November 2010

So, you’re thinking about dropping some coin on a new set of race wheels for next season and you’re starting to get lost in the options. Do you go with tubular tires or clinchers? What the heck is a tubular or a clincher tire anyway? How do you filter the mass amounts of opinions out there between your riding buddies, the blogs and internet sites, and magazines? Well, here it is; a plain and straight-forward description of each type of tire, where it came from, and how each one works. And finally, a few tips on figuring out which one you should choose.

Believe it or not, corrosion is one of the most detrimental problems that can affect your bike. Regardless of what kind of frame you have, or how nice your components are, corrosion is the number one killer of bikes and components. From the bolts to the cables, every metal part is subject to corroding and it usually presents in a few different ways. Steel frames and components will develop rust and aluminum will develop a white chalky substance which is called oxidation. Although neither one is extremely problematic in very small amounts, the larger spots and growths can cause some real issues.