The Gear in Review

[jrenaut]

1) Never too bold to start a thread that will be helpful to others. Or even one that will just be amusing or interesting to others.
2) Don’t worry about other people’s reactions to your reviews. One of the things you’ll find around the forum and cycling in general is that some things work well for you but not for someone else and vice versa. If you give an honest review others will find it helpful.

I like the idea of this thread, and will try to contribute my hits and misses later.

[TwoWheelsDC]

Good call! I don’t have too much to add as I haven’t bought much this year that was particularly remarkable one way or the other:

HIT

-Endura BaaBaa merino base layers: I’m sure there are other equally good wool base layers, but I’ve been extremely happy with the Enduras. I bought them maybe last January and wore them last winter/spring and this fall/winter and they are holding up without any immediate signs of wear. I can wear them several times with no stink, they dry fast, and they aren’t itchy.

-Camelbak Podium Chill bottles: I just discovered these this summer. Although they aren’t perfect, on shorter rides they do a good job of keeping liquids cool, which is clutch in the extreme heat.

-Bibs: This summer I transitioned from bike shorts to bibs and I don’t think I could ever go back. Things got even better once I upgraded from Performance brand to Castelli and Sugoi…their bibs are freakin’ expensive, but worth the premium over lower priced bibs.

MISS

-Bern helmet: it’s not “bad”, I just find that I don’t wear it very often, instead favoring my regular road helmet. Berns run insanely small and my head just barely fits into an XL, so I can’t fit a head band or knit cap underneath it. So I find they don’t have the flexibility of a regular helmet unless you want to pay extra for the different liners. Maybe in spring I’ll start wearing it again, but it’s been sitting on my shelf since October.

[americancyclo]

HITS:
Deuter Trans Alpine 25 Backpack
Sits better on my back than the old chrome messenger bag and carries just as much. bonus is the hi-vis rain cover stowed in the bottom, and the separated bottom compartment for my lunch. Can comfortably fit a change of clothes in here with my lunch for the day, with options for attaching more articles in the bungees.

Feed Zone Cookbook
In a word, Portables. Rice bars changed the way I prepare, ride and recover from century rides.

Costco Paradox Merino base layer
It’s only about 50% merino (if that) but it’s lightweight, cheap, and layers quite well under my wind shell for winter riding in temps above 35F

MISS:
Manzella Silkweight Windstopper
This glove is decent between 45F and 65F. It’s the right weight I was looking for, but the cuff seam is pulling away from the glove fabric, and that’s a bit disappointing. I bought them last December, and I would have hoped they would have lasted at least three years, like my old LG gloves.

[Greenbelt]

+1 — insulated water bottles, lightweight collaspseable grocery baskets, silly clown horns, all-USB rechargeable waterproof lights, removeable glove liners, Schwalbe marathon tires, Serfas Grifter portable pump

+0 — bike glow wire frame lights (cool looking, but mine only lasted one season)

-1 — cheap summer jerseys from Performance (unwearable unless I seriously toughen up my nipples)

[ShawnoftheDread]

Hit: Sugoi Wallaroo merino long sleeve jersey. Got this on clearance from REI in August and can’t live without it since it started getting colder – as every forum member who’s seen me since October can attest (which is kind of embarrassing, but I don’t care). Warm and comfortable and van go for days between washes.

Hit: UltraFire mini tactical flashlight. Someday I’ll have a Diablo, but until then this is the best $13 I’ve ever spent. It’s very bright.

Miss: Vaude lightweight rain jacket. It repels rain and blocks wind very well. It even looks decent. But it’s unventilated and doesn’t breathe at all. I can only wear it for the first few miles of my commute, at the most. Maybe I’ll like it better in January and February.

[KelOnWheels]

@Jason B 38906 wrote:

HIT
Banjo Brother Commuting Backpack: I know, I look like a poser wearing it, but damn it, that thing works like a charm. I can put my pet elephant in that thing, which is important for I don’t have the commuting to work down to a science yet, so I still pack my full make-up kit and hair dryer. It costs considerably less than a Mission or a Chrome, running less than $100. It is durable as heck, waterproof,reflective and makes you look 10 years younger…ok, maybe not. It is also extremely comfortable for riding. Only con is the phone pocket is too small for a modern phone, but than again, I ain’t no bike messenger, so I can live with leaving it in my pocket next to my Viagra.
http://www.banjobrothers.com/products/cycling-backpacks/commuter-backpack-large/

HITS:

I just picked up the even more poser-y version of that backpack on sale because it was a factory second and was cheaper than the smaller version: http://www.banjobrothers.com/products/cycling-backpacks/whitey-von-backpack-large/

This thing is HUGE. I can fit a full size U-lock in the side pocket. Haven’t ridden with it yet but I will be able to carry All The Things. Possibly including myself and my bicycle. BIKECEPTION.

The phone pocket is weirdly old-school. I’m gonna put energy bars in it maybe, or just take it off.

I already have this for my phone: http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/products/3way-accessory-case which is very handy. I can fit my ID and a credit card in the front pocket and stick it on my running belt when it’s not on my commuter bag. Not waterproof but OK in light rain.

Bell Citi helmet: http://www.amazon.com/Bell-Citi-Bike-Helmet/dp/B000BOC8I2 Cheap, comfy, discontinued, saved my noggin from being splatted all over the sidewalk by the Jefferson Memorial. RIP, little helmet.

MISSES:

Blackburn Flea: http://www.blackburndesign.com/flea-2-0-front-usb-373 OK for a be-seen light (it is epic on flashy mode) but recharging is janky and battery life isn’t terribly predictable. The strap on mine fell apart and I had to sew it back together. (You have to take the strap off to recharge it.)

POE Vancouver Bag: http://www.backcountry.com/pacific-outdoor-equipment-vancouver-bag-poe0045 Not terrible, but the outside pocket is NOT waterproof. The shoulder pad is pretty wide so it’s not so good for small-shouldered people.

Nutcase helmet: http://www.nutcasehelmets.com/collections/street/gen2 I LOVE the way these look, but they don’t fit a long oval head and they are HOT.

Hmm, what else did I get this year?

[DismalScientist]

HITS
Metro SmarTrip card: Worked like a charm the few times I used it. Light. Aerodynamic in my back pocket.

Bicycle inner tube: Best way to tie a cheap Chinese flashlight to the top of one’s helmet.

$4 fleece gloves from rack at 7-11. Works from 25 to 50 degrees. Unfortunately, not reflective.

MISSES
Rear axle from a 1985 Mavic 550 hub. Broke in half. Do you know how hard it is to replace these things?

Generic 26.8 mm aluminum seatpost. Broke in half. I’m going steel alloy next time.

[krazygl00]

Oooh I want to play!

@americancyclo 38916 wrote:

Costco Paradox Merino base layer
It’s only about 50% merino (if that) but it’s lightweight, cheap, and layers quite well under my wind shell for winter riding in temps above 35F

I think they are more like 15% merino I bought some of these too and posted about them in a merino base layers thread. They seem OK, but I haven’t done enough testing to really say for sure.

@TwoWheelsDC 38910 wrote:

-Camelbak Podium Chill bottles: I just discovered these this summer. Although they aren’t perfect, on shorter rides they do a good job of keeping liquids cool, which is clutch in the extreme heat.

Best. Bottles. Ever. I’ve said many times they’re the only bottles worth actually paying for.

-Bibs: This summer I transitioned from bike shorts to bibs and I don’t think I could ever go back. Things got even better once I upgraded from Performance brand to Castelli and Sugoi…their bibs are freakin’ expensive, but worth the premium over lower priced bibs.

Concur. Once you go bibs, you never go back.

@ShawnoftheDread 38937 wrote:

Hit: Sugoi Wallaroo merino long sleeve jersey. Got this on clearance from REI in August and can’t live without it since it started getting colder – as every forum member who’s seen me since October can attest (which is kind of embarrassing, but I don’t care). Warm and comfortable and van go for days between washes.

I have the short-sleeve and it is very nice. Need to keep an eye out for the long-sleeve.

@KelOnWheels 38939 wrote:

Blackburn Flea: http://www.blackburndesign.com/flea-2-0-front-usb-373 OK for a be-seen light (it is epic on flashy mode) but recharging is janky and battery life isn’t terribly predictable. The strap on mine fell apart and I had to sew it back together. (You have to take the strap off to recharge it.)

Yeah, the flea suck-diddly-ucks. I returned mine for the same reasons you cite.

Ok, mine:

HITS

• Performance Ultra II Bibs – These were really good and they got better this year. Almost always on sale for $69 or so, and sometimes on sale as low as $45. Some may scoff at the “Performance Bike” in-house brand, but I would put these up against the highest-end bibs out there costing $200 to $300 and I think they’d hold their own, both in spec-list and in actual practical testing. Prior to this year they had silicone leg grippers to keep them from riding up, but then they switched to “power band” leg openings without any kind of grippy stuff. I didn’t like it at first and thought my favorite shorts were ruined, but I’ve come to love them even more.
• Planet Bike Super Flash and Superflash Turbo – Although this is not news to many here, I was always a cheap-as-possible-blinky kind of guy until now. And that 1 watt turbo is retina-searing!
• The Lezyne CNC Travel Drive Floor Pump – Complete hit. Looks great and works great. Small, lightweight, has a gauge and will easily inflate any road tire.

MISSES

• Lezyne Smart Wallet Elite – It’s not a complete miss, and I still use this daily, but I classify it as a miss because it comes so close to being a great product but falls short. I hope Lezyne makes a 2.0 version of this with improvements. This thing was obviously designed when the phone-of-choice for the hyper-organized snotty snobby roadie was a blackberry, because the phone pocket doesn’t accomodate anything bigger than that, say like an iPhone or many recent android phones. Also, like Khan, Lezyne exhibits patterns of two-dimensional thinking, meaning this is designed like a wallet, but once you put the things in the pockets that were intended to go in those pockets, it is bulky and lumpy and lopsided and doesn’t quite close properly.
• Another from Lezyne, which makes me sad. Also on the “miss” list because it is so close to being a “hit”. The Lezyne Caddysack – I like that it is minimalist and simple. The intended purpose of this sack appears to be to carry those overflow items that wouldn’t (but should have) fit in your Smart Wallet, like your phone, some first aid and some C02. However, this still misses the mark by not being quite long enough. I can barely fit my Samsung Galaxy II in it, and it seems like I’m always trying to squeeze the last few little items in. Maybe I’m a packrat, and I need to rethink what I take with me. Lezyne is really missing a marketing opportunity by making these two tool organizers too short: they fit completely inside a jersey pocket, but if made just an inch longer, the part that would show above the pocket could be branded “Lezyne”. Oh hey, looks like it got a redesign! Maybe this one is a bit bigger; it appears to be more waterproof.

[Jason B]

^^^^^^
Good to know about your misses. I have a couple good hits from Lezyne, pressure drive pump, trigger drive co2, light and their alloy levers, but it is good to be aware not all their stuff is given to be good.

Bibs, it’s funny, after this beating hot summer, I actually bought three shorts after being exclusively bibs. besides, it felt good to show my plumber butt again!

[jnva]

HIT
For commuting, switching from clippless to flat platform pedals. The number of times clipping in/out has taken its toll on my right knee. I’m glad I switched.

HIT
arm band to hold wallet, phone, and ID.

HIT
those free bike Arlington blinkie lights!

[KLizotte]

HITS:

Moose mitts! I bought the flat bar type last year and loved them so I purchased the drop bar variety this year because I bought a new bike. The former are warmer than the latter because they are less “open” but I haven’t had to wear gloves yet when riding my drop bars. I did have to modify the drop bar mitts a little to fit my bike but it wasn’t difficult.

Topeak Mini 9 Pro Cb with Neoporene Bag – I had a cheapy version of a mini-tool and it self-destructed. This one is sturdy and compact.

Selle Italia Gel Flow Women’s Bicycle Saddle – I tried about five saddles before finding this winner. I have issues with sciatica and this was the only saddle that doesn’t cause it to flare up.

Highland 9417400 18″ Blue Carabiner Bungee Cord – Works great on my commuter basket.

Olay Daily Facials Express Wet Cleansing Cloths 3-Count (Pack of 24) – Great for cleaning up after commute. Doesn’t require water.

ShimanoSH-MW81 Shoes – These are SPD winter shoes. I couldn’t find any women specific winter shoes so went with these. They fit very well and keep my feet toasty when worn in combination with hiking socks.

Exposure bike lights.

Switching from straps to clipless.

This forum!

BikeArlington’s public information website and blinkies!

Misses:

Planet Bike Dasher Toe Covers – Yeah, they helped somewhat in keeping my feet warm but they tended to shift around a lot when walking, were a pain to put on, and caught easily in the large gear.

Planet Bike Blinky Superflash Turbo 1W Tail Light – This light kept turning itself off every time I went over a bump. Amazon reviewers had this same problem. I use the “stepped down” Planet Bike blinky now without any problems.

[Dirt]

I “HIT” Frankenfinger.

She’s soon going to be “MISSing” her fingernail.

But seriously….

Hit: Clement X’PLOR MSO 700×40 tires for mulit-surface or gravel grinder rides. They’re big and feel comfy on the cross bike. They make a cool hissing noise on smooth pavement and they’re AWESOME on gravel roads.

Miss: All Michelin clincher tires for the race bike. They all seemed to be James Dean tires… they live fast and die young. I wore through a set of Pro3s in a little over 1000 miles and the Pro4s showed quite a bit of wear after 560 miles. They felt great while they were on, but gave me less than half the life of my Conti 4000s. That’s weird because when the Pro3 was new, I had really good luck with them.

[krazygl00]

@Jason B 38961 wrote:

^^^^^^
Good to know about your misses. I have a couple good hits from Lezyne, pressure drive pump, trigger drive co2, light and their alloy levers, but it is good to be aware not all their stuff is given to be good.

Bibs, it’s funny, after this beating hot summer, I actually bought three shorts after being exclusively bibs. besides, it felt good to show my plumber butt again!

The Lezyne stuff is so pretty. I had one of their smaller pumps that seemed to be a floor pump that would be frame mounted. I was going to use it for travel, but one of the plastic parts cracked, so I returned it for the full size floor drive. I’ve also got some of their alloy levers that are really nice.

You say their light is a “hit” with you? I was thinking of getting one; which one do you have? I really want a one piece light because moving the battery pack of my current light between bikes is a pain.

[TwoWheelsDC]

@krazygl00 38958 wrote:

[*]Performance Ultra II Bibs – These were really good and they got better this year. Almost always on sale for $69 or so, and sometimes on sale as low as $45. Some may scoff at the “Performance Bike” in-house brand, but I would put these up against the highest-end bibs out there costing $200 to $300 and I think they’d hold their own, both in spec-list and in actual practical testing. Prior to this year they had silicone leg grippers to keep them from riding up, but then they switched to “power band” leg openings without any kind of grippy stuff. I didn’t like it at first and thought my favorite shorts were ruined, but I’ve come to love them even more.

I’ve got three pairs of these (and two or three pairs of the shorts) and have been pretty happy with them. For someone curious about switching, these are exactly what I’d recommend. After trying some Castellis though (bought on sale, I won’t pay full price), I’ve started upgrading to more expensive bibs and I can feel the difference, mainly in terms of compression, overall fit, and padding. That’s not to say the Ultra IIs are bad, they just sacrifice a bit of refinement to keep costs down. I fully admit, however, that part of my problem may be my Performance bibs seem slightly big, which may be allowing the pad to move a bit and chafe. The Castellis and Sugoi bibs I have are waaaay more snug, which I find helps a lot. Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to wear them without tights yet, so I haven’t been able to evaluate them fully. C’mon spring!

[Certifried]

Awesome thread! Thanks for this. I’m going to include it in the Bikes and Gear Link Compendium, if that’s cool with you.

HIT: Any of the Endura Merino wool gear I bought (buff, baselayer, socks). Well, ANY endura gear actually, my cold weather bibs, booties, etc. All amazing gear.

HIT: Vis360 light system, cygolight, and this awesome Serfas tail light

HIT: This forum! There’s absolutely no way I would’ve learned 1/2 the info I now know about cycling, commuting, etc without this forum. The amazing community of people I’ve met is, by far, the most awesome!

MISS: massive Chrome messenger bag. It’s just too big, and my back problems make it useless to me. Great bag! Just not for me.

MISS: Cheap lights. I had several break, stop working, or just completely fly off my bike and explode.

[Author]

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