Posted in Gravel Bikes Quick Review

Ritchey Outback: Quick Review

And I rode it on the street. And I rode it in the dirt. And I rode it on good roads and bad roads. And I began to form impressions about the Outback…

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Posted in Accessories Apparel Bags Jackets Reviews Shoes

Bontrager Sampler: Getting Rolling

Here we have, from Trek, a Sampler Platter: Bontrager Shoes, a waist pack, and a jacket for really bad weather.

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Posted in Components Reviews Wheels

Boyd Wheels Trailblazer Carbon Wheels- Getting Rolling

So we have a set of wheels on the loading dock in SoCal fresh off the assembly line from Boyd Wheels. The Trailblazer line of carbon wheels is listed as both a gravel wheel and an MTB wheel. Interesting. It’s wide at 26mm internal, its hookless, which is the fashion of late, its adaptable, and it’s darn light.

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Posted in Components Reviews Wheels

FSA AGX Wheels: At The Finish

How have they been to use? Steady. They are still very true. I have not had to tension them or toss them in the truing stand. That has been as I expected based on my experience with the older MTB branded version. It’s a strong wheel for gravel use.

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Posted in Apparel Bibs/Shorts Footwear/socks Jerseys Reviews

Bontrager Adventure Series Clothing – GR2 Shoes: At The Finish

Last time we debuted some new riding kit from Bontrager that is very applicable to gravel or light MTB riding. It is warmer weather gear, so once spring hit in So Cal, we suited up and got riding. This is what we learned.

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Posted in Accessories Keepers Lights Reviews

Keepers: Bontrager Ion 200 RT/Flare RT

What I wanted was a smaller light form with as little weight as I could get, and with enough intensity front and rear to be worth using on open roads. I also wanted at least 8 hours of run time on a high level flash.

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Posted in Apparel Helmets

Updating Your Skid Lid (Featuring Velocis and Starvos)

Helmets though, are seldom upgraded. I mean it’s still up there, right? Sitting on my head, doing it’s thing. It is not ugly and I have not crashed in it (well, not much anyway), and helmets are expensive. It’s not like they wear out anyway. Well, not so fast there Danger Dan…..

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Posted in Apparel Arm/Leg/Knee Warmers Bibs/Shorts Footwear/socks Gloves Jackets Jerseys

Spring Clothing Round-Up: GORE

Right as winter was ending and a so far, quite warm spring, was hitting the balmy shores of So Cal, a big bag of mixed items from GORE showed up for review. Once we worked through some sizing issues, we got into the items enough to get a feel for the performance of each one and we can now report.

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Posted in Accessories Pumps Quick Review Reviews

Tubeless Set Ups With Grannygear – Topeak

There was no floor pump in existence that was going to seat that tire and it was air compressor time. But, the Tubibooster X came through like a boss.
Award it a silver medal.

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Posted in Apparel Bibs/Shorts Reviews Shoes

Bontrager Adventure Series Clothing – GR2 Shoes: Getting Rolling

If you are not a big fan of Lycra or you tend toward more casual options, then technical clothing like this Adventure line from Bontrager falls into the gap between hucking and crits. This approach of a snug fitting short, not loose like a full baggie, and good looking enough to wear around town, when combined with casual looking jerseys or shirts in high tech fabrics…well it reminds me a lot of what was called ‘Touring Clothing’ in days gone by.

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