Empowering The Bicycle Traveler

Drivetrain

I've talked about my preference for down tube shifters, now I thought I would give equal time to probably the most popular method of shifting gears on a modern touring bike. That would be bar end shifters. Being inserted into the ends of the handlebars and held secure by means of an expanding wedge these Read More

Downtube shifters are shift levers mounted on the downtube of the bicycle.  Not everybody will feel comfortable taking their hand completely off the handlebar in order to shift but for those of us who don't mind doing so, downtube shifters offer the most minimalistic of gear shifting solutions. These Shimano shifters have an "index" option Read More

We just got these in at the Bike Touring News Store. The FiberFix replacement spoke is an aramid cord with a metal "cam" attached. When a spoke breaks the wheel will have a wobble which will probably rub on the bike frame and or the brake pads. If not repaired right away, other spokes may Read More

I am quite content riding "Sky", my Rivendell Bleriot . In fact my Voodoo, set up with a front shock for more aggressive trail riding is gathering dust in the garage because I have so much fun tooling around on Sky.  I also have my  fair share of shoes and love nothing more than being Read More

Tire Sizes – Actual vs. Nominal

I had a question from a customer about actual widths for some models of the Schwalbe Marathon tires we carry. He is concerned about getting tires that will fit without rubbing on his fenders. I figure others probably have the same questions, so I have compiled a chart showing the actual measurements of some of Read More