Lezyne Port-A-Shop

The only thing more frustrating than making emergency repairs is not having the right tool for the job -- luckily the Lezyne Port-A-Shop eliminates the dilemma. The Port-A-Shop comes with key cycling-specific tools all wrapped up and labeled in a nice, durable, zip-up case.Convenient carrying case keeps tools from becoming road decorations Pockets labeled with pictures in case your four year-old niece works on her bike Small enough to carry anywhere, functional enough to use at home

GOTW: Re-Prioritizing the Bell.

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Spurcycle makes only a couple very select items.  Namely, a bell, a key clip and a couple of condiment themed water bottles that seem a little out of place.  The bell is what put these guys on the map back in the fall of 2013 with a very successful Kickstarter campaign.  They raised over 300K with a goal of 20K.  The low profile design fits cleanly on any handle bar and the operation is as simple as you would expect from a device that only has one function, to ding loudly.  The precise action of the spring loaded lever and the solid metal materials that make up the the entire product give the dinger a lot of confidence in the quality of this bell. The bell faces aerodynamically forward leaving just the spring loaded ding lever protruding out above your bar in just the right position for a quick thumb. What really sets the bell apart is the tone and the longevity of a single ding. One solid chime resonates from a generous distance to warn others of your approach and you'll likely have passed them before the sound fully fades away. In case any of us have forgotten, bells are a courtesy to your fellow cyclists and path users. Hearing a ding over your shoulder is a universal signal to move over. It's everything a car horn can never be, unoffensive yet purposeful.  If you're like me you are in the habit of saying "Left" or "On your left" a moment before passing. In many cases I would like to give my warning earlier but I don't want to ride around yelling at people from 30 feet back.  I don't like to give the impression I'm in a panic so I wait until I'm in ear shot and try to speak in a normal tone that won't startle my fellow rider.  We all try to be careful, but the fact is there isn't a common understanding among cyclists of how we are meant to signal each other on the road. The Spurcycle bell is an elegant solution and having a bell that functions this well is a favor to everyone.  

How to Tighten A Bicycle Headset

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One of the most basic maintenance tasks you can do but one that can make a tremendous impact on how your bike handles is tightening your headset. If you are noticing that your fork shakes or you hear rattling coming from the front of the bike, it is probably time to learn how to tighten your bikes headset. Professional bicycle mechanic Brad Smith will teach you, step by step, everything you need to know and show you all of the tools you need to get that handling dialed in and you back on the road.

Step 1: Check your bicycle for play in the headset by listening for vibration and by holding the front brake and moving the bike forward and back.

Start with side stem bolts

Step 2: Loosen the two bolts that clamp your stem onto your steerer tube using an allen wrench.

Step 3: Tighten your stem cap using an allen wrench. It doesn't have to be incredibly tight, just snug.

Top Bolt

Step 4: Check your bicycle to see if the play in the headset is gone.

Step 5: Align your stem with the front tire so your handlebars are straight and then re-tighten the bolts on your stem.

Mavic Ksyrium SLR 2015 Wheelset Review

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free hub body

For 2000 dollars, these wheels are just ok. You can find similar wheel sets out there for about a quarter of the price. The main attraction is that they look cool. The bearing quality is pretty good. The reason the wheels aren't worth their price tag is the play in the free hub body, which causes it to eventually wear out.

Buy them if you like the looks of them. The braking surface is pretty cool and works well when they are wet. Bearings are good. Aesthetics are good. Weight is pretty good. But for 2000$ that's a given.

Look Cycle KEO Flex Pedal Review

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Keo Flex

Since not every rider needs the lightest, tightest, fanciest pedal on the market, Look developed the Look Keo Flex Pedal. For instance, commuters and casual riders will benefit from the easier release force required—8 Nm, about half of a high-end pedal—and from the cost savings as well. Additionally, the Flex's minimal design results in a pedal with a weight comparable to models that cost up to three times as much.

One Piece Design

Instead of a coil or leaf spring, the Look Keo Flex relies on the flex of it's composite body to secure your cleats into place. There are no tension adjustments, and the Flexs' are tested to the same strict standards that all of Look's pedals are. Cleats are included that have nine-degrees of float; zero and four-and-a-half degree cleats are available also.

Different Ways to Open a Beer with your Bike

Wheel

This week's Ask a Mechanic takes you through the many different ways that you can open a beer bottle with your bike and its components. Whether you're looking to impress your friends or simply enjoy a frosty beverage after the ride, opening a beer with your bike never fails to be both useful and fun.

Pedal

Always make sure to be careful. No matter what you use, opening a bottle with a bike can result in a very foamy beverage. The first way to open a bottle is with your pedal. The more surface area the better. Slip the bottom of the corner of the cap into the pedal and pull away.

Chainring

Option 2 is your wheel. Once the wheel is spinning, dip the bottle into the wheel. Last is to use a chainring. Some might require a pry, while others may require a hit from above.

Five Ten Kestrel Mountain Bike Shoe Review

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Five Ten Kestrel MTB Shoe

The new 5.10 Kestrel is designed to transfer power to the pedals as efficiently as possible using a low-profile design and snug Boa closures to transform human power into horse power.

BOA Closure System

Some may think that the Kestrels are solely intended for experiencing the love of riding a mountain bike, and others believe they were designed for enduro. Dont be fooled-- whatever your passion, the Kestrels are intended to get you out and pedalling.

Removing Water From Inside A FLO Bicycle Wheel

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Sometimes riding on a very wet day can result in your bike wheel becoming water logged. The wheel has been designed to let small amounts of water out, but if there is a lot it can get into a different compartment. 

FLO Wheel

Small hole removes water from carbon

When water gets into the rim, the first thing to do is take the air out of the tire. Once the tire and rim strip are removed, the rest of the water will come out of the rim or spoke holes. Spin it around in your hands a few times to get it all out, let it air dry, then put it back on. 

Spoke holes

The rest of the water will come out of the spoke holes

Installing BOA Dials on Bike Shoes

BOA dials can be found on a variety of bike shoes. It is great for riders who like to make shoe adjustments while riding, since tightening the shoe only takes the turn of a dial. They will wear down, however, and need to be replaced.

BOA dial

BOA Dial

Use a torx wrench to remove the outer part of the dial, then remove the inner part with the cable, and cut the cable. Pay attention to how the cable is routed. The cable will run through a series of holes and overlap to secure itself. 

Start running the cable where the red dot is

Don't pull the cable tight while running it through the holes. Once the cable is installed, trim the ends, and put it back together. 

Setting Up Clipless Pedals on a Mountain Bike

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Mountain bike cleats are typically fixed to your shoe using a 2-bolt system. Experimenting with the position of the cleat on your shoe will help you find the best fit for your style of pedalling.

MTB Cleat

Most MTB shoes will allow you to adjust the position of the cleat on the shoe

With manufacturers like Crank Brothers, you can also adjust the amount of 'float' you have. This is how much you can twist your foot before unclipping from the pedal.

MTB Pedal

Certain pedals will allow the shoe to still fit on the pedal

Finally, different pedal shapes will suit different riders. DHers tend to prefer flat pedals which can offer better 'feel' through your shoe, while XC riders tend to prefer slimmed down pedals which weigh less and offer a more concentrated contact point.