Review: Sugino OX601D Compact Plus (aka The Impossible Crankset 44-26)
I’m a big fan of wide-range doubles and smaller chain rings. When I first got into cycling, I never quite understood why double chainrings started in the 50t range. As a beginner cyclist, the 52t chainring is more aspirational than…
REVIEW: SKS AirChecker
(Just a quick note. I’ve been getting emails and comments about why you would want to carry a gauge and thought I should momentarily address that. Wouldn’t it be something better for just home use? Set it and forget it?…
REVIEW: Sharkk Keyboard for iPad Mini
I love the iPad mini. It is a great size for bike touring and fits perfectly in a handlebar bag. On our current trip through California, I find myself pulling it out more often than my Mac Book Air. That…
REVIEW: SOMA Mini Front Rack – Boxy But Good
Like any other rando-nerd, I drool over shiny Nitto and Velo-Orange mini front racks. Something about their elegant lines and shiny chrome finish sets my heart aflutter and my wallet a-empty. This review is not about those racks. In fact,…
Spotted: Velo-Orange Sabot Pedal vs. Thin Gripster
There’s no better way to start the new year than with a bike ride. I joined some friends on what would be a sunny and cold ride through the West Hills of Portland ending at tacos in St. Johns. On…
Review: Chrome District Backpack
I’m a pannier person. About 95% of the time I’m riding a bike and carrying stuff it’s going in a pannier. But, there are a few occasions when I could use a backpack, like walking to the local coffee shop…
Review: Blundstone 510 Boots for Biking? (UPDATED)
Boots aren’t usually the first thing that comes to mind when you think of cycling footwear. They seem awkward, clunky and a little stiff. However, riding through the last few weeks of Pacific Northwest Winter, I’ve really become tired of…
Preview: Hjeltness Panniers
I’m really excited to give an exclusive preview of these fantastic looking panniers by Eric Hjeltness of Hjeltness Panniers (Yes, it’s a Facebook page. They don’t have a website yet). Eric’s family business has been estoring European sports cars, specifically,…
Gear Review: Rain Shield O2 Jacket
Good gear need not break the bank. For all the bells, whistles, technical fabrics and wonder widgets outdoor companies are creating these days, sometimes the most practical gear is simple and inexpensive. One bit of gear that we have that…
Long Term Review: VO Leather Tape
I reviewed a pair of Velo-Orange leather handle bar tape back in November, back when I was in California. It is now four months later and Laura and I have ridden from Long Beach, CA to Austin, TX. We’ve endured…
