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Zwift vs. Sufferfest vs. Trainerroad vs. Peloton

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The market for streaming cycling and bike training apps has exploded in the past three years.  A worldwide pandemic in 2020 only reminded people how important it was to be able to get a good workout without leaving home, a trend we expect to increase in 2021 and beyond. With increases in bandwidth speeds across the world, and the steady growth of smart bike trainers, the combination of smart bike trainers and streaming training apps is poised to become the new norm in cycling training. While we love the good old-fashioned bike trainers and the training DVDs that go with them, there are two things that the training apps can give you that no DVD can:  Community, and real-time feedback. Where else can you jump on with a friend who is 1,000 miles away and go for a ride together?  And unless you ride power meter on your bike, it used to be that you did not know your wattage output and are left to guess. While there are probably 15 decent streaming options for people who want to get good indoor bike workouts on smart trainers, we chose the four that we are seeing the most, and compared them to each other:  Zwift, Sufferfest, TrainerRoad, and Peloton.  All four are heavy-hitters in the world of indoor smart cycling. Zwift Zwift is the true interactive, gaming-type experience.  It is the most interactive of all the options (perhaps except for Peloton), as you are competing with other riders, can choose which fork in the road to take mid-ride, and can even chat with and encourage your fellow riders.  For the other apps, the main interaction is between your legs, stats, and the app. Since we are dealing with private companies, we don’t have exact usage figures, but based on the buzz within the cycling community, we believe Zwift is the most popular of the bunch. The fully-fledged product was launched back in October 2015 and has enjoyed a growing — even explosive — success ever since. In 2017, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg famously started to use the platform to continue training after he suffered a broken arm. Additionally, accomplished cyclists using and loving Zwift include Adam Myerson, Steve Cummings, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Nathan Guerra, and Lawson Craddock. KISS was among the first groups that offered established racing on Zwift and became one of the largest organizers present on the platform. All you need for using Zwift is your bike, a smart trainer, and a computer / phone / tv / other device.  If you don’t have a smart trainer, you can use a traditional trainer with a power meter (ANT+ or BLE), a cadence sensor, and a bridge (or a receiver) for handling the ANT+/BLE signal. Zwift is available for Mac, iOS, and Windows operating systems and uses ANT+ and Bluetooth SMART technology to send data that, when combined with the rider’s weight and equipment choices, is used to adjust the effort, power and speed. Our preferred method of streaming Zwift, as we describe in our “Perfect Zwift Setup” article, is using an Apple TV box paired with our regular old flat screen TV on the wall.  Works like a charm, and you get the benefit of a larger screen and better audio than if you were trying to do it on a pc or tablet.  To us, compatibility with Apple TV is one of the strongest features of Zwift as compared to the competition. It is the one app reviewed here that really is meant to work well with Apple TV. The others rely on the mirroring feature which can create some streaming issues at times. Other common ways to stream Zwift are on a tablet, desktop or laptop computer, or a phone…. although the phone display may be a little small to truly read your statistics on. At first, the platform allows you to create your profile by adding your height and weight and then selecting the kit and bike you use. As you progress (there are 25 levels to explore), you’ll have even more optimizing options available. Zwift’s pre-planning courses lets users cruise through several virtual worlds: Innsbruck, London, New York, Richmond, and the make-believe Watopia. All of these contain a variety of different routes, with varying distances, hills, and scenery.  It is all done using gamification — the imagery is not real, but it is done in a way that is interesting and believable. The four main ways you can ride in Zwift are a free ride, group ride, racing, and workout mode. With all, you will be riding the “gamified” routes created by Zwift, with other riders around you. You can go for easy rides to more intense ones, and you can be competitive with others. You can complete missions (some of these are only available for a limited time) and get perks, attend online events, and join entertaining challenges. Truth be told, when you hit a timed climb segment on a Zwift ride — it is hard not to try to kick it down. The leaderboard will show you how you are doing against other riders and your previous PRs on those segments. Besides the social rides and races, the workouts (pre-made or customized) give you a variety of options.  We tend to choose the interval workouts, which when combined with the presence of a power meter built in to the smart trainer, can make for very precise workouts. Once the activities (rides, races, workouts) are finished, all the data can be saved as a .fit file which can be uploaded to programs like Map My Run/Ride, Strava, Today’s Plan, Garmin Connect, and Training Peaks. We have a couple minor annoyances with Zwift.  First, we wish the routes would provide more visibility for the climbs and time-trials that you embark on.  Sometimes, it is hard to know how long you will be kicking it for.  Second, many of the forks in the road where you get to choose your turn come up quickly, and … Read more

2 Great Quick Indoor Workouts for Winter Training

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indoor bike trainer

We often get asked about offseason training ideas. While we address the topic of offseason training in our triathlon and training ebooks, we wanted to provide you with two of our favorite, quick, easy offseason workouts that you can use right now. Each winter, triathletes around the world try to figure out how to stay in training shape while bearing the elements and the shorter days of sunlight. In some parts, winter means more rain and cooler temps, at a minimum requiring some layers like a good running jacket. In other parts, it means several feet of snow and a fundamentally different way of training. Regardless of where you are, winter is probably spent recovering from a good triathlon season, and beginning to base for the next one. Smart offseason triathlon training involves knowing when your body needs to recover and heal, and when it is time to start gradually turning the training dial back up. While our winter swim workouts usually consist of shorter, slower workouts that are focused on regaining and improving form, we have two favorite “in-a-pinch” indoor tri workouts that we think you would benefit from throwing in to your rotation. 2 Great Indoor Workouts, Under 35 Minutes in Duration 1st workout: 20 + 100 — run and burpee. The first workout we will outline is very simple (actually, they all are).  A great workout if you are relegated to a treadmill on a cold or rainy day. This workout is a 20-minute treadmill run followed by 100 burpees. The treadmill run can easily be replaced by an outdoor run if conditions are good, but the whole point here is doing something that doesn’t take a lot of prep time or extra gear, and that can allow you to not have to navigate the elements of icy, snowy running trails. 20 minutes is enough of a run to get the heart rate up without stressing your joints, and the burpees help give you a quick core / upper body / fast-twitch session that is hard to get elsewhere.   20 minutes also strikes that balance of getting enough work to get warm and the heart pumping, without losing any focus. The treadmill portion can easily be replaced by using a bike on a spin trainer.  Just be sure you keep your intensity up.  Here is the routine: 1. On the treadmill, warmup for 2-3 minutes at your normal warmup pace. Then, run for 17-20 minutes at a steady LSD (long slow distance) pace, which for me is typically about 9:30 / mile, but for one of my faster training partners tends to be sub-8:00.  It is all about where you can get into a nice groove. This pace should be a good minute or two slower than your faster summer training pace. 2. After the treadmill, move to a yoga mat or firmly carpeted area. Start a stopwatch, timer on your phone, or run your Fitbit – anything that you can easily see while standing (I just use the clock function on my Ipad). Do 10 burpees as fast as you can, and then rest. The goal here is to begin a new round of 10 burpees at the top of every minute. Do whichever burpees fit for you. We generally mix the basic plank burpee (starting in a pushup position, but with the arms straight and not doing the pushup) with the pushup burpees (doing a pushup with each burpee, many times more difficult). With each burpee, move to your feet and jump up as high in the air as you can, reaching upward. With the plank burpee, we can usually do 10 in about 30 seconds, leaving 30 seconds for rest. With the pushup burpee, we are lucky to knock them out in 40 seconds, leaving just 20 seconds for rest.  Both the plank and pushup burpees give you a nice core exercise as part of the motion. Because you start a new round at the top of every minute, the faster you can knock out each set of 10, the more rest you are rewarded with! 3.  Cool down.  At the end of 100 burpees, you should be pretty winded and ready for a nice break.   2nd Workout: 35 min Spinner HIIT A quick, but very effective, spinner workout that we do 1-2 times each week is a very quick ride on the spinner, but one that incorporates high intensity interval training (HIIT). It is a myth that you have to get on your indoor bike trainer for 90 minutes every time you want a decent winter bike ride. Even if you only have an hour, you can knock out this workout and be showered in that time. 1. Start by warming up in an easy gear on your bike, either a stationary spinner bike or your regular bike on a trainer.  We prefer a bike trainer, because you get the feel for using your own bike, complete with your regular saddle and your typical bike positioning and angles.  This will help translate your workouts to the road in the spring and summer. 2. Have a clock or stopwatch (or again, an Ipad clock) within view, running. 3. Warmup for 5-7 minutes. 4. Begin 8 sets that will start on every 3rd minute. The first 90 seconds of the set, shift to a harder gear – big chainring in the front and any of the harder 5 gears in the back. The second 90 seconds, shift to the small chainring and an easier gear, but keep spinning. 5. Repeat the 3-minute set 8 times, varying the gearing you choose on the hard part. 6. Cool down for 3-5 minutes. With both workouts, keep one thing in mind:  The goal is to get some very good High Intensity Interval Training in, but not necessarily giving you the type of long, steady ride you would get outside in the summer.  The key is to give yourself short spurts of high intensity, followed by some … Read more

Best Road Bike LED Safety Lights

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You have probably seen them more and more in recent years: little, blinking white or red lights that grab your attention as you are coming upon a cyclist. We have a secret for you: They work! Experiments ranging from those done at Clemson University to others done in Denmark show that using safety lights are superior to bright clothing, and can reduce accidents by about 20%, when used by cyclists. What’s more, the NTSA has found that bicycle deaths most often occur between 6pm and 9pm, right when a light might help be seen at dusk. We at Complete Tri feel that anything that can improve cyclists’ safety on the road should be considered. Whether you’re a dedicated cyclist or not, you should always invest in a reliable road bike safety light. Having the proper safety light can prevent injuries and even a deadly accident. It is risky to put yourself on the road automobiles, and while you can never eliminate that risk, you can take steps to reduce it. If you’ve never purchased a road bike safety light before, there are several factors to consider consider. Some examples include the right size, proper mounting, battery life, rechargeability, and durability. To help you make an informed decision, we have piled together this review of the best safety lights on the market! Make sure to read our reviews on all the lights before making a purchase decision. BLITZU’s Cyborg 180H Find here on Amazon This ultra bright bike light definitely deserves a spot on the list of best safety lights for bikes. The Cyborg 180H is incredibly versatile as it’s designed to fit on any bicycle. This model is actually an upgrade from BLITZU’s best-seller, the Cyclops 120T. They announced that the Cyborg 180H is 50% larger and 15% brighter! Here are some of the key features of the BLITZU Cyborg 180H: Visibility. BLITZU isn’t joking around when it comes to visibility. The Cyborg 180H’s headlights emit an extraordinarily wide ray of white light (up to 180 lumens) which can be seen from all angles of the cyclist. Having white lights is a lot more noticeable than yellow or other dull-colored lights. These headlights also provide the cyclist with maximum vision on the road. As a cyclist, you’ll easily be able to see everything that’s ahead of you. Durability. You’ll occasionally ride over rocky terrain or ride over a big rock you didn’t see. This can cause you to fall off your bike and have it smash into the ground. The Cyborg 180H has an incredibly durable build as it’s able to withstand a two-meter drop! Not only that, the bike light has been designed to be extra water-resistant. You won’t need to worry about your lights turning off the next time it starts to rain. Regardless, you should still be careful. USB rechargeable. There’s nothing worse than having to replace your electronics with batteries. It’s a huge waste of time and money having to run to the local convenience store or gas station! Luckily, the Cyborg 180H bike light is USB rechargeable. Now, you can recharge the bike light by simply plugging it into any USB power source such as a computer, laptop, or USB port. In addition to the convenience of being able to charge the Cyborg 180H using a USB cable, it only takes two hours to fully charge it! The next time you go for dinner, plug in the Cyborg 180H to a USB outlet. You’ll see how quick the batteries come back to life. Battery life and power modes. If you want to preserve the battery life of the Cyborg 180H, you can switch to a lower power mode. You should always be riding on a power mode that makes sense for what you’re doing. For example, if you’re biking in the morning, you don’t need to set the power mode to high. The six different modes consist of: Strobe (runs for 2.5 hours), 100% Flashing (3 hours), 50% Flashing (5 hours), High (1.5 hours), Mid (2.25 hours), Low (6 hours). Cycle Torch’s Bolt Combo Find here on Amazon. This headlight and tail light combo also deserves a spot on the list for best safety lights for bikes. Not only is this product affordable, but it’s also quite genius. You can ensure your safety by installing the Bolt Combo lights at the front (at 20 lumens) and back of your bike (at 10 lumens). This is a great way to provide maximum visibility on a foggy or gloomy day. Here are some key features of the Cycle Torch Bolt Combo: Visibility. Like we already mentioned, the Bolt Combo comes in a dual set to provide you with as much visibility as possible. This will definitely help grab the attention of other vehicles. USB Rechargeable. Just like BLITZU’s Cyborg 180H, the Bolt Combo is also USB rechargeable! With a simple USB cable and a USB power source, you can easily recharge your batteries back to full. The Bolt Combo comes with two charging cables and takes a little over two hours to recharge. Installation. We’ve all struggled to install safety lights before. Thankfully, Cycle Torch’s Bolt Combo is incredibly easy to install. You could get both lights mounted onto your bike in under a minute! If you have multiple bikes that you enjoy riding, you can easily remount these lights onto another bike. Compatibility. If you currently own multiple bikes or plan on purchasing more in the future, these bike lights are a great option to choose. They’re designed to be universally compatible to road, mountain, cruiser, BMX, and tandem bikes. Battery life and power modes. The Bolt Combo has different battery lives for the front bolt and tail bolt. The front bolt has three power modes: High (runs for 2.5 hours), Quick Flashing & Pulse (5-8 hours), and Slow Flashing (8-10 hours). The rear bolt also has three power modes: High (runs for 5 hours), Quick Flashing & Pulse (10-15 hours), and Slow Flashing (15-20 … Read more

Shimano WH-R500 Wheelset Review

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When is comes to road bike wheelsets, the Shimano WH lineup is a classic that has stood the test of time. Shimano’s WH-R500 — and the subsequent WH-R501A model — is positioned as an entry-level wheelset that provides an economical alternative for riders looking for a basic training wheelset. A pair of WH-R500 or R501 wheels has a list price of about $230, but they can be found for well under $200, making them comparable in price to Mavic’s low-end Aksium wheelset. “Low-end” is relative, as the wheelsets in this price range perform quite well for riders of most calibers.  As part of the Shimano line, the WH-R500 sits below the Ultegra WH-6700, an aluminum wheelset that retails for nearly twice the price of the R500. Moving up to the carbon-rimmed RS81 wheelset in the Road Sport series will cost you nearly twice as much as the R500 or R501.  The difference used to be more, but prices have shifted over time. The R500 features aluminum rims, steel axles and freehub body, and an aluminum freehub shell; the freehub is compatible with 8-, 9- and 10-speed cassettes. The round stainless steel spokes are laced in a 20-spoke radial pattern in the front and a 24-spoke crossed pattern in the rear. All that steel makes for a beefy wheelset; the set weighs in at 1884g, which is almost 230g heavier than the 6700 and nearly 150g heavier than the Mavic Aksium Despite its economy status, the R500 and R501 at least makes an effort to look attractive. The rims sport a two-tone anodized finish, and the hubs and spokes are finished in basic black. The rim profile is modestly elegant, but there’s nothing remotely aero about its relatively shallow 24mm height.  Several new bikes come with the R500 or R501 as standard features, largely from the Giant lineup but also from some other brands.  They fit well with the entry-level road bike market — bikes that are made by reliable manufacturers with good components, but are the starting point of their respective lineups. The extra weight that this wheelset lugs around means that it’s not anyone’s idea of a racing wheelset, but the R500 doesn’t claim to be speedy. Instead, its focus is on providing an affordable, sturdy set of wheels that can serve as a starter set on an entry-level bike or as everyday wheels that you can pound on while you spare your lightweight wheels for a time when they’re truly needed.  We have heard from lots of riders who like the versatility of these rims, serving well for commuting during the week but then turning into an adequate training ride wheel on the weekends.  The aluminum and steel construction and round spokes are nothing but the basics, but actual experience over the years tell us that the R500 wheels are capable of standing up to thousands of miles of use under a moderately sized rider.  We expect the same thing from the newer R501. WH500 Road Test It’s no surprise that the main complaint that riders have with these wheels is their weight. They’re not snappy by any means, and they’re not capable of race-level responsiveness. But no one can reasonably expect a wheel at this level to offer impressive acceleration, and as a basic training wheelset, the R500 performs more than adequately. Riders consistently report that the wheels hold up well to aggressive use and the abuse dished out by less-than-ideal pavement With their relatively low spoke count, these wheels aren’t ideal for heavy riders, but riders weighing close to 200 pounds report being able to put many miles on the R500 or R501 without significant problems with broken spokes or wheels going out of true One common complaint with the R500 was always focus on the plastic rim tape that Shimano used on them. The thin tape, in combination with the sharp edges of the spoke holes, sometimes resulted in flats.  Replacing the plastic tape with more robust cloth tape seems to solve the problem, however that is a fix that might be above the skill level of some folks.  It might be a good job for a pro. Pricing The good news is that the R501 is a pretty common wheelset to find on the market, and the prices tend to be competitive.  We are assuming you are not in the market for something like a Zipp 404, so need to keep your costs down.  Upon last check, we found it for the $250 – $300 range at Jenson USA.  All in all, that is not a bad price for a good all-around wheel, and as you will see in the “alternatives” section it is not a price outlier, either. You might find closeouts at a better price point, and the R500 can be found used for under $100.  For our money, though, we prefer the trustworthiness and return policy of Jenson or REI. Alternatives An alternative to the R500 and R501 could be either a comparable training wheelset or an upgrade to a lighter, faster, more race-ready wheelset. •         Mavic Aksium. The Aksium wheelset is lighter than the R500, features bladed spokes and has a similar rim profile to the R500. Its list price is $20 higher, however, and its lower weight and 20-spoke lacing suggest that it might not be as durable as the R500 for heavy riders.  Still, we find that the Aksium gets excellent reviews from riders.  Find it here on Amazon. •         Shimano WH-RX-31. Upgrading to Shimano’s Road Sport line gets you low spokes and (especially in the case of the RX31) compatibility with disc brakes, something that is more important than it used to be. It will also cost you a little more money; the RS20 (and its new version, the RS21) commonly retails a little more than the R500, and the RS 30 is usually a step-up price-wise.   Find it here (Amazon). •         Fulcrum Racing 5. With retail pricing falling somewhere between $350 and $400, this entry-level Fulcrum wheelset is … Read more

Best Bike Trailers: Burley, Thule, and Schwinn

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burley bee

You might ask what bike trailers have to do with a triathlon website.  A lot, actually. The typical triathlete is a male or female in their 20s, 30s, or 40s.  In many cases, they are young parents who want to stay active, but have family commitments, and need to care for their children.  The staff here at Complete Tri has tried to balance the Saturday morning training rides and runs with a toddler who needs to get outside too. Plus, many folks just tend to be active people with active families. Even if you aren’t an avid triathlete, you may cycle with your children in tow for the many health benefits.  Cycling burns, on average, between 400 and 1,000 calories per hour.  If you are pulling a child in a trailer, you are probably toward the higher end of that range. Bike Trailers – like Burleys – are part of what it means to be a cyclist and a parent.  We wanted to do for bike trailers what we do with tri bikes and other gear – give you a review of our favorite models on the market, but with an eye toward higher-end quality and products that will be durable for someone who really uses them in the way they were meant to be used. After all, today’s bike trailers have as much design and engineering in them as entry-level bikes did a few years ago. There is a lot to learn to find the right one. With that, here are our favorites for 2020. Burley Bee This is a double capacity trailer that rolls down the trail incredibly smoothly.  It feels a bit narrow if your children are not small.  For kids aged 3 and above, you might want to treat this more as a single.  As far as Burleys go, this is going to be your no-frills model, but a no-frills Burley is still a big step above the typical Walmart trailer. The Burley brand has been around for about 40 years, and has become an important part of the overall cycling culture and community.  It has reached the iconic status where all you have to say is the word “Burley”, and people can envision the product.  The best companies in this space are typically borne from someone passionate about cycling, not a company who is trying to exploit a market segment.  The Burley story is one of passion, that started in North Dakota and really grew in Oregon.  You can read it here. Back to the Bee, we like it because it is well-built but removes a few of the bells and whistles that would otherwise drive the price up.  What is it missing?  Some of the adjustability in things such as the seat recline, a fast way to convert the trailer to a stroller, and a removable seat (which makes the trailer into a cargo or pet trailer), to name a few. It is built of water-resistant fabric, nice for those times when you get caught in some rain when you did not expect it.  You might get wet, but your child won’t. We have dissembled and folded the Bee up, and it collapses quickly, with the wheels coming if with the flip of a switch.  That is also where the Bee’s incredible weight comes in – at 20 lbs, it is by far the lightest trailer on the market, of the brands we recommend.  This is a great 2-child Burley that won’t break the bank.  We would not hesitate to buy the Bee again, and we if we had to quickly name a “can’t ever go wrong with it” product in this space, the Bee might be it — or maybe it would be the Cub…… Find it here. Burley Encore The Encore by Burley is the best all-around trailer on our list.  It is not as cheap as the Bee – it runs a full $300 more – but it will give you everything you need for a long, long time.  The Encore has similar dimensions to the Bee – wide enough for 2 kids as long as they are not both big.  Where it differs is on the features, but it is important to note that those additional features also add to the weight and price. Features include additional padding for rider comfort, excellent waterproofing, and a sunshade that is nice in the event of a napping child combined with an intense sun.  It is always nice to not have to lather your child in sunscreen if there is a way to get around it. One of the biggest things you get with the Encore that you don’t with the Bee is the ability to convert to a jogging stroller.  You can buy a separate jogging stroller, but it can sure be nice to save on garage space and only have one trailer instead of two, and that is where the conversion comes in.  Add a front wheel and a push bar, and you have yourself a high-quality runner stroller.  For the typical triathlete who needs to both bike and run as part of their training plan, this is a nice touch. For you gravel bikers out there, there is a conversion kit to make the Encore highly-capable on gravel.  Not everyone will need that, but those you do will sure appreciate it. The Encore is one of the more popular trailers on the market, and for good reason.  Excellent quality and functionality.  It is probably our favorite on the market right now, when factoring-in features and pricing. Find it Here. Thule Chariot Lite Thule is probably best known for their bike carriers and racks, but they have been making great bike trailers for quite a while.  They have several models, but we especially love the Thule Chariot Lite. Let’s be clear – it is not cheap.  It runs over $700 (but if you want to go down a model, you can get the Chariot Cheetah for closer to $500).  The … Read more

Zipp 404 Road Bike Wheelset Review

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The Zipp 404 is undoubtedly the brand’s wheelset star and highly appreciated all-rounder.  It represents a great balance between aerodynamics, overall low weight, and excellent ride quality.  When it comes to triathletes and serious cyclists, the Zipp 404 is arguably a gold standard. Zipp has been around for a while.  They released their first high-performance wheels in 1988, just as triathlon was getting off the ground and time-trial racing was gaining in popularity.  Throughout the 1990s, they continued to crank out new designs and models, and in 1999 the first 404s hit the scene.  Ever since, Zipp 404s have been one of the go-to wheelsets for serious triathletes and time-trialers. One of the best features of this wheelset is the use of Zipp’s Firecrest rim profile. The 404 rim has a good depth, but it also has a very wide profile which significantly improves the straight-line aerodynamics (better airflow). One of the major design refinements for this set is the introduction of Zipp’s enhanced rear hub. The big change with this hub is that they’ve switched from radially lacing the drive side to their special lacing pattern. The difference that this makes is an improvement in the rotational stiffness of the wheel. The width is usually thick, the sides are as flat as planks, and they feature blunt noses. The set is focused on cutting through the wind and speed ahead, which makes it a serious competition to those deep, shallow aero models.  Coupled with a durable and stiff tire, you are going to get a setup that is fast, responsive, and lets you feel the road — but also handle the occasional pothole without a catastrophe. Zipp 404 Wheelset Road Test The wider rim profile absorbs impacts a little bit better, makes the road feel smoother, and gives the tire a larger contact patch for better traction. It actually reduces the rolling resistance of the tire, as well. It also uses its proprietary heat resistant resin and the carbon layup which reduces breaking temperatures, so you’re gonna have a much more consistent and better quality braking surface – which is especially important in this type of clincher. Thanks to the special lacing pattern we mentioned above, there’s a slight increase in the lateral stiffness. Moreover, you’ll notice that when you apply power down to the pedals it’s going to transfer to the rear wheel very well, creating a much more responsive rod. The bearing placement in the rear hub has been changed a little bit (compared to earlier models) to a wider stance and a larger bearing. That improves the overall stiffness of the hub. Even if it might seem pricy if you’re on a tight budget, Zipp’s 404 Wheelset has proven to be great value over time. The flawless combination of rigidity, strength, and aerodynamic performance make these wheels ideal to be used in most weather and road conditions. They’re amazing for time trials, and you can even use them in hill climbs if you’re not fighting for fractions of seconds. While it may require time to get used to them, these wheels can get super fast. Zipp 404 wheelset’s clincher shape is perfect if you’re looking for speedy rides. The wheels are big and fast – faster than slimmer counterparts. They’ll offer you stability against crosswinds – they’ll even flawlessly fight against the more violent ones. The top-notch braking performance also helps you not get knocked out of the mean wind. Not to mention that their temperature capability makes them able to be taken up to the mountains with peace of mind. Zipp 404 Pricing Ready for some good news? Zipp 404 is a very common and extremely popular wheelset to find in online and offline stores, so the prices are pretty competitive for the fabulous features and quality it offers. When we last searched, all of the full wheelset combos where more than $2,000, putting them in rare air from a market standpoint.  These are probably not the wheels you put on your entry-level tri bike or your aluminum all-road bike.  We are always looking for places where we would recommend you price check (prices are always changing). Find here on Amazon We will add more places when we find good retailers who are impressing us with their price on the 404, but Amazon usually has access to some of the better prices out there.  As always, consider consulting your local bike shop.  They can give you great advice, and we love supporting them. Alternatives to the 404 An alternative to the Zipp 404 Wheelset could be another wide-rim set with similar aerodynamic characteristics. Zipp 808 Firecrest. A bit more expensive than the 404 models, Zipp 808 Firecrest features a deeper section front wheel and an enhanced design of dimples on the rim. However, some riders say that they find it a tad challenging to handle.  The price difference between the 404 and 808 is usually in the $150 to $200 range. Smart Enve System 6.7. If you don’t mind the significantly increased priced compared to the 404, this Enve wheelset is faster and said to be more durable. So, for the ones of you who want to ride as speedy as light, this can be an option to put on the list. Boyd Cycling 60mm Carbon Clincher: This one has a lower price than the Zipp 404 wheelset. However, keep in mind that it’s a little heavier. Mavic Ksyrium.  The popular Ksyrium lineup is actually a number of wheels, priced from $700 all the way up to $2,000 or more.  Those higher-end pro carbon wheels are worth comparing with the Zipps.  Zipp vs. Mavic — it is hard to go wrong from those brands. Summary The Zipp 404 is, without question, a classic aerodynamic wheelset and one of the top choices when you’re looking for aerodynamic gains.  We recommend it if you have the budget. If you’re dreaming of impeccable design and you want to turn your bike into a landspeeder, this is a … Read more

Best Road and Tri Bike Shoes

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Having the right equipment can boost any athlete’s performance, and this is true for cycling as much as it is for any other sport. While the main focus will always be on the bike itself, having the right shoes really does matter.  Being the avid cyclists that we are, we have used dozens of different cycling shoes over the past couple years. No matter what kind of cleat and pedal system you are looking for, there are many great shoes of every configuration available to triathletes today.  Each type has its own merits, and we would suggest you read our primer on cleats and pedals to make sure you invest in something that is compatible with your riding. Further below, we will get into a guide on what to look for in your tri or road bike shoes.  But many of you just want us to get to the point, so here are our favorites right now! Lake CX 237 Here on Amazon. Lake is to cycling shoes what Porsche is to automobiles, and the Lake TX222 is our favorite shoe right now for hard-core road bike and time trial cyclists.  With a 100% carbon sole there is an incredible level of rigidity for incredible power transfer, while the patented NuFoam upper provides a lot of comfort for the foot as well. Breathable material around the forefoot keeps feet cool even during the hardest effort, while the large tabs offer easy hook and loop closure on the move. The placement of the cleat ensures that the foot is always at the optimum position for power transfer, and for long term use the antimicrobial liner helps keep things fresh. It’s an outstanding shoe that covers every base for an avid road rider, and while it is not cheap, cyclists who wear the shoe often will soon forget about the cost and appreciate the performance of the Lake.  Best for avid and competitive road and tri cyclists.  Pearl Izumi Tri Fly Here on Amazon. Another carbon soled show, the Pearl Izumi Tri Fly also manages the neat trick of high levels of stiffness for power transfer while maintaining a level of comfort that lets you make it through a session on the bike without problem. In fact, the comfortable, soft liner makes sockless use practical, with no chafing or other issues at all.  This shoe is specifically designed for triathletes, with a nice stiff pedaling motion, but also enough tread on the bottom to allow you to maneuver in the transition area. They tend to run narrow, so if you have wide feet you might want to try them on first.  If you have regular or narrow-width feet, they should be excellent. They feature a single strap retention system that is perfect for one handed use on the go, and feature breathable material to keep the foot cool, and also drain out any water too. A brighter color palette than most, the Pearl Izumi Tri Fly shoes stand out in the crowd, but offer real comfort as long as your feet aren’t wide, and incredible value for money when you look at what they offer.  Best for triathletes who want an all-purpose shoe.  Find here on Amazon. Shimano RP2 Here on Amazon. These road shoes offer a nice budget alternative for road use, but still give you a great all-around shoe for multi-purpose use.  They lack the triathlon specific features of some on our list, but most weekend athletes won’t really notice. A glass fiber reinforced nylon sole offers excellent rigidity without harshness, it may lack the ultimate performance of carbon, but is easier on the feet and much less costly, a good compromise for many people. Three hook and loop straps make up the retention system, offering wide adjustability that will ensure a good fit no matter the foot width, while the breathable uppers keep your feet cool. There is plenty of cushioning to keep feet comfortable on the move, and the understated looks are smart without screaming bike shoe. We also like that the tread allows tor this shoe to be used for walking when needed,without creating awkwardness in the gait.  Note that it often runs a bit small, so order a half-size up.  Overall, an excellent budget offering that delivers real performance without the expense.  Best for spin classes.  Find here on Amazon. Giro Treble II Here on Amazon Like the Shimano offerings, the Giro Treble II road shoes trade cutting edge technology for an affordable price, do an equally impressive job with it too. An injected nylon sole brings stiffness and incredible weight savings, the entire pair of shoes weighs just 569g. With cushioned uppers and inner sole, and a well-designed shape that accommodates most feet, there is plenty of comfort on offer, and with 3 hook and loop fasteners, they are always secure on your feet in any situation. Breathable upper material and heel and toe ventilation holes ensure you keep your cool even during long sessions in the saddle, ensuring that these are shoes you could happily do many miles in. A real gem at a bargain price.  Best for those who want a good all-around bike shoe without breaking the bank.  Find here on Amazon. Tri Bike Shoe and Road Bike Shoe Buying Guide Modern bike shoes use a clipless design to mechanically attach themselves to the pedal, and this brings many benefits. First, many people get confused by the term ‘clipless’, when rides often use the term ‘clipping in’ to describe making the physical connection between shoe and pedal. The clipless aspect simply refers to the design being able to replace the old toeclips that used to be used by cyclists. Instead, modern pedals use cleat attached to the shoe that locks into a socket on the pedal to secure the two together, while still allowing almost instant disconnection using a twisting motion with the shoe, very like how ski boots attach to skis. The reason that physical connection between the shoe and … Read more

Superteam Road Bike Wheelset Review

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Superteam Bike Wheels have recently made their way on the carbon clincher scene as budget-friendly items. They feature a regular, decent design and a 3k matte rim finish.  As your rims are perhaps one of the most important safety features on your bike (failure at top speed could be catastrophic) we wanted to take a good look at the Superteam lineup and give you our perspective. The rim depth is 50 mm, and the height 23 mm. If you are looking for an aero rim, 50 mm is not the best depth that you can get, but it’s not the worst one, either. The models sport 20 front holes and 24 rear holes. As they’re on the affordable end for carbon clinchers, they are heavier than other similar products and a tad more flexed for this category. Also, the Superteam bike wheels’ aerodynamics don’t seem enough to make a considerable wind resistance difference. A good thing about the rim is that it’s made out of carbon fiber, which gives it a sturdy feel without adding lots of weight. In addition, the rim comes with a 6-layer carbon on rim body and a 12-layer carbon on brake track, which can mean an improved level of braking performance. Superteam Bike Wheels Road Test While they may seem like a good value compared to the competition, the road tests over time of the Superteam bike wheels have proven to be a bit disappointing. When you look at the geometry, it’s tough to tell much difference between these and the pricier competition. However, once you start using them, the problems may show up with a bit of wear. For example, when tested in the rain, the bearings started making high-pitched noises, which is an indicator of poor construction quality.  We don’t think the wheels will fall apart after 100 miles, but compared to some of the European and US-made brands, we are not yet convinced on their durability. Several riders on various forums reported to have cracks (or crack during the first uses), which is again leading many riders to conclude that the manufacturing process is rather sloppy. In previous Superteam wheels, brakes make contact directly with the carbon instead of a metal brace. This can result in an unpleasant surprise – and a potentially dangerous one — because carbon tends to heat up and become unstable. This is obviously a serious safety issue, especially if you’re into pumping the brakes when you need to slow down while you’re going downhill.  We are seeing that more recent models of Superteams have an aluminium breaking surface.  If you want to go with these wheels, we highly recommend spending the money on a model with the metal braking surface. Coupled with a quality tube and tire, you might be able to mitigate any issues happening inside the rim of the material pinching the tube, especially at the base of the valve stem.  However, we did get a couple reports of that happening, primarily in some of the early models of the wheel. Superteam Wheel Pricing Like many other Chinese brands, the Superteam bike wheels are in the less-expensive price range.  In fact, that is why they are on the radar for so many riders.  Upon last check, we found it in the $300 price range (give or take).  You can find them here on Amazon. Alternatives to Superteam Wheelsets There are plenty of bike wheels brands that have proven to be extremely reliable over the last decades. While some of them are a tad more expensive than what Superteams are sold for, millions of cycling fellows swear by a flawless quality and a great value over time.  Plus, many of these stellar wheels are coming down in price from where they were just 3 years ago.  Here are some alternatives: Zipp: Bike wheels manufactured by Zipp are renowned for their stiffness, sturdiness, durability, and low weight. You can take them for hill hikes, or for speedy road rides. There are plenty of top-notch models to choose from in different price ranges, to match each and every price range that a cyclist might be in. Mavic: The French engineering in the Mavic bike wheels is highly appreciated around the world. These products feature a fantastic balance between weight and strength, which makes them an amazing and wise upgrade for your beloved bike.  In particular, we are seeing the price on some of the Aksium wheelsets come down in to a range that is pretty comparable with the Superteams.  If you see these wheels on a discount, they are usually a great find. Shimano: The high quality of the Shimano bike wheels is certainly something you will notice right away. With a wonderful performance level, each model of the brand comes with great features. There are a plethora of Shimano wheels to choose from, so don’t worry about not finding something to suit your specific needs.   The WH-500 or 501 is a great example of an all-around wheelset that won’t break the bank. Summary While the price may seem attractive, our recommendation is to wait a little longer to see if the Superteams hold up over time.  You can also save some extra bucks, and invest in a trustworthy brand like Mavic or Shimano.  Even a few reports of poor quality of these wheels poses a red flag given the importance of wheelsets, the risk of purchasing from this Chinese retailer seems to be a bit on the high side. At the end of the day, even if you can’t afford a set of premium wheels, there are hundreds of competitive and reliable options out there. However, if you’re only looking for something to use once in a blue moon, you can give them a try. The specifications of these products make them suitable for cruising down the road at pretty high speed from time to time.  We would love to hear from riders who have been on these wheels for 500 or more miles to hear … Read more

Shimano Road Bike Wheelset Overview

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Shimano’s line of road wheelsets aims to cover all the bases, from high-tech carbon wheels that are race ready to bomb-proof entry-level wheels that can withstand just about any punishment. The middle of the road is especially well covered, with a plethora of wheelsets that find a compromise between weight and durability and will satisfy most riders’ need for a no-nonsense training wheelset.  Shimanos are very popular and highly available on the market, largely because many leading bike manufacturers use Shimano wheelsets as their stock equipment.  For what its worth, Shimano all makes some of our favorite bike gear all around, from replacement saddles to bike shoes.  It is a brand that has become synonymous with cycling. Dura-Ace Shimano’s top-end Dura-Ace brand is represented in the company’s wheelset product line by six variations of the WH-9000. The 90000 is offered in three clincher models, two tubular versions and one tubeless clincher model—all featuring carbon rims (either high modulus carbon, carbon laminate or carbon-alloy composite), double butted alloy axles and bladed spokes. Rim profiles vary from model to model; all offer an aero profile, but the rims range in height from a modest 24mm to an extremely deep 50mm. Prices range from around $900 for the 90000-C24 clinchers to about $2700 for a pair of the 9000-C50 tubular wheels. Riders uniformly like the 9000 wheelsets in terms of their lightness, acceleration and responsiveness. Shimano seems to have struck the right balance with the 9000s, using carbon to shave significant weight while retaining enough heft in the engineering to make the wheels sufficiently stiff and durable. The range of rim profiles offers something for everyone; the C24 is a relatively traditional rim, and the C50 is aggressively aero, with the C35 falling comfortably in the middle to satisfy those riders who don’t want to commit to either extreme Ultegra The Ultegra series wheelset is the WH-6700, an aluminum-rimmed wheelset that accommodates either traditional or tubeless clincher tires. The wheels’ hubs and axels are aluminum, and the spokes are bladed stainless steel (with a black finish). The rim profile is non-aero, with a 24mm in the front and a very slighty shallower 23mm height in the rear. The freehub is compatible with 8- and 9-speed cassettes, and a 10-speed cassette can be used with the addition of a spacer. The front rim is laced with 16-spoke radial pattern, the rear with a 20-spoke crossed pattern. The 6700 retails for approximately $400. Riders especially like the price of the 6700; at $400 or less, they are well positioned as a training wheelset to stand in for more expensive wheels in difficult conditions or as an affordable upgrade from a heavier entry-level wheelset. At 1652g, they aren’t feather-light wheels, but they are durable and reasonably light for wheels at this price point. They also get generally high marks for their versatility, allowing riders to opt either for traditional clinchers or an upgrade to tubeless tires. Road Sport The Road Sport series wheelsets are designed to bring some of the high-end Dura-Ace features to less expensive wheels suitable for training. The top-end Road Sport wheelset, the RS80, is offered in two versions, both of them featuring carbon-alloy composite rims. The RS80-C50 has a deep aero profile similar to that of the 7900-C50, and the RS80-C24 has a traditional non-aero profile like the 7900-C24. Both wheelsets are equipped with alloy hubs and are compatible with 8-, 9- or 10-speed cassettes. The RS30 and RS20 rims are cheaper than the RS80 (between $200 and $300, as compared to about $800 for the RS80) but are also several hundred grams heavier. The RS20 has a traditional 24mm rim height, while the RS30 has a moderately aero 30mm profile. As with just about all the other Shimano road wheelsets, the Road Sport wheels receive praise from riders for being reliable and a good value for the money. Not the lightest or flashiest wheels in their category, they nonetheless get the job done, especially if the job is everyday training on imperfect roads. WH-R500 Shimano’s WH-R500 is an entry-level wheelset that provides an economical alternative for riders looking for a basic training wheelset. A pair of WH-R500 wheels has a list price of $230, but they can be found for well under $200. This wheelset is basic, nothing fancy, but works.  The R500 features aluminum rims, steel axles and freehub body, and an aluminum freehub shell; the freehub is compatible with 8-, 9- and 10-speed cassettes. The round stainless steel spokes are laced in a 20-spoke radial pattern in the front and a 24-spoke crossed pattern in the rear. All that steel makes for a beefy wheelset; the set weighs in at 1884g. The main complaint that riders have with these wheels is their weight. They’re not snappy by any means, and they’re not capable of race-level responsiveness. As a basic training wheelset, however, the R500 performs more than adequately. Riders consistently report that the wheels hold up well to aggressive use and the abuse dished out by less-than-ideal pavement. With their relatively low spoke count, these wheels aren’t ideal for heavy riders, but riders weighing close to 200 pounds report being able to put many miles on the R500 without significant problems with broken spokes or wheels going out of true. To review more specs and pricing of Shimano wheelsets and to find discounts and closeouts, visit our trusted partner.