The 5 categories of climbs in cycling designate the difficulty of the climb, based on length, gradient, and (depending on who is doing the categorizing) a range of other objective or subjective factors such as where the climb falls in a race.
In some professional races such as the Tour de France, the categories also dictate the number of points awarded for the Mountains Classification.
Dutch cyclist Mathieu van der Poel showcased an incredible display of resilience after a dramatic crash to secure victory in the men’s road race at the Cycling World Championships in Glasgow, solidifying his legendary status in the sport.
Road bike size is determined by your inseam (most important) and torso/arm length. Quick guide: 5’1”–5’5” = 49–52 cm frame; 5’5”–5’9” = 52–54 cm; 5’9”–6’0” = 54–56 cm; 6’0”–6’3” = 56–58 cm; 6’3”+ = 58–60+ cm. But brand sizing varies — Trek, Specialized, Giant, and Cannondale all use slightly different geometry. Always confirm by measuring … Read more
It used to be so easy. A road bike went on the road and a mountain bike was for anything that wasn’t a road.
In the modern cycling world, though, it can be difficult to answer the simple question: What is a road bike?
The Tour de France 2023 is fast approaching, and the hype machine is beginning to tick into overdrive.
For us, that means one thing above all: It’s BikeTips Tour de France Pub Quiz time!
The London to Brighton cycle is the UK’s most famous charity ride: 54 miles (87 km) from Clapham Common to Brighton seafront, finishing at Madeira Drive on the south coast. Most riders finish in 4–7 hours; the climb up Ditchling Beacon is the iconic hard moment, 1.5 km at 9–14% gradient. The British Heart Foundation … Read more