by Velospeak | Aug 5, 2014 | Product Reviews, Uncategorized
Arc’teryx has always been on my radar, but until recently, I had no idea they had a commuter line in their catalog. The collection is small, consisting of eight pieces for men, and nine pieces for women. These cover everything needed for a complete outfit on the bike: pants, shirts, and a jacket make up the aptly named A2B line. A stand out piece is the A2B Commuter Jacket. It is made from Kavan™ polyester, a breathable two way stretch fabric that is also wind and water repellent. It is incredibly comfortable, and the fabric affords wonderful freedom of movement. All the while, the long arms and drop back hem are certain to keep you protected when in a riding position. There are three pockets, two for the hands, and another at the back big enough to accommodate your supplies. The cuffs and collar feature reflective stripes, a favourite feature of mine, and necessary when commuting at night. The design of the Commuter Jacket is simple and elegant, with nothing extraneous cluttering the look. The light weight makes it a perfect year round piece for those of us in LA, and a three season piece for those in places that have more discernible seasons. I put the jacket to the test the other evening in a non-cycling situation. I attended a show at the Hollywood Bowl, an outdoor venue here in LA. Despite being August, and despite being in the worst drought California has experienced in years, it started raining steadily during the second act. Plastic ponchos were being passed out, but I opted to rely on the A2B Commuter Jacket. Sitting for 45 minutes in a steady rain didn’t do much to spoil the evening. I stayed dry for the entire time I was out, and had it not been for the jacket, I probably would have had to leave early, or even worse, resort to the plastic poncho. I think Arc’teryx has done a wonderful job developing the A2B Commuter line, and I can only hope more products are added to the already wonderful line-up.
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by Velospeak | Aug 4, 2014 | Uncategorized
The Keirin Pro Track frame set from Pure Fix Cycles is now available in the Duochrome finish you see above. I’d love to see this in person, as it really seems to change colors quite distinctly. It is available directly from the Pure Fix website, and retails for $325.00.
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by Velospeak | Jul 31, 2014 | Uncategorized
The good folks at Acre Supply have put together another amazing piece in their journal. Dubbed The Guide To Getting Lost, it is a wonderful tale of getting lost in the French Maritime Alps. The photography by Adrian Marcoux is amazing, and the accounts of each day a wonderful read. It is the kind of story that makes me want to embark on my own adventure.
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by Velospeak | Jul 31, 2014 | Product Reviews, Uncategorized
On my trip to Europe last month, I had the opportunity to bring along the beautiful Calfee Dragonfly Adventure bike you see pictured above. The bike is a special edition project bike originally built for Neil Shirley at Road Bike Action to race in the Crusher in the Tushar. It has an interesting history, and I really wanted to make sure the trip didn’t cause it any damage. So, in the best interests of the bike, I contacted Biknd for more info on their Helium travel case. Then, at Sea Otter, I was able to see the case in person, and was sold by its design and light weight. I was fortunate to receive the travel case for the trip, and I gave myself plenty of time to pack up the bike. I’ve only traveled with an S & S equipped bike, so I was prepared to have to spend a lot of time disassembling the Calfee much in the same way I do with my personal travel bike. I pulled the instructions out, and began what I assumed would be a long process. Thankfully, I was wrong. The disassembly required is minimal. The bars and stem need to be removed, as does the rear derailleur. The pedals and saddle and seat post are the only other items that need to come off. Once this is done, the bike attaches to the solid bottomed case via a quick release attachment that connects at the front fork. The bottom bracket rests on a foam block, and the frame is held in place with velcro straps. The removed items store neatly in the bottom, and the wheels have attachment points in the sides of the case. Once everything is tied down, the case is zipped up, and the inflatable bladders are easily blown up with the supplied pump. This gently, but firmly, ties the entire package together. It was nothing less than shocking how simple the entire process was. More importantly, the bike was firmly ensconced in a completely secure case. I headed to LAX for my flight which required a connection in Frankfurt. Despite my initial satisfaction with the Helium, I was still a bit apprehensive, especially with the added handling the bike would be subjected to on its way to Zurich. When I finally did arrive in Zurich, the bike came out from the oversize baggage area, and the case looked untouched despite its lengthy trip. When I reached my ultimate destination, I immediately unpacked the bike. It looked perfect, as it did upon its arrival back in LA, in the same condition as it looks in the photo above. The Biknd Helium also survived the trip back to the States in near perfect condition. The inflatable bladders are genius, and the security they provide is excellent. Biknd has created a perfect travel case for globetrotters.
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by Velospeak | Jul 29, 2014 | Uncategorized
Blackburn is releasing a new series of lights dubbed the Central: front and rear lights built to the ANSI FL-1 standard, housed in extruded alloy shells. They are affordable at approximately $35.00 each, and promise a long runtime between charges. I should have a set to try out in the near future, and I’ll report back with firsthand impressions.
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by Velospeak | Jul 28, 2014 | Uncategorized
A teaser shot of the new Ksyrium 125 wheel set commemorating Mavic’s 125 year anniversary. More to follow.
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by Velospeak | Jul 23, 2014 | Uncategorized
Dahon, a premier manufacturer of folding bikes, is looking for Explorers who will upload their adventures in real time via Twitter. In order to become an Explorer, four simple questions need to be answered and submitted by the August 20th deadline. They are as follows.
Cyclists are encouraged to submit a brief description of why they would be a perfect brand ambassador for DAHON and how their stories could inspire others to incorporate bikes into their lifestyle.
•What makes the commute to work exciting?
•Where will your DAHON bike take you?
•How will a folding bike change the way you live, experience the environment on a deeper level and move around without constraints?
Those chosen will be equipped with a bicycle and all accessories needed to commute to work. I love the idea of getting more people on bikes for their commute to work, and I hope Dahon is successful in enlisting new commuters. For those interested in applying, contact Dahon directly via explorers@dahon.com.
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by Velospeak | Jul 22, 2014 | Uncategorized
Bookman is a wonderful Swedish company that produces inventive products for cycling. The collection includes items such as cup holders, reflectors and lights. One of the newest items released is the Bike Whistle. It was designed in collaboration with Acme Whistles, a Birmingham, England based whistle manufacturer in operation since 1870. The idea is to be able to alert inattentive drivers to your position on the road, adding an extra layer of security to your daily commute. The whistle uses technology developed for Acme’s Tornado whistle. The principle is called wave interference, and it can produce a high pitched, high volume sound without the need for any moving parts. This translates to a high quality whistle that will last a lifetime. It is available in black, white and red, and can be bought directly from Bookman.
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by Velospeak | Jul 18, 2014 | Uncategorized
Timbuk2 is opening a retail location in Venice, California. The store will be located at 1410 Abbot Kinney Blvd, with opening day on July 26th. Timbuk2 partnered with architecture firm Gensler to design the 680 sq. ft. retail location. There will be a custom workshop for creating unique bags, as well as an indoor San Francisco-inspired parklet for relaxing and refueling. The opening weekend celebration begins August 16th, with live music, complimentary photo booth, craft beer, and surprise giveaways and discounts. More information can be found on their Facebook event page. I am glad Los Angeles is gaining another bicycle-based business. The cycling revolution is well under way here in LA.
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by Velospeak | Jul 18, 2014 | Uncategorized
Skratch Labs is a nutrition company offering some of the finest products available on the market. Their Exercise Hydration Mix (lemons + limes is my favorite flavor) is my absolute top choice for any ride. It is dependable for making sure you stay perfectly hydrated while putting in a strenuous effort. So, when an announcement came in this week touting a new product, I took note. The product is the Rescue Hydration Mix. It is intended for children and adults suffering from extreme dehydration. Skratch Labs developed the product after discovering other products made to combat dehydration were full of artificial sweeteners, flavoring agents and chemicals. The Skratch Labs Rescue Hydration Mix is an all natural alternative. I hope I never need to use the Rescue Mix, but if the occasion arises, I will most definitely rely on Skratch Labs to get me through. Skratch Labs is already part of my regimen for all rides, so there will be a place on the shelf for the Rescue Mix next to their other great products.
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