If looks could kill…it’s a material world

The very first thing other cyclists or even non-cyclists would notice is the appearance of your bike. Some may even judge you based on the type/brand of bicycles you use. Sure, most of us will drool at the sight of the latest Pinarello Dogmas, Specialized S-Works Venge or Cervelo RCA but when was the last time you ‘wowed’ at a truly artistic marvel of a bicycle?

Although most might say beauty is only skin-deep, going custom really allows you to truly determine the geometry, colour, finish and even details of your two-wheeled machine. If you desire high-performing bicycles which are also mobile ar...

Above image: Dean Koh

Saddle selection is an area in the bike building process that should never be taken lightly. Choosing the wrong saddle will give you an uncomfortable ride or worse, cause impotence.

So many cyclists have spent hundreds of dollars trying to find the perfect saddle, manufacturers have resorted to providing a multitude of variants that attempt to meet cyclists’ needs.

A quick look at any saddle manufacturer’s website, and you will be bombarded with gel variants, cut-outs, plain carbon saddles, and even uniquely shaped ones.  Below are a few examples:

Above: Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle (note the big cut-out...

Above photo: http://thepeopleofsantopoco.blogspot.sg

For those of us who had been mountain-biking for a while, the venerable 26 inch mountain bike has been around for the longest time and many honed their handling and riding skills on the 26 inch platform. Then about a decade ago, the very first 29 inch mountain bikes appeared which received a less than enthusiastic welcome to those who were so used to 26inch mountain bikes. Fast forward today, almost every bike company has a 29er model and improvements in ride geometry and availability of related accessories make it an irresistible choice for those considering a new mountain bike.

Anoth...

Given that this is your first road bike, and assuming that you are only owning one set of wheels, you should aim for a best set that money can buy that suits the terrain of routes you are likely to take most often. 

Before we get to wheel selection though, let’s take a broad look at the three types available to you, starting off with the box section wheels.

Box section wheels

With cycling fast gaining popularity as a form of sport and recreation in Singapore in recent years, it is common for cycling enthusiasts to participate in events such as the OCBC Cycle Singapore and even overseas cycling events in neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia. However, embarking on a long-distance cycling event may be daunting, especially for beginner cyclists. Having the right preparation and training for such events is crucial to reduce the risk of injury and knowing how and what to eat before, during and after the ride is important as well.

In our email interview with the kind folks at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), we sought a...

Photo credit: © Monalyn Gracia/Corbis

When I first started watching road races on TV, the images of these thin men riding at 40+ kph on undulating roads looked to me like a piece of cake. "I could do that!" , I'd say to myself. After all, riding my BMX all those years ago, I was pretty sure I was hitting at least 30. So the day came when I got on my very first roadbike, I shifted it immediately into the big ring, and boy was I so wrong about thinking this was going to be a walk in the park.

Unbeknownst to SOME, cycling is one of the hardest endurance activities you can partake in. It's like a combination of running and rowing where a bot...

Above photo: Tae Likes Bikes (http://taeblog.tumblr.com/post/11719710502)

You've pored over the brochures, read the reviews, and finally bought your frameset. While it does look good hanging on your wall as an art piece, it's not the reason you spent all that moolah. With a little more reading, we will help you select the best components to fully build up your prized frameset, and finally have a real bike in your hands.

Saddles

The most time consuming area of selecting parts for your bike will be saddle choice. A saddle may seem like a very minor part of the bike. However, selecting the wrong saddle can lead to such a huge amount of dis...

Above photo: Getty Images

So here you are, browsing the web for tips on how to choose your first roadbike. With a limited budget, and hardly enough knowledge about the sport, the vast ocean of roadbikes to choose from make the decision an all too arduous task.

Fear not, my friend. Fate has smiled upon you and led you to this website. You are in luck as we are about to impart to you some of the most sage advice you will ever receive in this, the dawn of your cycling ‘career’. So sit back, pour yourself a beer, and enjoy the next 15 minutes of reading. By the end of this article, we guarantee hope you will know what kind of bike you ought ...