GEARED UP - 1

Geared Up stuff for spring by Mike Deme

Lazer Sphere Aeroshell ($20), ($99, lazersport.com) a snap-on cover Ever since I changed my photo on the that protects Letter from the Editor page, I’ve been you from rain, getting emails asking me what kind of snow, and wind. helmet I was wearing when it was taken. Granted, to some Most of the inquiries are made because degree, this people like the slim profile of the bucket. cover defeats It’s happened so often it got me thinking the purpose of the that I should find some helmets that are many vents, but when it’s similar in shape. The Lazer Sphere comes 10 degrees out or it’s pouring rain, pretty close but is a larger, which the advantage of the shield may appeal some may like (I’ve been scolded for to some. In addition you can a add win- wearing a helmet that clearly, according ter padding kit ($20) and an insect net to some readers, ($20). — or not (my preference), reflective material incorporated through- Louis Garneau HRS-80 out the shoe’s features, an EVA (Ethylene ($109, louisgarneau.com/ca-en/prod Vinyl Acetate) and ultralight rubber out- uct/ 305568/1487094/View_All/ sole, a lace closure mechanism (no tying), TERRA_VENT _SHOES) and velcro closures over the laces and If you’re in the mar- at the rear of the shoe. And the HRS-80 ket for a good sum- is quite light, weighing in at around 12 mer touring shoe, ounces (340 grams). And like most cycling check out the shoes, walking is pretty comfortable with- Terre Vent out cleats, a bit less so with them. HRS-80. It’s a hybrid Sigma Lightster shoe that ($35, sigmasport.com, 630-761-1106) offers If you’re interested in a simpler, less plenty of costly lighting option that still meets ventilation the German stVZO standard, you should (including check out the Sigma Lightster. It only a vent in offers one option — on — and it burns the sole) to for 20 hours. This sure makes it simple keep your to operate when you’re wearing gloves. feet from It doesn’t have an integrated battery won’t help when I wipe out.) overheating, but is powered by four double AA bat- It’s got 21 vents, weighs just a bit over something that many people don’t even teries (rechargeables are included). The 9 ounces (260 grams), and incorporates realize causes a lot of discomfort when light emitted is like nothing I’ve seen beefy, color-coded, user-friendly straps. riding long miles. You know what they before in lighting. The best way Unique to upper-end Lazer helmets is say, if you’re head and feet are happy, so to describe it is this: two rectangles, one the Rollsys Retention System which is are you. on top of the other. The top rectangle activated by a scroll wheel on top of The HRS-80 offers a lot of nice features is smaller, brighter, whiter, and is cen- the helmet and snugs the rigid internal besides ventilation including pull tabs on tered over the bottom rectangle. It’s very brace system nicely to your skull. The the tongue and at the back of the shoe, a efficient and precise, and I find it very Sphere also accepts the optional Lazer stiff sole that can accommodate SPD cleats adequate when riding where there is no

40 ADVENTURE CYCLIST MARCH 2012 ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG ADVENTURE CYCLIST MARCH 2012 ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG 41 GEARED UP - 1

other artificial light. It no BPA as the Mastercard commercials remind also features two involved, us, is priceless. side windows includ- that emit light to ing the RideOut Carbon Comfort provide visibility vacuum seal ($85, rideouttech.com, 208-899-7609) from the side and of the cap. On Throughout the entire existence of a click mount that top of that, the bicycle, inventors have been try- fits handlebars of you can get ing to devise a comfortable platform 22 to 32 millimeters the S’well in on which to sit when operating one of in diameter. a variety of col- the many varieties of upright machines. ors and it fits in a It seems a central focus has been the S’well Bottle standard bicycle elimination of the nose of the saddle. It ($35, swellbottle.com) water-bottle cage. doesn’t take much imagination to realize $35 for a water bottle! I know, you’re Of course, you can’t that a saddle without a nose might crack thinking I’ve finally and completely lost squeeze a steel bottle, my mind. Maybe you’re right, but hear me but they make great backup bottles and out. Think about it, you probably spend store nicely in . If you’re trav- that much on gourmet, handcrafted cof- els take you through extremely hot or fee in 10 days. And if you’re the type who cold climates, the insulating qualities uses the magical brown bean at every of the S’well bottle will come in turn to keep yourself in perpetual motion, handy. the 17-ounce stainless steel S’well bottle If you’re socially conscious, it’ll will keep your precious energy-providing warm your insides to know that liquid hot for anywhere between 6 to 12 S’well donates 10 percent of sales to hours, depending on conditions. Similarly, WaterAid, an organization dedicated to it will keep your cold liquids cold within a providing safe drinking water around range of 16 to 24 hours. the world. the comfort code but there’s a problem How does it do it? ThermaS’well tech- So, the S’well bottle gives you a — the nose isn’t so useless as to be cast nology, that’s how (check the website for whole bunch of technology and makes aside cavalierly. Quite to the contrary, details). It works pretty well, and there’s you feel good at the same time, and that, the nose provides a steering and stabiliz-

40 ADVENTURE CYCLIST MARCH 2012 ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG ADVENTURE CYCLIST MARCH 2012 ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG 41 ing device that can be quite useful to the skilled rider. Some might argue differently, SciCon Micro Tools Hipo 550 ($60, but I’ll defend the saddle nose as some- sciconbags.com/index.php/en/component/ thing to hang on to. djcatalog2/items/13-micro-tools-) In the interest of our readers, I’ve tried For those with Spartan tastes who like many alternative since 1994. The to keep things simple, the Hipo 550 is a verdict on each has varied from accept- spare little that weighs only 5 ounces able to downright laughable. The RideOut (137 grams), attaches to the rails on your Carbon Comfort approaches the problem saddle, and consists of a single pocket of discomfort differently, and, finally, that zips open and closed. The singular I’m sold on a non-standard saddle. Much feature that makes the bag intriguing is of the reason is the attachment system. Once the hardware because the Carbon is assembled and connected to the saddle Comfort actually rails, the bag itself simply snaps into place has a nose. It may by twisting clockwise onto the locking be reduced in size device and is held in place when the red and less prominent slider mechanism is engaged. It just as than on a standard easily comes off by disengaging the slider saddle, but it’s and twisting counterclockwise. No tools there. Significantly, are required for any of the steps, including though, the installation. reduced size does SciCon throws in a micro tool and 2 eliminate much tire levers to make the bag more attractive of the numbness to those looking for a way to carry a few caused by stan- important items along on their rides. dard-length saddle noses. But’s this is Motorex Bicycle Products not the only reason (Prices vary, motorexbicycle.com, 763- the Carbon Comfort 417-1377) is so effective. Equally important are the Swiss company Motorex has been in dimensions of the saddle. At 7.5 inches fort on long rides. the business of providing quality lubricat- long and 8.75 inches wide, the platform Admittedly, it took a bit of getting used ing products for over 90 years and they provides excellent area on which your to, but, after a week or so of using the provide a full bicycle line that includes weight can spread, alleviating pressure Carbon Comfort, I’ve decided to leave it on Bike Clean degreaser ($15), Wet and Dry on the perineal nerve, which is often the my touring bike. Lube ($9), Bike Shine ($17), and more. cause of discomfort and numbness (and At 13.4 ounces (380 grams), and with One of the reasons I like Motorex, in some say sexual dysfunction) when rid- a Kevlar reinforced cover, the Carbon addition to the fact that the products are ing. In addition each side of the Comfort Comfort offers an excellent option for top notch and work very well, is that Carbon is raised allowing even less pres- those who might like to try something a they don’t sponsor professional cyclists or sure on the perineal nerve while allowing bit different to sit on when riding a stan- any other athletes. In other words, they air flow, which also adds a degree of com- dard upright bike. believe in their product enough to skip that method of promotion, allowing the performance of their merchandise to speak for itself — certainly rare in these days (although they do have a Facebook page and a Twitter account — yippie! — in case you want to follow their every excit- ing move.) Motorex also considers it important to be environmentally conscious in regard to the biodegradability and cre- ation of their products. For more about this, you can visit motorex.com/index. cfm?oid=1153&lang=en.

Revelate ($39, revelatedesigns.com, 907-301-6678) Revelate Designs makes a variety of products designed for off-road ultralight bikepacking. Many of these can be used

42 ADVENTURE CYCLIST MARCH 2012 ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG ADVENTURE CYCLIST MARCH 2012 ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG 43 bottles up to 9.5 inches around, waterproof roll closure which is secured which is about the size of standard by 2 tabbed elastic pull cords that attach water bottle. to mounts on each side of the bag. Beneath All Revelate products are designed the mount mechanism on the Micro is to take a beating and are hand sewn a stiffener which provides support and in Alaska by Eric Parsons, and many, structure. It comes in orange, lime green, including the Feedbag, are available through Adventure Cycling’s Cyclosource catalog and online store (adventure cycling.org/store). You can see more revealing photos of the Feedbag at revelatedesigns. by road cyclists as well but they typically com/blog/index.cfm/2011/05/31/New- work best on frames. The Mountain-Feed-Bags. Feedbag is a good example of this. The 3.6-ounce bag attaches to your bike at Ortlieb Micro 3 points by a 1.5-inch velcro handlebar ($26, ortliebusa.com/CartGenie/ strap, a .75-inch velcro strap, and a prod-225.htm or ortlieb.com, 800- tension strap that wraps around your fork 649-1763) crown. This 3-point attachment system If you’re looking for a light- provides excellent stability and, because weight waterproof saddlebag, look no and black and features a reflective patch all 3 points move together, steering your further than the Ortlieb Micro. This for additional visibility. The Ortlieb Micro bike is not affected. If your road bike has a single-pocket, 4.9-ounce PU-coated nylon is available through Adventure Cycling’s fork crown, you might be in luck, but it’s bag holds 36.5 cubic inches of stuff and Cyclosource catalog and online store (adventure not the bike the Feedbag is designed for. keeps them dry. It attaches to your saddle cycling.org/store). The Feedback can hold a wide range rails by a 2-screw mount. Once attached, of items you’d like have handy including the bag clips on and off easily. It has a

A salute to craftsmanship

Bike Friday’s To celebrate our 20 years, we 20th Anniversary designed the ultimate touring Bike Friday, and dressed it up New World Tourist. with the best of American Made in the USA cycling craftsmanship. Adventure Cycling members, earn $150 toward shipping on any new Bike BIKE FRIDAY ® Friday until March 31. Custom folding and travel 20th Anniversary New World Tourist USA hand-crafted in Oregon SINCE 1992 Visit BikeFriday.com PROMO CODE: 1841 touring / road / mountain /commuter /tandem For 2012 catalog call 800-777-0258

42 ADVENTURE CYCLIST MARCH 2012 ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG ADVENTURE CYCLIST MARCH 2012 ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG 43