Matt Phillips

1 week ago | bicycling.com | Matt Phillips

Shifting gears on your bike may seem like a minor detail, but mastering it can dramatically transform your riding experience. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just starting out, understanding the basics of shifting will help you ride more smoothly, climb with ease, and feel more in control on any terrain. Plus, it’s not only about function—it’s about finding that rhythm and flow that makes biking so enjoyable.

1 week ago | bicycling.com | Matt Phillips

You may not think about it, but before every ride, you have your rituals. Planning routes, texting friends, getting dressed, and filling water bottles are all part of the process. You ensure your phone is charged, along with your lights and cycling computer, if you use them. Perhaps you also pack some extra food or clothing. Before each ride, you prepare because you want it to be the best it can be.

1 week ago | bicycling.com | Matt Phillips

One aspect I appreciate about gravel is its willingness to push boundaries and experiment with equipment in pursuit of better performance. We’ve seen this with tires and bike setups, and it’s also clear in gravel’s openness to experiment with suspension. However, suspension products for gravel are still trying to find their groove, which is why we have yet to see widespread adoption or even a preferred direction. The suspension fork I review here exemplifies this situation.

1 week ago | bicycling.com | Matt Phillips

I’ve never been one to train. I just ride my bike. If I ride more, I get fitter and faster. Ride less, and my fitness ebbs. But I’ve never had a fitness plan or goal. I’ll wake up in the morning and think, “Riding Texas Creek sounds lovely.” So I ride Texas Creek. I know I have plenty of fitness potential. I’ve felt it in those times when circumstances align and I ride myself to a new level. But I wondered: What could happen if I stopped riding and tried training? Over the winter, I did just that.

1 week ago | bicycling.com | Matt Phillips

Cycling gear is expensive. And while good equipment is a joy to use, when it’s damaged and unrideable, you feel frustrated because you’re missing rides. However, there is a small piece of equipment found in almost every rider’s collection—no matter what brand of gear they own—that offers a lifetime warranty and quickly ships replacement parts, allowing you to easily repair your expensive gear and get back out on the bike. The Boa dial and lace is omnipresent.