The 1860 Hub » Guide

Shimano offers a massive range of components for your bike, whether you’re riding road, MTB, gravel, cyclocross, track or an e-bike. Here’s our run-down of Shimano groupsets for road and gravel bikes from the pro-level Dura-Ace, found on bikes costing up to £10,000, to Tourney, fitted on bikes costing a couple of hundred pounds. We’ve also demystified the GRX gravel groupset options. What is...

If you’ve spent the winter riding in tights, you’ll be looking forward to the swap to shorts now that the weather has started to warm up. But what should you be looking out for in cycling shorts? And why bib shorts rather than waist shorts? Why buy bib shorts? Most male cyclists ride in bib shorts rather than waist shorts, as the bib gives...

You know what they say: if your ride isn’t on Strava, it didn’t happen. But Komoot has carved itself out a nice niche that doesn’t overlap much with Strava and that gives cyclists a different experience. What does each app offer, what do they cost, and which should you choose?  Strava and Komoot give you different functionality to support your cycling: Strava is focussed...

Tubeless tech for road bikes has a reputation for being a faff. But road tubeless has matured to the point where it works well consistently and I now never ride with inner tubes if I have the option. Here’s why you need to convert to tubeless and how to set up and maintain tubeless tyres. Tubeless tyres: what are the advantages? We’ve covered this...

Getting your saddle height dialled is important. It doesn’t just affect your comfort on the bike but the biomechanics of pedalling, helping you to ride more efficiently and potentially faster too and may eliminate some cycling aches and pains. So how do you go about finding your optimum saddle height and what’s involved in altering it? Sports scientists who have studied the effect of...

They’re a key part of your bike, affecting its performance and your riding enjoyment. But many bikes are sold with sub-par wheels. Here’s why your bike’s wheels may be its weakest link and why a smarter pair might be a smart investment too.

Sooner or later you’ll be riding in the rain and realise that you need a good waterproof cycling jacket to keep you dry. Once you are a proud owner, you will need to maintain its effectiveness and extend its useful life. Here is a guide to help you care for your trusty outer shell. The Bryter Layter jacket has all the features you need, including a high collar and dropped...

With the indoor cycling world being dominated by Zwift, here are five pearls of wisdom from our resident ex-pro and indoor training expert Edmund Bradbury to help maximise your efforts in the pain cave. Make sure you're getting the most out of your turbo time.

‘Bike-fitting’ is a process in which the set-up of your bike and equipment is carefully positioned to suit your ability and needs as a cyclist. The goal is to achieve a riding position that is comfortable, efficient and allows good control...

THE PEARSON BIB SHORT GUIDE FOR ALL CYCLISTS The new cycling boom is the perfect time to break out an essential piece of kit. Pearson’s cycling bib shorts offer supreme comfort and performance, wherever you ride.

Being self-sufficient is more important than ever at the moment, with fellow riders understandably reluctant to stop and help with those...

While our Sheen store remains very much open, government advice regarding Covid-19 means we must ask that appointments be made in advance. Fortunately, Pearson’s online service is every bit as comprehensive as our renowned in-store experience. In fact, at Pearson we believe good, friendly advice should be hardwired into any online purchase. Advice that puts the emphasis on your long-term investment and riding welfare....

During times of uncertainty (whether that is political, financial or medical) we’ve found that the humble bicycle can get you through the tough times, and out the other side with a smile on your face. Here are a few tips to help you out before you jump on your bike.