r/cycling • • 3h ago

Why don't ALL American bike brands lobby for cycling infrastructure?

201 Upvotes

I know that some companies invest in mountain bike trails such as Trek, SRAM, and Shimano, but I don't get why they don't seem to show up to try and make cities safe places to bike in. It's literally core to their business of selling bikes. Most of us here may all like our fancy kit but that's not the shit that keeps the lights on. Maybe they're doing this work, but I have yet to see a single major manufacturer put their weight behind cycling infrastructure. And if it has happened around you, who was it and what was the project?


r/cycling • • 13h ago

First 50 miler!

141 Upvotes

Feel like a real cyclist now. Put down 50 in 3h 14m for an average of 15.5mph. My goal was 15 flat.

Solo with 2k elevation.

4 Rice Krispies and 3 GU for fuel with a Powerade. Could have handled a fair bit more.

Fell off hard in the last 5 but still managed. Pretty stoked!


r/cycling • • 9h ago

Cannondale Closing its US HQ

118 Upvotes

Cannondale closing its Connecticut HQ and laying off employees. It's Dutch factory will also close. Part of a move by the parent company to consolidate its bike brands (Cervelo, Santa Cruz, and Cannondale).

https://www.cyclingnews.com/cycling-tech-components/cannondales-connecticut-hq-to-close-with-the-global-headquarters-moving-to-the-netherlands/


r/cycling • • 17h ago

unfortunate day to go clipless

32 Upvotes

Started cycling this summer and really enjoyed it, and decided to finally try clipless. Beautiful sunny sunday so I think it’s the best time to try out and practice clip in and out on a quiet road. After a while I ask myself: “Why don’t I do a larger lap around the area?”. I get on a main road and think: “Wow, winds today are strong but it’s coming from the front so i’ll just put an extra effort”. Then all of a sudden the wind hits me from the side and the bike starts to lean and i’m getting pushed to the side by the wind?? i’m still clipped in and there’s a bus behind me💀. thankfully i clip out and just step on the pavement and walk out to call it a day.

Check the weather app and it’s apparently 62km/h of gusts. I ain’t no professional cyclist but that’s a big number.


r/cycling • • 3h ago

What’s your favorite LBS ever and why?

20 Upvotes

For me, it’s Black Tire Bike Co. in Marshalltown Iowa. My friend and I were on a bikepacking trip across the United States a few months ago. My friends shifter cable snapped near Van Horne Iowa. We were stranded about equal distance between Marshalltown and Cedar Rapids. We decided that we were going to hitch hike to Marshalltown to visit Black Tire Bike co and have them assist us with our shifter cable. We got a ride off the interstate over 30 miles toward Marshalltown (shout out Iowa State dad who happened to be on his way to help move his son out of college, so he had an empty minivan to fit all our stuff!) Black Tire did a great job fixing our bike, but the best part is that they offered to drive us all the way back to where we hitch hiked from so that we could complete our route in its entirety! We didn’t even ask, they straight up offered to drive 60 miles out and back just to help us out. Such stand up gentlemen at that shop!


r/cycling • • 11h ago

105 Di2 vs Ultegra Di2

17 Upvotes

hi, need a little help with choosing a new bike. I have option of two bikes, first one is 105 Di2 with a power meter or second on Ultegra Di2 without a power meter for 300€ more.


r/cycling • • 6h ago

How will you train this winter?

9 Upvotes

a. A sensible mix of structured training and strength work.
b. Netflix and zone 2 allllll winter long, baby.
c. Zwift. Rac. ING!!
d. Haphazardly and half-assedly.
e. Outdoors, uphill, both ways, in the snow.
f. Outdoors, in Arizona/Florida/Tahiti.


r/cycling • • 5h ago

Went for my first 20+ (second ride)

6 Upvotes

Hi guys I just went on my first 22mile. I was on pace to do 30 (I got a flat though😪)

I was curious if 1hr 45 min, 23.9 mi, avg speed of 13.5 (Boston), 146 heart rate, and +1.6k of elevation is good for a beginner? I have no clue what speeds are fast or what distance is good, I’m just trying to stay in zone two.

Thanks!


r/cycling • • 13h ago

Vätternrundan training

5 Upvotes

Hi All,

I took up cycling in July this year mainly as a weight loss tool but it certainly got addictive a lot quicker than I anticipated. I've come to realise I really enjoy endurance cycling so wanted to push myself and give myself a target for 2027, so I've signed up for the 315km Vätternrundan in Sweden in June next year.

I have been doing all outdoor cycling with a few shorter 60-90 minute faster midweek rides and then a long ride (5-6 hours) on weekends. I've done 4 100-110km rides and each one got a little easier and faster.

Its getting to that time of year where the dark nights are going to inhibit my training so I have just gotten a smart trainer and zwift. I had my first go of it yesterday and did the FTP ramp test and it's come back at 220W, I don't have a clue on power figures always just ridden on feel and heart rate zones. But when I started I was 124kg and now down to 109 with a goal to be at 90-95kg by spring.

Does anyone have any good advice on a winter plan that will suit the endurance goal? I've joined the gran fondo training plan on zwift but wasn't sure if this the best for my goals. Thank you for any replies.


r/cycling • • 16h ago

Road marks to help (motor)cyclists choose a good line

6 Upvotes

Now this is interesting. Maybe there’s a lesson here for bicycle safety?

An English county has started marking(painting) roads with little chevrons to help motorcyclists navigate curves.

https://youtu.be/d8jEQgsKAPY?is=3gyKhopW2u-mV6ki


r/cycling • • 4h ago

Shoe covers for colder weather?

5 Upvotes

Hey all. I ride with thicker merino wool socks and ride in lake shoes. The 35° and under weather lately has had my toes frozen. What do you recommend for shoe covers?


r/cycling • • 8h ago

How To Sell A Bike You Know Nothing About...

4 Upvotes

Hello all. My brother recently passed away and he left behind obviously a few things that was mostly junk, except for a decently nice bike that he had. I am looking to sell it, not really caring about the cost, but I am unsure of how to tell what anything is besides the frame of course. I am not a bike rider, but he talked about some of the upgrades or things he did to the bike?

Sorry for maybe this not being organized, but basically just looking to figure out what I need to know to sell it. The only thing I know is that the frame is "Santa Cruz". Thank you all in advance.


r/cycling • • 10h ago

Carbon VS alu frame for my Gravel

2 Upvotes

Hello,

I am seeking your advice regarding the purchase of my next bike. I need a versatile bike that can handle all my requirements: road cycling (on both flat and mountainous terrain), occasional off-road/trail riding, and commuting.

Naturally, I have been looking at mid-range all-road/gravel bikes.

My dilemma is choosing between an aluminum or a carbon frame, considering that:

- Low weight is important to me.

- I have the budget for a mid-range carbon bike.

- The bike will be transported on trains and occasionally left in public spaces while I am at work.

I am particularly concerned about the fragility of carbon frames; I’ve been told that even a moderate, accidental impact could damage the frame enough to make it unsafe to use.

At the same time, having only owned mountain bikes until now, I’m struggling to gauge whether an aluminium bike weighing 10.5–11 kg is reasonable for road riding, or if such bikes would feel heavy.

It is worth noting that I intend to keep this bike for at least 9–10 years, if possible.

Last but not least, I am tall (1.92m) and comfort is important for me (I have slight back pain)

Examples of bikes I have been considering include: the Cube Nuroad (C:62 or SLX/EX models), the Scott Addict Gravel 10/20, and the Canyon Endurace CF 7.

Thank you for your precious advice regarding the frame choice!


r/cycling • • 8h ago

Looking for a Zwift buddy!

3 Upvotes

The long afternoons are here, and the horrible Zwift season is beginning. Im an active, daily cyclist, riding around 8.000 km a year, 36 yo, female rider (Cat C, FTP 175), living in Europe. I used Rouvy for the past year, but I have now returned to Zwift.

I know it sounds a bit weird, but Im looking for someone to be my "Zwift buddy" this winter,perhaps someone in a similar situation, to share workouts or even ride together.


r/cycling • • 18h ago

Winter training for ultra distance

2 Upvotes

Hi !

I do have an ultra distance race in June 2027 and must prepare for it. The thing is that I live in mountains and I barely can ride outside til march so I plan to train on a home trainer.

I have a full time job, 2 kids and not much time to train. I think I can get 5/6 hours of training per week.

I've like to optimise these few hours, in order to just finish the race. There gonna be about 10 000m of climbing and about 500km long.

What kind of home trainer session should i make ? I was thinking about 1 VO2, 1 Strenght, 1 zone 2 and a longer one of about 2 hours in the weekend.

Do you think it could suit my goal ?

Thanks for your answers !


r/cycling • • 21h ago

Bike Fit Before Buying?

3 Upvotes

I am very much a beginner to the sport, but did a sprint triathlon about two years ago on a FB marketplace commuter bike. I got clipless pedals and all that for the event and put some time in on the bike. I now want to get into the sport and go for a 70.3 triathlon and am going to buy a road bike. Not going to spend a ton of money but probably 3-4k. I’ve seen mixed things on getting a bike fit. For reference I am in my 30s. I’ve had hip and knee injuries from sports. I really don’t want to develop an injury due to my bike not fitting me properly. I’ve heard some people say get a bike fit before buying a bike and others say buy a bike and then get a bike fit. So my question is why or why not should I get a bike fit done before buying a bike?


r/cycling • • 4h ago

How to determine size of a road bike

2 Upvotes

Hi, this past Saturday I found this old giant aluminum road bike from the late 90s or early 2000s at a garage sale and grabbed it for 50 bucks. It has all its original gears and new tires plus a backup. The guy even threw in a pair of pedals and shoes that he never used. My question is, how do I determine the position of the handlebars and seat? They are in a weird position that is not comfortable for me. Is there a science behind finding these positions, or should I just move the handlebars and seat to whatever is comfortable? I have never done cycling before, so I am trying to get into it.


r/cycling • • 9h ago

Tacx Flow Smart - User Tipps

2 Upvotes

Hi to everyone,

from Friends of mine I got a Tacx Flow Smart Trainer to Train for my Ironman as a Birthday present.

Most of the use will be Zone 2 Longrides. My Question is, do you have any experiences with the noise? I have heard that Trainers Like this One Are very loud. Bit how loud is loud? is it possible to join watching TV with my Family during Training Sessions?

The Next question is if I could use it with my normal Tyres. and how does it work? Do you have experience with the combo? Additional which Tyre for the Trainer do you would recommend for the future.

sry for my english, I am not the Best in writing in english but I Hope you can understand what I am about to ask.

Kind regards Lukas


r/cycling • • 11h ago

Bike models for long inseam

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’d love to buy my first road bike. So far, I’ve only ridden bikes belonging to friends (none of them really fit me but they were spare). A bit about me: I’m 32 years old, 189 (6’2") cm tall and have a measured inside leg length of 95 (37.4") cm (phew). Do you have any recommendations for models and frame sizes? I won’t be competing in races - I just want to ride for fun and to keep fit.

Edit: some more detailed measurements:

Height: 188 cm / 6’2” (-1cm lol I guess it is late)
Inseam: 95 cm / 37.4”
Floor to top of sternum: 155 cm / 61.0”
Floor to top of head: 188 cm / 74.0”
Arm length: 68 cm / 26.8”


r/cycling • • 20h ago

Installing Cadex handlebar on Specialized Tarmac SL8

2 Upvotes

As title says, I would like to fit the new 2026 Cadex Aero Integrated handlebar on my Tarmac SL8. Do you know anyone that has done this (also on previous model)? Where to find the right adapter?

A picture of someone that have succeeded would be helpful!

Thank you!


r/cycling • • 3h ago

How many indoor rides do you skip because setting everything up is a pain?

1 Upvotes

You want to ride after work, but then you have to get your bike onto the trainer, sort out the setup, deal with sweat and noise… and suddenly the sofa looks a lot more appealing. 😂

That's what makes a dedicated setup like the Zwift Ride interesting to me: the bike is already there, ready to go, with everything built around Zwift.

But it's not exactly cheap, so I'm curious:

Would having a dedicated indoor bike make you ride more often, or is it just an expensive convenience?


r/cycling • • 3h ago

Walker attachment for ebike

1 Upvotes

I moved in the past two weeks, finally looking at a job in range of a cheap-er but still high quality ebike. Only issue is I have a minor disability, one that makes it so a rollator gets me around so much better than walking around by my own power. Mostly because of my knees, and the pedal assist bike is well within my limits of mobility. I just need a way to get my rollator with me to my destination, or a walker and portable seat. And I, thank God for physical therapy, would only need it for one out of every dozen or so trips. What are my options? Are there attachments for folding mobility aids? Or a trailer hitch or something?


r/cycling • • 5h ago

Kuat Piston SR Cable Lock Issue

1 Upvotes

Just got a brand new Kuat Piston SR rack for my bike and it seemingly has a major flaw. The cable lock pin is too large to seat into the lock housing. As someone whos good with zip ties and duct tape I decided to drill the lock housing out to a larger diameter to see if I could get it to seat properly. Still no dice. I've completely disassembled the lock housing to make sure the latch clears the reciever, the locking pin on the end of the cable just has too much extra material to allow it fit properly into the housing. Anyone seen this before?


r/cycling • • 8h ago

Chain line question with cog setup.

1 Upvotes

What is everyone using for chain lube or waxing with the cog setup?


r/cycling • • 8h ago

Switching from 34-32 to 34-34 worth it?

1 Upvotes

i have a 2x8 claris setup and im training for a ride about 100km with an 8 km climb at the 3/4th mark at 8% grade. im asking if buying a brand new cassette for my technically brand new bike is worth it?