Gearzilla » Bike Accessories

Hop in the Saddle Guidebook

nborchelt — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 13:00:01 +0000

www.hopinthesaddle.com
Beer? Bikes? When two great things come together, we’re left only to wonder why it hadn’t already happened. Released this month the new guidebook Hops in the Saddle marries the best of Portland, OR: its expansive craft beer scene and its copious bike-friendly city streets. Written by Portland locals Elle Thalheimer, Lucy Burningham, and Laura Cary, each bike route has been carefully crafted to show the best of the city’s five neighborhoods, complete with detailed maps and cue sheets, catering to riders of all levels. The book also provides great “Bike Nerd Extended Routes”, and details on the city’s best breweries, bottle shops, and beer-, bike-, and budget-friendly bars and restaurants, written with both in-the-know authority and a sly sense of humor. Oh, and buying this book also means you’ll have to visit Portland—which is something we heartily endorse.

Apres Velo T-Shirts

nborchelt — Fri, 09 Nov 2012 13:00:43 +0000

apresvelo.com
If you worship in the cathedral of outdoors from atop your bike, here’s a line of t-shirts that evoke the spirit of your adoration.We love just about every one of their long- and short-sleeved shirts, made from machine-washable cotton elastine that’s soft to the touch. But our go-to fashionista tester was instantly drawn to the True Religion T, with its sly “10 Commandment of Spin” badge on the side, contrast colored stitching, and fine printing on the front, rear, and sleeve. But we also confess we’re still struggling with the seventh commandment: “Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s bike.”

Camelbak M.U.L.E. NV Hydration Pack

nborchelt — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 12:00:45 +0000

www.camelbak.com, 1.9 pounds
The trouble with traditional water bottle holders on the bike frame is that, unless you have the hands of David Copperfield, there’s always that split second when one hand—and all of your attention—is diverted from the road to the bottle. Wearing a hydration backpack lets you drink while you ride without ever taking your hands off the handlebars or losing your focus on the path ahead. We didn’t’ think the original M.U.L.E. pack could be improved, but the new NV back panel provides independent articulating pods that move with you as you pedal. The result? A fully vented back panel that keeps the load off your back, in any position we could come up with. The pack is designed for long (three-plus hours) rides. Inside, the bladder carries 100 ounces of your preferred beverage, with 560 cubic inches of storage space for a light jacket, wallet, energy bars, and keys. A removable hip belt provides stability, and the one-inch webbing is so light, you won’t notice it’s there. We love the media pocket with wire channels, as well as the stretch front pocket that easily fits a helmet or puffy. We found that the pack fit torso lengths from about 15 to 17 inches, so if you’re long from the hips to shoulders, this isn’t the right pack for you.

Tested In:

Good For: Biking, Skiing, Snowshoeing, Hiking

Pearl Izumi ELITE Gel-Vent FF Bike Gloves

nborchelt — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 12:00:50 +0000

shop.pearlizumi.com
We know that the ELITE Gel-Vent FFs are some of the best bike gloves on the market because one loyal tester wore his previous pair to threads (quite literally), and then went out and got another pair without pausing to consider alternatives. That kind of brand loyalty speaks volumes, and it’s justified. The synthetic leather palm delivers optimal comfort and grip, while the perforated gel-vent padding in the palms also relieves pressure on the ulnar and median nerves for hours-long comfort. Narrow vertical strips at the fingers deliver a bit more grip, and the stretchy, fine-woven mesh backs give you a close-to-the-skin fit without clumping or bunching. The Velcro hook-and-loop closure has been improved from previous models, and they also now boast a small, firm tab at the cuff that makes pulling on the full-hand gloves a breeze. We love the low-profile wiping surface on the thumb.

It’s also worth noting, several of our testers opt for the full-finger glove over the fingerless; when you take a tumble, your hands always hit the earth (pavement-covered or otherwise), and we prefer as much comfortable protection as possible when that inevitably occurs.

Crank Brothers Eggbeater 2 Bike Pedals

nborchelt — Tue, 08 May 2012 15:00:51 +0000

www.crankbrothers.com, 10 ounces
Upgrading from traditional pedals or foot baskets to clipless is much like moving into a larger living space–once you’re there, you’ll never go back. The biggest hurdle in that evolution, however, remains the perceived challenge of getting your shoes in (and out) of those damn cleats. For us, the Crank Brothers’ Eggbeater 2 pedal is the cycling equivalent of having someone on the inside to help you out. The pedals boast four entry points, which means it’s nearly impossible to not find purchase when you go to clip in. And getting out is even easier. Twist your foot away from (or toward) the bike, and you’re free; the 15- to 20-degree angle you need (which expands the metal coil enough to release the cleat) isn’t part of standard pedal rotation, so staying in the pedals as just as intuitive as getting out. The Eggbeater 2 pedals each weigh a measly 10 ounces, and are constructed out of stamped and stainless steel. We’ve pedaled on one pair well past its five-year warranty without any issue, save one: the brass cleats (the part you screw into your bike shoes) did wear down after a few years of near-daily use (commuting and riding singletrack), and they slipped until they were replaced. But new cleats only run $22, and are easy to find online or in most bike shops. One bit of advice to the clipless new-comers: practice on a grass field till the experience becomes intuitive. Then hit the trail, path, or street and see how much more speed and control the pedals afford.

Swiftwick Performance Armwarmer Sleeves

nborchelt — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 08:00:01 +0000

www.swiftwick.com
Running in the city always seem colder to me than anywhere else…I always think it is because the wind funnels through the buildings, but finally after trying out the Swiftwick performance sleeve I was able to run outside in the blustery cold and not feel miserable. I pulled the sleeves on under my long sleeve and not only did the compression sleeves help me regulate my temperature, but it wicked away the sweat, which is a must when running in the cold. When I got back to the gym after my run and pulled the sleeves off I felt like I did not even need a shower! The bicep cuff and double cuff at the wrist were not tight on my arm and the design does not restrict any movement or even bunch. I did not even notice that I had the sleeves on once I hit my stride.
-Jennifer Seabolt

iBert Safe-T-Seat Child Carrier

nborchelt — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 08:00:55 +0000

www.ibertinc.com
Our almost-unhealthy affection for all things bike-related is perhaps best illustrated by our desire to get our kids on two wheels as quickly as possible. But when walking still proves to be a challenge for our future Gearzilla testers, we embrace the next-best thing. The iBert Child Seat is our favorite way to get kids on the road before they can run. Unlike most child seats, the iBert puts the kids front-and-center on the handlebars, which affords two advantages: your child has a view of the path ahead (not your back) and you can see your child’s face as it registers glee (or fear) as you pedal. The brightly colored padded seat is anchored to the handlebars via a metal post, which aligns the iBert with the handlebars, rather than the bike (meaning, it turns when you turn). The three-point harness straps your budding Armstrong in place, with a plastic, hinged safety bar across the infant’s lap. In use, the lightweight seat, with passenger, didn’t terribly affect the bike’s handling; three pedal revolutions into a ride, and you can adjust to the extra weight. And a few long-limbed testers found that their knees never got tangled. The plastic bar itself proved somewhat flimsy—one dexterous 18-month-old could open it herself, but the harness kept her fully in place. The seat also comes off the bike by simply removing the connecting pin, great for when you ride sans enfante. Unlike some seats, there’s no headrest, so we suggest shorter rides rather than full-day outings for the very young. Recommended age range runs from about 12 months to four years, but by that time we suspect your kid will be peddling solo.

Chrome Marysia Jacket

nborchelt — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 08:00:07 +0000

www.chromebagsstore.com
In our gear-ified world full of hidden pockets, headphones built into collars, and coolers integrated into backpacks, it’s nice to have something that doesn’t take an owner’s manual to operate. That’s exactly what Chrome has created with their lightweight woman’s Marysia jacket. It’s water repellent and wind resistant, and it does both of those tasks admirably well. And…that’s about it…which is precisely the beauty of the jacket. The all-black 100 percent Polyester plain-weave fabric is Teflon-treated to ensure you arrive at your destination dry and warm. Two hand pockets have snap closures for easy, on-the-fly access, and the deep pocket at the center of the back is big enough to fit a cell phone, a set of keys, or a wallet (larger items are naturally relegated to your pack). A drawstring at the hem proffers a tighter fit in more severe weather, the high collar can snap up against the elements, and longer sleeves and torso round out the cycle-friendly elements. Built especially for women, the cut is as flattering as the jacket’s subdued overall aesthetic. The red burst of the Chrome logo stitched outside the left pocket announces that you’re in on the secret.

Ibex Momentum Jacket

nborchelt — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:00:35 +0000

ibex.com
The variable weather of fall, when near-freezing temps in the morning can give way to 60-degree afternoons, then plummet back to the 40s or colder at night, requires equally versatile climate protection. Ibex’s Momentum Jacket is up this ever-shifting task. The recycled poly front affords serious wind protection, and strategically-placed thin merino wool panels on the inside add a touch of all-natural, wicking warmth exactly where you want it. The plaid design is fashion-forward enough to easily transition from commute to cocktails, and while the jacket boasts loads of cycle-friendly features (a reflective stripe on the back, a dropped back hem, elastic cuffs, a zippered back stash pocket) the Momentum is equally at home while kayaking, hiking, or combating the extreme a/c of regional airports and movie theaters.

Real Kids Shades

nprichard — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 08:00:02 +0000

www.realkidshades.com
When it comes to their kids, parents can’t help but worry about…everything, really. Real Kids Shades give parents one less thing to worry about: sun damage to precious little eyes. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children’s eyes are at increased risk for permanent damage from sunlight until they are at least ten years old, which is why Gearzilla collected ten kids, ages two to ten, and floated them on rafts and in kayaks (and on a paddleboard) for three sunny September days down the San Juan River in Utah with their parents. We fitted each kid with a pair of Real Kids Shades, six models in all, and watched the kids be kids, some wearing their first pair of sunglasses. And, kids being kids, durable shades are important. All Real Kids Shades are made with shatterproof, impact-resistant polycarbonate frames and lenses that are boast 100 percent UVA and UVB protection. Getting the kids to wear the shades was the first expected obstacle, but all but one child put on and kept on the shades. The sunglasses good looks were important to the older kids, while the pink color won over a four year old. More importantly, however? The good fit. Real Kids Shades with their patented Stay-Put-Power stay on, are soft and adjustable, with wrap-around frames that minimize exposure to peripheral light. Older kids did let their shades slip to foreheads and around necks, on occasion, but no pairs were lost on this trip, which was also an expected obstacle; instead, the kids took pride in having their very own sunglasses. That, and the adjustable neoprene straps that keep overboard shades on the surface helped keep the sunglasses in place, on eyes, foreheads, and around necks. One parent did say that the neoprene strap could be a bit longer to help tighten the shades to her three-year-old. But both kids and parents gave overall high scores.
–Jan Nesset
Pictured: Xtreme Sport Black with Blue