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Properly fitting insoles can be the difference between comfortable shoes and painful shoes while cycling. Designed in collaboration with Cobra9, the Bont Cycling Vaypor insoles are a high quality upgrade for Bont Cycling shoes. Bont offers two variations of the insoles, the $99.95 Vaypor versions we have here with multiple arch height options and a more simple single $39.95 Riot option. These insoles are nearly identical to Cobra9’s SemiPro insoles but have been slightly altered to improve ventilation and fit in Bont Cycling shoes. What separates these insoles from standard disposable insoles is the carbon fiber core and dual density…
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If you needed proof that fashion is cyclical you wouldn’t have to look further than sunglasses. Most brands are reaching back into their catalogs and revamping classic designs with modern optics and frame materials. The Smith XC sunglasses in this review are no exception as they were originally part of Smith’s 1983/1984 skiing collection. Smith has brought them back with a $179 retail price and modern Evolve Bio-based frame and ChromaPop lens options. The combination of retro styling and cutting edge optics means the XC sunglasses give you the best of both worlds. One of the main features of the…
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The Triban RC500 cycling winter jacket is a softshell jacket specifically designed for cold weather riding. It’s part of Decathlon’s Triban sub brand which offers a wide range of affordable bikes and cycling apparel that is available worldwide at the Decathlon stores and website. The jacket has an affordable $99.99 retail price and offers a windproof exterior with fleece lining for insulation. It’s a water repellent design that can provide protection from light rain or road spray. Decathlon has incorporated a number of clever features in the jacket including reflective stripes for nighttime visibility along with a removable neck gaiter.…
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Thousand first introduced their Heritage helmet back in 2015 as a retro styled helmet designed to make people want to wear a helmet. After nearly 8 years of being on the market, Thousand has released the updated Heritage 2.0. The helmet retains the affordable $99 retail price and unique color schemes that help it stand out in the crowded urban cycling helmet field. With this updated version the helmet boasts six vents for improved cooling as well as a more inclusive fit. Thousand has redesigned the fit system to accommodate both round and oval shaped heads. As with the original…
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The Lupine C14 taillight is Lupine’s first rear light to feature a magnetic mount for quick and easy installation or removal. Designed to sit between the saddle seatrails, the C14 Mag is a compact taillight that features quite a few smart features. Lupine offers two versions, the $150 magnetic saddle rail mount version we have in this review and a $125 StVZO version that mounts to seat posts as well as e-bike variations. With the C14 Mag version we have in this review, the taillight is rated for up to 45 lumen output and 22 hour runtime. As with all…
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The Trek Domane+ series of road bikes combines electric assist with the comfortable ride and endurance geometry that has made the Domane bikes so popular. It’s a natural combination as the electrification allows riders to ride even further while enhancing the ride quality with the integrated battery. Trek currently offers the Domane+ series of bikes in two primary variations: carbon fiber SLR models and the aluminum AL 5. The SLR variations retail between $8,499.95 to $12,999.95 depending on the component set. With a retail price of $3,499.95 the Trek Domane+ AL 5 is the most accessible electric bike in the…
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Magicshine’s Monteer series of headlights have aggressive 5 LED setups with impressive output at affordable price points. The Monteer 6500S V2 is Magicshine’s latest version which adds a wireless two button remote for more precise control over the output modes. With 6500 lumen of output, the 6500S V2 is one of the brightest lights in the Monteer lineup and has a retail price of $369.99. The V2 uses the same high capacity MJ-6118 wired battery pack and Garmin style mount as the original Monteer 6500S. It’s a well designed light that uses an aluminum housing and can be used in…
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Helmet mounted lights not only supplement a handlebar mount light output but also help you see around corners as they rotate with your head. All helmet lights are not created equal though, as beam optics and features can vary drastically between brands. That’s what motivated Outbound Lighting to develop the Hangover bike helmet light. Not only is the Hangover a slim and lightweight light, it features an optimized beam pattern specifically for helmet mounting. Despite being designed and assembled in Chicago, Illinois the Hangover has an affordable $135 retail price. Outbound Lighting has also recently replaced the shell with a…
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Designed to be a premium commuting helmet, Smith’s new Dispatch helmet combines a number of safety features into a sleek urban form factor. The Dispatch retails for $170 and combines a MIPS liner with Smith’s zonal Koroyd technology to further improve the safety of the helmet. The combination of the features means the Smith not only meets standard certifications but also the high-speed NTA-8776 certification which covers higher speed impacts. Despite all the tech, the helmet still weighs only 365g in the medium size and retains a sleek urban profile with vents. Some of the notable premium features are the…