Iain Treloar hits the city streets on four classically-styled urban bikes. Carbon fibre, disc brakes, and suspension all have their place, but that’s not necessarily the city. An affordable dedicated urban bike has much to recommend it— lower maintenance, decreased servicing costs, and in many cases a riding position best suited to the job. A big branch on the commuting bike tree is the
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Margot McGovern road-tests four retro-styled steeds for women. If you think, as I do, that your journey should be every bit as glamorous as your destination, then you can’t be cruising around on just any bike, and you certainly can’t arrive at your destination with sweat smeared make-up and chain grease on your leg.
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Scott Mayson has revived an ingenious, lost gearing system, with the aid of a 3D printer. Retro-direct gearing provides two forward gears by pedalling either forward or backwards. It was invented in the 19th century and developed by various people before being patented in a single-chain version by Hirondelle in 1903. Once derailleurs and internal hub
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Iain Treloar finds that there are people bringing bikes of the past back to their former glory—regardless of the vintage. For all the thirst for new and high-tech advancements in bike riding, there’s an equal thirst for the nostalgic. When it comes to bikes, many admire the exploits (and rides) of the greats from the
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Iain Treloar puts seven endurance road bikes through their paces, discovering that there’s a whole lot more to this exciting category than meets the eye. The temperature is a scorching 42 degrees, and you’re already 80km away from home on a ride out to the middle of nowhere. Your legs are starting to feel heavy,
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Iain Treloar takes a look back at the best products Ride On has come across this year. In the bi-monthly rush to deadlines, we rarely get a chance to step back and assess a year as a whole. Taken in its entirety, 2013 has seen Ride On test and rate 68 bikes, conduct our annual
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Warmer weather can be a trying time for asthma sufferers. Melissa Heagney finds out how to survive when the pollen count is high. Associate Professor Ian Charlton is a keen rider. The General Practitioner, and National Asthma Council of Australia spokesman, will often do house calls near his home in the NSW Central Coast on two wheels. However,
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Whether you’re in the market for your first bike or keen to add a new steed to a growing stable, Margot McGovern and Iain Treloar have tips to help you find the bike that’s right for you. When looking for a new bike, it’s tempting to fast-track the buying stage and get to the fun
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Thought the petrol motor was the unassailable king of the road? Think again: electric bikes have the advantage for the majority of urban transport trips. Simon Vincett presents the best of what’s on offer in Australia. The middle and outer suburbs of Australian cities need a transport solution and the e-bike is it. What
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When it’s time for your youngster to start pulling their own weight, have a look at tag-alongs. Simon Vincett checked out five varieties. At some point you realise that your child has enough energy to contribute to the pedalling and to help you with transporting their ever-increasing weight. Tag-alongs fill the space between using a
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