There is a component to a bike that can significantly enhance the overall biking experience—bike suspension. Whether you’re an avid mountain biker, a city commuter, or a leisurely weekend rider, bike suspension offers a myriad of benefits that can transform your ride.

Improved Comfort - One of the most immediately noticeable benefits of bike suspension is the enhanced comfort it provides. By absorbing shocks and vibrations from rough terrain or uneven city streets, suspension systems ensure a smoother ride. This not only reduces fatigue on long rides but also makes cycling more enjoyable, allowing you to stay in the saddle longer without discomfort.

Enhanced Control and Stability - Suspension systems, particularly front and full suspension setups, significantly improve bike handling. By keeping the wheels in contact with the ground, suspension helps maintain traction and control over various surfaces. This is especially crucial when navigating rough trails or sudden obstacles, where stability can mean the difference between an exciting ride or an unfortunate spill.

Increased Speed on Rough Terrain - For mountain bikers and off-road enthusiasts, bike suspension is a game-changer. The ability to absorb and respond to rough terrain means that you can maintain higher speeds with greater confidence. suspension systems allow for more aggressive riding styles, enabling cyclists to tackle technical sections of a trail faster and with more precision.

Reduced Physical Strain - Cycling on rough or uneven surfaces without suspension can put significant strain on your hands, wrists, and lower back. Suspension systems help mitigate these impacts, distributing the forces more evenly across the bike. This not only protects your body from the jarring effects of rough terrain but also reduces the risk of injury over time.

Versatility Across Various Terrain and Improved Safety - A bike equipped with suspension is highly versatile and capable of handling a wide range of terrains. Whether you’re cruising on paved city streets, exploring gravel paths, or tackling challenging mountain trails, suspension systems adapt to the conditions, providing a balanced and responsive ride. In addition, this feature contributes to safer rides in general.

Our Calgary Cycle locations are home to a wide variety of front-suspension and full-suspension bikes. Come by and get familiar with all the brands and options to choose from. Remember Spring is just around the corner!

The CC Team 

This past weekend, Calgary Cycle teamed up with the Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance (CMBA) for a community Trail Day, focusing on completing the “Ten Years Gone” trail—part of the ambitious Jumped Up Loops project in Kananaskis Country. Volunteers and our staffers managed to bench in 85 meters of trail helping to bring the project closer to completion.  It was hot and thirsty work but we managed to ease the pain with a beer and some burgers after.  Once the refuelling was completed we took to the trails to sample the fruits of our labours and enjoy the work that CMBA has put into this new trail.

About the Jumped Up Loops Project

Initiated in 2013 and revitalized in 2021, the Jumped Up Loops project aims to create a user-friendly, stacked-loop trail system near Jumpingpound Creek. Designed to cater to a wide range of users—including beginner and intermediate mountain bikers, hikers, and runners—the trails feature gentle grades, scenic views, and technical elements to keep the experience engaging. Construction began in April 2024, with the first two trails, “Kashmir” and “Ten Years Gone,” opening in October 2024. We were excited to hear that work would begin on the Western section of this trail by the end of May 2025.

Ten Years Gone: A Trail Built by the Community

“Ten Years Gone” is a 6.8 km singletrack trail that connects with “Kashmir” to form the eastern loop of the Jumped Up Loops system. While much of the trail was machine-built, a significant portion—particularly the 1,100-meter Solo Hill climb—relies on volunteer efforts for hand-building. The recent Trail Day focused on completing the remaining bench-cutting required for this section.

 Calgary Cycle's Commitment to Trail Development

Calgary Cycle's involvement in the Trail Day is just one example of our dedication to supporting local trail development and fostering a strong mountain biking community. By partnering with CMBA and other trail groups we strive to contribute to the creation of accessible and enjoyable trails for riders of all levels. We ride all sorts of trails and our staff are always out on the dirt.  We know how fortunate we are to have the trails we do, the terrain we do and the diverse set of local trail builders that make this possible.  We have contributed wherever possible over the years to help these groups, and we will continue to support them.  To learn a little more about our efforts on this front check out some details here .

How You Can Get Involved

The Jumped Up Loops project is ongoing, with plans to construct additional loops and connectors. CMBA regularly hosts Trail Days and Nights, inviting volunteers to participate in building and maintaining these trails. No prior experience is necessary, and all are welcome to join. Calgary Mountain Bike Alliance

For more information on upcoming events and how to get involved, visit CMBA's Projects Page.

When entering the world of pedal bikes, many people wonder about the differences in "parts" between models. It can be challenging to notice these distinctions just by looking at bikes in the same category.

When comparing different types of drivetrains on bicycles, each option has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Let’s explore the main differences between traditional chain drivetrains and internal gear hubs, and consider scenarios where one might be considered “better” than the other.

Traditional Chain Drivetrains

Traditional chain drivetrains often offer a wide range of gears, suitable for various terrains and riding styles. Chains are universally used across many bike models and are compatible with a wide range of components, making it easy to find replacements at bike shops. While they require regular cleaning and lubrication, chains are relatively easy to maintain and repair. It's important to regularly clean and re-oil traditional chains to ensure longevity. Chain drivetrains also require a front or rear derailleur, which, without proper care, may need replacement.

Internal Gear Hubs

Internal gear hubs are sealed from the elements, making them more resistant to water, dirt, and other contaminants. This type of drivetrain is commonly found on leisure and pathway-focused bikes. Internal gear hubs require minimal maintenance compared to external derailleur systems, as the gears are enclosed and protected. However, this system typically does not offer a wide range of gears and can add overall weight to a bike.

1x Drivetrains

Another common question is about the advantages of a 1x drivetrain. The industry is increasingly presenting more models with this type of gearing. A 1x drivetrain means there is no front derailleur, allowing for smoother shifting capabilities, less maintenance, and a reduced chance of the chain coming off during more aggressive riding. The absence of a front derailleur also allows for greater frame design flexibility and improved clearance for wider tires or suspension components.

Calgary Cycle has three convenient locations for your shopping needs. Choose from popular and quality brands like Trek, Electra, Norco, Gazelle, Santa Cruz, and more! Stop in today and speak to our staff about finding the best bike for you!

-The CC Team

So you have purchased a new bike from Calgary Cycle and are super excited to hit the trails. In some instances particularly with road bikes and full suspension mountain bikes the pedals are not automatically included. This is due to the fact that there are rider preferences and the first consideration is if you prefer clip in pedals or flat pedals. Calgary Cycle carries Chromag, Bontrager, One Up, Deity and others in a wide assortment of both styles and composites. Choose from the thin lightweight and strong aluminum alloy or cost-efficient and durable nylon.

To clip in requires a shoe and cleat set up, and we carry Shimano, Look and Time cleats. Our friendly staff is happy to assist with this process and can also facilitate the installation of the cleats onto your selected shoe. The benefit of riding with a clip in pedal is experiencing a slighter more efficient pedal stroke and not having to be worried about your feet bouncing off the pedals over rough terrain. They also do provide more clearance over rocks and other obstacles.

Alternatively flat pedals provide easy adjustment of your feet and assures riders that they can put their feet down quickly if required. Flat pedals have varying platform size to help accommodate foot sizes. They typically have pins (that can be adjusted) for maximum traction with the pedal, even in changing conditions. It is helpful to have a specific cycling flat shoe versus a tennis shoe when riding flat pedals. The stiffer soles, optimized tread and impact absorbing materials make them a smart purchase. Calgary Cycle stocks Fox, Bontrager, Giro, Shimano and more. The other popular option to consider is a Shimano SPD pedal that has one side flat and the other side is a cleat mechanism, so you get the best of both worlds.

Pro Tip from James, Senior Mechanic at Calgary Cycle Canyon Meadows – “ Don’t neglect your pedals, they are one of your main touch points. Ensure they are tight have no bearing play and no cracks on the pedal body. If you’re using clip in pedals make sure to check your cleats for wear. If you are missing pins on your flats, be sure to use your replacements”.

It can be a lot to consider and the staff at our locations are happy to help and walk you through the options! Be sure to visit one of our 3 locations – Canyon Meadows, Bow Trail or Bragg Creek.

Happy Riding – The CC Team.