The Old Guy Bicycle Blog

Quick Take: You don't need expensive gear to ride safely and comfortably. These are the budget items I actually use on my long-distance rides — durable, affordable, and truly worth the money. People waste a fortune on cycling gear they don’t need. After 150,000+ miles on the bike, I’ve learned that budget gear can be just as good — as long as you pick the right stuff. Here are the best low-cost items I trust on every ride. 1. Budget Rearview Mirror The Take-A-Look mirror is still the most important cheap piece of gear I own. It has saved my life more than once — including the time a distracted driver drifted into the bike lane and I bailed just in time. Budget Pick: Take-A-Look Rearview Mirror Small, light, durable, and works with glasses or helmet straps. I wear mine every ride. 2. Budget Headlight & Taillight Set You don’t need a $200 lighting setup. A reliable, rechargeable light set under $30 can make you visible day or night. Budget Pick:...

Last Updated: November 28, 2025 Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Quick Answer: These are the top-rated cycling helmets in 2025 across road, MTB, commuter, gravel, and all-purpose categories. Each one is a proven winner — comfortable, safe, MIPS-equipped, and trusted. Under each section, I’ve included extra helmet links so you can compare and pick the best fit. Top-Rated Bicycle Helmets (2025–2026): Best Road, MTB, Commuter & All-Purpose Helmets As a 70-year-old long-distance cyclist with over 150,000 miles under my wheels, I’ve learned one thing: your helmet matters more than any other piece of cycling gear. These are the top-rated helmets for each category — road, MTB, commuter, gravel, and all-purpose — based on real rider feedback, comfort, ventilation, protection, and value. 🚴‍♂️ Top-Rated Road Helmet: SMITH Signal Cycling Helmet The SMITH Signal ...

Last Updated: November 2025 Quick Take: If you want an e-bike that doesn’t cost $2,000+ but still gives you power, range, and comfort, the Cybervelo is one of the best budget choices I’ve seen. Real riders—from beginners to 6'5" 250-lb cyclists—say it feels like a much more expensive bike. Walk into most bike shops and you’ll see the same thing: great-looking e-bikes with price tags that start around $2,000. For a lot of us—especially if we’re new to riding or getting back into it—that’s a tough pill to swallow. That’s why this Cybervelo caught my eye. It has solid specs, real-world reviews, and a price that doesn’t make your wallet curl up and cry. Important: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. It’s one way you can support this one-man blog while I keep sharing honest cycling advice. Cybervelo Electric Bike – Budget E-Bike That Rides Like a Premium Mod...

Last Updated: November 16, 2025 Quick Answer: Switching to tubeless tires can dramatically cut down flats, let you run lower pressure for comfort, and give you more confidence on long rides — as long as your wheels are compatible and you’re willing to learn the setup and keep the sealant topped off. A few years ago, I made the switch to tubeless tires, and I can say without hesitation: I love them. As a long-distance cyclist, I’ve dealt with my fair share of flats. There’s nothing worse than losing momentum — or missing your training window — because you’re stuck on the side of the road, pulling out tire levers and tubes while watching the sun climb higher. It wasn’t just inconvenient. It was getting old. Since switching to tubeless, my number of flats has dropped dramatically. I still carry a tube just in case (and you should too), but I can’t remember the last time I actually needed it. Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associat...

Last Updated: November 24, 2025 Quick Take: I just turned 70, and I’m riding faster, farther, and stronger than I ever did in my 50s. After a 5,000+ mile year and two of my fastest events in more than a decade, I can say it without blinking— 70 is the new 50 in cycling. 70 Is the New 50 in Cycling I turned 70 this month, and I can say something I never thought I’d say: I’m riding better now than I did 15–20 years ago. I’ve logged over 5,000 miles since January 1st , and this summer gave me two undeniable proof points: I rode the Hotter’N Hell faster than I ever did in my 50s. I rode the Day of the Tread 55-mile route in Albuquerque at my fastest pace in 15 years. And here’s the wild part: that Albuquerque ride wasn’t even supposed to be fast. I didn’t push. I didn’t try. It just… happened. My body simply responded. Strong legs, steady breathing, controlled effort—like everything finally clicked at once. Why I’m Riding Better at 70 Than I Did at 50 Most pe...

Last updated: November 22, 2025 Quick Take: I once weighed 275 pounds and kept saying I’d start “tomorrow.” One morning I looked in the mirror and thought, “Get off your fat ass and do something.” I rode. Then I rode again. I stacked rides until, somewhere around 300 total miles, it finally started to click. Years later, I’ve logged 150,000+ miles. If cycling is in my DNA now, it’s because I forced it there. I was young and already worried I wouldn’t live long. I had been a marathon runner. I’d even ridden a bike before. But then—almost overnight—it felt like I slipped. Weight climbed. Habits fell apart. The couch became home base. At one point I weighed 275 pounds . Every morning I’d tell myself the same lie: today’s the day I ride. Then I’d find something “more important” to do. What I Use Now: RENPHO Solar Smart Scale — The scale I’ve used for over a year to track weight, body fat, and riding progress The Mirror Morning One morning I was getting ready an...

Last Updated: November 21, 2025 Quick Take: Seniors and grandparents quietly shape the next generation—often more than anyone else. One of the most powerful gifts we can give? A bicycle. A simple kids’ bike can spark freedom, confidence, and a lifelong love of cycling, just like my first Stingray with a banana seat did for me over 60 years ago.   Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. The Future of Cycling Depends on Us Old Guys Here’s a truth nobody likes to say out loud: seniors and grandparents are often the ones quietly holding families together. We’re the ones who show up to ballgames, school programs, and birthdays. We’re the ones who have the time to listen. We’re the ones who still believe in teaching work ethic, respect, kindness, and follow-through. And like it or not, a lot of us are either helping raise our grandkids outright—or we’re the ones pouring ...

Photo: The Old Guy Bicycle Blog Quick Take: Age changes how you ride—but not why you ride. The miles still matter, even when they look different. Last Updated: November 3, 2025 I don’t ride like I did in my 30s. I’m slower. I recover a little differently. I warm up a little longer. But here’s the thing: I feel the same. The same ambition still burns. The same grit still shows up. And I’m still out here riding—maybe not racing the clock, but definitely not backing down. My bike has taught me a lot over the years, but maybe the most important lesson is this: getting older doesn’t mean giving up who you are. You just learn to meet the road differently. In my younger years, I was all speed and fire—push harder, go faster, prove something. Now, I ride longer, think deeper, and savor the miles more. I don’t have to prove anything anymore. That doesn’t mean I don’t push myself; I just do it with more patience, more wisdom, and a whole lot more gratitude. ...

Quick Take: You can do everything right and still watch a dream ride unravel. The work isn’t wasted. Change the goal, keep the miles, move forward. Last Updated: November 1, 2025 When the Big Ride Falls Apart You train hard. You log the miles, study the route, check the gear, and show up ready. Whether it’s a multi-day tour or a one-day event, you feel stronger than ever. You’re not just prepared—you’re excited. And then… it all falls apart. I know that feeling. I spent more than a year preparing for a San Diego-to-Las Cruces tour—over 6,000 miles of training rides. Thirty-four miles into day one, a rag blew off the road and straight into my rear derailleur. In seconds it snapped the mech, twisted the chain, and broke multiple spokes. The bike was done—unrideable. I stood on the shoulder staring at a dream that just evaporated because of a gust of wind. The first wave is disbelief. Then anger. Then the silence where you wonder if you wasted all that time. But the...

Last Updated: November 1, 2025 Night cycling can be peaceful, cooler, and surprisingly practical—if you set up for visibility and predictability. I ride plenty of pre-dawn and post-sunset miles myself, and the rules below are what actually keep you safe. Quick Take: For senior cyclists, safe night riding = bright lights (front ≥700 lumens + steady rear), reflective coverage that moves as you pedal, clear-lens glasses, layered clothing for temps, familiar routes, and predictable riding with legal signals. Tell someone your route and carry a charged phone + mini repair kit. Lights: Your Primary Safety System Front light: minimum 700 lumens for unlit roads; 1000+ lumens makes rough surfaces and potholes far easier to read. Angle it slightly down to avoid blinding others. Rear light: a steady (not only flashing) rear light is easier to track for drivers. Daytime-visible models are a plus at dusk. Side visibility: reflective ankle bands, spok...