Full disclosure: as a 2011 Ergon Commuter Team member I was provided these to ride and review. My review in no way is influenced by my inclusion on the team.

Building a better foot trap

As long as I’ve been doing the bikes, flat pedals have largely remained the same. You typically don’t give them much thought, only expecting them to do their job. The only time I think I’ve ever coveted a pair of flat pedals was while holding a pair of Suntour XC Pro Grease Guards. Ironically, that was also the time I was coveting the equally fabled Shimano PD-M737s. I chose the Japanese clipless route in the dawn of the 90′s, never looking back. Back to the point, not much innovation was pursued simply because the industry never thought it was necessary. Enter Ergon. Never one to accept the status quo, the German ergonomic accessory company decided it was time to rethink the flat.

Overall appearance and ride impressions

The pedals are massive. They look like giant paddles or boat pontoons where their more svelt counterparts once resided. “Massive pontoons offering sweet power-transferring solace to a wide range of feet. (pun intended)” Adding to the overall largenicity of their appearance are the thick composite sections making up its construction, and the giant dual reflectors. There is nothing small about these pedals.

The major technical/selling point of the PC2 is its “anatomically contoured platform.” Set at a 6˚ angle to provide a “better joint alignment and varus (knee) angle connection.” Similarly, my road shoes are shimmed to create the same varus angle. I’ve ridden these pedals for several months, many while loaded down with groceries or pulling The Bug in the trailer—not once have my knees complained. Of course, I can’t remember the dark times before I received this enlightened device, but there’s been no new pain regardless.

In order to create a more perfect union, Ergon has provided an inner-stop to both prevent your foot from wandering inward and to help place it intuitively. You’re obviously not obligated to place your feet in the designated ergo-zone, but it definitely helps when you’re in the “COMMUTER ZONE!” (exclaimed in Archer’s DANGER ZONE voice) When you place your feet on their massive surface you’re instantly reassured by stability. They certainly feel bigger than traditional flats, but then you realize that’s a good thing.

Unlike the toothy previous inhabitants, these pedals don’t gouge your shins. While not the best accolade for this product, it more than sold it for me.

I noticed that I had to concentrate ever so slightly when first using them. I managed to start pedaling on the sides rather than the intended surface. Even the sides are large. That might simply be the newness of the polymer bearings, rather than a design issue. It just takes a minor mental adjustment to concentrate on how your pedals are aligned as you begin to push down.

IMO this is the perfect solution for those looking to commute in regular clothes where traditional flats damage dress shoes. The surface is covered by an extremely rocky grip tape that gripped but not so hard it wouldn’t let go. In rainy conditions I noticed that my foot slipped sometimes, but it wasn’t anything alarming. Again, just a minor mental adjustment, and one that should be expected when trading out giant metal teeth that dig into your shoes.

The price

This will be a major sticking point. If I were to be told I’d be paying $70USD for innovative, best-in-class road pedals—there’d be no hesitation. Okay, maybe a slight hesitation since such a pedal couldn’t possibly exist. Creating a $70 top of the line road pedal is akin to unlocking the mystery of cold fusion.

Back to the point, these are best-in-class, but of a class the industry no longer cared about. Cheap, bargain, takeoff pedals thrown in a basket or bottom shelf selling for only a few bucks is the competition these pedals face. However, these pedals aren’t for the “gimme the cheapest replacement” customer. The PC2 pedals are for the savvy urban commuter nattily dressing for the destination in work shoes. They’re for the rider experienced in the benefits of a clipless system and want similar power and ergonomic benefits on their city bike. They’re for those who’ve had enough of OEM and are looking for something better. Traditional flats either provide no traction whatsoever, or tear dress shoes apart—these pedals provide a solution to that dilemma.

Final thoughts and rating

The ultimate commuter pedal is only offset by the steep price. While nearly anyone who rides a bike would benefit from the Ergon PC2, the commuter workforce travelling in plain clothes/regular shoes will gravitate towards these.

PRO FACTORS: Truly innovative design, pedal efficiency, comfort for every rider

OPPORTUNITES: Price, and price only.

RATING: 90% - Price almost drops this to 85%, but design wins out

LINK: The PC2 pedal on Ergon-bike.com

TWITTER: @Ergon_Intl

Yeah, that’s right, it’s a pump. And yes, this is a review of a pump—the Portland Design Works magic flute™, to be exact.

A (new) pump in the hand is worth 2 flats in the…

When PDW sent their magic flute™($60USD) pump for me to ride/review, I was stoked. Although, that same stoked feeling you get with nearly every product you buy/receive is a little different with a pump. Don’t get me wrong, the shiny metallic body, the laser etched logo, the anodized green shaft, and the elegantly clean look of the CO2 attachment were all irresistible. But when it comes down to it, I didn’t want to use the pump at all. It’s not unlike a North-African despot’s golden fire extinguisher. It looks fantastic, but you hope you never have to use it.

But it’s inevitable. Just as inevitable as an Italian pro receiving “nutritional advice” from Ferrari, you’ll eventually get a flat. That inevitability increases when you inject something new into your routine—like a new pump. Not long after they sent me the pump, I got a DM from PDW inquiring as to whether or not I had a chance to try it out yet. I had to answer. By replying “No.” I knew I’d get a chance sooner than later. I was right.

Serenaded by the magic flute’s performance

Nearly a week after answering PDW, I had more mechanicals and flats in a span of 3 days than I’ve had in years. So how did the magic flute™ perform in this ruthless theatre of action? Flawlessly. First flat allowed me to marvel at its powerful pumping action. It efficiently inflated the flaccid butyl vessel into the stout, weight supporting, race-ready 700c tube it was born to be. No, I didn’t engage in the ridiculousness of a pump count, nor did I test if it reached the appropriate atmosphere or not.

The pump is surprisingly light considering its all alloy construction. Additionally, I’m a huge fan of the thumb-lock inclusion on the device. Not all mini-pumps have one, making the connection with the valve imperfect. The only thing I could see making this better would be making the handle convert to a ‘T’ shape. It’s not necessary on this pump, but it would’ve made the magic flute™ perfect, at least for me.

The second flat allowed me to used the CO2 device. It very clearly is labeled OPEN and CLOSE with directional arrows on the top. This makes it extremely easy to get it right the first time. I know I’ve been mid-ride, super tired, winded, and made a mistake in the order of its use and blew two(!) cartridges out. That day, I was riding minimalist (read: stupid), carrying just the inflation chuck. Had to ask a passer-by to for a pump to use. There he was, clad in full-Fred hi-vis (not the cool kind), looking smugly at the pro-boy wearing a full team kit using his hand pump. Not cool.

Therein lies the beauty of the magic flute™, it has a backup plan. Burn a CO2, and you still have the traditional pump to not only just get you home, but to continue your ride at a decent pressure.

Final Thoughts and Rating

The PDW magic flute™ pump is nearly a perfect product. From aesthetics to performance, it simply shines. I say nearly perfect due to my desire for a t-handle, and well, it’s a pump. No pump could ever receive a perfect PRO rating. Except when it gets you where you need to go.

PRO FACTORS: Beautifully designed, highly efficient, surprisingly lightweight.

OPPORTUNITIES: Would love to see the addition of a t-handle, plus it can’t help that it’s a pump…

RATING: 95% – Not only does it’s job with aplomb, it simply looks PRO.

LINK: magic flute™ on RidePDW.com

TWITTER: @portlanddesignw

Wants are typically born from an visceral emotion. A want is not typically needed. In order to close the all important gap betwixt want and need, one must add well-founded points of necessity. Let’s take a look at the recently released Rapha Pro Team Jacket, and see if I can convince myself it’s a worthy addition to my winter kit arsenal.

Niche spot in your winter arsenal

The Rapha Pro Team Jacket ($275USD) will more than likely fill a very specific spot in your winter kit collection. The Polartec® softshell should allow for a brief foray into wet inclement weather. However, Rapha specifically notes that the jacket is not waterproof and that their Rain Jacket is more suited for the task. Super-Roubaix fleece panels on the rear keep you warm and ventilated.

Conceptually, think hard efforts in some pretty wretched temps and dodgy weather conditions. You don’t want anything bulky or constricting during an intense session, nor do you want it to be a personal humidor with limited breathability. Truthfully for me, this substantially overlaps their Winter Jersey that I own right up until the sky starts spitting. Once it starts to get wet, I have this covered with my 5 Y/O Gore Cosmo softshell jacket. At this point, if you’re thinking there’s no reason for me to consider the jacket, you’d be wrong.

So why do I need it?

2 things, that sound like a 90′s Brit-Pop band, get me about this piece: the cut and the colorways. The “GTFO of my way while I’m charging up the switchbacks of the Col du Galibier” aero race cut produces a mighty-fine profile that I can’t take my eyes off of. The fact that it’s a partial softshell makes it all that more attractive. The traditional Rapha black w/ white is always a winner, but the addition of the hi-vis chartreuse color seals the deal. I may have the black Winter Jersey, and a black Gore softshell jacket, but I don’t have either of them in eye-searing yellow! And THAT’S why I need it. The (infinitely more important) cold-blocking winter protection materials, or the trim tailored cut is just the icing, or gravy on top.

After re-reading this, I realize my color-based argument might be a little thin to convince Mrs. Boredom that I need this. I probably should use a highlighter to highlight the hi-vis yellow…

3 similar products to the Rapha Pro Team Jacket

Gore Bike Wear Xenon SO Jacket ($230USD Competitive Cyclist): Insulated “extreme cyclist posture” Gore WINDSTOPPER® Soft Shell jacket.

Assos Airjack 851 Jacket ($370USD Competitive Cyclist): Airblock 851 4-way stretch fabric designed with focus on “incredible anotomic contouring.”

De Marchi Contour Racing 3L Jacket ($270USD Competitive Cyclist): Thermashield and ThermoRoubaix fabrics in a “form following cut.”

All images courtesy of  Rapha.cc.

Overall Appearance of the CFS-300

For a pair of white shoes with black and red accents, they don’t scream at you. The white still manages to draw attention, but there’s not overarching aesthetic that is both captivating and repulsive. Looking at shoes from brands like Sidi or Mavic, so distinctive you can pick them out in the peloton. But that’s not these, and that’s not a bad thing. These shoes manage to adapt themselves to many different kit ensembles. They work during my heavy Rapha days, as well as keeping pace with my retro pro-team kits. That’s the inherent beauty of black and white shoes; they match nearly everything.

One distinctive element, however, is the air intake port located on the tip of the shoe. Almost like the grill of a sports car, this vent is essentially a ram-air injection port giving your feet a breath of fresh air on hot summer days. I’ll cover its effectiveness below.

How the CFS-300 fits

Note: My particular fit needs include: high-arch support, semi-wide toe box (but not a wide width), and an extended buckle adjustment to accomodate high arch support (E-Soles). I also have a weird thing going on with my right pinky toe. It doesn’t like being touched…

The CFS-300 wraps itself around your feet with a firm grip. There’s no doubt that these shoes are on your feet. Starting off with LG’s heat-molding Custom Fit System, you have many tools at your disposal to anchor these to your feet.

First, right after un-boxing your expensive shoes, you throw them in the oven. 150˚F gets them all toasty and moldable. Full disclosure: I played Wii while my feet had their way with the shoes’ interior. I completed my customization with my E-Sole inserts rather than the cool HOT/COLD inserts LG provides. I know, I know—I’m a bit of a dandy.

One of my favorite elements in the shoe’s fit arsenal is their widely adjustable strap system. The top strap’s faceplate can be adjusted on the backside via hook and loop closure straps. If you need more volume and a longer strap, just let out the strap and reattach the small strips on the backside. Instant volume.

Next on the list o’ fanciness is the last construction. The outside of the shoe wraps over and around the top of your foot, eliminating the need for a tongue. The inside portion then creates the snuggly-blanket-effect by wrapping over the outside as you secure the straps and buckles. Your feet feel very secure inside their microfiber cocoons.

Lastly, the heel cup not only really, really, really cups your feet (really good adjectives, right?), it secures it from slipping with some fabric trickery and witchcraft. The fibers allow for easy installation of the shoes onto you foot. But in turn, they’re textured in the reverse direction making sudden-heel-ejection-syndrome a distant memory. Genius.

Only thing of note is the angle of the toebox. If you have sensitive little pinky toes like my ridiculous right foot, you may find the cut a little constricting. I managed to open it up a little after baking and customizing them and haven’t had an issue since.

CFS-300 technical points

The CFS-300 weighs in at 290g for a smallish 41. I looked to compare it to one of the lighter shoes on the market, the Mavic Zxellium which comes in at 275g for a 43. So, LG used a smaller shoe to get the gram count under the 300 mark. If you’re a gram counter, this is an egregious flim-flam. If you’re a normal person, it won’t phase you a bit. You don’t notice the extra grams.

The strap system, as mentioned above, has ample adjustments. Even with my freakishly high, but tragically collapsing arch, the fit system manages to accommodate my podiatric mess (including my E-Soles). A single, easy to use ratcheting strap, and two hook and loop straps take care of everything.

The EXO-Jet carbon sole does the job. It’s almost unnecessary to describe carbon soles as stiff, thereby transferring every last ounce of  your magnificent power to the pedals during your hellacious sprint. But I did, regardless. There’s supposed to be a carbon instep added, but with my hateful feet I couldn’t feel it. Lastly, the soles are compatible with Shimano, Time, Look, and Speedplay pedal systems and cleats. It should be noted that the heel piece added for traction appears to be replaceable. I imagine you can acquire replacements, if needed, through the shop you purchased the shoes from, or by contacting Garneau directly. I did neither of these, so I don’t have a definitieve answer for you. Yes, I know I suck.

The Ergo-AIR ventilation in the shoe is probably the most useful I’ve experienced yet. Not once during our ridiculously hot-n-humid 2011 DCMetro summer did I notice my feet getting hot. Granted, the shoes are white so they reflect a lot of the sun, but I could actually feel air flowing through the shoe. I imagine that some of the extra weight of this shoe is contained within the structure of creating the vents (extra material, stitching). I for one, like it. What’s awesome is Garneau take it a step further providing windproof toe covers for those chilly fall/winter rides.

Final thoughts and rating

Let’s be honest—the CFS-300 isn’t a shoe that’ll make you say “Holy ****!!” when you slip it on for the first time. But to be fair, I’m sure that’s not what Louis Garneau is going for with this offering. These feel more like high-end workhorse shoes. Are there lighter shoes out there at this price point? Absolutely. Are there flashier shoes at this price range? Sure. So, why would you consider this shoe over the others? If you’re looking for a shoe that’s off the beaten path, has a high volume last, good ventilation, customizable molding, solid construction, and a highly adjustable buckle then the CFS-300 are for you.

PRO FACTORS: No-nonsense, highly adjustable, comfortable for high volume.

OPPORTUNITIES: May be a bit too heavy for gram counters, not as sexy as other top-end offerings.

RATING: 90% – A solid addition to anyone’s monochromatic PRO kit assortment.

LINK: CFS-300 on LouisGarneau.com

CREDITS: Images are taken from the Louis Garneau and RealCyclist.com websites.

Prologue, or, why I need new bike tires

I’ve finally blown through my cache of tires. Until this point, I had generally been running on tires I had been given from reps back when I was managing a LBS. Technically I did purchase new rubber for the Gunnar, but the Trek was equipped with tires I received back in 2004! So without an infinite supply of race rubber, I’m now faced with the search for a long-lasting, highly puncture-resistant set of tires. Otherwise known as training tires.

Tires, and the bike shop reality distortion

Speaking purely from my own experience, bike shop employees aren’t in touch with reality when it comes to tires. I either got them for free, or paid only half of what the general public is forced to shell out. So yeah, a Conti GP4000 or Vittoria Pave CX is a fantastically long-lasting, puncture resistant training tire when you’re not spending $60-70+ on them. Step out of the EP bubble for awhile, and the slow dull realization creeps into your consciousness—race-level tires, regardless of what the marketing says, are NOT good for training. And while I did get a few good recommendations, I also, amusingly, still got the Conti and Vittoria options stated above.

The (significantly reduced in size and scope) Rant

Why do bike tires cost the same as car tires? And why do they have 1/10th of the longevity? Forget marketing propaganda features and benefits, just compare the two and see how glaringly ridiculous it is. So what happens when you look for a cheaper alternative that doesn’t have you compromising your monetary ability to provided sustenance for your family? You’re offered a POS that feels not unlike the solid tires you might’ve had on your first bike back in the day. They have no road feel because the rubber’s unforgivingly hard, they have a low threads per inch count, and they’re typically extremely ugly. If they have puncture proofing, it’s not far from being a steel belt that further isolates your senses from the road. This all translates to safety concerns as they don’t grip as well as road tires, and they’re more likely to bounce rather than track road surfaces when cornering. I could go on, buuut you get the point.

The training tire review hotseat

I’ll be honest, training tires are a section that I hadn’t really considered much before. Although, the Bontrager RXL Hardcases I got for the Gunnar fall under this catagory. Needless to say I’ve been reading review after review, and forum post after ridiculous forum post looking for feedback and trends. I’ve also been wandering around the DCMetro LBS scene to get some local input. And finally, I crowd-sourced my Tweeps, Facepagers, and G+’ers to see what they’re riding. Based on the criteria of: 25mm, long lasting, still having road feel, and finally providing hyper-puncture-resistance, here’s what I’ve found. Prices are MSRP.

Continental Gatorskin ($59.99USD – Folding): The G-Skins were the overwhelming favorite.

Specialized Armadillo ($44.99-$64.99USD): This came in second. Kind of the old standby of puncture-resistant “I don’t want to think about my tires” tires. No one mentioned a specific version of Armadillo, as there are at least 85.

Specialized Roubaix Armadillo Elite ($59.99USD): This one excites me the most. 25 tube volume stuffed into a 23mm tire. The tire isn’t a 23 by any stretch of the imagination. Looks more like a 25 on the outside, but the effective rolling area simulates a 23. Plus, we’re talking a “supple-light” 120tpi for nice ride quality. Spesh uses the phrase, “game changer.” I may take them up on their boast.

Michelin Krylion ($59.99USD): Decent showing. I had heard some good things about Michelin’s training tires, and I’m definitely interested considering how much their ProRace line are puncture-magnets.

Continental Gator Hardshell ($59.99USD – Folding): Intrigues me nearly as much as the Roubaix, since I like Conti’s road feel, but I’ve heard that the ride isn’t as good as the Roubaix. Supposed to be everything that makes the Gatorskin awesome, but more of it! Anyone have experience with these?

Schwalbe Durano HS & Plus HS ($41.95-69.35USD): The Schwalbe Ultremos were suggested, but are simply too expensive to justify as a high-mileage training tire. The Durano, however, has some wire-beaded options starting around $42. I’m bigger fan of folding, but those jump above $60. Schwalbe claims the Duranos, under normal conditions, will last more than 6,000 miles. Sounds perfect.

There were other tires that were recommended, or that I found such as: Vittoria Rubinos, Schwalbe Luganos, Bontrager Hardcases, and finally tubulars. Past experience with Rubinos says no, the Luganos sounded promising, no more Bontrager for me, and lastly I don’t own tubular wheels.

What I’d like to see is someone doing the math on the value of expensive training vs. racing tires. If a $60 training tire lasts 3,000 more miles with little or no flats than a racing tire, then I think I’d be fine with the price.

Next step: submissions or purchase?

Truth: I’m in desperate need of tires, now. I clearly will be purchasing tires for the first time in over a decade at retail (ouch!). But I also review products, so it would be awesome for any of the above companies to submit something for the throwdown. I’ll see what they say, and keep you updated.

If you have any experience with the above contenders, or have additional tire suggestions that I may have missed, let me know in the comments.

Images are courtesy of their respective company sites and BikeTiresDirect.com (not a plug, they just had the best images).

First glance: Lazer Genesis

I won’t lie, the Genesis and Helium helmets from the Belgian brand Lazer are my favorite designed helmets. However, I won’t let the crippling bias affect me here. Yet, it’s the overall impression and subsequent details that create that bias, so here we go.

Across the board, the design effect is solid. It’s visually different than most of the helmets out there, without being too radical (Catlike, Orbea). When viewed upon countless CX riders, it sits well on the head without creating the dreaded mushroom effect. One of my favorite elements of the Genesis is how the front bottom elements curve around the temples and rise slightly as they wrap around the front. Typically, most manufacturers have a flat bowl-cut looking front. This probably adds a slight bit of weight, but that (for me) is offset by the substantial visual appeal.

Subtle bits of perfection

Overall construction, performance and fit are the most important considerations when purchasing a helmet. But it’s the extra details that keep it in the front group on a windy stage, “PRO levels skyrocket higher than a Riis hematocrit test as the alt-colored strap matches the racing stripe along the helmet’s top.”and the Lazer Genesis is well-endowed enough to create the gap. Particularly echelonal on this black/pink colorway are the multi-colored straps. Easy enough to go the traditional single color route, but Lazer threw in some pink on the right side. PRO levels skyrocket higher than a Riis hematocrit test as the alt-colored strap matches the racing stripe along the helmet’s top. They even added an alternative color for the buckle, making the male part red. The radio harness adorning the aforementioned pink strap is designed to keep your earpiece/earbuds from dangling like Gilbert’s in the final 10k of any race he enters. Then we have the Lazer branded bits. The strap end binder and strap adjustment clip are both adorned with their trademark ‘Z’.

Genesis ventilation performance

My testing period has taken me through winter, spring, and now finally summer. The true test of any helmet’s ventilation is the swamp-assed air of the DCMetro region. Tangible, stagnant, and at times dangerous (Code Orange Air Quality Alerts), there’s not always a breeze to cool this bike-path rouleur’s dome. So a helmet needs to provide exceptional ventilation, creating wonderful vortexes of sweat-drying wind along the surface of your baking skull. This is a task the Lazer Genesis completes with ease. I never find myself wanting to remove it for any reason, unfortunately including espresso breaks, which is a style violation.

What I might want to see is a bit more padding along the front of the helmet in order to soak up more sweat. But I’m a prolific salty sweater. Not as disgustingly abundant as some, but enough that I could use the help, cuz I ain’t using a bandanna or any type of sweat diversion device. That’s a slippery slope to adding mirrors to the side of this Belgian perfection.

Rollsys® retention system

Rollsys® is Dutch for, “like glue to head.” The retention system is a complex system of levers and pulleys effectively securing the helmet to your head not unlike an electromagnet to the roof of a car. Okay, there aren’t any levers or pulleys, but the system is more complex than most—and it works. The roller adjustment wheel resides along the back top of the helmet and pulls a cable that’s connected to a floating band along the front. This creates not only the rear retention, but a front piece as well. Most use the front of the helmet with effectiveness, but Lazer took it a step further. To me this front piece is flexible whereas the helmet obviously isn’t allowing it to transform the to oddities of your misshapen skull.

Getting glassblocked

The only true gripe I have about the helmet is that it was (at first) incredibly difficult to find a spot to hold glasses (tested with Rudy Project Ekynox). While nowhere near deal-breaking considering the design priority is ventilation and safety, to many it’s still a consideration. But, I was able to find at least two good vent locations. The first, as pointed out by Helmeteer Chris, you can place them on the top vents. There’s an additional spot in the more traditional place (pictured), midway down the front. Although, you have to practice your aim a little bit more than with others. An obvious personal issue, I know.

Final thoughts and rating

I like this helmet. I know reviews are supposed to be impartial, but like I said at the beginning, I had the lusting for the Lazer Genesis. I have some pretty freaking high standards when it comes to helmets, and the Genesis meets and or exceeds all of them. Obviously it’s subjective, but the Lazer can teach the helmet peloton a course on style 101. As for opportunities I’d like to see some more padding, if possible, on the headband of the Rollsys® for sweat-sponging duties. However, my desire for the ultimate sunglass storage comes in a distant second to great ventilation, so I think that’ll fall on deaf ears.

PRO FACTORS: Different styling, great ventilation, fantastic retention system.

OPPORTUNITIES: More padding along the headband.

RATING: 95% – The Lazer Genesis helmet is sweet Belgian stroopwafel PRO.

LINK: Lazer Genesis on Lazersport.com

I’m a sucker for big fonts, and epic shots of permatanned dudes wearing shorts with big fonts moments before riding epically. So needless to say I was intrigued by Rapha’s new Pro Team Bib Shorts. Luckily for me, Rapha proved themselves unbelievably generous by sending me a pair so I could pour my decidedly Rubenesque figure into them. Let’s see how that worked out for me.

Rapha Pro Team Bib Shorts first impressions

Upon first glance, I was overwhelmed by the Pro Team Bib Shorts’ details. There’s an intensity in these Pro Team products due to their singleminded technological focus. The welded seams, the black stripes on the exterior of the right brace, the dual interior radio pockets, and the crisp white material all give an overall edgy feel. This is only heightened by the stark contrast between the shiny black lycra and the bold set white RAPHA along the outside of the right leg. There is a tangible feeling of PRO.

But wait, did you say shiny lycra?

This is where I had an actual, “Aww, mannn…” moment. I’ve sold the black stretchy stuff for a long time, and shiny has always been synonymous with cheap. Although I haven’t stuffed myself into Rapha’s Classic Bib Shorts, from what I can see they are definitely not shiny. Regardless of the techno aspect driving the piece, I still couldn’t come to terms with the sheen. Most (not all) high-end fabric at this range has a more matte, if not completely matte appearance.

But that reaction is simply an impression based on a pre-existing expectation. In truth, the lycra chosen does its intended job well. It compresses like a beast, it feels natural on the skin, and definitely does not look or feel like cheap lycra. In fact, Rapha goes to great length to apply the right material for the right purpose. In addition to the leg compression material, they’ve used a heartier weave for the backside of the chamois and seat contact areas. Oddly enough, this fabric is what I might have expected/wanted for the legs as well, but that’s my opinion. Flatlock seams handle the stitching duties for the bib area, while a combination of flatlock and welded seams pull together the braces.

Cytech pad. Enough said.

The sensitive bits receive the finest treatment of all—a delicious Cytech pad. Cytech makes the pads for many of the finest shorts in the market, and this is no exception. Although, Rapha went a little further and had them create a custom version that performs best when the rider is either in the drops or going full-gas on the hoods. Again, PRO.

How the Pro Team Bibs ride

As stated above, the pad is niiiiiice. Perfect for any ride you throw at it. No hotspots or rogue stitching rubbing things raw. Haven’t felt any ass fatigue even during 4 hour ventures, and I’m sure they won’t blink at more. While in the saddle, you hardly notice the pulling at the shoulders I stated above, which is exactly how they were designed. However, when performing out of the saddle efforts, I did notice the sensation on the shoulders as well as in the dos pelotas area where it provided a magnificent moose-knuckle. I have to note that after repeated usage and washing, the pulling isn’t as severe as it was when I first tried them. That was a shocker.

Since there is some tugging at the shoulders, something eventually has to move, and that happens on the legs. By the end of the first couple of rides the shorts had crept upwards at least an inch past my perfectly crafted permatan. If you’re also a permatan artiste, then you’d find this as alarming as I did. My first thought was—deal breaker. It was inconceivable to me how a company whose visual aesthetic is founded on the cultivation of cycling traditions could violate such a trust. However, I’m happy to say that just as the tugging at the shoulders decreased over time and usage, so did the creep. Plus, I started the ride with the shorts slightly past the razor edged line of my tan, whereupon by the end of the ride it was in the perfect spot, keeping the protected skin as white as a sun-starved cave dweller.

The compression is very firm, but not constricting. Your muscles feel well supported during any effort on the bike. The Coldblack® treatment truly shines when the sun is doing the same. I have yet to experience any hot-crotch during several humid, upper 90˚F rides here in the DC Metro area. Same temps with other non-Coldblack® fabric shorts definitely bake the boys.

Opportunities

The Rapha Pro Team Bib Shorts in my opinion, have a more than a few opportunities. Aside from the aesthetic choice of the shiny lycra, there were some quality issues as well. The gripper band on one of my legs started “The band itself seems like an afterthought in comparison to many of the exquisite details seen elsewhere on the piece.”to come undone looking tattered and damaged. The other band, however, is unscathed from the terror that is my massive thighs. The band itself seems like an afterthought in comparison to many of the exquisite details seen elsewhere on the piece. Their Classic bibs use a tidy looking gripper that falls in line with the rest of the industry at this price range. I would’ve simply used that instead of the unrefined looking method seen here.

Lastly, there are at least two spots where some stitching came undone. Both look like incomplete finishing stitches. Nothing’s actually falling apart, but if tugged right it could start to unravel the flatlock where it originated. After cutting them off, neither seemed to get any worse.

Final thoughts and rating

You can tell I’m conflicted by the Rapha Pro Team Bib Shorts. On one hand, I’m overwhelmed by the style and technical innovations. On the other, I’m underwhelmed by a fabric choice (aesthetic opinion), fit issues, a faulty leg gripper, and some careless finishing. The leg gripper could very well be a one-off issue, but one as I pointed out above that may not even be needed. The fit just may not be right for me, but I’ve never had an issue such as this. Lastly, for a pair of bibs at the $200+USD range, there shouldn’t ever be a loose stitch. I realize that’s a tall order, but I hold Rapha to high standards, as I’m sure they do themselves.

So in the end, if you don’t mind the fabric choice, fit them better than I, and you don’t experience gripper/stitching failures, these are some bad-assed bib shorts. Hell, they make me look dope while performing Rule #80 at a stoplight. That’s not an easy task.

PRO FACTORS: Dripping with style and elegance, perfect chamois, highly effective Coldblack® fabric treatment, and a firm compression.

OPPORTUNITIES: Change of fabric (aesthetic opinion), alternative gripper-band solution, shore up the stitching issues.

RATING: 80% – Overlooking a few issues, at the core the Rapha Pro Team Bib Shorts are grinta-PRO.

LINK: www.rapha.cc/pro-team-bib-shorts

Gore Power Glove

The black/white Power glove provides a minimal feel and look that compliments their Power lineup as well as anything else you pair them with. Gore doesn’t bedazzle them with unnecessary “tech” adornments, preferring to get to the task at hand. The lycra/mesh backing provides all the necessary cooling on hot-n-humid sumer days. A soft terry fabric covers the thumb for those moments when you clear your nose all over your cheeks. It’s also nice for wiping sweat out of your eyes, but I seem to blow nasal spooge on myself more than I’d care to admit. After washing the gloves of my salt/snot crust numerous times, the black started to fade. Although that could be more from my sweat being akin to Alien™ blood.

The palm construction is taken care of by a lorica(?) pleather that’s both soft and strong. Small gel inserts line the palm and base of the fingers. Maybe I’m becoming soft and old, but I felt like I needed more padding on the lower palm. Additionally, the gel present has been rendered useless as it’s flattened out from use. It should be noted that Gore’s top of the line Xenon glove has more padding in the area of concern.  A small velcro strap handles the closure duties. Rather than the typical back of the wrist location, they’ve put it towards the thumb side of each hand.

Only real complaint was the bit of stitching along the bottom seam of the glove that came undone almost immediately. But it never got worse over the next 1/2 year. So not much of a complaint.

Gore Retro Tech Glove

The Retro Tech gloves fit comfortably in the neo old-school epic niche pervasive in cycling right now. While not as refined as the Rapha mitts, they more than hold their own in comparison when factoring in price. Setting the pace for the retro style is the circular vented leather back, a sartorial nod to heady days of yore. Unlike the Rapha gloves, Gore adds some terry fabric on the back of the index finger and thumb, to keep your grill clean. The palm uses a similar microfibre pleather as the Power, but adds some stitching to further the old school look. A u-shaped pad protects your ulnar area of your palm.

For the Retro Tech, Gore places the velcro closure in the traditional placement on the wrist. They’ve embossed their logo on leather giving it a classy touch.

While the style definitely adds the style panache, it limits, in my opinion, its usage with modern kits. Another element to consider is the leather doesn’t breathe nearly as well as the lycra mesh, so they get a little hotter than you might expect. Yet for those looking for this to complete their retro-PRO kit, you can’t get much better.

Final thoughts and rating

I was impressed with both the quality and the aesthetics of the Gore gloves. Being a fan of minimal design these proved perfect accouterment to the well dressed PRO. I might’ve wanted to see a bit more padding on the Power glove, but others may find it a perfect amount. Stitching on the Power glove was slightly worrying, but not detrimental as it never got worse. As always, try these on before purchasing to make sure of the proper fit.

PRO FACTORS: Minimal design, high-quality feel and look

OPPORTUNITIES: Personal preference for more padding on the Power, quality control on stitching

RATING: 90% – The Gore Bike Wear Power & Retro Tech gloves deliver the PRO

LINK: www.gorebikewear.com

ADDITIONAL IMAGE SOURCES: Gore Bike Wear

Helmet design that’s simple and PRO

What drew me to the Quartz was its simplicity. At a certain price range, all helmets gulp air. That’s a given. But if it’s going on my head, it’s got to have PRO style in excess. But PRO doesn’t always mean expensive. When my former LG rep asked me what helmet I wanted to try from their line (we had just started carrying them), he wondered why I didn’t want one of their more expensive models.

At the time, the Diamond was the only model above the Quartz. But I felt there was way too much was going on with it, preferring the uncomplicated lines of LG’s cheaper model. The white colorway, thankfully, was devoid of unnecessarily obtrusive graphical elements. A tastefully subdued silver carbon pattern covers the exposed black polystyrene along the top.

The Quartz doesn’t sit high on the head, nor does it bloom irregularly from the sides. Its profile isn’t so compact that it looks like it’s jammed forward onto your forehead. An all-around even look. At 260g, it’s not an ultralight helmet, but it definitely isn’t heavy. I didn’t detect any hot/trouble spots when contacting my head. Padding is adequate in the usual places. Sunglass placement is wide and low. A little different than you may be used to if you’re coming from a Giro Pneumo or Atmos but still easy to store eyewear when you’re attacking on a sunless mountain pass. Or ordering espresso.

Spider Lock retention system

Upon first look, the Spider Lock fit retention system is a little different. Many systems are functionally separate of the straps, but the SL is attached. For me, this does a few of things. It obviously saves some grams (although probably not much) and sheds some extra bulk. The fit around the base of the skull is magnetic. In fact, you can actually make it too tight. I ended up with a headache from my first ride after ratcheting it down too much. Needless to say, it’s TOIGHT. Lastly, it has an unexpected benefit. Since the retention structure is partially created by the straps, the Spider Lock can tuck up under the helmet when you place it on a surface. I always worry that I’m going to break a retention system on most of my helmets, but with the Quartz you can throw it into a bag without a second thought.

Final thoughts and rating

I gotta be honest, there wasn’t much I could fault on this helmet. I’m not a huge fan aesthetically of the smaller vent holes, but all of them, especially those in the front, are useful. So that’s kind of a pointless complaint. If forced to find an opportunity, it could stand to shed some grams, but that’s what Garneau’s 190g X-Light helmet is for. It’s actually a pleasure to see an équipe pro helmet retail for USD$ 139.99—very refreshing.

PRO FACTORS: Solid, simple, and PRO design aesthetic. Effective retention system.

OPPORTUNITIES: Could shed some grams?

RATING: 95% – The Louis Garneau Quartz helmet is fully Euro-PRO quality and Voeckler approved.

LINK: www.louisgarneau.com

IMAGE SOURCES: The Telegraph and The Australian

The down and dirty on the Gore Countdown Insulated jacket

The Countdown Jacket definitely has a modern feel to it. Reminds me of the Patagonia thermal sweater that’s de rigueur in the PDX (and everywhere else, I know, but it’s fun to generalize). The two share their quilted styles due to insulation sewn into the lining.

It fits like a cycling jacket. While you may think this is an obvious statement, the style lends itself to being a more casual fitting piece. But it’s designed to fit your body for riding a bike. The sleeves are tight, and the there’s little room at the shoulders for multiple layers like a traditional winter jacket. Yet for cycling you’re not going to need it. Between the WINDSTOPPER® layer and the PrimaLoft® insulation, you’ll need little more than a shirt and another layer. It’s hyper efficient even into the 30′s. For anything lower, you could start with some wicking layers and an insulating layer, and you’ll be good for below freezing. Of course, your temperature range may differ from mine.

WINDSTOPPER® Active Shell, and PrimaLoft® Infinity insulation are the two main components behind the Countdown jacket. The WS Active Shell is designed to be, “the lightest, most packable products offering total windproofness, maximum breathability, and water resistance.” Matched with a very efficient PrimaLoft ® insulation, this jacket has a wind range of temperature applications.

Countdown not short on details

What also got me about this jacket was the level of details that went into its creation. Logos adorn the cuffs as well as the hanging loop inside. Subtle, and technically not needed, these additions add to the overall aesthetic appeal of the piece.

However, some details that are needed and appreciated are the zipper garages, as well as the textured reinforcements around the front pockets. The garages help keep the elements out, while the reinforcement prevents your pockets from expanding up the sides of the jacket. For comfort they’ve added fleece to the collar as well as the cuffs.

Finally 3 ample pockets have been included along the back with a zipper enclosure. Stretching along the length of the zipper is reflective piping to aid in visibility. Reflective piping is added to the front at the top as well as in the logo. Since this is a transitional piece being worn both on and off the bike, I imagine that additional piping wasn’t included for aesthetic purposes.

My only gripe

The only thing I didn’t like about the jacket, was how fussy the main zipper was. Even though it’s a YKK brand, it never engaged easily. Even once you found a technique for getting the zipper to engage, many times it would get hung up on the windproof flap on the inside. This may not be the case for all jackets, but I have to report what I found with mine for an accurate review. All other zippers on the jacket performed as expected.

Final thoughts and rating

I’ve been truly impressed by how this jacket has performed. At first I didn’t expect anything exemplary from it, but it quickly became my all around favorite piece; on and off the bike. I say I didn’t expect anything from simply because of its casual outward appearance. You try to not judge a book by its cover, but when it comes to cycling apparel many times it holds true. For urban commuting, it doesn’t get much better. After locking up my bike, and rolling down my pants cuffs, I’m able to blend in wherever I’ve arrived without looking like a “biker”. Overall the zipper gripe isn’t a huge one considering it still engaged and worked. And while it might’ve been nice to have a bit more reflectivity, I’m happy that I don’t look like the typical “urban-assault commuter”.

PRO FACTORS: Gore’s WINDSTOPPER® Active Shell paired with PrimaLoft insulation makes this a very warm piece, style is perfect for on and especially off the bike, details add to an overall high-quality feel.

OPPORTUNITIES: Front zipper could’ve been easier to engage, and a bit more reflectivity would’ve been nice but at the expense of aesthetics.

RATING: 90% – The Gore Countdown Insulated Jacket is urban PRO level quality.

LINK: www.gorebikewear.com