ALL POSTS
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Affordable cycling shoes are typically referred to as ‘entry-level’ or ‘beginner-friendly’ and usually have compromises to reduce the cost. This typically means multiple Velcro straps or bulky ratcheting closure systems and heavier multi-panel designs. The FLR F-11 Pro cycling have a budget friendly $99.99 retail price but more premium features not typically found in ‘entry-level’ shoes. For a fixture system, the F-11 Pro uses an ATOP dial on top and a single lower Velcro strap. Although it doesn’t have a carbon sole (which is rare at this price point), the nylon R250 outsole provides plenty of stiffness. The FLR F-11…
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The Look Keo Memory Eyelet and Tab are clever solutions by Look that many people may not be aware of. Like most people, we rarely read the instruction manuals that come with products unless we really get stumped. Recently we got stumped with when an unlabeled bag with two unmarked screws came with a new pair of FLR F-11 cycling shoes. Although there was no instruction manual with the shoes to reference, through some trial and error it became clear the screws threaded into the center ‘fourth’ hole on the sole of the shoes. After some internet sleuthing, it became clear…
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The Magicshine Allty series of all-in-one rechargeable bicycle lights offers an impressive range of lights with compact sizes and unique features. At the top of the Allty series are the Allty 1000 and the Allty 2000 lights which feature dedicated daytime running lights (DRL) and integrated Garmin style quarter-turn mounts. Today we’ll be reviewing the Magicshine Allty 1000 which uses a single Cree LED instead of the dual Cree LEDs of the Allty 2000. At an affordable $84.99 retail price, the Allty 1000 represents a strong commuter light offering from Magicshine. What sets the Allty 1000 apart from the typical…
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Layering clothing is key to being comfortable in colder temperatures and baselayers are a critical part of layering especially if you are doing high intensity outdoor activities like hiking, running, or cycling. A quality baselayer balances breathability and warmth to provides you with thermal regulation to ensure you remain warm without overheating. In this review, we’ll look at two women’s PEARL iZUMi Merino wool baselayers – the Merino Thermal Longsleeve Baselayer and the Merino Longsleeve Baselayer. These baselayers are part of the 2019 winter collection from PEARL iZUMi and are made with a blend of Merino fabric and recycled Repreve…
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With the rise in aerodynamic bikes, many bikes on the market have non-round seat posts with airfoil profiles to optimize airflow. These aerodynamic seat posts have sharp trailing edges that make the typical seat post tail light mounts incompatible. The Topeak Redlite Aero USB 1W tail light addresses this by offering flexible mounting options along with a bright COB LED design and slim form factor. While the tail light design may not have been optimized using a wind tunnel, the aerodynamic profile allows the light to sit flush behind your seat post. The Redlite Aero USB 1W is one of…
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Whether you look online or stop by your local bike shop, you’ll notice there are an overwhelming number of lights on the market today. The lights range from compact low powered blinky lights to multi-thousand lumen lights designed to turn night into day. Power sources range from AAA batteries all the way to packs of rechargeable Li-ion battery cells. However, one thing a majority of the lights share is that they use LEDs and some variation of a button interface. Light & Motion Vya bike lights are designed to break the mold of traditional bike lights and incorporate useful ‘smart’…
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There are a few essential items everyone should have in their closets. First, is a favorite soft and comfortable t-shirt you can wear year-round. Second, a set of wool socks for lounging around the house or hiking in. Lastly, is a warm and cozy hooded sweatshirt that you hate taking off. While a simple $10 hoodie from a big-box store will keep you warm indoors, they don’t necessarily provide the same warmth and comfort outdoors. In this review, we’ll be looking at the new Ridge Merino’s Convict Merino wool hoodie that is designed to be your favorite hoodie. This is a…
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At its face value, the Fenix BC05R is not a particularly interesting bike tail light. It is easy to overlook at only 10 lumens with a traditional design and the low retail price of only $19.95. However, Fenix has leveraged their expertise in flashlights to incorporate a number of impressive features despite the low price point. The BC05R doesn’t have any smart features or associated cell phone apps to customize it, instead it excels at being a reliable and compact tail light. Instead of the traditional micro USB port, the BC05R has a USB Type-C port, a feature that the bicycle…
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As technology advances, electronics have become both more powerful and more compact while also reducing in cost. This means there are more and more ‘connected’ and ‘smart’ devices on the market. A majority of these devices seem like marketing ploys, like refrigerators that tell you when you are running low on milk. However, some ‘smart’ devices incorporate electronics to add creative and useful features. Today, we’ll be reviewing the Coros SafeSound Urban helmet, a ‘smart’ device that’s surprisingly useful. The Coros SafeSound Urban helmet combines multiple gadgets – tail light, bluetooth headphones, cycling cap – into a sleek and comfortable…