Mikes Bikes

Reviews and interesting news from the popular West Midlands bicycle shop, Fred Williams Cycles.

Outwet - LP3 Long Sleeve Base Layer review

I first noticed Outwet base-layers being used by the Liquigas Tour De France cycling team in 2010. That’s when I decided to give them a try and stock them in shop. Do the Outwet base-layers deliver on their promises? Or do they leave you out in the cold…
LP3

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Don’t Be That Guy: 5 Bad Riding Habbits

When out on the road, if you cycle enough, you’re bound to of encountered one of these guys. We all know one, some of us are one. These guys are the ones on your wheel, or the ones breaking pace, or even the ones slowing you down. This is a list of some of those guys.

1. The Half-Wheeler

The half-wheeler can be anyone, even one of your closest friends. What starts off as a casual ride can soon turn into a race to prove who is supposedly the better rider. The half-wheeler is someone who is deliberately riding at least half a wheel infront of you when they’re supposed to be riding next to you. When you’re admiring the scenery and chatting about your week, you notice someone isn’t paying attention to you. Infact, it seems they’re trying to prove something, riding slightly quicker whilst trying to remain casual.

This type of rider can end up ruining a ride or

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5 Riding Essentials You Should Never Ride Without

So you’ve got your shiny road bike, and you’re dressed up in your flashy gear, ready to ride 50, maybe 60 miles. What’s in your pockets? Or, what should be in your pockets.

1. Money


The first and possibly most essential part of any riders kit is money. Money will help you out of even the most tight places when all else fails. Maybe you need to make a phonecall, or buy yourself that all important coffee or energy bar when you’ve got nothing else left to give. A minimum of

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Rudy Project - Sterling Helmet review

The Sterling. Worth its weight in gold? Or just pennies down the drain.


For my first review I’d like to cover the new Rudy Project Sterling helmet, released in the UK in May 2010. Its one of Rudy Projects newest helmets aimed at the professional road cycling market. The Sterling is competing with the Spiuk Daggon and the Giro Atmus in hope to gain sales with superior features and better ventilation with a more affordable price tag.

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