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Preview : 2011 Trek Bikes Lexa Road Line

Bike Shop Girl — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 16:01:51 +0000

July through September is an exciting time of the year for the bike industry. July is one of the busiest months across the US for retailers, and right around the corner the next seasons product is budding to be released.

One of the first releases out on the wire are the new Trek Bikes line of women’s road bikes called Lexa.

Trek Lexa $689.99

Compared to the Trek 1.1 unisex bike, this bike is all aluminum (including the fork) with 8 speed drivetrain and compact cranks.

Trek Lexa S $899.99

Compared to the Trek 1.2, carbon fork and 9 speed drivetrain.

Trek Lexa SL $1099.99

Compared to the Trek 1.5 with 9 speed Tiagra and carbon fork. Available in compact or triple.

Trek Lexa SLX $1319.99

10 speed shifting, hydro-formed frame and a higher end aluminum bike.

Summer Reading : The Cyclist’s Manifesto and Bicycle Commuter’s Pocket Guide

Bike Shop Girl — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:07:12 +0000

Along side my summer vampire novels and heart throbs there are two recent additions.

The Cyclist’s Manifesto

A wonderfully whimsical exploration of America’s transport choices…Highly recommended. — Treehugger.com

As my interest and goals of cycling advocacy enhancement expand I want to learn how as a culture we arrived where we are. What is the history so we can learn how to change it?

The Bicycle Commuter’s Pocket Guide

A small booklet that could fit in your messenger bag or bag system. This is on review for CommuteByBike.com

Women’s Twenty Niner Bikes

Bike Shop Girl — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 13:07:31 +0000

Earlier this week it was announced that Gary Fisher as a bicycle brand will be discontinued. Gary Fisher and his bikes aren’t going anywhere, but they will become a “Gary Fisher Collection” for Trek Bikes in 2011. There are pro’s and con’s of this which I won’t bore you of. The biggest pro I want to mention today is Trek’s “Gary Fisher Collection” Twenty Niner WSD bikes.

Mamba WSD $879.99

A price point 29er that came out a couple years back. 24 speeds, coil fork but nice high aluminum frame and disc brakes. A great place to try the 29er wheel size.

X-Caliber WSD $1539.99

On the other end of the 29er spectrum from the Mamba is the X-Caliber. 30 gears, with the new 10 speed SRAM X-7, hydraulic disc brakes and all the bells and whistles you need to keep you happy for a long time.

Ritchey WCS Curve Bar

Bike Shop Girl — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:03:34 +0000

Ritchey Bicycle Components have released a new shallow drop road bar, Curve Bar, available in aluminum or carbon. With a respectable 235g (alum) and 210g (carbon) this handlebar could be found on many women’s bars in the upcoming season. Pricing will be between $95-285 dependent on alum/carbon.

Details from Ritchey

•Fixed shallow 128mm drop with a smooth transition for a comfortable hand position
•Allows rider to set up for aggressive positioning in the drops as well as the tops
•Extended center section is compatible with clip-on bars
•Sanded stem and brake lever mount sections for no-slip component grip
•Available in 40/42/44cm widths
•Drop/Reach: 128/73mm

I hope to get a pair of these in on my cyclocross bike, I think the drop and reach would compliment cantilevers very well. Keep your eye out for those coming to the Bike Shop Girl headquarters.

2010 NAHBS : Sheila Moon

Bike Shop Girl — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:46:03 +0000

This past weekend, while at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show, I was able to talk with Sheila Moon – provider of fine cycling clothing. While I finish up the video clip of our interview, I’m going to tease you with a few photos of her clothing.

Introducing Rapha’s Womens Line

Bike Shop Girl — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:44:13 +0000

Rapha, the fine company that makes the clothing threads of many cyclist “lust list.” You pray a pretty penny for their clothing, but it will delivery over and over again compared to some of those other main stream brands. Their clothing is designed by cyclist, for cyclist. The type of cyclist that will ride all day in a pair of shorts, through rain and snow to pull those same shorts on the next day with barely a washing. This clothing is the type you dream about, that smart people save for and you can bet that it is on my “lust list.”

Let me introduce you to the Rapha “lust list” for women. Starting with their basic classic jersey, to a good quality short and finally their Stowaway Jacket. Add these to your wish list, and be ready to click “buy now” when the time is available.

dznuts Bliss (Now Shipping)

Bike Shop Girl — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:56:02 +0000

dznuts Bliss, another chamois butter aimed for women.

Ladies you have spoken and dznuts has answered. This elegant pro grade chamois cream for women provides the comfort and lubricious saddle glide required for top level training and racing. It is scientifically formulated for women’s sensitive skin. (4oz. tube)

anti-bacterial: pre/probiotics complex reduces the chance of infection and encourages beneficial skin flora growth.

anti-inflamatory: decreases itching, prickling and discomfort.

wound-healing: strengthens natural biological skin defenses and promotes healing in previously damaged skin.

anti-chaffing: moisture absorbing polymers isolate excess moisture, protecting delicate skin against the chamois.

no tingling: same pro-level protection as dznuts pro chamois cream,without the tingling sensation.

The main things that catch my eye are “no tingling & anti-bacterial.” When you sit in your chamois for hours at a time, anti-bacterial to keep the funk away will be great. The no tingling is also a great thing as many of my favorite chamois butters (Assos) tingles for the first 30 minutes of putting it on. This is a weird sensation that still after years of use I can’t always ignore.

For $24.00 if it really does everything it claims it could be worth the dollars to keep women fresh and smooth

DZ Nuts online.

Video Podcast: Keen Coronado Cruiser Review

Bike Shop Girl — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:28:22 +0000

A very brief video of benefits and initial thoughts of the Keen Coronado Cruiser on review. A full overview will be in the next week for both Bike Shop Girl and Commute By Bike.

This product was given to me at no charge for reviewing. I was not paid or bribed to give this review and it will have my honest opinion or thoughts through out.

Make sure to follow us on Twitter @BikeShopGirlcom

pStyle Test #1 is a Failure

Bike Shop Girl — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 16:10:50 +0000

The beginning of the year I wrote about the various ways you can pee on the go as a girl. There are various products used to allow women the freedom of peeing while keeping your pants up, which is about impossible as a women.

Once I posted the article an individual from pStyle contacted me to see if I would be interested in reviewing the product. Quickly I wrote back, thinking that the only thing I had to lose with testing out these pee cups was possibly a pair of wet jeans.

Directions

Loose pants with a zipper and underwear with a fly are ideal but other outfits can be accommodated. Pull underwear to the side if it doesn’t have a fly, taking care that it is fully out of the way. Place the pStyle so the widest part is between your legs and centered under your urethra. Tilt the open end slightly down, relax, and pee. It may feel strange at first but don’t worry – relaxing is key. When you have completely finished peeing, bend your knees slightly and pull the pStyle forward to remove the remaining drops. You can practice in the shower.

Pay attention when using the pStyle. It is possible to pee on yourself if you tilt the pStyle sideways or get it caught in your underwear. This often happens when you are so confident about it that you don’t focus on what you are doing. Also don’t pee into the wind…

This morning following the limited amount of directions, tried peeing in the pStyle…and failed. The angle of approach or tilt of the cup was very unclear, was the point of the cup supposed to stick out of my zipper so that the pee stream would flow? Quickly the cup filled its capacity and I was left trying to hold in the rest while retreating to the sitting style on my toilet.

For try #2, I’ll be trying to have the open end pointing out of the zipper of my pants, towards the toilet or possibly just outside.

Hints and Tips, please?

Any type of diagram or better directions would of helped this endeavor. Trying the pStyle was very embarrassing by itself, and with the high chances of leaking or peeing all over myself I think I’ll take their advice and try in the shower next time.

pStyle online

Peeing on the Go

Bike Shop Girl — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:35:27 +0000

It seems the more time I search the internet for various “outdoor female products” the more products I find that give me a jaw dropping reaction. I never knew it was such an issue for woman to pee on the go. Sure, I’ve been stuck in a weird situation where all my male friends were simply peeing when they needed. Normally it was a camping trip, or a very bundled up road ride where the amount of layers I had limited my ability to drop my pants and go.

GoGirl

The first one that I found and mentioned a few months ago was GoGirl. This little thing is smaller than most the others and instead of directing your pee, it gathers it. In my searching there have been a couple more to add to the list.

GoGirl online

Whiz Freedom

World’s first and #1 hydrophobic, anti-bacterial and eco-friendly female urine director.

I’m still researching the idea of a urine director. I’m sure it allows you to utilize your zipper or other outlet, but when I’m riding in bibs or have long johns when camping, I don’t have anything to direct it out.

Whiz Freedom online

pStyle

The pStyle is a plastic device that allows you to pee standing up without undressing. It is a simple design that works exceptionally well.

Peeing in hard plastic? It sounds like a disaster of splashing and leaking waiting to happen!

pStyle online