equates to 3,608 and 3,389 riders using the route, on average, during the morning and evening peak times respectively.

Use of the north-south superhighway across Blackfriars Bridge is also said to have increased by 55 per cent (equating to 4,695 and 3,722 riders during the morning and evening peaks on average), since its completion in April 2016.

"By 2031, London’s population is expected to increase by approximately 1.3 million and the city will host an additional 800,000 jobs," says the report. "With increases in population, more people are needed to cycle to help reduce overcrowding on London’s roads and public transport networks."

A further 50km of routes is expected to be added to the existing network by spring 2017. No figures are given however on whether this means an overall increase in the number of cyclists in London, or whether the existing ones have simply switched to purpose-built infrastructure.

You can read more at BikeRadar.com

via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://ift.tt/2gMtGNQ

5 ideas for healthy working lunches

http://ift.tt/2gMtGgI

If you've got a busy day at work, finding something that's satisfying, filling and nutritious and that will keep those mid-afternoon hunger pangs can be a minefield. Don't let's even get started on how much cash you can splash cumulatively over the course of a year on shop-bought sandwiches. Happily, making your own lunch can be quick and easy, especially if you follow these recipe suggestions.

We've partnered with 220 Triathlon (also published by Immediate Media) to bring you a selection of recipes specially selected to support the cyclist or athlete in training — and they taste damn good too! All the recipes are easy to follow and take you through step-by-step how to create everything from tasty lunches to quick and easy smoothies.

You also won't need to go out to do a special shop for obscure ingredients because each dish is designed to be whipped up using a combination of store-cupboard staples and meal leftovers. So not only will they provide you with a good, nutritional meal that's low in fat and with no added salt, they'll also help you save money so you've got more to spend on other essentials, such as new bike bits!

1. Smoked mackerel, potato and beetroot with natural yoghurt and horseradish dressing

Combining rich and satisfying mackerel, which is an excellent source of omega 3, with earthy antioxidant-rich beetroot, this dish has plenty of protein and carbohydrate to keep you satisfied. We love the yoghurt and horseradish dressing that's both light and low fat, but has a warming zing.

Smoked mackerel, potato and beetroot with natural yoghurt and horseradish dressing recipes at 220 Triathlon

2. Chicken, bulgar wheat and spinach with grain mustard and orange dressing

3. Tuna, pasta, red pepper and soy bean with Dijon mustard dressing

4. Chicken, noodle and crisp vegetables with an orange and soy dressing

6. Butter bean, tomato and feta with sundried tomato dressing

You can read more at BikeRadar.com

via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://ift.tt/2fG81uE

Parkis makes vertical bike storage effortless

http://ift.tt/2gMtGgI

If you or someone you know struggles to lift bicycles onto storage hooks, Parkis might interest you. This list-assist storage system is intended to make vertical bike storage easier by taking the burden off the user.

Parkis is currently seeking funding through Kickstarter. Pricing for this wall-mounted storage system starts at €239 / $269 / £215 / AU$363.

How Parkis works

To store the bike, you push the front wheel into the guide. This disengages a locking mechanism, allowing a spring to raise the bicycle while simultaneously triggering a clamp to secure the front rim with a pair of brake pads.

The bike is then stored vertically with the rear wheel resting on the floor.

To remove the bike, you pull the bike down by the saddle. When the bike returns to the floor, the spring-assisted guide locks back in place and releases the front wheel.

Not for every bike

You can read more at BikeRadar.com

via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://ift.tt/2gMCoeV

More dirt road sectors for Strade Bianche in 2017

http://ift.tt/2gxGqIV

Strade Bianche will include two additional sections of dirt road when it makes its WorldTour debut in 2017. The routes of the men’s and women’s races were unveiled by RCS Sport on Wednesday, along with the course for the Grand Fondo Strade Bianche by Trek.

The men’s race, which takes place on Saturday, March 4, will be 175 kilometres in length and will include 11 sections of dirt road totalling 61.9 kilometres. The 2016 edition of the race featured 52.8 kilometres of dirt road spread across 9 sectors.

The race once again begins and ends in Siena, with the traditional grand finale on the Piazza del Campo after a short, steep climb into the heart of the Tuscan city. Sector 8 of dirt road, the 11.5-kilometre stretch at Monte Sante Marie, has been renamed in honour of Fabian Cancellara, who claimed a record third victory in Strade Bianche during his final season in 2016.

The first sector of gravel road comes after just 11 kilometres, while the day’s first climb, the Bagnaia, arrives during the second sector. After further, flatter stretches of dirt road at Radi and Buonconvento, Strade Bianche tackles its second climb at Montalcino after 57.2 kilometres.

Two long and punchy sectors of gravel roads follow, with just one kilometre of tarmac separating segments of 11.9 and 8 kilometres, respectively. Another stretch shortly after the 100-kilometre mark will weary the legs still further, while the endgame begins in earnest at sector 8, now named for Cancellara and described by RCS as the hardest in the race due to the presence of the Monte Sante Marie climb.

The final 25 kilometres of the race feature three shorter but potentially decisive gravel sections, the last of which brings the riders up the 18% gradients of the climb of Le Tolfe with 12 kilometres to go.

You can read more at Cyclingnews.com

via Cyclingnews Latest News http://ift.tt/2fRgjhN

Tour of Flanders 2017 route unveiled

http://ift.tt/2gxe3dL

After the announcements that the 2017 Tour of Flanders would move its start location from Bruges to Antwerp and bring back the famous Muur van Geraardsbergen, the full route for the 101st edition of De Ronde was unveiled on Wednesday.

Despite the changes, the organisers are happy with how the race has unfolded since the finish was moved to Oudenaarde in 2012, and the finale has been retained, with the Oude Kwaremont-Paterberg combination featuring twice – the second time as the final shake-up before the run to the line.

The length of the course has been increased by a mere couple of kilometres to give a total distance of 259.5 kilometres, which will once again feature 18 hellingen – the short, sharp, and often cobbled climbs that are emblematic of the second Monument of the season.

As was the case last year, the first climb of the day will be the Oude Kwaremont, where fans will gather on one side of the road and VIP tents will be erected on the other. The race, however, will take an unusual route to get there, given the new start in Antwerp, some 90 kilometres east of Bruges.

After the roll-out, the race heads to former start town Sint-Niklaas and then to Greg Van Avermaet’s hometown of Zogge, followed by Berlare and the city of Aalst. After passing through Erpe-Mere, the riders will get their first taste of cobbles with the Lippenhovenstraat and Paddestraat, before the hellingen start to come thick and fast on the first loop in and among the so-called "Flemish Ardennes'.

The number of climbs remains 18, but there are three changes, with the Molenberg, Valkenberg, and Kaperij all disappearing to be replaced by the Ten Bosse, the Muur, and the Pottelberg.

Retaining the rhythm of the race

You can read more at Cyclingnews.com

via Cyclingnews Latest News http://ift.tt/2g6oPqS

Pierre Latour: I have to keep improving in every department

http://ift.tt/2gxe3dL

Pierre Latour was arguably the most eye-catching neo-pro of the 2015 season, giving an indication of his potential by finishing third at the Route du Sud behind Alberto Contador and Nairo Quintana. That promise blossomed further in 2016, with solid displays across a much tougher programme of races, culminating with a stage victory at the Vuelta a Espana - his Grand Tour debut.

The Frenchman has barely put a foot wrong since turning pro, and Cyclingnews caught up with him at AG2R La Mondiale’s recent training camp in Vaujany to look back on the season just gone, and ahead to the next steps on the journey.

Cyclingnews: What’s your assessment of the 2016 season?

Pierre Latour: A good one. I won a WorldTour race – I did a fair few WorldTour races actually, with Paris-Nice, Pais Vasco, Romandie, Suisse, San Sebastian, Lombardia, and the Vuelta. Last year it was just Catalunya and Lombardia. I’m happy with it because it’s another step forward. Last year I was a bit on the limit at the WorldTour races but this year at Pais Vasco and Romanide, I was up there with the top 10, 15. Then Suisse I had the jersey for a day, but fell ill. Things then started to improve again and at the Vuelta it was even better, and Lombardy went well too. So it’s a good report card. I’d have like to have won more races, but when your calendar changes to include so much WorldTour it’s complicated.

CN: The Vuelta victory must have more than made up for that?

PL: I was hoping it would happen but I wasn’t expecting it. I thought my last shot at victory was the Tour de l’Ain, and I did second, third, and then third overall. I thought my chance had gone. So I went to the Vuelta and wasn’t expecting anything, because it’s a WorldTour race, my first Grand Tour and, what’s more, it came after three weeks of racing. The team had been lacking luck throughout, Jan [Bakelants] and Axel [Domont] were in the breaks but never finished it off. The win did us all good, liberated the team, allowed us to put a good full stop to the Vuelta.

You can read more at Cyclingnews.com

via Cyclingnews Latest News http://ift.tt/2gk5lC7