Tag: Bicycling Magazine

  • BICYCLING MEETS BELLA BIKE SHORTS.

    Terry Bella Bike Shorts, as featured in Bicycling Magazine

    Bella Bike Shorts Lined Up with the Best of the Best

    Bicycling Magazine ran a round up of the best in shorts for every type of rider, and featured – ahem – us!

    For “The Best Cycling Shorts for Every Type of Rider” the Bicycling Editors say they “tested everything from thermal bibs to ultra-thin summer kit to find your next favorite pair of cycling shorts”.

    Of course, we’re delighted that our Bella Short made their list of the best choices in women’s bike shorts.

    We like their one-liner summary of Bella Bike Shorts: “Comfy shorts without bib straps just for women,” and as they put it, “The Bella shorts come in at a reasonable price and won’t intimidate newer riders who are leery of bib-short options.”

    They were nice enough to add that “Terry is also known for providing a wide range of sizes and styles for all different body types, not just the racer build that often gets the most focus from brands.”

    Our Bella bike shorts were named by Bicycling as the Editor’s Choice winner for women’s shorts in the past. One tester enjoyed features such as the Bella’s “distinctive hot-pink perforated chamois, which delivered on its promise for increased comfort and breathability by wicking away moisture so I didn’t feel like ‘I’d wet my shorts after a ride’.”

    Check out the full article here.


    [vertical-spacer]
    Take a closer look at Bella Bike Shorts on our main site, for full product details and reviews.

    Bella Bike Shorts are also available in a short version, great for shorter riders and those who prefer higher tan lines.
    [vertical-spacer]


    Since Bella Bike Shorts first caught the eye of the Bicycling Editors, we have introduced some exciting new options in women’s cycling shorts. If you are interested in comfort and function be sure to take a look at our Chill 7 and Holster Hi-Rise bike shorts.

    Shop our full line of bike shorts for women here, and see this post for expert advice on choosing the right bike shorts for you.
    [vertical-spacer]


  • BICYCLING: Don’t Make These Saddle-Buying Mistakes.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-02-25 at 10.50.44 AM

    Read the full article here: Bicycling.com/dont-make-these-saddle-buying-mistakes

    Don’t Make These Saddle-Buying Mistakes
    MOLLY HURFORD X JULY 19, 2015
    Choosing the best bicycle seat doesn’t have to be intimidating—or painful. Here’s how to get it right.

    Finding a perfect bicycle saddle is like finding your life partner: It can be a long journey and you’ll probably have a few missteps along the way. Some people find the perfect saddle (or soulmate) right away; for others, the journey can take years. But while we can’t offer great dating advice, we can make the quest for the perfect saddle easier by looking at what you might be doing wrong in your hunt, and what you should be doing instead. To get the inside scoop, we talked to Paula Dyba, vice president of marketing at Terry Bicycles, who shared some of her best tips—and worst mistakes that she sees—when it comes to buying saddles.

    Not Taking a New Saddle for a Test Ride
    Using your hands—instead of your rear—to test the saddle is a common problem, Dyba explains. But you should always take it for a test ride, if possible. “Many bike shops allow you to test a saddle, or give you a return option if you’re not happy.”

    Equating Soft with Comfortable
    Just because a saddle is well-cushioned, it may still be the wrong size or shape for you. Since our sitbones are always looking for a solid place to sit, cushiness can mean more pressure on your sensitive bits. “You want your weight to be supported by your sit bones, not by your soft tissue area,” says Dyba. “A soft saddle feels good for about 20 minutes, but then all that weight distribution on soft tissues can really start to hurt.”

    Assuming You Need XYZ Saddle
    All cyclists have different body shapes—and that applies to butts, too. That’s why saddles come in different lengths, widths, and levels of firmness. “There are definite differences in sensitivity issues, rider style, and bike fit among riders,” says Dyba.

    […]

  • BICYCLING: The Heavyweight Guide to Bike-Buying.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-02-25 at 11.11.44 AM

    Read the full article here: Bicycling.com/heavyweight-guide-bike-buying

    The Heavyweight Guide to Bike-Buying
    MOLLY HURFORD X MARCH 5, 2015
    From frames to tires, we look at bike parts built to last.

    COMPONENTS
    Denizot has noticed that many of her customers rebel against the idea of a thinner saddle and prefer wider, more padded saddles. While a cushy saddle is great for a leisurely ride, many cyclists find a stiffer, more supportive model more suitable for longer outings. “I’m consistently telling people if it’s not comfortable, go to a bike store and try a different saddle,” she explains. “We have comfortable saddles, but every person is different. I tell them to take a bike to the bike shop and ask them about saddles and try out a bunch of different ones.”

    Terry Bicycles offers women-specific clothing in a wide range of sizes, but the company is also well known for its saddle selection. When it comes to plus-size women and saddles, marketing VP Paula Dyba explains, “One of the [misconceptions] that plenty of riders have is that they need a super-wide and soft saddle to be comfortable, and we sure do hear that from plus-size riders looking for plus-size saddles.”

    But even a company like Terry doesn’t make a plus-size saddle, for good reason: Contrary to what you might think, sit bone width doesn’t vary according to weight. “While we don’t specifically make a ‘plus’ saddle, all our sport and touring saddles are pretty wide in the rear to support sit bones properly,” she continues. “Sit bone width doesn’t change much from female rider to female rider, but what does is the amount of a rider’s ‘padding’ and riding position.” Her suggestion? Go wide if it’s more comfortable and you’re not planning on going too fast, but keep the wide part of the saddle at the back. “More upright riding requires more width and support in the rear,” she says, “But we recommend against going too wide through the mid-section of the saddle or it can lead to inner thigh chafing and discomfort. Rule of thumb is enough width and saddle padding to support the sit bones, with a shared balance of weight distribution on handlebars, seat, and pedals.”

    […]

  • BICYCLING: How to Find the Best Plus-Size Cycling Clothing.

    photo

     

    Read the full article here: Bicycling.com/womens-gear/how-find-best-plus-size-cycling-clothing

    How to Find the Best Plus-Size Cycling Clothing
    MOLLY HURFORD X JANUARY 8, 2015
    Whether you’re a struggling dieter or confident in your curves, there’s perfect gear out there for you.

    Cycling clothing can be intimidating, no matter what size you are. The brightly colored, slim-fitting spandex has a way of attracting attention, which is unsettling for many women.

    It’s even tougher if you’re in the “Athena” category, where your options are fewer and it’s harder to find something that fits right and looks cool, too. Luckily, a few companies are now breaking ground with great-fitting, attractive bikewear that’s designed for curvy women. Finding the best gear for your body doesn’t have to be difficult—you just need to know how to find it.
    First of all, don’t be shy about wearing cycling gear. “I always love this one customer comment we received that has stuck with me,” explains Paula Dyba, the VP of Marketing at Terry, a women’s clothing company. “She said, ‘Thanks for making plus size apparel so I can get un-plussed!’” Terry is dedicated to creating fun, well-tailored cycling gear for women of all shapes and sizes—a vocation that obviously resonates with the company’s customers. “We find our plus customers to be extremely loyal and extremely vocal,” says Dyba.

    Of course, not every company designs and constructs its larger-sized items the same. Look for a brand that sizes clothes proportionally. At Terry, for instance, the chamois pad is actually sized differently in the XS version compared with the XXL version, which is a surprisingly rare thing to see. “Plus sizes are not simply graded up—we create plus size patterns which typically are a slightly looser fit through bust and hip,” says Dyba. “Tops tend to be a bit longer and elastic free; bottoms have a slightly higher rise.”

    […]

  • BICYCLING: Butterfly Century Saddle.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-02-25 at 11.46.14 AM

    Read the full article here: Bicycling.com/gear-product-details/components/137331

    BIKE REVIEWS: Butterfly Century Saddle
    Leah Flickinger X March 31, 2014
    EDITORIAL REVIEW

    This sleek but oh-so-comfortable touring saddle is the first addition to Terry’s best-selling women’s Butterfly line in six years. An innovative shock-absorbing material called Poron XRD (used in protective sports gear) soaks up road vibration. The lightweight material allows for a narrower profile than many touring saddles and also the widest cutout in the Butterfly family. The no-seam Lorica cover delivers a chafe-free ride.—Leah Flickinger

    […]

  • BICYCLING: Editors’ Choice: Best Cycling Shorts for Men and Women.

    Screen Shot 2016-02-25 at 11.51.55 AM

    Read the full article: Bicycling.com/bikes-and-gear-features/reviews/editors-choice-best-cycling-shorts

    Editors’ Choice: Best Cycling Shorts for Men and Women
    Molly Hurford and Gloria Liu X October 9, 2013
    These four cycling shorts and bibs for men and women won over our Editors’ Choice 2013 testers with their comfort and style

    Women’s $80 Shorts: Terry Breakaway

    Introduced this year, the Breakaway performed true to its name and separated itself from the competition, not surprising considering Terry has been making bike gear specifically for women for 25 years—and its saddles have long been favorites of female riders. Our testers raved about the unobtrusive chamois, pajama-soft fabric, and nonbinding waist and leg openings, which stayed in place without pulling or squeezing our legs as we pedaled. We also appreciated that Terry, a perennial Editors’ Choice finalist, makes the Breakaway in the United States. Some shopping advice: While the manufacturer says the shorts are designed to provide compression, most testers reported otherwise. Size down if you prefer a snugger fit.

    […]

  • BICYCLING: 2014 Women’s Gear Preview.

    Screen Shot 2016-02-25 at 12.04.39 PM

    Read the full article here: Bicycling.com/bikes-gear/previews/2014-womens-gear-preview

    PREVIEWS: 2014 Women’s Gear Preview
    October 8, 2013
    Terry Butterfly Saddle

    The big news from Vermont-based Terry Bicycles is that they’ve updated their popular Butterfly and Fly Century saddles. The new models have a wider front-to-back cutout than the previous versions and are built with an innovative shock-absorbing material called Poron XRD. The lightweight material is used frequently in protective sports gear like hockey helmets and pads, and adds comfort and durability without bulk for long-distance rides. $164.

    Terry Bella Halter and Flare Skort

    Look for fresh prints on spring 2014 apparel from Terry. The company hired designer Lyn Severance (known for her distinctive work with Ben & Jerry’s and Gateway Computers) who married bold colors with bike-inspired graphics. The Bella Halter shown here features a built-in shelf bra and rear zip pocket. “The fit is good for normal bodies,” says Terry spokeswoman Paula Dyba. “It’s not tight through the tummy and hips, so it’s very comfortable and flattering.” ($52; XS-XXL) The new Flare Skort “is a reinvention of our original cycling skort,” Dyba told me. “It has a wider waist, forward-curving vertical side seams for shaping, a hidden zip pocket, and an Italian chamois.” It comes in two prints, as well as solid black. XS-XL ($85), 1X-3X ($95).

    […]

  • BICYCLING: Breakaway.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-02-25 at 11.51.55 AM

    Read the full article here: Bicycling.com/gear-product-details/apparel/137101

    BIKE REVIEWS: Breakaway
    October 8, 2013
    EDITORIAL REVIEW

    Introduced this year, the Breakaway performed true to its name and separated itself from the competition, not surprising considering Terry has been making bike gear specifically for women for 25 years—and its saddles have long been favorites of female riders. Our testers raved about the unobtrusive chamois, pajama-soft fabric, and nonbinding waist and leg openings, which stayed in place without pulling or squeezing our legs as we pedaled. We also appreciated that Terry, a perennial Editors’ Choice finalist, makes the Breakaway in the United States. Some shopping advice: While the manufacturer says the shorts are designed to provide compression, most testers reported otherwise. Size down if you prefer a snugger fit.

    […]

  • BICYCLING: Female Bike Riders: Start Road Riding.

     

    Screen Shot 2016-02-25 at 12.19.07 PM

    Read the full article here: Bicycling.com/female-bike-riders-start-road-riding

    Female Bike Riders: Start Road Riding
    CHRISTINE FENNESSY X APRIL 30, 2010
    Amanda Knackstedt is a foreign exchange broker who wants to start riding the road.
    Name: Amanda Knackstedt
    Occupation: Foreign-exchange broker
    GOAL: Start riding a road bike Because Amanda is, she says, “chained to a desk nine hours a day” in a high-stress job, she figured road riding would be a great way to get fit and decompress. She’s right. The active, former college swimmer wants to join local training rides ranging from fast, weekday 20-milers to all-levels-welcome weekend rides that cover 30 to 60 miles on varied terrain. At 5-foot-8, she wonders if she’s too tall for a women’s bike. She has yet to find the right saddle, and clothing matters a lot to her–she likes organic, natural fibers, and she can’t be branded with funny tan lines when it’s time to wear a sleeveless dress to a power dinner.

    Her Gear. Your Gear?

    1. Litespeed Bella, $3,400. The lightweight titanium frame offers the stable handling and high performance Amanda is looking for, with a compliance over road bumps that won’t beat her up on long rides. The size large will fit her, and Litespeed offers an extra-large for even taller women.

    2. Teko EcoMerino Wool Quarter Thin Socks, $16. Teko follows ecologically responsible farming and treatment processes, so its socks are as good for the environment as they are for your feet.

    3. Terry Falcon X saddle, $85. This seat was an Editors’ Choice finalist; our testers liked its sensible padding and lightweight performance.

    4. Ibex Classica road shorts, $95. This combination of a high-tech chamois and modern eight-panel design with old-school wool–cool in summer, warm in winter–is exactly what Amanda is after.

    5. Descente Bliss top, $55. No funny farmer’s tan here. The Bliss fabric is luscious yet high tech, and the design of this top is cute yet functional, with a zippered pocket in back.

    6. Giro Indicator Women’s helmet, $38. Ample venting and the simple Acu-Dial fit system make this lid right for any type of riding. Punch any of these products into our site search on Bicycling.com for a review, a list of similar products, or more information about the manufacturer.