bikefix Exclusive Review: Injinji Performance Tetrasoks

Because we can. I imagine that this simple statement goes a long way toward answering the resounding "why?" that comes when people see these Injinji foot gloves. Erm, toe socks. Injinji compare standard socks to "foot mittens" claiming that they reduce toe dexterity, increase heat and moisture buildup and skin-on-skin friction (all of which are considered Bad Things). So, with the goal of combating these evils, the company has taken advantage of modern knitting technology to build a technical version of the novelty socks that swept the country's junior high schools several years back.

The Performance Terasoks I've been using on and off for almost a year were a gift for someone who knows about my love of all things weird and different. I've worn them casually, for running, for hiking and while riding and have to admit- I think that they're cool. Not because of any real performance benefit, but mostly because of how they look padding around the house without shoes on. Because we're a bike site, though, I'll focus on how they work on the bike.

Because most riding shoes at this point are pretty darn stiff, the Injinji's don't really allow the rider to make much use of their toe dexterity (though I imagine monkeys would love them). While it can take a while (for socks) to pull them on and get the toes in the right spots, they have a nice cozy feel. Inside snug cycling shoes, though, the extra 8 fabric thicknesses can be a bit much, though my Shimanos have enough space in the toe box that things don't get uncomfortable. Contrary to Injinji's claims and despite a fabric that is 70% Coolmax, I feel that the Tetrasok's actually run a bit warmer than normal cycling socks. I have the feeling that this might be the result of having less volume available for air circulation and while it's good to pull moisture from between the toes, it really doesn't have anywhere to go from there. For warm rides with lots of stream crossings, though, they can be nice, without the heat of a full-on wool sock. They're certainly a bit thin for winter use, though. One big advantage, from my perspective, is the complete lack of any toe seams, which can be annoying in any sock (Sock Guy's seem to bug me the most)- if you're particularly irritable in that respect, they might be worth seeking out.

Regardless of their claimed technical merits or my comments above, I bet that most folks will have decided if they would want a pair after seeing the first photo. Me, I think that they're neat and different. They're neither at the top or the bottom of the sock drawer and do see regular use. After probably 20 wearings and washings, they're in fine shape, with no unexpected wear, despite their complexity. They're available at REI (among other places) for $12, which seems to be the going rate for cycling socks these days.

marc

www.injinji.com

btw: “Injinji“ is pronounced (In-gin-ji) and is an African term which describes when a drumming circle reaches a climax, the peak in the performance, when all of the participants are at one with the rhythm, when everyone hits a stride and there is unison among all. Quasi-science meets quasi-spiritualism. Somehow, I still like 'em.

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bikefix Exclusive Review: Swiftwick Four Ole socks

Following our review of their awesome NaturWool 2Sox last fall, Swiftwick was kind enough to send us some of their socks to try. Marc gave me a pair of the company's Ole Four socks to try. We received them while it was still fairly chilly out and they looked like summer socks, so I put-off testing them until the weather warmed a bit.

I like natural fibers a lot, but I also recognize that man-made materials can be quite excellent too. These socks are an example of that. They are made of 80% Nylon, 15% Olefin [a fiber that absorbs .01% of its weight in water, has won a Nobel Prize and happens to float], and 5% Lycra. They are quite thin overall but have strategically placed thicker areas. They have a number of nice touches like a tighter-than-normal cuff to keep them in place, an almost imperceptible toe seam, and the sock size is knitted into the foot-bed. Best of all, they are also made in the USA baby.

They are very comfortable, but fit quite tightly and at first I was concerned by the tightness, but once riding it was forgotten (and it might even help reduce foot swelling on long rides). After a number of long hot rides I have decided that these socks rock. This sock does what its name implies- wicks moisture away from your skin. I was amazed at how cool and happy my feet were (and its been hot here). The highest praise I can give them is that they felt like they became part of my body. I had to keep looking down to make sure they were still on.

This is absolutely a summer sock, and I would hesitate to use it on epic-length ride at high altitudes because it would offer little warmth if the weather got cold and wet. That is my only caveat in recommending these socks. If cold (though not winter) weather is a possibility, Swiftwick also has a wool blend sock which we like very much too. The Ole is available in three different cuff heights. The company is also geared towards custom socks- these would make some of the nicest we've come across. You can view the range on the company’s website at www.swiftwick.com.

charlie

www.swiftwick.com

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bikefix Exclusive Review: USE Sumo Carbon seatpost

I originally posted my review of USE's Sumo Carbon seatpost last December. As Maverick owners, Charlie and I have relatively few options for seatposts (due to the reclined seat tube)- of which the Sumo is one. Charlie has decided to throw his two cents in as well. Read on...

I have been using the USE Sumo post for a while now. I started using it because my Maverick ML7/5 had such a relaxed seat-tube angle that many posts' heads couldn’t tilt far enough forward to provide a comfortable saddle angle. This is not a problem for the Sumo though; it can accommodate pretty much any bike’s seat angle with its rotating head design.

If you’re thinking of the old USE alien head design, this is not it, nor is it flimsy and temperamental like that post could be. The Sumo uses a single circular machined ring that is then bonded to the carbon post. The two drum-like caps with groves for a seat-rail are clamped against the ring. The clamping is done by one bolt which threads through two small pieces of aluminum, also with rail grooves. As the bolt tightens, the metal drums compress against the ring and the friction holds it in place. It is very simple and it works quite well.

The carbon Sumo is light- 185g in the 400mm length (compared to a Thompson Elite's 228g at 33omm), and is also very tough. I have been riding it for about a year with no damage despite some truly nasty riding from Moab to Colorado to my home state of New Mexico. The Sumo is also made in Aluminum, and Titanium (for road), but the headpiece is the same aluminum design regardless of the shaft material.

I use this post on two different bikes and I really like it. Besides being light and tough, it is simple to adjust. It remained trouble-free for almost 8 months. It’s not a perfect system though. Some seat-rails seem to fit better than others. I had one saddle that wasn’t even close to fitting; it made me wish that there was a industry standard for the saddle rail dimensions.

The only real problem have I had was with the head-clamp rotating backwards after “G-outs” and similar hits of body on saddle. Admittedly, I ran this post for more than half a year without this problem, and it only showed up after I changed saddles and had to use some Moly-Dry Film lube to get the drum shaped pieces to release their hold on the center piece. I then cleaned the head with alcohol but it seems that I messed it up somehow. I took it off, cleaned it out again, and it still moved occasionally. I finally tried to use some carbon assembly compound to add friction, but this made no difference. I then called Ibex Sports (the US USE importer) and they said I could exceed the torque rating etched on the headpiece by a bit. This seems to have solved the problem, but I can’t be sure because (it was only infrequent to begin with) only the most technical trails seem to bump me around enough to cause it. Ibex Sports also mentioned that it is possible to “wallow-out” the drum-like pieces and I may need to replace them. I will try that if it happens again, but so far so good. Keep in mind that this whole issue may be my fault (but it was hard to get those damn drum pieces off).

The carbon Sumo is available in 4 different diameters: 27.2, 30.9, 31.6, 34.9. It has a natural 10mm layback and retails for $140.00 to $150.00 depending on the length.

charlie

use1.com
ibexsports.com

marc

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bikefix Review Update: fi'zi:k Saddle Pa:k bag

Update, 23 June 2008:

After our review of fi'zi:k's Saddle Pa:k (below), we got an e-mail from the company's US Marketing Manager Suzette. It turns out that they were one step ahead of us and, while not all saddle pa:k zippers fail, some do. So, revised Saddle Pa:ks (those with a ":k" on the side) have higher-quality YKK brand zippers. Within a few days, the brown & tan Santa man had left one in our front garden. The zipper is clearly different, as are some of the other fabrics and their cut, though the nice low-profile shape remains the same. The dual reflective patches that we liked so much are gone, though the new ":k" logos on the bag sides are reflective, so it's probably a visibility wash. Suzette also mentioned that the company encourages any customer who feels that their fi'zi:k product hasn't lived up to the brand's high quality image return it to the place where purchased for warranty. It's now loaded and mounted- we'll let you know how it goes!

Do the folks at fi'zi:k all have creatively named children? I mean, why be difficult? I could easily hate Selle Royal's high-end saddle brand for this alone if their quality saddles didn't force me to forgive their habit of taking liberties with the Roman alphabet. The company's Arione and Aliante saddles have found many fans (myself included) over the past several years, from the peleton on down. The company also makes a handful of accessories, including some bar tape (look for a review some time in the next few months) and this rather nice looking saddle bag.

The XS-sized Saddle Pa:k (come on guys) is just the right size to hold a road tube, small CO2 inflator, small mini tool and maybe a tire lever. In other words, this unobtrusive little guy is just the right size to carry all the things that I want to have along on every ride. Keys, phone, wallet and food? Not a chance- they'll have to go in jersey pockets. Which is how I like it. With a similar bag on both of my road/commuter bikes, it's nice not to have to have to think before heading out- everything that I need is already there in a compact, non-floppy package. The bag is made of water-resistant fabric, has a water-resistant zipper, a blinky tab and two reflective patches to ensure visibility regardless of mounting angle. All this for $14.00 Pretty cool, eh?

Well it was pretty cool for about 6 months, when I noticed that the zipper was becoming increasingly stubborn. Not a big deal- all I needed to do to access the contents was to undo the rail straps and swing the bag away from the seatpost. Sort of a pain, but the non-jangly zipper pull (good) seemed to be pulling the zipper head at a funny angle and causing it to bind a bit. Swinging the bag out from under the saddle allowed easier access and the ability to finesse the zipper open. Now, I don't particularly like flats. Nor do I like my stuff bouncing down the road after falling out of my saddle bag. So, you can imagine my delight when, after a repairing a flat and zipping up the Saddle Pa:k, I heard the jangle of tools hitting pavement. Stopping, I collected my things and chastised myself for being careless. It turns out that the 8 month old zipper on my had gone from open-close mode to open-open and would no longer secure the bag's contents. Luckily, I had eaten my snacks so the tools went into a jersey pocket, the tube was wedged deeper into the bag and I was sad (and annoyed by pocket tool jangle).

It's a shame, really- the rest of the bag was holding up great. The fabric seems to be plenty abrasion resistant and the hook & loop fastener and reflective patches of high quality. It seemed very well thought out and constructed but was ultimately let down by its weakest link. Does the zipper even need to be water resistant? Not many other bags seem to have them, and I'll probably be avoiding them for a while. With a durable (and maybe simpler) zipper, the bag would be worth, say, $17 and easily be a bikefix Pick. Oh so close...

marc

www.fizik.com

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bikefix Exclusive Review: Origin8 Propulsion handlebar tape

A regular reader might be forgiven for thinking that we had some sort of connection with J&B Importers for our reviews of their Origin8 stuff. Sadly, we don't. It just tuns out that the company is selling some stuff at the moment that works very well and is reasonably priced. After good luck with some of their finishing kit and hearing good things about their frames from bike shop guys, I've been taking a closer look at stuff from the brand when I come across it.

This winter, when I rebuilt my cyclocross bike as a fixed gear, I decided to replace the awful FSA faux-carbon bar tape. At the bike shop, I was balking at $18 for Cinelli cork tape and noticed a box of Origin8 bar tape hanging down near the floor. Popping the box open, I found a nice, spongy foam tape that seemed both cushiony and stretchy. The box claimed that it got tacky when wet, which would be a pleasant change from the FSA tape I had been using. At $10, it was worth a shot.

Six months later, the Origin8 has become my favorite bar tape. Ever. It went on easily (the stretchiness helps there) and has stayed exactly where I put it. No slipping in the bends, no peeling at the edges. The material, which I doubt is natural cork, is holding up very well. It is spongier than cork tape and has proven more comfortable in the same amount of space- no double wrapping or gel pads needed (or desired) here. It certainly isn't as slippery when wet as the Fi'zi:k Microtex tape on my road bike, which I appreciate more the hotter it gets. Since buying the first box, I've only noticed it in one local shop, but if you have the time, it may be worth putting in a special request.

marc

www.origin-8.com
www.jbimporters.com

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bikefix Exclusive Review: Castelli "Castelli" jersey

What's just about as good as being fast? Looking fast! I ordered Castelli's "Castelli" jersey this spring because it reminded me of the colors used on Gulf's Porsche race cars from the '60s and '70s (light blue and orange), only reversed. Can't get much faster than that. Of course, coming from Castelli, I expected that the construction would be high quality, the fit a bit slim, and the details pretty well thought out.

Sharing the same cut as several other Castelli Jerseys, the "Castelli" has a 3/4-length zipper. The three rear pockets are pretty standard, but in one sits a nice soft inner iPod or cell phone pocket with a buttonhole (to the inside of the jersey) for a headphone cable. It's a bit small for a wide-ish Motorola Razr, but fits skinnier phones and iPod Nanos very well. While I tend to discourage the use of headphones while road riding, there's no better way to get a good workout in a short period of time than listening to some good music while single speeding, and the player stays put very nicely while riding. Three reflective dots on the leftmost rear pocket are a nice touch if the ride runs unexpectedly long (but no substitute for proper lights come nighttime). The fabric itself is very thin- almost papery and very lightweight.

My jersey was one of the first '08s to come through and felt a bit baggy around the waist. Castelli had a problem with the "gather" on some of their early deliveries, but it's since been addressed. The looser waist may suit baggy short fans, though, so go through your shop's inventory to find one that works for you. Though I ordered expecting Castelli's fit to be a bit snug, it wasn't as snug as I expected. I usually wear a medium, and the Castelli large fits my 145lb frame OK (though not road snug). If you're over, say 175lb, an XL may be in order. Looking at the photos, I'm thinking that a medium would probably be more flattering to my (ahem) aerodynamic biceps- without being too short. As always, try to support your local shop and make use of their fitting room if possible. While the fabric isn't nearly as airy feeling as I expected, it does a very good job at moving moisture away from the body- great under the kind of big pack that big summer rides require. While there are cooler jerseys out there, I find that more open fabrics can be too cool for early morning starts and find that a long zipper makes up most of the difference once the day warms. I've also worn far warmer ss jerseys, so would have to put this one somewhere in the middle of things.

In this case, $80 gets you a very cool looking (in my opinion), American-made jersey with a hidden pocket that makes it perfect for music lovers. The colors are visible in traffic without screaming commuter!- a plus in my book. It wicks moisture very well, and while it isn't as cool as some of the more mesh-y jerseys I've worn, it's all the more versatile for it. I've been wearing it nonstop since I got it.

marc

www.castelli-us.com

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bikefix Exclusive Review: Castelli Lowboy sock

Mmm... Socks. Every cyclist I know has loads. Warm socks, cool socks, comfy socks and awful socks. Still, we find it hard to resist just one more pair. As temperatures have climbed into the 90s here, my warm wooly and trendy tall socks have made their way to the bottom of the sock basket. At the top? Cool socks.

The coolest of them all, I happen to think, are these Castelli Lowboy socks. Cool not only for their antibacterial Meryl fabric and their fancy Italian logos, but also for their in-the-shoe fit. The cooling gained by exposing my pasty white ankles to the summer air is hard to quantify but certainly noticeable- and much appreciated. The cut is just tall enough keep my cycling shoes from rubbing on my exposed ankles- but not one bit taller. From a few feet away, they're all but invisible.

The pictures here were taken sitting on the patio after a recent 60mi, 90° road ride. During this and other long rides, the Lowboys have done a good job at removing moisture from the foot itself, and the white band around the forefoot feels supportive (though my heat-moldable insoles are arguably doing much more of the work). On the mountain bike, they seem to be a bit too low- the low cuff seems to take in sand and dirt as soon as I start walking- they're really a road-only kind of thing. At $13, their price is on par with other cycling socks'. They're not cute or witty, but on a hot summer day, there's nothing else that I'd feel cooler wearing.

marc

www.castelli-us.com

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bikefix Exclusive Review: fi'zi:k Saddle Pa:k bag

Update, 22 June 2008:

After our review of fi'zi:k's Saddle Pa:k (below), we got an e-mail from the company's US Marketing Manager Suzette. It turns out that they were one step ahead of us and, while not all saddle pa:k zippers fail, some do. So, revised Saddle Pa:ks (those with a ":k" on the side) have higher-quality YKK brand zippers. Within a few days, the brown & tan Santa man had left one in our front garden. The zipper is clearly different, as are some of the other fabrics and their cut, though the nice low-profile shape remains the same. The dual reflective patches that we liked so much are gone, though the new ":k" logos on the bag sides are reflective, so it's probably a visibility wash. Suzette also mentioned that the company encourages any customer who feels that their fi'zi:k product hasn't lived up to the brand's high quality image return it to the place where purchased for warranty. It's now loaded and mounted- we'll let you know how it goes!

Do the folks at fi'zi:k all have creatively named children? I mean, why be difficult? I could easily hate Selle Royal's high-end saddle brand for this alone if their quality saddles didn't force me to forgive their habit of taking liberties with the Roman alphabet. The company's Arione and Aliante saddles have found many fans (myself included) over the past several years, from the peleton on down. The company also makes a handful of accessories, including some bar tape (look for a review some time in the next few months) and this rather nice looking saddle bag.

The XS-sized Saddle Pa:k (come on guys) is just the right size to hold a road tube, small CO2 inflator, small mini tool and maybe a tire lever. In other words, this unobtrusive little guy is just the right size to carry all the things that I want to have along on every ride. Keys, phone, wallet and food? Not a chance- they'll have to go in jersey pockets. Which is how I like it. With a similar bag on both of my road/commuter bikes, it's nice not to have to have to think before heading out- everything that I need is already there in a compact, non-floppy package. The bag is made of water-resistant fabric, has a water-resistant zipper, a blinky tab and two reflective patches to ensure visibility regardless of mounting angle. All this for $14.00 Pretty cool, eh?

Well it was pretty cool for about 6 months, when I noticed that the zipper was becoming increasingly stubborn. Not a big deal- all I needed to do to access the contents was to undo the rail straps and swing the bag away from the seatpost. Sort of a pain, but the non-jangly zipper pull (good) seemed to be pulling the zipper head at a funny angle and causing it to bind a bit. Swinging the bag out from under the saddle allowed easier access and the ability to finesse the zipper open. Now, I don't particularly like flats. Nor do I like my stuff bouncing down the road after falling out of my saddle bag. So, you can imagine my delight when, after a repairing a flat and zipping up the Saddle Pa:k, I heard the jangle of tools hitting pavement. Stopping, I collected my things and chastised myself for being careless. It turns out that the 8 month old zipper on my had gone from open-close mode to open-open and would no longer secure the bag's contents. Luckily, I had eaten my snacks so the tools went into a jersey pocket, the tube was wedged deeper into the bag and I was sad (and annoyed by pocket tool jangle).

It's a shame, really- the rest of the bag was holding up great. The fabric seems to be plenty abrasion resistant and the hook & loop fastener and reflective patches of high quality. It seemed very well thought out and constructed but was ultimately let down by its weakest link. Does the zipper even need to be water resistant? Not many other bags seem to have them, and I'll probably be avoiding them for a while. With a durable (and maybe simpler) zipper, the bag would be worth, say, $17 and easily be a bikefix Pick. Oh so close...

marc

www.fizik.com

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bikefix Exclusive Review: Ritchey Snap-On Rim Tape

It's not a bad idea to have a quick look at a wheel's rim strip whenever a tire is replaced. Rim strips that have cracked, moved or gone AWOL can be the cause of persistent mystery flats that have the capability to drive most home mechanics crazy. For years, there have been basically two options for rim strips. The first (and widely preferred) is a dense adhesive-backed cloth tape. The second has been the plain rubber strip that's protected Huffy tubes since time began. On a modern double-walled rim, the rim strip's function is to prevent the tube from pushing into and getting cut on the hole in which the spoke nipple sits or on the spoke or nipple itself. The rubber rim strips are wholly unsuited to decent quality rims (appropriate only for single-walled rims), making cloth tape the only choice for quite some time. However, the adhesive on the cloth tape can dry out or its life shortened by moisture, allowing the tape to shift and expose holes. If looked after, though, the standard Velox rim tape can work quite well.

About 5 (maybe 10) years ago a third option started popping up. Snap-in rim strips are loops of hard plastic or densely woven nylon that literally snap into the rim bed. They span the entire width of the rim and stay in place quite well. However, the molded plastic ones were a pain in the ass to mount or remove, and folks often forgot about the valve hole (which needs to be aligned during installation. Traditionalists (myself included) scoffed and went back to their Velox. At some point, I built a wheel and needed rim tape. The local shop was out of Velox and (very much wanting to ride my new wheel) I reluctantly took a $4.00 gamble and went home with a set of Ritchey Snap-On Rim Tape. The Ritchey tape is made of a densely woven nylon material. The 700c size fills the entire width of an Open Pro, Sun ME14A, Mavic Cosmic or similar road rim, so can't shift and expose the holes. Drop an allen key or philips screwdriver through the tape and rim's valve hole (to maintain orientation) and snap it on. It's reassuringly snug but stretches enough that installation isn't a battle: probably a 30 second operation altogether.

How's it work? On several bikes over several years and thousands of on- and off-road miles, I've never had one fail. They're probably a shade lighter than the Velox, but the ease of installation and greater longevity are more valuable. At $4 for a bike's worth, they're half the price. They're also re-usable, particularly important for those fancy (aggravating) road wheels with hidden nipples. Ultimately, it's a product that does its job better than the competition at a lower price. What's not to like?

marc

www.ritcheylogic.com

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2009 Shimano Dura Ace 7900

Well, at least the some of the rumors have proven true... Shimano today released official details on its 7900 generation 2009 Dura Ace group. As a relief for those of us who won't be headed to the shops for a complete kit, the 7800 and 7900 generation shifters and dérailleurs will be interchangeable. The new version will be slightly longer (thanks in part to a pimp carbon cage), but even better will be 28t compatible. This means that folks in hilly locations will be able to use wide-range 11-28t mountain cassettes- either when 10s mountain stuff comes out or with 7700 generation (9s) Dura Ace.

The coolest bit is with the cranks. The 7800 generation carbon cranks are still a ways off, but the big ring is now hollow. Shimano have invested heavily in forging, and this is a pretty unexpected application that should increase ring stiffness. You'll notice the clean look that a lack of chainring bolts gives, suggesting that the new rings won't be cross-compatible with other cranksets. A compact version will be available, but we're not sure what that means with a non-standard mounting.

Shift levers will get carbon cranks and along the bar routing for both cables, a la Campagnolo. Standalone hubs will be available as well- something that was missing in 7800 and will please traditionalists everywhere.

Aesthetically, the group borrows a bit from XTR, with anodizing followed by surface machining to create contrasting surfaces. We're not sure how well it works on the brakes, but it may well grow on us. Velonews looks to have had the scoop on this one, and you should head over there for more details and pictures...

www.velonews.com

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bikefix Initial Review: Uvex Rebel sunglasses

Anyone who has spent time in a laboratory or factory setting has probably worn Uvex eyewear. In the US at least, the company almost certainly sells more ANSI Z87.1 compliant eye protection than anything else. The sports side of the business, which is based in Germany makes some very good helmets (reviews here and here) and sunglasses. This spring, we received a set of the company's Rebel sunglasses run through the wringer. The Rebels' are a smaller frame, interchangeable lensed with several cool features. They come with both dark gray and a high-contrast orange lenses and black, blue and silver frames for a very reasonable $60.

A unique feature of the Rebel is the lens mounting. The lenses attach at the nose bridge and essentially float next to the frame as it runs from there to the arms. Because the lenses aren't a rigid part of the frame, the entire frame flexes to gently hold the rider's head- several riders have tired the rebels and they are comfortable for a very wide range of face widths. Because the 'spring' flex takes place over a large part of the frame, they can hold snugly without getting pinchy. There are rubber arm and nose pads and thanks to their very light weight the rebels stay put without squeezing the head. Uvex is particularly proud of these frames' sturdiness- and they should be. Rather than resisting bending and ultimately breaking, the Rebel frames have a remarkable amount of give (see picture), and its possible to twist the arms until they're over 100 degrees apart. Let go and they bounce right back into shape. This probably isn't something you'd want to do regularly, but it shows that the Uvex's are anything but fragile.

As a company known for protective eyewear used in pretty nasty environments, we have no doubts about the Uvex lenses' ability to keep out the odd tree branch or flying stone. While the Rebel's lenses don't have the striking clarity of more expenses glasses', they are perfectly clear and the lack of a lower frame makes for a very wide field of vision. The gray lenses block quite a bit of light and as such are great for bright, treeless rides. In the woods, though, a higher-contrast (and maybe slightly lighter) rose or brown lens would have been nice. As a result, I found myself wearing these on the road bike more than anywhere else. Here in the desert, the orange lenses were too light, but would be great for riding through a gray British winter, as they have very high contrast in flatter Northern light. The glasses' normal-length arms can interfere with Giro helmet retention systems, but so can pretty much every other pair we've tried. Unsurprisingly, Uvex's helmets pose no such problems.

The fact that the lenses aren't attached to the Rebel's frames along their top edge is a mixed blessing. For riders whose glasses are constantly fogging, the added ventilation is fantastic and they'll be some of the most fog-resistant glasses out there. The flip side of this is that a bit of wind tended to sneak by on my face and I my typically watery eyes were even more so than usual. Also, in a road tuck, I sometimes had a distracting line of bright light between the frames and lens at the top of my field of view. I have a feeling that both of these issues will be head-specific and certainly aren't deal breakers. Nobody else who's tried the Rebels has mentioned the issue.

For absent-minded or clumsy riders who've put off buying decent riding glasses for fear of sitting on or otherwise breaking them, the Rebels are ideal. The don't scream "bike dork" when worn casually and look particularly good on narrower faces and the price is very reasonable. Trying them on at a local dealer would be ideal, but they are also available in the US directly from Uvex's website. I've handed them off to our resident off-road triathlete, so look for a run/ride review in a few months.

marc

www.uvexsports.com

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bikefix Exclusive Review: Origin8 Propulsion 3D Lite stem

Last winter, when I bought a Syncros Vector Carbon handlebar for my 29er, I needed to find a new, oversized (31.8mm clamp) stem to tie it to the bike with. The Syncros is a wide bar, and it was going on a mountain bike, so I needed something stiff, but the single speed being my race bike, I also wanted to keep the weight down. Having survived the 1990s with only a broken handlebar (I couldn't afford all that cool superlight stuff that ended up breaking), I am a bit wary of lightweight compnents- especially in the cockpit, where their failure can be pretty painful.

When they came out in 2006 or 2007, Ibis' mountain and road bikes came with a very nice looking (and surprisingly light) Ibis-badged stem. My Mojo came with a 110, which was unfortunately too long and was swapped with another 100mm stem before I left the shop, but I was impressed that Ibis had snuck a very nice, light component in where most companies would save a few bucks and mount a bit of an anchor. Roll things forward a few months and I'm back- looking for a stem to go with my new handlebar. They guys at the shop have found the Ibis stem under another name, and it's $40. Origin8 seems to be one of distributor J&B Importers' house brands (along with Cayne, who's Uno fixie we reviewed last fall). They have a range of far-Eastern components, frames and accessories that are reasonably priced and range from pretty a chintzy Maverick Speedball knockoff to full carbon frames and bars. I am skeptical of components that seem too light for their price (light, strong or cheap- pick any two), but side-by-side, the Origin8 Propulsion and Ibis stems were clearly the same, down to the torque markings. As every engineer and specifier knows, gram-for-gram, forging aluminum is one of the strongest ways to make a part. Unlike CNC (or conventional) machining, the process aligns the metal's grain with the desired shape. Skillful design and analysis can yield some of the strongest parts available at a given weight, and with volume the price can be quite reasonable (which is why Dura Ace and XTR cranks are still aluminum). The Origin8 Propulsion stem is "3D Forged" and shot-peened, which serves to harden the surface of the metal and prevent small cracks from starting (and thus from becoming big cracks).

Two $20s later and the deal was done. I have hundreds of miles on the Ibis-branded stem and have to say that I'm impressed. Noticeably stiffer than the $225 Deda Mag00 on my road bike and, at 120g, the Origin8 is just as light. The dual handlebar clamps skirt many bar companies' 4-bolt stem prohibitions and hold the Syncros well, without friction paste. The torque specifications on the hardware shows that some thought went into things (or at least that plausible values were pulled out of someone's ass), and I haven't heard of any breakages on the Ibises which are all over Albuquerque now (being hammered much harder than my single speed). If you're looking for a new 31.8mm for a road or XC mountain bike, I'd have to say that you really can't go wrong with the Propulsion.

marc

www.origin-8.com
www.jbimporters.com

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bikefix Exclusive Review: Selle Italia XO Trans Am saddle

Why pay more? Every once in a while I stumble across a product that far exceeds the expectations generated by its modest price tag. Sometimes, corners have been cut but they're corners you don't really need. Sometimes, though, no corners appear to have been cut and one can't help but assume that the price was a mistake. This here saddle is an example of the latter.

Several years ago, a girlfriend picked up a Giant Cypress SX sporty hybrid. It was a cool bike for sure, and it came with a cheap OEM version of Selle Italia's XO Trans Am saddle. An avid mountain biker, she loved it and we ordered another for her mountain bike. The $40 aftermarket version of the saddle has steel rails, medium padding, a medium width, a 'taint-saving chasm down the center and is made of a nice durable synthetic cover. Doesn't sound particularly performance-oriented, does it? Somehow, I ended up riding the saddle a few times and was blown away. The multi-density foam is comfortable without being squidgy with an unobtrusive shape and no sharp corners anywhere. Oh, and it weighs came in at 270g. And is made in Italy.

Now, you can spend a lot of money on a saddle that is a lot less comfortable that weighs just as much. For reference, the $200 Aliante Carbon comes in at 259g. Nor the Aliante is a very good saddle. I have the "Gamma" version on a couple of bikes. If I'm going to spend all day on the bike, though, they don't come close to the XO in comfort. The saddle pictured here has been on several bikes and survived several 24 hour races- so its holding up just fine. What's not to like? Nothing comes to mind. Just be sure to spend the extra $10 or so to get the aftermarket version- the OEM has a vinyl cover that doesn't hold up nearly as well. Everybody's body is different, so trying before you buy isn't a bad idea. Of course, at $40, giving it a go isn't a huge risk.

marc

www.selleitalia.com

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bikefix Exclusive Review: Maxxis Re-Fuse tires

I hate getting flats. Nothing has the potential to interrupt a good ride, on road or off, like the ffft-ffft-ffft-ffft of a punctured tire. At the least, it means a 5-10 minute repair. More often, though, it's a messy job performed with frustratingly insufficient little pumps, aged (and sometimes pre-punctured) tubes and (on really bad days) cold, driving rain. Before moving to the desert (and a city where roadside broken glass is endemic), I wasn't a big fan of sealant or puncture resistant tires. Oh how things change. Sure, puncture-resistant tires are heavier, more expensive and don't ride or corner as well as their softer counterparts. Sealant-filled tubes can be messy, heavy and fail as often as they work. That said, it doesn't matter how light or fast standard tubes and tires are if they aren't holding air. You can still win a race or get to work on time with heavy tires- not flat ones.

Enter Maxxis' Re-Fuse. It's a folding bead tire with both a woven Kevlar belt and what Maxxis calls their "Silkworm" cap. Details are sketchy, but it's a material that's claimed to increase puncture resistance, cut resistance and rolling efficiency. It has a knurled tread, is intended to be the company's most bombproof training tire and comes in at a reasonable 245g (700x23c). Pricing is a very reasonable $31.

For a while, I believed that these were the bees knees. They ride well enough and can be ridden fearlessly through all manner of road debris. Despite using them on two commuting bikes (fixed and geared) 3-4 days/week for past two years, I have zero flats. None. Once, while a bike was in the stand, I noticed a cut in the tire with something in it. I used a dental pick to fish out a piece of glass that had installed itself between the casing and tread rubber. Looking harder, I found three or four others. Still, no flats. That's pretty darn badass. Compared with other puncture-resistant tires, the Re-Fuse ride pretty darn well and aren't nearly as scary in corners. Several years back, working as a messenger, I laid a bike out and slid across traffic and in front of an oncoming limo. I still place blame (at least in part) on a pair of "puncture-proof" tires' stiff casing and their hard rubber tread hard rubber. It wasn't fun and is something I'd like very much to avoid repeating. Compared to the competition, the Re-Fuses are very confidence inspiring, both in wet and dry conditions.

Recently, though, I've started to see problems with the Re-Fuses I'm riding and have recommended to others. Nobody's complaining about the puncture resistance, but Maxxis seem to be having trouble getting the rubber to stick to the casing. A co-worker recently pointed out a 3in x 1/4in section of the tire with no tread- it had come completely away and he was riding on the woven casing. No flats, but that shouldn't happen- an exposed section of rubber-free casing can mean (at best) unpredictable cornering. Of course, taking photos of my tires for this review, I found a similar section on my commuter. After about 700 miles, my tire had to go in the bin. That's far too soon, in my opinion, regardless of a tire's price. The mating tire had a number of wrinkles where the rubber looks to be decomposing (see second photo). Again, no flats, but it doesn't speak well for the tires' lifespan.

It's a shame- my first set or two of the Re-Fuse had none of these problems. Hopefully, Maxxis has just had a bit of a production hiccup and already remedied the problem. I will be trying to get mine warrantied, but am not holding my breath (tire warranties are a hard thing). If they can get the rubber to stick to what has proved to be a bombproof casing, they'll have one of the best tires available for folks in thorn, glass or goathead infested areas.

marc

www.maxxis.com

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bikefix Initial Review: Giro Semi sunglasses

As I have said in the past, I am a sucker for sunglasses. I will try almost anything new and potentially better than what I'm wearing at the moment. When I read that the new Giro sunglasses were going to have Zeiss-certified lenses, I became very interested. Carl Zeiss is a legend in the optics industry, making and certifying some of the best camera lenses, binoculars, and scopes available. When the glasses came out, though, only the grey polarized lens for the Semi model was Zeiss certified. Because I don’t like polarized lenses for riding, I opted for the Rose-Silver- but all of the lenses are claimed to be manufactured with to the highest quality. I picked the Semi because it fit my face the better than the other “active” model (the Havik). The Havik and all its lenses are Zeiss certified, but the fit was too narrow for my face. The Havik features the only interchangeable lenses in the Giro line, which includes two "Active" models and two more casual (as in wearable off the bike) models.

One of the big selling points of the new Giro line is that the glasses are designed to fit well while wearing cycling helmets (only Giro helmets?). Giro calls this "Super Fit Engineering," which basically translates to "Short Arms." In the past I have had glasses that hit my helmet's retention system and it is a real problem (especially if they interact too much, which can cause crippling headaches). While it’s true that the Semi’s didn’t bump or rub on any of my helmets, I have a number of sunglasses that don’t get interfere with the helmet either. It has also been years since I had that problem, so it may not be a very unique feature, but it is a helpful one. Separately of the helmet issue, the Semi fit is snug at first but does loosen over the first few rides. They now fit me perfectly, even on my big round head. The Giro rep for our region said you can expect all the models to loosen after the first few rides, something to be aware of when trying them on. They don’t move or jostle around on my face when the trail gets rough, but they don’t give me a headache like some overly-snug frames have in the past. The nose and arm pads are made of a material whose grip increases when you sweat.

Another feature that took some effort on Giro’s part is what they call True Sight technology. One problem with the curved lenses that are so useful for keeping wind, sticks and rocks out of your eyes is that they tend to have more distortion than a more planar lens. The sharper the curve of the lens, the more distortion you get. However the more curved a lens is (to a point), the better it protects the eye from debris, wind, and UV rays. What to do? Giro claims you can have your cake and it too! The company doesn't go into a lot of technical detail, but they say they have vastly increased the distortion-free field of vision when compared to other sunglasses on the market. I have to agree that they are superbly clear and distortion free, but I don’t know if it is better than some of the other leading glasses out there.

Despite my dislike of polarized lenses, I plan on reviewing a pair of Giro’s with the Zeiss certification in the future. The Semi is definitely one of the nicest sunglasses I have worn. It’s easy to forget you are wearing them, and that is truly high praise for anything that goes on your face. I would like a bit more detail from Giro on their website about their glasses and the technology that goes into them, as what is there is a bit vague. I personally would like to see a red tinted lens that lets in more visible light than my Rose/Silver (23% light transmission) do, or perhaps a photo-chromatic lens option. The rose/silver, like many red-tinted lenses is designed to provide good contrast in the varying light conditions that most road and mountain bikers encounter on every ride. Giro does offer a number of different frame/lens color options for each style, but as I mention above, the lenses are only interchangeable on the Haviks. Considering their competition they are well priced between $90.00 and $170.00 depending on the model and lens.

Charlie

www.giro.com

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bikefix Exclusive Review: Topeak PrepStand Pro repair stand

While most of us probably started working on our bikes upside-down in the garage, leaning against a workbench or hanging by the saddle from a hook in the basement ceiling, there comes a point when a proper bicycloe repair stand is very helpful. There is a wide range of models available, from inexpensive collapsable models through stable portables to professional models that weigh close to 100 pounds. While the best-known models come from Park and Ultimate, there are a number of unique and viable models available from other companies- including Topeak.

My positive experience with Topeak's Dual Touch bike storage played a large part in my decision to try the company's PrepStand Pro. The two model PrepStand line feature a collapsing tripod base, much like the portable speaker one sees at concerts and no doubt informed by Ultimate's successful use of a similar design. Solid composite joints and aluminum quick-release levers connect the aluminum tripod base to a 2-part telescoping 6061 aluminum trunk. The jucntion that supports the clamp arm is meaty aluminum, as is the arm itself. What sets the $280 PrepStand Pro apart from the less expensive ($215) PrepStand Elite (and from other repair stands on the market) is the digital scale integrated into the arm. At the end of the arm is a fairly simple clamp that can be closed around a wide variety of tube shapes by turning a small-ish knob. It all packs into an included 46x7x7 padded carry case, which is convenient for those without a dedicated workshop or for traveling to friends' or races.

While very stable when set up, the long legs that give the 12lb PrepStand its solidity can be a bit of a hassle. The 120 degree spacing of the legs mean that, when two are aganist a wall, the third tends to get underfoot. My biggest complaint, however, comes from the clamp. The clamping threads seem to have an intermediate thread that is neither quick to close nor provides as much clamping force as a 30lb mountain bike really calls for. A larger knob and/or some sort of free spinning "suicide knob" would no doubt help (though it may compromise portability). Also, while the clamp can be rotated 360 degrees, the serrated faces that prevent the clamp from moving once in place make adjusting a bike's angle difficult- the adjustment knob must be backed out quite a bit and the bike's weight supported while being repositioned. Compared to friction adjustments on competing stands, this can be a bit of a hassle. Collapsing the PrepStand, on the other hand, is a breeze, and it takes well under a minute to collapse the stand and place it in the carry bag, which is nicely made and fits very well.

The scale, which is located on the clamping arm, is handy, although with a 20g resoulution, it seems better suited to satisfying curiosity than anything else. I can't speak to its accuracy, but do use it from time to time (which QRs are lighter?), and complete bikes can be easily weighed by hanginf them from the nose of the saddle.

It's been a few years since I purchased my PrepStand Pro. In that time, it has proven both reliable and sturdy. Because its ease of use isn't quite that of competing stands, I probably wouldn't seek it out. The materials used and most of the design are top-notch, though, and with a revised clamp and rotation mechanisms, though, it would be one of the nicest and most compact repair stands I've seen.

marc

www.topeak.com

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bikefix Initial Review: Maxxis Courchevel tire

Tire choice is amazingly important part of how any bike rides. With different weights and rubber types, tires can make a bike feel slow and clumsy or fast and efficient, or, in the case of the Maxxis' Courchevel- smooth and “gripy." The Courchevel is a three compound tire with a puncture-resistant Kevlar belt, a thread count of 120, and a respectable weight of 205g. The “Triple Compound” construction enhances cornering grip without compromising straight-line speed or durability. The center strip of rubber is a hard, durable rubber, with the mid-shoulder strip being slightly softer and more tacky, and the high-shoulder strip being very tacky for maximum traction. For the tech-heads the rubber durometers are 62a/58a/50a respectively. These tires have no tread and are smooth.

I replaced a pair of Maxxis Re-Fuse tires (a heavier, but bombproof model) on my commuter bike with the 700x23 Courchevels (the same size as the Re-Fuses) and I was astonished at how smooth they made the bike ride. Bumps that used to make my wrists hurt were transformed into little jolts that didn’t bother me at all, and even bigger bumps like curbs or riding on a gravel road became completely acceptable. Of course, it's twice the price of the Re-Fuse and 50g lighter, so that's not a huge surprise. Regardless, it was a fantastic change and the Courchavel rides very well for a puncture-resistant tire.

The funny thing is that the Courchevels don’t really seem faster that the Re-Fuse’s. They ride better and they grip much better, but they don’t seem much faster. I have no data to back this up- it is just how it feels. They are a bit lighter so they probably wind up a bit quicker, but they have more grip- so maybe it‘s a wash. Anyway, if I don’t get many flats (none so far) it will be a very worthwhile change. The ride is that much better. They are available in gray/black or (for fashionable types) orange/black. They retail for $60.00.

charlie

www.maxxis.com

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bikefix Exclusive Review: Saris CycleOn Pro bike rack

I haven’t owned a bike rack since about 1992 and it was such a piece of crap that I haven't owned another since. Times have changed and my need for more bike-carrying capacity has grown. I talked to a number of friends about their recommendations and Saris' CycleOn Pro came out the winner. I ordered the rack, and had a 2in receiver hitch installed on my truck.

When the rack arrives it requires some assembly. I hate any kind of assembly, but it wasn’t too bad and I had it done and installed on the truck in less than 30 minutes. The rack is sold with a locking hitch-pin (to lock it to the vehicle) and a cable style lock for the bikes (to lock them to the rack and/or vehicle). While the base CycleOn and CycleOn Pro will hold two bikes, I had ordered the additional 2 bike add-on so I could now fit a total of 4 bikes behind the truck. Crap. I forgot