BikeTips Staff Bike gear ratio = front chainring teeth ÷ rear cog teeth. A 50/14 gear (50t chainring, 14t cog) gives a ratio of 3.57, meaning the rear wheel spins 3.57 times for each pedal revolution. Multiplying ratio by wheel circumference (≈2.1m for 700×25c) tells you how far you travel per pedal stroke. Below is our gear … Read more
If you’re the unlucky owner of a regularly-dropping chain, a narrow wide chainring might provide the perfect solution to your chain retention woes. A narrow wide chainring employs a special tooth profile to increase chain retention, with alternating narrower and wider teeth to match the alternating gaps in your chain. This is especially useful for … Read more
Vintage Bianchi road bikes — the iconic Italian celeste-green steel frames from the 1960s through 1990s — are among the most collectible vintage road bikes. The most coveted models are the Reparto Corse (race-team frames), the Specialissima (lightweight pro racer), and the X4 (Grand Tour heritage). 1970s–80s celeste Bianchis with Campagnolo Super Record now sell … Read more
The pinnacle of road cycling, the Grand Tours are three multi-stage races taking place every summer: the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España. The most important events on the cycling calendar, racing at – and winning – a Grand Tour is the ultimate goal for every professional road cyclist. Characterized by brutal … Read more
If you’ve watched any professional bike races recently, you’ll likely have caught some bike frame painting envy seeing the stunning custom-painted bike frames ridden by many pros. Sagan’s beautiful color-shifting S-Works frames, Mario Cipollini’s eye-catching animal print bikes, or the multitude of Tour de France jersey-matching paint jobs: they’re all unique and memorable bikes that … Read more
The toughest bikepacking route in England, the Pennine Cycleway traverses the largest mountain range in the UK. The Pennine Cycleway is a long-distance, multi-day bikepacking route from Derby to Berwick-upon-Tweed. It passes through some of the UK’s most stunning national parks, as it traverses the Pennines for over 350 miles. If you’re looking for a … Read more
The most prestigious and iconic race in the cycling calendar, the Tour de France has changed immeasurably from its formative years. The Tour de France is an annual multi-stage cycling race held (mostly) in France. Beginning well over a century ago, the Tour de France history is one of the longest and most fascinating of … Read more
Il Lombardia (formerly Giro di Lombardia) is one of the five “Monuments” of professional cycling — a one-day classic raced in northern Italy each October, between Bergamo and Como. Known as the “Race of the Falling Leaves,” it covers ~250 km of brutal climbs through the Italian Lake District, including the iconic Madonna del Ghisallo … Read more
Shimano’s MTB groupset hierarchy (top to bottom): XTR (top, 12-speed wireless or wired electronic, $1,800+), XT (premium, 12-speed mechanical and Di2, $700–1,000), SLX (mid, 12-speed mechanical, $400), Deore (entry-performance, 11/12-speed mechanical, $250), Cues (new entry, $150), and Tourney (budget, 7/8-speed, $80). XT and SLX are the sweet spot for most trail riders — 95% of … Read more
Each Tour de France team has 8 riders, plus 4–6 staff (sport directors, mechanics, soigneurs, doctors). Of the 22 teams in the 2025 Tour, 18 are UCI WorldTour teams (automatic invitations) and 4 are wildcards (ProTeams selected by ASO). Teams aim to win the GC, stages, KOM, points jersey, or team classification — strategy varies … Read more
A technique developed to reduce the effect of a crosswind, a cycling echelon formation can make or break a team‘s tactics on a windy day. Crosswinds can have remarkable effects on a road race, often producing large time gaps, and resulting in a thrilling watch for the spectators. Riders often use a formation known as … Read more
Accompanying the explosion of gravel bikes in the past few years, the component manufacturing giants have all released specific gravel bike groupsets. Over the past decade, gravel bikes have become exceedingly popular. It fits a need for a versatile bike that performs well on the road and off-road. Initially, they used road bike groupsets, but … Read more
To treat road rash from a cycling crash: rinse the wound with cool running water for 5+ minutes to flush debris (a bath/shower is fine). Use mild soap to clean around the wound (not in it). Apply antiseptic ointment (Polysporin or similar). Cover with a non-stick dressing (Adaptic or Telfa) and change daily until it … Read more
A “frameset” is the bike’s frame and fork sold together as a unit, with no other components. Buying a frameset rather than a complete bike makes sense if you have existing wheels, drivetrain, and finishing kit you want to transfer; if you want to build a custom spec the manufacturer doesn’t offer; or if you’re … Read more
With an impressive number of victories already, Tom Pidcock is taking the world of bike racing by storm. Latest: Pidcock’s 2026 season hit another bump in June — he withdrew from the Tour de Suisse after a viral infection disrupted his Tour de France altitude camp. It’s hard to watch almost any men’s cycling event … Read more
An integral part of your machine, the bicycle groupset refers to all of the components that allow you to propel yourself forwards and bring yourself to a stop. Whether you’re new to cycling or a two-wheel fanatic, it may not be obvious exactly how your bike works. The parts that comprise the drivetrain and the … Read more
The Hebridean Way is a 185-mile / 297 km cycling route from Vatersay in the south to the Butt of Lewis in the north, traversing 10 islands in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. Most riders complete it in 5–7 days, riding 30–50 miles per day with two ferry crossings included. The route mixes empty single-track roads, coastal … Read more
One of the oldest day races still running today, Paris-Roubaix is perhaps the most infamous race in cycling. The aptly-named “Hell of the North” takes riders over extremely difficult terrain, including 30 cobbled sections totaling over 50km of the route. The race is one of the five Monuments of cycling, and probably the most famous … Read more
With so many options to choose from, it can often be difficult to decide which bike frame material to go for when buying a new bicycle. The cycling world has developed from steel through aluminum to carbon fiber, but what has led to these changes in popularity through the eras? Different materials all have different … Read more
Have you ever wanted to be able to traverse any terrain on your bike? Fat tire bikes are the piece of kit designed for this kind of riding freedom! They can traverse just about any terrain you can get two wheels on. Whether you’re traversing Antarctica, the harsh Alaskan winter, or giant Peruvian sand dunes, … Read more
Cyclocross is the ultimate test of a rider’s abilities to traverse all sorts of terrains and everything in between. Cyclocross combines elements of road cycling and off-road terrain, featuring a circuit course with obstacles, challenging conditions, and sections where riders may need to dismount and carry their bikes. The cyclists ride versatile machines built for … Read more