Peak Cycles – BikeParts.com Blog

After a long Colorado winter and living through a pandemic, we are all excited to be getting outside again. The 70-degree weather in the forecast has us reaching for our bikes and looking for an escape from zoom meetings and being trapped indoors. Our bikes give us the freedom to go miles and miles until our legs, our lungs, or both, won’t let us anymore. For those of us who didn’t use bike trainers during the winter, it might even be the first time we’ve got in the saddle all year. Which is both exciting and painful. Exciting because we’re biking again. Painful because we still need to find a better saddle.

The first ride back usually has a bit of contrast. You were in great biking shape last fall. After a long winter indoors, not so much. “This is harder than I remember,” and “I feel like I used to be faster than this,” are thoughts that might enter the mind. A great athlete once said, “you can’t buy fitness, we’re all just renting it”. Remembering what to wear or what to bring can be a challenge, too. It’s a good reminder of what it feels like to be a “beginner”. Remember that feeling next time you’re getting impatient with someone who is new to biking :]

The start of biking season means a lot of things: the end of ski season, warmer weather, flowers, shorts, spring cleaning, the list goes on. We’re excited about all of it. Whether it’s mountain biking around Table, cruising around Golden with the family, or road biking 100 miles with Dan Dwyer, we hope all of you are ready to get outside and enjoy some time on two wheels. Happy Spring from all of us at Peak Cycles!

Epic Protection

The POC Kortal is the newest edition to their mountain bike helmet lineup. Focused on Enduro riding, this lightweight and highly protective helmet is certified for use with e-bikes. According to POC, the helmet passes the Dutch NTA8776 standard, which tests helmets at higher impact speeds than for standard bicycle use. Currently, this is the only standard for e-bike helmets. In addition to that, it comes with the latest technology from Mips, Integra, and in case of a crash the patented breakaway peak will snap away from the helmet, helping to protect against neck injury.

Colors and Fit

The Kortal comes in some rad colorways including Fluorescent Orange, Hydrogen White, Fluorite Green, and Uranium Black. The size can be dialed in on the back for a snug fit which is key for maximizing your protection. The Kortal is covered in vents for supreme cooling ability and the vents are strategically placed to not be blocked by goggle straps. Designed to be worn with either Goggle or Glasses, POC recommends pairing this helmet with their Devour Glasses or Ora Goggles for a streamlined fit.

Our Takeaway

The Kortal is a great-looking helmet with all of the technology and features we want to see on a mountain bike helmet in 2021. Lots of ventilation, Mips, adjustable fit, and great style make this a top pick for a high-end mountain bike helmet. To purchase head on over to Peak Cycles or purchase online!

The Wait Has Ended

Supply on all things bike-related has been volatile. Over the past year, the bike industry has faced unprecedented demand that couldn’t have been predicted by anyone really. Slowly but surely, we’re starting to see various items come back into stock and we get excited every time. Just when we think we might never be able to get our hands on something, it comes back into stock.

Five Ten Freerider Pro

If we are recommending a flat pedal mountain bike shoe to a rider, it’s the Freerider Pro. That’s because we’re using the Five Ten Freerider Pro, too. The unparalleled grip and classic style have been our standby year after year. The proprietary Stealth® S1 dotty rubber is the driving force behind this shoe. We also love that Five Ten took on a sustainability effort, by using plastic that was intercepted from beaches and coastlines before reaching the ocean. Two thumbs up!

Specs

All-day comfort on and off the mountain. The Five Ten Freerider Pro flat pedal biking shoes provide grip and durability for all-mountain and enduro riding. An impact-resistant toe box complements the medium-stiff build for a responsive ride. The signature sticky rubber and purpose-built tread pattern keep your feet firmly planted on your pedals. The shoes have a casual look for times off the bike. Sustainably crafted using PRIMEBLUE technology.

• PRIMEBLUE upper features Parley Ocean Plastic which is made from recycled waste, intercepted from beaches and coastal communities before it reaches the oceans
• Impact-resistant toe box for protection from trail hazards
• Lace tuck located on the middle of the tongue
• Mid-flex midsole balances pedal feel and power output
• Stealth® S1 dotty rubber outsole for unbeatable grip
• Weight per shoe: 380g

Shop Now

Due to the demand the bike industry has seen over the past year, we recommend acting fast on these shoes before it’s too late! Click here to shop now.

Cycling is an amazing low-impact way to maintain fitness or get into shape. With advances in wearable technology like smartwatches, heart rate monitors, and power meters, you can find out incredibly detailed information about your performance. For heart rate monitors like chest straps or watches, they will often work alongside an app that will present the data in an easy-to-digest format. For the purpose of this article, we will discuss the various heart rate zones, max heart rates, and what you need to know about them!

Max Heart Rate

A quick and dirty test to calculate your maximum heart rate is by subtracting 220 from your age. According to Bike Radar, the only way to get a precise max heart rate is with a physiological test from scientists. Well, that doesn’t bode well for most of us! The good news is, you can get a pretty good estimate by doing your own max heart test. Instructions as follows!

• Warm-up for at least 15 minutes
• On a long, steady hill, start off at a medium pace and increase your effort every minute.
• Do this seated for at least five minutes until you can’t go any faster while staying seated.
• At this point, get out of the saddle and sprint as hard as you can for 15 seconds.
• Immediately check your heart rate reading or, after the ride, download your data and look for the highest heart rate number. This is your max heart rate!

Heart Rate Zones

 The Association of British Cycling recommends a six-zone system for tracking your heart rate:

Zone 1 (60-65% of maximum heart rate): For long, easy rides, and burning fat.

Zone 2 (65-75% of MHR): The basic base training zone. Longish rides of medium difficulty.

Zone 3 (75-82% of MHR): Cardio zone. Increasing aerobic capacity and endurance.

Zone 4 (82-89% of MHR): For simulating a fast pace when preparing for a race.

Zone 5 (89-94% of MHR): For raising anaerobic threshold.

Zone 6 (94-100% of MHR): For high-intensity interval training to increase maximum power and speed.

Using This Information

Using heart rate information will help you become a better cyclist overall. Not only will this data give you something fun to look at after each ride, but you will also get insights into how your performance is changing over time. If you are looking for a smartwatch or heart rate monitor to start tracking your rides, head over here!