Once again, it’s time to wrap up one year and kick off the next. The past year has been filled with tons of new product launches, industry troubles, and hopefully plenty of rides. Of course, BikeRumor has been there to cover it along the way. As usual, some of our coverage has attracted more attention than others, and the following list features our top posts of the year…
#1: Sale of the Year!
The team at BikeRumor was shocked that this story hit the numbers it did – but, then again, cyclists do love a bargain. Hot on the heels of the story that The Pro’s Closet (TPC) was “going out of business“, there was a story about the TPC public auction that was selling “everything.” Unfortunately, by the time the story went live, all that was left were lamps, trash cans, and floor mats along with a few repair stands. Not to worry, after all of that TPC is slowly coming back.
#2: Wax On, or Wax Off?
It’s easy to say that there isn’t anything on a bike that needs more constant care than your drivetrain. And the biggest component that ties it all together is the chain. This popular article is a shoot-out of the best lube for said chain. Pick your favorite from the list to keep those vital drivetrain parts lubed, quiet, clean, and happy.
#3: The Best Road Wheels!
Roadies love a good wheel upgrade. Well, the same could be true for just about any cyclist, but especially roadies. This story takes a look at some of the best road wheels of 2024 to help you on your upgrade path.
#4: Eliminate the Presta Valve?
For as long as I can remember, there were two main types of bicycle valves. There was the Schrader valve, which is mostly associated with kid’s bikes and bikes of lower price points. Then there’s the mighty Presta valve. Sure, the Presta valve has some moving parts and all, but was always associated with higher-end, performance bikes. Now there’s a third option. Check out the ingenious CLIK Valve brought to you by German tire giant, Schwalbe.
#5: Twenty Inch Love!
Cyclists are nostalgic people. Especially when it comes to that moment or machine that started your two-wheel love affair. For a lot of us, it’s the BMX bike that turned us on to the freedom a bicycle brings, opening up our young minds and expanding our lil’ world. The BMX bike collector world is full of these types of people, so it’s no wonder that this story kicked up so much dust in 2024.
#6: Transporting Your Investment!
Our bikes can cost an arm and a leg, literally and figuratively. A lot of us put a ton of value in our bikes, and some of the prices of our rigs reflect that. So, why transport your precious cargo using anything but the best bike rack? Your investment deserves the safest, most secure way to get to the trailhead. Use this list to get your bearings on the many available high-quality bike racks.
#7: Get Good Traction!
Another really important place not to skimp on quality is your bicycle’s tires. Regardless of the terrain you’re riding on, the tire is the only connection the bike has with the surface you ride on. And when riding off the pavement, that connection becomes vital. The choices for gravel tires are plentiful, making the decision more difficult. Whether you are racing or hitting the local single track, this list will go over all you need to know about picking the best tire for your needs when the pavement stops and the ride continues.
#8: Bar Tape Shmar Tape…
Well, I’m sure, by now, you all know what my (Ron’s) favorite is. Bar tape is a piece of bike gear that can get pretty personal, for some. For others, it’s more of a “meh, I just need to wrap the bars”. But, if your bar tape needs to fit a specific need, like maintaining bar/road/trail feel, extra cushioning, aesthetics, or even some trail chatter damping, this list can help you “wrap” your head around the many choices out there.
#9: Camp on Your Trailer Hitch?
If you love camping but don’t like sleeping on the ground, and a rooftop tent, or sleeping in the car is not an option, this might be your jam. This tent is a perfect size and is said to comfortably sleep two adults on the built-in air mattress. The tent still gets you off of the ground, so camping in not-so-perfect terrain is not an issue. The tent sits low enough to eliminate the need for a ladder, so those middle-of-the-night nature calls are less annoying. Is this tent right for you? Check out the article and find out.
#10: Buffalo Bike to Save the World!
Grant Petersen once said, “Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world.” And bringing that sentiment to life is the World Bicycle Relief (WBR) Buffalo Bike. Originally using a drivetrain tech that dates back to the late 1800s, the Buffalo bike gets an intriguing two-chain two-speed drivetrain and is once again literally in the process of saving the world. The proof is in the numbers. The WBR has distributed more than 800,000 bicycles across 21 countries. And they’ve tackled the challenge of training more than 3,000 mechanics to help keep those bicycles running. Representing access to healthcare, and education, while providing economic opportunities for people in rural communities, the Buffalo Bike and the WBR are real heroes. See, Grant was right.