ALL POSTS
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When it comes to carbon wheelsets there are a lot of brands and models to choose from. Bontrager’s Aeolus Elite lineup is designed to provide high-performance at relatively affordable price points options for cyclists looking to upgrade or build a new bike. In this review, we’ll be looking at the Bontrager Aeolus Elite 35V TLR wheelset which are a bit heavier than their Aeolus Pro 37V TLR counterparts but offer a significant discount. The front wheel costs $479 while the rear wheel is $519.99 which includes tubeless valve, tape and sealant. Despite the budget-friendly price, the wheels incorporate Bontrager’s Rapid…
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Bike tires are the main contact point between you and the road and can be a major factor for comfort and speed. Bontrager’s new Aeolus RSL TLR are marketed as “ungodly fast” and are designed to maximize speed on the road. Marketed as a road racing tire, the Aeolus RSL TLR has a $89.99 retail price and is available in sizes from 700×26 to 700×32 to fit a wide range of bike setups. One of the key features of the Aeolus RSL TLR tires is the impressive 320 TPI cotton casing which offers a supple and smooth ride. The Bontrager…
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Ortlieb’s Vario line of bike panniers combine a versatile and innovative hybrid design that allows them to seamlessly switch between a bike pannier and a backpack. That allows the Vario bags to be used on the bike while commuting and then worn up while in the office or running errands. In this review we’ll be looking at the Ortlieb Vario waterproof hybrid pannier which retails for $215 for the 20L version and $250 for the larger 26L option. These bags are a hybrid pannier design which can be quickly removed from the bike and used as a backpack. The Vario…
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Hitch racks are a popular way to carry bikes and gear as they offer a flexible and portable design that can work with nearly any vehicle equipped with a hitch. Saris’s Modular Hitch System or MHS rack is a modular approach to a hitch rack that provides a versatile way to carry one to four bikes as well as cargo by simply swapping out components. Saris lets you customize the rack by offering multiple base options, and removable attachments and additional accessories. It’s a clever system that currently features three base options: 1+1, 2+1 or the largest 3+1 which allow…
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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 Lucky Cat and Very Good Dog cages and the companion bottles which take inspiration from cats and dogs. Retail price on both bottles is $28 which includes stainless steel mounting bolts and single piece aluminum 5052 alloy construction. As with all the other cages, the cat and dog variation are adorable with painted on details and cutouts to bring the animals to life. PDW also offers $11.95 26oz Specialized Purist…
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Whether you’re parking a $100 beater bike or your multi-thousand dollar road bike outside you want to make sure to use a strong theft resistant lock to ensure the bike is still there when you come back. OnGuard’s new RockSolid 8590 U-lock is one of the lightest angle-grinder resistant locks on the market that provide maximum protection without extra bulk. With a retail price of $199.95, the RockSolid 8590 offers angle-grinder resistance while still only weighing 3lbs. The is also relatively small at only 3.55” by 6.9” with a 14mm diameter shackle. What makes this lock angle-grinder resistant is the…
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Magicshine’s Seemee lineup of lights offer everything from budget 20 lumen lights to absurd 300 lumen taillights. The new Magicshine Seemee 50 Mag are the latest addition to the Seemee lineup and combine bright output with a magnetic mounting design. Retail price on the Seemee 50 Mag is an affordable $29.99 with 50 lumen of output. Each light can be used as a red taillight or white headlight by double pressing the power button. Magicshine has also incorporated their FTR LightSync Control which allows the Seemee 50 Mag to be paired with a compatible Magicshine headlight and be controlled via…
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The new Magicshine Seemee 100 AD is one of the first hybrid bike taillight radars we’ve seen in the market that replaces detection range for a compact form factor. What makes this a hybrid bike radar taillight is that it does not transmit radar data to GPS computers, instead, it only switches the taillight to a high-visibility flash mode to notify cars of your presence. It’s a clever idea that results in a much smaller radar taillight and allows Magicshine to optimize visibility with their clever LED lighting designs. The Magicshine Seemee 100AD retails for a competitive $54.99 and features…
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Ravemen’s K series of headlights are budget friendly single LED designs with additional smart features. In this review, we’ll be looking at the K700 which is their second most affordable model in the lineup. The Ravemen K700 retails for $34.99 which is quite affordable for the 700 lumen output. Despite the budget price, the K700 features modern features such as USB-C charging and an ambient light sensor that supports a smart output mode. Ravemen has also incorporated a single LED lens with horizontal diffusers that help spread the light out. The K700 light uses a simple tab mount that can…