Tips and Tricks for Bike Commuting

If you’ve been a long time reader of BikeCommuters.com, then you’ll know we’ve gone through all sorts of steps to ensure that bike commuting is easy, fun and money saving. Below are some tips and tricks we’ve compiled over the years. Enjoy!
Febreeze is your friend. Carry one in your bag to ensure you and your clothes stink once you get to your destination. I like to spray a bit of it on my helmet pads once I’m done riding.
bikecommuters.com febreeze

Be seen, get some reflective gear.
Reflective accessories

Really cool pants that doesn’t stink or stain. But it comes with a price. If these pants are too rich for your blood, consider getting some Dickies work pants.

Bluff works pants

See where you’re going at night. Get a light!

The Bike Geek: Wheelsucker

oldguysrule

Hello and welcome back to The Bike Geek’s weekly post. Today’s post is a little late because I got my ass kicked by a 70 year old cyclist who happens to inspire this week’s writings.

beachshot

I don’t know about your bike commute, but my bike portion gets pretty lonely so I usually get together on the weekend with a couple of friends and ride to the beach. Our usual ride is about 30 miles round trip and a good portion of this ride is down Pacific Coast Highway.

wheelsucking

I’ve been riding with these guys for over ten years and they are usually in better shape than I am. So how do I keep up with them? I suck their wheel otherwise known as “drafting”. Drafting has allowed me to finish centuries and ride at over 20 mph during long periods of time. Drafting has been known to save about 20% to 30% energy but you have to do it correctly. You must ride about 6 to 10 inches from the rider in front of you in order to benefit from the draft. This could be pretty scary if you don’t know how the person in front of you rides or if they are unaware that you are sucking their wheel. Most riders who are in front signal any upcoming road hazards and announce themselves while taking over other riders.

timetopull

Now, wheel sucking has its own set of rules and lingo. For example, it is totally OK to draft off your buddies but you also have to take your turn at “pulling”. Pulling means that you get on the front of your buddies while they suck your wheel, this allows for them to regain their strength so they can keep pulling at a good speed.

This past weekend we “grabbed the wheel” of an older gentlemen who was pulling 6 of us at about 23 to 24 mph and left us totally drained. The guy was a freaking beast and when we had to stop at a red light he told us he was 70 years young. So yeah, I got my ass handed to me by a 70 year old guy but thanks to wheel sucking I was not “dropped”. Here is a little video of the ride:

So what is the moral of this post? Old people rule and wheel sucking is good as long as you are not an ass about it.

Best Affordable Electric Bike: 5 Key Tips for Buying an Electric Bike

It’s important to do your research before buying an electric bike. Keep reading for best affordable electric bike: 3 key tips for buying an electric bike.

Are you excited to purchase your first electric bike? Not sure where to start?
It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the many choices available when it comes to buying an electric bike. It can depend on a number of factors and personal preferences.

Luckily we’ve created the perfect electric bike buying guide for you! Keep reading to find the best affordable electric bike for you!

1. What is the Best Affordable Electric Bike?
When it comes to electric bikes there are so many options to choose from. Is a fat tire electric bike right for you? Maybe you’d prefer a beach cruiser, folding, road, commuter, or touring electric bike?
First, ask yourself where you plan on riding your electric bike. This will help you get an idea of the type of bike that works best for your needs.

For example, will you need it to ride around town? Then you’re looking for a commuter option. If you plan on taking it off-roading down a mountainside, then a beach cruiser likely isn’t the choice for you.

2. Pedal Assisted vs. Throttle Bike
Pedal assisted means your bike will automatically begin to generate power when you start pedaling. The throttle bike requires you to turn the power on and off. Most often this is done using a button on your handlebars or a twist throttle like the ones you see on motorcycles.
For beginners, pedal-assisted electric bikes tend to be the most popular. They are easy to use and don’t require as much of a learning curve to get used to.

Electric bikes also come in three classes that can determine when your motor kicks in and turns off. Class 1 will kick in once you start pedaling and stop at 20 mph. A Class 2 continues to assist in the same way but also includes a throttle to increase your speed further.
Lastly, Class 3 is also a pedal-assist but will continue to assist until you hit 28 mph speeds. You can already see how each provides a different riding experience.

3. Torque Sensors vs. Cadence Sensors
When choosing an electric bike, you should be aware of the different safety factors that go along with the types of sensors.
Found on more inexpensive bikes, cadence sensors start up the motor based on your speed of pedaling. The only way you can increase assistance from a cadence sensor is to pedal faster. It can’t detect when you are pedaling harder.

For inexperienced riders, this can become a hazard in times when you don’t need an extra boost but the sensor provides one based on your pedaling. If you are driving around town, this could put you in a dangerous situation.

Torque sensors are more expensive but they also provide more advanced motor assistance. This technology is better able to adjust based on your riding conditions rather than simply the speed of your pedaling.
All sensors are known to have some quirks. The more experienced you become as a rider, the better equipped you will become to adjust to the motor kicking on and off while riding.

Just the Beginning

Electric bikes are popular because of all the amazing ways they can improve your riding experience. Now that you understand the importance of choosing the best affordable electric bike for you, it’s time to start researching the many options out there. Want more awesome riding tips and tricks? Check out our site for helpful ways to live your best bike riding life.

Most Useful Gadgets That You Must Try

Cycling is quickly becoming the best way to get to and from work for those of us that live in big cities, and with that comes an influx of new technologies that have been developed to make the journey safer, easier or more fun. This is no surprise that the number of people using a bike to get around is increasing, after all, it is the safest way to travel and has a variety of health benefits, and that isn’t even mentioning that you’re saving the world by doing so. But, which gadgets on the market should you test out on your next commute?

Revolights Bicycle Lighting

This ingenious piece of technology is one of the best gadgets on the market, and not only does it add a layer of style to your bike but also increases the security. The LED ring on the bike wheels light up as you pedal and the wheels are spinning. This ensures that others can see you when you are on the road and also so that you can easily see around your surroundings in the dark. Not done there, it is also complete with the ability to change color when you slow down and when you’re turning direction.

Zackees Turn Signal Gloves

You no longer need to bet on the people around you, seeing your hand action. Instead, this clever piece of kits allows people around you to easily see that you’re turning as your gloves light up announcing that you’re doing so. The kit is made up with Lycra Spandex with leather palms, and 54 LED arrow-shaped signs form the lights. The gloves are battery powered and are censored so that they are brighter in the daylight hours to extend battery life. This piece of kit is a must-have for all commuters.

GoPro Hero5

Whether you’re an adventurous biker or just use the bike to get to and from work, this GoPro could be a lifesaver in both circumstances. It is the perfect way to capture your journey, and the size of the device means that it can easily attach to your big. The environment that it is in makes no difference as it is built to operate in even the worst of conditions. It is weather-resistant and can capture footage in 1080p, and is incredibly affordable. For commuters, it is also a handy piece of kit if there are dangerous drivers on the road that could cause an accident for fellow bikers.

ICEdot Crash Sensor

It is always wise to prepare for the worst, and this piece of kits takes care of all those worries for you. The simple small device can be attached to your helmet, and it will detect if the wearer has crashed. At first, it will set off an alarm on your phone, and should that not be deactivated then an automatic location is sent to an emergency contact. The batteries in the device are rechargeable and typically last for 20 hours. It is a smart gadget that is good for even the most unlikely of circumstances.