Gearzilla » Cycling

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.

Kate’s Real Food Tiki Bar

nborchelt — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 13:00:56 +0000

katesrealfood.com, 2.2 ounces
When you hear an energy bar tastes good, there’s typically an unspoken caveat: “for an energy bar.” But take it from us, the new Tiki Bar just tastes really freakin’ good. It comes from the kitchen of Kate’s Real Food, one our favorite culinary creators who got started by looking for a way to recharge while riding the tram between steep-and-deep runs at Jackson Hole; their first bar was naturally dubbed Tram Bar. The Tiki continues that all-natural tradition, with a dizzying list of ingredients: mango, cashew, coconut, almond butter, and honey, all hand-mixed and crafted. It’s a peanut-, soy-, and gluten-free burst of sunshine that’ll warm you on the long outdoor days ahead.

Rapha Windproof Shirt

nborchelt — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 12:00:00 +0000

www.rapha.cc
A utopia mix of form, fit, and function, the Rapha Windproof shirt is ideally suited to the urban cyclist who wants a high-tech medium-weight shell that doesn’t cast the impression that his life is only about biking. The smooth-to-the-touch stretchy poly has been treated with DWR to fend off light bursts of rain, and remains 100 percent impervious to bone-chilling gusts and squalls, ideal for fall and spring morning or evening rides, and suitable as a mid-layer for when the mercury dips into the lower double-digits. On a long trail ride in the mid 50s the shirt,provided the perfect degree of warmth and wind protection when paired with a thin merino layer.

But the little details are where the shirt really shines. We love the fashion-forward tailoring, with the button-down collar, zip and button central closures, and longer sleeves and a drop tail for ample coverage while pedaling. Other cycle-friendly details include wide, glove-friendly loop grabs to access the chest pocket, central zipper, and the small back-right pocket. The front buttons aren’t as glove friendly, however, and the batch of reflective fabric running parallel to the zipper on the back pocket could be a touch too cycle-geek-obvious to casual eye.

Inside you find loving elements like an upper liner decorated with a sly chain link print and pink piping at the collar seam for a pop of color. But perhaps nothing speaks the forward-thinking aesthetic of the shirt (and British-based boutique cycling brand Rapha) than the graphic on the left inner flap: a black-and-white illustration of a heart, with TNT stenciled across it. Below the drawing, a quote worth reprinting in its entirety: “Do you know how we keep going? Look, this is cocaine, chloroform, too. And pills? You want to see pills? Here are three boxes… In short, we run on dynamite.” –Francis Pellisier in Le Petit Parisien July

On sale now at www.rapha.cc for $115

Elemental Herbs All Good Lips Tinted Lip Balm

nborchelt — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 12:00:35 +0000

elementalherbs.com
Cracked, blistered lips are no fun—they feel bad, and look worse. But most of us hesitate to use chemically-laden chap stick or colors that even a lab rat would shun. The alternative? A tinted lip balm made with non-nanoparticle zinc oxide for ultimate sun protection, with all-organic additives like extra virgin olive oil (yes, olive oil!), comfrey, lavender, yarrow, and peppermint oil (which gives it a lip-smacking flavor). And there’s vitamin E to help with skin repair. The color comes from natural minerals, such as Elemental Herb’s Tinted Lip Balm. And did we mention color? No garish oranges or roller-rink reds here; we like the Copper Canyon, a pale bronzy-brown with a shiny hue. Also topping our list is Red Rocks, which hearkens back to the towering sandstone cliffs of Utah and Colorado. There are six mellow, natural-looking shades to choose from, and the small cylindrical containers slip easily into the small pocket on your running shorts, bike jersey, or ski jacket.

Rapha La Doyenne Classique Cap

nborchelt — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 08:00:20 +0000

www.rapha.cc
When we say we love the cycling aesthetic, it doesn’t mean we yearn to constantly wear body-hugging polyester adorned with Tour racing graphics. We know that there’s a time and a place for everything. But we also must admit that the British cycling apparel company Rapha makes us wish that tight-fitting jerseys were a bit more socially accepted. Thankfully, appropriateness is less of a question when it comes to their new, limited-edition La Doyenne Classique Cap. This black, all-cotton, three-panel cycling cap boasts classical peloton styling, with a dark green strip racing down the center, a La Doyenne Classique crest on each side panel, and “Rapha” written in subtle cursive under the narrow brim. It fits snugly under your helmet, adding another layer of protection from the sun and rain. And it looks cool—which is sometimes all that we ask of our gear. It comes in one size only–and fits like a cycling cap should; don’t expect a flat-billed baseball hat.

Rapha Challenges Riders to Join the Tour de France—and Win Big

nborchelt — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 16:00:57 +0000

The Tour de France may not get the national fanfare it once saw back in the Armstrong days, but for cycling purists not even the broken record of doping scandals can sour the sport’s premiere annual event. This year, British cycling apparel brand Rapha celebrates the Tour’s enduring legacy by issuing a call to cyclists everywhere to join the Tour’s peleton (the main pack of riders) by climbing the combined elevations of the Circle of Death. This fearsome loop through the Pyrenees boasts 22,575 feet in elevation gain, including Col d’Aubisque, Col du Tourmalet, Col d’Aspin, and Col de Peyresourde—all of it in just four punishing days, from July 15-22. Participants in the challenge will ride on those same days—and those who clock the same 22,575-foot gain (tracked via Strava.com’s GPS app and posted on their site) receive a Rapha Rising roundel, and will be entered to win a limited-edition Trek Madone 6.9 bike.

Rapha also wants to see who can clock the most elevation gain on July 18, the date of the famed Queen Stage of the Tour. The winner will get a Rapha Race Bag packed with a Circle of Death Jersey, Classic Big Shorts, and a pair of Grand Tour Shoes. And, of course, year-long bragging rights.

For additional info, check out the Rapha/Strava Circle of Death info page.

Looptworks Noll Messenger Bag

nborchelt — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 08:00:28 +0000

www.looptworks.com,
12.8 ounces
The unavoidable consequence of the gear and apparel industry is the mountains of fabric that‘s left over after the product patterns have been cut. Until recently, that material was trashed. But Portland-based Looptworks has found tremendous value in the trash of those manufacturing warehouses by producing “upcycle” products for the last few years, utilizing everything from remainders from a Malaysian T-shirt factory to transforming left-over fabric from wetsuit makers into laptop sleeves. Their product runs are limited—not to imbue them with a sense of exclusivity, but because limited fabric is the very nature of the company’s business model. Take the Noll Messenger bag, which is crafted from a cache of left-over waterproof fabrics–when the fabric is gone, so is your ability to buy ‘em. The hand-numbered packs boast a plethora of pockets—five interior and two exterior, along with a padded laptop sleeve. The 15-by-14-by-6-inch pack gives you enough space for your commuting kit or in-flight entertainment, along with a small clip on the shoulder strap. The Velcro closures seemed a bit too thin—until we realized we’d been inordinately programmed by other packs on the market to expect an acre of secure/noisy closer; we haven’t had an issue with losing anything from the Noll. The pack sits comfortably when walking or riding, the pockets on the flap are perfect for easily accessing travel documents, and the profile and appearance strike a refreshing pose beyond the typical messenger bags on the market. And the upcycle thing? It wouldn’t work if the bag didn’t. Happily, they both do.

Helly Hansen Odin Fastpack Jacket

nborchelt — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 08:00:58 +0000

shop.hellyhansen.com, 8.4 ounces
Unlike your offspring, you can play favorites when it comes to gear. But it’s also easy to get lost in all the different attributes that inspire that affection. The Odin Fastpack Jacket makes it easier for you by hitting a particular sweet spot: a go-to jacket when conditions carry some threat of rain but you still want to go as minimal as possible. At a feathery 8.4 ounces, it’s the lightest jacket in Helly Hansen’s line, with two wide zipper pockets that double as vents, thin Velcro closers on the sleeves, a chord at the hem, and an easy-to-adjust helmet-compatible hood. That’s it—and that’s all you need in a jacket that disappears into your pack until the weather takes a turn for the worse. The hood felt a bit loose when not worn over a helmet—we were able to adjust it to fit a bare head by pulling in the draw chords, but you may want to wear a visor or baseball hat underneath to add structure. The jacket’s thin fabric boasts HH’s proprietary waterproof/breathable treatment, which kept us dry in a moderate downpour, with only sweated out in really hot, humid conditions. Waterproof zips add to the coat’s moisture-repelling properties. The lightweight fabric won’t stand up to rigorous bush-whacking; those needing a more durable jacket (with the corresponding increase in weight) should look elsewhere.

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

Aloe Gator 40+ Gel Total Sunblock

nprichard — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:00:16 +0000

www.agsbrands.com
Sunburns hurt. And while it’s easy to slather on sunblock when you’re lounging poolside, it’s difficult to reapply when you’re charging the waves on a boogie board or furiously battling the current on a stand-up paddle board. We test sunscreens year-round, in all types of conditions, on all types of complexions. Skiers, snowboarders, and red-headed paddle boarders all used the Gator Gel, and none of them ended up with cheeks that resembled dried strawberries. In fact, the Gator Gel sunscreen ranks as a top choice for long days on the water and slopes. The thick concoction is especially good when carrying the tube isn’t convenient (like when you’re wearing a skimpy bikini and swimming out to a deserted island). For full disclosure—the Gator sunscreen is pretty sticky and takes some elbow-grease to rub into your skin. But it absorbs well, and stays on so well that it then requires scrubbing with soap to remove. The packaging attests to a full eight hours of protection—we err on the conservative side and reapplied every four hours, just in case. We recommend the 40+ Gel for surfers as it literally sticks like glue. The 40+ lotion rubs in easier and absorbs more quickly, but requires more frequent applications.