Bike suspension travel

Bike suspension travel: definition, types and how much do you need

Bike suspension travel refers to the maximum distance a bike’s suspension (fork or rear shock) can compress to absorb impacts from the terrain, playing a crucial role in determining how a bike handles bumps, drops, and rough surfaces. Originally developed in the 1980s for mountain bikes in the USA and Europe to improve rider control […]

Bike coil vs air shock

Bike coil vs air shock: pros & cons, which is better?

Bike suspension technology has evolved dramatically over the past few decades, with coil and air shocks now serving as two dominant options across different types of mountain bikes—from cross-country (XC) and trail to enduro and downhill. This comparison exists because riders demand the perfect balance between ride feel, adjustability, weight, and durability, depending on the […]

Bike suspension fork

Bike suspension fork: definition, types, how to choose and maintain

Bike suspension forks are front-end mechanical components designed to absorb shocks and vibrations from uneven terrain, significantly enhancing control, comfort, and safety for cyclists—especially in mountain, gravel, and hybrid biking. First introduced commercially in the early 1990s by RockShox in the United States, suspension forks have evolved into sophisticated systems featuring air or coil springs, […]

Bike suspension

Bike suspension: definition, types, how to choose and maintain

Bike suspension refers to the system of springs, dampers, and linkages designed to absorb shocks from uneven terrain, improving comfort, traction, and control for cyclists across various disciplines. Originating in the mountain biking scene of the 1980s in the United States—particularly in Marin County, California—suspension technology has evolved from rudimentary elastomers to advanced air and […]

Bike brake rotors

Bike brake rotors: definition, types, how to choose and maintain

Bike brake rotors are the metal discs attached to a bicycle’s wheel hubs that provide the braking surface for disc brake systems, allowing pads to clamp down and generate friction to slow or stop the bike. Originally adapted from motorcycling in the late 1990s and popularized by mountain biking in Europe and North America—thanks to […]

Bike brake pads

Bike brake pads: definition, types, how to choose and maintain

Bike brake pads are small but essential components of a bicycle’s braking system, responsible for generating friction against either the rim or rotor to slow down or stop the bike. Introduced in early rim-brake systems in the late 19th century and evolving significantly with the rise of disc brakes in the 1990s—driven by brands like […]

Bike disc brakes

Bike disc brakes: definition, pros & cons, types, how do you choose and adjust

Bike disc brakes are a modern braking system that uses a caliper to squeeze pads against a metal rotor attached to the wheel hub, delivering powerful and consistent stopping performance. Originating from motorcycle technology and first introduced to mountain bikes in the 1990s—by innovators in the U.S., Germany, and Taiwan, China — disc brakes have […]

Bike rim brakes

Bike rim brakes: definition, pros & cons, types, how to choose and adjust

Bike rim brakes are one of the oldest and most widely used braking systems in cycling, operating by pressing brake pads directly against the sides of the wheel rim to create friction and slow the bike. Introduced in the early 20th century and popularized in places like Europe and the U.S. through road racing and […]

Bike brakes

Bike brakes: definition, types, how to choose and maintain

Bike brakes are one of the most critical safety components on any bicycle, allowing riders to control speed, navigate technical terrain, and come to a stop with precision and confidence. From the early spoon brakes of 19th-century France to today’s high-performance hydraulic disc systems found on everything from Dutch commuter bikes to downhill rigs in […]

Flat pedals vs clipless pedals

Flat vs Clipless pedals: Definition, Pros & Cons and How to choose

Flat and clipless bike pedals are two fundamentally different pedal systems that cyclists compare when deciding between control, efficiency, and riding style preferences across various disciplines such as mountain biking, road cycling, commuting, and touring. Flat pedals provide a platform-based design with no cleat attachment, allowing for quick foot adjustments, easy dismounts, and better maneuverability, […]