Stradalli Cycle Tips For Riding Your Bike At Night Safely

The clocks fall back and we get an extra hour of sleep but we also get night time much earlier than we want. Fall and winter bring earlier sunsets and for those who ride their bikes that can make things a little difficult. Riding your bike at night isn’t the same as during the day as it is harder to see you and harder to see obstacles that may be in your way. Here are some helpful tips on how to safely ride your bicycle at night from Stradalli Cycle. 

1.       Lights, lights and more: Get lights on your bicycle. It’s smart, it helps you to see and be seen. You can get them for an affordable price and you absolutely want to have more than one. You should have a headlight with multiple settings so you can see as much as be seen. Then you need a rear light that is red and blinks because that is more likely to be seen by a car than anything else. If you can add small lights or reflectors to your spokes that’s even better.

2.       Plan your route: If you are used to riding a specific route you may want to change things up now that it will be dark earlier. Make sure that the route you are taking is well lit, maybe even light in traffic to help reduce risk. If you can take side streets that are well lit over a busy street that’s always a better way to go.

3.       When in doubt stop: If you have the right away don’t assume the car will stop. They may not see you or think you are stopping. Either way it is always better to be cautious rather than risk it. Some of the biggest problems come when the cyclist has the right away and a car makes a turn. It happens so often and what you have to remember is to always assume the car is not going to stop.

4.       Always Alert, Always Aware: When you are riding your bicycle at night there are so many things you need to be aware of. Potholes, debris, cars, other cyclists, people walking and anything else you can think of that may cause you problems when you’re riding.

5.       Dress for success: This isn’t just a slogan for a job interview. If you want to have a safe bike ride at night it would be smart to wear light colored clothes, maybe even reflective clothing. Remember you are going to stand out more than your bike and any lights so the bigger reflective area you can create the better.

Again the best way to ensure you have a safe bike ride at night is to be cautious, make sure you are easy to see and pick the safest route to take whether you are riding home from work or training. Stradalli Cycle encourages all cyclists to be safe on the road during the day as well as at night. 

Tips For Cleaning a Full Carbon Bicycle and Chain Cleaning and Lubing From Stradalli Cycle

Ever wonder why you cannot wash your full carbon road bike with water? It's because of water contaminants which may cause a problem with the bike and even cause it to rust. Luckily there is an easy way to wash your bike without water and get the results you want in less than 20 minutes and Stradalli Cycle will show you how to do it yourself:

Before we begin make sure you have these items to get the DIY job done properly: 2 rags, bike wash, a bicycle stand, 2 plastic bags.  You may also want to put something under the bicycle if you are cleaning it inside. 

1.       Put the bags over the brake pads to make sure they do not get any chemicals on them

2.       Spray spray the entire bike with the was but do NOT spray directly on the bars, bar tape, bearing seals or any electrical components you may have. You can wipe them down with the wash but spraying directly on them is never advised. 

3.       Take a rag and spray it with some of the wash and then begin wiping down the bike. Don’t forget to wipe the underside as well. Be careful when wiping any cables so that you do not pull on them too much.

4.       Now take the other rag and wipe down the bike again, getting rid of any excess residue and picking up any dirt you may have missed. You want to wipe it with a clean rag because you are not using any water. 

For Cleaning The Bike Chain you will need: 1 rag, degreaser, chain lube, old toothbrush

1.       Once the bicycle is on a stand take some degreaser and apply it to the chain while turning the crank backwards. Once you have applied a good amount you can then take an old toothbrush and begin gently scrubbing the chain. An old toothbrush works best because the bristles are small but can still get into the hard to reach areas and get out any dirt deposits.

2.       Take a rag and wipe the chain down to remove as much of the degreaser and dirt as possible. Then give it a few minutes to dry.

3.       Now you can start adding the lube to the chain but make sure you get a drop on EVERY link and side plate of the chain.

4.       Once again spin the crank backwards to make sure that everything cycles through without a problem.

5.       Now take the rag and hold it around the chain, spin the crank backwards again and remove as much of the lube or oil as possible. 

If done correctly you should have your entire bike clean including the chain in less than 20 minutes. 

Stradalli Cycle R7 Carbon Road Bike Frames On Sale

Stradalli Cycle is placing three R7 carbon road bike frames of different colors on sale. The R7 frames are 100% carbon fiber and used in pro races all around the world.

Inside Tip: This is the exact same frame you can buy at other bike shops for over $10,000 and you can get them from Stradalli Cycle right now, on sale for less than $2,000!

How can we do that? Because we are not a 3rd party bike shop. We manufacture and sell our bikes ourselves. This allows us to offer our bikes at a price that cannot be beat. 

About the R7: Radically thin seat stays allow for perfect vertical compliance. The over-sized chainstays will also provide maximum power transfer from the crank to the wheels as you're riding.

Each frame is built around a BB30 which will maximize the transfer of power from the rider to the wheel. The head tube uses a "tapered design" which increases front end stiffness to allow for far better tracking through corners and will climb as well as it descends more than any other bike will. 

R7 SL Carbon Road Bike Frame

R7 SL White Pro "Team Edition" 

Stradalli R7 Stars Full Carbon Fiber Road Bike Bicycle Frameset

Stradalli Cycle Supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Stradalli Cycle is in full support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month and they have done something outside the box! Effective immediately ALL Stradalli Cycle pink cycling products are on sale! That includes tape as well as pink "Faenza" full carbon road bikes and more!

"Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a big deal in the Stradalli Family. We have all been impacted by breast cancer one way or another and that is why we wanted to do something special to help raise awareness. The cycling community is very close and I know plenty of cyclists who feel there isn't enough pink options which is why we carry the pink "Faenza" as well as other products like our handlebar tape. We hope that people will take advantage of the sale and use our products to help show their support of this awesome charity." Stradalli Cycle CEO Tom Steinbacher

To honor Breast Cancer Awareness Month you can purchase the Stradalli Cycle Pink "Faenza" Full Carbon Road Bike at a discounted rate.

Stradalli Cycle Mountain Biker Bob McCarty Missed While Testing Inverted Front Suspension

Stradalli Cycle's Bob McCarty is recovering well from his crash earlier this month and should be able to return to active racing in 2016.

McCarty was not able to attend testing out the new inverted all black mtb forks on the Stradalli bikes. 

"We wish Bob the best and he is going to be back quicker than we realize because he is so competitive. But everyone at Markham park was asking about him because he's that great a guy and everyone misses him and wishes him the best." Stradalli Cycle MTB racer Doug DeWeese 

Also testing the inverted front suspension was Stradalli Cycle CEO Tom Steinbacher. 

"We miss Bob but we couldn't help but laugh a little. All he has been wanting to do is test out the new inverted front suspension on the bikes and we get to do it. It was nice doing Bob's job for a day but we do want him back ASAP." 

You can read more about Bob McCarty, Doug DeWeese and the Stradalli Cycle Mountain Bikes at the company blog 

Cycling and MMA Training A Perfect Match

It's not uncommon for athletes to look at other sports to help train, build endurance and improve their abilities in the sport they compete in. Professional Hockey players play basketball not only because it is fun but because the mindset for offense and defense is similar to their sport. Football players use soccer as a way to improve footwork and see the field at a faster pace. Ironically there is one activity that all the pro athletes seem to do to help build endurance, get in their cardio, stay warmed up and keep hamstrings healthy and that is cycling. 

MMA (mixed martial arts) has become one of the fastest growing sports around the world in popularity because it draws many participants as a great way to get in shape and learn self-defense. It doesn't matter if you are training to be a professional or simply looking for a new exercise as a hobby to help you get into better shape. Many MMA instructors highly recommend that you combine MMA training with cycling and here are a few reasons why:

1. Improved Focus: One of the most challenging aspects of MMA is building up your stamina because you have to constantly push yourself past your limits if you want to make real progress. Endurance training is also very challenging to the mind because you can lose interest, get bored or lose focus very easily. Many trainers believe that cycling keeps you focused for cardio because you are moving at a much faster pace and have to be aware of your surroundings. 
2. Building up your body: When you are running you will usually run a route based on the distance you wish to travel. So if your max is 5 miles you will make sure that you get back to your car or front door around that mileage. However, there are no limits when you are cycling because you are getting a great cardio workout but you are also enjoying yourself more so you end up going much further in distance as well as time. Obviously you will go much further on a bike than you would if you were running so the more ground you cover the better not to mention you aren't tearing up your knees with all that running. 
3. Accommodating: Running is exercise, cycling can be a mode of transportation to get to work or anywhere else you need to travel to. When you use your bike for traveling you are saving on gas, not having to worry about heavy traffic, you get a great deal of exercise in each day even if you are in a rush and you feel better too. 
4. Health: If you have knee, back or joint problems that make running more challenging then cycling is the right form of cardio for you because it is a great way to improve your stamina without the wear and tear on your body. Even with the best running shoes on the market you are still putting a huge amount of pressure on your knees, back and joints.

Cycling is the perfect exercise to combine with any other sport because it increases endurance through cardio without increasing the wear and tear on your body. Whether you are training in MMA or any other sport you want to give your body the best treatment to help you succeed. Cycling improves your endurance while also making exercising fun and exciting. If it's good enough for the pros why wouldn't it be good enough for you? 

Special Tip: The best bike to train with is a carbon road bike. The reason is because carbon road bikes are light weight but extremely durable which makes it the perfect piece of exercise equipment. 

The Perfect Bike for Ironman Triathletes Everywhere: The Stradalli Black TTR8 - TT Full Carbon Bike

Stradalli TTR8 for Triathletes

When a triathlete searches for a carbon time trial bike they are looking for something unique, something that will give them an edge but also give them reliability because the bike is the only part of a race where it’s not just up to them. When you swim it all is up to you. When you run it all is up to you. When you cycle it is up to you but you are relying on the quality of your bike and it can make a huge difference. Stradalli Cycle understands this and that is why we are introducing the TTR8 for triathletes and the price is too good to be true. This full carbon Time Trial Triathlon Bike is the perfect bike for Ironman triathletes and the best part is you will not find a better price on such a high quality bicycle!

So why do you need a time trial bike and why does it have to be full carbon above all else? They are designed to be more aerodynamic and stiffer than any other bicycle you can find. Full carbon bicycles are the perfect combination of strength, stiffness and weight.

For triathletes this is the perfect combination as they need something aero , stiff and also light weight, fast but also durable. The last thing you want to do is finish with a great time in swimming and running but your bike costs you a great overall finish. Or what if you aren’t doing so well in the other stages but your full carbon time trial cycle is what gets you back in the hunt? The right bike can make all the difference and that’s why you need only the best.

The Stradalli Carbon TTR8 - TT bike with Ultegra 6800 11 Speed , Vision T25 Wheelset , TRP Brakes and prologo seat  is the perfect bike for you!

Best best part its ONLY $2800

Why? Because it uses a removable carbon “mask” to hide and protect the front brake caliper which maximizes air flow around the head tube of the frame and makes it super aero. This drastically eliminates wind resistance. The new front end design provides the lowest possible amount of frontal surface area. This bike literally turns you into a bullet! 

Olympian Cyclist Dotsie Bausch on Stradalli Cycle for Universal Sports UCI Richmond 2015

Universal Sports Analyst Dotsie Bausch at Richmond 2015 

During Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships former USA Olympic Medalist Dotsie Bausch rode a Stradalli Cycle Faenza Carbon Road Bike up Libby Hill during coverage for Universal Sports.

Stradalli Cycle was the official sponsor of the Colombian National Team at Richmond 2015 where team Colombia raced on the Stradalli carbon road bikes.

Stradalli Cycle was also featured in videos and articles for ESPN Deportes as well as several publications. You can check out this video and other notes and pictures from Richmond 2015 at Stradalli Cycle 

Buy the Same Stradalli Cycle Bikes Used At Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships

Are you a fan of cycling and loved watching Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships? Wouldn’t it be cool to own one of those bikes but not have to pay an arm and a leg like most carbon road cycles cost? Stradalli Cycle was the official sponsor of the Colombian National Team and has recently announced that they will be selling off the bikes used by the pros at Richmond 2015. Cycling race fans will have two options:

You can purchase the actual cycles used by the racers at Richmond 2015. They raced on them, they competed on them and once they are cleaned and pass inspection you can purchase them. The other option is that you can buy the same type of cycle but brand new. Either way you are purchasing an elite road cycle that was used in one of the biggest races in the world and you are getting it at a low price.  

The 3 elite carbon road bikes to choose from:

  Silver Faenza Full Carbon Aero Road Bike ShimanoDura Ace 900 11 Speed

 Orange RS Full Carbon Road Bike Shimano Ultegra6800 11 Speed

Red Napoli Full Carbon Road Bike Shimano Ultegra6800 11 Speed 

Get the Best Selection of Carbon Road Bikes at the Lowest Prices from Stradalli Cycle

Carbon Fiber Road Bike From Stradalli Cycle

Looking for elite carbon fiber road bikes but don’t want to pay over the top prices on them? Stradalli Cycle has an awesome selection of carbon cycles that cost considerably less than you would pay anywhere else.

The Reason? Stradalli Cycle manufacturs and sells their own bikes, no middle man so no retail markups. This allows you to save hundreds on the bikes you want and get the best quality you will find. Imagine being able to buy something directly from the manufacturer? Think of how much money you would save by cutting out the middle man!

How good is the quality? We have a policy at Stradalli; we don’t say our bikes are great, we prove it. Our carbon road cycles are used in pro races all around the world including the Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships where they were used by the Colombian National Team. How’s that for putting your money where your mouth is? And you aren’t looking at a different selection, the exact same bikes used in those pro races are the ones you see on our website and you can purchase for a great low price.

Check out the selection here or visit us at Stradalli Cycle

You can also check out news on our racing teams all around the world including Crit and MTB racing as well as videos, pictures and interviews from Richmond 2015 UCI Road World Championships. 

Stradalli fixed track carbon Phantom bicycle cruisin the streets of NYC

Check out this video of a Stradalli green fixed track carbon Phantom cruising through the streets of New York City. Stradalli Cycle makes elite carbon bikes for the best possible price. Our bikes are used in pro races all around the world and are battled tested to ensure that they are the best possible quality. You can check out this video and others of our carbon bikes at:

http://carbonroadbikebicyclecycling.com/stradalli-cycle-videos/