Reviews

A few of our favorite things.

2011-11-26T00:31:17Z

Guitar Ted and I took a minute to jot down some thoughts about things we rely on to make our time on a bike better. So here, just in time for that shopping suggestion to your significant others, is what we suggest.

From Grannygear: 5 Things I do not want to ride without.

As you go along in your journey towards being an experienced mountain bike rider, you tend to come across certain items that you come to rely on for every ride or that simply make the experience better. It takes time and trial and error, but you will develop your own list of things that go in the pack, on the bike, or in the stomach. That list may be a bit fluid over the years as you try new things and new things arise, but the list will remain none the less.

So here is my list of ‘Five Things I Do Not Want To Ride Without’. Without which I do not want to ride???? OK, my grammar is suspect, but you get the idea.

1 - A Buff. Since I got my first Buff, I cannot remember one ride where I did not have one on my head. I have three now and have given some as gifts. I have two of the normal Buffs and one wool one and I wear them in the summer thru winter. They shade my neck, cover my ears, keep my head warm, and blot up the sweat. They dry fast, hand wash easily and fit under a helmet. Buff rocks. We reviewed the Buff here on The Cyclist. MSRP about $20.00 for the original Buff...others vary.

2 - My wife’s oat bars as a trail snack. Yes, I do enjoy wholesome and well made commercial energy foods like the ones we have sampled from Clif bar. But the dense calories and homemade goodness of oats, peanut butter, honey, nuts and seeds, choco chips plus whatever else gets put in the mix....well, it is cheaper and flat out keeps the fire stoked on a long ride. Mix that with a good drink mix like the Clif Shot electrolyte stuff, some gels, and a Snickers/Payday here and there and I am golden. Want the recipe? See my blog entry here.

3 - A Lezyne Mini Drive hand pump. I have several quick fill devices around...somewhere. Never use them. I will take a good pump any day, one that fills fast, is light to carry, will never run out of air as long as I have the strength to pump the thing, and if it is a bit blingy...well, all the better. Yeah, it does not fit everywhere and minimalists need not apply, but I always wear a hydration pack and I always have my Lezyne pump. We looked at the Micro Floor Drive HV here on The Cyclist. $45.00 to $60.00

4 - Sheep fur for the feet. Swiftwick Merino wool socks keep my feet happy. Summer through winter they just work and seem to last quite well too. Only on the very hottest days would I go to a synthetic sock like the Olefin Swiftwicks, but there are few days that wool is not on the ride menu. We reviewed Swiftwick socks here on The Cyclist. $18.99 for a Merino wool #4 length sock.

5 - I prefer bibs, thank you. As in bib shorts. This is a recent revelation and it comes in as my baggy days are waning. I first tried a set of the ¾ El Fito knickers (I looove knickers too) from Ibex and found bibs to be a bit inconvenient, but really great at keeping things from sagging and drooping...the shorts I mean. No saggy chamois here for this lad. Since then I have acquired a pair of Ibex wool bib shorts in a regular length and two Specialized bib shorts and they are all I wear these days. I will pop a set of bags over them if the ride demands it, but I seldom wear baggies anymore. Try bibs. You may never go back to regular lycra shorts. We reviewed the ¾ El Fito bibs here and the other bib shorts here on The Cyclist. Plan on spending $150.00 for a goodie like this.

Guitar Ted: Five Things I Can’t Ride Without

I get to test and review, and just generally use, lots of mountain biking and commuter gear throughout the year. Here are some standout items for me that would likely make some cyclist on someone's Christmas list happy. (In no particular order)

1. Answer Fall Line XC full finger gloves: The cyclist, especially the off-road types, should always use gloves not only for hand protection, but also for safe grip on the bars. Of course, everyone is a bit different when it comes to personal fit, but take this from a guy that typically hates cycling gloves; The Answer Fall Line XC gloves are really nice. They have a thin padded palm, don’t bunch up, and keep my fingers from going numb. (That’s something I can’t say about 98% of the other cycling mitts I’ve tried.) The Fall Line XC full finger gloves come in a variety of colors and retail from around $20.00-$28.00 depending on where you buy and we reviewed them here on The Cyclist.

2. Osprey Hydration Pack: Keeping watered is a wise idea while out riding. Keeping some support tools and food is also a great idea. But....where do you stash all that stuff? I have found that a hydration capable back pack or rucksack is indispensable for forays out into the wilds. My favorite is an older Osprey Raptor 10 pack, but Osprey has many 2012 models that have improvements and better features which would make great gifts for cyclists. We have a post up here; that details out some of the newest packs from Osprey. Many sizes and price points to choose from, but all should be intelligently designed, rugged, and comfortable to wear like my old Raptor 10, which I use all the time.

3. WTB Saddles: SST & Pure V: You know, I like to spend some days on my bicycle. Like as in all day riding my bicycle. That means that my contact points better be good for me after 2, 5, and 6 hours of riding time. My saddles of choice for such rides? WTB’s “Pure V” and “SST” models seem to do the trick. Now, not everyone will like these saddles, and saddles are very personal choices, but if you are looking for a saddle that has a great feel after three hours and if you need something a little wider than the normal skinny racing XC type saddle, look no further than one of these two perches. WTB Pure V saddles range in price from $60.00-$150.00 depending upon the model and SST saddles range from $60.00- $130.00 depending upon the model.

4. Clif Shot Bloks: One of my favorite nutritional supplements on the bike is Clif Shot Bloks. These little blocky, gummy, tasty treats can keep you going when not much else sounds good when you are out on a long haul on your bike. Clif Shot Bloks are a mixture of carbohydrates and electrolytes that add up to 33 calories each of chewy goodness. These are easy to pack, and don’t get messy, even when the sun is blazing down. A box of 18 packets that holds six Shot Bloks each goes for around $30.00 retail and comes in a variety of flavors.

5. Blackburn Toolmanators: As a cyclist, you need tools to maintain and adjust your bicycles. One of the handiest little gadgets came to us late last winter in the form of Blackburn’s Toolmanator multi-tool line. These multi-tools have become an integral part of my kit for their easy stow-ability, ease of use, and for the quality of the tool steel Blackburn uses in these products. We tested the model 1 and model 3 Toolmanators, and either would be an excellent gift for any serious cyclist on your giving list. Toolmanators vary in price from about $13.00 to upwards of $30.00 depending upon the model and where you buy.

Ergon Gloves: HE2 & HA2 Models

2011-11-02T16:51:25Z

When Ergon introduces new products, you can expect some surprises. (Like the PC2-L pedals which we reviewed here ) Ergon's gloves are no exception. We'll get to that in a minute, but first, let's go over the models we are reviewing here:

Ergon HE2: Ergon sent us the "enduro/All mountain" type gloves from their range of gloves, which also includes fingeless and full fingered XC type gloves. The HE2 is a full fingered glove designed for all-around mountain biking pursuits.

Ergon HE2 GlovesThe HE2 is made from a combination of micro-fiber Velour leather and a Kevler insert at the butt of the palm for protection in a crash situation. The glove features minimal padding to enhance ride control feel, and has an integrated cuff closure designed to protect the wrist. MSRP is $39.99 USD.

The HE2 is recommended for All Mountain, DH, and Trail use. It has a design specifically geared toward users of Ergon's GA1 and GE1 grips, but it can be successfully used with other grips as well.

Ergon HA2: Ergon HA2The other model we received for test/review is the similarly purposed HA2. This glove features similar materials in its construction with the addition of a shiny, silicon-like material on the finger tips and across the back side of the hand. This material is there to give the rider better finger tip control on bike controls and to give the glove structure. The HA2 also features the Kevlar protection on the butt of the palm but has a different, integrated closure than the HE2. MSRP is also $39.99 USD.

Initial Impressions: The Ergon take on design is immediately apparent when you first lay eyes on these. Classy, high end looking, and dare I say fashionable? Certainly a different look than the BMX/moto cross inspired gloves we have seen and used in the past. The HE2, with its white on black look is especially fetching, I think. The HA2 looks like something a super hero would wear, with its glossy black panels and Ergon insignia on the back of the hand in a raised white rubber-like material.

The next thing noticed is the lack of bulk. These gloves remind me of driving gloves- light, well constructed, and luxurious to hold in the hand. Not your usual gloves! Putting them on is another level of disconnect from traditional gloves that has to be experienced to be fully understood.

These gloves are like a professional level cycling jersey for your hands- like a second skin, as it were. In fact, Ergon CEO, Franc Arnold explained to me that this was the intent with the new glove line. Not only should it compliment their grips, but it should allow complete freedom of movement of the hand. Other glove designs, he claimed, compromise this freedom of movement. Certainly, it is apparent that the fit is one that does allow your hands to move naturally, but it is an almost shocking feeling coming off looser fitting gloves that are the norm for cycling.

Ergon HE2: Surprisingly comfy in heat.HE2 In Use: I slipped on the HE2 and was quite certain that my hands would be totally numb within minutes. The fabric was tight fitting, and I mean on every millimeter of my skin. Surprisingly, I waited.....and waited, yet my hands did not feel anything beyond the initial compression of my skin. Weird.

So, I headed out on a ride. The gloves were correctly sized, by the way, yet I was distracted by the fact that the fit was skin tight even on my finger tips. The sensation was so strange, but not painful in any way. I continued to use the gloves on subsequent rides and this sensation, and in fact, the whole compressive nature of the HE2's, seemed to fade. My contact with Ergon U.S.A., Jeff Kerkove, explained to me that the gloves do stretch a little bit after a few wearings, but will retain their shape and fit afterward until washed, when they go back to feeling as new again.

Guess what? I didn't wash mine! I liked the way they ended up feeling. They didn't even get funky smelling either. Bonus!

Overall, the HE2 does what it says. It covers and protects your hands, but it doesn't get too hot, it allows for full freedom of movement, and is the first glove I have used that I didn't want to immediately take off the moment my bicycle stopped. In fact, small tasks that normally would have me jettisoning the gloves instantly, I did with no concerns with the HE2's on. Pretty impressive!

HA2 In Use: The HA2: Super Hero Looks!The HA2 was a similar story. Same, ultra-close fit with the same slightly claustrophobic feelings out of the gate. These also stretched a smidge, just enough that they also became more invisible. Unlike the HE2, the HA2 has an even cooler feel, since the back of the hand has a more open weave to the material.

The grippy finger tips were not overtly noticeable. I can not say with any certainty that this would increase feel and control when things get wet, since almost the entire test period was very hot and dry. Perhaps a cooler test run in wetter conditions might prove this out, but I have not experienced that as of this posting.

Concerns: The HE2 wrist closure was an issue for me. The gloves were sized correctly, but the wrist closure semed to be slightly too short. If I closed the Velcro with a good purchase, so as to prevent accidental opening, the wrist closure would become uncomforatbly tight, and I have what I consider to be slender wrists for a man my size. The HA2, with its different style of closure, was no problem at all for me. Most of the time, I rode in the HE2 with the closure flapping in the wind. This wasn't a problem, really, since the gloves were so close fitting, they weren't coming off my hands at all.

Early runs of HE2's were also suffering from seam failures, and I ran into this as well. Ergon said they were well aware of the issue and a running change had been made to correct for this. Ergon promptly issued another pair of HE2's which have since been flawless.

Finally, there is no "snot wiper" on either of these gloves, which I found really unusual for a cycling glove. Did I miss this? Yes, to a degree, I did. It was hot, sweaty, and humid during much of the testing period, and wiping my brow with the slightly scratchy material of the Ergon gloves was effective, but uncomfortable.

Palm of the HA2 showing the Kevlar protector for the palmConclusions: The Ergon HA2 and HE2 models are excellently made, unusually close fitting, and stylish cycling gloves. There is much to like about them, and some nits I would like to see addressed in future Ergon gloves.

I liked the fit after I got over the initial shock of the tighter fit and after they wore in. The HE2 is especially great after break in, feeling like a comfortable, old shoe. In fact, I found myself reaching for the HE2's most often due to this. The HA2 is a close runner up in terms of feel, function, and wearability, but I didn't like the silicon-like bits and the overall look wasn't my cup of tea. Hey- that's just me. The HA2 worked great, and the fit was just like the HE2, for the most part.

I still am amazed at the dexterity your hands retain with Ergon gloves, and how much of this you lose with other brands of cycling gloves. Ergon nailed the design intents, that's for sure. Ergon also said these gloves would work great with their grips. They do, but not to any greater extent than other gloves, that I could tell. These gloves also work just fine with other company's grips, as well. Make of Ergon's claims here what you will, I think the gloves Ergon makes enhance the function of your hands, regardless of the grip maker.

That said, Ergon needs to address that wrist closure on the HE2. It is just too short. In fact, I would rather they use the wrist closure on the HA2 for both models. It was much more refined and comfortable, to my mind. Add in some "wiper" material on the back of the thumb area and these gloves would be winners if you get on with the unusual fit of these models. I eventually did, and have come to appreciate that hand/finger dexterity, and comfort are enhanced by this radical approach to glove design.

Grannygear's thoughts: I was handed a set of the HE2s by Guitar Ted at Interbike Demo Days and I was immediately struck by the looks. They were very 'un-dirt glove' looking. I noted the small palm heel pad inside the glove and thought that could come in handy in a fall on the rocks of Bootleg Cyn. Slipping them on was a revelation in a form fitting fit...there is a phrase to say 3 times fast...and. as GT noted they did have a 'driving glove' type fit. I have been on them ever since and have come to some conslusions.

The snug fit at first seems too much, but never is. I would not mind more length in the fingers as, when you first put them on, the ends of the fingertips can feel a bit constained, but they seem to stretch during the ride and not bug me any further. I miss a snot/sweat wipey section. A real 'oops' there IMO. I have had no issues really with the wrist closure, but it is kinda brief and minimal.

Unlike GT, I have hand washed them and they have come through looking and feeling fine. I find myself reaching for them more often that not out of the gear bag and until I need a more Fall friendly glove for warmth, that is not likely to change.

Lezyne does hydration? Oh yeah.

2011-11-01T18:08:51Z

Ever seen someone with a Lezyne hydration pack? I never had, and so when I was at Lezyne HQ in the Central Coast of sunny California, I asked why that was. Do they suck or what? Apparently it is just a product that has not been properly promoted, according to Lezyne, and the hydration packs had just been re-designed. I left with a couple of models in my arms to try out and to see if they were good, so-so, or truly sucky.

A whole bunch of rides later, here is what I found. They do not suck.

I had two models to try, the smaller being the 150 cubic inch, $59.99 Firebreak with a 2L reservoir. This is a minimalist pack suitable for race day or rides where you do not require a lot of storage. The Svelte, priced at $89.99, is the next pack up in size at 600 cubic inches of storage and a 3L reservoir. There are two models that are even bigger than the Svelte with the Adroit being the adventure ride pack at an expandable 1200 cubic inches and the huge Great Divide at 1500 cubic inches. That makes a great commuter pack, swallowing changes of clothing and laptops, so I hear.

The Firebreak:

The Svelte:

The packs come in a very functional color scheme...black with green contrasty sections. Black works for a pack that will get beat up and dirty. The overall construction seems quite good with nice zipper pulls that can be used with gloves on and wide shoulder straps with padding. I do not think that the final finish of the pack is quite at the level of something like an Osprey product, but that is all Osprey does...make packs...so that is not too surprising. However, the packs have weathered well so far and look like they will last.

The reservoirs have a bite valve that shuts off with a 90 degree turn and flows a lot of water. the valve is a bit big to bite on and the hose/bite valve combo is heavy compared to a typical Camelbak set-up, so unless you store the hose away, it will swing around too much as you ride. I ended up tucking both hoses into the chest strap loop and that worked great. The reservoir opening is closed by way of a zip-lock type thing and, although I was skeptical at first, it has been fine to live with, staying closed when I needed it to. You do need to pay attention to getting it REALLY closed well though or you will get wet. Ask me how I know. The opening is OK size wise and is pretty good for getting ice cubes in there, etc, but is really not big enough to get your hand in there if you want to clean it out. Bring a long handled brush for that duty. I had one bite valve on the Firebreak weep every so often, then it would stop and I never could figure out why.

Storage/organization on both packs is the highlight in my opinion. There seems to be a place for everything and tools/essentials are easily dealt with. There are no deep pockets to lose a tool down into requiring a fishing expedition. Superb!

The fit and comfort has been very good. The Svelte pack has six padded sections on the back that keep it off of your body a bit for air flow and includes an aluminum stiffener panel in the back that can be preshaped to your liking. I never felt like the Svelte moved around when I did not want it to and even fully loaded it was easy on the back. The Firebreak I have does not have a waist belt and that allows it to lift off the body during trail maneuvers. The newer versions feature a waist belt that should keep that from happening.

There is a place for a separate rain cover on the Svelte and it also has straps for helmet and body armor carry. The Firebreak also accommodates the long-ish Lezyne Micro Floor Drive HV, my favorite hand pump I have ever owned. Slick.

The Firebreak has replaced my Camelbak XLP as the Firebreak organizes better. It is minimal as far as clothing storage though, so do not expect to stuff more than a light windbreaker or some arm warmers in there. For under 2 hour rides like the typical after work blitz, it is great. The Svelte is in the running for my fav all arounder, competing with the Camelbak Charge 450. The Svelte carries bulky loads better and is the organization king but does not have that excellent external stuff-it pouch that the Charge 450 has.

Both packs have been very easy to live with and deserve to be on the backs of more riders. If you are shopping for a low key looking pack that focuses on organization and function, look at the Lezyne line of hydration packs. More details and thoughts in this video, shot at Mammoth Mtn during some product testing.

www.lezyne.com

Clif Bar keeps it tasty.

2011-11-01T04:15:31Z

Cliff Bar Report from Guitar Ted.

Recently we were allowed the opportunity to check out a bunch of fantastic Clif bar products. We’ve used these products before, but these were new flavors. (At least to me they were.) Here is my take on the products and some comment mixed in from Grannygear...

Mojo Trail Mix Bar: These are snacks with a 70% Organic food content and are all about “sweet and salty” mixed with other flavors. I got to try the Chocolate Almond Coconut and the “Dipped S’Mores” bars. The latter of the two is simply outstanding as a treat (Grannygear says “Oh yes!” Got milk?). Go for a long ride, and put that on the counter for your return as a reward. Yum! That one, due to the “dipped” coating, really doesn’t survive too well if it gets hot, so unless you have a cool place to store it on a ride, I’d keep that one for after ride snacking, or as part of a quick bite in the afternoon. The former one mentioned would be okay to take on a ride, but it might get a bit gooey, so be forewarned. Best used when stopped for a rest, I think. The flavor of the Choco-Almond-Coconut was spot on- sweet/salty perfection.

Clif Crunch Bar: These are Clif Bar’s “lighter snack”. 70% Organic here as well. They are not too dry, and definitely are crunchy. While I liked the Peanut Butter flavor and Honey Oat, I wouldn’t recommend taking them on a ride, since mine would end up busted up into dust before I got around to them. They do work really well mixed into yogurt though! Grannygear really loved the Blueberry Crisp, and found that crazy good with a cup of green tea and honey for breakfast.

Clif Bar: Ahhhh! The company’s namesake, and the bar that is perfect on a ride, or for a light meal. I got the Peanut Butter Toffee Buzz, Apricot, and the Coconut Chocolate Chip to try out. They were chewy, but not too tough, and were easily eaten and retained on my rides. (At least for me!)

These tasted great, with the only exception being the Apricot, which to my nose and palate came off reminding me a bit of cough medicine. Not real pleasant, but not terrible. Definitely not as hedonistic as the other two!

I’d give these products a thumbs up, with the minor exception being the Apricot flavored Clif Bar, but that might just be me. Grannygear agrees that the Crunch Bars are not sturdy enough to survive in the typical bike pack, but the Mojos are a very nice change up with that blend of sweet and salty. However, he still keeps the old stand-by Clif Bar for heavy lifting as a true trail/energy snack. And, he liked the Apricot.

Grannygear also got to sample some of the Clif Shot Bloks in the new Citrus flavor. Shot Bloks have 33 calories with a blend of carbs and electrolytes in a soft and chewy square of joy. He likes them for the way they help keep his energy level level over a ride, typically eating them once every half hour or so mixed in with the Clif Shot drink mix and regular trail snacks. The Citrus tasted like lime jello to Granny and lime jello rocks. Clif Bar keeps on keeping things tasty for before, during, and after workouts. Check them out in the local bike shop, outdoor store, or where ever they are sold. Also, we noted some special Clif Bar holiday flavors in our Press Release section.

yurbuds - sport headphones that can go the distance

2011-11-01T03:34:35Z

I do like riding with musical accompaniment, not always, and typically not on quick after work rides, but on longer, epic rides, music is a great way to get your mind off the pain. However, it had always come at a cost of sore ears from all the contact with the headphones and they never seemed to stay in place, often popping out when things got rough or I pulled on the helmet strap, etc.

Now part of that was the fact I was using the OE ear buds from the iPod, and hardly anyone finds those comfy, at least no one I talk to. They would always hurt my ears and sore ears detracted from the ride. I was interested in finding a more secure and comfortable option for tunes on the bike, so when I passed by the yurbuds booth at Interbike I stopped for a better look. I am so glad I did.

The first thing that they did was measure my ear canal. Seriously? Yep. Well why would they all be the same size anyway? I was a ‘7’, the size that most folks measure to. Then we talked about how they would not slip out of my ear, no matter how sweaty or bumpy things got. Really? I was skeptical. They slipped the yurbuds into my ear and gave it a twist...the yur buds, not my ear (for more on the yurbuds ‘twist’ see this YouTube video. Well, that felt different. Secure and comfy, at least for the moment, but would it last? I moved on to other priorities that day, but the yurbuds stayed in the back of my mind.

So, after I got back home, I put the claims of yurbuds to the test with a couple of samples they provided. The models I had to review were the Ironman Inspire and the Endure Pro. The Ironman Inspire is a simple model (pictured at left), no inline controls or anything, just your basic in-ear type headphone. Is it still a headphone when it does not sit on your head? Hmmmm? Anyway, the Endure Pro is much fancier with over-the-ear ‘loops’ and a 3-button control dry mic. The 3-button control interfaces nicely with Apple devices like iPods and iPhones, allowing for on the fly control of volume, song selection, and answering phone calls. Both models come with a nice little zippered, red, pouch to keep things organized. I even carried my iPod Nano in there.

I began with the basic Ironman Inspire, priced at $49.95. The silicone ear buds are molded to fit the ear and place the sound more directly into the ear canal. They also have some thought given to outside noises, such as road traffic and other trail users, etc. One of the things I liked about the OE ear buds from Apple was the way they still allowed surrounding noises to be heard, keeping you from being “that guy”, the clueless one on the trail that is blissfully unaware of anything happening out of his field of vision. This was a concern with the more form fitting yurbuds. More on that. They came with the size ‘5’ ear pieces installed but I swapped to size ‘7’s right away as that was what the Interbike measurement had called out.

At first I was confused as to which one was right or left and the embossed marking on the ear piece was very hard to read with older eyes like mine. I wondered if they should not have denoted the ‘R’ one with a colored band or something, but what I came to find was that there is no way to get them backwards and still have them fit right. If you get that part wrong, they will also feel very odd in your ear. Good enough. Once ‘twisted’ into place, they are rock solid in there. I have over 12 hours of riding in them with two of those rides being 5 hours each, one of the rides in mid 90s temps, so lots of perspiration going on. I have caught the cord on trail branches, helmet straps, etc, and have never dislodged the yurbuds. And, during those five hour rides, I never once felt the least bit of discomfort or ear soreness. Killer! Sweat does not make them slippery either. For the fit and comfort alone, they are worth every penny, allowing you to focus on the task at hand. They just disappear during use. As far as sound quality, I have to confess that I have little to compare them to, but I think they are an improvement over the OE Apple ear buds. Whether that is from the better path into the ear or from speaker quality (or both) I do not know. I am not overwhelmed by the audio excellence, especially base notes, but I do notice more subtleties in the music that I was missing before, and at a lower volume too. That is nice, and really, I am not expecting a symphony on the trail so the sound quality has been more than adequate.

As far as being able to hear your surroundings, I found that as long as I kept the volume reasonable, I could hear fairly well. Drivetrain sounds, tires crunching on the trail, conversations, etc. Anything stuck in your ear that is not a hearing aid will block stuff. Hard to have it all, but I did not feel isolated and most of the time I am off road, not on city streets anyway.

After that I tried the fancy Endure Pros priced at $59.99, beginning at home by listening to some podcasts and music to learn the mic controls, and even taking some phone calls. Pretty slick. I kept these with the size ‘5’ ear pieces to see how that felt. They felt looser. No surprise, but the ear loops, which are very nicely soft and flexy, keep the Endure Pros well in place. Out on the trail I did not find that the ear loops got in the way of either eyewear or helmets. The sound was comparable, although the slightly smaller earpiece let in some more outside noise. I did have issues with the Dry Mic and the controls being ‘clicked’ by my jersey and necklace (I had it tucked under my jersey) and so I had to run it on the outside to keep from changing songs as I rode. I also found that, with gloves on, I had trouble with the 3 button controls, finding is hard to get volume rather than track selection, etc. I seldom take phone calls while riding (and I use the smaller iPod, not the iPhone, for music) so for me, the extra controls are nice, but were actually less than great when riding. I prefer the simplicity of the Ironman Inspires, but I know at least one buddy that is always plugged into his iPhone during rides, taking calls for his business, etc, and he would like the Endure Pros very much.

The only negative thing I can say is I get the impression that wind noise has been exaggerated when wearing the yurbuds.

The yurbuds have lived up to every promise they made in the ad copy, something that does not happen very often. Need a new training partner? One that sounds pleasant, never rubs you the wrong way and doesn’t mind getting sweaty? Yurbuds is waiting for your next workout. www.yurbuds.com

Planet Bike: New Products For 2012 On Test

2011-10-12T14:59:04Z

A bunch of new stuff to test from Planet Bike has hit the door of late and I thought I would introduce some of it here for your enjoyment and information. Let's take a look at some new Planet Bike products for 2012.

Planet Bike's "Snack Sack"

Snack Sack: I love top tube bags and with the adventure bicycling thing heating up, not to mention gravel grinders, these types of bags are getting very popular. Enter Planet Bike with their "Snack Sack" top tube bag.

This is a pretty smartly designed bag which is rated at 43 cubic inches. It should easily hold a small digital camera, a cell phone, and some nutritional products all at the same time with ease. Or.....you could just fill it with grub! The choice is yours.

The loop on the back that you can see here attaches to two zippers and opens a flap that is attached with Velcro at the top/front of the bag as a sort of safety measure. I like that. many times you only have a moment to grab something quick, and with this bag, you can flap the lid down and the Velcro will hold the lid fast until you get a chance to zipper it up again.

The other thing I like here is that it has a form that holds itself in the basic shape you see here. This keeps the bag stable on the top tube, and not flopping over sideways or something. The front is shaped to nestle into the steer tube, and the attaching straps, (one in front, one below), are wide and the Velcro is pretty aggressive.

Planet Bike also offers a bigger 74 cubic inch version called the "Lunch Box" if something bigger trips your trigger. The MSRP on the Snack Sack is $16.99 and the Lunch Box MSRP's at 20.99

Borealis Glove, er Mitten, or...whatever!

Borealis: Planet Bike has a new version of this hand warming device that should work as a colder/cold weather solution for cycling. What they have here is a two piece glove/over mitten design tailored to cycling activities.

The inner glove is fleece and is pretty beefy. On its own it should suffice for your cooler fall riding and into winter. With the outer mitten, you add a windproof back of the hands panels and "forchettes", and a water resistant, reinforced Serino palm area. The cuff on the outer mitten is neoprene and features a good hook and loop closure to help seal out the searching winds of winter. Of course, you could also just wear the outer mitten part as another way to make the system more versatile.

The Borealis also has reflective piping on the outer layer for better nighttime visibility. There is a good patch of fleece on the back side of the thumb for "nose wiping" duties too. The design of the outer layer groups your pinky and "ring fingers" together, but allows freedom of independent movement of the remaining digits, so you can operate drop bar levers, and Grip Shifters for sure. Trigger shifters? The jury is still out on those, but I'll know when it gets colder.

The Borealis MSRP's for $41.99 and comes in sizes Small - XXX-Large

Captain Safety Super Fun Reflective Stickers:

Stickers. Yup! I like 'em. Always have, so when I heard about these "super fun" safety stickers, I was hooked. So, what exactly makes them "safety" and "super fun"?

Well, these stickers have a reflective coating, so when you see them at night illuminated by car lights, for instance, they are supposed to "pop" and look like little beacons of light. (I don't know if they do yet or not)

The "fun" part comes with the star shapes, dots, and strips that can be used in creative ways to express your inner kid, or to just be weird if you want.

The flexible stickers conform well to three dimensional shapes and seem to have a decent adhesive on them.

These have an MSRP of $7.49

Look for updates on these products as the weather cools and I get some test rides in.

Ergon PC2-L Pedals Follow-Up Review

2011-10-12T14:51:06Z

Ergon PC2-L Pedals Follow-Up Review

PC2-L Peds

Ergon's entry into the pedal market shouldn't surprise anyone, I mean, after grips, your other contact points should be addressed, right? Ergon- ergonomic? Makes sense to me. What was surprising was that it was this kind of pedal that was introduced.

I figured something for performance cycling, but now that I have been using the PC2-L's for the summer, and now into the fall, I am glad that they didn't go that route. More on that in a bit...

If you missed my earlier Ergon PC2-L intro, click the link and check that out. I give my first impressions on the pedals there, and I won't go over that ground again here. Suffice it to say, I still feel that way about the pedals now. Long term use was the question here, and I have further to say on that subject now.

The PC2-L's, ("L" for "large", and there is a corresponding "S" for smaller feet), have been problem free for the duration of my testing. I used the pedals on a weekly basis, multiple days every week, for errands on my Xtracycled Schwinn Sierra mountain bike. I hauled heavy loads, did multiple hour rides, and just general putzing around to run smaller errands. You know- "utility cycling", for what that term is worth.

I did bang the pedals in turns a few times, and had one good impact with a bridge railing. The Ergon PC2's took it all in stride, albeit with a few scuffs here and there. The important thing here to note is that mechanically speaking, I see no reason to believe that these wouldn't hold up under general usage for as long as any other pedal.

Still spinning along

So I got to talk to the founder of Ergon at Interbike this year. He was very interested in my take on the pedals. I actually made a suggestion, (which I'll share in a bit), that he found intriguing.

He told me that the pedals are ergonomically perfected to allow for a rider to get into "the sweet spot" for pedaling most of the time. As Ergon's founder pointed out, "most of the time" is a lot better than almost none of the time, so he was okay with that. The thing is, it is pretty intuitive to find the spot you should be in. Once you do, these pedals cause no issues for most folks regarding pain, or soreness, that I could find out. Certainly, they were amazingly comfortable for me. This was great, but as I stated in the beginning, the biggest benefit to getting these pedals, and not some fancy pinned flats with straps, or clip-less pedals is something bigger than comfort.

I found that I had less barriers to using my bicycle. So what if I was wearing the flimsiest shoes I own? Boots? Stocking feet even. It doesn't matter. Gotta run down to the store quick and grab a few ingredients for supper? Bam! Out the door, grab the Xtracycle, and I was on it. I didn't worry about my shoes. (In fact, I often didn't wear a helmet, which is another story, but bear with me here.) I could literally be on my bike in seconds, and my feet wouldn't ever hurt, and I had a very efficient platform for riding. Safe, secure, and comfortable. I used my bicycle a lot more.

Some will grouse that they can not "pull up" on their pedals so these won't do. I say- these aren't those kind of pedals for that kind of cycling, ya know? These are for when you aren't trying to get a "workout" or racing whomever. These pedals are for living with a bike. Utility. Commuting. Besides, straps are another limiting factor for most cyclists that are not into fixies. (I know-hard to fathom, eh? )

The thing is, I talked with some PC2 users, and they all agreed when they thought about it. They all used the bike that had PC2's on it more than they had for more utilitarian/lifestyle cycling. To my mind, this is the biggest plus of the PC2's. Ergonomics and comfort, yes, but this increased use of the bicycle due to less barriers? Golden.

I did think there could be an improvement to the PC2's though. Notice in the upper image where the rough material is applied? I said to Ergon's owner, maybe they could make that a removable plate, and something else could be swapped in there. Say a plate with more aggressive friction, or a plate with pins for winter riding. More versatility for all seasons, basically. He said it was a good suggestion, but may require a redoing of the design. So, we'll see on that.....

Conclusion: What seemed like an odd choice by Ergon turns out to be something entirely brilliant, to my thinking: A pedal that lowers the obstacles to bicycle use in a daily setting due to its ease of use and excellent design. That's pretty much what the Ergon PC2-L has been for me. I've easily saved the money they cost in gas savings, not to mention wear and tear on my truck. They are easy to use, work with most all casual, non-cycling footwear, (even barefoot! Not that I advise you to try this!), and seem to be durable enough to last through a normal pedal's lifespan. Not a performance pedal for racing, mountain biking, or for your 14lb road bike, but they weren't meant to be that either. I give them my hearty recommendo for daily, utilitarian/commuter use for sure.

Vittoria "Impact" MTB Shoes: Final Review

2011-10-10T02:19:58Z

Well, the leaves are falling and daylight grows shorter with each passing day here. Now it has come time for my final take on the Vittoria Impact mountain biking shoes I have been testing all season. If you want to see my earlier, "First Impressions" take on these, click the link here.

Vittoria Impact mtb shoesSince my last report in June I have worn these shoes multiple times per week, using them as commuter shoes, trail shoes, and I have often worn them throughout the shift at work at the bicycle shop where I am a mechanic.

Through all of that, these shoes have shown little wear. No stitching coming loose, the graphics, while slightly worn, are really in pretty decent shape. What amazes me the most is the inner lining of the shoe in the heel cup. I have worn several models of mtb shoes and these are the only ones that have not worn through in the inside of the heel cup for me. In fact, I can't really see any wear there. Other shoes I have used have been torn to shreds in this area. I am very impressed by this. Other potential trouble spots: the ratchet, the hook and loop closures, and the soles have come through with flying colors as well.

Ride Performance: Again, I have used these for lots of commuting, but also on long rides of 100 miles, and in the grueling environs of Bootleg Canyon during Interbike's Outdoor Demo. They've been soaked in rain, mud, and dust to no real detriment. All the way through, the fit, feel and most importantly, the sensations during those longer rides have been consistently great. No hot spot issues, and no issues with regards to chafing, or other negatives in fit on the bike.

Conclusions: The Vittoria Impact mountain bike shoes have been an excellent partner in all my riding this season. I expect they will continue on for at least a few more seasons of use, as they show no real signs of decay at this point. Only the time spent in Bootleg Canyon seems to have accelerated wear on the soles, so those in rocky, gritty conditions that are similar to Southern Nevada may see advanced wear issues.

I still feel that engagement in Shimano pedals is a shade harder and I attribute this to the narrow-ish and deep set cleat area in the sole. This wasn't a real niggle for me, but it is noticeable at times. Mud never made it worse for me, but it may for some. Also, I did feel that the outsole stretched a wee bit over time. It wasn't a lot, but I could tell that I was taking up more of the ratcheted strap at the time of this posting than when they were new, and the hook and loop straps were being pulled in a shade more. The good news is that there is so much adjustability to fit the Impact shoes to your feet, that a little stretch is nothing more than a slight adjustment. For instance, I could easily move the ratchet strap to the next lower position on the shoe, and regain the range of strap adjustment I had when new. As it stands now, I am at the tightest it will go, but it is still "just right" at this point. No need to switch the ratchet mount, but I could if needed. That is a major plus.

The Impact isn't an inexpensive shoe, but since I am finding value in long wear and comfort with really good performance here, the initial cost doesn't seem to be panning out to be a hurdle here. For instance, I was wearing out a pair of $100.00 MSRP shoes a season before I started using these. The Impact shows no reason why it wouldn't last three times as long as my former shoes would. That's another major plus here. I'll save money in the long run, and way before the Impact will likely give up the ghost on me. Obviously, that's a guess, but really, I don't see a lot of entropy going on here with the Impact!

Ballistic iPhone 4 cases: Keeping it safe

2011-09-19T21:17:53Z

When I 'invested' heavily into his and her iPhone 4s, I knew our active lifestyle demanded a good solution to protecting the phone. However, I also needed to keep the phones somewhat 'pack-a-ble' in that some phone cases are waaay too big to fit into a pocket. So I was looking at a mid-level solution between the 'barely there' Hello Kitty fashion cases and the lock-it-up-in-a-box full on cases.

I found Ballistic. They had what looked like a very good compromise to my needs and so I ordered two of the Ballistic Shell Gel SG cases, one for the iPhone4 white phone and one for the black phone. Yes, there is a slight difference, so make sure you buy accordingly as not all cases for a black phone will work on a white phone and also there is an ATT vs. Verizon issue to contend with. I had the Verizon model.

Before I installed the cases, I added a kit to both phones from Zagg. That kept my front and rear glass from getting scratched or scored which might lead to breakage. It slightly adds some orange peel to the screen and degrades some of the amazing display quality, but it is still worth it to me.

That done, I slipped the iPhones into the SG case, first into the shock absorbent polymer 'squishy' case section, then into the impact resistant polycarbonate shell. That provided a great balance of protection as the soft corners of the SG case are thicker right where it needs to be, so if it is dropped and lands squarely onto the corner, the protection is great there. Smart. As well, the design keeps the front glass of the iPhone off the surface of the table like four little coasters if you lay it face down. The hard case does the rest of the work and keeps the gel case in place and of course has cut outs for camera lens and flash. All the accessory ports are kept clear except for the power and volume controls which are rubber covered but easily used.

I have used this case for several weeks now, tossing it into a hydration pack, in my pocket (it still fits into a pants pocket) and just lived with it in general and I am extremely happy with the overall fit and performance of the SG case. It was perfect for my needs. It also adds some 'grip' to holding the phone as the stock iPhone is a bit easy to fumble with and drop.

Now there is also a one step up to the SG and that is the HC (Hard Core) case. Ballistic sent me an HC case so I could compare. This is what you use when you really want to wrap up your phone. It adds an even harder case(s) and a front plastic screen cover so the ZAGG (or, I might add, Ballistic has screen protectors too) is not needed as much. If you want to toss your phone in your tool box or your work/play environment is truly rough, then the HC case is a natural. For me, the extra bulk is too much and it will not fit in a typical pants pocket (although the HC case comes with a case/pants clip to help with that).

I have dropped my iPhone once and it was onto the tile floor at home. It barely made a sound as it landed square on a corner of the SG case and just bounced a bit. I was not even worried about it. I have kept it next to car keys in my hydration pack and had no worries or ill effects. I bought the white SG case to accent my white iPhone and so far it has not dulled or gotten dirty looking.

Thanks Ballistic. This was money well spent.

Topeak Extravanganza: 4 products for the trail.

2011-09-17T23:10:48Z

Topeak has an astonishing amount of products to choose from and this month we have four different items to review on The Cyclist. We have the Tri DryBag, the Shuttle Tire Levers, the C02 Cobra, and the iPhone Dry Bag.

Let the reviewing begin.

Tri DryBag: Similar to what would be called a fuel cell from a custom bag builder, the Tri DryBag sits right where you can get to it when riding and carries snacks and essentials. Made to be water resistant, the Tri DryBag would shed any rain water or moisture encountered while riding but could not be submerged without leaking. The bag is truly handy. I have used it for longer rides when I wanted energy foods right at hand rather than in the hydration pack and that worked well. It is pretty one hand-able in that I can access it without stopping if I need to. The little divider can be moved around so it makes a decent place for a smart phone or GPS or it can be removed completely for maximum space. It holds it's shape well and stays pretty well out of the way. Like the custom fuel cell I also have (as part of my bikepacking kit) there can be some knee interference when standing and pedaling, especially if you 'rock the boat' from side to side when you pedal, but I imagine my long legs help to make that an issue for me. The only other thing to consider is that if your frame is very non-traditional in shape at the TT/DT/HT junction, you may not get the velcro holding straps to fit. Selling for around $25.00 in the e-commerce world, the Tri DryBag is a good product and something I keep close at hand.

Something to note is a new line of small bags from Topeak for 2012 that are called the Fuel Tank Series. Sitting in the same area as the Tri DryBag, the fuel cells have a zippered opening and come in a medium and large size. Tapered and a bit sleeker than the Tri DryBag, they do look more 'mountain biker' in nature and should be well received as a useful bag for the same reasons I liked the Tri DryBag. Look for that coming this new product year.

CO2-Bra: This little goodie looks to mount CO2 (two 16g cartridges), a CO2 dispenser, two tire levers, a stretchy cover for muck protection, and a place to carry a tube all in one package that can be seat post or seat tube mounted. Cleverly designed, I expected that it would be a pretty useful tool for riders who are looking for an all-in one solution for race days or just plain riding. I think it falls short in actual use and here is why in a minute, but first, the good stuff. The CO2 dispenser works well and even includes a little plastic, yellow ring that can be placed between the pre-loaded cartridge and the Cobra Head to prevent accidental cartridge piercing and discharge. As well, there is a visual indicator to tell you if you are holding a full or empty cartridge on the Cobra Head. Cool. The Shuttle tire levers are very good and the cover is a nice touch.

But...it all gets kinda wonky when you try to use it. The unit will mount and stay pretty well in position on the seat tube, especially if the cover is in place as it allows for more velcro strap 'purchase'. However getting that cover on is a real pain. It is hard even when I did it just for the pics, but I can imagine with cycling gloves on a wet and muddy day...well, not so good. There is too much tension in the cover and when you try to get it to fit, the entire pack is moving around on the post, aggravated by the fact that when you remove the cover, you also affect the tension of the main holding strap.

However, it did not move much when mounted after I did have the thing on there. It actually was easier to pop it all the way off the post, unwrap it, use it, then cover it and remount. That was better but it seems like you would rather have it mounted all the time, at least to me. However, when I added a tube to the outside like in the pics on the Topeak website, that overwhelmed the ability to have the CO2-Bra stay put on the post and it would swing around on bumps and get in the way. As well, the tube really did not want to stay in-line behind the CO2-Bra like the pics show and would creep over at 45 degrees to the side.

So for me, it needs a bit of refining before I would use it, but it does keep things right at hand for flat repairs. However, there is another 2012 product coming along from Topeak that is a bit simpler than the CO2-Bra and uses a more traditional CO2 90 degree dispenser head and does away with the cover. It looks more like a serious tool in that way and might appeal more to racers. It still carries 2 16g cartridges and the nifty Shuttle levers (1.1 version). Look for the AirBooster Race Pod soon.

iPhone Dry Bag: I recently took the plunge into the wonderful world of iPhones so the iPhone Dry Bag caught my interest. iPhones are even pressed into service for GPS and training apps these days, so a bike mount for one is of interest. The mount is good on the stem and allows the case to be clicked in vertically or horizontally. It also sits very close to the stem and is decently stable. As well, the back of the case, when not attached to the bike, is a belt clip too so the iPhone can go from bike to body to bike easily. It is pretty easy to read the display through the pouch and the touch screen still worked quite well. Nice. There is no provison for running a cord out of the pouch as it really is a dry bag, basically a zip top bag that rolls down and velcros over to close.

You could even use the camera from inside the bag although obviously you are not going to get top quality photos that way. The velcro patch is barely acceptable for keeping the roll top in place and I wished it was placed just a bit lower or was bigger as it was a bit of a pain to roll the bag tight enough to still get the flap onto the velcro. Still, it worked good enough and that does not really affect sealing, just tidyness. As well, I could not get my iPhone 4 in there with the Ballistic case on it and I would expect most cases would not fit, although some of the very slim ones might.

The only caveat I see is that there is the potential for heat issues with the phone as the bag is not vented in any way. If you were in the sun on a hot day and you were running an app like a GPS/fitness/mapping, etc program, that could be a shake and bake oven. This is mentioned on the Topeak website for this product.

However, for the right person, this could be fine in cooler weather and of course, in wet, snowy, whatever commuting. With a Bluetooth headset, you could see who was calling you and make calls easy enough, check maps, etc. The iPhone dry bag is around $20.00 retail and is a pretty neat deal.

Mounting the iPhone Dry Bag.

Now there is yet another new product coming for Topeak (those guys are BUSY!) that accomodates an iPhone 4 and I really liked the concept. Called the RideCase, it actually uses a base cover to the iPhone that attaches to a tilt up bracket that mounts to the stem cap bolt. You can even film while using it although I am sure it would be kinda bumpy that way. In any case, it has a clear rubber cover that can be added to it called the RideCase Shield that protects against dust and light moisture. Pretty cool and this would have no heat issues. With one of each of these, you would be ready for summer and winter riding with your iPhone 4.

Here are some bad photos from Interbike.

Shuttle Tire Lever 1.2: Well, in my opinion I saved the best for last. I got these along with all the other goodies and sort of dismmissed them as an odd looking lever that some engineer thought would be cool. After all, I have lots of tire levers, even if they are not black. yellow and snap together. Well, was I ever wrong. After using the Shuttle levers, I don't want to use any other lever. Lately I have been mounting better (read TIGHTER) fitting tire rim combos and the other day I had to mount the new Geax Sturdy tires onto the Haven UST rims. Those tire have a beefy casing and are a snug fit on the rims, so I remembered the odd looking Shuttle levers and went and fetched them out of the goodie bag. In no time I was done and done.

The great things working for you here are the thin tips on the levers that allow you to get under the tire bead and keep you from scraping up rim tape, etc. The smaller lever is set up to hook onto a spoke, keeping you from needing three hands for removing the tire. Hook the bead with the small lever, lift over the rim, hook on a spoke. Then, the longer lever does the rest of the work and not only gives you a ton of leverage, but the longer length keeps your knuckles out from the spokes a bit if you slip. Totally rockin' tool. It just shows you that even something as simple as a tire lever can be improved. A better mousetrap for tire removal is the Shuttle 1.2. Note that the Shuttle Levers 1.1 have the same thin and strong tips but come in a more tidy size for tool pouches, etc.