Riding North London Dirt

Fun and fast

Dalila Lecky established her cycling directive—”fun and fast”—early on. She thinks back to her first crit race in 2014—”I was so proud to have stayed upright, at least until the final lap anyway,” she says with a grin—and the feeling of elation she got from having crossed London to get on the startline. At this point, she was a brand new member of a club in South London, in the very same part of the city she’d grown up in, except now she wasn’t playing on her BMX or crossing the city on her commute, she’d discovered racing.

As she weaved her way through the usual weekday traffic to work, taking alleyways and park cut-throughs wherever possible, it became clear that her weekends could look different.

The Steezers

Nowadays, she’s a ride leader with the Steezy Collective , one of a host of groups in London that are making cycling a more approachable, inclusive place, reducing barriers to entry and shifting the focus from power-to-weight more towards parity and positivity. This means helping female, trans, non-binary riders access the sport through regular rides, meet-ups and workshops on bike mechanics, bikepacking and more.

We followed Dalila and a group of ‘Steezers’ at the 2022 edition of North London Dirt , keeping their wheel as they made their way along 70 miles of the finest dirt, accessed directly from the city, featuring river paths, hidden parks and needle-threading through woodland on little-used singletrack.

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Explore New Grounds with SHIMANO’s new intelligent shifting technologies. The truly pioneering engineering results in new ways of shifting that combat common gear-based problems that (almost) all cyclists experience. With DEORE XT Di2, which is specifically designed for e-bikes and compatible with the updated EP8 and new EP6 motors, both beginners and experienced riders can enjoy FREE SHIFT and AUTO SHIFT. Gear shifting is taken to never-before-seen levels of innovation, with FREE SHIFT allowing you to change gear without pedaling, and AUTO SHIFT changing gear for you without you having to click a lever.

Shimano FRONT SHIFT NEXT

Cycling doesn’t need to be complicated. It can be simple, straightforward, and all about the freedom of two-wheeled adventures. And while it may feel like cycling sometimes requires a deep wealth of technical know-how, the best components and bike technology require minimal thought. They work as intended, all the time.

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New 2x12 Di2 Addition to Shimano’s Legendary Gravel Group

AUTO SHIFT: For happier miles

our AUTO SHIFT technology marks one of the biggest ever steps forward in cycling innovation. The concept of automated shifting has become a reality. The technology certainly delivers, but how does it work in a practical, real-world sense? And what are its benefits to you?

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Camille Balanche and Wyn Masters—great partnerships often come in pairs, just like our shoes. Watch our video of these two mountain bike legends, each approaching the sport differently but connected through our Gravity Footwear. The video was shot in beautiful New Zealand.

SHIMANO 105: Mechanical Magic

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In an ever-more computerized world, we set out to break the mold by breathing new life into mechanical shifting to give you a gravel ally that works with next-level analog technology. Or three distinct allies, to be precise. For this piece, we asked none

Our Mechanics’ Winter E-Bike Tips

E-biking is supposed to be a convenient and fun experience. But how do you keep enjoying your ride when the temperature drops? Taking care of your e-bike during winter will ensure consistent performance and a more pleasurable ride and increase your bike's longevity. That’s why we asked this year’s Shimano Mechanics Championships U.K. winner for his top e-bike maintenance tips for winter.

How to Kickstart Your Cycle Commute

Commute by bike and you’ll beat the traffic and get where you need to go on time – while creating some space for exercise and fun. What bike you choose, what you wear and what you carry with you is influenced by the distance and how efficiently you want to ride. We’ve picked out a few tips to make the best choices for your commute.

Shimano GRX Personalities

What does it mean to be a gravel cyclist? There is no one definitive answer—and that’s the beauty of cycling’s drop bar, dirt road discipline. Indeed, gravel cycling is about personal expression and the freedom to choose. There is no rule book, no established norms, no stodgy old traditions. You decide when, where, and how to ride.

New SHIMANO GRX 12-Speed Mechanical

Gravel cycling is not meant to be overly complicated. The heart and soul of cycling’s drop bar, dirt road discipline is rooted in simplicity, inclusivity, and adventure. No ride is out of bounds. All are welcome to join. Gear should be functional and reliable but need not break the bank.

United in Gravel

United in Gravel is our call to everyone, from any level, to go out and enjoy life in the saddle. It’s about tackling that hill, bounding down the dirt roads and farm tracks, trails, and tarmac – or cruising the city streets and urban jungle in the best possible way. The joy of riding together in places beyond words. Just watch the video to see the beauty of riding beyond the beaten track.

We start where the road ends

The make-up of gravel riders reflects the terrain that beckons them. Just like the different stones, sand and clay, gravel riders are a mixture of ethnicities, genders and orientations. We are found around the globe and across the economic spectrum. We come in all shapes, sizes and levels of fitness, all united in our passion.

Shimano Road Wheels Explained

Shimano wheels benefit from over 100 years of engineering expertise and experience, and the latest crop of 12-speed wheels sprung from an extensive history of racing and riding excellence. Shimano's performance road wheelsets are organized into three tiers: Dura-Ace for unsurpassed race performance, Ultegra for the discerning enthusiast, and Shimano 105-level RS710 wheels built for reliability and value.

WHAT IS SHIMANO LINKGLIDE?

To fully understand SHIMANO LINKGLIDE technology and what it can do for you, it helps to first ask yourself what mountain bike drivetrain features and functions you value most. If your answer centers around low weight and lightning-fast shifting, then SHIMANO’s best-in-class HYPERGLIDE+ is the right choice. HYPERGLIDE+ drivetrains dominate the start lines of the world's fastest races, where competitors are in a constant quest for marginal gains and measure success in grams shaved and seconds saved.

Shimano Di2 Deep Dive

Consistent. Customizable. Instantaneous. Intuitive. Precise. Reliable. Seamless. All these words accurately describe Shimano’s Di2 wireless electronic shifting experience. And now with the launch of the new invalid link: https://road.shimano.com/105di2/Shimano 105 Di2 R7100 series, you can add affordable to that list.

SHIMANO Performance Carbon Road Wheels

From the fastest sprints and hardest climbs of the WorldTour to the everyday riding experience close to home, SHIMANO's lineup of road wheels delivers high-end performance to take you farther, faster, or higher on any ride. Developed with over 100 years of engineering expertise and experience, the newest models of 11- and 12-speed road wheelsets are organized into three tiers with features to suit every road rider.

MADE IN: Milano

Expertise and passion for crafting made-to-measure bikes are at the heart of the Italian Passoni brand. Founded in the late 80's in the pre-carbon era by Luciano and Luca Passoni, it was the first company in Europe that produced titanium bikes when off-the-shelf tubing wasn't yet available. Every tube had to be made by starting from titanium sheets which were bended and welded into exceptional quality, bespoke bicycle frames. A passion for the sport and its culture has always been at the very heart of Passoni’s identity as they have spent the last 30 years building stunning machines for those with a true appreciation of fine craftsmanship. Passoni has always been a brand steeped in cycling history.

SHIMANO Indexed Shifting Explained

Indexing is the predetermined, incremental movement of a derailleur that corresponds with each click of a shifter. When a derailleur is activated, either by a mechanical shifter tensioning or releasing a cable or the Di2 button to activate derailleur motors, the component will move the chain from cog to cog on the rear cassette or different chainrings in the front. SIS derailleurs and shifters are designed to move a specific amount to achieve accurate and reliable gear changes every time.

How to upgrade your cycling experience

Make your daily cycling more enjoyable. From new clothes to brighter bike lights, a waterproof jacket or puncture-proof tyres there are plenty of ways to upgrade and improve your cycling this winter.

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Looking after your e-bike is really important for both your safety and your enjoyment of cycling. With some simple checks to do at home and the support of trained and certified mechanics at a Shimano Service Center you can easily keep your bike in perfect working order!

How to choose the right e-bike for you

Buying the right e-bike for your cycling needs is the first step to being a happy e-bike rider. Looking for an urban e-bike for city use? Bewildered by the options? Let us guide you through your choices.

How to set your bike up to feel comfortable

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Say hello to reduced drivetrain wear and tear. Thanks to SHIMANO DEORE XT and DEORE with LINKGLIDE technology, you can enjoy high-mileage, low-maintenance cycling for years to come – without worrying about having to replace or repair components.

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Electric bikes have revolutionised cycling and millions of new people are discovering the benefits of e-bikes each year. But still people have their doubts. Here we bust a few e-bike myths and share with you why we think e-bikes are not just here to stay but are going to revolutionise cycling.

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The way you ride e-bikes is about to change forever thanks to SHIMANO’s revolutionary EP8 e-bike system featuring unheralded levels of customization via the accompanying E-TUBE PROJECT Cyclist App.

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Francois Bailly-Maître is no stranger to tough enduro trails and long days in the saddle, but a 100-kilometre tour of the French Jura’s finest trails was beyond his reach. Until now... The Jura Sick e-MTB ride combined eleven different trails, 5000 vertical metres of climbing and the SHIMANO EP8-powered Santa Cruz Bullit. The result: a whole new level of MTB ride, and a whole new level of fun!

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There’s an e-bike revolution going down and we’ve raised the e-MTB benchmark. Through evolution, we introduce EP8. The game-changing drive unit riders have been waiting for.

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In 2016, we unveiled SHIMANO STEPS E8000. As the first e-MTB dedicated e-bike system, it was celebrated globally by riders and was considered a true game changer.

New DEORE XT and DEORE with LINKGLIDE technology

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hoosing the equipment for your bike can seem like a never-ending task; a circle of questions and options and decisions. What do I need; what do I want; what can I afford?

HYPERGLIDE+

Revolutionising shifting performance, Shimano’s HYPERGLIDE+ shift technology delivers the world’s smoothest, most precise shifting in all riding conditions.

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Shimano SPD-SL road pedals and cleats are a popular choice among professional and amateur cyclists thanks to their stable platform, easy operation, and long-lasting performance. The wide, low-profile cleats distribute force evenly and allow for easy walkability without needing to carry special cleat covers for your mid-ride coffee stop.

Change Your Handlebar Position to Improve Your Ride

Often taken for granted, the handlebar is one of the most important components on your road bike. Along with your pedals and saddle, it’s one of three contact points that define how you interact with your bike and the road ahead. It is also your bike’s proverbial steering wheel, controlling how your bike handles, and it plays a critical role in fit and aerodynamics as well.

Shimano Dura-Ace and Ultegra Long Axle Pedals

Enhancing stance width through pedal axle lengths

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