Canter Bridge

I had to stare awkwardly at my shoes for a while before springing for this Thule product when others that cost less were available. But I figure I’ll likely own only one of those puppies, which reduces the window for recovery from a bad choice. So I sprang not only for the Thule but for the three-bike as opposed to the two-bike option.

Nearly five thousand road miles later, I’m not only satisfied. I’m impressed.

We own a pickup and a sedan, each of which is equipped with a different one of the conventional tow-hitch sizes. The Thule handles the transition effortlessly and securely. There is simply no discernible ‘slip’ or other movement when this career is installed in either of the two vehicles.

The in-and-out hanging of the three bikes is extremely quick work, and more secure than I would have imagined possible.

Through no fault of the manufacturer (the culprit shall remain unnamed), I ended up with one too few of the anti-sway attachment. So imagine my surprise when I discovered that Thule replacement parts are available quickly and and for a song from http://www.etrailer.com, a Missouri supplier.

Honestly, I never imagined that $400 would solve bike-transporting needs with this much style and dependability.

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The very first words of the product description read ‘Easy entry and exit due to a fluoropolymer material …’ and I’m finding this to be true after two weeks of debuting these Look KEO cleats. They’re significantly easier on this front than my previous cleats. As a relative novice on a road bike, I’m finding this feature to be useful in avoiding needless and embarrassing low-speed Road Rash.

The cleats were exceptionally easy to install on my Giro shoes, both of which allow for meaningful adjustment in the preferred placement of cleats on shoe.

Great price, too.

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I’m getting back into riding after seven years on my feet. I ordered this yellow Spotti jersey as part of the campaign to get the right gear in place without breaking the bank. After a first ride, I immediately ordered a blue one.

The amazing price does not conceal poor material, design or manufacturing. The look is simple and efficient, as I anticipated. The fit was as expected, as was the comfort level. You can go all the way up with the half-length zipper, but it locks in place just as well at half mast. The back pockets worked perfectly for both phone and water bottle.

I’m having seconds.

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You don’t have to sell the children to get a decent bike helmet these days, but you also don’t want to skimp on your brain bucket. Too much is in play.

I’d call my Bontrager Starvos a relatively economical approach to skull care. After four days out, it still feels very comfortable. Adjustments are intuitive and not difficult. To my surprise, the Extra Large fits my circus-side-show-dimension cranium. I once had to special order the graphically named ‘King Head’ (I kid you not) bike helmet because nothing my bike shop had in stock would do other than perch atop my head like a badly designed hood ornament. So the fit on my new helmet is no small relief.

I like the black-with-white-trim livery of my Starvos and I trust the ratings that say it will do what it’s supposed to do if I go down hard.

You can snag one of these for just under 70 clams. That wouldn’t be a bad idea.

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My first ride with these gloves was entirely satisfactory.

The fit was as expected or perhaps just a tiny bit on the small side, but the result is that the ‘large’ size I estimated I’d need is exactly what I got.

They provided good padding on this first ride. They have slightly less bulk to them than some gloves I’ve worn, but this seems not to be a deficit of any kind after this first ride.

And the price? That’s the clincher. You could probably get a better set of gloves, but not near this price point. I’m giving these gloves a five-er.

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It took some squirming in front of my computer screen before I ordered a bike shoe at this inexpensive price point, but after three days on the road in these boots I’m wondering why a casual road cyclist like me would spend more.

The fit is perfect and the three Velcro straps allow for a surprisingly snug and comfortable ride down on the dawgs.

After not cycling for seven years and then heading back out with these Giros on my feet in recent days, I found myself not even thinking about shoes. That’s an endorsement right there.

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My, oh, my …

We moved recently and my bike pump is entombed somewhere in a storage unit in another stage, so I sprang for this Vibrelli pump. It’s amazing. The very cool black livery is a thing to behold. But the fact that you can easily (though not effortlessly) pump this much air this smoothly through either of the two standard valve styles is simply amazing.

The pump comes with a fast repair kit, too.

You’re set to ride …

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I bought this 24-ounce water bottle to take with my while cycling for two reasons: the strongly positive reviews and the wide range of available colors. I really like my gray-and-black selection.

But I discovered an added feature when I clumsily (no fault of the bottle) lost the cap: Polar will send you a new one for free (though you pay the postage).

A good thing made better!

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