That’s a good thing, because it means more people have discovered bikes. This has led to a surge in bike sales and, thus, a depletion of stock. More people have caught on to the idea that outdoor escapes like hiking, running, and bike riding are safe, sanity-saving ways to get out and do something-away from others. Why It May Be Harder to Find a Bike Right NowĮver since terms like “shelter in place,” “stay at home,” and “social distancing” took root in our daily lexicon, we’ve had to find alternative forms of entertainment that don’t involve large crowds, indoor activities, or risky situations (such as travel). This alone is a great reason to upgrade to a new bike.

You have more control and less hand fatigue, and they require less maintenance than older rim brakes.

Compared to rim brakes, discs offer better stopping power, especially in the rain and on dirt and gravel roads. You’re also more likely to find hydraulic or mechanical disc brakes on less-expensive bikes these days. Wider tires can be heavier though, so if you’re strictly looking to do faster rides on smooth roads, tires in the 25mm range might work better.

And they grip better on dirt and gravel, opening new routes to explore. The extra width softens the road because you can run lower tire pressure with less fear of flatting. Models with tires 28mm or wider are now common. Recently, affordable road bikes have started to come with the same wider, versatile tires found on their expensive counterparts. The additional cogs allow smaller jumps between gears for faster shifting and a wider overall range that allows you to pedal more easily without sacrificing too much top-end speed. However, some-like the Motobecane Immortal Spirit-come equipped with 11-speed drivetrains. Also, bikes are getting fewer gears in the back, with 8- and 9-speed drivetrains becoming commonplace. While many gravel models now have 1x drivetrains (one front chainring) that simplify shifting and require less maintenance, 2x drivetrains (two front chainrings) are still the most common on the road. Recent advances in shifting are also making their way to less-expensive bikes. 30mm-wide tires are great for pavement and cinder bike trails Simpler Drivetrains (If You Want Them)

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