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Cycling Overshoes Buying Guide

Cycling on a frosty winter morning can be daunting, but it's much more fun when your feet remain warm and dry. Cycling overshoes are your go-to solution for keeping your shoes and feet free from the biting wind and rain. They come in various designs and materials, and with different features, so picking the right one can be tricky. This comprehensive buying guide highlights the factors you must consider to make the right pick from the range of cycling overshoes out there.

Cycling Stocking Fillers

Finding a smaller gift that isn’t tacky, or that isn’t just going to end up being thrown into the back of the wardrobe can be a tough ask, especially when it comes to cycling gifts. However, it is possible to find a more modest gift which would be warmly received, from essential bike maintenance kits to performance wear, to see out the winter months.

Cleaning Road Salt Off Your Bike

Winter is a great time of the year for biking enthusiasts, but it can also cause some damage to your bike. Road salt is one of the most common problems that cyclists face during winter, and if not cleaned properly, it can lead to serious damage to your bike. Road salt can corrode the metal parts of your bike, cause rust, and affect the paint job.

How Tough Is The Tour De France?

Tour de France, the world’s toughest cycling race, is infamous for its grueling stages and punishing climbs. Riders from all over the world challenge themselves for 3 weeks to cover over 3,500 km of the French mountains and countryside. But, just how tough is it to participate in this legendary race?

How To Avoid Saddle Soreness From Cycling

Cycling is one of the best low-impact exercises that offer great benefits to our health. However, as with any other activity, cycling can come with its own set of challenges. One of the most common issues that cyclists deal with is saddle soreness. Saddle soreness can not only ruin your cycling experience, but it can also cause severe pain and discomfort. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips that will help you avoid saddle soreness from cycling.

How To Prevent Sore Forearms When Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is an exhilarating and challenging adventure that requires a great deal of physical stamina and mental fortitude. Unfortunately, many mountain bikers suffer from sore forearms due to the constant gripping and handling of the handlebars. This discomfort can be frustrating and distracting, in addition to limiting the overall experience that you have on the trail.

Ultimate Guide To Mountain Bike Goggles

Mountain biking is an exhilarating yet risky outdoor activity. The sport requires a great deal of skill, determination, and equipment that protect bikers from injuries. Mountain bike goggles play a key role in your mountain biking PPE and prevent dirt, dust, debris, and harmful UV rays from getting into the eyes while riding through differing rough terrains.

Mountain Bike Goggles Vs Sunglasses: Which One Should You Choose?

Mountain biking is an exhilarating activity that is enjoyed by millions around the world. But it’s not just about the thrill or excitement. Safety is also an important factor when it comes to mountain biking, and one essential safety accessory is eyewear, with our eyes and sight being some of the most vulnerable partsof our body.

Guide To Mountain Biking Sunglasses

When you're hitting the trails, mountain biking sunglasses are an essential part of your gear. Not only do they protect your eyes from the sun and wind, but they also enhance your vision and keep you safe on steep descents or obstacles. With so many options out there, it can be challenging to decide which features matter most. In this guide, we'll go over everything you need to know to choose the perfect pair of mountain biking sunglasses.

Finding The Perfect Sunglasses For Your Road Bike Rides

Cycling is a fantastic way to stay fit and get fresh air. Whether you’re riding for fun or training for a race, investing in a proper pair of sunglasses will not only protect your eyes but also enhance your overall cycling experience. The right sunglasses for road biking can protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, glare, and wind, making your ride more comfortable and enjoyable.

Can I Use WD40 On My Bike Chain?

Owning a bicycle requires regular maintenance to keep it functioning properly. One part that requires attention is the bike chain, as it is crucial to the bike's performance. The chain helps transfer power from the pedals to the wheels, enables gear changes, and helps the bike move smoothly.

The World's Hardest Mountain Bike Race

Mountain biking is an exciting and exhilarating sport that pushes riders to their physical and mental limits. But what happens when you take that challenge to the extreme? That's where the world's hardest mountain bike race comes in.

Do You Need Mountain Bike Socks?

Mountain biking is an exhilarating and demanding sport that requires a lot of physical effort. You don’t just need to have the right gear and equipment, but you also need to consider the importance of your footwear, and more specifically, your socks.

Best exercises for mountain biking

With its fast-paced nature and varied terrain, mountain biking can be an exciting and challenging way to stay fit. But before you hit the trails, it’s important to ensure that your body is properly prepared to handle the physical demands of the sport.

Exploring The Best Gravel Bike Tyres Brands In The UK

Gravel biking has been gaining a lot of popularity among the cycling community in the UK. The thrill of the off-road adventures, the adrenaline rush of exploring new terrains, and the feeling of freedom that comes from riding a bike are some of the reasons why many people are choosing gravel biking as their preferred cycling discipline.

Scott Vs Cannondale - Which Is The Better Choice?

Looking for a new bike? The choices can be overwhelming; however, you can never go wrong with a Scott or Cannondale bike. Both are industry leaders and have been around for decades. From road to mountain bikes, both brands offer top-notch quality and reliability.

The Ultimate Guide To Aero Helmets

If you are an avid cyclist or triathlete, you have likely heard of or seen someone wearing an aero helmet. The aero helmet has become increasingly popular among athletes looking to shave off precious seconds from their race times. But what is an aero helmet, and how does it work?

Scott Mountain Bike Range

The Scott Spark is a cutting-edge bike designed with World Cup level performance in mind. Built with a lightweight carbon frame that comes with an array of high-end features, the Spark provides excellent value for its price. The bike's TwinLoc Suspension System allows for three suspension modes, which can be easily adjusted to suit the rider and the terrain.

The Best Mountain Bike Tyre Brands In The UK

Mountain biking is an outdoor activity that requires a reliable and durable bike that can withstand tough terrain. One of the most important factors that contribute to a smooth mountain biking experience is the choice of tyres. Tyres serve as the direct contact between the bike and the ground and as such, are incredibly important.

How Much To Drink When Cycling: A Guide To Stay Hydrated

Cycling is one of the best forms of exercise that offers a great way to explore the outdoors. Whether you’re a beginner or a professional cyclist, it’s essential to stay hydrated during your ride. The right intake of fluids can be the difference between a successful and comfortable ride and a cramp-filled, lethargic one.

How To Service A Mountain Bike Shock

Mountain biking is a thrilling outdoor activity that entails lots of speed and adrenaline. It's a great way to stay fit, explore the outdoors, and create unforgettable memories. More importantly, it requires the right equipment to optimize your performance, and the mountain bike shock is one of the most critical components of your bike.

Best Cycling Roads In The Cotswolds

Nestled in the heart of England, the Cotswolds is an area of outstanding natural beauty. The rolling hills and picturesque countryside make it a cyclists’ paradise. If you’re a cycling enthusiast looking for a challenge, you’ll find plenty of hills and winding roads to explore.

Scott Vs GT Bikes: Which One Should You Choose?

When it comes to choosing the best mountain bike, there are two brands that often come up - Scott and GT. Both of these brands have been in the market for a long time and have gained popularity for manufacturing high-end, high-performance bikes.

Scott Vs Giant Bikes – Which One Is The Best For You?

Choosing a new bike can be a daunting task. There are so many brands out there, each offering different features, technologies, and designs. Two of the most popular bicycle brands, Scott and Giant, are often compared by beginners and cycling enthusiasts alike.

5 Most Important Bike Tools Every Cyclist Needs

Cycling is a great way to stay healthy and fit, but when you're out on the road, you never know when your bike might have a problem. That's why it's important to have the right tools with you at all times. In this blog post, we'll discuss the top 5 most important bike tools that every cyclist needs in their toolkit.

Five Ten MTB Shoes Guide

When it comes to mountain biking, choosing the right shoes can make a significant difference in your performance and comfort on the trails. Five Ten is a popular brand that specializes in producing high-quality mountain biking shoes that are known for their excellent grip, durability, and protection.

The Best Cycling Roads In The UK

Cycling is a fun activity that can help you stay fit and healthy while enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way. If you are looking for the best cycling roads in the UK, then you have come to the right place. In this blog post, we will share with you 5 must-try routes that will take you through some of the most picturesque landscapes in the UK.

Choosing The Right Orange Mountain Bike

Mountain biking is one of the most thrilling and adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities there is. And no bike brand matches your passion for the sport quite like Orange Bikes. Famous for their striking design, distinctive color schemes, and impeccable performance, Orange mountain bikes are a staple among biking enthusiasts.

A Beginner's Guide To Servicing Mountain Bike Forks

If you're an avid mountain biker, you know the importance of taking good care of your bike, and one of the key components that require frequent maintenance is your fork. Whether you ride trails, cross-country, or downhill, servicing your fork regularly can make a big difference in how it feels and performs.

What To Eat When Cycling - Fueling Up For A Great Ride

If you're a cyclist, then you know the importance of nutrition and how it affects not only your performance but also your overall health. Whether you're a professional rider or enjoying it as one of your leisure activities, what you eat before, during, and after cycling affects your ability to keep up the pace, maintain your endurance, and hit your training goals.

Downhill Bike vs Trail Bike: Which is Right for You?

If you're planning a mountain biking adventure, you may be wondering which bike is right for you: a downhill bike or a trail bike? While both are designed for off-road terrain, each has distinct features that make it suitable for different types of riding. In this blog post, we'll explore the differences between these two types of bikes and help you decide which one is best for your needs.

Everything You Need to Know About Carbon Fibre Bike Frames and Cracks

For the cycling community, owning a carbon fibre bike frame is often considered the gold standard across carbon fibre road bikes and carbon fibre mountain bikes. Carbon fibre is praised for its lightness, stiffness, and aerodynamics, making it the ideal material for high-performance bikes.

How To Choose The Right Cycling Jersey

When it comes to cycling jerseys, whether you are buying one for yourself or buying a jersey as a gift - there is an almost unlimited choice of colours, styles, fits, performance characteristics and brands. Here at Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply hundreds of journeys to our customers.

Best Places To Cycle In The Pyrenees

The Pyrenees boast of some of the most picturesque landscapes in Europe. From snow-capped mountain peaks, to lush valleys and serene lakes, the Pyrenees have it all. These natural wonders make for some of the best cycling routes in the continent.

Bike Computer Vs Smartphone Vs Smartwatch

In some ways, there’s never been a better time for GPS Bike Computers - they provide more functionality than ever before, they present information better than ever before, are tougher than ever and have a better battery life than ever before - they are however, under increasing pressures with many cyclists preferring just to use a smartwatch or a smartphone.

Upgrading Mountain Bike Vs Upgrading Parts

This is one of the most difficult questions that many mountain bikers face - whether or not to part with their mountain bike and purchase a replacement, or invest money into their bike, via upgraded components and parts. The answer to this question is not always easy, and we get plenty of customers coming into our bike shop - looking for mountain bikes for sale, whilst browsing a range of components and parts to fit their existing bike.

How To Relieve Hamstring Pain When Cycling

Cycling is one of the most popular and effective forms of exercise known to man. It is great for cardiovascular health, builds endurance, and is an outstanding way to explore the great outdoors. Despite the many benefits of cycling, it can cause hamstring pain, which can be quite frustrating.

How To Buy Your First Mountain Bike

If you look online for the cheapest possible mountain bikes, you can find something that looks like a mountain bike for as little as £100. Although these bikes are a tempting choice for first time mountain bikers, they simply sre not up to the job of off road riding.

The Best Places To Cycles In Ireland

Have you ever wanted to explore the beauty of Ireland on a bicycle? Cycling is not only an excellent way to sightsee but also an excellent way to explore Ireland's hidden treasures. Ireland has been named the world's 13th most bike-friendly country, and its stunning landscapes are perfect for cycling enthusiasts.

Guide To Exploring The Best Places To Cycle In The Peak District

Nothing beats feeling the fresh air in your face and the wind in your hair as you set off on a scenic and invigorating cycling adventure. And, when it comes to pleasure cycling, there are few places as beautiful and varied as the Peak District.

Best Places To Cycle In Northumberland

Northumberland is a county located in the northeast of England that boasts of scenic landscapes and varied terrain, making it an excellent destination for cyclists of all levels. From stunning coastlines and peaceful countryside to picturesque villages and bustling towns, this fantastic region offers a wide range of cycle routes to explore.

The Best Places To Cycle In The Highlands

The Highlands is a picturesque region in Scotland that offers both locals and visitors an unforgettable cycling experience. This magical place has everything from beautiful rolling hills, rugged terrains, pristine forests, and luxurious coastal paths.

Teaching Your Child How To Ride A Balance Bike

One of the most exciting milestones in a child's life is learning how to ride a bike. But before your little one can tackle a two-wheeler, they need to learn the basics of balance and coordination. That's where a balance bike comes in. Unlike traditional bikes with training wheels, balance bikes teach kids how to balance on two wheels from the start, making the transition to a pedal bike much smoother.

The Best Places To Go Cycling In Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is a wonderland for cyclists where breathtaking landscapes, smooth roads, and fantastic greenways await you at every turn. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of the sport or simply looking for a pleasant way to explore the region, Northern Ireland has a cycling trail for you.

Discover The Best Places To Cycle In Tenerife

Tenerife is a beautiful island in the Canary Islands known for its stunning landscape, rugged terrain, and of course, great weather. Given this idyllic setting, it is no wonder that cycling is a popular activity here. With miles of unpolluted roads, rolling hills, and a diverse landscape, Tenerife is a haven for cyclists looking to venture out on an epic cycling adventure.

Best Places To Cycle In Lanzarote

Lanzarote is a stunning location with picturesque landscapes, making it the perfect destination for cyclists. With its balmy weather, well-designed bike paths, and diverse terrains, it is an ideal paradise for both new and pro riders.

The Ultimate Guide To Cycling In The Dolomites

Cycling in the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The beautiful mountain range located in northeastern Italy offers stunning vistas, challenging climbs, and winding roads that are perfect for cycling enthusiasts.

How To Fix A Bike Chain

In order for you to be able to fix a broken bike chain, you will need one or both of the following: A chain splitter Quick/speed link pliers A chain splitter (sometimes just called a chain tool) is needed where a standard chain link needs to be removed.

How To Fall Back In Love With Cycling

Cycling is a fantastic sport, but as with anything in life - a few difficult rides, some poor form and fitness or some bad weather can see your passion and enthusiasm for heading out on the bike...

How to Descend on a Road Bike

Road Bikes provide some incredibly exciting riding - and it’s important to remember that what goes up, must come down. So if you enjoy the ups and downs (literally) of riding around the UK...

How To Cycle Past Horses

If you cycle on UK roads, especially rural roads - you will be all too familiar with the other road users that you have to share the road network with. Typically, as cyclists we can come across...

How To Cycle Into A Headwind

Heading into the winter months, cycling in adverse weather conditions is sadly part and parcel of life, if you want to continue riding and commuting during the colder months. One of the main...

How To Cycle Faster

Although cycling speed may not seem too important when you start out on your cycling interest and journey - it’s one of the easiest ways to record your performance on the bike. With many cycling...

How To Clean Bicycle Disc Brakes

Disc brakes are the most powerful and the most effective types of brakes which can be fitted to any mountain or road bike, providing superior performance compared to older styles of rim brakes. Although many cyclists are split as to whether they prefer rim brakes VS disc brakes, one thing which can be agreed upon, is the importance of keeping bicycle disk brakes running clean.

How To Choose Your First Bike

At Westbrook Cycles, we speak to many customers coming to us to choose their very first bike. Although most people have ridden a bike before, we find many customers come to us for...

How To Choose The Perfect Cycle Jersey

As with any specialist sport, choosing the right equipment and clothing makes life significantly easier. The right cycling jersey for example, makes every ride more comfortable, more...

How To Change A Bike Tyre

One of the most common basic maintenance skills required as a cyclist is knowing how to change a bike tyre. Whether you have punctured the tyre or just want to change the tyre for another one, the principle is the same and it is a skill every cyclist should learn.

How To Burn More Calories When Cycling

A lot of people use cycling as a low impact form of exercise to help shift weight. As well as being low impact, protecting the joints - cycling is also a very fun and stimulating form of exercise...

Scott Scale 980 Review And Specs

At Westbrook Cycles, we are huge fans of the Scott Hardtail Mountain Bike Range. In our opinion, the hardtail range from Scott covers all riding requirements and all budgets. These hardtails are at home on the daily commute, as much as they are at home crossing challenging terrain

How To Measure A Bike Frame

Whether you're looking for a Road Bike, a Mountain Bike or a Hybrid Bike, it is equally important to make sure that you are on the correct size frame. A bicycle that is too large can lead to difficulty riding and handling the bike which can be dangerous.

Shimano Vs Tektro Brakes

Brakes are one of the most important components of any bike, whether that’s a road bike, gravel bike or mountain bike. Able to bring you to a stop safely, optimised brakes can also keep you rolling well on the trails and on the roads, allowing you to ride more quicker.

Coil VS Air Suspension Forks MTB

The Mountain Bike Industry, in fact the cycling industry in general is one of the most interesting - with developments and innovative technologies being developed all of the time. There are...

Exploring The Best Mountain Bike Parks In The UK

The United Kingdom offers some of the best mountain bike parks in the world. With stunning landscapes, challenging tracks, and a thriving mountain bike community, the UK is a mountain biker's paradise. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, there is something for everyone in the UK's mountain bike parks. In this blog post, we will explore the top mountain bike parks in the UK

Top Mountain Bike Races In The UK For Thrill-Seekers

Mountain biking is a popular sport that has been gaining popularity in the UK. There is a wide range of mountain bike events and races to choose from, but finding the perfect one can be challenging. As an avid mountain biker, I've gathered some of the best races for thrill-seeking mountain bikers - so if adrenaline pumping races are something you look forward to, then read on.

Hardest Bike Races In The UK

Cycling in the UK has gained immense popularity in recent years, especially during the lockdown years - now everything is back in full swing, there are more and more riders looking to push themselves in bike races - luckily, here in the UK there are numerous bike races organized across the country. For those who prefer the thrill of a challenge than a leisurely ride, we have compiled a list of the toughest bike races in the UK which you can enter.

How To Measure Bike Wheel Size

A common question asked is "how to measure bike wheel size". The truth is that it isn't usually possible to accurately measure a bike wheel and match it to the regular sizes; 26", 650b/27.5", 29", 700c, etc... This is because tyres need to be taken into account when measuring the wheel as it is not just the wheel rim diameter that is being measured.

Experience The Best Of Snowdonia On A Bicycle

Located in the heart of North Wales, Snowdonia National Park is one of the UK's most visited tourist destinations. It offers an array of outdoor activities, including cycling. With stunning mountain ranges, majestic valleys, and picturesque villages, Snowdonia is a cyclist's paradise. We have been lucky enough to cycle both on road and off road around Snowdonia, both outside of work and when we have been lucky enough to test some of the bikes that we supply.

Explore The Most Scenic Bike Rides In North Yorkshire

If you're a cyclist who loves breathtaking views, North Yorkshire is the ideal destination for you. This county offers a wide range of exciting bike trails with different landscapes, terrains, and levels of difficulty. From challenging hills to flat roads, you can enjoy cycling in North Yorkshire all year round. Making it the perfect place for our North Yorkshire Cycle Shop based in Stokesley.

Best Places To Cycle In Wales

Wales is a haven for cycling enthusiasts. With its wonderful landscapes and exciting routes, this country is sure to give you a dose of adventure and tranquility, all in one package. Whether you want a relaxing ride with stunning coastal views or a challenging climb through the rugged mountains, pushing a full suspension mountain bike to its limits, Wales has it all. In this blog, we have picked out the best places to cycle in Wales that you must add to your sightseeing list.

Best Cycle Routes In Germany

Germany is a land of wanderlust and adventure, and one of the best ways to explore its picturesque landscapes is on a bike. Biking in Germany is a popular pastime, and there are countless cycling routes that will take you on an incredible journey through the country. Imagine cycling through the vineyards of the Moselle valley, along the river bank in Munich, or through the beauty of the Black Forest.

Best Places To Cycle In Netherlands

Holland is an enchanting destination for cyclists. With flat terrain, a well-maintained network of cycle paths, and breathtaking landscapes, Holland offers some of the most scenic bike rides in the world. If you're a cycling enthusiast looking for a new adventure, Holland should be on your bucket list.

Best Places To Cycle In Scotland

Scotland is home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes not just in the United Kingdom, but the world. There is no better way to explore the rugged terrain and rolling hills of this country than on two wheels. Scotland has a vast network of cycle routes that cater to all levels of ability, from gentle and picturesque routes to challenging mountain bike trails. In this blog post, we will take a look at some of the best places to cycle in Scotland.

Best Places To Cycle In Spain

For those looking to explore some of the best places for road biking in Spain, look no further. The country is home to a variety of stunning landscapes and challenging terrain, perfect for any level cyclist. From the Pyrenees mountains and Basque Country to Andalusia and beyond, here are just a few of the best places to hit the roads in Spain:

Mountain Biking In Majorca

Mountain biking in Majorca is a great way to explore the island and get off the beaten path. With its rugged terrain, diverse landscapes, and challenging trails, there's plenty of adventure waiting for cyclists of all levels.

Best Countries For A Mountain Bike Holiday

Mountain biking holidays are a great way to explore new places, get exercise, and have an exciting adventure. But it’s important to choose the right destination to ensure you get the most out of your holiday. Here are some of the best places in the world for mountain biking holidays:

Best Places To Cycle In The USA

Road biking is an activity that requires long hours of endurance and can take you to some of the most amazing places. From mountains to coastlines, the United States has a variety of terrain types that are perfect for road cycling. Here are some of the best places in the mighty USA to get your road biking fix:

Best Places To Cycle In Italy

Italy – the land of amazing food, beaches, art, culture, and obviously, cycling routes. Italy is a mecca for cycling enthusiasts from all around the world for good reasons. From the rolling hills and mountains of Tuscany to the imposing Dolomites, Italy has it all.

How To Choose A Gravel Bike

When it comes to gravel biking, having the right bike is just as important as having the right attitude. To make sure you get the most out of your next ride, here are some tips to help you find and maintain the perfect gravel bike:

Mountain Biking In Chamonix

Mountain biking in Chamonix is an incredible experience, with some of the world’s most breathtaking views and challenging terrain. The trails range from easy downhill rides to more advanced enduro-style routes that will push even the most seasoned mountain biker. For those looking for a more relaxed ride, there are plenty of scenic routes that offer stunning views of Mont Blanc and its many glaciers.

Downhill MTB Beginner Tips

Downhill mountain biking is an exciting and thrilling sport, but it can also be dangerous. As a beginner, it is important to take the necessary steps to ensure your safety while on the trail. Here are some tips for downhill mountain biking for beginners:

How To Fall Off A Mountain Bike

Falling off a mountain bike is an inevitable part of the sport. Taking a few steps to prepare for and reduce the chances of hurting yourself and having an accident, can help you stay safe while still enjoying the ride. Before hopping onto your bike, make sure you have all the proper safety gear like a helmet, gloves, and elbow pads - this equipment is more important when riding downhill mountain bike trails.

Calf Pain When Cycling

Cycling can be a great way to get exercise and stay healthy, but it's important to pay attention to your body and recognize when there might be an issue. One common problem that cyclists experience is calf pain. Calf pain while cycling can be caused by several different factors, including poor bike setup, having incorrect posture while riding, overtraining, or wearing the wrong footwear.

Mountain Bike Forks Servicing Guide

Mountain biking is one of the most exhilarating outdoor activities you can do on two wheels, but it does require regular maintenance to keep your bike in top condition, especially on mountain bikes with suspension components.

How To Replace Your Mountain Bike Disc Brake Pads

If you own a mountain bike, you probably know how important it is to have a reliable braking system, especially when you take into consideration the harsh terrain and steep inclines mountain bikes need to perform on. Most mountain bikes today use disc brakes, which provide increased stopping power and control VS older style rim brakes, which can often still be found on road bikes.

Best UK Mountain Bike Apps

Mountain biking is a popular and thrilling activity for the adventure enthusiasts amongst us. It’s a sport that requires a lot of dedication and planning to make the most out of every ride you take. It’s essential to keep track of your distance, speed and elevation whilst handling the technical terrain that comes with mountain biking. Fortunately, there are numerous apps available in the UK that can make the experience even more enjoyable and convenient.

Is It Better to Take Long or Short Bike Rides?

Biking is an excellent way to get some exercise, breathe in the fresh air, and enjoy the views. However, the question remains: is it better to take a long bike ride or several short bike rides? The answer to this question depends on several factors such as your fitness level, schedule, goals, and personal preference. In this blog post, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of long vs short bike rides to help you make an informed decision.

Common Mountain Bike Problems And How to Fix

Mountain biking is a thrilling, adrenaline-pumping sport that is enjoyed by millions of people worldwide. However, as with any activity, it comes with its own set of challenges. One of the most significant challenges faced by mountain bikers is equipment failure and maintenance issues. Understanding and addressing these problems is crucial to not only enjoying but also to ensure your safety while on the trail.

How To Replace Bike Spokes: Step-By-Step Guide

Cycling is a fantastic sport and a great way to stay fit and healthy. However, like any vehicle, your bike will eventually need repairs. One of the most common issues cyclists face is a broken or snapped spoke.

Discovering The Best Cycling Roads in Majorca

When it comes to cycling, Majorca is a haven for enthusiasts. This Balearic Island in the Spanish Mediterranean offers breathtaking views, challenging terrain, and fantastic weather that makes it a cycling paradise.

Top 5 Ski Resorts In The Alps For Mountain Biking

There’s a different side to ski resorts, that only some of us experience in the summer months - the network of ski trails, lifts and ski chairs allow for the perfect downhill mountain biking territory, allowing for efficient lifts up to the top of the slopes, and exhilarating trails back down.

Best Places To Cycle In France

France is a beautiful country that features rolling hills, majestic Alps, serene lakes, and picturesque countryside. It’s no wonder many cyclists choose this famous cycling destination to test their metal.

The Best Roads To Cycle In The UK

Cycling is an exhilarating way to explore our stunning British landscape, with its picturesque countryside, charming villages, and rolling hills. Whether you are an experienced cyclist or just looking to improve your fitness levels, here in the UK we have a wide range of cycling routes that cater to different skill levels and interests, as well as different types of bikes.

Fox Suspension

Since 1993 Fox have been at the forefront of mountain bikes suspension technology, beginning their legacy by building rear shocks for Cannondale. In 2001 Fox started producing suspension forks to provide the full suspension bike with a complete solution, and by 2002 had their first UCI world champion in Brian Lopes.

Bike Finance At Westbrook Cycles

As the cost of living continues to rise it becomes a more and more appealing option to purchase a bike on finance. Whether you are looking to buy a commuter bike to make your trip to work cheaper or just looking for interest free bikes to have some fun on, our selection will not disappoint.

0% Finance Scott Bikes

At Westbrook Cycles, Scott Bikes are always amongst our best selling products - and their bikes are also some of the most popular with the team here. Scott designs and manufactures a full range of bikes, from road bikes - right across to full suspension downhill mountain bikes, designing and supplying a range of bikes between the two types.

0% Finance GT Bikes

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply the full range of GT Bikes - encompassing gravel bikes, road bikes as well as full suspension mountain bikes, alongside hardtail mountain bikes. GT have been making these bikes since 1979 - quickly starting to make their own mountain bikes in the 1980’s after concentrating purely on their range of BMX bikes.

0% Finance Giant Bikes

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply the full range of Giant Bikes - including Giant Mountain Bikes and Giant Road Bikes, all of which are able to be purchased with flexible finance options online, including 0% finance options. Finance options are available across the full range and across all different bike budgets, allowing our customers to purchase the very best possible bike for their requirements, with less money to spend upfront.

0% Finance Cannondale Bikes

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply a full range of Cannondale Bikes - encompassing both road bikes, mountain bikes and hybrid/adventure bikes. One of our best sellers, Cannondale Bikes have always been at the forefront of the industry, when it comes to both design and manufacturing.

How To Measure Bike Tyre Size

Bike Tyres are hopefully the only contact point that your bike has with the ground, whether that’s gnarly off-road terrain or smooth tarmac. Bike Tyre sizes are important for a number of reasons, as well as fitting the wheel, the diameter and width of your bike tyre changes the way your bike handles and feels; tyres also have an effect on speed - as well as the amount of grip you have.

Gravel Bike Tricks And Techniques

Although riding Gravel Bikes may on paper be the halfway house between a road bike and a mountain bike, if you are new to riding gravel bikes - you can expect a very different riding experience, to what you are used to. Although riding a gravel bike can feel like riding a road bike on the smooth stuff, it’s a big change when you hit the rough stuff. In this post, we look at some of the things you can do, to make your transition to off-road gravel riding as smooth as possible.

What Is Cycling Cadence?

Cycling Cadence is one of many terms cyclists will come across, in this post - we look at Cadence in greater detail, including what it is - and how you can understand it and apply it to improve your cycling performance. Cadence is incredibly simple - it’s the number of revolutions/turns that your pedals make per minute.

How To Ride Dry And Dusty Trails

Long, warm and balmy summer days are never too far away, but riding trails in dry conditions can create fresh challenges. Trails in dry weather can become incredibly loose and dusty, which can mean that you can feel the bike skittering around underneath you. Having said that, it’s easier to ride down dry trails than wet trails, but if you identify a dusty trail ahead - bear in mind some of the following tips & advice.

How To Drift A Mountain Bike

Drifting a mountain bike is one of the most difficult but most rewarding skills to learn. As well as looking and feeling incredibly cool, drifting allows you to ride through loose corners, at high speeds. Drifting is when cornering and the tyres of your MTB break-traction - although this can cause a crash if done accidentaly, a controlled drift can help you fly through corners with pace and fluidity.

Should I Use Bike Lights During The Day?

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply a massive range of bike lights suitable for mountain bikes and road bikes. Supplying a lot of these lights to our customers lead us to conversations...

Why Avoid Cheap Mountain Bikes?

At Westbrook Cycles, we have decades of experience in the cycling industry - encompassing masses of experience with stocking, supplying and most importantly - riding Mountain Bikes...

Bike Fork Buying Guide

Bicycle forks attach your front wheel to the main frame of your bike - via a steering tube that sits in the headset of the bike frame. Forks are found on every single type of bike, mountain...

Best Cycling Energy Bars

Road Cycling and Mountain Biking is an intense activity, providing not only a cardiovascular workout - but also a workout for your muscles, including your core. Cycling over longer...

Mountain Bike Beginner Essentials

At the moment, we are speaking to and dealing with more and more customers who are either getting into mountain biking for the first time, or getting back into mountain biking for the first...

Fox Rear Shock Guide

Fox is one of the biggest and best names in mountain bike suspension, designing and manufacturing an incredible range of MTB forks and shocks, which provide excellent performance across all kinds of mountain bikes - from cross country bikes, to enduro mountain bikes as well as downhill mountain bikes.

Troy Lee Designs 2021 Collection

Troy Lee Designs has been the standout brand in stylish mountain bike clothing and protection for over thirty years. The number one mtb clothing brand for casual riders and pros alike, Troy Lee's philosophy is that "Creating products that innovate and lead the market requires a different way of thinking" and this is evident in the way that Troy Lee products lead the way in terms of design, construction and above all, safety.

What Are Hardtail Mountain Bikes Good At?

Hardtail mountain bikes are often overlooked in favour of more expensive, more impressive full suspension mountain bikes which do a better job of crashing down, downhill trails...

Are Gravel Bikes Good For Commuting?

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply a range of bikes to customers looking for their ideal commuter bike. The increase in the popularity of Gravel Bikes in recent years, we are finding that this...

Planning Your First Long Road Bike Ride

Road Bikes are designed to cover incredibly long distances at a really good speed - coupled with a decent road network and some route planning, and you can expect to be able to cover good...

What Is The Kingpin Suspension System?

The Kingpin Suspension System is a leaf spring suspension system, which is found on the Cannondale Topstone range of Gravel Bikes. This new suspension system allows greater comfort...

Sportive Cycling Mistakes

Sportive Races are hugely popular all over the world as well as here in the UK. Sportive Bike Races can be compared to running a marathon for a runner. Sportive races are usually between 50...

Tips For Mountain Biking Alone

Mountain Biking is a fantastic sport, with one of the reasons it’s so good being the fact that it can be enjoyed either with a group, or completely alone - allowing you to ride how you want, depending...

Tips For Mountain Biking In A Group

Mountain Biking can be an incredibly social sport, allowing you to meet all kinds of different riders and people - improving and enjoying your mountain biking more and more in the process...

How To Sell Your Old Bike Online

At Westbrook Cycles, we speak to lots of customers who have come to us to purchase a new bike - who have an old bike that they need to sell. Reasons for selling an old bike are numerous...

How To Sell Your Mountain Bike For More Money

If you are looking to sell your mountain bike, either to free up some cash - or to fund a new mountain bike, there’s a number of things you can do to maximise the money you get for your bike...

How To Mountain Bike For Longer

Mountain Biking is best done over longer distances - spending hours and hours out on the mountain bike is how you can access the very best, remote areas, as well as get the maximum benefits...

Tips For Overcoming Fear When Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking is one of the most white knuckle, adrenaline fuelled hobbies you can have - and this applies when you ride recreationally, as well as when you ride competitively. It’s...

Mountain Biking And Weight Loss

An article about weight loss is not the usual format for our posts here at Westbrook Cycles, but after our own experiences and the experiences of many of our customers, the link between mountain...

Reasons To Mountain Bike In The Dark

During the winter months here in the UK, as long as the autumn and spring months - it can get pretty dark, pretty early in the evening. This can mean that mountain biking is the reserve of either...

Cyclocross Bike Buying Guide

Cyclocross is one of the most varied types of cycling that any rider can do - combining sections of both road work and off road work - allowing the rider to navigate all terrain types, either...

Winter Road Bike Tyres Buying Guide

If, like many riders in the UK - you plan on riding throughout the colder and wetter winter months in the UK - whether that’s to maintain fitness levels, or as part of needing to ride to get around...

Things Not To Wear When Cycling

If you are new into cycling, or have gotten back into cycling after a hiatus - be that mountain biking or cycling on the roads, it’s easy to find the experience a little more uncomfortable than...

What To Wear Road Cycling In Summer

Summer is understandably the best time in the UK to head out on the road bike, long days and good weather make for some fantastic and comfortable days out - enjoying the very best of the...

Mountain Bike Wheel Buying Guide

There are so many different styles and types of mountain biking, that each component and mountain bike is very different. Wheels are an incredibly important piece of equipment on a bike...

Road Bike Wheel Buying Guide

All components on a road bike are important, and all play their part in providing you with a safe and strong performance. Road Bike Wheels are amongst the most important, with a set of road bike...

Road Bike Frame Materials

Advances in road bike technology means that now more than ever, there’s a massive range of bikes to choose from - ranging from specific road bikes, designed for either comfort or pure speed...

Road Bike Seatpost Buying Guide

A seatpost is one of the most cost effective upgrades you can make to your road bike - it’s an easy way to shave some grams off the weight of your bike - whilst adding comfort, with weight...

Bike Lock Buying Guide

Bike locks, aside from the usual safety equipment such as a helmet - is one of the most important things that you can buy to protect your bike. These locks are important for all bike owners, but...

Pannier Buying Guide

Panniers are one of the most important and effective ways to travel on your bike - being able to carry everything from your laptop and work files, right across to your camping equipment. Panniers...

Disc Brake Road Bikes VS Rim Brake Road Bikes

Disc Brakes have been used on road bikes for some time now, on both amateur bikes and those riding professionally. Rim brakes do remain popular with many cyclists, especially traditionalist...

Reasons To Buy A Gravel Bike

At Westbrook Cycles, we have been busier than ever through the CoronaVirus pandemic - and although we briefly halted web sales - we soon got the e-commerce side of our business back...

Why Choose A Full Suspension Mountain Bike?

Full Suspension Mountain bikes are the ultimate mountain bike to own - they are crammed with components, and rear and front suspension makes soaks up the uneven terrain found...

Mountain Biking Basics

During the Covid-19 outbreak, the cycling industry has had to deal with an unprecedented demand for all kinds of different bikes - with customers getting into cycling for the...

Tips For Winter Cycling Commutes

Cycling can be one of the most joyous activities in the UK - when the weather is right. When the weather gets tough however, is when some fairweather cyclists take a break from cycling...

The New Spark 900

In recent years Scott bikes have been at the pinnacle of XC bike racing, pushing the boundaries of technology and creating lighter, faster, more capable bikes. The Scott Spark RC range has allowed the world's fastest racers to get to the top step of the podium and has been the tool of choice for Elite World Champion Kate Courtney and 8x World Champion Nino Schurter in recent years.

Reynolds Cycling

Reynolds Cycling are now offering a limited lifetime warranty on all of their wheelsets purchased after January 1st 2017. Both road and MTB wheelsets are included in the warranty and it is strongly recommended that you register your wheels with Reynolds as soon as possible. Most other manufacturer's warranties will last between two and five years, so this is quite a big deal!

Bottom Bracket Guide

There are so many different bottom bracket standards employed by frame manufacturers that buying the correct bottom bracket can be very difficult, and can even put people off replacing a bottom bracket themselves.

The New Cannondale SuperSix Evo At Westbrook Cycles

The previous version of the Cannondale SuperSix Evo has proven over the years to be an incredibly fast road racing bike, winning numerous awards for its innovative, lightweight design. With this iteration...

Winter Road Bikes, Winter Spec Bikes from Westbrook Cycles

As a company full of cycling enthusiasts, it’s no surprise that we look for almost any opportunity to buy an extra bike to add to our collections. Increasingly, we have been, and witnessed our...

Winter Mountain Biking Hacks

With the winter mountain biking season upon us for another year, we look at some of the things that we can do as mountain bikers to make the winter season easier, more rewarding and ultimately - more fun to ride in.

Why Ride A Gravel Bike In Winter?

Although Mountain Biking can be good fun whatever the weather - and there are some great days to be had when riding mountain bikes in winter weather conditions - there are many reasons why you should think about jumping on a gravel bike VS a mountain bike during the winter months - providing all of the benefits and enjoyment of winter off road riding, without the drawbacks.

When To Replace Mountain Bike Helmet

Regardless of the type of bike you ride, whether it’s a mountain bike, a gravel bike or a road bike - a bike helmet is one of the most important pieces of kit you can buy. As well as protecting your head in the event of a collision, bike helmets also help regulate the temperature of your head, provide increased aerodynamic performance and some helmets - in bright colours and with reflective surfaces - also increase safety through increased visibility.

Valentine's Day Gifts For Road Cyclists

If your partner or valentine this year is big into their road cycling - you have come to the right place to find the perfect gift for them. The road cycling industry is absolutely full of fantastic gifts...

Valentine's Day Gifts For Mountain Bikers

If your valentine is a keen mountain biker, then you are lucky - not only are they more than likely incredibly cool, as well as physically fit - Valentines day, and other gift giving occasions...

Turbo Trainer Tips

Turbo Trainers are a key part of many people’s training routines. During Lockdown, the use of turbo trainers grew massively, with turbo trainers being one of the only ways of doing any sort of endurance training. Even out of lockdown, there are so many reasons to use a turbo trainer in the home; whether it’s because of an injury, lack of childcare, or inclement weather.

Road Bike Disc Brakes VS Rim Brakes

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply a massive range of both Rim Brakes and Disc Brakes for all kinds of bikes. These are supplied both fitted to new bikes delivered complete, as well as...

Mountain Bike Upgrades Under £100

It’s very easy to spend a lot of money on upgrading mountain bikes, but are there still affordable, low budget mountain bike upgrades which can be made? The answer is yes.

Mountain Bike Types And Disciplines

Mountain Biking is one of the most diverse sports in the world, you can classify yourself as a mountain biker and ride a completely different discipline to another rider - using a bike which is completely different, but which still falls under the umbrella of being a mountain bike.

Maintaining Road Bike Disc Brakes

Road Bike Disc Brakes are a (relatively!) new addition to the world of road bike cycling, and they provide massive benefits compared to using traditional rim brakes. Most new road bikes are now designed and manufactured with disc brakes, which provide excellent braking performance in all weather conditions.

How To Make A Mountain Bike Quicker

The answer to the above question for many mountain bikers, would be to replace as many alloy parts with lightweight carbon fibre parts - but there are many ways in which you can make your mountain bike quicker, without breaking the bank on new parts and components.

Full Suspension or Hardtail Mountain Bikes

At Westbrook Cycles, we advise many customers about whether or not to choose a full suspension mountain bike, or a hardtail mountain bike. A lot of the time, there is no right or wrong answer, but...

Electric Mountain Bike VS Regular Mountain Bike

At Westbrook Cycles, in recent years all of our team have become massive fans of electric mountain bikes, although it took some of our ‘purist’ team members slightly longer than others to realise...

Down Country Bike Guide

There are many different mountain bike disciplines, which have given rise to a large number of different mountain bike types. Down Country Bikes is one such segment of mountain bikes which are relatively new, these bikes are short travel full suspension mountain bikes - that have been designed to be able to tackle ascents and cross country, whilst also being able to tick all of the boxes when it comes to travelling downhill.

Does Mountain Biking Help With Motocross And Dirt Bikes

There are often parallels drawn between riding motocross/enduro motorbikes and most who ride either mountain bikes or dirt bikes, or both - will agree. The brands involved in both sets of sports such as Fox and Troy Lee designs who manufacture a wide range of products, including helmets and jerseys which look incredibly similar to each discipline.

Cycling Without A Backpack

At Westbrook Cycles, we speak to mountain bikers day in day out - who all prefer to head out on the trails in their own way. Increasingly, we are speaking to customers who are looking to head out mountain biking - without having to carry a mountain biking backpack or hydration pack. Although this is fine for shorter rides, there are some challenges to heading out on longer rides, without some form of load carrying equipment.

Cycling Hill Climbing Advice

On our doorstep here at Westbrook Cycles, across the North Yorkshire Moors are some of the most beautiful, but steepest roads in England. Although there are certain parts of the country, where long cycles...

Coronavirus and Road Cycling

Most of our lives have now been affected by Coronavirus in some way - and professional sports, including road cycling - have been particularly hard hit. We don’t know of any cycling events...

Clipless Pedals Online from Westbrook Cycles

Clipless Pedals are one of the most important developments in cycling technology. Heavily inspired by the world of skiing, clipless pedals connect the rider to the pedals in an incredibly efficient way...

Buying a MTB Dropper Post

In a world of almost endless available mountain bike upgrades, the dropper post remains one of the most popular, and one of the most important. Dropper posts are now seen on all kinds of mountain bikes and even gravel bikes - allowing the rider to adjust the saddle height when riding, making the switch between riding easy terrain and technical terrain incredibly easy.

Bike Chains Buying Guide

Bike Chains are an essential part of any bike, whether that’s a road bike, gravel bike, mountain bike, electric bike or commuter bike. Chains are metal links which are secured together with pins, as you cycle - the power of your cycling is transferred through the chain to the cassette and gearing on the bike, moving you forwards.

Best Road Bikes for Climbing Hills

If there is one thing guaranteed when road cycling, it’s that at some point or another you will encounter a hill - usually or on a long and winding country B-road. Although hills can be hard work, they...

Best Mountain Bike Cleaning Products

A lot of people invest good money in their mountain bikes, not only spending a lot of money when they first purchase their mountain bike - but also spending money on a range of upgraded...

Best Cycle Ride Nutrition

Regardless of whether you are out for a long day mountain biking, or taking part in a road cycling competition where speed is key - keeping your internal energy levels topped up with the right nutrition...

Best Bikes for City Cycling

We handpick a range of bikes that have been designed, and are perfectly matched for cycling across cities. These bikes are used for everything from seeing friends and getting about on a...

Best Bikes for 10-12 Year Olds

At Westbrook Cycles, we understand the importance of cycling with a family - and it’s as enjoyable seeing your children enjoy the freedom of riding a bike, as cycling yourself. Combining the two together...

Best £500 Mountain Bikes

Although cheap mountain bikes fail to perform well in many areas, a fantastic mountain bike can still be purchased for around the £500 mark, the world’s leading bike manufacturers...

Beginner Road Bikes

We deal with customers of all cycling capabilities - from athlete level cyclists right across to complete novices, and we deal with each customer exactly the same. Providing them with access to the...

Beginner Mountain Bikes

We believe everybody can remember the very start of their mountain biking journey, instead of riding along complete flat and smooth ground - the first mountain bike ride can be an equally scary...

Affordable Carbon Fibre Road Bikes

As many hobbies in life, there has to be a balance between money spent VS enjoyment, with hobbies such as cycling easily swallowing thousands, and if not - tens of thousands of pounds. At Westbrook...

Advanced And Expert Mountain Bikes

We know the importance of ensuring that you choose the right mountain bike for your riding requirements, as well as ambitions. If you get this balance right, you can find the perfect mountain bike...

Transition Smuggler - It’s Return And Specifications

After a brief time taken away from the market, in 2023 the Smuggler is returning to the Transition range of mountain bikes. The Smuggler, which has long been a popular choice with mountain bikers, returns with a new frame and an increase in travel from 120mm to 130mm.

Should I Buy A Gravel Bike Or A Mountain Bike?

Although both Gravel Bikes and Mountain Bikes are able to be ridden off road - in this post we look at some of the differences between the two types of bike, and look at how they differ in design and function, revealing which is the right choice of bike for your riding preferences and requirements.

How To Choose Mountain Bike Handlebars?

Handlebars are the most important contact point between you and your mountain bike, so it’s important to get them right, taking into account a number of different factors before choosing the right setup for both you and your MTB.

Road Bike Handlebar Guide

The handlebar is one of the most critical components on a road bike and one of the most changeable components - allowing you to find and select a handlebar to use based on your riding preferences and requirements.

2023 Orbea Wild FS Review

Orbea have made a massive impact with their lightweight Rise Electric Mountain Bike, this bike is famed for its lightweight, natural feeling approach to being a full suspension electric mountain bike.

Orbea Bikes FAQ

Are Orbea bikes good quality? Yes! Orbea bikes are well designed, use the very best materials available - including carbon fibre and are spec’d with decent components. They provide bikes across the full range of types - so Orbea road bikes, mountain bikes, triathlon bikes are all available.

Castelli SS20

Castelli first created cycling clothing in 1910, and have been at the forefront of design and technology ever since. Amongst many firsts, Castelli were the first to make silk cycling shorts instead of woollen ones. Over the years, Castelli has remained at the top of the cycling clothing industry and has provided gear to some of the most prolific cyclists and teams around.

Castelli AW20

Creators of fine cycling attire since 1910, Castelli have pioneered countless advances in materials and design over the years, including (but not limited to!) the introduction of lycra cycling shorts. Westbrook Cycles are pleased to offer a comprehensive range of AW20 Castelli clothing including winter cycling jerseys, we weather cycling jackets, winter cycling tights, winter cycling gloves and cycling accessories which are all available to buy online and in our Stokesley store.

Castelli SS21

Although officially formed in 1974 when Maurizio Castelli fell out with his father and created his own brand, Castelli’s roots actually extend all the way back to a small tailoring shop in Milan in 1876. In all the years since then, they’ve never had to contend with a set of challenges quite as unique as they faced during 2020 while developing the SS21 clothing range.

Mons Royale, Buy Online From Westbrook Cycles

Mons Royale began in New Zealand, founded by pro freeride skier, Hamish Acland. Hamish wanted to address the issue that many snowsports enthusiasts encounter when packing for trips; having space for ski clothing and casual clothing once the essentials had been packed. Hamish formed Mons Royale in 2009 and was quickly joined by Hannah Aubrey, a graphic designer, with the focus on creating high quality, functional base layers with Merino Wool that weren't just boring and black.

Downhill Mountain Bike FAQs

Do I really need a downhill mountain bike? This is a question that we are getting asked more and more frequently, mainly due to the rise of extremely capable enduro bikes.

Essential And Advanced Road Cycling Skills

If you are looking to become the most refined and skilled cyclist on a road bike, then there are a number of different skills to master. In this post, we look through some of the skills that you should master when riding a road bike.

Hardtail MTB FAQs

What is a Hardtail MTB Good for? Hardtail Mountain Bikes are excellent choices for tackling a wide range of off road terrain. Hardtail Mountain bikes climb off road ascents efficiently, they perform well on tight trails and offer great levels of traction.

Gravel Bike FAQs

Can I use a gravel bike for commuting? Many people use gravel bikes as their commuter bikes. There are many reasons why gravel bikes make good commuting bikes, they have a comfortable riding position compared to many road bikes, so have good visibility on the roads - helping keep a commute safe.

Full Suspension Mountain Bike FAQs

What are the advantages of a full suspension mountain bike? The two biggest advantages of using a full suspension mountain bike is the increase in comfort on the trails, as well as increased traction thanks to front and rear suspension, in the form of suspension forks and a suspension shock.

Aero Bike Frequently Asked Questions

Do aero bikes make a difference? Yes! The more aerodynamic a bike is, the less resistance it has. Minimising wind resistance is the main force that road cyclists have to fight against, especially when there is a headwind. The more aerodynamic a bike is, the less wind resistance and the faster you can cut through the air

Hybrid Bike FAQs

Can hybrid bikes be good for road cycling? Hybrid Bikes, like the name suggests are a true jack of all trades. They can be ridden on road well, and on light off-road terrain. Many road cyclists choose to jump on a hybrid bike because of the comfortable riding position, and go anywhere ability.

Road Bike Frequently Asked Questions

Is road biking easier than mountain biking? On road, yes! Road bikes are designed to ride both fast and ride easily on tarmac and pavement - they cannot be ridden effectively off road.

Cycling Clothing FAQ

Do you need padded shorts for cycling? Yes! Although it’s possible to do some short journeys without cycling shorts and remain comfortable - we always advise purchasing and using a good quality pair of cycling shorts.

XC Mountain bike FAQ

Are XC Bikes fast? Cross Country bikes are all about raw, blistering pace across a range of off road terrain. The light weight design of these bikes means they also perform well on trails and singletrack - especially on trails which flow well, and carry decent levels of speed.

Enduro Mountain Bike FAQ

What are Enduro Bikes good for? Enduro Bikes are long travel bikes which have been designed to maximise performance on downhill trails, whilst also retaining a decent ability to be pedalled back up the trails. Although enduro bikes are designed for climbing and ascents, they are not as efficient as compared to XC bikes.

Bike Brand FAQ

Is Giant a good bike brand? Giant has built up a reputation of being a very good bike brand, all Giant bikes use high quality components and have a design which has trickled down from the most expensive bikes within the collections, so you can expect excellent value.

Mountain Bike FAQs

Can a MTB be as fast as a road bike? Depending upon fitness and performance levels, mountain bikes can certainly be ridden faster than road bikes, but road bikes are approximately 10-30% quicker than a mountain bike. So much contributes to road bikes being quicker, including geometry, efficiency and weight.

Fox Shock Compatibility

With the current popularity of “strut mount” or “yoke-equipped” bicycle frame designs, Fox would like to highlight important considerations when considering and/or using a coil shock in this application.

Coronavirus And Cycling To Work

In the UK, everybody’s life has been touched by Coronavirus in some way or another - for some, it’s been a case of staying isolated, for some it’s been working on hospital wards full of...

Ebike Battery Care Guide

As the colder months set in, it can be important for ebike owners to take a little bit of extra care to ensure their ebike battery is kept in optimal condition. An ebike battery in cold weather can be susceptible to losing capacity, regardless of brand, but the good news is this doesn't mean you can't ride your ebike in the winter!

How To Get Ready For MTB Season

It never takes long for the excellent weather and lighter nights to roll around, opening up dry rideable trails and more hours than ever before to tackle the trails without using an MTB light. As soon as you start hitting the trails, you, your bike, and the mountain bike trails will have had almost two full seasons to decline in performance, so revisiting all of these elements of a successful mountain bike ride is recommended.

New Scott Electric Gravel Bike: The Solace

The Solace Electric Gravel Bike range from Scott is a new drop bar electric bike range that uses the TQ HPR550 motor, one of the quietest and most compact motors on the market. The Solace is not exclusively a gravel bike; it’s available in electric gravel and road bike framesets - in the gravel bike specification, it’s Scott’s first-ever electric gravel bike.

How To Improve Mountain Bike Grip

One of the essential parts of mountain biking is finding grip when riding off-road terrain. You need to find grip across a wide range of terrain and obstacles to avoid being a slower rider and a less confident mountain biker, which can wreck the enjoyment of every ride.

Scott Patron eRide 900 Tuned Review

Scott Patron eRide 900 is one of the best electric mountain bikes we have seen; it’s designed to be ridden all day and ridden hard. There’s plenty of travel, good levels of components and an excellent frame. This bike is fitted with 29-inch wheels as standard and sits between the trail bias Genius eRide and the long travel Ransom eRide.

Cannondale Scalpel HT Carbon 4 Review

Hardtail Mountain Bikes have often been overlooked in favour of their more exciting full-suspension counterparts. Hardtail mountain bikes are better than ever, and the Cannondale Scalpel HT Carbon 4 has impressed us with its ride everywhere capability, excellent price point and great specification.

MTB Uphill And Downhill Body Positions

It’s well-publicised that a balanced riding position on a mountain bike is key to overall performance and riding enjoyment. Finding the right position, however, does require you to shift your body about on the bike - both predicting the terrain you come across and responding to obstacles and technical areas of a trail in which you encounter.

Scott Solace Gravel eRide 10 Vs Solace eRide 10

At Westbrook Cycles, we always get excited when new bike models are launched into the industry and when Scott unveiled the Solace range, we treated it as two different models being found. However, this is only half right, with the Solace range sharing a frameset and the rest of the bike's specification dictating whether it’s the roadgoing Solace or the Gravel variant.

Scott Genius ST 900 Tuned Review

This 150mm travel full suspension mountain bike will allow you to enjoy both travelling uphill and barrelling back downhill once you get to the top. It’s a bike which is fast at climbing and very playful when heading back down.

MTB Small Drop-Off Technique

Rolling down drops is an essential skill for a well-rounded mountain bike rider. Small drops with clean exits are perfect for practising small drop-offs, and on an average day riding the trails - you can expect plenty of small drop-offs to enjoy. As with any mountain bike skill, especially downhill-orientated skills such as drop-offs - there’s a right way to do it and a wrong way.

Are GT Mountain Bikes Good?

At Westbrook Cycles, we are proud to stock and supply the full collection of GT Mountain Bikes. GT was one of the first brands involved in the world of mountain biking, and today faces tough...

How To Brake On A MTB

Braking correctly on a mountain bike is one of the biggest learning challenges, and braking efficiently represents one of the leading problems for new and inexperienced mountain bikers. Poor mountain bike braking technique is a massive cause of crashes and accidents.

Whyte E-160 RSX Review

The Whyte E-160 RSX is one of the most capable mountain bikes on the market. It’s a mid-travel electric mountain bike designed and manufactured by the experts at Whyte. This bike offers 150mm of travel, which makes it a strong performer on trails and suitable for enduro racing and conditions.

Whyte T-160 RS Review

The T-160 RS is the ‘do it all’ full suspension Mountain Bike from Whyte. It’s a trail bike that handles both rough stuff and smooth terrain, including ascents and descents - comfortably and efficiently. The rear shock of this bike has 150mm of travel - and the front fork of the bike, a RockShox Lyrik, provides 160mm of travel.

Orange Full Suspension Mountain Bike Guide

Orange Full Suspension Mountain Bikes are some of the most unique bikes that we sell here at Westbrook Cycles. Pioneers of trail and downhill riding, Orange bikes provide great performance, from designs which remain simple yet incredibly effective - perfectly matched to the challenging riding and winter conditions here in the UK.

How To Adjust Bike Gears

We often get asked how to adjust bike gears so this guide aims to cover the basics in setting up your gears and ensuring they stay running correctly. A lot of cyclists can find adjusting the gears a daunting prospect, but it isn't as hard as it seems and can actually be done quickly and easily at home or even out on the road or trail.

Orange Kids Bike Buying Guide

Orange Bikes are known as one of the most specialist & best suppliers of mountain bikes in the world, taking a unique approach to their design and manufacturing processes - with everything made in the UK.

Buying Your First Road Bike

At Westbrook Cycles, we are lucky enough to be based in the beautiful market town of Stokesley, surrounded by brilliant roads which criss cross beautiful countryside, including the North Yorkshire Moors...

Intermediate Road Bikes

Road Bikes follow the same key design principles, they are lightweight, they feature dropped handlebars, have narrow wheels and tyres, usually have a carbon fibre fork and do not feature any...

Road Cycling Shorts Buying Guide

Cycling Clothing gets a bad press here in the UK, with many non cyclists choosing to laugh and take the mickey out of road cyclists, adorned in lycra and tight fitting materials...

Scott Cycling Jackets

At Westbrook Cycles, we have an excellent relationship with Scott - stocking and supplying, not only their excellent range of Mountain Bikes, Gravel Bikes and Road Bikes, but also their...

Electric Hardtail Mountain Bike 2021 Guide

Electric Mountain Bikes have easily become our best selling ranges of bikes online here at Westbrook Cycles - with those new to the world of mountain biking, as well as experienced in the...

Starting Mountain Biking During Coronavirus

Although Coronavirus is one of the most devastating health pandemics the world has ever seen, it’s had a few strange consequences. There is less traffic on the road than ever before, pollution...

Best Triathlon Helmets 2019

Aero Helmets, when worn for a triathlon or similar race undoubtedly receive a few glances - thanks to their distinctive, aerodynamic shape. Aero Helmets are a popular choice however, for a...

Best Road Bikes for under £1,000

Road Bikes are some of our best selling products here at Westbrook cycles, we have worked hard to make sure we have the perfect range of road bikes for all cycling preferences and requirements...

Best Reflective Cycling Clothing

At Westbrook Cycles, we are proud to stock and supply an excellent range of Reflective Clothing suitable for all kinds of cycling & mountain biking. This range of reflective clothing holds...

Best Mountain Biking Shorts

If you mention cycling clothing to anybody, it’s almost guaranteed that their first thought will fall to lycra and all kinds of revealing ensembles. There are of course, many different disciplines and types of...

What To Pack On A Mountain Bike Ride

Mountain Biking provides an unparalleled sense of freedom, allowing riders to journey off road to remote and far-flung locations that people just cannot reach or see, during their day to day lives. The...

Best Mountain Bikes for under £1,000

There’s not a massive amount in the world you can get now for £1,000, but you can still get a fantastic quality mountain bike - capable of getting you well and truly off the beaten track for adventures...

Best Mountain Bikes for Everyday Use

At Westbrook Cycles, this is a question we hear a lot from our customers - what mountain bike is best for everyday use? Everyday use is of course different for each and every rider, with...

Road Cycling Jersey Buying Guide

At Westbrook Cycles, we do not just supply a range of bikes online - we also supply a massive range of cycling clothing and accessories, with one of the most popular product groups we sell...

Best Electric Mountain Bikes under £2,500

Electric Mountain Bikes have truly revolutionised mountain biking in recent years, and here at Westbrook Cycles - even our most traditionalist and purist mountain biking customers have recently...

Best Electric Mountain Bikes

Electric Mountain Bikes are the most technologically advanced mass market mountain bikes for sale. The research and design, as well as the quality of components used within these bikes is reflected...

Best Bike Travel Cases And Bags

No matter where you live in the UK, there’s some fantastic places to cycle - the call of further off destinations however, cannot be ignored. Whether it’s road cycling across the majestic roads of islands...

Best Cycling Overshoes

If you cycle in the UK, it’s likely that you have encountered some pretty harsh weather - whether it was out riding when it starts snowing, or battling torrential rain and strong winds in...

Mountain Bike Jersey Buying Guide

Although it’s easy to assume that cycling jerseys are the reserve of road cyclists, there’s actually a fantastic range of Mountain Bike Jerseys available to buy. These Jerseys differ from cycling...

2022 Giant Anthem Advanced Pro 29 1 Review

The Advanced Pro 29 version here is the tuned version; it boasts 130mm travel from the front fork - and there’s 120mm of rear wheel travel. The single pivot spring arm provides this travel, and there’s also flex in from the carbon fibre seat stays.

Common Mountain Bike Riding Mistakes

Although each mountain bike rider rides their mountain bike in a different way - there are common mistakes, which are easy to rectify which most riders have in common. Luckily for most riders, once they become aware of the source of the problem, these issues are pretty easy to fix.

How To Wheelie A MTB And When You Should

Pulling a wheelie on a mountain bike is a pretty well desired skill set, with one of the main reasons being that pulling a wheelie is really cool. Being able to pull a wheelie on a mountain bike however is not only a skill needed to show off to your mates - there are plenty of times when riding out on trails, where lifting the weight off the front wheel is important in getting you across obstacles efficiently, quickly and safely.

Basic Bike Maintenance Guide

Carrying out your own bike maintenance, whether that’s on a road bike or a mountain bike - is incredibly rewarding, and it’s suprising with a few guides and information, just how much of your own maintenance you can do.

The New 2022 Cannondale Synapse

The Cannondale Synapse is one of our best selling road bikes here at Westbrook Cycles - the Synapse platform provides endurance based performance, and the new Synapse, released in 2022 provides a massive number of changes and improvements, on the already impressively well rounded Synapse range.

Why Commute On An Electric Bike

There are so many benefits to commuting to work on a bike, including better mental health, better fitness levels - and the admiration of your colleagues. The benefits of commuting on an electric bike are greater still, with a fantastic array of benefits - including fast, enjoyable riding and commuting - which allows you to turn up to work, in good shape and not too exhausted!

When To Lock Out MTB Suspension

The short answer to the above question of when to lock out mountain bike suspension is when you are riding on a long climb, or flat section of riding - which is not technical, not featuring massively rough terrain or obstacles to negotiate.

Should I Buy A Cannondale Topstone?

The complete range of Cannondale Topstone Bikes are a great choice for customers looking for their perfect gravel bike. The range was one of the first gravel bikes on the market, and right across the range, Cannondale have developed and deployed a number of unique technologies which have kept them ahead of the gravel bike competition.

Road Bike Wheels And Rims

Road Bike Rims and wheels are one of the most cost effective upgrades you can make on your bike, with upgraded, newer lightweight rims being able to shave time off your performance. As well as being able to allow you to ride quicker, these rims can also handle better, with climbing and handling capabilities also improving.

Road Bike Cassettes, Buy Online from Westbrook Cycles

The Cassette on a road bike refers to the gearing on the back of the bike - the cassette is made up of a number of sprockets. The job of the Cassette is to provide gearing for the chain of your bike to run on - with different sprockets providing different performance allowing you to tailor the number of revolutions you can pedal a minute, to provide the most efficient performance.

Road Bike Brake Pads Online at Westbrook Cycles

Brakes are one of the most important components on any road bike, as well as being responsible for being able to stop safely and in good time, effective braking can also maximise performance and race times. At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply an excellent range of road bike brakes and components to keep your bike performing as it should do.

Mountain Bike Rims, Buy Online from Westbrook Cycles

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply a massive range of mountain bike rims and wheels. These wheels are purchased by customers who are looking to replace broken wheels and rims, as well as by customers who are looking to upgrade the rims on their mountain bike.

Mountain Bike Cassettes, Buy Online from Westbrook Cycles

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply an excellent range of Mountain Bike Cassettes, suitable for all kinds of mountain bikes. A Mountain Bike Cassette is one of the most important parts of the drivetrain of your mountain bike, it’s found on your rear hub and the cassette is made up of a number of sprockets, which are sized from small to large.

How To Use Tubeless Tyre Sealant

Tubeless Tyres have been massively growing in popularity in recent years - these tyre setups are used by road cyclists, mountain bikers and gravel bikers - and it’s no surprise. Tubeless tyres self seal punctures on the move, using a sealant inside the tyre which turns into a solid and plugs a gap, when it comes into contact with air through a hole in the tyre.

Best Bikes for a Coast to Coast Ride

At Westbrook Cycles, our staff and customers love a cycling challenge - and cycling challenges do not get much more iconic than doing a coast to coast ride in the North of England. One of the most...

How To Use Bike Gears

For those new to cycling, knowing how to use bike gears can be a confusing experience as some bikes seemingly have so many to choose from. A modern high-end road bike can easily have 24 gears, with some more budget bikes actually potentially having even more!

How To Use A Bike Pump

It is almost like a rite of passage, every cyclist at some point will need to know how to use a bike pump. Even if you don't get a puncture you will probably have to put some air in your tyres, as they can go down over time.

How To Teach A Child To Ride A Bike

Over the years the "best practice" theory has changed on how to teach a child to ride a bike. A few years ago, the main way to teach a child to ride would have been through the use of stabilisers attached to the child's bike, which tended to allow the child to learn the pedalling motion but also allowed them to rely on the stabilisers for balance.

How To Remove Rust From A Bike

When the Iron in Steel is exposed to Oxygen and moisture, it results in a form of corrosion we call rust. This process is known as Oxidising. If you live in an area where salt is common, either from being nearer the sea or if your local council are particularly fond of putting it down on the roads in Winter, this can cause rust to become even more prevalent.

How To Remove Bike Pedals

There is only really one thing to learn about how to remove bike pedals and that is that each pedal has an opposite thread on the axle. The reason for this is so that as you are pedalling, one of them doesn't fall off, which it would do if both pedals had a standard thread.

How To Raise Bike Handlebars

Whether you are looking to raise the handlebars on your hybrid bike to improve comfort, or to bring the front higher on your downhill bike for the steep stuff, there are a number of different things you can try to improve your ride. Here we will run through a few options available to you.

How To Pump Up Bike Tyres

Knowing how to pump up a bike tyre is basic knowledge that will benefit all cyclists and bike riders at some point. Pumping up bike tyres can seem a bit daunting to a novice due to the different valve types and all of the different pumps available, but this guide will aim to simplify these to help you perform some of your own maintenance.

How To Lock A Bike

The last thing you want to happen to your bike, whether it's your pride and joy or your mode of transport, is for someone to steal it. Although reported crime figures for bicycle thefts in England and Wales have been coming down in recent years, it is never safe to get complacent, and it is arguably due to improved security measures that these figures have come down.

How To Clean A Bike Chain

Basic bike maintenance is essential to keeping your bike running well, and can help keep costs down in the long run as it increases the longevity of a lot of drivetrain components. Anyone who rides a bike fairly frequently should perform some maintenance regularly, from die-hard road bike and mountain bike riders, to leisure cyclists or commuters.

Gravel Bikes Vs Hybrid Bikes

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply an excellent array of both Gravel Bikes and Hybrid Bikes - both of which are great options for customers not looking for the specialist designs and capabilities of either a mountain bike or a road bike.

Gravel Bike VS Road Bike Differences

Gravel Bikes and Road Bikes can look incredibly similar, and they do in fact have a lot in common. Importantly, there are subtle differences between the two types of bikes - which makes a dramatic difference when it comes to riding style, performance and capability. Depending upon the types of road bikes and gravel bikes compared, these differences can be incredibly subtle - or more pronounced.

Best Baggy Mountain Bike Shorts

Although tight lycra can look pretty cool, there’s nothing really cooler than baggy mountain bike clothing, manufactured by some of the coolest and most respected mountain bike...

Flat Bar Road Bikes, Buy Online from Westbrook Cycles

Flat Bar Road Bikes are designed to carry as much speed and pace as possible on the road - flat bar road bikes are perfect for people who want the efficiency of a road bike but the comfort and convenience to be able to enjoy a more comfortable ride - for such occasions as nipping to the shops or commuting to work.

Cycling Power Meter Buying Guide

At Westbrook Cycles, we get asked a ton of questions about and around cycling power meters - so we have created this blog post looking at what power meters are, how they work and how they can benefit the rider.

Commuter Cycling Clothing, Buy Online from Westbrook Cycles

Commuting to work on a bike is a challenge for many - as well as requiring plenty of willpower, commuters will also need the right clothing and equipment for all weather conditions. The correct commuter cycling clothing will allow the rider to turn up to work, safely, comfortable, dry and ready to start the day.

Commuter Bike Luggage, Buy Online from Westbrook Cycles

Commuting to work, university or college on a bike is a fantastic way to stay fit, earn the admiration of your fellow students/colleagues and unwind after a long stressful day. Commuting on a bike is the perfect way to avoid busy public transport, tubes and trains - but it’s not as simple as just jumping on your bike and cycling into work.

Castelli Insider Jersey And Shorts Review

Whether by choice or by necessity - more and more people are jumping onto a turbo trainer to accelerate their training, when time is short or whether it’s the poor weather that is keeping cycling confined to indoors.

£2000-£2500 Road Bikes

The £2,000 price point is an excellent starting point for a high quality road bike, and at this budget - cyclists will have a great choice of bikes, which use the best components and parts to provide excellent performance.

£1000 Road Bikes

World beating, race specification road bikes can cost up to the ten thousand pound mark, with professional and recreational cyclists choosing to invest large sums into a road bike in order to squeeze out every bit of available performance.

2020 Mountain Biking Body Armour

The New Year is always a really exciting time for us here at Westbrook Cycles, we finally get our hands and can supply all of the latest stock that our suppliers have been working on for the...

2020 Electric Road Bikes

Electric Bikes are one of the most exciting additions and innovations to hit the world of cycling, and they are becoming increasingly popular in road bike format. Electric Road Bikes provide...

£1000 Gravel Bikes

Gravel Bikes are a pretty new kind of bike - they combine the very best of mountain bikes and road bikes - into a package which can be described as an endurance road bike, with larger...

Sram Vs Shimano Brakes

Shimano & Sram are two of the world’s biggest bike brake manufacturers. Both companies provide incredibly popular brakes, specced as original equipment on many bikes, covering mountain bikes and road bikes - and being bought by cyclists upgrading with a system from either SRAM or Shimano.

Sram Vs Shimano

If you are searching for a new bike and are comparing the specifications of bikes - regardless of whether that’s a gravel bike, a road bike or a mountain bike, one of the most noticeable differences is the component manufacturer.

How To Make A Mountain Bike Faster

Speed is the name of the game, and if you are looking to make your mountain bike quicker & faster - read on for some tips. The saying ‘smooth is fast’ certainly applies to mountain biking - and keeping a well-lubricated drivetrain will keep the bike running properly.

Stopping Leg Burn When Cycling

Cycling can be as vigorous an activity as the rider wants it to be - cycling can be gentle, or it can be incredibly difficult. Almost everybody who cycles though will be familiar with the leg burn associated with cycling and pushing hard.

Mountain Biking Health Benefits

Mountain Biking is incredibly popular in the UK, with riders typically using a mix of trail centres and open-access countryside across England, Scotland & Wales, which combines many riding conditions and miles to explore. Although it’s well known that any form of exercise is good for mental and physical health. In this post, we look at the benefits of riding a mountain bike in greater detail.

Sram Vs Shimano Drivetrains Differences

Shimano was the first company to introduce an electric drivetrain - the DI2 system was launched in 2009 and used exclusively on road bikes. This electric drivetrain is now offered across the full range of bikes; it’s still a wired system and uses a rechargeable battery.

Shimano Vs Campagnolo

In our mini-series comparing the different manufacturers of bicycle components, we have covered Shimano Components VS SRAM Components. This post looks at the differences between Shimano and Campagnolo Components.

Shimano Groupset Buying Guide

This post looks at Shimano Mountain Bike Groupsets, which exclude downhill groupsets. These groupsets have been excluded from this article, as they provide downhill performance, not cross-country performance! We look at the groupsets Altus, Acera, Alivio, Deore, SLX, Deore XT and XTR - all manufactured by Shimano.

How To Improve Your Mountain Biking

There are many reasons why you may want to improve your mountain bike skill set - it may be that you want to improve your race times, getting on the podium, it may also be that you simply want to be able to ride your local trail loop/circuit without falling off the bike.

Should I Cut Down My Steerer Tube?

One of the most commonly asked questions in cycling is whether or not to cut down your steerer tube. In this post, we look at what it means to cut down your steerer tube, how to do it - and whether or not it would benefit you as a rider.

How To Manual A Mountain Bike

Performing a manual on a mountain bike is a key skill to have. In this post, we look at how to manual a mountain bike and some of the reasons you should be able to perform a manual. A manual is very much like a wheelie, it involves keeping the front wheel off the ground as your rear wheel remains on the ground.

Can You Trust Carbon Fibre Bike Frames?

As bike technology and innovation has pressed on in recent years, so has the materials used. One of the biggest changes in recent decades has been the introduction of carbon fibre as a frame material across all kinds of bikes - from super lean road racers to downhill mountain bikes.

Gravel Bike Vs XC Bike

More types of bikes are available on the market than ever before, meaning everybody’s dream garage will contain a bike for every occasion, ranging from road, gravel, and mountain bikes. Of course, not everybody can afford a specialist bike for every ride, so some compromises must be made.

Used Electric Mountain Bike Buying Guide

If you are new to the world of electric mountain bikes, looking at the new RRP prices from manufacturers may give you a bit of a shock! Although cheaper electric mountain bikes are available, under budgets of £2,500 - a second-hand electric mountain bike will give you access to a cheaper model at a cheaper price point - there are of course, several things to consider when buying an E-mtb on the used market.

Why Ride An Electric Bike?

Electric Bikes are being adopted by even the most stringent of cycling puritans, with the lure of an electric gravel bike, road bike and mountain bike - being too strong for most to resist!

How To Make A Bike Feel Like New Again

If you feel that your bike is not running properly, or your bike is beginning to sound like it’s not running properly - you may start to want a new bike, but that’s not always required. There are several ways to bring your bike into feeling new and back into enjoyable riding. Below, we run through what we recommend:

Used Bike Buying Guide Including Checklist

There are many advantages to purchasing a second-hand bike - with the cheaper purchase price as one of the main benefits. However, one of the biggest challenges of buying a second-hand bike is finding one for the right price in the right condition whilst ensuring the sale goes through safely and securely.

Second-Hand Bike Buying Tips

Purchasing a second-hand bike, be that a mountain bike or a road bike, can be a fantastic way to secure an excellent bike for under retail price - which is why we have introduced a trusted way of buying a used bike online for customers looking for a bike with big savings over its new price or a bike which has been built to their preferred specifications.

Buying A New Bike Vs Used Bike

Cycling in recent years has increased massively in popularity, in no small part - fuelled by the pandemic and the increase in people commuting via bicycle. The cycling industry for many years has struggled to keep up with demand, and in turn, there has been an increase in second-hand bikes entering the marketplace - leaving customers the choice of buying a new bike or a used bike.

2022 Gravel Bike Buying Guide

Gravel bikes are among the most versatile ones you can buy, designed to tackle a number of different surfaces with ease. Gravel Bikes have drop bars - and are best to be seen as a halfway house between a mountain bike - they are useful for all kinds of cycling, meaning they are one of the best choices for a cyclist looking for a bike that can do a bit of everything.

Cannondale CAAD13 Disc 105 Review

The Cannondale CAAD13 Disc 105 Road Bike - performs and rides much better in the real world than it looks on paper. It’s not the cheapest road bike on the market, and it’s not the lightest one you can buy - but it makes up for these factors with an exciting ride.

Scott Ransom 920 Review

The Ransom has long been a favourite with enduro riders - boasting some of the longest travel found on any enduro mountain bike. It’s recently undergone several improvements and revisions - whilst staying true to its formula of long travel performance.

Giant Reign E +1 Review

The Reign E+1 is the most enduro focussed electric bike within the Giant lineup - with impressive specifications and numbers to back this up. There’s a massive 160mm of travel, a 29-inch front wheel and a 27.5-inch rear wheel.

Cannondale Trail SE 4 Review

The sub £1000 hardtail mountain bike segment is full of excellent choices, and the Cannondale Trail SE 4 is an excellent addition to the sub £1000 segment. It rides well on the trails and has solid specifications. In this post, we look at the bike in further detail.

Giant Reign SX Review

The Giant Reign Range is approaching twenty years in business, launching in 2005. As a brand, Giant has been responsible for driving many innovations in the world of mountain biking - rising to become the biggest bike manufacturer in the world as mountain bike wheel sizes and trends have changed, as has the Giant Reign.

Cannondale Topstone Neo Carbon 1 Lefty Review

The Cannondale Topstone Lefty is a fantastic bike to ride - meaning we were pleased when Cannondale launched their electric version of the bike, sharing the same underpinnings at the non-electric version, namely the unique fork and kingpin suspension.

Scott Contessa Addict RC 15 Review

Contessa is Scott’s range of women’s bikes - and the Contessa Addict RC 15 is a race-ready road bike - which has been designed to give female riders the biggest possible advantages. As well as being race ready, this bike works well for recreational riders - it demands attention wherever it is ridden.

Cannondale Synapse Carbon LTD RLE Review

Few bikes on the market have won as many awards as the Synapse range. This range has become a classic and a staple endurance bike. This year, it’s better than ever - benefiting from several revisions. As well as being popular with cyclists, it’s a bike which has not only won industry awards but it’s had some serious successes and podiums over the years.

Scott Addict RC 10 Review

There are few greater all-around road bikes than the Scott Addict RC 10. It’s a bike which is designed to be a low-weight race bike, with strong levels of aerodynamic performance.The latest version of this bike is more understated than in previous years, but it offers incredible performance levels.

Giant Contend 1 Review

The sub £1000 road bike category is a competitive and tough market; on the one hand, the bikes have to be designed to some budget restrictions - whilst they still need to provide good performance and reliability.

What Does Tubeless Ready Gravel Bike Mean?

Gravel Bikes suit running Tubeless Tyres and at Westbrook Cycles, with those of us who ride gravel bikes here not running anything but tubeless tyres. Many Gravel Bikes on the market are sold as Tubeless Ready - and in this post, we look at what this means whilst making the argument for switching to a tubeless tyre setup.

Crankset Buying Guide

The Crankset sits at the heart of the bike and comprises a couple of different components, namely the Crank Arm and the Chainring. This post has been created to answer several common questions about Cranksets.

Road, Gravel And MTB Tyre Sealant FAQ's

Tyre sealant is a liquid, which is added inside the tyre. Designed to be used with tubeless ready tyres, the sealant is designed to instantly repair small punctures, such as punctures from thorns.

Mechanical Vs Hydraulic Disc Brakes

Although we have covered dics brakes VS rim brakes on our blog before, we have not covered the differences between mechanical and hydraulic disc brakes. This post is especially relevant as the entire cycling industry, especially mountain bike industry has switched to supplying disc brakes on their entire bike range, so much so that even entry level mountain bikes are now fitted with disc brakes as standard.

Bike Hubs Buying Guide

All bike components are important, with each playing an important part in the operation of a bike - the hubs, however, are certainly one of the most important!

How To Choose A Mountain Bike

There are so many mountain bikes available on the market, and one of the trickiest things about choosing the right mountain bike for your requirements - is just how different mountain bikes are.

Bib Shorts Buying Guide

Bib Shorts are an almost essential purchase for any road cyclist. A simple but highly effective clothing product, bib shorts hold your shorts in place whilst you are in different riding positions without having an uncomfortable and restrictive waistband.

Road Bike Racing Tips

If you have been pushing the pace on your road bike, the next logical step is to try your hand at entering a road bike race. Entering your first road is incredibly exciting, but excitement can quickly become anxiety as the race approaches.

Mountain Bike Racing Tips

If you have been riding mountain bikes recreationally and are looking for more of a challenge - then a mountain bike race is usually the way to do it. Mountain Bike Racing, whatever the level of competition and expected results & outcomes - is a thrilling experience, but excitement can quickly turn into anxiety and intimidation as the race approaches.

Orange Bikes FAQ

Are Orange Bikes any Good? Orange Bikes have been on the podium of many downhill world cup championships over the years, including a handful of women’s downhill trophies too.

In Stock Scott Road Bikes

Scott Bikes come in all shapes & sizes, and Scott design and manufacture a fantastic range of bikes which can do everything from accelerate you across Tour de France routes thanks to their specialist road bikes, right across to allow you to tackle some of the knarliest off road terrain on one of their equally impressive mountain bikes.

How To Use Clipless Pedals

The history of Clipless Pedals, and the technology used with them - can be traced back to ski binds. Ridden to victory in the Tour de France in 1985, Clipless Pedals have been used by professional riders, as well as recreational riders ever since.

How To Corner On A MTB

If you are a MTB Rider looking to maximise speed and pace on trails, whether that’s during competitive racing or simply wanting to improve your recreational riding skills - you are not alone. One of the biggest barriers to building up speed on MTB Trails is cornering.

How To Whip A Mountain Bike

Whipping a Mountain Bike is one of the most stylish ways you can ride the trials, and whilst a ‘starter whip’ can be quite a simple trick, perfecting this move takes a lot of work. As well as looking really cool, a correctly executed whip on a MTB also adds stability in the air, making each jump look and feel better, especially large jumps where remaining stiff and upright can make the rider feel very much like a passenger on the bike.

Jumping A Mountain Bike: The Fundamentals

Mountain Biking is one of the most varied ways of cycling, and travelling in general - a mountain bike unlocks so much different terrain, demanding certain skill sets and capabilities from the bikes and riders. Jumping a mountain bike is one area which most mountain bikers want to learn how to do in the first instance, and improve once they have mastered the basics.

MTB Riding In The Autumn Months

Here in the UK, it’s around this time of year when we see the warmer summer months disappearing behind us, with the autumn and winter months heralding new and sometimes more difficult conditions to ride in.

How To Ride A MTB Over Rocks

Rocks are one of the most exciting and variable challenges when it comes to riding across MTB terrain. Rocks are exciting, they are a feature of most trails - but their variation means that there is so much practice to do on them. Rocks on a trail can mean anything, from a solitary stone right across to outcrops of rocks and tables of rocks, such as granite.

How To Generate Flow On A Mountain Bike

If you are finding yourself lagging behind your mates on the trails, it’s likely that you are not generating enough pump & flow from your mountain bike, this is especially relevant if you find you are pedalling on the trails more than others that you ride with.

Winter Mountain Bike Skills

Whilst balmy summer evenings may be our best memories of the years riding - there’s no doubt that riding during the winter months throws up plenty of fun, enjoyment and challenges - which make us a better, all round mountain bike rider.

Getting Ready For First Bike Ride

One thing we have noticed during the lockdown years, is the number of people coming back to cycling as a recreational activity, either after a break of many years - as well as more people than ever getting into cycling for the first time.

Should You Buy Ceramic Bearings?

There are some things in life that never change, regardless of technologies and advancements. One such thing that remains the same, despite all of the technological advancements in mountain bike and road bike technology - is the fact that all of our bikes rely on ball bearings to operate.

Mountain Bike Fork Maintenance

Mountain Bike Forks are found on both full suspension and hardtail mountain bikes - providing much needed suspension on a mountain bike, when travelling off road. In this post, we look at...

Why Upgrade Road Bike Wheels

There are many different reasons to upgrade the wheels on your road bike, ranging from improving performance, right across to personalising the bike's aesthetics. Customers of ours...

Giant TCR Advanced Disc 3 Road Bike Review

Giant has a great reputation for delivering fantastic quality bikes at great price points, representing excellent value, without sacrificing any quality.

Giant Defy Advanced 1 Review (2022)

Giant is a well known bike brand, and has a fantastic reputation for building bikes which deliver excellent performance at a sensible price point.

Road Bike Buying Considerations

Most people would think that buying a road bike would be nice and easy, surely it’s about as easy as buying anything else - choose the bike that you want, order it online/buy it from a bike shop, then all you need to do is take it home and ride it.

Mountain Bike Set Up Mistakes

Mountain Bikes are some of the most advanced bikes available to buy, especially in full suspension options.

Road Bike Set Up Mistakes

Whether you have purchased a new road bike, or are struggling to get comfortable on a road bike you have owned for a while - one of the many common road bike setup mistakes may be to blame.

Giant Contend AR3 Review

The Giant Contend AR3 is one of the best ‘all rounder’ bikes that we have stock at Westbrook Cycles - Giant claim it’s been designed for use by road riders who have a ‘thirst for adventure’. Translated into the real world, this is a high performance road bike which rides smoothly across a lot of different terrain and riding conditions - it handles smooth tarmac as well as it handles bumpy, uneven roads and even canal towpaths.

GT Transeo Review

The GT Transeo range of hybrids, is one of the most utiliaterian, diverse and useful collections of hybrid bikes on the market. There are plenty of models with different specifications available, including womens GT Transeo models.

Cannondale Tesoro Neo Review

Hybrid Bikes are in a league of their own when it comes to utility, they are able to handle the daily shop, the daily commute - as well as light off road performance, including firetracks and canal towpaths.

Cycling Commuting Advice And Mistakes

At Westbrook Cycles, every year we supply more and more bikes to commuters. The rise in popularity of hybrid bikes and gravel bikes has seen more and more cyclists looking to commute to work on a bike which is equally capable on tarmac as it is on mild off road conditions.

Road Bike Descending Tips

Descending on a road bike is in our opinion, one of the best parts of riding a road bike - after ascending some steep hills, a good stretch of downhill road provides the perfect reward.

Tips For Cycling In The Wind

The UK is a windy place to head out cycling, especially on higher ground - near where our bike shop is in North Yorkshire. There are some advantages of living in such a windy place, mainly the fact that it’s good for renewable energy!

Advantages Of Electronic Shifting

Electronic Shifting on both road bikes, gravel bikes and mountain bikes is no longer new technology - with many drivetrain manufacturers such as Shimano & SRAM all having had their electronic shifting options on the markets for many years.

How To Find New MTB Trails

One of the most challenging and demorailising things for many gravel and mountain bike riders - is finding new trails to ride and enjoy. For many riders, especially those who ride alone, finding the best trails and routes can be very difficult.

How To Prevent Speed Wobble

If you are reading this article, it’s likely that you have encountered a speed wobble on a road bike. Speed wobbles don’t really need much explanation if you have suffered from one - they can be pretty scary and in some cases, can lead to a crash.

Two Short Rides Vs One Long Ride

It’s often hard to fit cycling in around everyday life, especially if training for a specific event or fitness goal. One of the questions we see asked the most, is what is best - one big bike ride, or two smaller ones?!

How To Improve Cycling Braking Performance

Braking on a bike is not only about performance, it’s also about remaining legal and adhering to bike specific legislation, which dictates that a bike must have working brakes. Bikes used by adults in the UK must have two independent braking systems, namely a front and back brake.

When To Replace Bike Chainrings & Cassette

Although the drivetrain of your bike is not classified as a consumable item, like brake pads are - it’s true that if you do enough mileage, or poorly maintain the drivetrain of your bike - you can expect to wear the drivetrain, requiring replacement components and parts.

Scott Strike eRide Review

The Strike eRide is a fantastic full suspension electric mountain bike, it’s packed with technology and features that are designed to make this bike one of the very best ways of travelling across varied off-road terrain, from gravel tracks and fire roads to challenging singletrack. In this post, we look at the range in greater detail, examining everything from the bike’s power supply, to its suspension and handling in the real world.

How To Improve Bike Comfort

One of the biggest barriers to enjoying a new bike, or maximising your performance on the bike - is the comfort of your bikke. There are often times when out riding when pain is good, the pain and burning in your legs as you ascend can be painful but incredibly satisfying, but other forms of pain, caused by discomfort on the bike is never a good thing.

How To Stop Bike Brakes Squeaking

One of the most irritating things about a bike ride, is having to listen to squealing brakes on your bike - squealing brakes affect all bikes equally, mountain bikes, gravel bikes and road bikes all suffer.

GT Stomper 20 Review

The GT Stomper 20 is one of the very best investments you can make into ensuring that your child gets a fantastic start into the world of cycling. The Stomper 20 has been designed to provide a fast, controllable and reliable kids bike which can take your child off road, in many ways it’s the first child's bike which can be used for shredding off road trails, and it’s been designed to perfectly meet kids riding requirements.

Cycle Scheme Mountain Bikes

Although many cyclists do commute on a mountain bike, hybrid bikes and road bikes are more commonly seen - that does not mean though, that you cannot secure yourself an excellent mountain bike with all of the benefits of using a cycle scheme to do so.

Cannondale Trail Review And Features

At Westbrook Cycles, we are proud to stock and supply the most comprehensive range of Cannondale Bikes available, including the Cannondale Mountain Bike range. One of the biggest ranges of hardtail Cannondale Mountain Bikes is the aptly named Cannondale Trail Hardtail Mountain Bikes.

Cycle Scheme Electric Bikes

Recent changes to the Cycle Scheme - lifting the previous cap of a maximum bike budget of £1,000 - now sees a range of electric bikes become affordable through the cycle scheme. The budget change has come about because of a number of bikes entering the marketplace, which simply were not affordable sub £1,000.

Cycle Scheme Road Bikes

There have been exciting changes in the Cycle Scheme recently, whilst the older cycle schemes were capped at £1,000 - the cycle scheme is now uncapped, allowing cyclists to purchase and save on cycle scheme bikes at any price point. The change has come about with the introduction of many different types of bikes into the marketplace, including electric bikes and cargo bikes - which were unavailable at the older price point of sub £1000.

Fox Fork Buying Guide

At Westbrook Cycles, we are proud to work with some of the biggest and best mountain bike brands in the world, and Fox is certainly a brand which deserves such accolades. Fox has been around in the world of mountain biking since 2001 - this was when Fox launched their own mountain bike suspension fork, which found instant popularity.

Giant Revolt E Plus Review

At Westbrook Cycles, we are massive fans of drop bar electric gravel bikes - these bikes really can do it all, from swallowing up tarmac miles, to making light work of rough off road terrain. The efficient designs of these gravel bikes are massively assisted by the presence of an electric motor - which allows the riders to travel both further and faster than ever before.

Giant Stance 29 Review

Taking many of the successful ingredients of the Trance 29, the Stance 29 provides great performance, at a much lower price point - allowing riders access to a Giant Full Suspension Mountain Bike - at the lowest possible price point. The Giant Stance is built around 29 inch wheels and is designed to do it all - it’s designed to be the only trail bike that a rider would ever need - there’s 130mm of travel upfront, and 120mm of rear travel - thanks to Giant’s flexpoint suspension.

GT Avalanche Sport Hardtail Mountain Bike

GT Design and Manufacture an excellent range of hardtail mountain bikes, representing fantastic value for money. These GT hardtail mountain bikes are ideal for those riding a range of cross country terrain, but especially those riding gravel roads, fire tracks, grassland and tarmac on rides such as the daily commute.

GT eGrade Current Review

GT is one of the most iconic bike brands in the world, but they are mostly known for their excellent range of mountain bikes - now more than ever, they are pushing the boundaries of what is capable in the world of gravel bikes, as well as electric gravel bikes. GT in our opinion always provides excellent bikes, at great price points - and their electric gravel range is no exception.

GT Zaskar LT Review And Features

The GT Zaskar LT is one of the most historic names in mountain biking. First introduced way back in 1991, the Zaskar has won world cup championships in so many different mountain bike disciplines. In recent years, the GT Zaskar has been revamped, and in this post we look at the old, but new GT Zaskar LT.

How To Make Gravel Bikes More Comfortable

At Westbrook Cycles, we speak to many customers who ask us about what they can do to make their gravel bike more comfortable. This is usually after they have invested in their first or second gravel bike, and are already enjoying all of the benefits of being able to ride wherever they want to, whenever they want to - away from traffic, and into off road terrain.

Moterra Neo 3+ Review

At Westbrook Cycles, we are massive fans of the Cannondale Bike Range - we have been selling a huge amount of Cannondale Gravel Bikes, alongside their range of mountain bikes. At the premium and most capable side of their mountain bike range, sits the Cannondale Moterra collection. The Moterra is available in Carbon 1, Carbon SE, Carbon 2, Carbon 3+, Neo 4 and Neo 5.

Scott Aspect 950 Review And Specifications

At Westbrook Cycles, we are massive fans of Scott Hardtail Mountain Bikes. We find that they provide the perfect balance of efficient performance across a wide variety of terrain, alongside plenty of singletrack capability - which sees these bikes become go anywhere mountain bikes, especially for those up for a challenge.

Scott Roxter 24 Review And Specs

At Westbrook Cycles, we have been increasing our range of kids mountain bikes - and with our close relationship with Scott, it’s no surprise that we have been adding an excellent range of Scott Kids Bikes into stock. The Roxter 24 is an important part of the kids Scott Bike lineup, and for good reason, it’s a bike which ticks a lot of boxes and is incredibly fun to ride.

Cannondale Topstone Neo Range Review

Cannondale have long held the position as one of the top brands when it comes to gravel bikes, but for a long time their electric gravel bike range consisted of just the incredibly high end Topstone Carbon Neo. Whilst the Topstone Carbon Neo, with its lefty fork, Bosch motor and carbon fibre frame is fantastic, you pay for the quality - and the prices of the Carbon Neo ranged from £4,000 to £8,000.

Cannondale Supersix Evo Hi-Mod Disc Red eTap AXS Review

One of the most exciting names for any road bike, comes in a range of exciting colours and metallic paint schemes - with metallic frames and retro tyres with tanwalls - makes this one of the most exciting road bikes on the market.

Cannondale Supersix EVO CX Review And Specs

At Westbrook Cycles, we are proud to stock and supply an excellent range of Cyclocross Bikes - and Cannondale have long held their dominant market position when it comes to designing and manufacturing the very best cyclocross bikes, at all budgets and price points. In recent years, the Cyclocross range from Cannondale has been overhauled, with the Super X being discontinued and being replaced with the Supersix Evo CX.

Cannondale Scalpel Review

The Scalpel is one of the most well known full suspension mountain bikes on the market, the first Cannondale Scalpel was launched way back in 2001. When first launched, the Scalpel was designed to draw racers away from hardtail mountain bikes, instead choosing to fit short travel suspension.

What to Wear Winter Mountain Biking

At Westbrook Cycles, we understand that it’s not just the bike itself which makes for an enjoyable day out mountain biking, although it certainly helps! Equally important, is a massive range of...

Winter Road Cycling Clothing Guide

If you live and ride in the UK, it’s likely that you will have to encounter some pretty miserable weather conditions if you want to ride any other time than over the few weeks that we can...

Mudguards Buying Guide

Like many components that we discuss here on The Blog, mudguards are not the most exciting bits of kit that we get into the shop here at Westbrook Cycles. Mudguards are however, pretty...

How To Upgrade Your Mountain Bike

At Westbrook Cycles, the mountain bike side of our business is split into a couple of different parts - mainly the sales of full and ready to ride mountain bikes, and the sales and supply of a range...

Mountain Bike Tyres Guide

Mountain Bike Tyres are designed for off road use, and typically feature raised tread patterns known as either ‘knobs’ or ‘lugs’ which dig into loose material and ground, providing the best...

Mountain Bike Helmets Guide

Across the full Mountain Bike industry, and the cycling industry in general, technological advancements have made the sport not only more fun, but also a lot safer. Not surprisingly one of...

Intermediate Mountain Bikes

We know how important is to buy the right bike for your requirements - and that’s why our customer services teams are equipped with all of the knowledge required for our customers to make the...

Gravel Bikes Explained

Although at first glance, a gravel bike can look just like a cyclocross bike but they are actually very different propositions and in this post we look at exactly what a gravel bike is, and why...

What is the Best Wheel Size for Mountain Bikes?

Mountain Bike wheels have to perform in some incredibly difficult situations, as well as powering you across rough terrain - they need to be able to soak up damage from impacts with...

Best Mountain Bikes for Recreational Riding

Mountain Biking is one of the very best recreational hobbies that you can do, getting you outside in the fresh air - whilst getting you fitter and stronger in the process. Mountain Biking does...

2020 Electric Mountain Bikes

The start of the year is always a really exciting time for us here at Westbrook Cycles, it’s the time of year when we get our hands on the very latest releases from bike manufacturers...

2020 Scott Mountain Bikes

Scott is one of the brands that we work with most closely here at Westbrook Cycles, for so many different reasons. As well as representing excellent value for money for the specification...

Common Mountain Bike Drivetrain Replacement Parts

At Westbrook Cycles, we are proud to stock and supply a fantastic range of Mountain Bikes, all of which have been handpicked from the world’s best mountain bike manufacturers...

Best Way to Upgrade Your Mountain Bike Components

If you are into your mountain biking it’s likely that you will be, or have in the past, considered how to improve the ride and upgrade the performance you get from your mountain bike...

Best Way to Upgrade Road Bike Components

Upgrading the components on a road bike oddly has some stigma attached to it. It’s true in 99% of cases that it’s easier to improve your riding performance by riding more, improving your...

Mountain Bike Grips Buying Guide

At Westbrook Cycles, we place massive importance on the contact points that a mountain bike has with it’s rider - mainly the handlebars, bike grips, saddle, as well as pedals. Getting...

Mountain Bike Disc Brake Guide

Almost everybody who rides a Mountain Bike, or has bought a Mountain Bike in recent years, will be riding a bike which has been fitted with Disc Brakes. Disc Brakes have long been the brake...

Preparing You And Your Mountain Bike for Mud

If you ride your mountain bike in the UK, there’s a few guarantees when it comes to riding conditions - you will have experienced unpleasant weather, and you will also have experienced...

Aftermarket And Upgraded Mountain Bike Forks

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock a fantastic range of aftermarket mountain bike forks which we supply to customers looking to upgrade the suspension forks on their mountain bikes...

Aftermarket And Upgraded Road Bike Forks

Although road bikes are pretty simple machines - it does have some incredibly important parts - one of the most important, being road bike forks. These forks deliver power and steering...

Mountain Biking And Coronavirus

We think it’s fair to say that nobody has now not heard of Coronavirus - and the effects that it has had on people’s work, shopping habits, hobbies and general behaviour. At the moment, we are...

Cycling at Home during Coronavirus Outbreak

Cyclists are a resilient bunch, and it’s been widely reported that both professional and amateur cyclists are meeting in virtual reality to work out at home. Across countries such as Spain...

Coronavirus - Time To Encourage Cycling

Transport is one of the biggest concerns with the outbreak of Coronavirus - and as part of social distancing measures, it’s become very difficult getting from one place to another - avoiding...

Snapped/Broken Chainstay

At Westbrook Cycles, we supply all of the parts required to keep your road bike or mountain bike in tip top riding condition. This means supplying a massive range of components and...

Snapped/Broken Gear Hangers

At Westbrook Cycles, as well as supplying a range of new road & mountain bikes to our customers - we also carry stock of, and supply a massive range of components which have been designed...

Snapped/Broken Road Bike Forks Guide

At Westbrook Cycles, we not only supply our customers with a full range of new road bikes and mountain bikes - but also with a complete range of replacement parts and components, to...

Coil VS Air Suspension MTB Shocks

At Westbrook Cycles, nobody understands how quickly the industry can change - more than us. Each year, we see all kinds of different products come through our doors, some of which are massive...

Kids Full Suspension Mountain Bikes for Sale

Full Suspension Mountain Bikes are the ultimate in mountain bike performance, boasting suspension at the front and rear of the bike - in the form of a rear shock and front suspension forks...

Excuses to Buy Another Bike

At Westbrook Cycles, we are lucky to have access to the very best and most exciting bikes from the world’s leading manufacturers of both mountain and road bikes. One of the issues that...

When To Buy A New Mountain Bike

Mountain Bike enthusiasts will face the question of whether to buy a new mountain bike - throughout their mountain biking career. Usually balancing out the desire for increased performance, as...

When To Buy A New Road Bike

The above question is one of the most difficult questions that road bikers face, when to replace their current road bike with a newer bike. There’s an ever changing landscape of road bikes - with...

Road Bike Beginner Essentials

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, we have seen a massive number of customers finding road cycling for the first time, or returning to road cycling after a lengthy break from riding. These...

Mountain Bike Price Ranges

There are plenty of fantastic mountain bikes available for under £500 - and at Westbrook Cycles, in working with the very best mountain bike manufacturers, we have confidence in each...

Road Bike Price Ranges

At Westbrook Cycles, we speak to customers both over the phone and in our North Yorkshire shop - and one of the most common budgets we hear customers wanting to stick to for a...

Does an Electric Bike still Burn Calories?

"Does an Electric Bike aid weight loss, and burn calories?" is one of the most common questions we get asked here at Westbrook Cycles. The team here is split when it comes to the popularity...

Beginner Mountain Bike Mistakes

At Westbrook Cycles, during the Covid lockdown we are supplying a massive array of road bikes and mountain bikes to beginner cyclists, or cyclists who have not ridden in a long time - and...

Downhill Mountain Bike Tips For Beginners

Downhill Mountain Biking is without doubt the most exciting and white knuckle experience you can have whilst mountain biking. Downhill mountain biking is all about getting to the top...

Avoiding Saddle Soreness When Cycling

Saddle Soreness is one of the most frustrating parts about cycling, especially if you are getting back on the bike after some time not riding. It’s very easy to head out on a bike all guns...

Mountain Bike Trail - Colour Grading Explained

In the UK - there are many businesses and trail centres investing masses of time and money in creating a fantastic network of mountain bike trails, at their dedicated trail centres, which...

Electric Mountain Bike VS Traditional Mountain Bike

At Westbrook Cycles, we are run by staff who are all mountain bike fans in some formats - whilst some shun the rise of the electric mountain bike, more and more are regarding electric...

How to Improve Singletrack MTB Performance

Singletracks are one of the most rewarding types of mountain bike terrain - not only do singletracks test the mountain biker across the fastest and most fun terrain - they also snake through...

Are Scott Mountain Bikes Good?

At Westbrook Cycles, we avoid brands which do not reach the high standards of bike and components that we are willing to supply to our customers. In our experience, cheaper bike brands provide...

Are Cannondale Mountain Bikes Good?

At Westbrook Cycles, we only ever stock bike brands who we know design and manufacture high quality mountain bikes at a range of different price points and levels. We never...

Mountain Biking Styles

At Westbrook Cycles, we love the fact that our range of bikes caters for any mountain biker looking for a top quality mountain bike - which has been thoughtfully designed, is fit for purpose...

Mountain Biking Terrain Beginners Guide

All of us have a pretty good idea with what a bike does and looks like - but as you look closer at cycling and biking - you begin to notice and learn of different bike styles and types, all of which...

Reasons To Buy The Cannondale Topstone

At Westbrook Cycles, in recent years and especially during the increase in cycling during the Coronavirus outbreak, we have been supplying our customers with an increased range...

Gravel Bike VS Mountain Bike

It’s often said - that the current range of gravel bikes are just old mountain bikes - and we can see why this is said (even when tongue in cheek!) Gravel Bikes do share a lot of the geometry...

Gravel Bike VS Road Bike

All kinds of different cycling disciplines are fantastic in their own way - and much in the same way that it’s not a fair comparison to compare mountain bikes to road cycling - there are some...

Tips For Your First Commute By Bike

The Coronavirus outbreak has made commuting via bike more important than ever, especially with commuters being encouraged to avoid cramped and busy public transport, such as...

Bottle And Cage Buying Guide

Water is one of the most important elements in any athlete's performance, our bodies are made up of 60% water - and it's easy to know when we are becoming dehydrated - our bodies can not...

What To Wear Road Cycling in Winter

Just because the weather is turning cold, there’s no need to stop cycling during the autumn and winter months, or even in early spring. These months provide some of the very best and most...

What To Wear Downhill Mountain Biking

Downhill Mountain Biking is about as exciting as it gets on two wheels, the clue in what this type of riding involves is in the name - it involves riding down bike trails and tracks, which have been specifically...

How To Ride Steep MTB Trails

If you have ever sat at the top of the trail and thought "That looks very, very steep!" then this article will be well worth reading, because in it - the mountain bikers in the team here at...

Reasons To Ride In The Rain

If you ride your road bike long enough in the UK - there will come a time when you get caught in the rain - and in our experience here at Westbrook Cycles - we recommend tackling the rain...

How To Ride Faster On Your Mountain Bike

Riding your mountain bike is usually the name of the game if you are a recreational rider, it’s most definitely the name of the game if you ride competitively or professionally...

How To Increase E-MTB Range

Those among us who ride an electric mountain bike, will probably be aware of the term - electric mountain bike range anxiety. We have all experienced it, you are off road far away from home...

Headset Buying Guide - Mountain Bike And Road Bike

Welcome to Westbrook Cycles' bicycle headset guide. With so many different types of bike headset available, we realise it can be tricky to find the correct one for your bike. What is a bike...

Winter Cycle Commuting Guide

Whilst some of us will look outside and have the darker nights creeping in and be tempted to put our bikes away for the winter months, many who commute to work will be continuing with...

What Are Cyclocross Bikes?

There can be quite a bit of confusion around exactly what a Cyclocross Bike is and what they are used for. To the untrained eye, a Cyclocross Bike looks just like a road bike - but in fact they...

Are Wider Road Bike Tyres Better?

In the earliest days of road bikes, when road surfaces were poorer than they are today (hard to believe sometimes!) road bikes were fitted as standard with larger, fatter tyres. As advancements...

Cycling In Low Winter Sun

There is certainly some irony in writing about the risks and challenges associated with cycling in sunlight, during the winter months - when sunlight can seem a rare occasion. In truth, winter...

Best Mountain Bike Tyres For Different Surfaces

Mountain Bikes usually come with a decent set of tyres on them, which allows for all kinds of mountain biking to be carried out across a wide range of different terrain - across different...

Getting Your Mountain Bike Ready For Winter Mud

If you ride your mountain bike during the winter months, you will of course encounter rain, grime, muck and mud on almost every ride. Although the British winter weather may not appeal...

How To Refurbish And Refresh An Old Bike

Your Mountain Bike or Road Bike will more than likely feel like an old friend, a bike you have owned for a while will feel familiar and you can expect to understand how the bike performs, knowing...

Mountain Bike Tyre Guide

Mountain Bike tyres provide the only contact that you and your bike will have with the ground that you are travelling across, and with mountain biking taking place over incredibly varied...

Road Bike Tyre Guide

Road Bike tyres are massively important to every rider hitting the roads, as the only component of the bike that should ever be touching the ground - they are responsible in no small part for...

When To Replace Bike Tyres

Whether you ride a mountain bike or a road bike, the importance of tyres on your bike remains the same. Tyres are the only component which is in contact with the ground, and it’s therefore...

How To Ride Over Wet Roots

Mountain biking throws up all kinds of obstacles and terrain to cross, with wet roots being one of a long list of obstacles that require concentration and skills to negotiate safely. Wet roots...

What Is A Smart Trainer?

Smart Trainers have been growing in popularity massively in recent years, with many cyclists choosing to switch their winter training schedule indoors thanks to the invention of these clever...

Indoor Cycling Guide

There will never be a replacement for cycling outside, encountering new people, the great British countryside, beautiful winding roads and incredibly challenging routes. There are times...

Gravel Bike Clothing Guide

Gravel Bikes provide the perfect halfway house between mountain biking, and road cycling. Does this mean that the clothing and gear needed for gravel bike riding sits somewhere between...

Gravel Bike Skills And Techniques

Riding Gravel is here to stay, with more riders than ever purchasing and enjoying using gravel bikes to provide their cycling fix. Allowing road bike type performance, with the ability to enjoy...

Sore Neck Whilst Cycling

The neck is one of the areas of the body which can suffer from strain and pain when riding on the roads, with hours spent in the saddle - with the neck and head held at an unnatural angle...

Is It Worth Making Your Mountain Bike Tubeless?

Tubeless tyres have been taking both the mountain biking and road cycling industry by storm in recent years, promising massive benefits over traditional tyre setups. The amount of...

How To Make A Mountain Bike More Comfortable

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply a massive range of new mountain bikes - encompassing both full suspension and hardtail mountain bikes. One of the biggest questions that...

Reasons To Wear A Cycling Jersey

At Westbrook Cycles, we cannot think of anything but a cycling jersey to head out on the bike in - whether it’s a mountain bike jersey or a road bike jersey, we find the performance of a...

Which Parts Do You Need To Build A Mountain Bike?

Building your own mountain bike can be a daunting task, but with some patience - plenty of Youtube videos and the right components, mountain bikers can design and build a mountain bike...

How To Ride Undulating And Rolling Roads

At Westbrook Cycles, based just near the North Yorkshire Moors National Park - we know a thing or two about rolling roads. The local road network over the moors covers some of the most beautiful...

Bike Brake Pad Buying Guide

Brake Pads are understandably one of the most important components found on a bike - and one of the smallest. Brake Pads, often also known as brake blocks and brake shoes - are massively...

Bike Brakes Guide

Bike Brakes are a critical part of any bike, be that a BMX, Mountain Bike or Road Bike. Able to bring you to a safe and satisfactory stop in an incredibly short amount of time, braking systems...

Brake Cables Buying Guide

Brake Cables are used on road bikes, mountain bikes and BMX bikes which use cable pull braking systems. The cables consist of two parts, an inner cable which is made from stainless steel and...

Road Bike Seatpost Guide

Although it can be quite difficult to get excited about a new road bike seatpost, if you are looking to replace or upgrade the seatpost on your road bike - there are a number of different things to...

Cold Hands When Cycling

Cycling during the colder, autumn and winter months provides some of the very best cycling there is - whether it’s mountain biking or road biking, stunning scenery and cold, crisp weather makes...

Mountain Bike Parts Explained

Mountain Bikes are amongst the most complicated and technologically advanced bikes available on the market. With so many different mountain bike disciplines, from downhill racing right across...

Bike Frame Material Choices

In a world of almost endless bike choices - encompassing road bikes, electric bikes, mountain bikes, gravel bikes and hybrid bikes there are so many different choices and options to choose...

Electric Full Suspension Mountain Bike 2021 Guide

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply a complete range of Full Suspension E-Bikes Online. In recent years, we have seen many customers and many members of staff resist the rise of...

Are Electric Bikes Worth it?

Although the introduction of electric road bikes and electric mountain bikes may seem new - they have existed in various forms for over twenty years. Not until recently has there been such a...

Bosch Electric Mountain Bike Guide

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply an excellent selection of Electric Mountain Bikes online. These bikes have been handpicked from the world’s leading manufacturers of mountain bikes...

Best Disc Brake Road Bikes Under £4,000

The use of Disc Brakes on Road Bikes has caused some strong arguments and debates within the cycling community in recent years, and we don’t think that the debate of Rim Brakes VS Disc...

Madison Cycling Jackets

Madison designs and manufactures an excellent range of lightweight cycling jackets, for both road cyclists and mountain bikers. These jackets are both thin and lightweight, often designed to...

Madison Cycling Jerseys Guide/Review

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply the complete range of Madison Jerseys - encompassing both mountain bike jerseys and road bike jerseys. These jerseys have all been designed to...

Baggy Mountain Bike Shorts Guide

Baggy Mountain Bike Shorts are ideal for everything from cross country mountain bike blasts, right across to the daily commute. Comfortable and stylish enough to look good during all activities...

Long Finger Cycling Glove Guide

Long Fingered Gloves are perfect for all kinds of cycling disciplines, from fast road riders, mountain bikers and commuters. As with any form of cycling clothing and accessories, the amount of...

Bib Tights Buying Guide

Bib Tights are the perfect item of clothing to wear when cycling during colder months. These bib tights are suitable for all kinds of cycling, including cross country mountain biking. Most often...

Correct Tyre Pressures For Mountain Bikes

Tyres are one of the most important elements and components of a mountain bike, being the only thing connecting the bike to the rough, wet and challenging terrain found when mountain...

Correct Tyre Pressures For Road Bikes

There are many variables to consider when finding the right tyre pressure to use on your road bike, and there’s not one size fits all solution. Gone are the days of inflating road bike tyres to...

Bike Hub Buying Guide

The Hub is the central part of your bike’s wheels. The hub is the component which allows the bike's wheels to rotate. Hubs are the centre of the bike wheel, and are axle mounted in the...

Cycling Arm Warmers Guide

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply an excellent range of Cycling Arm Warmers - which are perfect for months in the UK, when the weather can feel changeable. Arm Warmers are the ideal...

Cycling Cap And Headwear Guide

Cycling Caps and Headwear are designed to keep you riding in a wide variety of weather and riding conditions. As one of the most important parts of the body, we supply a range of...

Cannondale Gravel Bikes Review And Guide

In recent years, the bike industry has gone a bit gravel bike mad - but no bike brands have invested as heavily into their gravel bike collection, as Cannondale have. The Topstone range in...

Cannondale Supersix Evo Carbon Disc 105 Review

At Westbrook Cycles, we are massive fans of the Cannondale Supersix Evo Carbon Disc 105. This bike is an award winning machine, racking up a number of industry awards. The bike's history runs...

Why Buy A GT Grade Gravel Bike?

There are so many reasons to buy a Gravel Bike - seamlessly switching between on road cycling and off road cycling - these bikes can do it all, and handle everything from racing, to touring...

2021 Cycling Clothing Guide

Most sports and activities, whether it's running or rock climbing - all have special equipment and clothing, and cycling is no different. There are specific clothing options for both mountain bikes...

Best Cycling Jackets

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply an excellent range of Cycling Jackets. These jackets have been designed using a mix of synthetic and natural martials - providing a warm, comfortable jacket...

What To Wear When Cycling To Work

As with any specialist activity, the correct equipment and clothing makes a massive difference - that's why there are different items of clothing for all kinds of sports and activities, from hiking...

Castelli Classifica Jersey Review

We have been getting our hands on the latest Castelli range, and trying their jerseys out on the roads. In the recent spell of good weather, we have taken out and reviewed the Castelli Classifica...

Bike Inner Tube Buying Guide

The inner tube is an often overlooked and forgotten about part of the bicycle tyre - doing the hard work in the background. Bicycle inner tubes, whether that’s a road bike, gravel bike or mountain bike inner tube - are usually made from either rubber or latex - and they sit...

Hybrid Bikes VS Mountain Bike For Kids

If you buy the right bike for your child - they will learn to love cycling both on and off the roads. As they grow older, their bike becomes a good means of transportation - allowing them to explore job opportunities such as paper rounds, and most importantly, allowing you to put...

Bottom Bracket Buying Guide

The bottom bracket of a bike is hidden away inside the frame of the bike, and it has an important purpose. It has been designed to connect the chainset to the frame itself - allowing the cranks to run smoothly. If you are deciding to replace the bottom bracket of your bike...

Road Bike Geometry And Handling

The cycling industry, and the road bike industry especially, has undergone a research & development transformation in recent years. Having said that, road bikes remain as they have done...

Best Bike For A 60 Year Old Man

At Westbrook Cycles, whether it’s online or in our North Yorkshire store - we deal with customers shopping for bikes in so many different ways, and frequently we hear the question - what’s...

Cycling In London Guide

In recent years, politicians and governments have placed massive emphasis on improving London for cyclists, whilst increasing the number of cyclists using the city. The policies have...

Beginners Guide To Downhill Mountain Biking

It’s impossible to head out on a mountain bike, through trail parks, forestry or moorland - and not head down a hill. Riding downhill is incredibly good fun, whether that’s reaching...

Track Cycling Introduction And Guide

If you are a keen cyclist, and enjoy seeing the action from the Velodrome from the comfort of your own home - there’s nothing to stop you getting involved with some track cycling...

How To Get More Aerodynamic On A Road Bike

Aerodynamics are one of the biggest challenges that road cyclists face, especially those who compete. Wind resistance on your body and your bike, is the number one challenge to getting...

Full Face VS Open Face MTB Helmets

At Westbrook Cycles, we wear a mixture of both full face and open face helmets when out mountain biking, the majority of the decision making when it comes to what helmet to wear, comes...

Best MTB Goggles 2021

It comes with the territory that mountain biking, especially downhill mountain biking comes with risks - the risk of falling/crashing is part of what makes mountain biking so exciting, but it...

Gravel Bike VS Hardtail Mountain Bike

At Westbrook Cycles, we have seen an incredible increase in the numbers of people enquiring, buying and enjoying riding Gravel Bikes. Bikes such as the Topstone have done an incredible...

Air Shocks Vs Coil Shocks

At Westbrook Cycles, we have mountain bikers within our team who use different types of shocks on their full suspension mountain bikes, with some using air shocks and others preferring to...

Indoor Cycling Kit And Clothing Guide

Increases in training technology, now allows cyclists to have a realistic and immersive cycling workout in the comfort of their own home. Years ago, one of the only options of a home cycling...

Should I Buy Carbon Fibre MTB Wheels

Carbon Fibre Wheels are a mountain bike upgrade which causes some controversy, there are riders who favour, and always will favour aluminium wheels - describing carbon wheels as...

Best Under £1000 Mountain Bikes

A £1,000 is a fantastic budget for a hardtail mountain bike and once you accept you are not going to spend multiple thousands of pounds on a dream mountain bike, you can search for and enjoy...

Best Under £750 Mountain Bikes

£750 is a great budget point for getting a high quality, incredibly usable mountain bike. At this price point, you can expect to buy a high quality hardtail mountain bike, with a good standard of...

Best Under £600 Mountain Bikes

Mountain Bikes can easily cost 10 x £600 for an all singing and all dancing full suspension mountain bike, from one of the world’s leading bike brands such as Scott and Cannondale...

£3000 Mountain Bikes

There is an eye watering range of mountain bikes available, with budgets ranging from around £500 for a good level hardtail mountain bike, to multiple thousands of pounds for race ready...

£1500 Gravel Bikes

At the £1,500 mark - there are a stack of Gravel Bikes which perfectly balance the requirements of value and performance. At this price point, buyers will still have to choose an alloy...

£2000 To £3000 Gravel Bikes

At a £2,000 budget and above, cyclists can have the pick of the very best gravel bikes on the market. At this budget, there are two main types of gravel bike to choose from - with both types those...

Sore Hands And Wrists When Cycling

Cycling, especially for longer distances places a number of stresses on the body - and as we ride, we may experience pain & discomfort in a number of places, caused by a number of different...

Mountain Bike Trousers Guide

Mountain Bike Trousers, also called MTB pants - are a great choice for mountain bikers all year round, but especially when the colder weather bites during the winter months. Mountain bike...

Mountain Bike Geometry Guide

Mountain Biking is one of the most diverse sports and hobbies in the world, with many mountain bikes being almost completely unsuitable to crossover mountain biking disciplines. Riding...

Layering Winter Cycling Clothing

The winter months provide plenty of challenges for cyclists, long routes and days out can be restricted by available daylight hours, and the colder/wetter weather can end up ruining what could...

In Stock Mountain Bikes UK

It’s no secret that mountain bike stock has been limited in recent times, for many different reasons - increased demand for bikes, with more people taking up cycling during lockdown...

Cannondale Trail Neo Review

The Cannondale Trail Neo is one of our best selling electric mountain bikes here at Westbrook Cycles. This range of electric hardtail mountain bikes is based on the Cannondale Trail Hardtail...

Scott Scale 970 Review And Specs

At Westbrook Cycles, we are big fans of the Scott Mountain Bike Range. Scott has always accommodated all different mountain bike budgets and requirements, without sacrificing quality...

GT Zaskar Specifications And Review

The GT Zaskar has been around now for almost thirty years, first being introduced back in 1991 - it’s a model range with plenty to shout about, and the Zaskar range has won world class competitions...

SuperSix Evo Carbon Disc 105 Specifications And Review

The Cannondale Supersix Evo Carbon Disc 105 Road Bike has built up legendary status in the world of road cycling. Priced at £2,250 this bike provides outstanding performance and...

Cannondale Topstone 4 Gravel Bike Specs And Review

The Cannondale Topstone 4 is the perfect entry level gravel bike, allowing cyclists access to the brilliant Topstone Gravel Bike range. The Topstone 4 is the perfect bike for those looking to...

Cannondale Topstone 3 Gravel Bike Specs And Review

The Cannondale Topstone 3 has proven itself a very popular bike, with both customers and staff here at Westbrook Cycles. This mid-range aluminium gravel bike provides, as expected, versatile...

Rockshox Rear Shock Guide

Rockshox design and manufacture an excellent array of rear shocks, suited to all kinds of mountain bikes. These shocks are often bought by our customers as means of upgrading their full...

Rockshox Forks Buying Guide

There aren't too many people in the world of mountain biking that have not heard of Rockshox. Founded back in 1989 in North Carolina, the company shortly after setting up, moved to California...

SRAM MTB Groupset Buying Guide

SRAM is an American bike component bike brand which set the standard for groupsets and chainsets - achieving market domination, in a very short space of time. The product they...

Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2 RL Review

The Synapse range from Cannondale has long been one of our best selling bike collections here at Westbrook Cycles. The latest version of the Synapse Carbon 2RL retails at £4,000 and...

Cannondale Trail Review And Specs

The Cannondale Trail range of hardtail mountain bikes are the perfect way to get into recreational mountain biking. The Trail range of bikes are not only suitable for cross country adventures, but...

Castelli Estremo Gloves Review

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock and supply a large range of Castelli clothing and accessories - including the complete range of Castelli Gloves. One of the warmest, and most popular gloves...

Castelli Alpha Ros 2 Review

At Westbrook Cycles, we stock an excellent range of Castelli clothing & jackets, with one of the most popular with our staff and customers being the Castelli Alpha Ros 2 Cycling Jacket. The...

Castelli Alpha Ros 2 Light Jacket Review

The Castelli Alpha Ros 2 Light is the perfect do it all, year round road cycling jacket from Castelli. It’s designed to be worn in temperatures between seven degrees and fifteen degrees...