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Category Archives: Testing and Tech
Tire Width: how much difference do a few millimeters make?
At Compass Bicycles, we often get the question: “I am riding 23 mm tires right now, and I wonder whether a 25 mm-wide tire would make a noticeable difference.” The graph below, taken from the Spring 2013 issue of Bicycle … Continue reading
Posted in Testing and Tech, Tires
5 Comments
Chainring Choice or Shifting Ramps?
The chainring choices of our René Herse cranks are not limited by dedicated shifting ramps, so you can use any gear combinations you like. We have optimized the chainring tooth profile to shift well at all times, and not only … Continue reading
Posted in Product News, Testing and Tech
24 Comments
Trouble with STI Triples
Triple cranks are a good choice for some riders. The most common shifting system for triple cranks, Shimano’s STI, only works with Shimano chainrings. Unfortunately, Shimano’s chainring combinations are of limited use to most riders. If you want to customize … Continue reading
Posted in Rene Herse cranks, Testing and Tech
61 Comments
Laws of Physics
In the last issue of Bicycle Quarterly, we compared the performance of a 17-pound titanium racing bike and of a 26-pound steel randonneur bike. We were surprised when both bikes climbed at the same speed in a set of controlled experiments. … Continue reading
No Mudflap: What a Mess!
Just one week of riding without a mudflap, and look at my bike! It’s a mess! I ride my Urban Bike year-round in rainy Seattle, but thanks to its generous fenders, it rarely gets dirty. I clean it only once … Continue reading
Posted in Our Bikes, Testing and Tech
38 Comments
North American Handmade Bicycle Show
This year’s North American Handmade Bicycle Show will take place in Denver, CO, on the weekend of February 22-24. NAHBS is a great place to see many builders showing their craft. The event is a showcase of the vibrant custom … Continue reading
Posted in Testing and Tech
2 Comments
Why We Don’t Need Rain Bikes Any Longer
I moved from Texas to Seattle 20 years ago and continued to ride and train year-round. At first, I refused to use fenders. I did not want to spoil the beautiful lines of my racing bike. After one miserably wet … Continue reading
Posted in Fenders, Our Bikes, Testing and Tech
77 Comments
Ride the Bike You Have
“You ride the bike you have, not the bike you might want or wish to have at a later time,” said a famous secretary of defense. (More or less. He was talking about armies, not bikes, but both are tools … Continue reading
Posted in Our Bikes, Testing and Tech
18 Comments
How to Choose Your Chainrings
When we received another shipment of René Herse cranks recently, we built up and filled our pre-orders first. Some are shown above. All the cranks shown have different setups, except two. (Can you spot the two identical ones?) There are … Continue reading
Posted in Rene Herse cranks, Testing and Tech
23 Comments
Bike Tests: Design Specifics vs. Intended Use
There are two common yet different approaches to testing products: You can compare design specifics. For example, you test hybrid bikes with disc brakes. Or in the car world, mid-size SUVs. You figure out which company makes the best one … Continue reading
Posted in Testing and Tech
23 Comments
Suspension Losses
Suspension losses often are overlooked, but they are an important factor in tire performance. When we first tested the performance of tires in a roll-down test, we found that very high pressures offer almost no improvements of performance. This contradicted … Continue reading
A Versatile Performance Bike
In last week’s post, I talked about the joys of riding a performance bike. In the mainstream, “performance” means a racing bike, despite the limitations that go along with narrow tires, lack of fenders, etc. Unfortunately, many of the “alternatives” … Continue reading
Posted in Testing and Tech
82 Comments
Science and Bicycles: Designing Experiments
Designing scientific experiments requires a lot of thought, if you want to arrive at useful results. Most studies of bicycles fall into two categories, which I’ll call observation-based and measurement-based. Observation-based studies starts with an observation. In our case, we … Continue reading
LED Replacement Bulbs for Headlights?
LEDs have revolutionized generator-powered bicycle lighting. They are bright, use less power, tend to last (almost) forever, and easily can be combined with a standlight. However, many riders prefer the elegant shapes of classic taillights. Combining LEDs with classic taillights … Continue reading
Posted in Product News, Testing and Tech
2 Comments
Choosing a Builder for Your Bike
When you choose a builder for your bike, consider their experience with the type of bike you plan to order. Above is one of the first “compact” cars made in the United States during the early 1970s. Seeing that smaller … Continue reading
Posted in Testing and Tech
12 Comments
Bicycle Quarterly: Performance of Tires
Perhaps the most influential topic in Bicycle Quarterly has been our research on the resistance of tires, first published in Vol 5, No. 1 (above). It is not a coincidence that 5 years after that issue was published, professional racers … Continue reading
New Dura-Ace: Inspired by Classic Technology?
A few days ago Shimano presented their new Dura-Ace group. Many reports focused on Shimano finally matching Campagnolo with 11-speed rear cassettes. To me, other features are more significant: The group reintroduces a lot of classic technology. Look at the … Continue reading
Posted in Testing and Tech
22 Comments
Preventing Flat Tires: One Year of Tire Wipers
Supple tires with relatively thin tread greatly contribute to the joys of cycling. They roll much faster and are more comfortable. However, they also tend to be more prone to punctures. On the other hand, “flat-resistant” tires are harsh and … Continue reading
Posted in Testing and Tech, Tires
36 Comments
If it so good, why don’t the racers use it?
A common objection to some of Bicycle Quarterly’s findings is: “If xyz is so good, why don’t the racers use it?” Whether it’s wide tires at lower pressures or front-end geometries, some of what we find to work best is … Continue reading
Posted in Testing and Tech
47 Comments
Rim Weight
At Compass Bicycles, we are not obsessive gram counters, but none of us want to carry extra weight on our bikes. A few grams here and there add up quickly to a couple of pounds, and that can make a … Continue reading
Posted in hubs/rims, Testing and Tech
52 Comments
