http://www.gear.com What gear are you in? Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:39:11 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en My first mountain bike shoe was a Northwave. I loved those shoes enough that when I got my first road bike a few years ago I just threw some SPD's on the roadie and charged. All of my roadie friends said that I needed to check out Sidi Genius ... http://www.gear.com/northwave-vertigo-sbs-road-cycling-shoe/ So I got new road cycling shoes this season and the former one sided Shimano SPD compatible pedals were out of the question. With that realization I was back to what road biking pedal should to buy? Once again, the conflict of quality and performance were in a ... http://www.gear.com/shimano-ultegra-spd-sl-road-bike-pedal-review/ The Mountain Hardware Wicked T is light enough that it could be renamed the Ghost T. The fabric is one of the lightest I've ever seen in a synthetic wicking performance T. The body of the shirt is made with Koolknit which is 100% polyester circular knit and ... http://www.gear.com/mountain-hardware-wicked-t-gear-review/ Well, not just yet, but soon. If you look at the Nau website you'll see that Nau is about to take on it's 2.0 shell come August 1, 2008. From the looks of it they sort of tried what Black Diamond did of Chouinard Equipment, that is an ... http://www.gear.com/relaunching-nau-version-20/ Reeling from the astronomical gas prices, more and more people are returning to their childhood roots and riding their bikes more for transportation. It's funny because in many countries, the bicycle remains the top form of transportation because it's cheap, efficient and it's good for the body. As American's Twinkie themselves ... http://www.gear.com/princeton-tec-swerve-bike-tail-light/ It's amazing to me when I consider the various speed records that exist in the outdoors, specifically those of climbing mountains. A couple that immediately come to mind are Pemba Dorje Sherpa with the fastest Everest climb of 8 hours and 10 minutes followed by Rolando Garibotti with his Grand Traverse ... http://www.gear.com/jimmy-chin-is-one-fast-man/ It's a simple thing for a road biker to decide, but then again, it's not so simple. Every time you ride, every aspect of your performance and the feel of the road transfers through the tape you've got on your handlebars. After the stock tape that came with my roadie ... http://www.gear.com/cinelli-cork-handlebar-tape-gear-review/ Helmets used to be a laborious thing to find -- they all have different shapes to the shell, and so it's hard to find one that doesn't pinch your forehead but also isn't a total salad bowl. Since I have a football-shaped head, I used to have to get something ... http://www.gear.com/giro-bike-helmets-indicator/ While I'm a huge proponent of eVent Fabric, sometimes it makes sense to bring things in-house. KEEN is doing just that for 2009 with the introduction of KEEN.DRY breathable, waterproof membrane for their footwear. Select hiking boots and shoes will come with the new KEEN.DRY fabric, which has a 2-year ... http://www.gear.com/keen-to-drop-event-in-favor-of-keendry-in-2009/ If you are a Salt Lake resident, there is one trail that you ought to be flogging every Saturday morning: the Pioneer Trail in East Canyon. This trail is extremely accessible but the great thing about it is that you get some great climbing that isn't brutal, and is shady ... http://www.gear.com/mountain-biking-on-the-pioneer-trail/ For a while now I've been in the hunt for a new pair of casual shoes that would both look good at the office and function if I needed to get away from the pavement for any reason. While looking I came upon the Montrail Whidbey Shoe which although ... http://www.gear.com/montrail-whidbey-shoe-gear-review/ Because my typical "lunch hour" consists of a 45-minute mountain bike ride on the awesome trails nearby my office here in Draper, Utah, my body will burn through the calories that I eat for my actual lunch by about 3:30 pm.  At that point, I'm usually reaching for that box ... http://www.gear.com/odwalla-bar-chocolate-chip-peanut/ Whenever you cruise through the streets of downtown San Francisco you can't help but see hipsters huffing up hills on fixed gear roadies. Of all the places where fixed gear bikes wouldn't take off, I would have thought it would be San Francisco because of the hills. But despite all ... http://www.gear.com/fixed-gear-road-bikes-track-bikes/ One of the very coolest things about living in Salt Lake is being around tons of other people who moved here because there just isn't another place like it for accessibility to the outdoors. Yeah, Boulder is hip. Portland's got Hood and Hood River. And Seattle...well, it's got it's own ... http://www.gear.com/utah-backcountry-volunteers-conservation-of-wild-lands/ I've always been a fan of the little guy. In this case, the "little" guy isn't so little anymore. While SRAM is looking to exceed $400 million in revenue year ending June 30, they are still far behind Shimano who according to the Boss Report is "on pace to ... http://www.gear.com/sram-is-on-the-rise/ Fly fishermen going after small stream trout or pan fish can use almost any reel to simply serve as device to store their line. However if you are going for powerful fish like pike, steelhead or salmon, having a reel with a smooth drag and is capable of quickly taking ... http://www.gear.com/reels-for-fly-fishing/ It seems that I've come full circle on the concept of a functional shell for backcountry skiing and similar outdoor pursuits. Years ago it was a lightweight single layer shell with plenty of layers. Then it was the heavy duty 3 layer Gore Tex with or without fleece lining ... http://www.gear.com/westcomb-mirage-jacket-with-event/ It's rather sobering when the very first product listing on a GPS devices webpage describes that it's "easy for rescuers to know who you are and where you are, worldwide," but that's the harsh reality of the deep woods adventurer, especially in the untamed wonder of the Rocky Mountains. ... http://www.gear.com/tracking-your-course-gps-and-other-gear-to-trace-your-route/ Talk to any die hard Steelhead fishermen and they will tell you the two most important items when selecting a steelhead rod are sensitivity and line handling. The G.Loomis STR1263C GL2 Steelhead Rod is packed with both of these features, with the sensitivity to feel the lightest of strikes to ... http://www.gear.com/gloomis-str1263c-gl2-steelhead-rod/ I have to admit, in the early days of organic goods and "going green", I associated these terms with my 7th grade science teacher's patchouli perfume and toilet paper that has both the color and texture of sand paper. I'm not sure if my perception has changed within the ... http://www.gear.com/organic-happy-yoga-mat-wash/ I'm in love with this hunk of plastic. There are times when you find a tool or a piece of gear with tons of flaws yet still performs wonderfully. This speaker is a perfect example. I think this is because the speaker looks so simple that I can't believe I've found ... http://www.gear.com/bose-portable-sounddock-ipod-accessory-review/ Dockers-brand clothing has been around for years. Likely the most ubiquitous dressy-casual wear in the world, nearly everyone owns at least one pair of Dockers slacks or khakis, right? I know I've got at least two pair in my closet... what about your closet? I'm sure they're in ... http://www.gear.com/dockers-outdoor-clothing-coming-fall-2008/ REI.com has been one of the most stagnant online presences in the outdoor industry. I'm all for sticking with what works, but REI.com was stuck in ugly land for a long time. I've wondered for years why it hasn't been updated. Honestly, I can't remember when it ... http://www.gear.com/reicom-launches-new-web-site-finally/ I'm a Subaru fan... have been for years. I love their cars because they are practical and can't be stopped in the snow. The Subaru Outback has been wildly successful in snowbelt areas and with mountain-folks alike. I'm sure most of their sales come from Utah, Colorado and Washington ... http://www.gear.com/is-that-a-subaru-tribeca-or-a-chrysler-pacifica/ Every folding bike I've seen has been a sorry excuse for a real bike... more like something out of the back pages of Popular Mechanics magazine. Heavy, awkward and questionable durability all come to mind when I think of travel-friendly, folding bikes--not something I would spend money on or ... http://www.gear.com/ritchey-break-away-ti-travel-friendly-mountain-bike/ Looking for a lightweight pullover to take the chill off those early-morning trail runs or trail rides? Yeah, you could bust out your 3-layer GoreTex shell and call it good, but that's kind of like showing up at a BMX track with a Honda CR250 motocross bike. Yeah, you ... http://www.gear.com/arcteryx-accelero-pullover-jacket-new-gear/ As much as we all love the outdoors and outdoor gear, I know that many of you have to work like a regular Joe. Me too. That's why I love any minute that I can get out on a bike or on my skis to try out some cool outdoor ... http://www.gear.com/microsoft-touchwall-multi-touch-display-is-some-of-the-worlds-coolest-electronics-gear-new-gear/ Niner Bikes came on the scene a few years ago building nothing but 29-inch wheel mountain bikes. If you haven't seen the latest crop of 29-er bikes, then you must have been hiding under a rock over the past couple of seasons. What was once only a "fad" adopted by ... http://www.gear.com/niner-rip-9-29-er-mountain-bike-new-gear/ So, it's taken a few months, but I'm starting to really dig the new Subaru Impreza body style for 2008. The old body style with the aggressive "love it or hate it" front end styling has been replaced by a more subdued and perhaps somewhat boring front end. Yeah, ... http://www.gear.com/2008-subaru-impreza-outback-sport/ I started backpacking as a Boy Scout when I was 11 years old--this was in 1986. At that time, I doubt there was a single high-end backpack in existence that was specifically built for a youth's frame. I specifically remember everyone giving me a hard time as I hiked ... http://www.gear.com/osprey-sprint-series-youth-specific-backpacks/ Whenever I travel outside of the borders of the good ol' US of A, I can't help but notice that most wallets are inadequate to carry all the things you need. That velcro VANS wallet that you usually carry? Won't carry a Passport very well, will it? How about saving ... http://www.gear.com/rei-travel-wallet-organizer-gear-review/ The North Face Gotham jacket is a heater like no other -- it is a puffy down jacket from The North Face that will keep even the most anemic girl warm on the coldest of days. I should know -- I finally got my wife a gift she is stoked ... http://www.gear.com/the-north-face-gotham-puffy-down-jacket-gear-review/ I've long been a fan of Crank Brothers pedals. the Eggbeater design is far and away the simplest and most consistent clipless pedal platform I've used. Just look at the design... 4-sided entry with plenty of float and easily-cleaned design that sheds mud and dirt better than anything ... http://www.gear.com/crank-brothers-candy-c-pedals-gear-review/ High Sierra has been making backpacks, luggage duffels and ski bags for a long time. As the official ski bag of the U.S. Ski Team, they make some of the most durable luggage on the market to carry your gear... and protect your valuables from the heavy-hands of the ... http://www.gear.com/highsierra-sentinel-65-backpack-new-gear/ Have you read Jon Krakauer's "Into the Wild" yet? Well, if you're planning your own little trek into the wild then you just might consider taking a mobile GPS device so you don't end up lost and dead. The perfect setup at the right price just might be the Garmin ... http://www.gear.com/garmin-etrex-vista-hcx-gps-bundle-mobile-gps-device/ In case you've been hiding under a rock for the past 4 years, the Santa Cruz Blur is all-but fabled at this point. Our kids will be talking about the Blur as one of the most successful XC bike designs to hit the dirt. When Santa Cruz ponied up for ... http://www.gear.com/2008-santa-cruz-blur-lt-mountain-bike-new-gear/ Look, so we're not Road and Track or even Consumer Reports, but can't a guy salivate over a nice new set of wheels? Even more justified if it is a driving machine like a BMW. But, even more than that is when that particular BMW is the all-new BMW X6 ... http://www.gear.com/bmw-x6-xdrive35i-sports-activity-coupe/ Not particularly known for their road bikes, Kona is more of a staple in freeride films and on the North Shore of Vancouver. Nonetheless, their road bike lineup offers an amazing value for what you're getting. carbon forks or even full-carbon frames mated to top-notch parts specs at competitive price-points ... http://www.gear.com/kona-zing-road-bike-new-gear/ Are you a classic new schooler? Yearning for the good ol' days where an over-tweaked huntony grab could land you a shot in Freeze Magazine? Do you still idolize Josh Loubek and his Hart F17's? Then you're my kinda guy. You should be rockin' Arnette Sunglasses' Full House model, because ... http://www.gear.com/arnette-sunglasses-full-house-gear-review/ Balancing time between work, play and outdoor activities, it's always nice to have versatile clothing--especially shoes. I'm definitely not one for wearing wingtips or loafers unless someone has a gun to my head. So, I typically prefer to wear trail runners or other, versatile shoes that can transition ... http://www.gear.com/the-north-face-mountain-sneaker-new-gear-review/ That free T-shirt you got from the last tradeshow you attended may be good for lounging around or mowing the lawn, but if you take that cotton shirt backpacking or trail running, you're going to end up with a wet, heavy and soggy mess of a shirt. With all the new ... http://www.gear.com/outdoor-research-sequence-tee-new-gear/ Why do you wear headphones? Where do you wear headphones? If you wear your headphones to get clean accurate sound in environments where you want to focus without interruptions, these are for you. These headphones produce a clean clear sound. The fit is perfect, and like the name suggest, they feel very ... http://www.gear.com/klipsch-custom-2-headphones-gear-review/ Boy things have come a long way since smoke signals. The SPOT Satellite Personal Messenger and Personal Tracker is definitely a piece of gear that any solo trekkers, climbers, hunters, fishermen, and canyoneering crazies should consider. When you are indulging your inner Aron Ralston in the middle of the Utah ... http://www.gear.com/spot-satellite-personal-messenger-personal-tracker-new-gear/ Looking for a comfortable 2-3 person tent that won't break your back on your next backpacking trip? Look no further than the MSR Mutha Hubba, which is still a roomy 3-person tent, but tips the scales at a reasonable 6 lbs. 2 oz. for the body, full-coverage fly and aluminum ... http://www.gear.com/msr-mutha-hubba-3-person-3-season-tent-new-gear/ Apple is simultaneously admired and hated --- sometimes by the same people. On the one hand, their stuff is constantly cool. On the other, they are even less open than Microsoft. But one thing we can now agree on with Apple CEO Steve Jobs --- Teton Gravity Research rocks! At Macworld ... http://www.gear.com/macworld-apple-steve-jobs-loves-teton-gravity-research/ Why in the world would Burton release a new snowboard backpack in the Spring? Well, the name should give it away: the Burton AK 30L Pack. That's "AK" as in Alaska. With such short days during the winter in Alaska, the great skiing and snowboarding starts ramping up in the ... http://www.gear.com/2008-burton-gear-burton-ak-30l-pack-spring-2008-new-gear/ A wacky little product showed up on my doorstep the other day. Sometimes when something like that shows up it is total junk -- like key chain flashlights and stuff. So I spare you guys the reviews of that stuff. But some nutty little things are actually great & thoughtful ... http://www.gear.com/hitch-safe-hide-a-key-and-wallet-safe-new-product/ Keen sandals alone are some of the most versatile footwear on the market today. Going from the river to the trail and around town has never been so easy. And all that with the extreme toe protection to keep your toes intact--something that can't be said for other ... http://www.gear.com/keen-commuter-spd-compatible-sandals-new-gear/ Holy smokes... they say that this headlamp/handlebar-mounted bike light system illuminates enough of your path to safely reach speeds of 55 mph! Now that's a powerful night lighting system! Not that anyone will want to be going that fast on a road or mountain bike (unless they have a deathwish) ... http://www.gear.com/foxfury-pro-iii-bike-light-new-gear/ Springtime weather can be unpredictable and it's always smart to carry around an extra lightweight shell just in case. Or, on early-morning trail runs or bike rides, it's downright chilly--making a lightweight and breathable shell mandatory. Outdoor Research has been stepping up their outerwear line over the past few years ... http://www.gear.com/outdoor-research-mens-avido-jacket-new-gear/ The new SteriPEN JourneyLCD water purifier looks to be a great tool to have on-hand any time there's a need to purify water. Although it won't filter the water, it does purify it and kill any harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites in a matter of 90 seconds. So ... http://www.gear.com/steripen-journeylcd-water-purifier/ We've known the day would come--what with Backcountry.com crushing the outdoor gear market and all--but they've finally pulled the trigger... the SRAM X.9 trigger that is! Backcountry.com, one of our long-time favorite outdoor gear retailers has now expanded their product line to include bike gear: clothing, accessories and parts. Their current ... http://www.gear.com/backcountrycom-on-two-wheels/ By raise of hands, who here has seen "The Collective"? Wow -- almost everybody! Well, then you know who Ryan Leech is. The sick trials guy from Portland who biked on that handrail with the hanging chain? Yep. And he does all that nutty stuff on a Norco bike. But ... http://www.gear.com/norco-fluid-lt-2-mountain-bike-bike-gear/ Let me tell you about a very neglected piece of gear that never gets a gear review because sometimes folks think that electronics gear isn't really outdoor gear. Let me tell you, they are wrong. The gear I'm talking about is your trusty digital camera --- and I consider gear ... http://www.gear.com/canon-powershot-sd-1000-7-megapixel-digital-camera-electronics-gear-review/ Depending on who you are, the word "ideal" evokes either thoughts of nobility and striving for good or it evokes thoughts of foolishness and a lack of realism. Frankly, I have to confess that lately I have been more in the latter camp. I guess I've often heard the phrase: ... http://www.gear.com/sustainable-green-living-for-all/ I have had my eye on a tent recently -- the Mountain Hardwear Helion 2 Tent. It's a gorgeous and functional tent, but what's even better is how it is such a lightweight tent. I grew up slogging around the Pacific Northwest in tents that were often less than ideal. I ... http://www.gear.com/mountain-hardwear-helion-2-tent-outdoor-gear/ Okay -- here are a few more key mountain biking events in and around Utah for the Spring/Summer 2008 season. I assume you'll be spectating at the NORBA event at Deer Valley on June 26-29, but after that it gets HOT in Utah. No worries -- these rides will have ... http://www.gear.com/mountain-biking-utah-events-bike-racing/ I love vests. They are one of the most versatile pieces of outdoor clothing there are. As a lightweight and unobtrusive layering piece, they are always tops on my list. On backcountry ski trips, I always carry one in the bottom of my pack just in case. Several years ago, I ... http://www.gear.com/the-north-face-windwall-vest-review/ Welcome to Spring in Utah! As I'm writing this, it is actually snowing outside at the end of March. But no matter -- spring is on its way. So I figured I would post a few key cycling events in and around Utah for those who are so inclined. We'll ... http://www.gear.com/utah-mountain-biking-events-cycling/ At Outdoor Retailer in January, I was shown some prototype trail running shoes from Vasque. The new kicks were the Vasque Aether Tech Softshell shoes. The standard Aether Tech shoes were released earlier this year, but the softshell versions will be out late in the summer--just in time ... http://www.gear.com/new-trail-shoes-vasque-aether-tech-softshell-coming-summer-08/ The name Pflueger has been around for some time. My first fly reel was a Pflueger although I do no remember the model it served me well over the years. However it finally gave out and I had to purchase a new reel recently I purchased one of the 7-8 ... http://www.gear.com/pflueger-summit-series-fly-reel-fishing-gear/ With Steelhead season picking up and Salmon season just around the corner I decided it was time to pick up a new fishing rod and reel. I found an excellent setup with the Penn SV6000 Spinning Reel & Rod Combo. This Rod and reel combo package has it all, it ... http://www.gear.com/ideal-steelhead-and-salmon-combo-fishing-gear/ Here is a quick gear review of the Black Diamond Glidelite (Standard) climbing skins for alpine ski touring. I've ridden different brands of skins, my most recent being the Backcountry Access Low-Fat climbing skins. Those have some great adhesive & plenty of grippy tread. But there were two complaints I ... http://www.gear.com/the-gearcom-show-black-diamond-glidelite-climbing-skins-for-alpine-ski-touring/ NAU is a Portland, Oregon-based company who builds amazingly-functional, durable and sustainable outerwear and clothing. The new-for-spring 2008, NAU Shelter Jacket is a great example of a highly-technical jacket that is made entirely from post-consumer fabrics and is 100% recycleable. Read up on their design philosophy and what they are ... http://www.gear.com/nau-shelter-jacket-new-for-spring-2008/ Now, on GEAR.com we are all about the gear we love. But sometimes it's tough to separate the gear we love from the sports, athletes, and activities we love. So this article is about Steven Nyman, ski racer for Fischer Skis and an amazing athlete on the US Ski Team. Steven ... http://www.gear.com/steven-nyman-rocks-us-ski-team-hero-is-utah-favorite/ This episode is a quick gear review of the Black Diamond Kilowatt Touring and Telemark ski. It's a great ski -- nice, versatile width and a solid turn radius. Black Diamond skis really cover the bases of the types of skis a skier out West would want. There's one key ... http://www.gear.com/black-diamond-kilowatt-touring-and-telemark-ski/ Headlamps are simply essential for backcountry travel while hiking, backcountry skiing (gotta see the skintrack on 5am dawn patrols), or even working on your car in the dark. We're big fans of headlamps and there's been a lot of progress in headlamp design over the past few years as traditional ... http://www.gear.com/new-fuel-headlamp-from-princeton-tec/ In my first video gear review I discuss the Stainless Steel Suunto Observer Altimeter. please forgive the poor video quality and lack of comedic timing. I'll working on that in future video reviews. Review Summary Regular Price: $449.00 Sale Price: $239.37 (as of 1/29/08) Recommended Use: mountain biking, skiing, hiking and camping Pros: durable ... http://www.gear.com/stainless-steel-suunto-observer-altimeter-gear-review/ While it's not one of our own videos this little vid is worth posting about the 2008 lineup of Scarpa AT Ski Boots. Hopefully we'll get our hands on some to put through the wringer and bring you a Gear.com review of them. For more info about these Scarpa ... http://www.gear.com/scarpa-at-boots-for-2008/ Jason went skiing at Snowbird yesterday to test out the Scott Mission skis in true powder conditions. You can't get better powder conditions than Snowbird with 30 inches of fresh! Unfortunately he was only filming video of other random guys on the hill, but check out what an epic powder ... http://www.gear.com/the-gearcom-show-episode-5-snowbird-opens-after-30-of-new/ Scott USA doesn't just make goggles and poles. They actually make some of the most bomber alpine skis on the market. And, for you mountain and road bikers, you know their bikes to be some of the best in the industry. The Scott Mission 183's feature a 130mm tip, 90 mm ... http://www.gear.com/the-gearcom-show-scott-mission-183-alpine-skis/ Happy new year, everyone! Yes, another episode of the GEAR.com show -- straight from my gear closet to yours! In this episode we'll take a look at the Black Diamond Avalung and how it works, and then a few important headlamp styles to consider. Enjoy, and please post any questions ... http://www.gear.com/the-gearcom-show-episode-3-black-diamond-avalung-petzl-and-princeton-tec-headlamps/ I recently had a pair of Garmont Endorphin's and Scarpa Tornado Pro alpine touring boots for review on www.FeedTheHabit.com. So, I thought I'd take some time to share with you the differences between the latest crop of burly, alpine touring or backcountry ski boots and traditional alpine boots. There's lots ... http://www.gear.com/the-gearcom-show-freeride-alpine-touring-boots/ We have been wanting to give you guys some video discussion, and do it right. Well, we decided to stop waiting to find the right camera & lighting setups, or get studio time somewhere. Instead, we did our first episode totally on the cheap, with a home camcorder & a ... http://www.gear.com/the-gearcom-show-episode-1-dakine-ridge-pack/ Something new that just came in the door is an innovative and nice looking ski rack for your garage. Bordz-Up has an interesting history as a machine-shop owner developed a way to show off his son's snowboards. With that he developed his Gravity Suspension Racks (GSR) that shows off the ... http://www.gear.com/bordz-up-pl-2004-4-pair-ski-rack-new-gear/ Merrell introduced a new clothing line in 2007 with the intent of providing stylish and functional outerwear for active folks who demand a lot from their clothing. A key piece of their layering line is the Merrell Rove Tech Vest. This vest is made from a 100% polyester shell ... http://www.gear.com/merrell-rove-tech-vest-quick-review/ I've ridden tons of disc brakes in my lifetime. Everything from Hayes, Avid, Shimano, Formula, Magura, Hope, etc. They are all awesome brakes that work well in nearly all conditions. Some have a little better brake feel than others. Some have better levers than others. Some squeak ... http://www.gear.com/avid-bb7-mechanical-disc-brakes-gear-review/ My first foray into the realm of The North Face shoes were the Momentum hiking shoes. At a glance, these shoes look great and seem to have all the features anyone could want in a lightweight hiker/kicking around the house shoe. I liked the looks and felt like ... http://www.gear.com/the-north-face-momentum-hiking-shoes-gear-review/ The folks at Norco have been working hard over the past seasons fine tuning their all-mountain line. As they have done so, they have both lightened their freeride bikes and beefed up their XC lineup in an attempt to find the perfect trailbike. The result? A sweet ... http://www.gear.com/2007-norco-fluid-10-mountain-bike-gear-review/ If you're like me, it doesn't matter how many pair of sandals you have, but when summer hits, you have to buy a new pair...just because it's summer. I purchased these crocs more for the comfort than the looks, but they quickly became my footwear of choice. I ... http://www.gear.com/why-the-cleo-croc-rocks/ Looks like the spin doctors at have "secretly" let the cat out of the bag on the new 2008 Kona Coiler frame design. They have a little demo that shows the travel path and gives you somewhat of an idea how it works. Now, I'm no engineer, ... http://www.gear.com/2008-kona-coiler-with-magic-link-new-gear/ For Fall 2007, Merrell introduces a strong line of outdoor-specific clothing that is both functional and good looking. Not directly aimed at hard-core backcountry pursuits, Merrell is carving out a niche in the functional and style market for outdoor apparel. I just got my hands on a new Merrell ... http://www.gear.com/merrell-womens-merino-wool-scoop-shirt-new-gear/ I am a traditionalist when it comes to cycling apparel. Tight pants. Slim-fitting jerseys. No body armor. But of course, you wouldn't expect any less from a wimpy cross-country guy. I know that time has passed me by. All the guys I used to ride with are into monster travel and ... http://www.gear.com/pearl-izumi-mens-focus-jersey-gear-review/ Ahh the inevitable... a flat on the trail. Well, actually, since I swapped to larger 2.35 tires, I can't remember the last time I got a flat tire. But, nothing is worse than getting a flat just when the going is getting good... that twisty, turny and rock-strewn ... http://www.gear.com/blackburn-shorty-mountain-bike-pump-gear-review/ Yes, I am a working stiff who spends waaaay too much time each day on the computer. And since I travel a fair amount, I was recently in the market for a new laptop bag. Now, I do like to do a little bike commuting when I can make it ... http://www.gear.com/cannondale-urbapod-messenger-bag-gear-review/ You know, I will admit that I can be faulted for spraying about Smith Optics too much. I once had some Arnette goggles and sunglasses, but that phase passed and for 8 years I've been back to my old favorites, Smith Optics. My latest shades of choice are the Smith ... http://www.gear.com/smith-sunglasses-district-ii-gear-review-2/ Are you a Flahute? Most of us will only aspire. If you have no idea what I'm referring to and what it has to do with cycling socks, it's time for a little lesson in cycling history with a bit of lore. Lion Of Flanders, A History The Lion of Flanders is ... http://www.gear.com/sock-guy-lion-of-flanders-cycling-socks-gear-review/ Hitch rack, or roof rack... Hitch rack or roof rack... Hitch rack, of course! When it comes to hauling your beefy DH rig, or even your svelte roadie, I much prefer using hitch-mounted bike racks. They aren't perfect, but they are much better than putting your rig on the ... http://www.gear.com/yakima-hookup-2-hitch-mount-bike-rack-gear-review/ I have more water bottles than I really need, but frankly I'm always finding that I'm glad I have them around. Bottles are like headlamps -- you think you're buying them for all your outdoor escapades but really you end up using them more often in day-to-day life than you ... http://www.gear.com/sigg-water-bottles-gear-review/ The Cattivo Bib from Castelli is a solid performance bib. Although not the top of the line like the Castelli Ypro Bib which from what I've heard has a very comfy chamois worthy of the extra loot, the Cattivo stacks up quite nicely among bibs and is no slouch. Truth ... http://www.gear.com/castelli-cattivo-bib-shorts-gear-review/ Yeah, you've seen them being hauled on yaks, headed for Everest Base Camp on the North side. Perhaps it was that die hard climber you saw in Kennedy Airport on his way to some far off climbing destination and as he weaved his way through the suits a base camp ... http://www.gear.com/the-north-face-base-camp-duffel-gear-review/ When I was a young BMX'er, I hated changing grips. I would wear them out one summer, then dread getting new ones. Getting the grips off was as easy as taking a utility knife to the rubber and you were golden. But, getting new grips on was ... http://www.gear.com/odi-rogue-lock-on-grips-gear-review/ It's rare that a product can live up to the hype but if you've not yet used a Jetboil then you're not paying attention to the right kind of hype. Stop watching American Idol, get a Jetboil and let me be the first to welcome you to camp cooking ... http://www.gear.com/jetboil-personal-cooking-system-gear-review/ For years, watch manufacturers have tinkered with tracking speed and distance using GPS technology. The problem is that GPS technology hasn't experienced quite the shrinkage that other devices have, like MP3 players. The biggest challenge with making smaller GPS devices is the lack of a strong antenna. On ... http://www.gear.com/garmin-forerunner-305-new-product/ Unless you spend a fair amount of time riding teeter-totters, bridges and natural obstacles found in the forests along the North Shore of British Columbia, you may not have ever heard of Banshee Bikes. If you have, then you're one step ahead of the game, but if you haven't, ... http://www.gear.com/banshee-chaparral-mountain-bike-frameset-gear-review/ Now, I know a lot of folks hate Shimano just like they hate Microsoft --- it's easy to hate the tyranny of the monopolist. But I'm not hating on these pedals for that reason alone. Sure, Shimano has maneuvered themselves into about every bike imaginable and crowded out any competition ... http://www.gear.com/shimano-m520-mtb-spd-pedals-2007-gear-review/ With handlebars, there's a fine line between a great pair of bars and ones that make better boomerangs. That fine line lies in the proper rise, upsweep and backsweep to make for the perfect angles and comfort while dialing you in for the right power through hard corners. I've ridden ... http://www.gear.com/titec-el-norte-expert-riser-bars-gear-review/ Like most mountain bikers, I'm picky about my rubber. You can have the best bike on the planet, but a bad set of tires can make it ride like garbage. I've honed my tire preference over the years. I've gone from 2.1's all the way up to 2.7's and ... http://www.gear.com/maxxis-high-roller-235-mountain-bike-tires-gear-review/ Anyone that goes backcountry skiing with me knows that I've got a particular beanie that I typically use. It's knit acrylic with holes that are great for venting, but if it gets windy I have to put on a skull cap under the beanie to keep the wind at ... http://www.gear.com/ibex-merino-wool-meru-hat-gear-review/ You don't know what you've got till it's gone Three years ago I bought my first pair of Salomon shoes thinking that I liked they way the looked and wanted to try out a shoe with the quick lacing system. Well, I was impressed but I don't think I quite knew ... http://www.gear.com/salomon-xa-pro-3d-trail-running-shoe-gear-review/