Bicycle bearings: everything you need to know | Bike Flat Pedals

Lots of riders struggle to get used to clipless pedals for fear they’ll fall because they won’t be able to get out of them. But there’s a secret that makes life much easier and safer for clipless beginners.

The Michelin tread does an impressive job at providing traction from clean tile floors to wet roots. The mid-foot of the sole is covered in rubber, with four lugs protruding from the heel to give a stable stance. Traction at the toes is a little limited in stock form, and you’ll want to buy some toe spikes if you’re planning on running anywhere. Like most mountain bike shoes, none of the lugs are replaceable and to date, durability hasn’t been an issue.

Learn the new road rules for stronger, safer, faster cycling. Pick up a copy of Bicycling’s Complete Book of Road Cycling Skills today!

Dan Bendiksen rides his e-bike along the Columbia River as part of his commute from his Salmon Creek-neighborhood home to his job at HTG Inc. in Vancouver. Photos by Nathan Howard/The Columbian var objLink = new myC_Remote.BuyLink(); objLink.LinkContent = "<span" class="btn btn-warning btn-xs pull-right btn-buyphoto">Buy this photo"; objLink.IsAboveImage = false; objLink.LinkTarget = "_blank"; objLink.Render();

*as this is road cc should point out that "The Rules" need to be considered and then ignored as practicality overules unless you do actually race

Hey, we’re all adults here, so let’s be honest: sometimes you’ve got ulterior motives over the holidays, and giving a gift is less about pleasing someone than it is about teaching them a much-needed lesson. Is there a middle-aged person in your family who’s spending too much time on the bike? Was mommy late to the school play because she flatted on the group ride? Did hubs postpone your anniversary celebration because it fell on the same weekend as the Filthy Nebraska 350-Mile Gravel Grinder? Are you sick of suffering through your wife’s ride reports at dinner?

Shimano’s SPD-SL system is the clear favourite amongst our team, with US tech editor James Huang, CyclingTips founder Wade Wallace, roving reporter Dave Everett, Australia senior editor Matt de Neef, US editor-in-chief Neal Rogers, and myself all going this route.

Our news director, Kathy Tulumello, also raved about how much she was able to get done on her bus and light-rail commute. But it did take her 90 minutes to get in.

The first batch of the Surface Ti sold out almost immediately, and Chromag will update their site with availability as soon as the next run is ready. For the second batch, they have shortened the seat tubes across the size run by 20mm to make room for a wider range of dropper posts. For those who dream of the perfect hardcore hardtail, this frame is calling your name.

When it comes to choosing the right flat pedal, there are a lot of factors to consider.  At the end of the day, it boils down to personal preference both in feel and aesthetics.

Mountain bike pedals have to be engineered with a broader approach that more evenly prioritises both on-bike and off-bike use. Road pedals, on the other hand, have the luxury of a far more narrowly focused approach. After all, it’s unlikely you’ll need to walk far when you’re out on a road ride, and so there’s greater emphasis on foot support, stability, and security. Road pedals also aim to keep you closer to the pedal axle for better biomechanical efficiency, they’re shaped for improved cornering clearance, and as always in the road world, weight and aerodynamics are often considered in high regard.

While many of the flats included in this article are designed for everyone who can fit their feet in them, there are also women’s specific models available.