I don’t know where else to put this, and thought it might be useful to someone here (maybe). Some obscure/esoteric bicycle advice:
- If you’re using inner tubes in a performance oriented bike, spend the extra couple of bucks to use ultralight tubes. The difference is worth it.
- Use good tires. Yes, they cost real money- but they dictate an awful lot about how your bike performs, so they’re the last place to scrimp on.
- Advice from racers/pro’s is worth precisely squat unless you’re a racer or pro. Pro cyclists are paid to ride what they ride- they would (and do) ride all sorts of horrible shit because it’s their job. Their opinions/equipment choices shouldn’t matter to you unless you’re getting paid to ride, too.
- You don’t need more gears; you need the right gears.
- The front brake should be your best buddy. When you need to stop in a hurry, it’s where all your braking power is- make friends with it.
- Frame pumps are better than mini pumps and CO2. That there are no good mtb frame pumps in production seems to be a market gap.
- Steel is a perfectly lovely material for frames, stems, and forks.
- Change your brake and shifter cables more often than you do. Change the housing, too.
- Wax chain lube is gross and weird.
- Full fingered bike gloves are better than half-finger gloves. Yes, even on road bikes.