Touch points on the bike are critical. I talk about saddles, shorts, grips, gloves and shoes enough that I hope you realize how important those comforts are.

Introducing Giro DJ Gloves $34.99

Last week I was in Piney Flats Bicycles in Piney Flats, TN. On their wall a rather bright pair of gloves caught my eye. Giro DJ Gloves, the padding was minimum, the venting looked great, and the wrist wrap was very comfortable. Of course I bought them. Forever I’m looking for good gloves that fit my very long, skinny, hands.

Initial Preview

The gloves have about 4 rides on them. They are working well in the hot North Carolina temperatures. The grip is perfect. The color doesn’t match anything, but that makes it wonderful. The wrist wrap is probably more than a normal XC or roadie will like as it comes up your over your wrist. For longer rides I like the compression and for harder rides I like the grip. The gloves don’t have tons of padding, it’s more about proper contact and keeping your hands from wilting.

So far I am pleased. So much that I probably will end up ordering the orange and white ones from the Giro website. They match my bikes perfectly, that is important too.

See these and all of Giro’s gloves over at Giro.com.

Disclaimer: I purchased these gloves and my opinion is my own, no one else’s. 

Saddle bags are a needed thing in my life. Something that most bike shops forget to mention when they sell you that new road or mountain bike. Riding around with out tools, tube or inflation device is like driving around in your car with out a spare tire. Yes, you can call someone if you get a flat but that isn’t the empower cycling female I hope you are! Plus, a saddle bag can hold that phone for you as well.

Most folks don’t think twice about what saddle bag to put on their bike. They look at two things. Size and color. There is more to a saddle bag than you would think.

Tech spec of the Lezyne Micro Caddy

MSRP: $24.99-19.99
Sizes: Medium (tested) and Small
Colors: Black or White

What’s Unique of the Lezyne Micro Caddy

Two things caught me as I installed the Lezyne Micro Caddy.

The first is the white color. I love all things white and so far it has stayed white which is awesome.

The second is how the bag attached to the seat rails. It almost has wings that wrap back on itself. Making it so you don’t need a strap to secure the bag to the seat post to eliminate waggle.

A few other cool features:
• The multi-tool holder under the bag. This allows for easy access to do quick changes on the bike.
• Reflective piping around the bag. It doesn’t replace a light but it is nice.

Overall thoughts of the Micro Caddy

The bag is nice, it holds my goods under my saddle. I like the unique features that I haven’t seen on a bag before. More and more bike shops are carrying them which is also nice so that you don’t have to buy online. Something about being able to put it on your bike to see if you like it…you can’t replace it. The only thing I would change is for the interior to be white so I can see what’s in the bag easier!

This product was provided to me at no charge from Lezyne. My opinion is honest and opinionated, probably why you’re still reading. I wasn’t bribed or paid for this review.

Capo Cycling – an italian made cycling clothing company has released a new line of women’s cycling clothing. It includes a jersey in two colors, shorts with a comfy yoga waistband and knickers. I understand the italian way of subtle with black and whites but I would love to see some accent pop on this!

Modena Donna Jersey – MSRP $90

Modena Donna Shorts – MSRP $120

Modenna Donna Knickers – MSRP $130

Getting some last bits together but my All City Nature Boy bike is ready! White bar tape and purple Crank Brothers will need to be haD.

As a rep for Quality Bicycle Products I rep many brands, one of them is Civia Cycles. A brand that is near to my aesthetic craving heart. Their tag line is “Beautiful Neighborhood Bikes.” As someone that has a Civia Cycles Loring decked out with wooden fenders, a wooden front front loader and beautiful spring Brooks saddle I love it. Recently I became very intrigued with a newer model in the line up.

Meet the Civia Cycles Twin City

Available in single speed ($595) or 7 speed ($850). Front v-brake, rear coaster, rack built into the frame, swept back bars, twin top tubes like an old mixte. I requested a demo for the Spoke Easy event last week, and my travels for the next couple weeks. It happens that this week I am in Charleston and it is the PERFECT bike for around town. Not only is it nice and up right but it fits right in to the local flair!

The bag in these photos is a Minnehaha Canvas Utility Bags. Super awesome bags!

As a representative for Quality Bicycle Products I was provided this bike at no charge to use for demo events with my bicycle dealers. Now what FTC?

We all know my obsession for lights and bags. I have so many of both as I’m always trying to find the perfect one. Rechargeable lights are something I really love. Especially the latest push for USB rechargeable. You see, before lights and bags I am a tech freak. iPad, iMac, MacBook Air, GoPro’s, Canon cameras, iPhones, you get the idea. I always have a computer with me, so charging a light through USB is really easy for me. Much easier than finding batteries at CVS.

Meet the Knog Blinder Arrow Light $44.99

I received a front light in the mail, and it has been on the front of my bikes since February. I’ve traveled with it to Frostbike, and utilize it anytime I’m on the road. I’ve had to charge it twice, it’s bright and easy to use. The mount works on all types of handlebar styles, widths and bends. The USB is easy to use, but you have to have the right room for it. It doesn’t fit in well right between two other USB’s due to the light size.

In Knog fashion they come in many colors & styles

Long term I plan to order a rear, as making a white front light bright seems to be easier than making a red rear light bright and eye catching.

Visit Knog’s website to view all styles!

This product was provided for free for review. I was not bribed or paid for this review. 

This review was put in play by Luna Cycles in Lenior, NC. I am very grateful for their time and assistance, and commuter knowledge!

Visibility is the bane of cyclists everywhere. As a daily commuter, I find myself riding in the worst visibility conditions: early morning light, evening dusk, rain, fog, and nighttime darkness. I wear high-visibility yellow, I strap a riot of blinking lights to the front and back of my bike – I’d get a head-to-toe glow in the dark tattoo if I thought it would help – all in a quest to be noticed by drivers. It was with this quest in mind that I jumped at the opportunity to try out the Fireball Mark II light from Bike After Dark.

It’s difficult to get worked up about a bike light. “Brighter!”, “Longer burn time!”, “5 quintillion LED’s working in concert to blind errant mammals that cross your path!” These are just a few of the tag lines that companies use to attract us to their products, which are essentially white or red flashlights that we strap to our bikes.

But right out of the box, the Fireball Mark II was waaaaay different

Two slender, foot long strips of circuit board with an embedded phalanx of 20 small, rectangular LED’s on each side and a ribbon cable attaching them together, stared up at me from their box, along with a USB to microUSB cable, a two USB port wall plug adapter and several small zip ties, which were included for installation purposes. A small manual directed me to the Bike After Dark website for installation instructions.

Installing the Bike After Dark Fireball Mark II

To say that a set of video instructions for installing these lights is overkill, is really only applicable in hindsight. As I wanted to be very PROfessional about this review, I did not launch into my usual figure-it-out-on-the-fly installation method and dutifully watched the instructional video. To be succinct, installation is dead simple. Fit one circuit board between two spokes, secure it with three zip ties through the three predrilled slots on the board, wrap the ribbon cable that connects it to the other light around the hub a couple of times and then zip tie the other board to two neighboring spokes. Done.

Using the Bike After Dark Fireball Mark II

The lights came pre-charged, so I got to try them out on that evening’s commute home. I turned on my two, small handlebar-type front lights which I have mounted midway down my fork and then hunted for the little ON switch for the Fireball lights. An immediately blinding white light emanated from my front wheel. It actually took me by surprise, evoking a Keanu Reeves-style “Whoa”. I headed out towards home and noticed car drivers slowing down and staring directly at me, that’s how attention getting the white plasma-ball of light emanating from my front wheel was. A curious stroboscopic pulsing of the light occurs when viewed from the front or the rear of the bike as it rolls down the street, while Persistence Of Vision (POV) gives the impression of twenty unbroken circles of light revolving around the wheel when the bike is viewed from the side. Patrons in window seats of restaurants took notice as I rode through downtown, pointing with wide-eyed wonder at the lights.

These lights score high in terms of giving you dramatic visibility, but I would not rely on them for seeing the road ahead when riding after dark. They provide the rider with some immediate forward visibility (10 to 15 feet), but not enough to routinely rely on for my taste. They burn astoundingly brightly for approximately two hours per charge, and are still functional albeit noticeably dimmer for several hours of use after that. They have suffered through fog, snow, and rain with great aplomb despite being little more than two circuit boards with a bunch of LED’s soldered to it. After six weeks of daily commuting (about 300 miles of riding and 15-20 hours of use) they look no worse for wear. Charging them is a simple matter of plugging the micro USB cord into the slim battery mounted on the board and then plugging it into the wall. A red indicator LED let’s you know that the battery is charging and the LED turns off to indicate a full charge.

Conclusion

These lights made me feel much more secure in my visibility in difficult conditions. I will be making a full front and rear set of these a permanent addition to my commuter bike in the very near future.

If you are looking for a different style of lights, and want to be seen from all sides – visit Bike After Dark for more details. This product was provided for free for review. I was not bribed or paid for this review. 

There are a couple very important parts of your bike that you shouldn’t skimp on, these are your “touch points”. Saddle, shoes/pedals, and grips/handlebars/gloves.

Recently Quality Bike started stocking some women’s Fox Racing gloves with gel that I am looking to pick up. What’s unique is there is a short finger mountain bike version.

Fox Racing Women’s Reflex Gel Full Finger Glove $32.99

Fox Racing Women’s Reflex Gel Short Finger Glove $29.99

Almost every bike shop in America will be able to get this through my employer, QBP. 

Oh yes, I wasn’t paid or bribed, and I may make money off of these if you buy them through your bike shop who buys them through my employer, and that shop is in the southeast. That’s my disclaimers. Thank you for listening.

It isn’t breaking news. Levi’s have been doing their Commuter line for a few months now. I’m featuring this because the 511 is a guys line, but fit pretty thin. I have hopes for such a power house in the denim department to do cycling wear. It’s thoughtful, I do feel like some of the garments (jackets/hoodies) are too dark and not thought out enough, but it is a good place to start.

This is a photo heavy post, please click through the jump to see all!

Levi’s Commuter Hooded Trucker Jacket $128

Good looking, clean, with decent eye for details. My concern is it is black, with little reflective hits.

Levi’s 511 Skinny Commuter Jeans and Twill Pants $78

Reflective bits when rolled up, sexy rear, hopefully reinforced crotch will make this a long lasting pair of pants! (Plus fun colors!!)

I always have my Otterbox housed iPhone with me on rides. I constantly am pulling it out to take photos, or something. The idea of a case that could hook on to my Camelbak back straps, have a port for my music, and possible take photos through it is GENIUS I say.

Outdoor Research Sensor Dry Pocket for Smartphone MSRP $25

Almost every bike shop in America will be able to get this through my employer, QBP. Tell them part number OW8460.

Oh yes, I wasn’t paid or bribed, and I may make money off of these if you buy them through your bike shop who buys them through my employer, and that shop is in the southeast. That’s my disclaimers. Thank you for listening.