Buyer's Guides

Why is your waterproof no longer shedding water like it once did?Why Your Waterproof Cycling Gear No Longer Sheds Water Like It Used To (And How to Fix It) For many cyclists, a reliable waterproof jacket or pair of rainproof trousers is an essential piece of kit. Whether you’re commuting, touring, or tackling local trails, staying dry can make all the difference between an enjoyable ride and a miserable one. But over time, you might notice that your once-waterproof gear is no longer repelling water as it once did. Instead

How to bleed Shimano Road Brakes with Park Tool.When it comes to educating people on how to fix their bikes, Park Tool are the best in the buisness. Take a look at the video below and follow their step by step guide on how to bleed your Shimano drop bar brakes.  Calvin is using the Park Tool BKM-1.2 - Hydraulic Brake Bleed Kit For Mineral Oil to carry out the procedure with

PRO Empowers Women Racers Through Comfort and Performance with the New PRO Sirin SaddlesAs the primary point of contact between the rider and the bike, the saddle is of utmost importance. It can be a source of discomfort and hinder performance or enable a better all-round cycling experience. For female riders saddle choice has long been limited, especially for those who like to push their limits, race all-out, and chase podium places.  The new

The Genesis Croix de Fer has long been a versatile bike, known for its ability to handle everything from commuting to touring. But the latest version takes a big step forward, becoming a true gravel bike, offering a more enjoyable and focused riding experience without losing its historic flexibility. Key Pros: Excellent value for money Wider tyres (up to 47c) for improved comfort and speed Semi-internal cabling for cleaner lines and easy maintenance Neutral handling that's perfect for all types of terrain Key Cons: Limited tyre clearance No electric groupset options Updated Design: The new Croix de Fer sports a more modern design with dropped chainstays and internal cable routing, keeping cables protected from mud without complicating maintenance. The bike also includes numerous mounts for bottles, cages, and racks, making it a great choice for long rides or bikepacking. With a geometry tweak, it now features a slacker head angle and slightly longer wheelbase for more stability on rough surfaces. Performance: Handling is neutral, offering a smooth ride whether you're tackling gravel or road. It's particularly well-suited for off-road conditions, where the bike remains stable even at higher speeds. While it's not ideal for steep, technical singletrack, it performs well on gravel and road sections. The addition of wider tyres makes the bike even more capable on loose surfaces, though it does struggle in very wet conditions with the stock tyres.Value for Money: At prices starting under £1,500, the Croix de Fer is a great value, especially with its solid steel frame and Shimano components. The upgraded models, like the Croix de Fer 20, offer even more value with improved components, while the titanium frameset adds a premium feel for those willing to spend more. Verdict: The Genesis Croix de Fer has evolved into a top-tier gravel bike, offering a fantastic balance of performance, versatility, and value. Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or a newcomer to gravel riding, this bike delivers a reliable and fun experience. While it's still great for commuting and touring, its shift to a more gravel-focused design makes it an even better choice for off-road adventures. CLICK HERE to read the full review

The Truth About Washing Waterproof Garments: Myths vs. RealityA lot of people believe that washing a waterproof garment ruins its ability to keep water out. But that’s not true! The key isn’t avoiding washing altogether—it’s knowing when and how to do it properly. Step 1: Do You Really Need to Wash It?Before tossing your waterproof jacket into the machine, ask yourself: Does it actually need a full wash? If it’s just a bit muddy or has trail spray on it, a simple wipe-down with a damp cloth and

Madison Roam Windproof Jacket Review: Lightweight, Packable, and Perfect for CyclingIf you're on the hunt for a lightweight, wind-resistant jacket that won't break the bank, the Madison Roam Men’s Lightweight Windproof Jacket might just be your next essential piece of gear. Tested rigorously for 8 months by our Tech Editor, Benji, this jacket proves itself as a versatile, durable, and highly practical layer for cyclists. Key Details:Brand: MadisonProduct: Roam Men’s Lightweight Windproof JacketAvailable at: FreewheelPrice: £69.99Tested by: Benji (8 months) First ImpressionsThis jacket comes in an eye-catching Lake Blue shade and boasts an impressive set of features. It’s stretchy, wind-resistant, and

2024 Singletrack Editor’s Choice Awards: Product Highlights.Each year, the team at Singletrack Magazine selects the standout products they've tested and reviewed over the past 12 months for the prestigious Editor’s Choice Awards. These are the best of the best, and we’re excited to share some of the top highlights from this year's awards.

What is SHIMANO LINKGLIDE?New LINKGLIDE Technology for Smoother Shifting and More Durable ComponentsTo fully

Ultimate Bike Protection from GtechniqWith over 20 years of experience protecting high-end vehicles in the automotive and marine industries, Gtechniq has become a trusted leader in surface protection. Now, Gtechniq brings its renowned smart surface technology to the cycling world, offering the same level of care and precision to bicycles. Developed in-house at Gtechniq's global headquarters in Northamptonshire, this range is tailored specifically for cyclists seeking to protect and maintain their bikes. Gtechniq’s bike care line includes:

Introducing M Part's New Front Pannier Racks: Tour AVS and Explorer Low RiderM Part has expanded its range of front pannier racks with two exciting new options: the Tour AVS Front Pannier Rack and the Explorer Low Rider Front Pannier Rack. Both racks are designed to meet the needs of cyclists, whether for commuting, touring, or everyday

Saracen Levarg - NOT Your Average Gravel Bike.Inspired by Saracen’s Mountain Bike heritage, the Levarg range brings a bit of that trail shredding spirit into the gravel world. Designed for fun and adventure, this gravel beast isn’t just for cruising dirt roads—it’s built to get gnarly when the going gets tough. The Saracen team took the same technical expertise that produced the World Cup-winning

Five top tips for making sure you’re ready for your next big ride If you fail to prepare, then you should prepare to fail. Okay, that might be a bit extreme in the context of bike riding but the principle does ring true. If you have a big ride or event coming up then the best thing you can do to have a fun and stress-free experience is make sure you have everything you need. There will always be things that happen that are out of your control but if you follow our five tips below, you’ll have the best chance of navigating any mishaps

One of the most interesting (read: frustrating) things about being a cyclist is the stuff you get given for Christmas. There are very few other hobbies where people fixate on giving you things that are not directly related to said hobby but have pictures of the hobby on them. Like socks with bikes on. Or t-shirts with bikes on. Or mugs with bikes on. Basically lots of things that depict cycling but 99% of which are not actually usable in the performance of cycling.  So to cut to the chase, if you want to get the cyclist in your life something nice (really very nice) that will actually aid in the cycling that person does you should absolutely consider the Knog Oi bell. There are multiple reasons for this: first, it's a bell and you be surprised how many people don't have one on their bike. Second, even if they do there is no way it's nicer than this one unless, in fact, they have an Oi already, in which case we're totally out of ideas. Sorry.  There are two types

aeroe's rear rack is an incredibly elegant piece of engineering. It's stable, good-looking and perfect for any adventure. But here's the thing: not every ride is an adventure, and not everyone has multiple bikes to use for various different purposes. That's why aeroe has adapted their Spider Rear Rack into the Spider Pannier Rack, for those trips that are a little less adventure, and a little more necessity.  That doesn't mean you can't go off-road with the pannier rack, mind you, as the below video demonstrates. The best part is that it's designed to be compatible with any panniers on the market, so you can take any you already have and just clip them straight on. You also dont have to buy a whole new rack if you're using the current Spider Rear Rack, as the receiver on the top simply swaps out so you can leave the rack in place and switch between that and the cradles for the aeroe dry bags. It really is one system for both send and sensible.  If you don't believe

There are a lot of great things about carbon wheels. They're light, they're aerodynamic, they look great and, yep, they make a really cool 'whoosh, whoosh' sound as you ride along. Carbon wheels have been a thing in road cycling for at least two decades now and although the wheels you can get today look ostensibly similar to the ones ridden back then, the technology has been refined over and over again through the years making carbon wheels a practical (and durable) every day choice rather than something you'd only stick in the bike for race days.  The main thing to change in the last couple of years is the move from rim brakes to disc brakes on road bikes. With rim brakes, every time you brake you're wearing the carbon rim away slightly which means that depending on how much you ride there is a a clear and finite lifespan to that wheelset. Not that most of us ride enough for that to be a real concern in the short term, but the beauty of disc brakes is that braking wears the

The Spring weather may not have arrived quite yet, but that hasn't stopped us from getting out on the bike almost every opportunity we have and trying to summon that sunshine with a good old dose of pedalling. The weather has to get better soon, right? But whether it does or not, we've compiled a short list of a few of our favourite products for this time of year. Check them out below. Madison Stealth Glasses Cycling sunglasses are like pretty much everything: they come in cheap, moderate and very expensive varieties. It used to be

Madison Clothing Lifetime Warranty We have high standards for our products which is why we only think it's fair to offer a warranty that lasts the life of the product so you can rest assured that if your purchase fails, you will receive a replacement. Our warranty covers any garment against manufacturing defect & workmanship for the expected lifetime of the product. Simply return the garment to us at Freewheel and we’ll replace it with a like for like piece. What isn't covered in the guarantee? We don’t cover damage through wear & tear, negligence, accidents, improper care or natural deterioration of colours & materials. *How long is a lifetime? Sadly, we’re not always able to make products last an eternity. Lifetime* means the expected life of a product, which is variable through usage.

We're really lucky at Freewheel, as we get to work with a whole load of excellent brands that make genuinely good products. But even among those there are a few brands that really stand out for their all-around excellence and elegance. Thule is absolutely one of those brands. Thule is the Ferrari of bike carriers (which is a bit ironic seeing as they dont really make a bike rack for a Ferrari, but go with it).  Aside from the general aesthetic and build quality, the best thing about Thule's racks - especially their roof racks - is the lack of faff. If you dont have a bike rack, transporting a bike in a car can be a real chore of disassembly, you take off both wheels, twist the bars here and there, get the rear mech caught on a few things and before you know it you're depositing grease in places you'd rather grease didn't end up. Even if you have a large car, you probably still need to cover the interior with sheets or something to stop the car getting dirty. What's the answer?

If you’re after a well-priced, highly versatile city e-Bike then you’re in for a treat because Ridgeback is extremely excited to present the new Errand, a bike that makes it easy to do all sorts of things and do them without a car. It’s called the Errand because the ‘I’m-just-popping-out-for-a-bit’ wasn’t quite as catchy, but that really is the idea behind this bike: make the ultimate utility bike for urban riding, something you’ll ride whether you’re commuting to work, off down to the pub, meeting some friends in town or basically going anywhere that’s a bit too far to walk. At Ridgeback we already have a comprehensive range of e-Bikes, but the new Errand really does offer something different. With 20” wheels it’s been designed with maximum manoeuvrability in mind because it’s paramount when you’re trying to get around in any urban environment, and that paired with the 2” wide tyres

Okay, we're sorry. We're not actually selling little pieces of the Tour de France (nor do we have any idea how that would work), but there are loads of brands on Freewheel that make products being ridden for three weeks in what could reasonably be described as the World's Greatest Bike Race.  Better than that, this kit is the same as what the pros are using - not replicas, not pared-down versions, the actual same products that the professional teams use. That's one of the best things about cycling; you want those tyres Wout van Aert is riding? You got 'em. How about the groupset Team Ineos is using? No problem (although, you know, it's not cheap). There's nothing - except budget - from stopping you having and riding exactly what the best in the world use, so here's our guide to the brands we stock on Freewheel that provide products to the very best cyclists on the planet. 

With cleanliness being next to Godliness - or so we're told - the best way to keep your bike looking divine is to make sure you lok after it regularly. And by regularly we dont mean only when it's so dirty you can't remember what colour it used to be.  Keeping your bike clean means it'll run smoother - you know, that beautiful almost-no-noise sound a clean chain makes when the bike is humming along - and the smoother your drivetrain is running, the longer your components will last. Here's the thing, dirt in your chain, on your cassette or covering your chainrings increases friction, which in turn increases chain wear, and a worn chain wears out the teeth on chainrings or cassettes. It's a bike-based ecosystem where neglecting one thing can very quickly make the whole drivetrain go south.  That's where Finish Line comes in. If you're after a comprehensive range of bike cleaning products then the Long Island-based company is exactly the brand for you. They have a

Winter riding is a bit more complicated than summer riding in that it generally requires a little more planning and a fair bit more kit and clothing. Here are a few things you need to think about if you want to get out and about on the bike on or off-road through the colder (and wetter) months. Tyres Of all the upgrades you can make to your bike, good quality tyres should be top of your list. 'But haven't you banged on about this enough on Freewheel' we hear you ask and yes, yes we have, but we will continue because tyres are incredibly

You might think that floor pumps (or track pumps, if you prefer) are a particularly unexciting bit of kit. And that statement would be correct if it wasn't so very, very wrong. There are few workshop tools used more than the floor pump. You should really check your tyre pressure every time you ride which means you could well be using that pump every single day. If you're going to use something that often, it makes sense to make sure the pump you have is good quality and easy to use. You'd be surprised how many pumps have fiddly pump heads or annoying little things about them that make them a pain to use.  The other thing to consider is that a good floor pump is an investment. If you buy a quality one then it might be the only (or last) pump you'll ever buy. Sure, £80 might seem expensive but spread that out over 50 years of cycling and innumerable uses and it suddenly seems like a pretty good deal.  Speaking of pumps - and don't act like you didn't see this

We don't want to think about it eithe, but the bad weather is coming (and already here, in some places) and that means you need to make sure you're equipped if you want to ride outside during winter. So we've put our collective heads together and come up with a few of our favourite things to wear outside when the conditions aren't exactly ideal. Sometimes if you want to ride, you just have to tough it out, but having some good kit definitely makes the decision easier...Madison DTE 3-Layer Waterproof Jacket DTE stands for 'Defy the Elements' which gives you a pretty good idea of what type of weather this jacket has been designed for. With 20K waterproof and 20K breathable fabric, this is a jacket for riding on days when you maybe shouldn't go out but can't resist the idea of a ride. That hard-wearing fully-seam-sealed three-layer fabric keeps you dry whilw making sure you dont overheat, and

The bottom bracket is one of the most fundamental - if often overlooked - parts of a bike. For anyone who doesnt know, a bottom bracket is the bit that enables the cranks to turn aand features two sets of bearings (on on either side) with a hole through the middle for the axle.  This hasn't always been the case. For years a bottom bracket was a sealed unit with two attachments on either side for the crank arms/chainrings. The great thing about those - called square taper bottom brackets - was that they were sealed units and would last for a really long time without any maintenance. And we dont have to tell you why not needing maintenace is great.  But as time went on and bikes changed, so did the bottom bracket. Another of the most common types on bikes from a few decades ago was called 'threaded'. Simply, this was two units containing the bearings that threaded into the bottom bracket from either side - and could do so since the bottom bracket shell on the bike