So you want to mount both a cycling computer and a light to your handle bars, but your current setup isn’t optimal, well then you should check out the K-Edge Pro Combo Mounts.  Currently K-Edge makes mounts for Garmin, Sigma and Wahoo cycling computers and with the K-Edge Pro Combo Mount you can also attach a light or video camera underneath.  It’s definitely the most elegant and functional solution in the market today.

The beauty of the K-Edge Pro Combo mount is it’s location and simplicity.  Having a light attached below the cycling computer removes that unwanted glare on the computer screen that occurs when a light is often attached to the handle bars next to the cycling computer.

K-Edge uses a GoPro mounting system underneath the cycling computer mount, allowing any light or camera that has a GoPro compatible mount to attach to it.

K-Edge History

For those wondering when K-Edge got their start, you will have to walk back in time to 2008 when K-Edge launched their “Chain Catcher” product to help keep the rider’s chain from derailing (falling off).  Since that time K-Edge have developed various solutions to mount both cycling computers and lights.

NiteRider And GoPro Adapter By K-Edge

If you are a NiteRider (https://www.niterider.com) fan like me, K-Edge and NiteRider have teamed and created a solution to mount any NiteRider Rail Interface equipped light to any K-Edge GoPro style mount connection.  NiteRider’s newest Lumina series, fantastic lights by the way, all have the Rail Interface and are compatible with the K-Edge GoPro Mount systems.

When mounting the light you will run into one issue that may or may not bother you.  In order to mount the light in it’s current form, you mount it from the bottom side rather than the top side.

By mounting the light upside down, you lose the ability to view the power indicator lights and any other information that displays.  A good example would be mounting the NiteRider Lumina OLED 1100 Boost and not being able to see the digital display screen showing battery run times because they are pointed towards the ground.

For me it’s not a big deal since I charge my lights the night before a ride if I know I am going to use them.

Quick Release Solution

As far as I know K-Edge hasn’t created a quick release solution for their K-Edge GoPro mounting system.  When I spoke to K-Edge at Interbike this year, they hadn’t developed anything at that time.   They did come out with a “Go Big” thumb screw that can be tighten with a 4mm hex wrench.  The Thumb screw does add a little bit of safety over a normal GoPro thumb screw since you can tighten it down more with a 4mm hex wrench.

As a commuter who sometimes has to lock up my bike and leave it unattended, not being able to quickly remove expensive lights can leave them exposed to theft.

Currently as long as a thief has a 4mm hex wrench they could easily remove the light from it’s GoPro mounting bracket and walk away with light in hand.

I did find an adapter (SP-Gadgets Clip Adapter for GoPro) that can convert any standard GoPro mount into a quick clip mount.   I contacted the company to get a sample sent out, but as of today I haven’t received anything.  The adapter might solve the Quick Release Issue, but this solution isn’t as elegant nor as aero as the K-Edge non-quick release setup.  Still those looking for a quick release method, the SP clip adapter might work.

Swapping Out Cycling Computers

When purchasing the K-Edge Pro Combo Mount, you specify which cycling computer you own and buy the appropriate mounting system.  K-Edge has color coordinated the different computer mounts to include Black for Garmin, Blue for Wahoo and Red for Sigma.

If you buy a Garmin mount and then replace your Garmin computer with a Wahoo or Sigma, currently you just need to purchase Wahoo or Sigma insert rather than having to buy another K-Edge Pro Combo Mount.

K-Edge Pro Combo Mount Specifications

• CNC Machined 6061-T6 Aluminum Platform, Injection Molded Copolymer Interface
• Compatibility: Wahoo Bolt, Wahoo Mini
• Fits Handlebars: 31.8MM
• Go Pro Action Camera type attachment for camera or light
• Anodized Color: Black
• Made in Boise, Idaho, USA
• Lifetime Guarantee against material or manufacturer defects. Damages due to abuse or crashing excluded.
• Retail: $64.99
• BUY IT: https://amzn.to/2JeCWJh

Additionally I highly recommend purchasing the NiteRider Lumina series of lights and the NiteRider GoPro Adapter by K-Edge ($19.99).

The NiteRider light I am running with the the Pro Combo Mount is the Lumina OLED 1100 Boost ($149.99).  It’s a fantastic light that is perfect for early morning or evening rides.  The run time is based on how high the lumens is set, but you can get somewhere between 1:00 – 18:00 hrs depending on power output.

Bottom Line | K-EDGE Pro Combo Mounts

Other than not having a quick release, the K-Edge Pro Combo Mount is the best solution I have seen to mount both a cycling computer and a cycling light and do it in a way that is elegant and functional.

Check out K-Edge (https://k-edge.com) for all their great products.

BUY IT: https://amzn.to/2JeCWJh

Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt Review (2018)

Garmin Edge 820 vs Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt

NiteRider SENTINEL 150 Taillight Review | 2017 2018 | Gear Mashers

The post K-EDGE Pro Combo Mounts For Cycling Computers appeared first on Gear Mashers.

Here at GearMashers.com we have been really busy learning the ins and outs of Vlogging and producing product reviews.  We wanted the ability to showcase products and cycling related topics using video.  

A few years back while researching video production and vlogging, I came across Casey Neistat. For those that don’t know, Casey is a Vlogging superstar on Youtube.  He has over 4 million followers and seems to be one of the best videographers I have come across.

While one of his mottos is “Gear doesn’t matter.  Only the story matters.”, you have to agree that he has learned over the years what equipment can really get the job done and make you look good at the same time.

Gear doesn’t matter.  Only the story matters.

Before you go on and read, you need to watch these two videos.

Casey continues to tweak his craft with the latest technology and occasionally falling back on older more reliable methods.

Still, Casey does have a point that if you don’t have a good story to tell and one that is compelling, your audience might dry up and go away or simply not even show up in the first place. So yeah, a good story will trump equipment almost every time, but good equipment can make a story even more engaging.

So for those of you wanting to really improve your videos, you might want to consider the following Neistat TESTED Casey APPROVED video gear.

• Canon 70D, 80D, and 5D Mark3
• Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II, Canon Powershot S120
• Rode Videomic Pro or Rode Videomic Go
• Canon Wide Angle (Canon EF-S 10-22mm and Canon EF-S 10-18mm)
• Joby GorillaPod and ballhead X
• DJI Phantom 4

While Casey has his personal favorites and I am sure it changes on a monthly basis, I have come up with some pretty stellar products as well.

• Sony Alpha A7iii – Simply the best 4k digital camera on the market for it’s price.
• Rode VideoMicro – An amazing small form factor microphone.
• Sony Zeiss 24-70 F4 Lens – This lens is a workhorse and can handle a ton of video work.
• Sirui P-324S Monopod – The Sirui Monopod is a monopod that acts like a tripod.  Super easy to setup and video with.
• Peak Design Everyday Sling – The perfect day bag for carrying all your equipment.
• WANDRD PRVKE 30L – The best all around photography traveling backpack that I have found to date.
• Aputure Lighting System
• Zoom H5 Electronic Recorder
• Logitech Brio
• Sennheiser AVX Digital Microphone

Beyond Casey’s recommend gear, I recommend the following if you have the money.

Video

• Logitech Brio – Great for doing quick reviews and quick videos

Audio

• Zoom H6 – A fantastic Digital Audio Recorder
• Sennheiser AVX – An Expensive but amazing Wireless Microphone setup

Lighting

• Aputure – Light Storm LS 1/2W – Great flood lights
• Aputure – Light Storm C120 – Fantastic Spot light

Software and Audio/Video Editing

• Screen Flow – An inexpensive Audio/Video editor for macs
• Pixelmator Pro – An inexpensive
• Premier Pro – An Adobe product used for Audio/Video editing

Note: For those that are Nikon or Sony or Pentax or … fanatics you might want to stop reading, we will mostly be talking Canon stuff here.  Although, maybe you can comment below and give people advice on a similar setup using those manufacturer’s equipment.

DSLR SETUP

It used to be the video camcorder was for shooting video and the camera was for shooting images.  Today however many cameras can operate equally as well as both a video and picture taking device.  While Canon has an excellent camera like the Canon 80D (Sound like Attention Deficit Disorder), some feel (Casey Nesdit included) that the Canon 70D is more reliable and less finicky. As a bonus a refurbished Canon 70D is about half the price.  Now for those wanting a full-frame DSLR the Canon EOS 5D Mark III is pretty spectacular.

While you certainly can’t go wrong with any of the above cameras, those on a budget will find the Canon 70D produces great video and is the least expensive.

What makes the 70D and above stand out is specifically the Canon’s Dual Pixel CMOS AF (Auto Focus) that allows the camera to track and focus quickly on your face while recording. Note: Casey used the 80D and found it to be not as reliable as the 70D.  He also mentions using the 5D, but just hasn’t used it much.

For the money, the Canon EF-S 10-18mm is an awesome value and is the smallest and lightest of the wide-angle lens choices.  It comes in at 1/2 the price of the Canon EF-S 10-22mm and the quality is roughly the same.

Right now Casey’s goto lens is the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM.  It’s light, it’s inexpensive and it’s a technology called a Stepping Motor (STM), which allows the lens to focus smoothly and silently when capturing video.  Sometimes paying more doesn’t always equal better equipment.

Playing around with both lenses, I find the Canon EF-S 10-22mm to be the better-built lens.  The 10-18mm has more plastic including the mounting ring.  You will need 2 different filter sizes if you buy both lenses.  The 10-22mm takes a 77mm filter and the 10-18mm takes 67mm filters.

The 10-22 has internal zooming and the 10-18mm has barrel zooming.

Pros of the 10-18 f/4.5-5.6 IS STM are

• much lower cost
• image stabilization
• STM better suited to AF in live view and video.
• very slightly better CA

Cons of the 10-18 f/4.5-5.6 IS STM are

• smaller maximum aperture (2/3 stop)
• cheaper build
• less zoom range (Goes out to 18mm instead of 22mm)
• slightly more barrel distortion at 10mm (correctable with in-camera lens corrections or DPP)
• greater vignetting at same apertures (correctable with in-camera lens corrections or DPP)

The 10-22 has a better overall build, but the 10-18 is no slouch and a better bang-for-the-buck.  Almost all the comparisons I have seen thus far the 10-18 performs just as well as the 10-22.

Lower Priced Alternatives

For those without the means or budget for the higher priced DSLRs, another option is to go the compact point and shoot route.  Casey is a big fan of the Canon G7X line.  Canon just released the Canon G7X II and so far the reviews have been really promising.   What makes the G7X II a little nicer than the earlier model is the fact that the II can produce video time-lapse in camera.  A really useful addition for vloggers looking to spice up their videos.

Other cameras Casey suggests looking at are the Canon S120 (a less expensive model) and the Sony RX100 V.

The Sony RX100 V seems to be a really great point and with its 4k video capabilities, it makes a fantastic backup camera.  It’s a mirrorless camera with a 1-inch sensor.  It has a flip-up screen like the Canon S120 and seems to a much better overall camera.

GoPro

Casey has utilized GoPros throughout his Youtube vlogs and the GoPro 6 line is pretty stellar.  What is neat about the GoPro 6 is it takes time-lapse video and has a rear LCD screen to help navigate the menu.

Mirrorless Cameras

Right now Sony is the King of Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras. With the release of the Sony Alpha a7iii, they basically blew the doors off the competition.

DRONES – THE’RE HERE

Over the last few years one company name has continually been mentioned and that name is DJI.  For those that don’t know DJI seems to be the top consumer drone manufacturer and Casey loves these things.  Drone footage can make an average video become stellar depending on who is flying it and what is being captured.  Casey has a habit of losing, breaking and destroying drones, but lucky for him, he seems to get replacements for free.

My favorite Drone in the DJI line right now is the DJI Mavic Air. It shoots in 4K and packs up super small for travel.

Drone technology is getting so good that with minimal training you can be up and flying and shooting incredible video.

AUDIO MICROPHONES

While a story is King, sound can sometimes ruin it, be it the background noise or simply not picking up as it should. Casey likes to use two types of Shotgun microphones by Rode.

STORY IS KING

Shotgun Mics

The advantage of using a shotgun means much of the background noise coming from the side and back will be greatly reduced.  You can think of a shotgun mic as a hyper-directional microphone that picks up most of the sound originating in the front.

While both microphones are good, the Videomic pro in many comparisons evaluations I have seen is better at capturing sound.  The disadvantage of the Videomic pro is it uses a 9-volt battery and has to be turned on to work.  There have been several occasions where I started shooting only to realize the Rode Videomic Pro wasn’t turned on.  The Videomic Go, on the other hand, is designed to be ready any time the record button is press without the need to turn it on.

Other microphones to check out include the Shure VP83 LensHopper Camera-Mounted Condenser Microphone and the Sennheiser MKE400.

Wireless Lavalier Microphones

I find Wireless Lavalier Microphones are perfect when doing product reviews and perform better than using a shotgun mic.  While shotgun mics certainly work, lavalier microphones allow you to move around and not lose audio quality because of where you are talking.

My top choices include

• Sennheiser AVX ($699.00)
• Rode’s Rodelink ($599.00)
• Sony’s UWP-D11 ($399.00)

Check out my review on how to set up wireless microphones.

THE TRIPOD SOLUTION – JOBY GORILLAPOD FOCUS

One of the more innovative ideas Casey Nistat is known for is using the JOBY GorillaPod Focus and Ballhead X.  The JOBY GorillaPod transforms a traditional tripod into an arm grabbing device that you can position in really wacky ways, like hanging from a tree or pole or just about anywhere the GorillaPod legs can wrap around.

The post VLOGGERS EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST | BEST Vlogging Equipment 2019 | 2020 appeared first on Gear Mashers.

Are you looking to make your cycling rides less jarring? The Redshift Sports ShockStop Suspension Stem could be the answer.

Recently I was checking out coverage of Eurobike 2019 looking for cool cycling products to review and came across Redshift Sports talking about their upcoming Suspension Seatpost called the ShockStop Seatpost.

I contacted Redshift about the seatpost and at the time it was still being tweaked before the official release. With that said, Redshift graciously sent out another shock absorbing product they make called the ShockStop Suspension Stem.

For those of you old enough to remember suspension stems were all the rage back in the late 80’s early 90’s, but they never really lived up to the hype and were rather clunky.

Fast forward almost 30 years and Redshift has come out with a product that is as elegant as it is functional.

Kickstarter ShockStop: The Shock-Absorbing Bike Stem

The Redshift Sport’s Suspension Stem initially became a reality through a Kickstarter project where Redshift Sports raised $88,226 in pledges from 691 backers. Not a ton in Kickstarter terms, but certainly enough to get a product finalized for the market.

ShockStop Suspension Stem Unboxing

The ShockStop Suspension Stem arrived in a bright red box with white lettering.

Inside the box were some extra colored elastomers used for shock absorption, the ShockStop Suspension Stem preloaded with 2 elastomers and a 4-page user manual.

ShockStop Suspension Stem Review

The beauty behind Redshift’s Shockstop Suspension Stem is everything is self-contained within the stem making it look extremely streamlined and clutter-free.

The ShockStop Stem uses a single pivot point that allows the stem to move up and down depending on the road shock it encounters. The up and down movement or Stiffness is controlled using a combination of rubber elastomers to make the stem more or less responsive. The elastomers are rated for stiffness using a durometer scale from 50 to 90, with 90 being the stiffest.

ShockStop Stem Elastomer Overview

When you order the ShockStop Suspension stem you will receive several Elastomers allowing you to adjust the Elastomer stiffness. Depending on your weight and preference using one or a combination of 2 colored elastomers will set the stiffness and ride quality of the stem.

The charts below are based on rider weight and give you a good indication of how many elastomers you should use and which colors should be selected. The higher the durometer value, the stiffer the ride.

The ShockStop can be used with one or two elastomers, with usually 1 being the recommendation for Flat Handlebars and 2 for Drop Handlebars.

ShockStop Suspension Stem Installation

The ShockStop Suspension Stem installs just like almost any other cycling stem with one exception. You want to make sure you have added the appropriate elastomer settings prior to adding it to your bike otherwise you will need to do it once the stem is on the bike but prior to riding.

The stem has 4 faceplate bolts (4mm) and 2 Steer Tube pinch bolts (4mm). The stem is designed to fit 1 1/8″ threadless headsets but can be used with smaller threadless steer tubes if the appropriate shims are used.

Riding the Shockstop Suspension Stem felt really natural. I wasn’t sure what to expect but was pleasantly surprised by how stem reacted to bumps and jarring. It didn’t overcompensate but absorbed shock naturally without feeling bouncy.

For those who are looking to soften their rides, especially those who travel on rough roads or gravel trails, the Redshift Sports Shockstop Suspension Stem will certainly help.

The post Redshift Sports ShockStop Suspension Stem Review 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.

Since I have become a commuter of late, I started to look towards what my Electric Commuting Options options might be.  My car driving days are usually limited to Sundays and Monday and that is for quick runs to the store and church.  Living in a city like Austin, it’s fun to go downtown, but I don’t want to have to use my bike all the time.

Here the thing, I am a huge sweat monster.  It doesn’t matter if it’s 20 degrees outside or 100.  If I am riding or running, I sweat.  Commuting to work by bike means I have to take a shower prior to walking in the office.  It’s my curse, so it got me thinking what other options I have other than biking.

I could use a gas scooter like a Vespa or Buddy or I could go the electric route.  Living just a short 3 miles from work, the idea of using an electric bike, scooter or skateboard sounds really appealing.  But and this is a big one, I don’t want just any ordinary Walmart special, I want something all together cool and fun.

Doing a bit of research I have narrowed my wants to the following

• Boosted Board
• Evolve Skateboards
• Onewheel
• Work Electric
• Cycleboard
• Monday Motorbikes
• Super 73

To me the one that makes the most since is the Super 73.  It’s retro, it’s cool and while the others certainly have their perks, the Super just ticks all the boxes and probably is the easiest of the bunch to lock up, should I want to wander around by foot.

Boosted Board

The Boosted Board has been on my radar for a few years now, I just never pulled the trigger.  What makes the boosted board super cool is the fact that it’s a skateboard that can go really fast (22 mph) and still has a reasonable range (14 Miles) before needing a recharge.

• Boosted Plus
• 22 mph Top Speed
• Range (14 Miles)
• Super Flex Composite Deck
• $1,399

(https://boostedboards.com/)

Evolve Electric Skateboard

Like Boosted Board, Evolve has also been on my radar for quite some time.  The boards are ultra futuristic and great looking.  They make both street and off road versions.  The top of the line boards run around $2K, but are some of the fastest (26 mph) and longest range (31 miles) skateboards on the market.  The off road boards are pretty sick and certainly look legit.

• Evolve Carbon GT
• 26 mph Top Speed
• Range (31 Miles)
• $1,959.99

(https://evolveskateboardsusa.com/)

Onewheel

Onewheel is all together odd and all together super cool at the same time.  It’s fat one wheel design allows it to work both on pavement and off road, giving it the edge over most electric skateboards.  While certainly not as fast as the top end electric skateboards, it seems fast enough and has that cool factor.

• Evolve Carbon GT
• 19 mph Top Speed
• Range (12-18 Miles)
• $1,799

(https://onewheel.com/)

Works Electric Scooter

The Work Electric Scooter is just oozing with power.  It’s beefy and rugged and altogether awesome.  Reaching top speeds of 35 mph and a range of 28 miles per charge, I could commute almost all week on a single charge and get to where I need to be faster than superman.  At those speeds however, you will certainly need to wear a very good helmet and possibly leather gloves.

The downside and there is a downside, is each Scooter is hand built adding significantly to the cost (Over 6K).

That said, having one of these would make you King or Queen of the commuting world or at least get a few really crazy looks.

• Works Electric Hollyburn P5
• 35 mph Top Speed
• Range (28 Miles)
• Cost: $6,200

(http://www.works-electric.com/)

Cycleboard

The Cycleboard is something a bit different.  It’s not a skateboard and it’s not a scooter, it’s a 3 wheeled transport that requires leaning to turn.  Not having ridden one I am not quite certain how well it operates in a busy street setting if you need to make a sharp turn.  Still the concept seems very sound and it has great range (25 – 40 miles) and speed performance (25 mph).

Cycleboard currently produces 4 models including Sport, Elite, Elite Pro and Rover.  Prices range from $1000 to $2000 depending on model.  My preference would be to get the Elite Pro or Rover since they go the fastest and have the best range.

• Cycleboard
• 25 mph Top Speed
• Range (25 – 40 Miles)
• Cost: $1000 to $2000 depending on model

(https://cycleboard.com/)

Monday Motorbikes

Looking for the ultimate electric motorbike, Monday Motorbikes just might have one for you.  The Monday Motorbikes M1, is an absolute beauty.  It features an impressive 40 MPH top end and up to 50 miles on a single charge (30-35 in city driving).  The M1 features 2 driving modes including economy (20 mph) and sport (up to 40 mph).  It’s $4,500 price tag seems quite reasonable for what you get and it’s futuristic looks are sure to get attention.  While the company claims the motorbike doesn’t require a license to ride, I do think it’s hugging the line on what is and isn’t a bike vs a motorcycle.

• Monday Motorbikes
• 40 mph Top Speed (Sport Mode) | 20 mph economy mode
• Range (up to 50 miles in economy mode)
• Cost: $4,500

(https://www.mondaymotorbikes.com/)

Monday Motorbikes Cool Features

I have to admit, the M1 looks too cool

• Real-time feedback on power consumption
• Keyless: user-programmable password
• USB port for mobile device charging
• Switch between Sport and Economy Modes with the push of a button

Ultra Low Maintenance

• No oil to change, ever
• No spark plugs
• No vibration
• Motor rated for over 200,000 miles

Regenerative braking

• Rear brake collects your kinetic energy and charges your batteries as you slow down
• Improves range
• Takes the guesswork out of braking
• Use brake pads less and ride more

Super 73 Electric Bike

For the money and features, the Super 73 seems like the clear winner.  The issue with the 73 is availability.  Demand has been so high that the company’s inventory is 4 months behind, so by the time you place an order it can take up to 120 days before they ship.  This obviously is a total bummer for those who want it now.  Another disadvantage is the bike comes unassembled, so those who are mechanically challenged may find assembly difficult.

Still the Super 73 is just a fun way to get around town.

• Super 73
• 20 mph Top Speed
• Range (35-40 miles)
• Cost: $2,200

(https://www.lithiumcycles.com/)

At this point I am still trying to decide what option will work the best for me.  One reason I am leaning toward the Super 73 is it seems ideal for commuting.  It has a great range (35-40 miles), it has a good top end speed (20 mph) and is probably the easiest to lockup.  The fact that it also has a mini rack would allow for extra carrying capacity.  Having both front and rear lights adds safety and the battery is removable for charging for convience.  Streets here in Austin can be annoying with potholes and chipseal.  Having fat tires should reduce road shock and make for smoother traveling.  The biggest downside of course is the wait.  4 months for delivery might be a deal breaker.

Another option that looks really really interesting is the M1 from Monday Motorbikes.  It’s a much more expensive option over the Super 73, essentially double the cost, but also has that 1960’s look that will certainly get attention.  What I really like about the M1 is the attention to detail and how it just screams ride me.  The fact that it can go up to 40 mph and has up to a 50 mile range means you can get where you need to be really fast and if your commutes close enough, you might be able to ride a whole week on a single charge.

Let me know what your thoughts are and if you have pulled the trigger on any of these.

BEST COMMUTER BACKPACKS FOR CYCLISTS (2018)

Thousand Cycling Helmet Review

NiteRider SENTINEL 150 Taillight Review | 2017 2018 | Gear Mashers

The post Electric Commuting Options appeared first on Gear Mashers.

Welcome to our 2018 REMOVU K1 Gimbal Review.  Here at GearMashers WE ♥LOVE♥ Cycling and Photography.  You could say we are a little obsessed.  The K1 is REMOVU’s new 4K Video Camera / Integrated 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer and is currently the BEST all in one gimbal.

Recently a company called REMOVU introduced a brand new gimbal product called the REMOVU K1.  We thought it would be a great time to showcase the K1 and show you what it can do.

Realistically you can stop reading right now and just buy it.  You will not be disappointed.

Buy Now

BUT if you really want to get a good idea of what it does, check out the rest of this review and don’t forget to check out the end of this review for our overall impression of the K1, both good and bad.

REMOVU K1 Gimbal Review – 3-Axis Motorized Stabilizer Gimbal

For those that aren’t familiar with a gimbal, put simply it’s a stabilizing device that reduces video shake when walking, riding or jumping around.  The most common  type of gimbal uses a 3-axis motorized stabilizer to reduce video shake.

The problem with most gimbals is they are often cumbersome and require extra setup time.  Most gimbals need some sort of calibration prior to using them.  If you are one of those run and gun types, setup time is a buzz kill and wastes precious moments that could be spent filming or taking video.

What makes the REMOVU K1 super unique right now in the gimbal market is it’s size, integrated LCD screen and lack of needing calibration.  It’s is the quintessential plug and play gimbal.

No Calibration Time Needed. 

DJI OSMO+ & GoPro Karma Grip Gimbals

Above you can sort of get an idea of the size comparison between the GoPro Karma Grip, the OSMO+ and the Removu K1.  One thing left out of the picture above is the OSMO+ also requires a phone for it’s display, which means it will be much wider than either the Karma Grip or the Removu.

With most other popular gimbals on the market today, including the DJI OSMO+ and the GoPro Karma Grip, you need additional devices including a cell phone for the OSMO+ or a GoPro with the GoPro Karma Grip.  The Removu K1 doesn’t require any of these devices and can be used right out of the box.

Both the OSMO+ and Karma are significantly larger limiting their use as a quick easy to use Gimbal for those on the go.  The small compact size of the K1, means you can take it almost anywhere, giving you much more flexibility and video opportunities.

I wish I had the K1 at Interbike, because it would have been so easy to capture and review cycling products as I walked through the expo center.  Sure you can do this with a normal video camera, but using the K1 gimbal with it’s 3-axis motorized stabilizer would have made the video footage so much smoother.

Another advantage of any gimbal setup is the high quality cinematic effect they give when panning the camera around a subject.  Of course like anything, it does take a little bit of practice to perfect the footage, but in the end it is well worth it and looks fantastic.

I had thought about purchasing the OSMO+ and also the Karma, but the REMOVU K1 seems like such a better option and potentially will give me more opportunities to use it.  My main use will be to showcase cycling products, but with all it’s capabilities, using it to vlog is certainly in order.

REMOVU Company History

In 2014, REMOVU released their first product, the REMOVU R1, a wearable Wi-Fi remote viewer for GoPro camera line.

Shortly after the R1, Removu released the M1+A1, a rainproof wireless microphone and receiver for GoPro cameras.

Then REMOVU developed their first gimbal for action cameras, the REMOVU S1. The S1 was the world’s first rainproof 3-axis gimbal stabilizer with a detachable remote controller.

At the end of 2017 REMOVU created an Indigogo campaign for the K1 generating $351K.  On March 27th, 2018 the REMOVU K1 was launched.

REMOVU K1 Specifications

REMOVU K1 Gimbal Review – Techno Geek stuff

There is a lot to like about the new REMOVU K1.  The gimbal shoots in 4k ultra HD at 30fps using a F2.8 wide angle lens or in 1080 at 30, 60 or 120 frames per second allowing for great slow mo video.

The Li-ion 2,900mAh battery is claimed to last 4 hours of continuous shooting, which blows away the competition.  Another neat feature of the batteries is they can be charged directly using a micro usb connection rather than having to rely on a wall charger.

The focus length of the K1 is 50 centimeters or roughly 12 inches, which means not only can you take videos and pictures, but you can also use it for vlogging and selfies.

The lens equates to 17mm, which is considered a nice wide lens and gives you about 110 degree field of view.  One point of contention is the lens does tend to distort close up images making them appear longer, so for instance you may have an elongated head if you are vlogging with it.

The camera trigger provides a way to control the camera.  Clicking on it 3 times in a in quick (or rapid) succession for instance swivels the camera from pointing forward to pointing backwards.  An obvious perfect scenario for vloggers wanting to capture themselves and then quickly rotate the camera to capture something they are looking at.

The Removu comes with an internal mic as well as a mic port for use with other microphone systems.  The internal audio seem really good, but to get the best audio I would advise using an external microphone.

As far as camera’s go, the REMOVU shoots at 12 mega pixels, which isn’t bad, but I think if I am going to shoot pictures instead of video, I will opt for my Panasonic GH5.  Heck even when I do shoot video, the GH5 with it’s own internal stabilization isn’t anything to sneeze at and almost is on par with gimbal video footage.

REMOVU K1 Review – Positives

The REMOVU K1 appears to be a game changer in the video gimbal market.  It’s compact, light and doesn’t require calibration like all the other gimbals do.

• Great for Vlogging – The K1 with it’s 17mm lens and 50cm focal length, means the K1 is the perfect vlogging gimbal.
• Battery Life – Being able to shoot for 4 hours continuously on a single battery makes the K1 an all day unit.
• Sound Quality – The K1’s internal microphone is very useable and doesn’t require additional setup.  That said it does come with a microphone port to allow for even better audio capture.
• No Calibration Required – This is huge and is a reason why many people have issues with other gimbal setups.  Calibrating a gimbal does take shoot time away and if you need to take a quick video can really slow things down.
• Remote App – I haven’t had a chance to play with the remote app, but it will allow you to control the K1 remotely.
• Size – The K1 is the smallest full featured Gimbal on the market today.
• Integrated Screen – Another really big feature for the K1 is it’s integrated 1.5 inch screen.  Having an integrated screen means using the K1 doesn’t require any additional peripheral devices such as a phone or camera.
• Battery Charging & Indicator Levels – Another really great feature of the K1 pertains to it’s batteries.  Using easy to see indicator lights and the ability to charge them without a wall charger is a big win.
• Video Options – The K1 has the ability to shoot in various modes including 40K at 30fps and 1080 at 30, 60 and 120fps making it great for video and capturing slow motion scenes.

Removu K1 Review – Negatives

The positives of the K1 totally outweigh the negatives, but I thought I would list them based on my observations.

• Build Quality – The K1 is mostly plastic, which does take away from it’s ability to be used professionally and abused.  I would have liked to see a more rugged setup, especially on the housing, even at the cost of extra weight.
• Lens Distortion – From all the videos I have seen, there appears to be a bit of distortion that elongates subjects.  This only appears to happen when viewing subjects close up.
• Microphone Jack Placement – The microphone jack is on the side of the k1 rather than the front where most of the audio would probably be coming from.  I suppose having it on the side helps if you want audio coming from the rear of the unit like when you might be in selfie vlogging mode.
• Screen Size – The screen is 1.5 inches which works ok, but is much smaller than other gimbal screen display setups that can use iPhones.
• Accessory Attachments – When comparing the K1 to the DJI OSMO+, the OSMO+ has the ability to add a lot of different accessories to the unit thru an attachment port.  The K1 doesn’t provide this option other than hooking things to the bottom.
• Not Water Resistant/Water Proof – REMOVU got their reputation for designing products that are water proof/water resistant and didn’t apply that same technology to the K1.
• K1 Case – The K1 doesn’t include a high quality protection case, which is probably the biggest let down.  They only include a zipper lock type bag, which IMO is pretty worthless.
• Gimbal Doesn’t Lock – It appears the Gimbal doesn’t lock like the OSMO+ unit does, which may be problematic when transporting the unit.
• Accessory Kit Not Included – REMOVU offers an accessory kit for the K1 which includes a lens cap, a microphone, a carrying strap and a standup charging port.  The kit retails for $50 and is probably something every REMOVU owner should buy and IMO should have been included even if it raised the overall price.

The REMOVU K1 hit the shelves on March 27, 2018.

You can find out more about REMOVU and the K1 on their website (http://removu.com/)

Buy Now

REMOVU K1 Update: 4/23/2018

I haven’t seen many people having issues with their REMOVU K1 gimbals, but mine failed and I will be returning it to the company for a repair or replacement.  The video screen stopped working, which essentially renders the gimbal useless, since it relies on the screen to display video footage and also access to the menu options.  Unlike many other gimbals that use external devices such as iPhones to display data, the K1 relies on it’s on internal screen.

I have already spoken to the company and they were very responsive and said they would either replace the unit or fix the issue.  Now my task is to find a box to ship it back in.

REMOVU K1 Update: 6/17/2018

Well I ended returning the K1 and the return was accepted by REMOVU.  Email communication was good and I had zero problems with the return.

My take on the REMOVU is it isn’t a bad gimbal, but it lacks certain things that would make it better including

• Material – I thought the material used for the gimbal was subpar.  It just felt cheap to me.  I much rather it had been made from metal or mostly metal, even if that made the unit weigh more.
• No Camera Cover – Considering the Gimbal is over $400, I expect a camera cover.  The cover is an extra purchase.
• Can’t lock the Gimbal out completely – Even when the gimbal is locked, the gimbal head can still rotate, which can be annoying when setting it down on a table.
• Image Distortion – The K1 distorts both in the center and on the edges.  Supposedly a firmware release has been made that corrects the issue.
• Screen Resolution – I found the screen resolution to be too small to be useful in many settings (Example bright sunny days).
• No Accessory Port – The K1 is very streamed lined, but not having the ability to add accessories like the DJI Osmo+ does, limits it’s expandability.
• No Front facing Microphone port – When using the K1 to conduct interviews, it would have been nice to have a forward facing microphone port.
• No Weather Resistant – Unlike some of the other REMOVU products the K1 gimbal is more of a clear weather tool.  You wouldn’t want to use it in the rain or other weather related days.

VLOGGERS EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST (2018)

Wireless Lav Microphone Setup (What You Need To Know)

WANDRD PRVKE Backpack Review (2018)

The post REMOVU K1 GIMBAL REVIEW (Best 2018 All In One Gimbal) appeared first on Gear Mashers.

As someone who dabbles in Youtube (GearMashers Youtube Channel) and writes cycling product reviews, having a good Wireless Lav Microphone Setup is a must.  Having high quality audio and sound just helps makes the overall presentation of videos pop.

Now of course you can use shotgun mics, on camera mics and other recording devices, but I have found that in most situations where it’s just you, having a good lavalier microphone is the best option and sounds the most clear.

How Wireless Microphones Work

To begin with every wireless microphone system uses a specific radio frequency to transmits and receive information called operating frequency.  The FCC determines what frequencies can be used and limits the use of them by manufacturers.

For example the Analog 614-698 MHz will be repurposed, and will largely become unavailable to wireless microphones after a transition period that will end on July 13, 2020.  This means that if you have a wireless microphone that uses the 600 MHz band, it will become obsolete and be illegal to use.

All digital systems use what is referred to as UHF (Ultra high frequency) band, with many entry-level systems in the 900 MHz band or the 2.4 GHz band.

In the US, the frequencies used for wireless systems are grouped into four general bands or ranges:

• Low-band VHF (49-108 MHz)
• High-band VHF (169-216 MHz)
• Low-band UHF (450-806 MHz) – Many Analog Microphones work in this range
• High-band UHF (900-952 MHz) – Most Digital Microphones work in this range

Wireless Lav Microphone Setup

I currently own the Sennheiser EW100 G3.  The wireless setup consists of a transmitter, receiver and a lavalier microphone.  The most basic setup is where you plug the lavalier microphone into the transmitter and plug the receiver into a camera’s mic port.

When you do a video, the lavalier and transmitter is attached to the person speaking.

In the most basic setup a Receiver is attached to a camera’s hotshoe and plugged into the camera’s mic port.

A more advanced setup would be hooking the Receiver to a Zoom H6 Digital recorder.

Once the Microphone, Transmitter and Receiver have been connected and have been turned on you’re almost ready to record.  With an Analog mic you will need to scan for the proper frequency first before recording.  Digital devices don’t require a manual frequency scan and are plug and play.  Once setup you can start to record.

For every wireless microphone you will need a transmitter and receiver, so 2 wireless microphones would require 2 transmitters and 2 receivers.  An example might be an interview where both the interviewer and the interviewee have a lavalier microphone.

Sometimes you may want to get a little more complicated and use a device like a Zoom H6 to record audio separate from the camera.  Below is a typical setup using a Lavalier microphone to either a Digital recorder like the Zoom H6 or a camera/video recorder.

Sennheiser EW100 G3 Analog Issues

The problem is the transmitter/receiver requires you to Scan Frequencies prior to using them.  If you don’t, you can run into situations where the frequency that is being used to communicate between the transmitter and receiver gets interrupted and causes a high pitched static pop or sound.  Even in situations where you have found a good frequency you may still run into interruption issues.

It can be extremely frustrating after a recording session only to learn you have to either cut out a scene because of the bad audio or have to try and eliminate it through software tweaks.  Either option sucks.

Moving From Analog To Digital

Within the last few years Sennheiser and a few other companies have gone digital with their lavalier microphone setups.  Rather than using Analog to communicate like the Sennheiser EW100 does, they have switch to digital and essentially the systems have become plug and play without the need to pre-scan for frequencies.

Is there a downside to going Digital?

When going digital you may run into latency issues, but from my experience it doesn’t seem to be a big deal for most of the current setups.  Where analog has little to no latency, digital can have a noticeable lag between the audio and video.

• Sennheiser AVX (19ms of latency).  That equates to nineteen thousandths of a second.
• Rode’s Rodelink (4ms)
• Sony’s UWP-D11(0.35ms)

While the Sennheiser seems to have the most latency it’s still way less than one frame, so it isn’t that major.

An issue you may run into is if you have a mixture of Analog and Digital recording devices.  Since Analog doesn’t have latency and digital does, you can get an echo effect that has to be edited, making post audio synching more difficult.

Most high end video bloggers and and professionals are going digital because of it’s ease of use and consistent results.

Best Wireless Lav Microphone Setup

The top 3 Wireless digital Lavalier Microphones right now seem to be the

• Sennheiser AVX ($699.00)
• Rode’s Rodelink ($599.00)
• Sony’s UWP-D11 ($399.00)

Sennheiser AVX Digital Wireless System

Of the 3 the Sennheiser AVX seems to be the best overall system with the best performance, but it comes at a much steeper price tag of $699 with the ME2 microphone and $899 with the MKE2 microphone.  It’s professional all the way, with great looks and build.

One thing that make the AVX a little unique is that both the receiver and transmitter have rechargeable batteries vs “Double AA” batters that the other systems use.

Sony UWP Digital Wireless System

The Sony UWP seems to come in second as far as build goes, but it’s a Sony so the menu is a bit more complex.  The UWP has a price tag of $599.

Rode Rodelink Digital Wireless System

The Rode Rodelink might be a great option for those who are budget conscious as it is the least expensive of the bunch ($399) and still works great.  The downside with the Rodelink is it’s mostly plastic build (lower quality) and sound compared to Sennheiser and Sony.  While it does sound good, it isn’t as good as either.

While you can certainly do videos without any of the above and get good results, using one of the 3 above should give you even better results.

The Good Stuff

For me the Sennheiser AVX is the best choice for a lot of reasons.

• It sounds fantastic
• It’s a professional piece of equipment
• It’s has by far the smallest wireless receiver and takes up the least amount of room.  Very forward-thinking
• It looks sharp on a camera (Looks are everything you know).  The blue tip on its head looks pretty stylish.
• It’s Digital and shouldn’t have the issues Analog units have with bad connections
• It’s plug and play, meaning you don’t have to scan for a frequency.  Just turn it on and you are set.
• The rechargeable batteries have a mini-USB port for charging them on the go.

The Bad Stuff

I have 2 main complaints with the AVX system.

First has to do with it’s propriety batteries.  While the batteries are both rechargeable, they are different sizes and last different lengths of time.  The Receiver battery is claimed to last 4-5 hours while the transmitter is claimed to last 9-10 hours.  Replacement batteries will run you another $100 ($49 for the BA 20 and $49 for the BA 30).  Since both Sony and Rode use double AA batteries to run their systems, they are super easy to find and are much less expensive.

Because the AVX system is digital and it does have latency, you may have more work in post production syncing audio to video.  This is especially true when using a mixture of analog and digital audio devices.  My advice here is to stay with digital if at all possible rather than mixing the 2.

Seinnheiser Automatic Gain Control (AGC)

What is Automatic Gain Control or AGC?  AGC is used to automatically control the volume of the audio coming in and shifts it to keep levels normalized.  If you are speaking in a softer voice it will raise the gain and conversely if you are speaking in a louder voice it will reduce the gain.  The end result is a better sounding video without the need to modify it in post production.

For those looking to up your Audio

If sticker shock is getting in the way, try experimenting with entry level gear.  If you do it long enough, you will come to the conclusion that getting a better system will improve your audio recordings.

Removu K1 Gimbal Review (2018)

VLOGGERS EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST (2018)

Removu K1 Gimbal Review (2018)

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So you want a bike computer and are trying to decide between the Garmin Edge 820 vs Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt, well today is you lucky day, because I have used both and I have a very good handle on the basics of the two units.  I also have links if you are looking for a more in-depth review.

In this article, I’ll answer the question “Which is the better cycling computer” and I’ll explain how I came to that conclusion, so please read on.

Purchase The Garmin Edge 820 or Wahoo ELMENT Bolt

✅Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt : http://amzn.to/2DMF0EM
✅Garmin Edge 820: http://amzn.to/2DMT1Ci

My current setup is using the Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt on a K-Edge Combo Mount.

This year I made the switch from the Garmin 820 to the Wahoo Bolt for one simple reason, SWEAT.  At first I loved the 820 with it’s colored screens, but during the summer when I started to sweat a lot on rides the touch screen would get all wonky on me.

The situation would be something like this, I am at a stoplight sweating profusely with sweat occasionally dripping on the cycle computer.  The sweat droplets at some point could caused the screen to change from what I wanted to view to something else.  The light would turn green, I would look down and not see what I expected.  Trying to switch back with sweaty fingers and a wet touch screen was almost impossible.  I would have to swipe the screen multiple times before it recognized the touch screen actions.  This also occurred during some hard sessions when I was pushing the pace.  It was frustrating having the screens switch on you when the values you expected to see weren’t there.

A few times I would have to stop biking just so I could fix the screen issue and get back to the screen I wanted.

I thought that maybe the sensitivity of the Garmin was set too high, so I lowered it.  The problem with lowering the sensitivity is the touch screen then becomes harder to swipe and have it recognize the action.  Often it would require 2 or 3 attempts before it would register the action.  That wasn’t a big deal when at a stop light, but certainly was when pushing the pace.

Making the switch to the Wahoo Bolt completely solved the problem.  No more screen switches unless I physically did them.  As an added benefit, the Wahoo is easier to view during bright sunny days.

Garmin Edge 820 vs Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt – Garmin Edge 820 Review

Reasons To Buy The Garmin Edge 820

Garmin is known for making great GPS products and the Garmin Edge 820 is one their flagship cycling computers.  With a colored touchscreen display, the 820 is probably the most advanced GPS cycling component in the market today.

Obviously when comparing the 820 to the Bolt, there are differences, so here is my take on where the Garmin 820 shines.

Garmin 820 Cycling Computer Advantages

Check our our more in-depth review of the Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt

Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt Review (2018)

Garmin Edge 820 vs Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt – Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt Review

Garmin Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt Perks

Wahoo basically came out of no where to become one of the dominate forces in the biking industry for cycling computers and trainers.  The Wahoo Bolt is one of their flagship cycling computers in the ELEMNT line consisting of a smaller profile than it’s bigger brother the ELEMNT.

With the Wahoo Bolt now being my main cycling computer because of how it performs, below are the main advantages I feel it has over the the 820.

Wahoo Bolt Cycling Computer Advantages

The Garmin 820 weighs around 68 grams

The Wahoo Bolt weighs 61 grams

Geeky Aero Dynamic Stuff

Garmin Edge 820 vs Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt | Bottom Line

You can’t go wrong with either system, but at $100 less and some cool functionality the Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt seems to be the clear winner.

Where the Bolt falls short is in it’s mapping capability.  Garmin’s 820 maps are simply beautiful and much easier to see over the black and white Bolt display.  If you rely on mapping a lot for your rides, the 820 is probably a better choice.

Purchase The Garmin Edge 820 or Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt

If you decide that either the Garmin Edge 820 or the Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt is your next cycling computer, please use our Amazon Affiliate links.  It will get your cycling computer to you fast and helps our website pay for hosting and allows us to get new products to review.

✅Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt : http://amzn.to/2DMF0EM
✅Garmin Edge 820: http://amzn.to/2DMT1Ci

Garmin Edge 820 vs Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt | Related Links

Check out DCRainmakers Reviews

Wahoo ELEMNT BOLT (In-depth Review)

Garmin Edge 820 (In-depth Review)

Update: Nov 2017 – If you are wondering which unit I prefer, well the winner is the Wahoo Bolt.  I currently use it on my Felt AR1 and have put the Garmin Edge 820 in storage.  For me the Wahoo does everything I need and I have yet to have any issues with the unit, even when sweating.  

Garmin Edge Explore 820 Cycling Computer Review

Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt Review (2018)

The post Garmin Edge 820 vs Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt appeared first on Gear Mashers.

If you ride on an indoor trainer and want to get the most out of it, then you’re going to want to use a cycling training app.  We have compiled the Top 3 Indoor Cycling Training Apps.

Before we get started there are a few items you will probably want to get.

• An Electronic Bike Trainer.  While not required, most electronic bike trainers will automatically adjust resistance based on what is happening in the cycling application/video.  For example if you’re going uphill, a smart trainer will increase the resistance to simulate what would happen in real life.
• Ant+ dongle – In most cases to communicate with the various software, a Ant+ dongle will be required.
• Towel or Towels – Depending on your sweat rate, you will need a towel or two.
• Fan – When doing hard workouts on a trainer it can get very hot.  Having a fan blow wind on you can make the training session much more enjoyable.  A Vornado fan can put out a lot of air.
• Trainer Matt – Having a trainer mat can help capture any sweat that drips and can also help prevent the trainer from slipping.

Sufferfest Cycling Training App

If you’re serious about getting faster, then The Sufferfest might be your secret weapon. With a huge library of structured workouts designed by elite coaches, connection to devices and smart trainers, activity archive, achievement tracking, and sharing to Strava and TrainingPeaks, it’s pretty bad ass.

Sufferfest breaks their videos down into Bike, Body & Mind.  Rather than presenting an animated world or video, Sufferfest presents real footage of real pros riding to provide motivation and training.

Cost: $10 per month
Sufferfest: https://thesufferfest.com

Zwift Cycling Training App

Zift allows you to ride with any of your friends or other people any where in the world at any time.  When using Zift your placed in a 3D landscape that is pretty spectacular.  Zwift calls this world Zwift Island and Watopia.

Zwift reads directly from your sensors, whether that’s a speed/cadence sensor, power meter, or smart trainer, which means that you do NOT need a bike computer. Instead, Zwift recommends using the Zwift Mobile Link app for iOS and Android devices which performs the same functions and works as a game controller.

Cost: $14.99 per month
Zwift: https://zwift.com/

Update: November 16th 2017.  Zwift introduced a new monthly pricing plan of $14.99, a 50% increase from their previous plan.  Anyone who was a Zwift user prior to the price increase, are grandfathered in on the $9.99 monthly plan.

Zwift Annouces An Increases Monthly Fees

TrainerRoad

TrainerRoad takes a bit different approach to cycling.  Rather than provide flashy visual scenery, TrainerRoad provides provides guided interval training to help riders of all types become faster cyclists.  You can think of it more as a structured training session that takes a more scientific approach.

It’s sort of like having a cycling lab in your home.  Most workouts come with instructional and motivational workout text to keep you focused and on-track while you train.

Cost: $12 per month or $99 a year

TrainerRoad: https://www.trainerroad.com

Top Indoor Electric Bike Trainers | 2018

Wahoo KICKR Smart Electric Trainer Review

Strava Cycling Review 2017

The post Top 3 Indoor Cycling Training Apps appeared first on Gear Mashers.

So the weather is turning slightly cool here in Austin and thoughts of doing indoor training sessions are starting to pop up.  I thought it would be a great time to cover some of the Top Indoor Electric Bike Trainers for the 2017 – 2018 season, also referred to as smart trainers or turbo trainers.

People seem to have a love – hate relationship with their trainers, but if you are looking to up your game this winter and next year, an electronic trainer could become your best friend.

Back in the early days, the Racermate Computrainer was about the best electronic trainer around.

While the design wasn’t flashy, ok it was down right boring, the Computrainer was a beast that could hold up to a lot of pounding.  I even managed to do 3 sessions of 5 hours gearing up for an Ironman one winter.  Let’s just say, it made me VERY mentally tough on the bike and maybe just a little crazy.

Fast forward to 2017 and Racermate ceased production of the Computrainer.  An unfortunate event that probably could have been prevented if they had adapted to a changing market.  Over the years new players have emerged including Wahoo Fitness, Elite, CycleOps, Tacx, and Kurt Kinetic.

Top Indoor Electric Bike Trainers

The current top indoor bike trainers include

• CycleOps Hammer (Direct Drive) – Retail: $1,199.00
• Elite Drivo (Direct Drive) – Retail: $1,299.00
• Elite Rampa (Wheel-On) – Retail: $649.00
• Kurt Kinetic Road Machine Electric (Wheel-On) – Retail: $569.00 for the Road Machine and $749.00 for the Rock and Roll.
• Tacx Neo (Direct Drive) – Retail: $1,599.00
• Tacx Genesis (Wheel-On) – Retail: $649.00
• Wahoo KICKR (Direct Drive) – Retail: $1,199.00
• Wahoo KICKR Snap (Wheel-On) – Retail: $599.00

DIRECT DRIVE vs WHEEL-ON

There are essentially two types of electronic trainers.  The first is what is referred to as Direct Drive and requires the removal of the rear wheel.  Most of the high end electronic bike trainers now are direct drive.  The advantages of a direct drive style bike trainer is it eliminates the tire-to-roller contact, the trainers are usually more accurate, have a faster response time, and have higher wattage upward limit.  The biggest disadvantage to a direct drive is having to remove the rear wheel.

Trainer Direct Drive Cassette Tools

Most Direct Drive trainers will also require you to install a rear cassette, which means you will need a few bicycle tools if you want to do it yourself including at the bare minimum a

• Cassette Lockring Tool
• Adjustable Wrench
• Sprocket Remover / Chain Whip

Park Tools has recently added some really cool tools that I just noticed were made specifically for cassette removal including a Cassettte Lockring Tool with handle and Chain Whip Pliers.  These 2 tools eliminated the need for an adjustable wrench and they make it even easier to install or remove cassettes.

I have found that having these tools available makes life much easier should the need arise to install or remove a cassette.

The flip side to Direct Drive are trainers that use Tire-to-Roller or Wheel-On contact, like the Computrainer.  The advantage of a Wheel-On approach is reduced setup time (You’re not having to remove the rear wheel), but the disadvantages include erroneous wattage readings due to calibration issues and tire slippage.

Another notorious problem is tire wear caused by roller friction.  A lot of Wheel-On users end up using training tires and wheels when using their Wheel-On trainers.  Some companies like Tacx have come out with tires that are specifically made for trainers.  I have never tried one, but I have heard they don’t seem to wear as much as a traditional tire would.

Alternatives To Direct Drive and Wheel-On

Recently as in 2016, there was a 3rd option introduced by STAC Zero (https://www.staczero.com) that uses magnet resistance without a Direct Drive or Wheel-On approach.  Instead they used powerful magnets to slow a wheel down and add resistance.  Unfortunately STAC Zero doesn’t have an electronic trainer, but could have one in the future.

Tacx has come out with a treadmill trainer called the Tacx Magnum Smart.  It looks like a traditional treadmill that has been extended for bike use.  It’s wicked cool and has a similar sensation to riding rollers.  Be warned though, the price is probably pretty steep.

Questions You May Want To Consider Prior To Purchasing A Trainer.

When considering an electronic trainer purchase a few key points should be addressed

Does the trainer communicate well with cycling software and other devices?

Currently if a trainer communicates using the following ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, & Bluetooth Smart you’re going to be able to connect it with many more devices over ones that don’t.

Does the trainer have a realistic road feel to it?

In general, the heavier the flywheel the more realistic the road feel is when using the trainer. Heavy flywheels tend to have a longer spin down than their lighter counterparts, giving it a more realistic feel.

How accurate is the Trainer?

Look for trainers that are at least + / – 3% with their accuracy.  The higher the accuracy the more reliable the reading will be when calculating watt output, speed and resistance.  Direct Drive Trainers are currently the most accurate, while Wheel-On Turbo Trainers fall a little bit short.  Usually the best Wheel-On Turbo Trainers fall in the +/- 5% accuracy category.

How much does it cost?

High end electronic trainers fall in the range of $500 – $1,600, with the better ones usually being more expensive.  Plan on paying double for a Direct Drive trainer vs a Wheel-On trainer.

How noisy is the Trainer?

Obviously the quieter the trainer the better.  Trainers that use wind resistance tend to be the loudest, while those that use Direct Drive magnetic tend to be the least noisy.

One more thing before we jump into our Top Indoor Trainer Review and that is other items you may want to purchase along with your trainer.

• Good Fan (I recommend the Vornado 460 or 660)
• Good Trainer Mat (Tacx and Wahoo make really good trainer mats).  Mats help keep the floor clean when you sweat.
• Headband (I sweat a ton and use HeadSweats or Halo Headbands bands)
• At least 1 Towel and if you sweat a lot probably 2
• A computer to run programs like Zwift

Wahoo KICKR Electronic Bike Trainer

The Wahoo KICKR is Wahoo Fitness’s top of the line Direct Drive trainer and probably one of the better known direct drive trainers on the market today.

The KICKR was designed for both the amateur and pro cyclist alike.  It weighs in at a hefty 47 lbs, with a massive 12 pound flywheel.  The weight makes the platform super stable and the heavy flywheel adds a more realistic road feel over lighter flywheels.

The KICKR accuracy rating is + /-  2% which ranks it up there as being one of the more accurate trainers.

The trainer is compatible with ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, & Bluetooth Smart

Check out our in-depth review of the Wahoo KICKR

Wahoo Fitness: https://www.wahoofitness.com/
Retail: $1,199.00

Note: Wahoo recently introduced an update to the KICKR called the 2017 EDITION KICKR POWER TRAINER.  The update was needed so that the trainer would work with their new KICKR Climb unit, which adds physical grade changes to your ride.  Unfortunately those who purchased KICKR units prior to the updated version (2016 EDITION KICKR POWER TRAINER or prior) will not be able to use the KICKR Climb unit.

Wahoo KICKR SNAP Electronic Bike Trainer

The KICKR SNAP is a Wheel-on Trainer that is half the price of the Wahoo KICKR Direct Drive.

The KICKR SNAP weighs 38 lbs and has a flywheel that weighs 10.5 pounds.  The lighter weight trainer does come at a cost in both max wattage and incline.  The KICKR SNAP’s max wattage is 1,500 and the max incline is 12%, which is 500 watts less and 8% less incline than the KICKR.

Accuracy also takes a hit with the unit being + / – 3% vs + / – 2% of the KICKR.

The KICKR SNAP is attractive for those looking for an electronic trainer that is less costly and don’t want to have to remove their rear wheel for training sessions.

Wahoo Fitness: https://www.wahoofitness.com/

Retail: $599.00

CycleOps Hammer Electronic Bike Trainer

The Hammer is CycleOps top of the line Direct Drive trainer.  It weighs in at a hefty 47 pounds with an accuracy of +/- 3%.  It’s flywheel is a massive 20 lbs, dwarfing most if not all other trainers on the market.

It’s capable of handling up to 2000 watts at 20 mph and can simulate up to a 20% climbing grade.

The Hammer is compatible with dual ANT+ FE-C and Bluetooth 4.0 technologies.

CycleOps: https://www.cycleops.com/

Retail: $1,199.00

ELITE DRIVO Electronic Bike Trainer

The Drivo is Elite’s answer to a Direct Drive trainer with one of the best accuracy ratings of +/- 1% accuracy.  The unit weighs roughly 33 pounds making it one of the lightest direct drive trainers on the market today.

Even though the Drivo is lighter than most in it’s category by 10 pounds or more, it has a flywheel weight that weighs in at 13.2 pounds, making it a contender for 2nd heaviest flywheel.

The trainer is compatible with ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, & Bluetooth Smart.

Elite: http://www.elite-it.com/

Retail: $1,299.00

Elite Rampa Electronic Bike Trainer

The Elite Rampa is a wheel-on trainer that is both ANT+ FE-C, & Bluetooth Smart compatible.

As with most trainers, going from direct drive to wheel-on, accuracy drops.  In Elite’s case for the Rampa, accuracy is +/- 5%, which is significantly worse than the +/- 1% of Elite Drivo trainer.

Aesthetically the Elite Ramp is by far the best looking wheel-on trainer to date.  The combination of white, red and black and the flared legs give the trainer a very professional look.

Compatibility and communication wise the trainer will work with ANT+, ANT+ FE-C, and Bluetooth 4.0.  At this point I am not sure if it will work with Bluetooth Smart devices.

Elite: http://www.elite-it.com/

Retail: $649.00

Tacx Neo Smart Electronic Bike Trainer

The Tacx Neo Smart is an impressive trainer with a +/- 1% accuracy rating and able to withstand 2200 watts and simulate a 25% grade.

The trainer weight comes in at 47.3 lbs making it the heaviest trainer in the lineup.

The trainer is compatible with ANT+ FE-C,  Bluetooth Smart and their own proprietary ANT Control.

One interesting feature of the Neo Smart is the ability to create or recreate road profiles such as gravel, cobblestones and other interesting road features that will provide feedback as you pedal.

Check out our Review of the Tacx NEO Smart

Note: The Tacx NEO doesn’t come with a cassette, so you will need to purchase one prior to use.  When adding a cassette to one I was testing, I had to also add a cassette spacer ring.

Tacx: https://tacx.com
Retail: $1,599.00

Tacx Genius Smart Electronic Bike Trainer

The Tacx Genius is another great on-wheel option with an accuracy of roughly <5%.  It can handle watt loads of up to 2,000 watts and inclines of up to 20%.

The Genius is ANT+ FE-C and Bluetooth Smart open compatible.  

Tacx: https://tacx.com

Retail: $799.00

Kinetic Road Machine Electronic Bike Trainer

Kinetic aka Kurt Kinetic hasn’t jumped on the direct drive band wagon yet.  Their Road Machine – Smart Control and Rock and Roll – Smart Control are Kinetic’s top of the line trainers that employ wheel-on resistance.

The Kinetic trainers are known for their big flywheels coming in at a massive 14.4 pounds.

The trainer can simulate a max slope of 10% and a max resistance of 1800 watts at 30 mph.

Kinetic: https://www.kurtkinetic.com

Retail: $569.00 for the Road Machine and $749.00 for the Rock and Roll.

Bottom Line | Top Indoor Electric Bike Trainers | 2018

What is the Least Expensive Electronic Bike Trainer?

If you are looking to save money go with a Wheel-On trainer, which costs significantly less than that of a direct drive trainer. You will forfeit accuracy and noise reduction, but overall wheel-on trainers have been very effectively used at all levels of cycling from amateur to pro-level.

What is the Least Noisy Electronic Bike Trainer?

If you are looking to have the quietest trainer, the direct drive trainers are definitely quieter than their Wheel-On counter parts.  In head to head tests it appears the Elite Drivo is the most quiet at present, but not significantly so.

What Trainer requires the least setup time?

Wheel-on trainers are much easier to setup than Direct Drive.  With Direct Drive trainers you are required to remove your rear wheel and place your chain on the trainer cassette.  Unless your chain is spotless, you’re going to get your hands greasy.  Having greasy hands will mean scrubbing the grease off, which adds to setup time.

In order to speed things up, many people have dedicated bikes pre-setup on the trainer.  If you’re not one of those lucky individuals who has the space and room a dedicated trainer and bike, a direct drive trainer will take longer to setup.

What is the most Accurate Bike Trainer?

Direct Drive trainers are by far much more accurate.  Both the Neo Smart and the Elite Drive have an accuracy rating of +/- 1%, which is pretty darn good.

What is the most innovative Bike Trainer?

I would have to go with the Wahoo KICKR and Tacx Neo.  The Wahoo KICKR can be combined with the Wahoo Climb to to simulate going up or down hills.  The Taxc Neo has the ability to simulate different road surfaces.  Both are very cool features.  I would probably give the thumbs up to Wahoo, simply because going up and down hills IMO has the biggest wow factor when training.

Top 3 Indoor Cycling Training Apps

Wahoo KICKR Smart Electric Trainer Review

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