Preview: Capo Cycling Modena Donna Collection
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
Civia Cycles Twin City Review
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?
Recently Spotted: Fox Racing Women’s Reflex Gel Gloves
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.
Preview: Levi’s 511 Commuter Clothing Series
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!
Recently Spotted: Outdoor Research Sensor Dry Pocket for Smartphone
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.
Recently Spotted: Pearl Izumi X-Alp Drift II Women’s MTB Shoe
It seems that the Pearl Izumi shoe the X-Alp Drift has been redesigned. I should say, thankfully re-designed. Going from a 3 strap velcro system, to a shoe that looks like a hiking sneaker. I can say this is on my list of wants for the hike a bike trips, bike commuting and trips with the family. Easier to walk in. Functionally good looking and cheaper than a lot of cycling shoes. That sounds good to me if they fit!
Pearl Izumi X-Alp Drift II MTB Shoe MSRP $110
Almost every bike shop in America will be able to get these shoes through my employer, QBP. We currently are out of stock in them but will be getting them in the next week or so. Sizes 36 through 42 whole sizes. Pearl Izumi, I wear a size 42 if you want some reviewed!
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.
Preview: All City Macho Man Cyclocross Bike
One of the most exciting parts (there were many) of Frostbike 2012 is the reveal of the new All City Macho Man Cyclocross bike. This is the geared version of their well known Nature Boy.
I can tell you right now this bike is what I’ll be racing next cross season, and will be ordering the gold frameset option as my pit bike. Yes, I said it.
Some of the below photos are my own from the show, some are Jeff Frane of All City.
All City Macho Man Specifications that Matter
Frameset: 4130 ChroMoly steel, double butted, externally tapered, overlized, awesomeness.
Fork: 4130, lugged crown
Derailleurs: 105 rear & CX70 Front
Okay really. It’s steel. It’s new 105 that feels yummy in your hands. Tiagra hubs, cassette and bla bla. This will be my race bike for 12-13. I plan on using the fully built bike like you see above as my pit bike and building up the GOLD frameset option with nicer spec to save weight.
Preview: Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Barrier WxB Shoe Covers
Shoe covers are a funny thing. For me, it is the make or break temperature. If I have to put shoe covers on it normally means that most of my friends won’t ride with me because it is too cold. Recently I realized my hobbled together shoe covers that I have been putting more and more duct tape on every year have had it. They are neoprene ones that I had bought probably 8 years ago now. They’ve worked wonderfully and the duct tape I believe added more windproofing to them!
After hunting around, looking at price, material and of course colors I decided on some Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Barrier WxB Shoe Covers. Why? #1 price at $50 MSRP. #2 wind AND water protection #3 bright ass yellow.
Details from Pearl Izumi
- MSRP $50.00
- P.R.O. Barrier WxB fabric provides optimal wind and water protection
- Fleece lined
- Waterproof, fully taped internal seams
- Two stage hook and loop closure provides both sleek fit and easy on and off
- Kevlar® road bottom spreads open for easy on and off while providing superior durability
- Recommended for road shoes with external cleats
- Reflective elements for low-light visibility
Full review coming, for now learn more or buy some at Pearl’s site.
I purchased this product on my own dime. It was not given to me for review and I was not bribed to say nice things. This is my disclaimer.
iPhone Bicycle Ready Cases
Yes, this is a bike blog but behind it all I’m a tech freak. Ask anyone about any tech product I have purchased, I research and research…then research a bit more. By the time I get to a store I tend to know more about the product than the person selling it to me.
At the end of 2007 I purchased my first “smart phone” an iPhone. It was awesome, it had a camera, could connect to WiFi, did all smart things with my MacBook Pro. I was smitten, it went every where with me.
Then one day I crashed with it in my back pocket. The delicate screen cracked. I was saddened as there was no insurance for these things. I sent it off to a place in Florida that specialized in replacing the screen. $150 later I had my phone back and it was back to being in love. 6 months later I dropped it 1.5 feet to a counter, it cracked again. I was done, with it cracking it shattered my heart. How could I love something so much that was so delicate?
At this time the cases were very flimsy and the famous Otterbox was not invented, but there was rumors about it. Fast forward, I had a BlackBerry for a year and a half, and then an Android for almost two. At the end of this past December I was gifted with a new iPhone 4s and again I’m back in love with my phone. I work more efficiently, I talk to Siri when I am driving and I am content. (I’ve been doing my best not to live on the phone btw.
Cases that Seem Bike Shop Girl Proof
Over the past couple weeks I have been looking at all different cases that would keep the iPhone in one piece and safe from me. Cases have been recommended and the general consensus has been Otterbox Defender has been the general consensus. There has also been talks of the LifeProof Case.
The above cases seem the most durable, the LifeProof can be waterproof but is recommended to test prior to submersion.
BioLogic Bike Mount Case – seems cool, the idea of having my iPhone on the front of my bike does worry me, but probably safer than my jersey pocket.
This guy won’t keep your phone too safe, but it sure is cute – found on Cafepress with oceanem.
Wahoo Fitness Bike Pack turns your iPhone into a cycling computer with wireless sensors. It mounts to your handlebar through a pretty simple looking mount (has anyone used one?) I’m going to try to get my hands on one of these for testing, or if you have one please contact me for a review.
If you want something more basic, Topeak has a cool dry bag with foam built in. Plus a mount on the back to put on the handlebar. Oh, they come in white – which is catchy for me!
Preview: Surly Troll. One Part MTB, One Part Utility
While at the Surly Intergalactic Headquarters of QBP I was able to demo a few bikes for commuting purposes from my abode to the headquarters. While there was also a Civia I haven’t put up yet, there is a Surly Troll that also busted a friends hip on the black ice across the Minneapolis pavement.
The Troll was an interesting vehicle and rather fun to ride. Take the proven 1×1 platform, edit a few things, add a crap ton of braze on mounts for fenders, racks, and various other things. Add mounts for a killer Surly trailer, and have sliding drops like I’ve never had before. The Troll also has a bigger brother, the Ogre, which is the 29er based completely on the Karate Monkey. Once the Ogre is available in another color other than army green I plan on replacing my beloved Karate Monkey frameset with the new Ogre. It won’t be breaking any weight barriers, well maybe with being heavy, but it is tough, stout and can take abuse from the best of them. Oh yeh, it’s steel – that’s a winner too!
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- A Surly Love Note
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- Fender Mounts & Room for Fatties
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- Strength in the Gusset
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- Trailer Mounts
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- 4130 Steel
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- Fatties Fit Fine
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- Torsion Bar
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- Kenda Tires
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- The Troll
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- Can You Count the Mounts
Preview: 2011 Salsa Cycles Casseroll
Getting lost on a road with two full water bottles and the knowledge of a well packed bag sitting behind you is bliss.
Details from Salsa Cycles
The Casseroll is our relaxed road bike, perfect for long road rides, credit card touring, and randonneuring events.
Intended Use: Randoneur, Commuting, Century Rides, Credit Card Touring
Key Specs: Steel frameset, Shimano Tiagra 9 Speed, Tektro cantilevers, Salsa Delgado Cross rims, painted to match Salsa front rack
Overview from my Eyes
To say the least, I was elated when the words came through this past September that Salsa would be sending an updated Salsa Casseroll for review.
For the past three years I’ve been commuting, morphing and loving my original Salsa Casseroll purchased as an all around steel bike. (Purchased with my hard earned cash, not given to review.) There were things I wish were different, like the strange semi-compact geometry which was fun to ride as a road bike but not as upright as I would like for long distance or commuting. Or that the long pull brakes didn’t allow me to run fat 38c tires with fenders.
As I have been beating around, commuting, tooling around Charlotte, taking along the back roads, finding hard packed gravel roads and learning what this bike yearns for – I am pleasantly surprised. Never did I think there would be so much change between the two bikes. The characteristics are still the same, but the handling, geometry and capabilities have grown. Personally, I added a rear rack to compliment and allow for panniers or a rear trunk bag. The front rack that comes stock is beautiful, but I’m still left wondering what type of bag to put on it. Normally I am left strapping a stuff sack with a bungee cord.
A full review is coming along well, I need to somehow do a quick over night tour on it before I can tell you how it does for “credit card touring.”
This bike was provided to me for no charge from Salsa Cycles. I’m reviewing this completely unbiased and my relationship with Salsa Cycles as a rep will not taint any views or opinions I have of the bike or how I share them with you. Swear.