Cycling

The pedals are a part of the bike that we don't give much thought to, but perhaps we should. Here are a few unique pedals we've come across, which show that someone out there has indeed been thinking about the things.

A new study has delved into the mechanics of muscle maintenance, finding that even short stints on a bike can boost the activity of “death marker protein,” which clears out damaged muscle proteins to keep things in working order.

Although there are now several electronics-laden "smart" bike helmets on the market, the Lumos was one of the first. Now its designers are back, with the new-and-improved Lumos Ultra.

Although most mountain bikes now feature suspension forks, road bikes are typically still rigid. That said, a few devices have been created to help them soak up unwanted road vibrations. Here are a few we've seen, that each took a different approach.

Scientists in the UK have tapped 25 years worth of Census data to track the habits and health outcomes of hundreds of thousands of commuters, finding an association between those who avoid daily car travel and a lower risk of early death.

In urban environments, it's not uncommon to see cyclists wearing masks that filter out airborne pollutants. The Iwind is a little different, though, in that it actually blows purified air onto the user's face.

While a set of lights are an essential part of night-time bicycle commuting, advances in electronics have led to a number of headlights that do more than just shine straight onto the road. Here are a few such "value-added" lights that caught our eye.

While cycling is certainly a good way of getting around, there's one thing that keeps many people from doing it … butt pain. We've seen many saddles designed to address that problem, and here are five that struck us as being particularly innovative.

While plastic mountain bike pedals tend to be lighter and cheaper than their aluminum counterparts, they certainly don't last as long. Canadian company Squidworx has set out to combine the best features of both, with its Modular Flat Pedal.

When it comes to ebikes, there are some that make a point of looking like high-tech electric bicycles, and others that try to look as normal as possible. The Platzhirsch occupies a sort of middle ground, as it's sleek yet also very eye-catching.

Electronically-shiftable bicycle drivetrains such as Di2 and eTap are becoming increasingly popular, but they're definitely pricey. Archer Components' D1x Trail offers a cheaper alternative, by adding electronic shifting to existing rear derailleurs.

While many people turn their bike over to perform repairs, doing so can damage handlebar-mounted components such as brake levers and e-bike screens. The Original Handlebar Jack is designed to protect those items, by keeping the bars off the ground.