Page 3 - Reviews & Guides

Keeping your chain clean and well lubed is key to a happy bike; there's nothing more shameful than a rusty and squeaky chain! It's something so simple but is often the most neglected part of bikes we see pass through our workshop, even on our own bikes sometimes! But take of your chain and it'll perform better and last longer, improving your whole riding experience, with smoother shifting and quieter running. Not only that, it'll help your cassette and chainring last longer, saving you money there too, which is no bad thing when a cassette can run as much £300 or more these days! Here we, with the help of Muc-Off, break down what lube is best for certain conditions and how to keep your chain looking and running like new.

Keeping it clean

We're going to skip right to the point here. SRAM's eagle AXS drivetrain is nuts. It's brilliant. It's expensive. Very expensive. But my word is it cool! Review done. Well, not quite. Since it was launched around 18 months ago, SRAM's Eagle AXS drivetrains have been on everyone's must try list. For many the cost is an issue, the latest kit is never cheap. Is it truly a gamechanger, or is it a solution to problem that doesn't really exist? We went through the tech details in our preview post last year, so if you want the full low-down on the specs, give it a read. Here we're focussed on what it's like to live with and how it performs out on the trail. We've had an X01 Eagle AXS upgrade kit for a few months and put it to the test to find out.

Installation

First things first, we had to fit the upgrade

It's that time of year when we need to ruin the lovely clean look of our bikes and clutter them with mudguards in order to keep ourselves looking slightly more human and much less bog monster! Thankfully, mudguards these days are far superior to what has gone before and some even look kinda cool on the right bike. Whether you rule the road or rip the trails, mudguards will help keep you dry and stop you ruining your fancy winter clothing. Here's out top picks for road bikes, commuters and mountain bikers.

Road & commuting mudguards

The big downside to riding on the road, whether that be for fun, training or commuting is spray from the road. Mud is not much too much of an issue, unless you ride rural country roads for example, but for most water spray from wet road surfaces can get you drenched in no time. And if you ride in a group, you'll drenching whichever poor soul is behind you too! Getting a quality set of mudguards then can make a world of difference to your

Any seasoned cyclist will be well aware of the dangers facing them on Britain's busy and often treacherous roads. But, when it comes to cycle safety on the roads, many people have gaps in their understanding of the all-important Highway Code.

According to The Bike Storage Company, 60 percent of people who took a quiz on what they knew (and didn't) about the Highway Code wrongly believed that it was legal to cycle on the pavement; something which is only legal in certain circumstances! A full list of the Highway Code rules applicable to cyclists can be found here.

So, what do cyclists need to know about road safety, both to protect themselves and to help enhance the safety of other road users and pedestrians? Let's take a look.

Road safety for cyclists: the rules

Not everything in the Highway Code

There are a lot of cyclists who, quite understandably, lock their bikes up in their shed or garage in September and don't bring it out of its hibernation until the spring when the snow and frost are (mostly) a thing of the past. At the same time, there are plenty of cyclists who see the autumn and winter period as the prime time to take to the various mountain bike (MTB) trails and trail centres around the UK.

These hardy souls who go out on their bikes whatever the weather are able to take advantage of the often chilly, crisp days to test their riding ability. In doing this they can find out not only about areas where they need to improve their skills, but they can also find out a lot about their MTB and equipment.

Whether you're a fair weather rider or an "I'm going come rain or shine" type, our new MTB trail guide contains all you need to know in order to develop those skills. With top tips on how to ride the different trails along with information on the gradients, the

Very little comes close to an adrenaline-fuelled day at a MTB (mountain bike) trail centre or bike park. For sheer convenience and the multiple thrills on offer, trail centres just offer something different to unmarked trails where you're left to your own devices. Instead of riding around in the unknown you can simply rock up, pedal around a marked trail and take in some glorious descents along the way – and in most cases you'll have a café to relax in afterwards!

These purpose-built MTB trails are pretty handy to have around. There's a huge range of specially designed trails and trail centres in the UK that weave their way through and around some incredible parts of the country, and offer plenty of challenging obstacles to test your mettle on.

MTB trails should always be packed full of fast and flowing sections combined with tight twists and even a few out-of-nowhere jumps – the kind of features that help you hone and develop your skills and put a massive smile on your

While the UK is renowned around the world for the abundance of top quality, purpose-built trail centres (as you'll find in our handy trail centre guide!), we're also blessed with some incredible natural riding too! While we may lack the huge mountains you'll find overseas like the Alps or Pyrenees, there's plenty for riders to sink their teeth into if they want to leave the comforts of a way-marked trail centre behind and head out into the wild.

Natural rides are great to break the monotony of perfectly groomed trail centre rides. With tougher climbs, rougher descents and more added to the fact you'll have to navigate yourself, all without the promise of a brew and cake at the end, natural rides challenge you mentally, physically and technically in a way trail centres often struggle to match. While they lack the convenience of the trail centre experience, there's no doubt some of our best ever rides have been on natural trails that some riders may not even know exist.

With

With nutrition and hydration playing key roles in how we perform on the bike we felt it was important to take a look at a number of ways in which cyclists could benefit from improved nutrition and hydration – and we don't just mean grabbing a Mars bar or a pasty before you go out and a swift pint on your way back home, either! You know who you are.

Many of us will have something to eat before we go out for a bike ride, stocking up on energy and venturing out ready to tackle the road or trail ahead. You probably also grab a quick swig from a hydration pack or water bottle when you feel thirsty or need a boost. That's perfectly fine and highly advisable, but does that mean you're eating and drinking in a way that will keep you fit and healthy?

What are the best ways of staying hydrated as a cyclist?