Looking to spice up your bike and make it stand out.  StemCaps (https://stemcaps.com), a company out of Lockhart Texas has created a two-piece Stem Cap System consisting of a CNC machined aluminum base cap and a durable CNC machined plastic snap-on stem cover.

The cap is designed to cover what is referred to as a bike’s headset, top cap, or round thingy on top of your stem.  What is really innovative about StemCaps is the ability to switch caps based on your mood or whatever twists your fancy.  You can purchase already designed StemCaps or if you are the creative type, you can have them customize one for you.  StemCaps also makes customized team and store caps for those looking to have some unity.

This past week we had the good fortune of running into Jason Savill, project manager of StemCaps at a Mellow Johnny’s / Lance Armstrong Stages FB live event held here in Austin.  Jason showcased Lance’s upcoming WEDU line of StemCaps.

Not one to let an opportunity go by, I asked Jason if he could send us some samples to put on our bikes.  A few days later the samples arrived.

The StemCaps come in a rather cool plastic card sleeve with either the Stem Cap or Stem Cap base in the center.  To use them, simply pop them out and replace your current headset cap with a Stem Cap base and Stem Cap.

Jason allowed us to choose a few StemCaps and I like the wording on the two above.  He also give us a refrigerator magnet to hold an extra StemCap and 2 bases (standard and a low pro base designed for carbon steerer compression plugs).

I removed the stem cap with our Park Tools hex 4mm wrench and replaced it with the Stem Cap base.

Next I snapped on the “Limits Live In Our Minds” StemCap.  The whole setup process was super easy and as you can see really sets the mood for cycling.

STEMCAPS HEADSET COVER OVERVIEW

I absolutely love the concept and implementation of the StemCaps system.  You can bling out your bike over and over again popping on various StemCaps based on your mood or preference.  If you want to go the extra mile and get something customized you can do that too.  They are perfect for promoting brands, teams, and stores.

What do you need?  In order to use a Stem Cap, you will need a Stem Cap base ($10 to $14) and at least 1 StemCap either from their collection of already created caps ($8) or create a customized one (Price dependent on order).

CUSTOM STEMCAPS

$10 artwork set up fee minimum

• 0-10: $13 per Stem Cap Cover, $10 per Stem Cap Base
• 10-50: $11 per Stem Cap Cover, $8 per Stem Cap Base
• 50+: contact us for pricing per cap and base

BOTTOM LINE

If you cycle or have a friend who cycles and are wanting something fun to add to a bike, StemCaps (https://stemcaps.com) has you covered.

For Custom StemCaps contact jason@stemcaps.com for lead times or more information.

The post StemCaps Headset Cover Review appeared first on Gear Mashers.

For many people, the world is but a blur.  Whether it’s cycling or running or cross-training, life can certainly be out of focus.  That is where the folks at SportRx come in.  They bring clarity to your world, by helping you find your perfect eyewear.  What SportRX does is excel in finding sport-specific frames and match them with your exact prescription.  The combination means you will get awesome sport-specific eyeglasses that are geared towards athletes.

Recently SportRX teamed up Oakley on a collaboration designing a custom version of the Oakley Flak 2.0 XL, which turns out to be one of Oakley hottest shades. A cool marketing company named Purple Orange reached out asking if GearMashers would be interested in testing a pair.

Oakley…SportRX… HECK YEAH!

Obviously, for testing purposes, I would need to get an eye exam and a prescription with all my pertinent eye information. Things like Sphere, Cylinder and Axis. All of this doesn’t make much sense to me, but the folks at SportRX know what it means and because of that can make customized sunglasses with the results.

6 Step Process

The whole concept of SportRX is to create awesome prescription glasses from your favorite eye companies, Oakley being one of them.

Usually, when working with SportRX you have to decide what sunglasses you want or if you don’t know, the folks at SportRX can guide you into the right pair. In this case, SportRx was going to create a prescription pair of the Flak 2.0 XL for me to test out.

1. Eye Exam

Prior to contacting SportRX, you will need to get your eyes checked and find out what your prescription is.  I hadn’t had an eye exam in a while, so off to Walmart I went.  I knew they had an eye doctor there and it didn’t cost a ton to get an eye exam.  I am sure they might be better places to go, but for the price, Walmart seemed good enough for me.  After the exam, make sure you get a copy of your eye exam results.  You will need your eye exam info when talking to SportRX. 

SportRX will also want to know your pupil distance, often called Pupillary Distance or PD.  This is measured in millimeters from the center of one pupil to the other.  PD should be on your eyeglass prescription card and if it’s not you can use a metric ruler and sort of look in a mirror or have someone do this for you.  Typical distances fall somewhere in the 6o’s.  My PD is 65. 

2. Talk To A SportRX Optician

Once you have your PD measurement and prescription information, it’s time to call SportRx and set up an appointment to speak with a SportRx optician.

During the appointment, the SportRx optician will ask a series of questions about what sports you do and what your ultimate requirements are.  SportRx carries a wide range of frames from all the big-name companies including Oakley, Rudy Project, Smith, Bolle and just about any other company you can think of.

3. Select A Pair Of Sports Glasses

Normally you would continue talking to the SportRX optician about what you want and they could steer you into the right frames. In this case, I would be testing out the FLAKs, so I didn’t need any advice.

4. Picking A Color

Once you have chosen a pair to your liking, you will have a choice of color options and in some cases a lot of color options.

5. Customize Your Lenses

SportRX can customize the lenses by adding things like anti-reflective coatings, designing them to be transition glasses and probably a few other cool combos.

6. Finalize the Order

Once everything is all set you finalize your purchase and wait for the glasses to arrive.

Let’s Review

• Step 1: Get your prescription
• Step 2: Setup an eyewear consultation with SportRX
• Step 3: Select a pair of eyeglasses
• Step 4: Choose a color
• Step 5: Customize your lenses
• Step 6: Finalize the order.

My Experience

This is the 2nd time I have ordered prescription glasses from SportRX and in both cases, they delivered exactly what I ordered. To be honest it was virtually painless. 

The hardest part of the whole process for most people will be scheduling a time for the consultation, that and getting the actual eye exam.

Oakley FLAK 2.0 XL

The advantages of the Oakley FLAK glasses are many but the main advantages are

• They don’t fog up
• They keep bugs and stuff out of your eyes
• They are really light
• They don’t move around

Since the FLAKs are prescription glasses, I can actually see more of my surroundings.  My world has become a bit more in focus.  This is especially helpful during the early morning runs and late evening runs where light conditions aren’t optimal. 

I highly recommend the Oakley FLAK 2.0 XL for running and if you need prescription sport glasses, SportRX is a great place to get them.

The post SportRx And Oakley Flak 2.0 Collaboration appeared first on Gear Mashers.

The Garmin Vivoactive HR is a fitness watch that is designed for the athlete and the everyday Joe. The Smartwatch using both a touchscreen and button controls to switch functionality.

Garmin designed the Vivoactive as a one-stop shop solution for those who want a product that can track all-day activities including step count, floors climbed, calories burned and sleep. Of course, it comes with other features including smartphone Bluetooth notification integration (iPhone and Android compatible).

Best of all it has both a built-in optical heart-rate sensor and GPS sensor for tracking a variety of activities. 

If you play golf, the Vivoactive can track golf information but don’t expect it to really improve your score and certainly will not make you play like Tiger Woods. The smartwatch is also useful for those more extreme sports like downhill and cross-country skiing.

Tracking sessions indoors isn’t a problem either since the Vivoactive was built to monitor indoor rowing, walking, and strength training.

For starters, the Vivoactive is much bigger than those step counters like the Fitbit. This may be a turn off for some, but for me who normally wears a larger Garmin 920 XT, it is smaller and less bulky.

Waterproof

Garmin designed the Vivoactive HR to be waterproof for up to 50 meters, so swimmers and triathletes out there don’t need to worry about getting the sucker wet and swimming with it.

Garmin uses an always-on display rather than having to fumble around with buttons all the time to turn it on.

Battery Life

Garmin designed the Vivoactive HR to last up to eight days, but turn the GPS tracking on and you will probably get about 13 hours. As long as you keep your GPS workouts reasonable, no ultra runners out there, you can easily get a weeks worth of usage before the next charge.

Garmin Connect

The Garmin Connect app lets you customize watch faces and customize screens. You can also upload workout and other related information via Garmin Connect. The app also allows you to add new activities to the watch if the pre-loaded ones aren’t enough.

Heart Rate

Yes the Vivoactive HR is a true heart rate monitor that detects heart rate via your wrist. While wrist HR monitors are good, I find chest strap monitors more accurate. That said there is something to be said for the convenience of a wrist HR monitor.

Technical Highlights

Here are some of the technical highlights for the Garmin Vivoactive HR

• Regular fits wrist circumferences 5.39″ to 7.68″ (137 to 195 mm), GPS smartwatch with a sunlight-readable, high-resolution color touchscreen. Display size-28.6 mm x 20.7 mm.Display resolution:205 x 148 pixels
• 24/7 HEART RATE MONITORING – Elevate wrist heart technology gives you heart rate all day and night without an additional strap, Heart rate is not available while swimming
• LONG BATTERY LIFE – Up to 8 days in watch/activity tracking mode. Battery life: GPS mode: Up to 13 hours. Smartwatch mode: Up to 8 days
• SMART NOTIFICATIONS – Set any notification from your mobile device to display when paired with a compatible smartphone. Water rating:5 ATM, Compatible with Android 4.4 OS or Later, Bluetooth 4.0 or Later and AppleiOS 10.0 or Later,iPhone, iPad, iPod touch
• Retail: $249.99 USD
• In The Box – You get vívoactive HR, Charging/data clip and Manual

FAQ

While I think the Vivoactive is a cool concept, I think it tries to do too much. For me, if I am into really into sports tracking (running, cycling or swimming), I much rather get the Garmin Forerunner or Fēnix.

Still for those looking to get a rather cool smartwatch and don’t want to pay for the higher priced Garmin lines you may be happy with the Vivoactive HR. It just isn’t for me.

The post Garmin Vivoactive HR GPS Smartwatch Review appeared first on Gear Mashers.

Early Spring here in Austin is always a welcome season.  The temperatures are just about perfect, with humidity and hot dry summer temperatures still a month or 2 away. This is usually the time my SPOT single speed calls out to me to hit the trails and get out there for fun rides.  

For those that commute, holding all your necessities can sometimes be problematic.  This year we have had the opportunity to test out various bags, backpacks and other things a cycling commuter might want.  One such item was a rear seat post rack bag called the Arkel TailRider Trunk Bag.  It’s the perfect companion to the Arkel Randonneur Seat Post Rack.  It provides ample room for 2 locks and other misc items.

The Arkel has performed flawlessly over this last year without any issues.  The Zippers still zip and the bag basically looks brand new.

Arkel TailRider Trunk Bag Overview

• Weight: 660 g / 1,46 lbs (unit)
• Volume: 8 l. / 488 cu. in. Expands to 11 l. /700 cu. in. (unit)
• Color Options: Red or Black
• Length: 16.5 inches (41.9cm)
• Width: 9 inches (23cm)
• Zippers: Waterproof
• Handle: Padded
• Cover: Rain Cover
• Straps: Compression Straps
• Rain Cover: Integrated rain cover
• Attachment: 4 Velcro Straps with reflective strips (2 per side – 7.5 inches apart (19cm))
• Suggest Retail: $114.95

Arkel Tailrider Overview

We have tested the TailRider in both dry and wet conditions.  When we talk wet, we are talking tropical storm rain where the sky opens up and unleashes huge volumes of water.  The integrated rain cover is key during these times, keeping everything nice and dry, well except the rider and his shoes.  The picture below was me after my Friday Bomb Run.  The entire run was dry, but wicked humid and then when I started biking home, the sky opened up.  It was like I was a kid again, having fun riding in a massive downpour.

While the bag is rated to resist rain for a few hours, the integrated rain cover is perfect for longer rides in soggy conditions.  For those that have cell phones without waterproof cases, having a dry place to store them while cycling is essential.  From our testing the TailRider can really put your mind at ease, knowing the phones will be safe and dry, regardless of what nature throws at you.

Arkel’s TailRider design is sleek, uncluttered and aerodynamic.  It starts off around 6.5 inches and tapers down to about 3.5 inches.  If you’re into shoe boxes, this isn’t your bag, but for those who like clean lines and an aero look, you will not find anything better.

The TailRider uses 4 Velcro straps to attach the bag to a rack.  The bag requires at least 16.5 inches of rack space and the spacing between the straps is roughly 7.5 inches.  Each Velcro strap on has reflective strips that are useful at night making your bike a little more visible from the side.

The bag has plenty of compartments including 2 side storage areas with zippers, a main compartment that can be broken down into 2 sections using an Internal divider and 4 internal packets.  Additionally the bag has a top area that can store other items like a jacket or shirt using the synch straps.  I found this especially useful when cycling back from running.  I would always bring and extra shirt with me for after the run and store my sweaty shirt on top of the bag as I rode home.

The TailRider also comes with a expansion bellow for those that simply can’t leave items behind.  The bag essentially expands sideways, offering room for those who love to over stuff.  Our bag most often would house 2 heavy duty chain locks and both the bag and rack had no problems storing/carrying both.

Lastly the TailRider comes with 2 D-rings for shoulder straps.  This makes carrying the bag a little easier.

Bottom Line

Verdict – We love the TailRider.  It simply is a fantastic commuter bag and is the best we have tested.  Again its design is sleek, uncluttered and aerodynamic and shows Arkel did their homework in designing a bag that stands out.

The post ARKEL TAILRIDER TRUNK BAG REVIEW | 2019 appeared first on Gear Mashers.

2017 marks 100 years since the Silca brand has been producing bicycle tools.  With that in mind, Silca (https://silca.cc) thought it would be a great time to reintroduce the Silca Prista Bicycle Floor Pump.

SILCA HISTORY

SILCA was founded in 1917 by Felice Sacchi just outside of Milan, Italy.  The company innovated and grew quickly by innovating as the first company to put gauges on pumps, the first company to produce a true ‘high-pressure’ frame pump, the first to work with the revolutionary lightweight material plastic after the end of WWII.  More recently, the company was first with a valve controlled CO2 inflator, and with some irony, the first to move away from plastics and back to wood handles.

By 2013, SILCA was the oldest company in the bicycle industry to have been continually owned by the same family.  In August of 2013, Claudio Sacchi, grandson of Felice, sold the company to Joshua Poertner who had been the Technical Director at Zipp Speed Weaponry and of course a lifelong SILCA fan.

SILCA’s current headquarters is located in Indianapolis Indiana and can be reached at sales@silca.cc or by phone at 317.964.0592.

Unboxing The SILCA PRISTA PLUS FlOOR PUMP

When we received our Prista Plus Floor Pump you could just see the quality of the product. The handle is made out of wood. It comes with a very nice steel chuck.

SILCA PRISTA BICYCLE FLOOR PUMP

PUMP FEATURES

• Durable, high strength Steel barrel
• Compact Ash wood handle with hose guides
• High-efficiency SILCA leather plunger piston design
• Brass check-valve assembly
• Long filler hose with integrated Schrader chuck
• Push on alloy Presta chuck with bleeder valve
• Rated to 220psi
• Retail: $125
• Prista Travel Bag Retail: $90

SILCA PRISTA PLUS BICYCLE FLOOR PUMP

PUMP FEATURES

• Durable, high strength Steel barrel
• Compact Ash wood handle with hose guides
• High-efficiency SILCA leather plunger piston design
• Brass check-valve assembly
• Long filler hose with integrated Schrader chuck
• Push on alloy Presta chuck with bleeder valve
• Rated to 220psi
• Retail: $145

THE STORY OF THE TRACK PUMP

At the request of Fausto Coppi’s mechanics in the late 1950s, the team at SILCA set out to design a pump that would take the best attributes of each style of pump and combine them into one. The result, launched in 1962 was a design so elegant and timeless that it came to define the entire category of ‘Track Pumps’ (‘Pista’ is Italian for ‘track’ after all).

The original Pista paired a steel barrel with a 3mm thick leather piston washer, solid brass internal valves and the now-iconic oval handle with two grooves for holding the hose that allowed the pump to lay flat in a travel bag or in the trunk of a car. These pumps were prized by professional mechanics around the world for their durability, dependability, and accuracy.

IMPORTANCE OF TIRE PRESSURE

So why is tire pressure important?  When you think of your bike, the tires are the only thing contacting the road.  Flat tires serve to create friction and more surface area.  Properly inflated tires reduce both surface area and friction making for a faster ride.

Another reason to inflate tires is to prevent flats and damage to a wheels’ rim.  When cycling on the road, debris can quickly cause a flat if tires aren’t inflated to the proper pressure.  Pinch flats and snakebites are common issues with tires that aren’t inflated correctly.

Having an accurate pump gauge like the Silca Prista enables you to accurately calculate tire pressure each and every time you inflate a tire.

ADVANTAGES OF A FLOOR PUMP

The biggest advantage to a floor pump is its ability to quickly pump up a tire.  Most bicycle shops will usually have 2 to 3-floor pumps available to both mechanics and shop goers.

Floor pumps also tend to be more accurate simply because of the gauge size.  While hand pumps are also useful in certain circumstances, their size limits the use and ability to display accurate pressure.

WHY BUY A SILCA FLOOR PUMP?

Silca is world-renowned for making top quality pumps.  Ask any mechanic about Silca pumps and they might get all giggly…well at least the older ones will.

Most pumps made today use a plunger with a rubber O-Ring, which after many uses can overheat and then lose its seal causing air to leak out with each pump.  The end result is a pump that doesn’t work as good as the day you bought it.  In many cases, it simply will stop working.

Silca’s answer to this problem was to go old school and use a greased leather plunger.  The benefit is the plunger lasts longer, slides smoother and takes longer to lose it’s sealing properties.  If and when it does, the pump can be disassembled and re-greased or replaced with a new seal.

Another nice touch with the Silca floor pumps is the wooden handles.  Yes, they opted to nix plastic for wood, which gives them a really nice feel.

BOTTOM LINE

If you want to get a super cool pump with a long lineage of great pumps, you will be very happy with the Silva Prista Bicycle Floor Pump.

The post Silca Prista Bicycle Floor Pump appeared first on Gear Mashers.

Today I thought I would do something completely different and talk about safety while exercising.  Most people know about helmets and lights, but a lot of people don’t realize that having bells or being able to whistle can be a life saver.

Over the years I have cycled, I have used my own wolf whistle technique to warn people either to look up or to warn them that I am approaching.  Sometimes motorists simply don’t see you or they are not paying attention and knowing how to make a really loud whistle can get their attention fast.  Now it will not always work, but it’s your best defense against someone who is completely clueless to their surroundings.

When performing a wolf whistle, you want to be able to do it without using your fingers.  Here are a few videos that should help you learn the technique.

Beyond whistling it’s a great idea to get a bike or running bell (Yes they make those too).  If you run or cycle in an area that has a lot of foot traffic, having a bell will normally get people to move over.  It is also a great way to warn them that you are approaching.  It’s less intrusive than a wolf whistle and it usually is received with a better response.

There are lots of cycling bells to choose from, but here is one by Spurcycle that we thought had clean lines and would work on an everyday beater bike or a high end beauty.  It retails for $49.

So learn how to wolf whistle without your fingers, get yourself a bike bell and be safer than you were before.

Here is a comparison between the Spurcycle and the Knog Oi.

The post Wolf Whistle | Cycling Bells and Whistles appeared first on Gear Mashers.

Here at GearMashers.com we are always on the lookout for amazing products and great companies to showcase.  Thus the Timbuk2 popped on our radar with the Timbuk2 Especial Tres Commuter Backpack.

Recently I started commuting to work by bike and over the years amassed a large assortment of commuter backpacks, one of which was the Timbuk2 Especial Tres.   After using several to commute to downtown Austin, I have found the Tres to be optimal for me.  It has a ton of storage, feels good on the back and seems perfect for commuting.  The Timbuk2 backpack combines bomb proof construction with light weight reflective materials.

Timbuk2 is known world wide for their outstanding cycling messenger bags.  Located and founded in San Fransisco, California back in 1989 by a bike messenger named Rob Honeycutt, they have continuously manufactured in the city’s Mission District ever since.

The Timbuk2 Especial Tres Backpack is a culmination of years of experience in making the worlds best cycling specific backpacks and bags.

There are a lot of things to like about the Tres including

• A huge carry just about anything pocket,
• Multiple smaller easy access pockets
• U-Lock holder
• Mesh water bottle holders
• Misc organizer
• Computer pouch
• Reflective/Safety material
• Way cool bottle opener
• Safety light loops
• Zipper pulls

When the Timbuk2 Especial Tres arrived it came in a map looking package.

Opening it up revealed the Tres backpack in plastic with 2 tags.

Discarding the the plastic wrap showed exactly what we received.

The Tres is made from Cordura, a really heavy duty material that IMO is basically bomb proof.  I bought a jacket made from Cordura back in the 90’s and it is still one of my favorite/warmest winter jackets.  It just doesn’t rip.

The grey triangle sections and the front piping are reflective, giving this backpack some major Kudos for safety at night.

The Tres come with 4 main compartments and 1 laptop compartment and 1 organizer compartment.    On the front of the backpack there is a flip top compartment that has an organizer in it for pens and smaller items.  It has enough room to fit an iPad.

Another pocket is located on the side of the front flap pouch.  It’s roomy enough an iPhone, wallet and keys.

On the back of the Tres, there are 2 other pockets.  One gives you access to the large capacity roll-top pocket, for easy access without having to unroll the top and a smaller hidden pocket to store valuables like a wallet.

The backpack comes with 4 points of adjustability including 2 on the shoulder strap, one chest strap and a waist strap.  Both the chest strap and waist strap are removable should you desire that.

To be honest, the bottle opener sold us on the bag.  I saw a picture of the Tres and thought the bottle opener was very cool.  It’s doesn’t get in the way, so those who prefer not to have it, really shouldn’t mind.

Timbuk2 refers to their backpack cooling system as their Backbender flexible cooling panel.  It helps keep your back from getting as sweaty.  We found it does help keep your back a bit cooler than other backpacks we have tried as well as reduce a little tension on the spine.

One of the really nice touches Timbuk2 uses for their zipper pulls are their own exclusive zipper pulls.  They certainly make opening and closing zippers much more fun and easier.

The rolltop is another really important aspect to the backpack.  In rolled up mode the contents of the rolltop pocket are virtually impervious to the elements.  To open the rolltop you simply un-clip the two plastic buckles on either end and open it up.  Inside there is a very deep compartment and a pocket laptop holder.

One of our favorite aspects to the Tres is the ability to carry a 15″ laptop in the rolltop laptop pocket.  It’s padded on both sides and has a nice gap between it an the bottom of the bag.  By designing it in this way, Timbuk2 virtually eliminates any worry about the computer ever getting banged up when the backpack is set down on it’s bottom or side.

Lastly the price point of the Tres isn’t at all out of range of other bags in it’s category.  With a retail of $209, the Timbuk2 Especial Tres isn’t cheap, but it certainly isn’t too expensive.  Another really great perk with Timbuk2 is the Timbuk2 lifetime warranty.  Should the bag’s materials or workmanship ever fail, Timbuk2 has you covered.

Timbuk2 Especial Tres Backpack – Overall Impression

Timbuk2 delivers on their Timbuk2 Especial Tres Backpack, literally.  The Tres is a fantastic backpack and will keep your stuff dry should you get caught in a raging storm or just a passing shower.  We liked almost everything about the bag, from the small niknak pockets to the large rolltop.  There a lots of little touches (bottle opener, zipper pulls, organizer pouch) that make this backpack standout from it’s design to it’s overall usefulness as a daily commuting backpack.

The only thing we would modify on the Tres would be to add some shoulder adjustability on the upper part of the straps.  This was our only contention with the backpack.  We felt that 2 extra adjustable shoulder straps at the top would have been welcome.  Another possible modification would be to beef up the waist belt.  While it certainly didn’t feel bad, we felt extra padding might have improved the overall fit and feel.

Another cool addition would be incorporating some wicked cool buckles similar to what Chrome uses with their bags or possibly a Cobra buckle or two.  Obviously these options would increase the price point of the backpack.  While the functionality would essentially be the same, the cool factor would go up.

To get the full scoop on the Timbuk2 Especial Tres, check out the Timbuk2 website (http://www.timbuk2.com/).

BEST COMMUTER BACKPACKS FOR CYCLISTS (2018)

Mission Workshop Vandal Backpack Review (2018)

The post TIMBUK2 ESPECIAL TRES BACKPACK | 2018 REVIEW appeared first on Gear Mashers.

The Mission Workshop Vandal Backpack is part of Mission Workshops Cargo Backpack line.  When I started looking for cycling commuter backpacks to review, I came across Mission Workshop.  To be honest I hadn’t heard of them and wasn’t exactly sure what to think.  Obviously I was totally out of the loop.

Two years after selling Chrome Bags, the founders Bart Kyzar and Mark Falvai started a new venture called Mission Workshop.  With a world of knowledge developing cycling bags, Bart and Mark knew they could deliver.  The Mission Workshop bag, backpack and apparel lines are geared towards high end performance and functionality in the urban environment.  Their products are designed to repel mother nature using the latest waterproofing materials and zippers.

Mission Workshop Vandal Backpack Review

When doing a review, like most we do here, we like to start out by going to a company’s website and really dig around to see what they offer.  Next we jump around the net to check out what others are saying.   Everything we saw and read put Mission Workshop at the top of the heap.   That was good enough for us and certainly got us excited to see more.

Where Are Mission Workshop Bags Made?

Mission Workshop bags are constructed and assembly in the USA and have the Made In the USA label.  American Made manufacturing allows Mission Workshop to make smaller, more controlled runs of every bag, ensuring that each bag is worthy of it’s lifetime warranty. Yep your read that correctly, the bags come with a lifetime warranty.

The Vandal is the top of the line cargo backpack from Mission Workshop.  It’s designed for cyclists, but realistically it can be used for various sports that require lugging around a backpack.  Being one who occasionally games, Nerd Alert, this backpack is also nice to carry those D&D supplies or other rule books you might need.  Also if you are in high school or college, the Vandal is a great option to lug those books around.

When the Vandal arrived it looked even better in person than it did online.

Mission Workshop Vandal Arrives

The current color palette is black, charcoal, green, red and silver and a special edition black camo.  I requested the black camo and Mission Workshop delivered.  While the other colors were OK, the black camo spoke to me and said “You’d be da man sporting that”.  Who was I to argue.  Really though, the black camo is very masculine and of course I want to look as manly as possible when riding in SPANDEX.

The base backpack comes with a standard plastic buckle on the front, but you will quickly realize that you will want a Cobra buckle instead.  There isn’t anything wrong with the plastic buckle, it’s just a Cobra buckle is 10 times cooler and way more fun to open/close.  Those who are budget conscious might think twice since the buckles will add $65.00 to the price tag.  Still it is wicked cool, so think twice or three times, heck skip a few movies and save up for it.

Mission Workshop Vandal Cobra Buckle

The buckle placement is moveable depending on whether you want to operate the backpack in roll-top fashion or flap down.  There are 2 main reasons to use the roll-top verse flap down.  Based on usage, my preference is to have the flap down, but if it rains, you may opt for the roll-top to help prevent water leakage.  Also note that if you are using the Vandal’s large capacity inner pocket to store your goodies, you will want to setup the bag using the roll-top option.

The Vandal carrying capacity is 29L and expandable to 64L.  For us in the US that means 1,800 cu.in. and expandable to 4,000 cu.in.  What does that really look like?  Mission Workshop made this killer video to show you just that.

The Vandal features 6 weatherproof compartments with urethane coated zippers and waterproof materials.  There are 2 front side entry packets, 2 front pockets, 1 roll-top pocket and 1 mac daddy pocket that more than doubles the backpack’s capacity.

Mission Workshop Vandal showing off a 15″ Mac Book, iPad and Iphone with lots of spare room for other goodies.

The 2 front side entry pockets are perfect for an iPhone 6 in a case, keys, wallet and other misc items that you need quick access to.  The larger front entry pockets allow you to store an iPad and an iMac 15 inch computer without sweating it.

The larger roll-top pocket is perfect for misc apparel and other items too big to fit into the other pockets.

The extra large capacity pocket absolutely blows away other backpacks in it’s ability to expand to more than double the backpack’s size.  There are tension straps on either side, allowing you to tighten as needed.

Each pocket has urethane coated zippers that make it almost impossible for the elements to enter.

Urethane coated zippers to help keep out the elements

Although you can’t see it, the Vandal comes with a carbon fiber reinforced internal frame suspension system.  The frame really does it’s job in keeping the bag stiff and manageable to wear.

The Vandal comes with 3 adjustment straps, including one at each shoulder and one across the chest.  An additional waist belt can also be purchased.  There were a few instances when the pack was super loaded that a waist belt would have been a nice option to have, but since our bag didn’t come with one we were left wondering.  Each shoulder strap has a velco attachment for hanging other items like a phone case or additional pocket.

The Vandal comes with a carbon fiber reinforced internal frame suspension system

The Vandal comes with 2 places to attach a safety light.  My preference is to use the first loop right below the buckle.

Safety light attached to the back of the Vandal

Mission Workshop Vandal Backpack – Overall Impression

Mission Workshop did an exceptional job designing the Vandal and from our perspective they got almost everything right.  The limited edition black camo is totally macho and should become part of the regular color selection.  Speaking of color selection, we wouldn’t mind seeing something like a fire engine red or a sea blue.

The Backpack looks like it will hold up nicely and feels great while cycling.  Given Mission Workshop guarantees the backpacks for life, there really isn’t any need to worry.  Having the ability to expand the backpack is HUGE, literally for any commuter.  Occasionally we will venture out on the town and then decide to hit the grocery store or some other venue to by this or that.  The Vandal really gives you that option without having to worry about not being able to carry something.  In normal mode the Vandal has more than enough space to carry a change cloths should the weather turn cold or hot and still carry all your misc items that you may need.

One trick that I have started to employ is using the in-between space of the large pocket to store items without unzipping the inner pocket.  I found I can store cycling lights and such and can access them much quicker rather than digging down into a pocket.

There are a few things we feel would make the Vandal stand out even more.  Right now the Bag only comes with 2 zipper pulls, adding additional ones would make opening and closing the other pockets a little easier.  The YKK zippers are good, but we would have rather seen rubberized or plastic tips on them rather than the rounded bare metal.  It’s a preference thing that we feel would make a difference style wise.

When hauling a laptop or other computer, there isn’t any padding to protect it should the backpack be set on it’s bottom.  You have to be much more careful when setting the Vandal down using the handle.  An easy workaround is to always lay the backpack flat on it’s back, but sometimes because of space, this may not be an option.

We would like to see the option to get a Cobra buckle for the chest strap.  The cobra buckles are wicked cool and having one in the front as well as the back would make the Vandal even more stellar.

An option to have molle webbing on the shoulder straps would allow more things to be attached to them, beyond the 2 velco straps.

Since the Vandal was designed for cyclists, one thing that appears missing is any form of reflective tape or piping.  I wouldn’t mind seeing some velco added to the lower section of the backpack giving riders an option to attach things like reflective tape.  The other option of course would be for Mission Workshop to add reflective piping into the bags design.

Mission Workshop Where To Buy?

Mission Workshop’s headquarters and shop is located in San Francisco.  They also have a store in Los Angeles and if you want to buy through a participating dealer, you have that option as well.

Check out Mission Workshop’s Website (http://missionworkshop.com/) to get the full scoop on the Mission Workshop Vandal Backpack.

BEST COMMUTER BACKPACKS FOR CYCLISTS (2018)

TIMBUK2 ESPECIAL TRES BACKPACK | 2017 REVIEW

Mission Workshop The Hauser Hydration Pack

The post Mission Workshop Vandal Backpack Review (2018) appeared first on Gear Mashers.

Welcome to another GearMashers helmet review.  Today we are showcasing the 2017 Rudy Project Racemaster Cycling Helmet.

For those that don’t know Rudy Project got it start back 1985 when founder and creator Rudy Barbazza launched the Rudy Project brand in Treviso, Italy.  The goal of the company was to improve athlete’s performance by providing the best eyewear available.

Rudy Barbazza (on the right) with designer, David Michaud

Rudy’s motto is “Technically Cool”, which sums up their philosophy about not only creating great products, but also keeping them hip and current.

Back in the 80’s endurance sports were just picking up steam and sports eyewear was rather limited.  Fast Forward to 2017 and there are numerous eyewear manufactures.  Rudy has been there the whole time evolving their craft and making fantastic improvements to help athletes along the way.

Branching off from their sunglass line, Rudy Project started focusing on cycling helmets and have crushed the competition, earning the prestigious title of “Most Worn Helmet at the IRONMAN® World Championship” for the sixth consecutive year.  Talk about bragging rights, people who go to Kona are some of the most elite level athletes around the world and could wear any manufacturer’s helmet, yet they have chosen Rudy Project.  That says a lot about their trust in Rudy.

RUDY PROJECT RACEMASTER CYCLING HELMET REVIEW | 2017

With the launch of GearMashers this year, I knew we wanted to review Rudy Project’s fantastic line of eyewear and helmets.  Being both a Triathlete and a Road Cyclist, I figured a good start would be to test out Rudy’s Racemaster helmet line.

Contacting Rudy Project’s director of Public Relations, Simone Cordery-Cotter was amazing.  She actually responds to emails, unlike many other companies I have tried to contact.  If Simone is any indication of the quality of people who work for Rudy Project, well then that’s pretty impressive.  Huge thumbs up for Simone and her communication skills.  Quality all the way!

RUDY PROJECT’S RACEMASTER PACKAGE ARRIVES

The Racemaster is Rudy’s answer to a pure road cycling helmet.  Great lines, great ventilation and amazing fit.  While certainly not as aero as Rudy’s Wing 57 or Boost 01 helmets, the Racemaster is definitely more aero than many in it’s category.

A box arrives with some Rudy Project goodies

We were sent the Rudy Project Racemaster helmet and Tralyx eyewear.

The Racemaster comes with a nice microfiber helmet bag, extra helmet padding without netting (Free Pad) , a visor extension, an Emergency identification and notification system tag (ICEDOT) and helmet instructions.

Side profile of the Racemaster.  Notice the large vents on the sides and top.

One really cool feature of the Racemaster is a port for cycling sunglasses, which Rudy calls the Garage Eyewear Dock.  Rather than trying to stick the glasses in a vent, the helmet was designed to hold sunglass in the rear of the helmet.  When using it, the glasses seemed very secure and out of the way, yet still looked ultra cool.

Rear view of the helmet.  I really like the faring on the back, it gives the helmet a really nice look.  The vents are large allowing heat to disperse out the rear.

The helmet comes with combo pad and bug netting setup.  Swapping out the netting (Bug Stop) for the normal padding (Free Pad) is super easy, because the netted padding is one piece.  The non-netted padding comes in 5 pieces.

The Racemaster retention system is adjusted by turning the dial clockwise or counterclockwise.  As the tension is tightened, a plastic strap pulls in closer to the head. The plastic strap doesn’t go all the way around the head, but covers about 85%.

The plastic strap can also be adjusted higher or lower on the head by moving the dial mechanism up or down.

Plastic buckles are used to secure the helmet under the chin.

Thin webbing is used for fastening the helmet.

The webbing has a grey strip of reflective material to help illuminate the helmet at night.

RUDY PROJECT RACEMASTER CYCLING HELMET SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications

• 17 ventilation ports
• shock absorbing EPS shell with HEXOCRUSH technology, impact forces are distributed laterally and rotationally
• quick and easy-to-handle Fastex closure system
• easy adjust RSR9 dial system for adjusting to individual head shape
• Eyewear Dock enables you to stow away glasses at back of head
• removable visor with Quicksnap fastening
• exchangeable, washable pads
• incl. micro fibre storage bag
• reflective elements
• sizes: S-M (54-58 cm), L (59-61 cm)
• weight: 270 g (size M)
• Retail Price: $349.99

RUDY PROJECT RACEMASTER CYCLING HELMET OVERVIEW

The Rudy Project Racemaster feels a bit heavier than the Suomy Timeless helmet we reviewed recently, yet feels much more substantial.  The quality of the helmet just oozes out.  Our helmet came in size Large and weighed 339 grams or 11.95 ounces, which is definitely heavier than others in the same category.  That said, once the helmet is on you really don’t feel any difference in weight.

Putting on the helmet was liking putting on your most comfortable jeans or shoes.  It just felt right from the beginning.  Rudy Project goes out of their way to make sure helmets not only function as they should, but are keen on fit quality, so it should come as no surprise that the fit is outstanding.

The helmet comes with 6 main adjustment points.  The 2 main ones are the Head Band Dial and the Dial Height Adjustment.  Once these are set, the other 4 pertain to the helmet’s 2 Divider Pro webbing buckles and the 2 Fastener Buckles.  Once everything is setup the way you like it, realistically the only adjustment that will be made is tightening and untightening the Band Dial and fastening and unfastening the Fastener buckle.

Here in Austin the summers can be wicked hot, so having helmets that have a lot of Ventilation is key.  So far we have tested the helmet in 100 degree heat and we didn’t pass out.  The helmet does run slightly warmer than the Laser Z1 we are testing, but not significantly so.

We were sent the Racemaster White Stealth Matte and it absolutely helps reflect the suns rays.  The Suomy Timeless helmet, which is silver, can get hot to the touch, while our Racemaster White Stealth Matte stays cool.  That to me speaks volumes for having white or light colored helmets during summer months.

The Bug netting is a rather cool idea and looks interesting, but in areas where we cycle, there aren’t too many bugs, so we couldn’t really tell if it would help or not.  Currently the helmet is setup with the non-netting pads for a slightly cooler experience temperature wise.

I found the Large helmet to fit true to size, but not much room for those who are butting up against being xtra large.  If you are one of those people who are on the fence, it’s probably a good idea to size up.

Rudy is working in conjunction with ICEDOT (http://icedot.org) to provide a safety feature should a crash occur while cycling.  It’s another safety feature not found on all cycling helmets and is a great idea, especially for those with special needs should and accident occur.

RUDY PROJECT RACEMASTER CYCLING HELMET VERDICT

Everyone who we come across who own Rudy Project helmets loves them, so it should come as no surprise that we also love the Racemaster.  It’s a fantastic helmet that looks great both on an off.  The performance is superb and fit is outstanding.

The price point of the Racemaster is definitely a sticking point.  With a retail price of $349.99, it will certainly scare off the budget conscious for less costly helmets.  For those who want top of the line quality however, they simply aren’t going to find a better helmet.  Rudy Project did their homework to make something that is attractive, useful and performs at the top of it’s game.

Check out Rudy Project Helmets and Eyewear (www.e-rudy.com) for the latest news and product info.

The post Rudy Project Racemaster Cycling Helmet Review | 2017 appeared first on Gear Mashers.

Recently I picked up a rather cool cycling organizer known as the Waterfield Designs Cycling Ride Pouch (https://www.sfbags.com).  For those that cycle a lot, carrying your tools and miscellaneous items (keys, license, credit cards, money and a phone) can sometimes be rather annoying.

For most of my life I have used either a saddle bag or a plastic ziploc bag stuffed in my jersey pocket or a combination of both.  Saddle bags are great for carrying tools, but they aren’t as good for quickly accessing money or credit cards.  Plastic ziploc bags are good for carrying all those items, but they fall apart after several uses and everything is sort of jumbled together.

The Cycling Ride Pouch includes a main compartment for tools, an inner pocket for ID or other tool items, an front pocket for a phone and an easy access rear pocket for a wallet, keys and cash.

This year I decided I wanted to be a bit more organized, so I started looking around to see who made cycling organizers.  My criteria was to find some type of bag that could fit in the center jersey pocket and carry all my tools, plus a few other items.  I wasn’t as concerned about carrying a phone, because I usually don’t ride with one.

The Wallet or Pouch would need to be at least 6.5 inches long to accommodate my 6 inch pump, a spare tube, tire levers and a patch kit.  It would also need to have room for keys, money, credit cards and a license.  Room for a phone would be a bonus.

As it turns out Waterfield Designs specifically made the Cycling Ride Pouch with people like me in mind.  They got together the folks at ELEVEN vélo in Australia to collaborate and design a pouch for cyclists.

HISTORY OF WATERFIELD DESIGNS

Gary Waterfield launched San Francisco based Waterfield Designs in 1998.  His passion drives the company to use high quality materials and create items to meet specific needs, rather than create a lifestyle.  Gary proudly stands behind the “Made In The US” label with current production being done at the San Francisco office.

Some of the materials include ballistic nylon, durable waxed canvas, and premium full grain leather. Waterfield also uses more reliable self-locking zippers that don’t break easily, strong D-rings, and oversized magnets to keep flaps in place.

THE CYCLING RIDE POUCH ARRIVES

After talking to Heidi from Waterfield Designs about our desire to review the Cycling Ride Pouch, a package arrived a week later.

The Waterfield Designs Cycling Ride Pouch package arrives.

The Pouch came in a plastic bag with a nice post card.  If I were to give any advice, I would change the packaging to make more exciting.  Something to do with cycling.  If you have ever bought anything on Etsy, a lot of time sellers will do a great job packaging their products.  One idea could be to wrap it in a cycling cap.  It might add more to the cost, but that would be rather cool.  Just saying.

Here is the Cycling Ride Pouch next to an old Ziploc baggy.  Notice all my tools are all jumbled together.  Which would you want?  A plastic baggie that you have to continually replace or something that will last many seasons of cycling.

Here you can see the tools are a bit more organized and are positioned so that the pouch flap can easily close.  The 270 degree YKK Zipper is nice and makes getting to the tools really easy.  Yes I have already had to change one flat and access to the tools was super easy.

Here is the pouch next to the center pocket of the Jersey.

This is where the Cycling Ride Pouch hangs out when I am cycling.  I find the pouch is super comfortable and you really don’t notice it.

Word of Warning.  The leather part of the pouch will bleed and stain white and other light clothing if you pour water on your shirt or because you have a high sweat rate.  The good news is, the stain comes right out after a wash.  I am assuming that the leather will eventually stop doing this after extended use.

On the back side of the pouch there is a pocket where you can store things like cash, keys and credit cards.  Waterfield Designs includes a micro wallet to store all these in, which certainly helps in the organization department.  I have used the micro wallet quite a bit and thus far it has kept my cash from getting damp with sweat.

Waterfield Designs Cycling Ride Pouch Specifications

All our products are crafted locally in our workshop by the most skilled sewing team in San Francisco.

Material:

• Black or brown premium leather border and flap with ballistic nylon body
• Gold liner in main compartment
• Premium YKK self-locking zipper
• Play-through plastic screen for phone compartment

Dimensions: 4 in. length, 1 in. width, 7 in. height

Weight: 4 oz.

Features:

• Main compartment has a wide surface area for arranging tools for a more comfortable ride
• Main compartment opens flat on the ground so you can arrange your tools and quickly see what you need. Makes it easy to pack up, too.
• Mini wallet is included for storing cash, keys, ID and stored in the back mesh pocket
• Leather flap closes over the back mesh pocket
• Front pocket play-through screen lets you do basic phone functions without taking out the iPhone 7

Retail: $79

WATERFIELD DESIGNS CYCLING RIDE POUCH | BOTTOM LINE

Waterfield Design has built a real winner with the cycling ride pouch.  The bag/wallet fits perfectly in a typical men’s cycling jersey’s middle pocket.  It holds a ton of items with ease and looks fantastic.  If you’re still going old school with Ziploc bags, you will be transformed once you make the switch.  At $79 retail, the Cycling Ride Pouch is something that is quality made and will last for years to come.  Being made in the US certainly gives it Kudos from us.

Check out Waterfield Designs(https://www.sfbags.com) for the Cycling Ride Pouch and other cool bags.

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