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Portland Design Work (PDW) is known for their whimsical bottle cage collections that can add some fun and character to any bike. In this review, we’ll be looking at the Rattlesnek Kej and the companion Rattlesnek bottle which take inspiration from rattlesnakes. Retail price on the bottle cage is $25 which includes stainless steel mounting bolts and single piece aluminum 5052 alloy construction. As with all of PDW’s cages, the Rattlesnek Kej has an elaborate design with detailed cutouts to mimic snake scales and details like eyes and rattlesnake tail. PDW also offers a $13.95 24 oz plant-based bottle from…
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Ergon’s winged handlebar grips were one of the original ergonomic grips that put Ergon on the map and were a worldwide success. For this review, we have the rare opportunity to compare the GP1 Evo, GS1 Evo and GT1 handlebar grip variations together which are all evolutions of Ergon’s original design. The GP1 follows the original design while the GS1 is more sporty and the GT1 offers even more hand positions options. Despite the differences in designs the retail prices are nearly the same at $37.95 for the GS1 Evo, $39.95 for the GP1 Evo and $44.95 for the GT1.…
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GOREWEAR’s Spinshift lineup of clothing offers premium quality and fit and relatively affordable price points. One of the latest additions to the lineup are the “Thermo” apparel which provide additional warmth for riding in cooler conditions without any bulk. For this review we have two of the items, the Thermo Bib Tights+ and the Thermo Jacket. There is also a Spinshift Thermo Long Sleeve jacket with some fun designs which could complete the kit. The Thermo Spinshift Bib Tights+ retail for $180 and features thermo-fleece and an Advanced Brand Core shammy. For additional utility, the bib tights have mesh side…
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As a cyclist you sometimes have to settle for tap water or public water sources that can be a bit questionable to refill your water bottle. HydraPak’s new Breakaway+ bottle offers a built-in filter system that can clean water as you drink it to provide additional peace of mind. The retail price ranges from $46-$48 for the 20oz and 30oz bottle versions respectively. HydraPak has integrated a filter into the cap of the bottle that claims to remove 99.99% of E Coli and Parasitic cysts while still offering a high water flow. The bottles are also BPA and PVC free…
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Shimano’s S-PHYRE RC9 shoes have been the brand’s top-of-the-line shoes with the latest technologies and performance. The S-PHYRE RC903 PWR are the latest variation of the S-PHYRE shoes and further optimizes the RC903 for additional stiffness and cooling. As the PWR in the product name would imply, Shimano markets the shoes as premium road shoes for sprinters and power cyclists. Retail price on the S-PHYRE RC903 PWR shoes is $475 which is a $25 premium over the stand versions. One of the most obvious differences is the BOA Fit System which uses a single Li2 Type D metal dial with…
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Subscription boxes have been a big hit with companies offering curated boxes for everything from makeup and Japanese candy. In this review, we’ll be looking at fuel goods The RiderBox which are curated boxes with 10-12 items specifically targeted toward cyclists. It’s easy to see the appeal of the concept as you’ll receive a box of surprise items that include nutritional products and accessories. Retail price on the boxes ranges from $42 when purchased individually down to $32 with an annual subscription. The boxes are sent bi-monthly with the 6 month or 1-year subscription options and include approximately 10-12 items…
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Bike racks are a popular way to mount bags or carry additional gear for commuting or running errands. While bike racks provide a lot of utility, they can be heavy or time consuming to install or remove from a bike which make people less likely to use them. The Ortlieb Quick-Rack is a clever solution to this that offers quick release mounts that are claimed to allow you to remove the rack within 5 seconds and install it in as little as 15 seconds. In this review, we’ll be looking at the Light version which is a lightweight and minimal…
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The Suunto Sonic is a affordable variation of the Suunto Wing headphone that drops the extra features such as LEDs, gestures and power bank for a $50 price reduction. Despite the lower cost, the Suunto Sonic retains the bone conduction design and high quality speaker and microphone setup. Retail price on the Suunto Sonic is $149 and they are now available in multiple color options. The headphones use a unique open ear design with bone conduction which allow you to listen to music or make phone calls while still being aware of your surroundings. The anti-slip coating, sweatproof and water…
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Portland Design Work (PDW) is known for their whimsical bottle cage collections that can add some fun and character to any bike. In this review, we’ll be looking at the Otter bottle cage and the companion Wotter bottle which take inspiration from otters. Retail price on the bottle cage is $25 which includes stainless steel mounting bolts and single piece aluminum 5052 alloy construction. As with all of PDW’s cages, the Otter cage has an elaborate design with detailed cutouts to mimic the otter’s physical features and even painted whiskers. The Otter cage also has a matching $13.95 26 oz…