Gearzilla » Bikes

Rapha City Wind Jacket

nborchelt — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 13:00:52 +0000

www.rapha.cc
A wispy jacket that can be scrunched up and stashed in a pocket, you’d be forgiven for accidentally putting this out with your plastic-bag recycling (big mistake, though, given the price tag). In fact, this jacket may qualify as the biggest example of looks can deceive. Our tester managed to put this piece to the sword on fall and winter bike rides when conditions would fluctuate from balmy to windy to wet. The lightweight jacket—designed after the transparent rain capes worn by pro cyclists to allow for visibility of sponsors’ logos and race numbers—is surprisingly warm and comfortable. In fact, our tester even wore this out during a late-night bar hop and was pleasantly surprised to be the recipient of multiple compliments and requests to finger the lightweight micro ripstop nylon (yeah, we know, the sacrifices we ask our gear testers to make here at Gearzilla…). But cycle-specific detailing like the elastic cuffs, a drop tail, laser-vents, reflective logos, and a burly DWR laminate do keep it firmly in place on the saddle.

The Invisible Bike Helmet

nborchelt — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 13:00:05 +0000

Okay…Invisible may be a stretch. But the Hovding helmet certainly qualifies as the stealthiest helmet on the market. The helmet is fully disguised as a short, over-padded scarf that gas-inflates with a burst of helium when internal accelerometers and gyrometers indicate abnormal movement. Think of it as an airbag custom-designed to cover your head, one powered by a rechargeable battery that plugs into a USB port (approx. 18 hours of coverage per charge). The product is the brainchild of two Swedish cyclists who were annoyed by the clunky, fashion-frozen helmets on the market and set out to make an invisible one. Seven years later with more than $1 million in venture capital funding, the Hovding hit the market in 2012, and has received a slew of European awards. Question is: will it win the hearts of the helmet-abstaining urban hipster? The different “shell” styles (which retail for $75) that cover deflated helmets should help.

Check out a cool video profile of the inventors.

Available in M and S sizes; If the bag inflates during an accident you can’t re-use the helmet. You can return it to be recycled and Hovding will offer a replacement discount. They also analyze the “black box” inside the helmet, which records ten seconds of crash data to help inform future product iterations.

Bern G2 Helmet

nborchelt — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 13:00:31 +0000

bernunlimited.com
As one tester who’s spent over a decade urban cycling can attest, 2012 marked the year of the hard helmet. Legions of single-speed city riders (like our tester) have gotten over the vanity of biking sans protection. And most of ‘em have eschewed the cycle-obsessed, aerodynamic designs for skateboard-inspired models like those made by Bern. In East Coast locales it seems as if Bern has cornered the market. With helmets like their G2, it’s easy to understand why. But let us not pigeon-hole the G2 as solely a cycling helmet. Bern has made its mark on the ski and riding scene as much as in urban cycling circles, and this versatile helmet is equally at home on the slopes as it is in the saddle. The all-weather helmet is made of Bern’s proprietary “Zipmold” hard foam, a liquid foam-injection process that delivers better weight-to-strength ratio, resulting in a lighter, low-profile helmet that meets all the safety standards. The snap-in winter liner adds additional warmth—a feature we loved on blizzard-condition days, or when we faced temps in the teens during our daily commute. Up top, an easy-access slide lets you adjust the airflow through eight strategically positioned vents, which is a great feature as you ride (or ski or bike) into spring. And when the snow melts and you are relegated to just the bike, swap out the winter lining for the EPS Summer Comfort Liner ($15) and keep on pedaling. We tested it in warm fall temps, and didn’t overheat (thanks especially to the vents), but we suspect the helmet could prove hot in the humid, 100-degree-plus days of late July and August (likely something specific to this helmet). One bit of advice: before ordering, assure your fit is spot-on. Unlike some bike and snow helmets, there’s no fit adjustment here, a feature that certainly reduces the weight but also could prove prohibitive if your hair style (and corresponding hair volume) varies more than David Bowie’s.
The helmet includes a goggle strap clip in the back; audio knit liners with speakers in the ear pads are available for $60

Craft Active Thermal Wind Tights

nborchelt — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 13:00:31 +0000

www.craft-usa.com
If you’re like us, your bike cost more than your first car, so it’s a bit unsettling to watch it gather dust during winter months. But the right apparel can keep you riding year-round—even during the horrors of ice, sleet, and snow. The trick is to invest in pieces that block the wind, and provide sufficient insulation while wicking and dispersing sweat. Craft, the Swedish company known for its innovative base layers, has also developed a stellar reputation for functional outwear for high aerobic activities like biking, running and, cross-country skiing. The Active Thermal Wind Tights have a comfy chamois that involves a seamless, laser-cut pad and four-way stretch fabric. The new-for-2012 chamois is laser-cut to remove unnecessary bulk, and has a foam core that our testers deemed nearly as soft as a down pillow. The chamois also boasts antimicrobial and hydrophilic properties, which help downplay the inevitable moisture build-up and odor. The body of the pants is a symphony of proprietary weather-fighting fabrics that unite to block wind while keeping you toasty warm and sweat free. How? The multi-panel is designed to map with specific fabrics to accentuate stretch, wicking properties, and warmth exactly where you need them. The inside is a square-channel microfleece that’s coupled with a softly brushed poly/nylon blend (Craft’s C392 proprietary fabric). Not only is it soft against the skin, it sucks up moisture like a paper towel. Outside is a trio of wafer-thin laminated polyester, polyamide, and elastic yarns that blocks wind and allows for excellent freedom of movement. An elastic panel in the front eliminates the bulk of a zipper or button closure, and expands sufficiently to helps keep you comfortable, even on long rides after a a big lunch. For early morning and evening riding, reflective printing provides 360 degrees of reflective visibility.

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.

Nutcase Multisport Helmet

nborchelt — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 13:00:25 +0000

www.nutcasehelmets.com
Inject a bit of joy into your daily ride by ditching the boring helmet of yore and wear burst of mad color and design from Portland, OR-based Nutcase. The structure of the helmet itself is fairly straightforward: an injection-molded ABS shell with a poly inner foam for high-impact protection, paired with three sets of differently sized internal pads to help achieve the perfect fit. Up top you find two front intake valves, with seven top-mounted and two rear-mounted exhaust vents, an adjustable spin dial for the perfect fit, and a great, anti-pinching cloth-lined magnetic chin strap that clasps together like magic—all of it CPSC-certified for safe bike riding. But Nutcase’s dedication to design—bright, brilliant patterns and colors (as well as more subdued varieties)—really set these helmets apart, from watermelon to polka-dot to paisley. The helmets do run hot compared to the more race-friendly models on the market. A midday urban ride in Portland and Washington, DC, left more than one tester warmer than a traditionally vented helmet, though they were great on 40-degree autumn mornings.. But these aren’t made for century rides in the heat of summer; they’re to let you express your inner child while on your daily commute. And naturally they make a bunch of equally fantastic (and equally safe) children’s helmets for $60.

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

Factory Visit: Nutcase Helmets

nborchelt — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 12:00:10 +0000

The colorful wall of helmets at Nutcase HQ.

If you hear the story of how Portland, OR-based Nutcase Helmets got started, you’ll understand how they so effortlessly captured the whimsical part of the market for adult multisport helmets. Back in the fall of 2000, Nutcase creator and founder Michael Morrow was looking for a graphic way to show his support for the Oregon State Beavers at the “Civil War” football game against U of O. His solution? Four-inch metal screws super-glued to the top of an old orange-and-black Oregon State helmet; he then impaled yellow rubber duckies on the screws to demonstrate the fate awaiting the Oregon Ducks.

The response to the helmet was instantaneous—as was Morrow’s light bulb moment: adult helmets are boring, and not indicative of the fun everyone has while biking, skiing, and skating. What started out as a garage operation with Morrow and his kind-hearted wife has now blossomed into company with 12 employees, with orders flooding in from all over globe and annual deliveries in the hundreds of thousands.

The decal-applied helmet designs come in all variety of color and style, from watermelons to polka dots to graphics that support your favorite team or city. The chinstrap boasts a one-handed magnetic buckle that works like magic and a simple dial to adjust the helmet’s fit. All helmets comply with U.S. CPSC Safety Standards for riders ages five and older. The line includes street sport helmets as well as models for cycle/skate, snow sports, motor sports, and water sports.

We also love the whimsical collection of bells.

And we really like that their spacious HQ is above Portland’s amazing Ford Food and Drink, which makes a breakfast buttermilk biscuit with mozzarella, pesto, and organic relish that has no business tasting as good as it does. Craft beer goes for $4 a pint—which was almost enough to convince us to have one with our biscuit.

Fun fact: In Portlandia, the mayor of Portland (played by Kyle MacLachlan) wears the first official Nutcase helmet.

We’re testing one of their helmets right now and will report back soon.

Turner Burner Mountain Bike

nborchelt — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 12:00:25 +0000

www.turnerbikes.com
This classic bike disappeared from the market nearly a decade ago, and we’ve mourned their loss like a cast-aside beau. But at Interbike this year, the Burner returned. Revamped for 650b wheels (or, in Turner-talk, 275) the Burner boasts 144 millimeters (nearly seven inches) of travel for all-mountain riding. Made in Murrieta, CA, the frames features DW Link suspension, a journal bearing system, Fox Float CTD shocks, and 142×12 thru-axel. Turner Bikes was founded by NORBA pro-racer Dave Turner, one of the founding fathers of full-suspension mountain bikes. We’re not guaranteeing that you’ll be winning World Cups or UCI Championships in your first season on the Burner, but you’ll feel like a pro with the bike’s superior performance, pedaling efficiency and smooth action ride.
Available spring 2013