Hoss Technical Gear Stallion Mountain Bike Shorts Review

For too long mountain bikers have endured some of the worst fashion options from all the major cycling clothing companies. Ironically, the cycling world has frequently intermingled with the fashion world (Ciao!), but we grubby mountain bikers have suffered through poor design and ugly styles. It seems simple, right? All we want is a decent chamois coupled to a pair of baggy shorts that don’t make us look (too) dorky. Why has this been such an elusive product? We’ve had to endure uncomfortable polyester blends, ragged and irritable elastic that rubs your butt after one wash, no pockets, that horrendous full-diaper feeling, and worst of all the ubiquitous black/khaki/disgusting-print options we’ve been offered for style. Finally, after a few decades now, we’re starting to get a few options on the market we haven’t seen before, from multiple manufacturers. I hesitate to say I see cool shorts everywhere, but we’re definitely moving in the right direction.

Fortunately for us, the good people at Hoss Technical Gear seem to have listened to the wailing complaints of the market place. Look, I ride a road bike (occasionally), and yes, I wear your typical black spandex when I’m posing as a roadie. Through most of the winter I’m a poorly disguised mountain biker logging miles on my road bike while I wait for the warmer months (just for fitness, I swear!). So I don’t mind looking like a tool, and sorry Lance, you look like a tool on your road bike. We all do, no matter how hard we try. Nobody gets into cycling for the fashion, and I can only think of a few people I would like to see in a roadie kit, and I never see them out there pedaling.  Read more

Dakine AMP 12L Hydration Pack Review

The 2009 Dakine AMP pack gets a makeover including the all new reservoir making it a great backpack for mountain biking.  DaKine makes a huge improvement by teaming up with HydraPak to include HydraPak’s Reversible Reservoir II Hydration System with the 12L Amp.  The addition of the new reservoir automatically increases the stock value of this unit.  If you are unfamiliar with this hydration system, read our review of it…hands down, one of the best bladders on the market!

In addition to the Reversible Reservoir II Hydration System, the pack comes complete with XC helmet carry straps (works using helmet’s chin straps), quick access mesh pockets, fleece sunglass pocket, tube/pump sleeves and a molded back panel with air channel ventilation.  Although we didn’t use the helmet carry straps in our testing, we really loved the numerous zippered pockets included the fleece lined sunglass pocket, tube/pump sleeves and padded MP3 player pocket were a huge plus.  Commuters and night riders will appreciate having a small loop located at the bottom of the front of the bag specifically designed for a reflector or flashing light.

The pack uses a light weight nylon material and integrates a breathable mesh material on the shoulder and removable waist strap as well as on the back panel.  We found that the tube sleeve was large enough to fit up to two tubes which we thought was a nice feature for long epic rides over challenging terrain. We used the large tube sleeve to our advantage for stuffing our multi-tool and CO2 cartridges in with 1-2 tubes.

The padded MP3 player pocket is well situated inside the large compartment of the pack and shares the same opening as the reservoirs tube for the headphones leading to an elastic strap on the should strap opposite the shoulder strap with the reservoir tube.  This was a very noticeable feature compared to other packs that fail to include either a designated pocket for an MP3 player or those that don’t take into account the headphones of such devices and leaving them unsecured.  Read more

HydraPak Reversible Reservoir II Hydration System Review

If you are familiar with the traditional hydration reservoir like the bladder found inside of a CamelBak you are well aware of one major problem, the inability to easily clean the bladder.  After a ride a year ago or so I said the following to my girlfriend, “it’d be great if there was a bladder that sealed like a Ziploc so it’d be easier to clean.”  My thought was that if the opening at the top was larger it would be easy to clean the inside of the unit without using the “hanger” or “freezer” method and eliminate the need for something like the ZeroGoo unit that we previously reviewed.

HydraPak took my simple idea and made it far better with their Reversible Reservoir II Hydration System.  We first became acquainted with this reservoir hydration system when we tested the Dakine AMP backpack, however the reservoir was first introduced in 2008.  We quickly stopped using any other reservoir we had on hand.

The Reversible Reservoir II Hydration System features a 36″ Drink Tube, 90deg. Bite Valve, Quickdraw Tube Attachment, Plug-N-Play Connector, and Straight Bite Valve Base.

We loved everything about the HydraPak Reversible Reservoir II Hydration System

The reservoir itself is ingenious.  The opening of the reservoir folds over itself and is secured in place by the easy on, easy off, Slide Seal, a sliding  plastic clip which slides across the top of the reservoir.  Think of the bladder as a Ziploc bag that gets folded over itself and then you slide the white little plastic piece across the top…it is very similar.  When it is time to clean the bladder you simply slide the plastic clip off, unfold the reservoir, reach inside and turn it inside out.  Amazing!  Read more

IceToolz Xpert “Click” Torque Wrench Review

A torque wrench is a tool used to precisely measure the amount of force applied to a threaded connection. It is usually in the form of a socket wrench with special internal mechanisms. A torque wrench is used where the tightness of screws and bolts is crucial. It allows the operator to measure the torque (rotational force) applied to the bolt so it can be matched to the specifications. This permits proper tension and loading of all parts.

A good torque wrench is an essential tool for even the most basic mountain bike maintenance and repair. It’s important to ensure that all of the fasteners on a mountain bike are tightened to specifications for reasons of safety and to maintain its original design integrity.

The lightweight alloys used in mountain bikes make it very easy to over-tighten and strip a screw or bolt. Don’t guess! Know the correct torque settings for every screw and bolt and use a torque wrench.

The IceToolz Xpert “Click” Torque Wrench kit comes in a fitted case a contains bits of Hex, Pozi, Phillip, Slot, and Torx…32 bits in all, and a 1/4″ adaptor.

We recently used the IceToolz Xpert “Click” Torque Wrench when Installing the cleats of my Shimano SPDs on my new SixSixOne Flight cycling shoes.  For instance, Shimano recommends a tightening torque of 5-6 Newton Meters (N-m) {43 – 52 in. lbs.}.  Read more

A Jacket for All Occasions

The package came in a regular brown box, but once open it’s meticulous wrapping in red tissue paper made it seem like a Christmas present forgotten for weeks. At least, it even felt that way. The jacket was soft as I ran the soft baby blue fabric over my hands, wondering was this truly a bike jacket, or something I was expected to wear out next weekend with my friends? In lieu of a Christmas card, there came a letter direct from the owner or Harlot Clothing Company. In it she thanked me for this, the review, but went on to brilliantly explain to me the content of my “present”, The Sophia jacket. However, in only a few hours of wear it was evident that she didn’t need to convince me of this jacket.

I was somewhat familiar with Harlot clothing company as this past summer I was looking to eek out of my lycra riding shorts and in to something more mountainous and less road biker. The only bump in bike clothing shopping was finding women’s specific clothes that fit a womanly, sporty figure and not your “average woman.” Because at 5 foot nothing I am still in shape. I run marathons in the winter and race mountain bikes in the summer. I coach the girl’s tennis team and run circles around our boy’s baseball team in the winter. Athleticism is not a question in my life and there is no denying the genes of my family. Hips, thighs, curves, I am every “match.com’s” desire. Hence why I wanted away from the lycra and into something with a little more fabric. Here came Harlot.

I started with their shorts last summer. An elastic waist won me over coupled with padding that left you feeling as if your seat bones were bare as opposed to feeling as if an adult diaper was strapped to you. It’s not your ordinary biking short. They are fitting, yet stretchable, and hugging yet breathable. And again, as with the Sophia Jacket, you can wear them while you kick back with a beer after a satiating ride.
The Sophia Jacket offers all this and more. Immediately after opening, like a kid at Christmas, I threw it on over my sweaty running clothes and took the dog out for yet another run. It has all the additives of a biking jacket including being longer in the back to cover it all as you hunch over the bike as well as having longer sleeves. Yet, the look was blended into a checkered soft shell on the outside that could easily be worn out for happy hour on Friday. Add the cozy fleeced inside coupled with a higher collar and you have yourself a comfortable jacket for the biting winds of the changing seasons.

The jacket fit and it fit well. Versatile does not even begin to explain the first day (the earlier paragraph only described the evening I spent with it) I had with my Sophia. I wore it at 5 am for my run in 20 degrees with a thin wicking shirt underneath and managed to stay warm and dry. Surprisingly, after a quick whiff of it, I realized it still smelled new and I was able to wear it to work as an extra layer for when the heat shut off in my classroom (one must love public education). Coworkers complimented me before I even had a chance to brag about my new digs and by the afternoon I was wearing it to coach the tennis team all the while basking in compliments from high school girls and other coaches. Undoubtedly, it is one rugged, cozy, warm, yet sleek and stylish all at the same time.

The Sophia Jacket is not your average Christmas present, which makes it all the more exciting. There is no doubt that Harlot is coming up with innovative, comfortable, versatile outerwear for active, adventurous women that goes beyond what we have ever expected. It has taken into account the details that we forget including a longer backend, pocket on the sleeve, and fleece collar and of course their insignia red star that reminds you that this is one tough chick wearing it.

To view a 2009 Harlot catalog and order your own Sophia Jacket, visit www.harlotwear.com

ZeroGoo Hydration Bladder Dryer Review

In the past I have thrown out and replaced my fair share of bladders that have developed mildew because of improper care by yours truly.  I have tried the hanger method, but that takes a considerable amount of time and even then I haven’t had the desired results I would expect.  Enter ZeroGoo.  The $34.99 Hydration Bladder Dryer from ZeroGoo is a product that addresses unwanted buildup in the bladder.  I had first become aware of ZeroGoo through a mountain bike forum.  I contacted the owner, Trent Ballentine and he agreed to send a unit for review.

The ZeroGoo hydration bladder dryer was specifically designed to fit into the opening of a CamelBak wide-mouth bladder.  It fit perfectly.  The unit, when plugged in, uses a small 12 volt motor to power a fan that inflates the bladder to eliminate unwanted growth from occurring.

The noise produced by the fan is somewhere in between a microwave and a hair dryer.  At times the noise produced can be somewhat bothersome.

We only tested the product on bladders that had been filled with water.  During our first test I emailed Trent during our third hour of testing to inquire how long on average the ZeroGoo unit should take to dry a bladder.  Trent responded via email stating that in Denver it takes about 30 minutes.  Trent attributed the longer drying time to Georgia’s humidity and because of this he would expect three hours drying time. On multiple occasions we let the ZeroGoo unit run over night and throughout the day and the end result was never a dry bladder.

The unit only inflates the bladder and does not blow heated air into the bladder.  Trent stated that he didn’t want to use a heater in the design since water is present and heat would release solvents from the plastic bag.

Below is a video of Trent Bellantine on Outdoor America explaining the ZeroGoo hydration bladder dryer.

Unfortunately, our test results here in Georgia proved to be no quicker than the drying time of the hanger method, 3-4 days.  We have sent the unit to our correspondent Matt Brady who will test it in Arizona to see if a dry desert climate will yield different results.  The design of the CamelBak bladder does not adequately allow for air to pass through the bladder and as a result makes the ZeroGoo unit no more effective than the hanger method.  Our conclusion from the south is that, although it appears to be a great concept the particular unit we received was not able to perform like we had hoped.

We’d like to see one of two things:  a heated version of the ZeroGoo  to help dry the bladder or CamelBak’s bladder design to change to allow for easier drying and cleaning.

Stay tuned for our upcoming review of the DAKINE AMP hydration pack which utilizes a HydraPak Reservoir allowing for easier cleaning and drying of the bladder.

Innovations Powered Inflation Kit/MTB Review

I went riding today with my friend Matt at Blankets mountain bike trail located in Woodstock, GA.  It was another day of riding in the rain and getting muddy.  Having my clothes covered in mud from the ride I got the itch to go visit The Bicycle Doctor as I decided it might make sense to buy another pair of shorts.  I wanted to get some Hoss Technical Gear riding shorts, however Scott was out of my size so he had to order them for me.  I wasn’t satisfied leaving Scott’s store empty handed so I asked him for his recommendations on a Co2 Tire Inflator and a Chain Lubricant product.  I trust Scott so I purchased what he recommended.

This review focuses on the Co2 Tire Inflator he recommended, Genuine Innovations Powered Inflation Kit/MTB.  Innovations, Inc. headquarters is in Tucson, Arizona and their products are made in the USA.   On their website, they claim they are #1 in Co2 Inflators, while I’m not in a position to verify this claim I will make one observation, they sure seem to have the widest selection of any Co2 Inflator company that I’ve come across.  Read more

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