Components & Upgrade Favourites
What’s on our own bikes…
There are elements of your bike that need constant attention. You will at some point need to change tyres, drivetrain and and maybe think about the odd upgrade. We wanted to show you the brands and upgrade components that we trust and which we use ourselves.
Getting tyres right is the most important factor. You need to ensure that they match your style of riding and the local conditions. Cheap is definitely not always best when buying tyres. And, when you’re looking at an obvious upgrade, the wheels are the first thing to make a real difference.
Take a look below and find out what we trust and use on our own bikes.
Read Reviews Below
SQ Lab Cycling – Maximising Performance & Comfort
SQ Lab are a group of very clever scientists, based in the heart of Bavaria, who are passionate about helping you and all cyclists to find the perfect fit for your bike. Using their well-researched and detailed software and measuring tools, they'll not only tell you what's required; they also design and create innovative solutions to optimise your ride.
Pirelli Scorpion XC RC Mountain Bike Tyre
we decided to put a set of latest Pirelli race ready Scorpion tyres on our test bikes this year. Not only did we choose their super fast and flighty, Scorpion XC RC, but we then went for the 2.2 widths - just to add a bit more spice. True to form, the Orbea Oiz XC bike that we ran these tyres on, became an unleashed trail beast that required careful handling, and harping back to those halcyon days where flat pedals on a hard tail taught you the necessary skills of foot control.
Pirelli PZero Race 4S All Weather Tyre for cycling
Once in a while you test a tyre that seems to have it all. I'm quite fussy with my road tyres too, as I live and ride in the Yorkshire Dales, where the gravel edged roads are tight and twisty and take no prisoners. I want to feel safe, and it's not always possible when you're testing tyres. However, these new Pirelli all-weather tyres in the 26 mm size are the cycle tyre equivalent of having Belgium Chocolate Cake from Jervaulx Abbey - they're simply irresistible.
Pirelli PZero TLR 26
It’s been cold and damp here in North Yorkshire recently. The leaves are lying on the ground and adding to the autumnal road dangers. Good tyres are critical are this time of the year, as they can compensate just a little for a lack of handling ability, which I’m modest enough to admit to having. Pirelli are a brand that are used to creating tyres for bad weather.
Pirelli PZero Race TLR SL 26
These Pirelli PZero TLR SL tubeless ready tyres have proved themselves to be impeccable at handling, as well as being a superb rolling tyre, meaning that I really have had some sublime rides on this particular example of 26mm rubber. So much so that it’s going to be difficult for me to replace them, as I move further into the Pirelli range on our tests.
Red Chilli WR1 – Sitting Comfortably
Ok, now that I got your attention, we can continue with some technical aspects about my bike:
There are two really important parts to my RedChilli WR1 bike; firstly, the carbon pedals by Shimano, as they fasten to my feet and prove superb power transfer and stability when riding. Then, it’s obviously my saddle...
There are two really important parts to my RedChilli WR1 bike; firstly, the carbon pedals by Shimano, as they fasten to my feet and prove superb power transfer and stability when riding. Then, it’s obviously my saddle...
Schwalbe Pro One TT Tan Wall Tyre
When the schwalbe pro one TT tan wall 25mm arrived here for a test, it was obvious that we needed to hand it onto a speed freak - thankfully Ben fits the bill, having a love of fixed gear urban riding and lo-pro bikes. This tyre however would be going onto his Giant TCR.
Schwalbe One tubeless tyre 30c
Schwalbe seem to sit in a select group of really sound tyre brands with consistently good products. Hutchinson and Panaracer occupy this space also. Well developed products that perform well. Time then to take a look at this tubeless offering.
Pirelli Scorpion XC M 2.2 Mountain Bike Tyre
Yes, I know that many riders set things up with a 2.4 at the rear and 2.2 at the front – and we might try that next- but this test was all about the Scorpion XC M 2.2 and how lively and fun a ride it provides – and boy is this an exciting tyre.
Pirelli PZero Velo 4S
If you’re after a tyre for colder and wetter conditions, then the Pirelli PZero Velo 4S is probably an ideal choice. We’ve been using it in the harsh conditions of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and it’s proved itself to be a fast rolling, grippy and hard wearing tyre for all conditions.
Pirelli Scorpion MTB Mixed Tyres
When the trails are tough and technical and can change in an instant if the weather is feeling temperamental, tyre choice is vital. Thankfully, these Pirelli Scorpion MTB Mixed Terrain Tyres are just what’s required. Tested and developed alongside the world’s top teams, they’re made for days on the trail when you can expect the unexpected.
Schwalbe Pro One 25mm Tubeless Tyre
Quite simply, the latest Schwalbe Pro One 25mm tyre is without doubt strong, light and agile. I have to say right off the bat that I’ve suffered not a single puncture and these tyres appear as good in autumn as they did back in June.
Schwalbe Aerothan Tube and 28mm Pro One Tyre
Schwalbe are working hard to bring new developments to your cycling. We fitted their new Aerothan tubes to their latest Pro One tyres - and the bike danced with joy... find out why.
Walmer – Wide Drop Bars
Finding the correct size drop bar for a road bike has always been straightforward. Measure the distance between the acromial arches (the bony protrusions on the anterior shoulder) and that is your centre to centre bar width. Following the evolution of gravel and adventure bike geometry, the choice of bar shape and width is expanding with width and degree of flare being the most significant differences.
Selle Italia SLR Boost Lady Superflow
Saddles are important, especially to me. I don’t like it when I have to use a strange bike and the saddle is uncomfortable. I want to be comfortable on my bike, so that I can give my best performance. That means not worrying about being on a bad saddle.
Rotor Q Rings on MTB And Gravel Bike
Rotor Q Rings can be a great addition and upgrade for mountain bikers and for Gravel Bike users, helping those with knee pain issues in particular. The technology and science behind them is constantly developing. Time then for us to take a detailed lookat them with Scott Cornish.
Pirelli PZero Race TLR 28
Pirelli returned to road cycling just a few ago, going back to their heritage and using their knowledge and skills developed in a formula 1 to great effect. Now sponsoring UCI World teams at both road and mtb disciplines, their latest tyre ranges take things to a whole new level, like the new 28mm TLR road tyre.
Ladies Bike Saddles Review
A bike saddle is the most personal part of your bike, and it can make all the difference in the world. That’s why getting the right saddle for road cyclists and triathletes is so important. While a good saddle is barely noticeable, the uncomfortable one will make you beyond miserable. Unless you want to make your best friend’s thigh chaff and lower parts numb, you need to find the right saddle. But what exactly does that mean?
Well, to put it simply, women-specific saddles usually have a cut-out to relieve soft tissue pressure. The use of a wider saddle helps to accommodate a woman's wider-spaced sit bones. Sit bones are the bones that make up the area in your buttocks that are the most likely to feel pressured during a ride.
Well, to put it simply, women-specific saddles usually have a cut-out to relieve soft tissue pressure. The use of a wider saddle helps to accommodate a woman's wider-spaced sit bones. Sit bones are the bones that make up the area in your buttocks that are the most likely to feel pressured during a ride.
3T Super Ergo Team Comfort Handlebars
3T make excellent cycles and finishing kit; oh, and great wheels too. For the past year we’ve been testing their Superergo Team bars on our bike build series road bike here at Pedalnorth and they’ve been spot on in all aspects.
Absolute Black double chainrings
Some riders swear by them, others aren’t so convinced. Oval chainrings can be a bit marmite, but are certainly here to stay, with Absolute Black dedicated to the cause.
Pirelli Scorpion mtb Tyre
Living in the mountains, I need good tyres. Testing the latest ones from Pirelli was intersting, as they were new to me. The Pirelli MTB range is born from Pirelli's experience and know how in the world of off-road competitions. Let's see how they do...
Build Your Road Bike 3
Getting the right groupset is a tricky choice. We chose Ultegra, as it’s familiar around the world and easy to maintain
Absolute Black Road Chain Rings
Absolute Black are absolute quality in terms of the items that they produce. We're really impressed with the quality of the finishing, the machining and the anodising on their premium oval chain rings. The level of detail is superb, with obvious care and attention given to the finished item that carries their brand name.
Rotor Q Rings for MTB
Q -Rings from Rotor are not wholly new. Some of you will recall the Bio rings of a few years ago; but what Rotor have done is to research and refine things to get what they believe is the ultimate chainring. Question is then: 'how do they perform off-road?'
Rotor Q Rings for Road
I’ve been lucky enough to work in the cycling industry for some time, so I’d come across Q Rings before, a few years ago, but it was good to use them again. Having them fitted to a good Italian Sarto frame should do the trick for testing, and during the ride my legs felt great; they turned the cranks over nicely and didn’t feel fatigued at all.
Osymetric Oval Chain Rings
Chris Froome used to swear by these chain rings, and with 4 Tour de France wins to his name, and a questionable second place to Wiggins (he should have been alowed to take the win), that should be a good recommendation.
Cycling Ceramic BB and Jockey Wheels
Having been asked to review the Cycling Ceramic bottom bracket and jockey wheels, I was looking forward to seeing how they performed on my new titanium build. Having the knowledge that team IAM cycling were using these, as were various other Pro teams albeit under the radar of sponsors, it was with impish glee that I opened them and got them fitted.
Vittoria Corsa Control Road Tyre
Vittoria Corsa 4C Road Tyre
Vittoria Martello Enduro Tyre
Vittoria Pro Endurance Road Tyre
Vittoria Bomboloni MTB Tyre
Vittoria Barzo MTB Tyre
Vittoria Mezcal MTB Tyre
Vittoria Rubino Pro Control
Translate 'Rubino' from Italian and it comes out as 'bright red gemstone. The Italian tyre gurus at Vittoria obviously hold their new graphene road tyre in high regard - and, it does indeed perform extremely well, like a little gem!
Pirelli P Zero Road Tyre
Pirelli is dedicated to making a wide range of high quality and technologically advanced tires, to meet the needs of the modern cycling community - and they have some heritage.
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