New Zoic and a New Review

Last week I received a package from Zoic. You know, the guys who make the stuff with Bamboo fiber in it, like the awesome LiberTee--which we've been using and using and using without any signs of wear. No snags, nothing. The fabric is fantastic. Really.

This latest package contained the Ether Short:

and an updated version of the Libertee--very similar to the other one we are abusing, but with graphics and without the little pocket on the sleeve. To be honest, I've never used the little pocket. I'm not sure what is supposed to go there.

Moving on...

Our review of the Garmin Edge 705 is up and running. We really liked the GPS and were quite sad to send it back. If they didn't know my address, I'd have been tempted to say it got "lost" but, alas, it is back in their hands now. Go read the review HERE, while I shed a tear quietly in the corner.

The Moment You've Been Waiting For

Okay, everyone, breathe. The wait is finally over.


We just posted the Pugsley review. What can I say about this bike that I haven't said? It is unlike, probably, any other bike you've ridden and it will take you much further in the winter than an indoor trainer would. Honest. Go read it, but come back to read the rest of this post.

Speaking of being indoor, I spent an hour on the rollers this morning. Riding on rollers is a harrowing experience. Or was it just the bad acting in the movie I was watching: Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones? The world may never know.

Also posted, just in time for, um, winter. As it were. 

Anyway, just posted is a review of the Keen Blackcomb winter boots. They're both warm and bootish--making them good for winter, um, boot usage. Read it here.

Arrival and Review

Since last week was taken up by NAHBS, I put off letting you in on a new arrival and a review that was posted last week.

The new arrival is a jersey/shirt from Zoic, the Libertee jersey. Like most technical fabrics, this one is partly polyester. And, thankfully, they name it as such. No fancy name like WeWickBetter fabric, or "Special Tubes", no, they call it what it is. Nice. The other part of the fabric, though is pretty cool -- it's only 57% polyester, you see. The other 43% is Bamboo Charcoal. I kid you not. Bamboo. Frankly, I feel like I should be riding one of Calfee's creations when I wear this jersey -- maybe this one*:

But I don't have one, so I'll have to make do with just the jersey. The Libertee looks like this:

And has a small pocket on the right sleeve. The fit is loose, but not baggy. The fabric feels great, though. Very smooth with a soft hand. According to Zoic's press release, bamboo fabric wicks better than cotton, is softer than cotton, is naturally antibacterial and features natural UV protection. You can't beat that with a stick.

Now, on to the review. I alluded to my Phantom review about a week ago. Well, it's up and live. Click HERE to read about it and then run out and buy one. Seriously, it's that good.



*Somehow I managed to sneak in another NAHBS photo. Man, I'm sneaky.

Variables

I am putting the finishing touches on my review of Gore's Phantom jacket -- previewed HERE -- and am also working on a sunglasses review. In the glasses review, we have two pair with swappable lenses and one with photochromic lenses. The Phantom has zip-off sleeves. What do these have in common?

Versatility.

Cycling is a wonderful sport/activity. One of the things that I like about it, and what keeps me coming back is the variability. I ride on the road, I commute, I ride off road, I ride long rides, I ride short rides, I race occasionally, I do hill repeats, I ride on the trainer -- when I must. I also ride when it's cold out, warm out, raining, windy, snowing, at night, during the day, at lunch, in the morning, at midnight... well, you get the idea. In order to do this comfortably, I have a variety of clothes and accessories. But, the best of these work for more than one type of riding and can handle a variety of conditions.

Look at the Phantom, it has removable sleeves. This means that I can start a long day in the saddle when it is chilly out, then removes the sleeves as I warm up.

Look at Rudy Project's Rydon, with their Photochromic Clear lenses. These things are nearly clear (95% transmission) and darken substantially (5% transmission) in direct sunlight. Start a ride at dusk and continue into the day light without stopping to swap lenses, or remove your sunglasses.

Arm and Leg warmers fall into this category, so do overshoes. They both help extend the range of the clothes you already have -- jerseys, shorts and those nicely ventilated shoes that enable your toes to freeze in the winter.

I could go on... there are so many variables, and so many products that help make you, the cyclist, comfortable while pursuing this wonderful sport.

A Flock

As a test of my current fitness/strength, Squaw Peak Road is a good one. When I first tackled it on a road bike, I thought it'd kill me. I've since gotten so only the steepest section (the last 1/4 mile) kills me. Today, was my first test of the season, and I was a little worried because of what a slacker I've been over the winter.

There is a magical time of the year around here, when all the high mountain roads are still closed to cars. Although this usually means more debris on the roads, the trade-off (absolutely no car traffic) is worth it. I didn't realize, but today was one of those days. I got an extra bit of adrenaline as I rode past the heavy metal gate and I managed to shift up a couple gears--only for a hundred yards or so, though. Though a little chilly, there were large pockets of warm air--just where I'd expect them--flowing down the parts of the mountain exposed to the sun in the day. Alternately, as I would go through an area where the road wound through a ravine, it would chill me to the bone.

I've gotten fairly adept at reading the landscape and predicting wind and thermals--especially so in Provo canyon where so much of my riding takes place.

This morning was also very warm--about as warm as it is now at 12:30 p.m., in fact. I knew this would be the case. As many cyclists, I'm part weatherman. I knew tonight the temps were predicted to drop with a massive snow storm heading this way. I knew that at the front of that storm would be warm weather. It was beautiful.

A note to weather-related companies: You should look into hiring a few cyclists. Not only could they use the money to fund their need for newer gear, but the world would benefit from their unsurpassed weather-predicting knowledge.

Anyway, needless to say, I was enjoying this climb thoroughly. Could anything have made it better? I was about to find out.

As I came upon a switch-back, I heard this strange gurgling/strangling/animal noise. I just knew I'd come around a corner and find a cougar feeding on a fresh kill. I was a little worried, but wasn't about to let a little thing like that prevent me from conquering this hill. I stood up through the steepest part of the bend and saw, to my relief and delight:

Turkeys. Lots. In fact, about 30 of them.

Today's ride will help as I hunker inside on the trainer the rest of the week.

Items that helped me enjoy this ride: A Blackbottoms vest we're reviewing. Combined with some Verge arm-warmers, I found both the ascent (vest unzipped) and descent comfortable.

Cannondale Goodies

A package arrived from Cannondale this week. In it, were shoes and a multi-tool--two items perhaps not normally associated with Cannondale. The shoes are Diadora (owned by Cannondale) Ergo Carbon mountain shoes.




The next item is the Head Wrench multi-tool. It is designed to sit in the head-tube of a Cannondale Lefty fork. Of course, its compact shape would work for just stowing in your pack/bag as well. One of the less-obvious features: There's a glue-less patch kit in the top part.



Keep your eye on GearReview for their forthcoming reviews.

More Reading

As I've mentioned before, I have strong opinions about jerseys. I really like the standard style with three pockets in the rear and a nice long zipper in the front. I like normal collars and sleeves. I don't like my jerseys too baggy, and definitely not too tight.

Though my opinion might not mesh with yours, I've finally posted the follow-up to my bib shorts review: a high-end jersey review. In this review, I tested four jerseys: Assos Equipe, Cannondale Climb, Giordana Forma, and Pearl Izumi MicroSensor. All of these are fantastic jerseys, and theres quite a wide price range from this group.

My top picks? Well read the review. If you've had different results with these jerseys, or want to suggest others we might want to take a look at. Make sure and leave a comment.

Also, though we don't like to admit it, James and I sometimes get off the bike a bit. We also just posted a review of two Keen shoes that will take you up the trail: Humbolt and Targhee. Check it out.

Hoss Goodness

I think that Hoss is Latin for "good stuff, great prices". I really do. This week I received a couple of shirts jerseys from them -- the new Polo Pony -- one short sleeved, the other long sleeved. The long sleeved version is pictured below.


While it might not look like a jersey, the fabric is of the technical/wicking variety and the jersey is very light weight. This is not a cold weather garment, rather it's a cool weather garment. Think of an early summer/late spring evening or night around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. There are no pockets, so bring your hydration pack.

The Polo Pony retails for $35 in the long sleeve version and $30 for the short sleeve.