Reviews Archives

A Cyclist’s Winter Reading List

15 January 202003 January 2020 By Steven Sheffield

Winter can be kind of rough for cyclists sometimes, at least for those who don’t have a winter sport that gets them outside. Winter can also be a good season for a little downtime, to either recover from the year’s efforts, or to take your mind off the mind-numbing chore of riding a trainer indoors. As a fan of cycling as a sport, along with its history, I am constantly seeking out new books to read, and I know that others may do the same. As such, I am pleased to present the 2019 version of A Cyclist’s Winter Reading List.

#Cycling #Film Reviews

REVIEW: HBO Sports presents Any One Of Us

29 October 201910 December 2019 By Steven Sheffield

From 2008 to 2014, Paul Basagoitia was one of the stars of the annual Red Bull Rampage, which takes place each October near Virgin, Utah. On October 16, 2015, after a devastating crash in practice, his life changed forever. HBO’s excellent new documentary Any One of Us, much of which was filmed by Basagoitia himself, tells the story of the crash and Basagoitia’s road to recovery from a severe spinal cord injury (SCI) which left him paralyzed from the waist down.

#Book Reviews #Cycling

REVIEW: The Breakaway, by Nicole Cooke

14 September 201907 November 2019 By Steven Sheffield

Few athlete memoirs are well-written, and fewer still are written by women athletes. That The Breakaway: my story, by retired Welsh cyclist Nicole Cooke, is both means that the time it takes to read it is definitely well-spent.

The Campagnolo Cavatappi "BIG" Corkscrew

#Cycling #Tech Reviews

REVIEW: The Campagnolo Cavatappi (the BIG Corkscrew)

08 September 201923 October 2019 By Steven Sheffield

People may ask which of Tullio Campagnolo’s innovations is the most important; the quick release allowing gears to be changed more easily in the pre-derailleur days, or the Gran Sport (and later Record & Super Record) rear derailleurs … and the best way to settle any debate is over a bottle of fine wine.

#Cycling #Tech Reviews

REVIEW: Santa Cruz Stigmata (2017)

01 June 201918 November 2019 By Steven Sheffield

I’m an old-school roadie. That means that I tend to favor lugged steel frames, Campagnolo components, and tubular wheels & tires, so it has to take something special to get me to make a change. Then I tried something new.

Soigneurs with spare wheels are spread all along the race. Extreme events like Paris-Roubaix can mean up to 20 extra mechanics and team helpers out on the course. Photo by Taz Darling.

#Book Reviews #Cycling

REVIEW: Bike Mechanic: Tales From the Road and the Workshop

01 May 201907 November 2019 By Steven Sheffield

When I first read the description of BIKE MECHANIC: TALES FROM THE ROAD AND THE WORKSHOP, I anticipated a quick read filled with profiles of team mechanics and humorous anecdotes of life on the road and the daily grind of cleaning and repairing bikes during the Tour de France.

#Cycling #Tech Reviews

REVIEW: ASSOS Cycling Apparel – T.cento Bib Shorts & SS.cento Jersey

21 October 201823 October 2019 By Steven Sheffield

As a cyclist for nearly 30 years, I’ve worn clothing from a lot of different manufacturers, and while there is certainly some fantastic kit out there at a fraction of the price, there is still nothing quite like ASSOS. They’ve been on the forefront of cycling apparel technology since riders started making the transition from wool shorts and jerseys to Lycra and other synthetics.

#Cycling #Tech Reviews

REVIEW: Silca Perfection

14 September 201823 October 2019 By Steven Sheffield

I’ve had a love affair with Silca pumps since I first started riding bikes some 30-ish years ago … in fact, my original Silca Pista from the late-1980s is still going strong with just a couple of overhauls to replace gaskets and the leather plunger in that time. That commitment to quality did not die when Silca changed ownership and moved to the United States

#Cycling #Tech Reviews

REVIEW: Sidi Ergo 4 Mega & Dragon 4 Mega Shoes

30 March 201723 October 2019 By Steven Sheffield

I’ve been wearing Sidi shoes since the original buckles, the original soles, and since they only had one Velcro strap. Suffice it to say that I am well versed in Sidi.

#Book Reviews #Cycling

REVIEW: Made in England: The Artisans Behind the Handbuilt Bicycle

21 October 201607 November 2019 By Steven Sheffield

If you don’t already have this book, then you need to get this book.