We’ve all gotten our jeans a little too close to our bike during maintenance, or leaned against the chain wearing a new pair of white socks. It’s easily done but knowing how to get bike oil out of your clothes is essential to restore them. Here you’ll find various methods for removing bike grease from your clothes, so you have the best chance of saving them from nasty stains. Whether you’re dealing with synthetic fabrics or delicate materials, there’s a viable solution.   Table of contents The difference between bike oil and grease How to get bike oil out of clothes How to get bike greas ..read more

Though electric bikes (or e-bikes) have been around for a while, they’re still a relatively unknown phenomenon in many ways. That is even despite figures from the Bicycle Association predicting around 165,000 of them were sold in the UK in 2022. With so many cyclists switching to electric, we could probably all do with upping our e-bike knowledge. After all, even if you don’t currently own or even ride an electric bike, it’s highly likely you’ll be sharing the road with one at some point—so knowing the ins and outs is important. So, let’s get started. First of all—how fast do electric bikes go ..read more

Cycleplan ambassador Lizzie Deignan has been awarded an MBE for her services to cycling as part of the 2023 New Year Honours list. We sat down with Lizzie, world champion track and racing cyclist and now mum-of-two, to get her thoughts on what it means to be recognised outside of the cycling industry and why she believes there’s more work to be done for equality in the sport. She also spoke about her career goals over the next five years and gave some poignant advice for the next generation of female cyclists.   How does it feel to be recognised for an MBE for your services to cycling? It ..read more

Finding an affordable electric bike is difficult when facing so many different options. You don’t want to overlook any must-have features, but you also don’t want to overspend.  To make things easy, we’ve covered five of the best budget electric bikes in the UK, including mountain bikes and hybrids.  We’ve also included some guidance on what features to look out for when buying an e-bike, so you can find the model that best suits your needs.    1. Basis Hunter Integrated Electric Mountain Bike, £699.99 (RRP £999.00)  Key features:  700x40 low-pressure CST tyres ..read more

If your chain is slack or keeps dropping off your bike, you’ll want to learn how to tighten a bike chain.   Slack chains are a common issue for cyclists, but they’re fortunately relatively easy to fix. You can diagnose and solve the issue within minutes with a few simple tools and some patience Even if it takes a few tries, it can save you the time and energy involved in visiting a bike shop. Here we cover how to tighten a chain on a single-gear bike and one with a derailleur in just a few simple steps.   Table of contents  What tools do you need to tighten a bike chain? H ..read more

Your bike pedals see a lot of wear and tear, especially if you cycle regularly. The pedals feel the brunt of all the downward force your legs exert when moving, and their small surface area means they need to be taken good care of in order to withstand the force. However, looking after your bike pedals is pretty straightforward, and you can remove them in as little as five minutes if you know what you’re doing.   When to remove your bike pedals Knowing when to remove bike pedals is an important part of bike maintenance, as worn-out pedals can cause all kinds of problems for cyclists. Be i ..read more

The industry’s view on pregnancy is rapidly changing. It’s becoming less taboo and more of a reason to celebrate when a woman continues to focus on her career and fitness during this time.  We sat down with Lizzie Deignan, world champion track and racing cyclist and now mum-of-two, to get the latest on her transition back into competitive cycling. She also gave some tips on staying motivated for women either taking up or continuing to cycle whilst pregnant.    What are the three main benefits you felt from cycling whilst pregnant?  Keeping active whilst pregnant was essenti ..read more

Though technically, nothing is stopping you from riding your e-bike throughout winter, many people choose to call it a day for the year and wait until spring to get back out on the road. Not only are electric bikes more susceptible to things like water damage during the winter, but bike batteries can also lose capacity in colder weather, which can limit the distance you can ride. Knowledge of correct electric bike storage is essential if you’re packing up for the year, and we’ve got you covered. Here are a handful of electric bike storage tips you may want to consider ahead of winter.   R ..read more

Knowing how to change a bike inner tube is essential if you’re a regular cyclist. Why? We’re so glad you asked.   Why do you need to change bike inner tubes? When you pump air into your bike tyres, you’re actually pumping air into the inner tube. The inner tube sits inside the tyre, holding the cushion of air that keeps you moving. So, if you suffer a puncture or are in a nasty accident, there’s every chance your inner tube will be damaged, too. That’s why it pays to take care of your inner tubes and change them when necessary.   How to change a bike inner tube Before we start, it’s ..read more

Devon is a famously beautiful part of the UK, but North Devon, in particular, is known for its sandy beaches, gorgeous coastlines, and rolling hills. North Devon’s various cities, towns and villages have always been popular tourist destinations and holiday hotspots. For UK holiday-goers, you could say the region has somewhat of an ‘abroad at home’ feel to it. There are many cycle routes in North Devon, too, which makes it an ideal spot for a cycling holiday. So, we’ve got you covered if you’re planning a getaway with wheels sometime soon. Here are 5 cycle routes in North Devon you need to chec ..read more