A brief guide to diagnosing of drivetrain noise. Words by Iain Treloar and illustrations by Karl Hilzinger. Skipping Cable tension of rear derailleur Shift to smallest cog at rear (closest to frame), then shift up one gear. If it doesn’t shift, turn the barrel adjuster anti-clockwise until the shift happens fluently. Derailleur hanger bent If
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There’s more to cycling shoes than velcro and carbon fibre. Iain Treloar investigates casual footwear designed for the whole day, not just your time in the saddle. What do you think of when you hear the term ‘cycling shoes’? A hobbling gait in neon uppers and carbon soles for the road, or boxy SPD shoes in agricultural tones
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There are many alternatives to a backpack for carrying your gear on the bike. Simon Vincett lays out the options. Soon after Dean Steinberg took up cycling for transport in January 2014 he realised he needed more than the bag on his back to carry his gear. “I use my messenger bag as one would
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Iain Treloar looks at the most fiercely contested pricepoint in the road bike market, testing five road bikes below $2,000. Photography by Thomas Joynt. It’s incredibly easy, and tempting, to drop a serious wad of cash on a road bike, and most road riders—current, future or potential—are accustomed to the shock value of an
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Simon Vincett opens a window on the wonders of wheels. Of all the parts of your bike, wheels and tyres make the most difference to performance. How fast you accelerate, how aerodynamic you are and how much you can carry are just some of the aspects of riding that are heavily influenced by your choice
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With bike theft on the rise, Margot McGovern looks at ways to protect your ride. A few months ago, avid cyclist Grace returned home to an ominous sight: the front door of her home was ajar. She had left earlier in the evening to go to dinner—closing the door behind her and thinking it had locked. When
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Politicians, media pundits and commentators have all argued in favour of it—but should bicycles have number plates? Simon Vincett takes an in-depth look at bicycle registration. Maarten, Tracey and their two kids live within riding distance from work, school and childcare. Shared paths and separated bike lanes aren’t bad in their inner-Melbourne region and home
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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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Cycle coach David Heatley explains how to use your winter riding to gear up for spring events. My most successful clients are the ones with goals to achieve on their bikes. They maintain and build fitness over winter by working towards their goal. So if you want to stay active over the colder months, I recommend setting yourself a solid riding goal
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Poor weather is no excuse to stop pedalling. Margot McGovern shares tips to keep you riding this winter. I suffer from what my husband has diagnosed as Seasonally Often Feeling Tired (SOFT) disorder. When the temperature drops, I’m inclined to don my warmest flannel pajamas, curl up on the couch in front of the heater and remain there until spring. So
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