Category: Favorite Products

Soma Steel Core Tire Levers

If you’re thinking about taking up cycling as a hobby or as part of a training regime with a view to compete, you need to make sure you’re properly equipped. Cycling has some different requirements to other sports, and a standard t-shirt and shorts combination probably won’t cut it if you want to do it properly. So, what do you need in your kit if you’re going to make it big in the world of cycling?

Of course, the first thing you need is a good bike. It’s important that this is the right size for you. While it can be OK to buy a cheap second hand bike, you need to make sure it isn’t too big or small before you agree to buy it. Going to a specialist bike shop may mean spending more on your bike, but you will know that it suits your size perfectly, so it will be perfectly safe and comfortable to ride and won’t cause any injuries from being the wrong size or shape for your body. If you would like to control your body while you cycling at that time your have to select very good cycle parts and accessories like soma tire levers.

The second most important part of your cycling kit will be what you choose to wear. Cycle jerseys are the perfect option for a streamlined, cycle-friendly top. They tend to be tight-fitting and made from specialist fabrics so that they won’t slow you down, and they come in a range of designs to suit your style. Cycle shorts come in a variety of lengths, from hotpants to full leg length, and tend to be weatherproof and suitable for all seasons. Loose clothing might catch in the wheels, so try to avoid it. Continue reading “Soma Steel Core Tire Levers”

Swiftwick Socks: Tested

SOCKS? REALLY?
I am actually amazed at the amount of gear that I have had for a long time that I have never written about. To say the least – it’s been a busy few years and I haven’t been writing as much as I would have liked. My Swiftwick socks certainly fall into that category.

My experience with Swiftwick socks goes back quite some time. If I had to guess I would say it was sometime around 2005 or 2006 when one of the owners of the company walked into the bike shop I was running in Brentwood, Tennessee (suburb South of Nashville and Swiftwick’s home town). He handed me a sample set  claiming they’d be the best socks I’d ever worn and said he’d check back in a few weeks to see how I like them. Well, long story short (’cause I can be long-winded); I still own the socks, they get regular use, and not only are they still holding up but they are among my favorites. Additionally; I have spent a decent amount of my own  money acquiring more (the photo above is just the pairs that aren’t in the laundry at the time…and there are 6-pair pictured.)

socks-0001

THE DETAILS
So what’s the deal? What makes these so great? Well, as much as I’d like to start off with materials and technobabble – I think what is at the core of the greatness here is good old fashioned attention to detail.

They get the small stuff right. Seam placement; compression; cuff height (and options of cuff heights); bulk and weight of material; durability; and last but not least: fit – all of these are qualities that I would praise in every one of my socks from the Mid-South brand. Every single one of these qualities lends toward a sock that doesn’t have “hot spots” in the shoe, will support your foot and the many muscles and bones within, and provides proper cushion and protection for a variety of activities. I have run, played soccer and basketball, skied, gone on road and mountain bike rides – heck; I even hiked the Great Wall of China – while wearing these socks and I am convinced that my feet felt better than if I’d have worn something else. Continue reading “Swiftwick Socks: Tested”

Get Road Rage Cycling on your Mobile Device

I just got around to putting the Android operating system on my HP Touchpad tablet (which is a different blog post for a different blog; but anyway); and while downloading new apps I stumbled upon Google Currents; a service that offers free subscriptions to many top publications in one place so you can easily get the news and content that is important to you. With less than 24 hours to play with the app; I have subscribed to way more content than I can ever hope to read!

But it also got me thinking: I wonder how I can use this to make Road Rage Cycling more accessible?
Turns out it is very simple and so I’m happy to introduce: Road Rage Cycling on Google Currents! Now you’ll have access to the blog in a quick to access, mobile-specific format.

The first step is to head to your appropriate app store and download Google Currents for iPhone and iPad or Google Currents for Android. Since I have an iPhone and an Android tablet I have done both and found characteristically easy to do – and free of course. After downloading to your device; a simple set-up screen walks you through the steps which are especially simple if you already have a Google account. The app will sync and you’re all set. Don’t forget to share this with your cycling friends. If we can get to 200 users Google will give me broader distribution – which will be good for all of us since more readers = a better blog.

Currently, I have the latest articles uploaded, but I will be adding previous content in the coming months. New content appears on the app as soon as it publishes to the blog and you won’t miss a thing. So; download Currents and subscribe to Road Rage Cycling  – then you’ll have me with you everywhere you go…  which might sound a little creepy; but it’s not.  Trust me.

Thanks for your loyal readership. I’m looking to do a lot more in the near future and I hope you’ll enjoy!

Tires 101 Series

…EVEN STUFF YOU PROBABLY DIDN’T WANT TO KNOW…

 This series kind of came together after the fact as I realized how much complementary material I had written about bike tires. I think this is especially helpful when you have been disappointed with the tires you’ve been riding or just know you need something different.

As a whole; the individual posts will address much of what I cover when I talk in person with a client about their options for tires. Of course; that exchange is much more conversational and often less exhaustive because we can assess needs and narrow down the options in a hurry.  Here we don’t have that luxury. But; check it out – skim the sections that don’t apply to your situation – and enjoy the rest.

  • Choosing the Right Road Tire – Simplifying the myriad options into categories and addressing their unique qualities and characteristics to hope to bring some clarity to the chaos!
  • The Truth about Tire Pressure – Because it’s not as simple as just pumping your tires up to the maximum pressure on the sidewall. (And why more is rarely better…)
  • Fascinating Tire Test Results – Some surprises and some confirmations. Putting some data behind the speculation.
  • Worn Tires and Flatting – Sudden chronic flatting can be caused by excessive tire wear. A quick photo guide to the most common types (all seen on one summer Saturday in the shop…)
  • Tubeless Cyclocross Tire Tips – A “guest post” with some great helps on setting up wheels to run tubeless for cyclocross season.

    Got any lingering questions? Something you’d like to see covered in detail? Leave your idea in the comments and it may become the next in the series!

Bontrager InForm RL Saddle: First Impression

Something I didn’t mention in my Trek World report on Bontrager, which you’ll see more of in 2009 is Bontrager’s new saddle line. The first two models, R (Race) and RL (Race Lite) came out in the middle of the 2008 model year with the range-topping RXL (Race X Lite) coming out soon.

“So, what’s really new in saddles that Bontrager could have discovered…isn’t this really just the same song, second verse?”

At first look, you might think this. Bontrager’s been doing saddles for a while and not really settled on any one distinct, definitive technology or characteristic to make them truly unique. And now, just like a lot of other top saddle companies; they’re doing saddles in multiple widths – nothing new, right? Wrong.

The multiple widths is just a portion of what Bontrager has discovered in their research to make saddles more comfortable for more people. The other part of this is to have the correct arc to the saddle to support your sit bones, allow the proper amount of contact area, and then stay out of the way. So, each saddle does not only have a unique width and profile; but also a unique arc to the back portion of the seat. Ultimately, the idea is that a center cut-out section will not be necessary because you are sitting above the body of the saddle more; rather than on the body of the saddle. I’ll admit – I was intrigued.

InFormRL-saddle

So I got one. Truthfully; I was given one – at Trek World – after being measured by a Trek employee for the proper width; I was given a InForm RL saddle in trendy white with silver trim.

Now, some history. I’m a die-hard cut-out saddle rider. I currently own 4 Selle Italia cut-out saddles and have ridden somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 miles in great comfort on these saddles. The Flite Gel Flow has become my favorite saddle of all time and I’m a huge fan of that cut out. But when something comes along that claims to make the cut-out not necessary, my ears perk up and I get curious. So I have to test this out. Continue reading “Bontrager InForm RL Saddle: First Impression”