Planning a European motorcycle trip with your mates? Don’t let a breakdown spoil the fun. Make your bike breakdown someone else’s problem While DIY roadside repairs can be rewarding, investing in a good breakdown policy before your trip is a smart move. Prices vary wildly, so do your research. If your bike is less than 20 years old and your…
As the popularity of e-bikes continues to surge, retro-fit electric motors offer a cost-effective way to join the movement. The Swytch kit is compatible with almost every type of bicycle, and prices start at less than £400. The package includes a motorised front wheel, a battery pack, and a handlebar-mounted control system. Crucially, installation is straightforward. Even for those of…
Following in the footsteps of roadside cameras that detect speeding, mobile phone use and non-compliance of clean air zones such as London’s ULEZ, comes tech that detects pollution from individual vehicles in real time. The Emission Detection and Reporting (EDAR) system uses a laser to detect harmful gases from moving vehicles. EDAR can identify and quantify numerous gases including carbon…
Summer usually goes easier on bicycle chains. However, wetter-than-usual weather this years has turned that on its head. Cleaning a bicycle chain might seem like a dirty and thankless task, but regularly removing grit and grime makes your bike run smoother and saves you money. To clean a bicycle chain by hand, grab an old toothbrush to scrub the links,…
Full-throttle e-bikes are increasingly common in towns and cities across the UK. Delivery riders like them because they’re a cheap alternative to a conventional moped. Most are illegal to ride on the roads. However, they don’t have to be. E-bikes sold before January 1 2016 may have a full-speed throttle (you don’t need to pedal at all to reach the…
