For a company not as well know as Fox, Oakley, or Pearl Izumi they did a superb job on the construction of these shorts. First off I ordered them a size larger than usual–every pair of shorts I have ever purchased for biking run small. I attribute this to a mafia conspiracy. So the fact that these shorts fit was the first plus.

The next thing I noticed was the chamois. The softest thing to ever handle my undercarriage. One of the nicest things about this chamois is the smallest and finest stitching of any chamois I’ve ever worn. I have a pair of shorts that were expensive, but they have massive stitches holding the chamois to the shorts, which gives me a very unpleasant rash on long rides. I haven’t gotten a rash yet from this chamois (plus!). Another thing I liked is the chamois on a removable mess short liner with spandex leg grippers. I haven’t ridden without the chamois yet, or swapped the liner into another short, but you could if you so choose. It’s nice to have option.  

As far as the shorts themselves they are not the most fancy or technical shorts I’ve ever seen, but they work. There is nothing bad, weird, or gimmicky about these shorts. They are simple, comfortable, and functional. The material is more durable than a standard boardshort even though the cut is pretty similar. After a full summer of riding there is no fraying in the stitching or worn spots in the material. But unlike other shorts I own, the material isn’t coarse or abrasive. This is a nice feature–when you sweat the material doesn’t feel like you dropped a belt sander on you legs. There are several zipper pockets of different sizes for your keys, Ipod, cell phone, snacks, etc. On the rear of the shorts there is an elastic 4-way stretch waistband along with a Velcro waist since for a more custom fit. These shorts seem to be higher in the back and lower in the front which is how I like my shorts to fit. They ride low enough in the front that I don’t feel like Steve Urkle on a Specialized, but also high enough in the back that those behind me don’t think I am a mountain-biking-plumber.

By now you are probably thinking since these shorts are so perfect, do they save whales and feed starving children too? No, they are not complete perfection. There is one thing I have found that I am willing to compromise on, and that’s the low-hanging crotch. I got snagged on the saddle more than a few times, causing me to lose my balance and fall. For the most part the falls happened when I had my seatpost raised for steep climbs. However, there have been some close calls on steep descents as well. Nonetheless, this is a quirk that I will deal with because of all the good stuff. If this problem would be a deal killer for you I would check out Hoss’s other model, the Ponderosa.

Honestly I would buy another pair just to have two in case one pair is dirty. I won’t have to wear any of my other shorts, ever. These are simply the best shorts I have ever worn. Check out hossmtb.com or your local shop to try a pair. For the money you can’t go wrong.

• April 6, 2009 -- Hoss Technical Gear’s Stallion Shorts Review
• February 25, 2009 -- Hoss Technical Gear Stallion Mountain Bike Shorts Review

I used to think a rack is a rack is a rack. I only cared about mobility, not caring if my bike got scratched or how easy the rack was to install, I just wanted to get to the trail. For years I’ve been tossing bikes in the back of my trusty Toyota, but as my bike wealth grew with my income (marginally), I started looking for ways to transport bikes without damaging them or scratching my truck. When my bikes started costing more than $1000 as so, so many of them do these days, I felt a nagging sense of neglect tossing them willy-nilly into the bed. I’ve tried most or all the tricks: the two-by-four with fork mounts, putting fork mounts on the side of the bed, disassembling the whole bike and squeezing it into the hatchback, roof racks, trunk racks, you name it, I gave it a shot. Right now I’m kicking myself for not trying a trailer hitch rack with my pick-up, for some reason it just didn’t make sense. I have a camper shell on the truck now and I’ve been digging rides from friends with HUGE vehicles when we go for rides, so maybe that’s why. For about a year or so, my buds have been telling me to try one of the hitch-mounted bike racks that have gotten so popular lately. I never considered buying one when I could just mooch off them. Besides, I like being able to drop my tailgate any time I want and sit idly on the back of my truck like the dumb yokel I am.

I did my time as a bike mechanic at the LBS and installed countless racks on more yuppie SUVs than any of you could ever imagine. Not my proudest moments, and I never found a rack I was really impressed with. Most were heavy, ungainly, unsteady, too big or small, or worse, horribly unattractive. I did start noticing the hitch-rack trend gaining popularity, and I feared inevitable hernia operations from lifting the beasts onto our customers like-sized vehicles. Then I lifted the Küat Alpha Rack. 

Wifey one-arming while wearing a Baby Bjorn!

My wife can lift this rack with one hand and hold it out to the side (see photo!) It has all the basics you would expect from a decent rack: holds three bikes, swivels on two pivots for easy storage and trunk/tailgate access, adapts to a 2” or 1-1/4” receiver, and built in locks to keep the bikes safe when you hit the bar after a ride. Furthermore, it’s made from 6061 T6 Aluminum (bike-building material!). It’s the easiest rack to install I’ve ever had the pleasure of sliding into a receiver hitch (all the others were NOT pleasant). Just plug it in, twist the Cinch-Tight system (Kuat‘s term for “knob”) and you’re done. All this and it weighs 16 lbs. I can’t quote the weights of all the other racks I’ve lifted, but I feel confident they’re upwards of “ridiculous.” It also doesn’t hurt that it looks good, compared to the rest anyway–I put it on my truck last week, and that’s where it’s staying. Since it’s aluminum it won’t rust, plus it comes with a lifetime warranty.

The hardest thing about Küat is their name, which is aptly explained in the front of their brochure. The brand name is a combination of the founders’ names, I have no idea what their names actually are, and I have a hard time believing any of them have an umlaut….maybe they’re Mötley Crüe fans. If you only want to carry two bikes, you can go even lighter with their The Beta rack (11 lbs.). The final rack in their current lineup is the NV bike rack, the lightest platform rack (with a repair clamp!) on the market. Keep an eye on these guys, you’ll be seeing more and more of that goofy name if they keep up the good work.

Random Posts

• September 5, 2008 -- Left Loop Mountain Bike Trail – Tsali Recreation Area (Graham County, NC)
• November 9, 2008 -- The King Secures His Throne With Several New Innovations
• August 25, 2008 -- Giro Xen Mountain Bike Helmet Review
• August 15, 2008 -- HammerSchmidt Who? We’ll All Know Real Soon
• June 17, 2009 -- Stan’s NoTubes ZTR 355 32-hole Rims Review
• February 16, 2009 -- Why Is Steel So “Real?”
• June 9, 2008 -- What you Need (A Beginners Guide to Mountain Biking)
• January 19, 2009 -- Formula The One Brakes Review
• October 20, 2008 -- Mountain Bike History 101 and the Single Speed
• August 16, 2008 -- Mavic 29er TN 719 DISC Rim Review

I am a sunglasses freak, an addict, some would consider it a problem. I don’t. It’s my favorite accessory. I’m not into jewelry, watches, “mandals,” or high fashion. I just learned what couture means. I don’t like to be without at least a couple choices for shades. And I’m picky, very picky. Some shades look good but fall off your face while playing hopscotch, others grip your face with a ferocity that would satisfy Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Some look good, but fog up while you’re riding, or give you a headache after a half an hour. Finding one pair of shades that satisfy all the necessary criteria is a personal grail quest–some of us will never find them, even though we know they’re out there.

Yesterday I rode a rough thirty miles wearing the Julbo brand “Dirt” sunglasses, built specifically for mountain biking. The product label boasts mountain bike specific qualities such as “helmet friendly,” and “shock absorbent temples and nose pads.” My quest for the perfect pair of shades still continues, but I feel like I’ve taken one step closer. Let’s talk about what I didn’t like first, it’ll be quick, I liked a lot more than I didn’t: They’re white, which is an easy enough problem to solve, I’ll just order a dark-framed pair; huge white shades are for Paris Hilton and butterfaces. Okay, that’s about it on the negative side, let’s talk about what I liked, broken down into my four criteria to consider when buying shades:

Fit:

When you put on a pair of sunglasses, you shouldn’t know you’re wearing them other than your brain registering that you’re seeing in a different color. No pinching, no uncomfortable rubbing, no ugly red indentions on your nose when you take them off, no headache after a couple hours. For performance shades, here’s the kicker: if you forget you’re wearing them, the fit is good. They also have to stay on while doing whatever it is you do, without having to use one of those horrendously fratty head-straps. The Dirt from Julbo would hang on to an epileptic in an earthquake. One criterion down.

Anti-Fog:

Being able to see is paramount for adventure sports. A lot of optics companies claim their lenses are anti-fog, and I’ve tried most of them. I’ve found less than half actually deliver. I live in the sweltering humidity of Georgia, the perfect testing ground for lenses that claim to be “fogless.” I am a sweaty, dirty, fog-inducing individual. After thirty miles on a humid day in May, I could still see while wearing the Julbos, an unusual experience for me. I didn’t even get any stripes of sweat dripping down the lenses. I don’t understand optics technology very well, I just know that they work or don’t. We all have our personal taste for lenses: Polarized, rose-colored, amber, photochromatic, etc., but the most important aspect is whether you can still see after ripping down a trail or climbing up a rock face. Two criteria down.

Look:

Sunglasses are for protecting your eyes from the sun, right? Well, I guess so, but I will NOT look like a total tool to protect my eyes from harmful UV rays. I’d rather just close them. So my shades gots to look good. This is more difficult than it sounds, and I sympathize with the companies that attempt to make eyewear that functions in both the fashion and performance arenas. Sometimes making something perform well negates the ability to make it look good. But Julbo did it. My wife complimented them the second she saw them, and it’s rare that she wontonly strokes my ego. Julbo’s headquarters are in France, I think that has something to do with their ability to make their shades look good while functioning at the same time. Three criteria down, almost there!!!

Price:

These beauties aren’t cheap ($120-$160), but you get what you pay for. I generally don’t like to break three figures on shades, no matter how great they are I’ll eventually lose or break them. But in this case I feel the price is justified, I can think of other sunglasses companies that charge a lot more for a product inferior to this one. I would rather pay $100 for a piece of gold than pay $50 for a piece of crap. Sometimes, it’s just worth it. I can’t get excited about the price, but I’m willing to pay for this level of craftsmanship.

According to their website, the Julbo brand has been around for more than a century, but they’re considered an “emerging” brand in the performance optics market. I look forward to enjoying and testing more of their product if they’re all as good as their Dirt model of performance eyewear.

Random Posts

• June 18, 2008 -- 441 Mountain Bike Trail (Athens, GA)
• September 25, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo – Day 1 – Pedro’s Trixie Cassette Tool
• February 5, 2009 -- Mountain Bike Frame Geometry
• February 26, 2009 -- Seasons Mountain Bike Film Review
• August 5, 2008 -- Mountain Biking Vacation
• September 5, 2008 -- Left Loop Mountain Bike Trail – Tsali Recreation Area (Graham County, NC)
• March 1, 2009 -- 2009 North American Handmade Bicycle Show Winners
• February 20, 2009 -- Brent Thomson – R.I.P.
• February 10, 2009 -- True Beauty Comes From Within
• April 2, 2009 -- Klondike Bluffs Mountain Bike Trail Review

With the bike season upon us once again, and a new bike on the horizon, it was time for me to do my due diligence on bike storage.

My conditions were simple:

1. Hold at a minimum 2 bikes (regardless of frame type)
2. It could not take up much space
3. No holes in walls or ceilings

I checked out a number of bike racks, both online and in local shops. Most were hideous, or looked unstable; then I came across the Topeak® Dual-Touch™ bike stand. It is elegant, minimal footprint, and it was fully adjustable to accommodate different frames.

I head to my local bike shop, purchase the Topeak® bike stand, and head home. Excitedly, I rip open the box, and grab a 5mm Allen wrench from my saddle bag, I quickly assemble the hooks to the cross-bracket, and the bracket to the stand. 10 minutes and 8 bolts later I have my bike stand assembled. I get out the stud finder, locate a ceiling joist, extend the upper stanchion and lock it in place.

Being mildly impressed by the ease of setup, I grab two bikes and throw them on the stand. Perfect! Now I need to go buy one more Topeak® Dual-Touch bike stand and all of my bikes will be off the floor, obviously to make room for additional bikes…

Specifications:
Weight: 11 lbs
Weight Capacity: 40 lbs per hook | 160 lbs total
Max ceiling height: 126” | 10’5”

Author’s Rating:
Ease of Setup: 4/5 (Stud finder required)
Stability: 5/5
Looks: 5/5

Random Posts

• September 24, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo Begins Today
• August 28, 2008 -- Riding Green – 10 Tips for Riding Responsibly
• June 8, 2009 -- Küat Alpha Bike Rack Review
• June 17, 2008 -- TAG Wheels Mountain Bike Wheelsets Are Indestructible
• September 8, 2008 -- Tips for Newbies Looking to Bike for Weight Loss
• November 16, 2008 -- Strong Cycling Skills Indoors? You Bet!
• September 20, 2008 -- Advanced Hydration for Distance Riders
• August 21, 2008 -- Girls – Seven Reasons You Should Start Mountain Biking
• June 12, 2008 -- Top of the Mountain, Bottom of the Valley
• February 2, 2009 -- Crank Brothers Cobalt Wheels Review

First off, I rarely wear women’s clothes anymore, it’s been ages (don’t ask). And that was my first thought when I received a pair of Murray Shorts by Harlot Clothing Co, “but I don’t even cross-dress these days, why would I want to wear a pair of women’s mountain bike shorts? I don’t even like wearing men’s mountain bike shorts.” Admittedly, they looked badass and masculine, that’s when I realized that “H4M” stands for “Harlot for Men.”

Harlot’s line of men’s clothing is very limited compared to their expansive line-up for the ladies, but with a name like Harlot, you can’t expect them to cater to the dudes too much. I made a point of calling their customer service line and letting them know that they need to beef up on their menswear. I’ve been known to rant about the substandard offerings of the bicycle industry’s clothing options, so I was excited when I saw that these shorts at least looked cool, and it only got better once I tried them on.

Very understated and sleek, you can wear the Murray Shorts out in public and no one will think you’re in bike gear. Before I tested this theory however, I decided to take them on a short ride to test their performance and durability. Despite their sleek appearance, the Murray Short is very roomy in the leg and has seatbelt-style straps on the waistline so you can optimize your fit. The gusseted crotch provided unlimited flexibility and comfort.

YOU CAN DO THIS IN A PAIR OF MURRAYS!

Van Damme could have worn these in Bloodsport and still won the Kumite. There’s no chamois in these babies, but the nylon/polyester blend is comfortable enough for freeriding or a short cross-country jaunt. As I said before, they’re a lot roomier than they look and are designed to have enough room for slim-fitting bike shorts underneath if you’re gonna be riding longer than a couple hours. My only complaint about this style of shorts is how hot they get with a pair of traditional chamois bike shorts underneath. In temperate weather it’s fine, but hot summer days will wear you out fast if you’re wearing bike shorts under the Murrays.

Now a word on durability: Remember those “Bike” brand shorts your PE coach used to wear? You know, the nut-hugging short-shorts with the double-snap waist tab? If one so chose, you could slide into third on a bed of glass and the shorts wouldn’t have a scratch. Well, the Murray Short is like that, but it looks good (Win-Win!!). It’s also water-resistant, so they won’t get heavy and chafe if you go for a wet ride. They also sport a moisture-wicking waistband to ensure your comfort through sweat, dirt, and grime.

Best of all, they’re made right here in the U.S.A. out of North American-sourced materials. Kudos to Harlot for making a clothing product even I approve of, now if they would just make some more stuff for guys!!

The Straight Dirt:

The Good
Sleek, comfortable, attractive, performance-oriented, doesn’t look like typical cycling gear, affordable.

The Bad
Hot as hell on a summer day with bike shorts underneath. By themselves = no problem.

Murray Short:  $89.00

Harlot Clothing Co.
68 Camino Torcido Loop
Santa Fe, NM 87507

www.harlotwear.com

• March 16, 2009 -- All Harlot and No STD’s

CamelBak M.U.L.E. NV

Is it me or do hydration packs keep getting bigger? Not that I’m complaining, but I remember when everybody rolled with the half-liter CamelBak and we were all impressed by not having to reach for our water bottles. Well, as most things in the outdoor/performance sport industry, my beloved CamelBak M.U.L.E. has been given a serious makeover. I’ve always been impressed by CamelBak products, they’ve weathered many imitators and still hold the gold. Afterall, they were the first hydration systems on the scene so they’ve had a reputation to uphold. Over the years I’ve gone through four or five different hydration systems, and countless bladders (more on that later, no reason to buy new ones if you care for it properly).

So, I love CamelBak’s gear, but here’s the problem: Who the hell needs this much stuff on an average bike ride? I recently replaced my old M.U.L.E with the fancy new one, and the new one is great, I just won’t mountain bike with it. Personally, I’ve gone back to bottles as my rides aren’t quite as long as they used to be, and most of my races have a 10-mile loop or so before there’s a chance to refuel, so more time is spent cranking than hydrating. The new generation of M.U.L.E. weighs 2.41 lbs when EMPTY, and almost 9 lbs at full capacity (3 liters). 9 pounds! Some of us are weight weenies, some are not, but all of us will feel 9 lbs on our backs. I haven’t whipped out the scale, but I’m pretty sure that’s 9 lbs with a full reservoir before cargo. The specs on the M.U.L.E. NV rate it at having 600 cubic inches of cargo space. Another 600 cubic inches and I could use this thing for a thru-hike. In fact, with a little imagination, I bet I could do a cross-country cycling trip without panniers if I had this M.U.L.E. as my main-cargo and water carrier. In fact, I would gladly welcome the challenge of any takers and/or sponsors (Attn: CamelBak–I’ll gladly ride cross-country with nothing but a M.U.L.E. if you foot the bill. I travel cheap! please write to: bill@mtobikes.com). 

That being said, I still love this thing, even though I’ll rarely ride with it. The “N.V.I.S” (Next-Generation Ventilated Integrated System) is comfy and cool, and after enduring southern summers with my old M.U.L.E. I can appreciate the advancement. This “new” technology doesn’t seem too advanced, backpackers will recognize the mesh-and-pad system that keeps the pack from resting flush (and sweatily) on your back. Now, if you’re planning a multi-day adventure race, a century mountain bike ride, or something equally exhausting and lengthy, the M.U.L.E. might just be the perfect accessory for your mountain bike needs. I plan on using it as a daypack for hikes under 20 miles, and I’m sure there are some ultra-lighters out there that would gladly use it for multi-day trips in the summer. All the expected pockets (weatherproof MP3 spot!), zippers, straps, and bungees are where they should be. I counted 9 separate pockets where you can shove all your junk, from the little MP3 pocket to the main zipper pouch which could hold a couple kittens. I’ve run a few gallons of water through it and haven’t seen the first sign of crud or mold in the hydration tube thanks to the “Hydroguard” antibacterial technology that supposedly eliminates 99.9% of bacteria. A couple tips for a clean H20 bladder: Keep it in the freezer, it keeps the bacteria from growing. Empty it after you use it. Your favorite effervescent denture cleaner is a cheap way to get it clean! If it gets too filthy replace it.

I’m looking forward to using this product, but for my mountain biking needs I’d probably rather use a smaller, classic model that carries a liter or so (the same as two average water bottles).

Bottom Line: Great Product. Excellent Hydration Pack. TOO BIG for most mountain bike rides, even long ones.

Side Note: Roadies don’t use hydration packs. Why not? You’ve got me! I’m still amazed that a sport that pushes brightly colored spandex outfits has such strict fashion requirements. That being said, I’d gladly commit the faux pas on my soon to be legendary (and hopefully sponsored), unsupported cross-country journey with my trusty new M.U.L.E. Who cares about being conventional? This is for fun!

Random Posts

• February 25, 2009 -- Hoss Technical Gear Stallion Mountain Bike Shorts Review
• October 27, 2008 -- Raging Red Green Chile Salsa Review
• September 28, 2008 -- Interbike 2008 Expo: Pronghorn Racing Debut of Top Mounted Suspension Mountain Bikes
• August 17, 2008 -- Sherman Branch – Section One
• January 15, 2009 -- ZeroGoo Hydration Bladder Dryer Review
• June 12, 2009 -- Carver Bikes 96′er Mountain Bike Review
• June 12, 2008 -- Top of the Mountain, Bottom of the Valley
• July 13, 2008 -- First Ride On My Fully Rigid Singular Swift SS Mountain Bike
• October 26, 2008 -- Truvativ HammerSchmidt: Shifting Into the Future
• January 9, 2009 -- Dirt School DVD Teaches Mountain Bikers How to Improve Their Skills

But let’s rewind this review. Before I ever took these riding shorts to the trail I had to have some sort of initial reaction to them, right? I must have had an original judgemental moment, a commencement of thought and possibly of opinion. Well, I think that moment went something like this; “Holy good-lookin’ shorts Batman!” Yes, these shorts have style. They have what I call post-ride functionality; they beg you to wear them, not just on the trail, but beyond it, to your favorite post-ride gin mill, a BBQ brisket and ribs lunch, or just around the house for the remainder of the day (I have done all three).

The Particulars

I did have some concerns as I held them out in front of me. I was immediately struck by the fact that yes, these are definitely a multi-function short; especially since the essential riding component—the padded spandex compression piece—is removable. Admittedly, at first glance this feature looked a bit odd. The shorts are essentially a two-in-one combo. The inner piece is attached to the outer shell at the hips by two thin, fragile strips of fabric with two small button-fastened loops. If you’ve ever seen Transformers, the inner piece hangs from the inside of the outer shell’s waistband like the mangled Megatron hangs from helicopter cables just before he’s dropped into the ocean. By prompting such a comparison, this feature immediately raised some durability concerns. “There is just no way these shorts will stay together when I ride,” I thought. It turns out these straps are really more of an organizational feature as they literally keep the two pieces together. Once I figured out that this odd and frail-looking suspension was not permanent—that the pieces were meant to be worn together but not attached at the hip (literally) — I felt much better about their durability. Twenty miles of testing under their belt, they have to this point held up perfectly. 

The Ride

As far as performance goes, these shorts are all I could ask for. My foremost concern when faced with the prospect of wearing biking shorts is how much spandex is involved. In this case, quite a bit. However, the outer portion of these shorts are easily long enough to cover the spandex underneath at all times. Despite this length, they offer the rider an unrestricted range of motion. Sitting, standing, or cranking hard on the pedals in either position is all accomplished with complete freedom. They are light, breathable, and adjustable in the waist should you find them uncomfortable in that regard. The outer shell which I have already praised for its surprising good looks is made of a micro-suede polyester that is not only waterproof but also incredibly fast drying. Hoss has also endowed these shorts with three zippered pockets on the legs and a tightly velcro-ed pocket in the rear. All of these serve an important performance function: NOT letting keys or anything else fall victim to the random, innumerable (and nearly unsearchable) cracks and crevices of the trail. This is a very nice feature for those of us who instinctively and sometimes regretfully put our keys in our pockets after we lock the car.

Though I have already approved the Stallion’s durability, the one thing I can think to ask for is more of it. These shorts look as though they want to be ridden in an all-mountain kind of way. That is, their aesthetics seem to match the hard charging mentality of the median crowd (those who ride somewhere between the downhill and cross-country styles), yet they are a little thin in the stitching and fabric departments. I do appreciate that these shorts are light and airy but I also just can’t help but wonder how well they will hold up the first time they hit the dirt (I have denied the opportunity to subject them to the voluntary-endo test).

The bottom line is that these shorts offer any rider post-ride functionality, in-ride comfort and freedom of motion, lots of style points, and secure places to stash the stash-ables. The Stallions are light and airy summer time apparel and a multi-functional riding short. Hoss has crafted a solid garment for any rider.

• September 11, 2009 -- Putting the Hoss in the Saddle
• February 25, 2009 -- Hoss Technical Gear Stallion Mountain Bike Shorts Review

The Swiftwick Four socks fit like…well, like something that fits perfectly (I want to say like a glove but a glove probably wouldn’t fit a foot very well).  They are a combination of cotton, nylon, and spandex which not only makes your feet smell better (or at least less like sweat), but also form-fits the socks to every contour of your foot.  I usually don’t like tight fitting clothes of any kind but the way these things grip your feet is surprisingly comfortable…especially when you’re on the trail and suddenly realize that your sock isn’t slipping off or bunched up in the toe of your shoe.

If you regularly or even occasionally get blisters from riding then you might consider getting yourself a pair of socks like these.  In addition to some extra padding underneath the foot that might help correct this problem, the Swiftwick Four has a “no seam” design which means, as you might have guessed, there aren’t any unnecessary pressure points or ridges irritating your feet.

With that said, the one gripe I do have about these socks is that the cuff is particularly tall (it stops about four inches above the ankle).  The more I think about it, the more I think that this feature likely does not suggest this is a winter specific riding sock.  If that were the case, the whole thing might be a little thicker.  This leads me to the conclusion that the tall cuff serves as an anchor; to prevent the rest of it from sliding around inside your shoe.  This cuff is mildly uncomfortable and given the way these socks grip the rest of your foot (especially the bear hug they give your arch), this might be a bit of an unnecessary feature.  However, this is more of a personal preference thing than a design flaw.

The bottom line is that the Swiftwick Four Merino is my new favorite riding companion.  The combination of the ultra-comfortable “no seam” design and breathability has me wanting to use these socks not only every time I ride but also for everything else I do.

Random Posts

• October 13, 2008 -- Buyer’s Guide to Used Mountain Bikes
• August 22, 2008 -- Germany’s Sabine Spitz Claims Gold at Beijing Olympics
• November 18, 2008 -- Interview with Bicycle Frame Builder Ted Wojcik
• September 22, 2008 -- Mountain Cycle Rumble Limited Edition Frame Review
• October 24, 2008 -- Mountain Bike Cable Tension
• May 12, 2009 -- NAHBS Announces Richmond, Virginia as 2010 Venue Location
• June 11, 2008 -- Chase Street Mountain Bike Trail (Athens, GA)
• November 6, 2008 -- Solving Bicycle Noise Issues
• June 8, 2009 -- Küat Alpha Bike Rack Review
• September 26, 2008 -- Going the Distance…The Tools and Gear to Bring With You on Your Next Long Distance Journey

The good news is that SKS has satisfied both the most streamlined minimalist and the chunky-bagged draft horse. Even though I won’t be carrying it on the trail with me, the sleek little beauty has earned a very respectable placement on the top shelf of my shop toolbox. I don’t want to bag on the gearheads too much, afterall the importance of tire pressure has come to light in the last few years with the advent of tubeless tires. I like to know how low I can go, if you catch my drift. It will cost you about $20 more than a cheap tire gauge from Auto Zone, but the Airchecker has all the qualities of a great bike tool: small, light, tough, and simple.

Random Posts

• November 12, 2008 -- Passing on Hills
• August 25, 2008 -- Giro Xen Mountain Bike Helmet Review
• September 17, 2009 -- New BMX Classified Web Site
• December 3, 2008 -- Holiday Gift Ideas: What to get that Mountain Bike Lover or What to Ask for Yourself
• July 30, 2008 -- The Best Tools For the Trail
• January 1, 2009 -- Made to Order Bikes, Inc. 2008 Year End Review
• June 8, 2009 -- Küat Alpha Bike Rack Review
• June 5, 2008 -- Thanks
• May 7, 2009 -- Harlot H4M Murray Short Review
• June 17, 2008 -- TAG Wheels Mountain Bike Wheelsets Are Indestructible

These shorts are great, but they are not perfect, so let me start with what I don’t like, then the rest is what I do like. First off, if you are going to name your company Harlot your model names should be Harlot names. Hawkeye was a doctor in the TV show MASH, and he was no harlot. A boozer yes, but not a harlot. Harlot should use names like Jezebel (sounds like a harlot from biblical times) or Mustang Ranch (not really a ranch, but if you are familiar with Nevada you know what I mean). This is more a marketing issue, so Harlot if you want to hire me to make your line sound more sleazy consider me your newest harlot.

Second, and this is a complaint across the board with mountain bike shorts. I have not ordered one pair that fits right. They all run way too small. What is the deal with the mountain bike industry? When I order board shorts in the same size I have way too much crack hanging out. Mountain bike shorts…I feel like Santa Clause climbing into a wet suit. In reality, especially with a downhill short, mountain bike shorts should run big so you can fit pads under them if you so desire. There are some pretty nifty impact shorts on the market, but now in order to wear them I need to get another pair of mountain bike shorts. Sure I could lose a few pounds to fit better into them, but it is still winter here in Utah and I still have my winter coat…if you know what I mean. This must be a conspiracy to make shorts run small to motivate us to ride so those lbs will come off. I am sure this is one of those back smoke filled dark room conversations that take place at Interbike, and oh yes they do exist. 

My third and final complaint is more a preference.  I prefer a short that has a chamois. I like feeling like I am in an adult diaper and walking like I was just in a rodeo. I know these are a downhill short, but even when I ride downhill I still prefer a short with a chamois, not everyone has this same preference, but since the shorts fit a bit on the snug side I can’t fit an impact short under them to get my chamois fixation.

Now to get onto the positives, these shorts are built burly. The material they use seemed like it was heading strait for Iraq and the folks over at Harlot snagged it off the ship en route. It really feels like the hardcore camo pants that you find at your local army surplus store. These shorts could handle impact after impact. Another thing I like about this material is even though it is strong it isn’t super coarse. A lot of times I have to wash my biking shorts before I can wear them, otherwise I get some serious chaffing and fellas we no how unpleasant chaffing can be right?

The coolest feature on these shorts is the stretchy material where the normal inseam would be. Now spandex is a swear word to downhill guys, however this stuff rocks. What harlot did was remove about two inches of the normal fabric on each side of the inseam and filled it in with this stretchy material. What is awesome about this material is IF you down hill guys have to pedal your shorts don’t get hung up. For those that don’t follow, sometimes when you pedal you can sit down on the saddle and the shorts will fold under you so when you pedal your shorts will wrap around you leg to prevent your leg from making a full bend. This is really annoying especially if you are in going downhill then making a quick transition uphill. This stretchy material prevents that by stretching ever so nice like if the shorts get folded under you somehow. If this explanation seems cloudy go put on a pair and go for a ride, you won’t be disappointed, and it will make complete sense. Also I thought this material would be toast after one ride. I expected to come home and look like the cat caught hold of the crotch of my shorts. To my udder astonishment they actually held up as well as the bulletproof exterior of the shorts. Another thing, Harlot really knows how to take care of your undercarriage, like most harlots do, because there are not crazy uncomfortable seams that get really annoying when you seem two different pieces of material together. Somehow they made these shorts seem together nice and smooth like butter. Those Harlots sure know how to think.

Other than that, these shorts are simple, good looking, comfortable, sexy, functional with deep pockets so all your personal belongings don’t fall out when you are riding. Bike shorts with shallow pockets have to be the stupidest thing I have ever heard of.

So go take a chance on this Harlot you won’t be disappointed or get an STD.

Be sure to check out Kaitlyn Watts’ review of the Harlot Sophia Jacket.

• May 7, 2009 -- Harlot H4M Murray Short Review