Tara Seplavy

1 week ago | bicycling.com | Tara Seplavy

Since SRAM launched its new Red AXS and Red XPLR AXS groups in the spring and summer of 2024, road and gravel tech junkies have waited patiently for the brand to drop a less expensive variant. That time has arrived, with SRAM’s launch of four new electronic shifting groupsets for the dropbar masses. Force and Rival lead road and gravel with their combination of price, exceptional braking, precise shifting, improved ergonomics, and options.

2 weeks ago | bicycling.com | Tara Seplavy

A common cycling misperception is that riding faster requires a lot of money. While high-ticket items like fancy racing bikes, aerodynamic wheels, and special clothing certainly won’t hurt to improve your speed, riders often fail to optimize their existing bike and gear before shelling out thousands of dollars on new equipment. And some of the most effective ways to increase your average riding speed cost absolutely nothing. Of course, most cyclists don’t ride only to go fast.

2 weeks ago | bicycling.com | Tara Seplavy

Group rides are a great way to meet other cyclists, work out, have fun, and sharpen your riding skills. They can be a welcoming place for some cyclists, but group rides can cause anxiety for some. This is especially true if you are unsure of your fitness, don’t know the group, or are not accustomed to riding close to others. Large group rides were once much more common, but that has changed in the last decade as cycling culture shifted and technology improved.

2 weeks ago | bicycling.com | Tara Seplavy

Two popular boutique cycling apparel brands recently sent me pricey bib shorts for road and gravel riding. One pair is a nice emerald color; they cost $240, fit me well, and are comfortable on the bike. The other is a $295 bib in a trendy olive tone with a nice chamois. However, despite their comfort, I probably won’t ride either pair of bibs much for rides longer than about 90 minutes. And that’s because both are missing one key feature I use on almost every long ride. What Are Droptail Bibs?

3 weeks ago | bicycling.com | Tara Seplavy

More riders than ever are using electronic shifting drivetrains for road and gravel as the technology trickles down to lower-priced groups and bicycles. And a big benefit of electronic shifting groupsets is the ability to personalize your controls via component brand apps. Or add my favorite dropbar electronic group upgrade: remote shifter buttons. What Are They?