If you’re a dedicated bike commuter and you ride in foul weather, you know the importance of bags and panniers actually keeping your stuff dry. This past winter I had the opportunity to test out the Detours Georgetown Dry Pannier. The Georgetown repelled everything that Mother Nature (and I) could throw at it.

Detours Georgetown Dry Pannier Features

• Interior zip pocket
• Key clip in front pocket
• Removable shoulder strap
• Haul handle
• Roll-top closure
• TPU-coated waterproof flap
• Dimensions: 9.5 x 8 x 15 inches
• Volume: 850 cubic inches
• Product Weight: 2 pounds
• Capacity: 22 pounds
• Price: $105

Detours Georgetown Dry Pannier Review

First and foremost, the Detours Georgetown Dry Pannier is fully weatherproof. I had it out in heavy rains, snow, sleet, plowing through slushy puddles, and even dry, dusty dirt roads and it kept everything (truly everything) on the outside. The only thing I didn’t do, was fully submerge it. The Georgetown packs serious weather protection.

With the weather-protection comes durability. The pictures to the right are after the winter of use. I used the Georgetown almost daily all winter long and after it’s all said and done it looks almost brand new.

The Georgetown is very unassuming. Solid black, basic cube shape, and only a few key features. While it’s not a feature-heavy pannier, it excels at almost everything it does have.

It features a single, open compartment design. The interior does feature a slim, zip pocket and a lot of open space. The 850 cubic inches seemed to swallow gear. I could comfortably fit my lunch for the day, change of clothes, jacket, and some miscellaneous items with room to spare.

The main compartment is protected with a velcro, roll-top closure. In a pinch for large loads you can utilize the roll-top for extra room, you just might not be able to close the lid. Over the top of the roll-top closure is a lid that is secured with two buckles. The lid provides extra waterproofing and two webbing attachment points for lashing on extra gear. I would have loved to seen a telescoping lid so the roll-top could be fully utilized but that does add complexity to a design that works very well.

The front of the pack does feature a small velcro pocket which is good for keys or other small items you want to have handy. It does come with a shoulder strap, which to be honest, I didn’t use a single time, but liked the option.

Let’s get to the rack attachments. This is what makes or breaks a pannier in my opinion. For the Georgetown I’d give it a B and here’s why. For the top bar attachment, this was good. You have a single, spring clasp which is strong and sturdy plus two hooks. What brings the grade down for me is the lower attachment. It’s a hook on an elastic. The pro is it’ll fit a wide variety of racks. The con is it always requires two hands to take it on and off. When balancing a loaded bike, this was a pain. I did get use to it, but I’ve used other panniers that have a more “one hand” friendly attachment system.

Detours also included some nice reflective accents on the Georgetown. I will admit I err on the side of “more is better” but they do include some. They also include a rear-light strap on the back of the pannier which is my favorite “unspoken feature”. I love to see small features like this in design, especially for visibility.

The Good

• Fully waterproof
• Versatile
• Durable

The Bad

• Lower attachment system requires two hands

Bottom Line:

The Detours Georgetown Dry Pannier is hard-working and fully weatherproof. It definitely needs to be in your consideration set for a general purpose pannier.

Buy Now: Pick up the Detours Georgetown Dry Pannier

The Icebreaker SS Roto Zip Jersey is a bike jersey gone smell free. After a hot summer of testing here’s what I found. Oh yeah, Icebreaker kicked over the jersey for testing and review.

Icebreaker SS Roto Zip Jersey Features

• Material: GT 200 (200g/m2 merino wool, spandex)
• Active fit
• Eyelet Panels for venting
• 1 rear zippered pocket
• Half-length zipper
• Recommended Use: mountain biking
• Price: $119.95

Icebreaker SS Roto Zip Jersey Review

The Icebreaker SS Roto Zip Jersey is almost like the anti-bike jersey. It’s loose fitting bike and not flashy. With that said, it’s probably more at home on a mountain bike ride than a road ride. I wore mine mainly on my daily bike commute.

For mild to hot temps the Roto Zip is light and airy enough to keep you comfortable. The Merino wool fabric is light and comfortable on the skin. For extra venting Icebreaker included the half zip (which is also fantastic for showing off your hairy chest) and some eyelet fabric under the arms and at the top of the back panel for increased airflow.

Performance was good. It kept me cool, wicked the sweat away, and stayed smell free. My longest time between washes came in July when I went three weeks riding daily in the Roto. Three weeks of hot summer riding and the Roto was virtually smell free. It was like the Royal Gardens compared to the smell of your typical jersey after 20 minutes of riding.

A single pocket on the bottom right side is just the right size for a gel or bar or keys. I found the loose nature of the fit wasn’t good for putting your phone back there. It just bounced and tugged all over the place.

I like that the Roto isn’t flashy, it isn’t skin tight, and it performs exceptionally well.

The Good

• Light and airy
• Smell Free
• Loose fit

The Bad

• You won’t look like a road warrior in it (if your into that sort of thing)

Bottom Line:

Icebreaker SS Roto Zip Jersey is awesome for a commute or mountain bike jersey.

Buy Now: Pick up the Icebreaker SS Roto Zip Jersey

KEEN has been continuing to update and expand their line of bike specific shoes. The KEEN Springwater II Biking Shoe is no exception. At home on the trail or the commute, the Springwater will give you year-round performance.

KEEN Springwater II Biking Shoe Features

• Upper: Leather, synthetic and mesh
• Hook-and-loop closure
• Full-length SPD compatible plate
• Removable insole
• Midsole: EVA
• TPU cleat cap plate
• Removable metatomical footbed
• Use: Cycling
• Outsole: Non-marking rubber
• Fit Tip: Keen advises this style runs about a 1/2 size small
• Weight: 18.72 oz
• Price: $99.95

KEEN Springwater II Biking Shoe Review

The KEEN Springwater II Biking Shoe is a versatile shoe at a great price point. It provides good performance for the money and has held up well over a summer of daily bike commutes and other rides.

On the performance side the Springwater II does well. The combination of the stiff, EVA midsole and triple velcro straps provides good power transfer to the pedals. It’s not going to be all-star performance, but then again it’s not made to be an all-star shoe. As a bike commuting shoe or a recreational MTB shoe, it performs well.

I’ve found conflicting info on sizing. A little bit of research found that KEEN advises to size up a half size but this wasn’t the case for me. I typically wear an 11 and the size 11 fit me perfectly.

The lugged sole provided good traction in the dirt and sand for the times when pedaling wasn’t an option.

Riding comfort was high. The shoe has some nice padding in the upper. This does make the shoe “warmer” on hot days but is great on cool mornings. I also think it’s going to do well on dry, winter commute days.

My big complaint is with the velcro enclosures. I have a “normal” volume foot. To get a snug fit, I had to cinch the straps down so tight and practically ran out of velcro. The two lower straps are held on by maybe a half-inch. This has led to considerable fraying of the end of the closure with the rest of the strap practically brand new (see pic to the right).

My other complaint is the shoe is very bulky. It’s a very wide shoe. I couldn’t find a performance disadvantage to this but it’s worth noting.

The Good

• Great shoe for the price
• Comfortable
• Sole is long-lasting and provides good traction

The Bad

• Straps are too long and velcro is too short
• Bulky

Bottom Line:

For the money, the KEEN Springwater II Biking Shoe is a strong performer and a great buy.

Buy Now: Pick up the KEEN Springwater II Biking Shoe

The Sugoi RPM Jacket is a hardworking, full protection jacket. It’ll keep you dry, even in the strongest of downpours.

Sugoi RPM Jacket Features

• Material: [shell] HydraShield (polyester), DWR coating; [collar] polyester brushed microfleece; [reflective accents] 3M Scotchlite
• Fit: semi-fitted
• Venting: core
• Seams: fully taped
• Price: $119.95

Sugoi RPM Jacket Review

The Sugoi RPM Jacket does exactly what it was made to do: keep water out. The DWR coated shell shed water, even in heavy rains. Off the hanger I didn’t notice the jacket “wetting out” at all. I give high marks for keeping water out.

Unfortunately the RPM also kept water in. It doesn’t do a good job at all with breathability. Pit zips help with venting your core but thats it. The positioning of the vents isn’t conducive to strong cross airflow but you do get some. Once I started sweating it was game over. Combine that with humidity from the air and you have a recipe for getting wet. The inside doesn’t have a liner so the sleeves stick your arms.

One feature I do like a lot is the reflective accents. They are very bright and great for getting attention of drivers in low light conditions. The accents are along the main zipper, a line design down the sleeves, and down the back.

The collar is a microfleece that is extremely comfortable on your face and neck, even when it’s soaking wet.

The wrist cuffs are elastic and velcro. They were easy to pull on over gloves and the velcro is enough to keep the cuffs tight and prevent them from pulling up. The back of the jacket is cut a little longer for additional coverage.

The Good

• Keeps the water out
• Good reflective detailing

The Bad

• Not breathable
• Keeps your sweat in

Bottom Line:

Great at weather protection and reflection, bad on breathability. Sugoi got many of the tiny details right on the RPM though.

Buy Now: Pick up the Sugoi RPM Jacket

The Light & Motion Urban Bike Lights are excellent examples of bike lights that don’t look lame. They are sleek, powerful, and extremely bright. I’ve been using the Urban lights for about 6 months and here’s what I thought.

Light & Motion Urban Bike Lights Features

• Bulb: LED
• Lumens: 550, 400, 200
• Modes: High, Medium, Low
• Battery indicator light
• Single-cell Li-Ion Battery
• USB Rechargeable (cord included)
• Side safety lights
• Handlebar mount included
• Prices: $159.99, $129.99, $99.99

Light & Motion Urban Bike Lights Review

There are three options in the Light & Motion Urban Bike Lights line-up: the Urban 550, the Urban 400, and the Urban 200. They all sport similar feature sets, the biggest (only) differences are the number of lumens and battery life.

The Urban line is sleek, extremely durable, and very powerful. The metal case can handle bumps, dings, and drops. Commuter lights need to be durable to get the full value and life out of them and the Urban lights are super durable. A lot of other bike lights look clunky, but not the Urban lights.

With three lumen options you can choose the level of light you need. All three models boast 4 settings: high, medium, low, and flash. They are controlled with an easy-to-push button on the top of the case (operable even with gloves on). On the higher powered models you can feel confident riding at higher speeds with the amount of light given. I didn’t feel like I was “outriding the light”. The case features two yellow “side lights” to give 180 degree visibility. They are nice to have but they are only eye-catching at close distances.

I am a big fan of the handlebar attachment. It is a rubber strap and hook closure. It’s highly adjustable and easy to swap to other bikes. My biggest grip with other lights is use them on multiple bikes you have to track down other mounts, which can be a pain. The rubber strap pulls double duty keeping the light on the bar and holding it in place. Not once did I experience the light shifting while riding. If the strap breaks you can pick up extras from Light & Motion. After months of use mine is still going strong.

Second favorite feature is the rechargeable battery. Light and Motion had the forethought to use the mini-USB for charging. I no longer have to carry a special cord to charge my light. The mini-USB is the same size as many cellphone and other chargers. From dead to full expect charge time to range 5-6 hours depending on your model.

Battery life is decent, depending on the model and mode being used. Below is a chart of battery life, by model. An indicator light on the back alerts you to when battery life is getting short.

The Urban line is fully waterproof. This is a base to even get into the game. I’m happy to say that after a winter and a spring I had zero issues.

The Good

• Bright
• Durable
• Sleek
• Rechargeable

The Bad

• There wasn’t anything bad that stood out for me

Bottom Line:

The Light and Motion Urban line of bike lights is well worth the money.

Buy Now: Pick up the Light & Motion Urban Bike Lights

For whatever reason when gearing up for cold or wet rides i never thought about my feet. I don’t know how many times I finished a ride with frozen feet. Those days are gone now thanks to the Sugoi Resistor Booties

Sugoi Resistor Booties Features

• PU coated stretch fleece provides wind and waterproof protection
• Waterproof taped seams
• Durable locking zip with guard
• 3M Scotchlite reflective accents for added visibility
• Price: $50

Sugoi Resistor Booties Review

The Sugoi Resistor Booties are very simple, yet effective in design. They slip over most technical bike shoes and are held in place by stretchy fabric, elastic, and a rear zipper. I tried them over my Keen commuter shoes and they didn’t fit, at all. On road shoes or technical MTB shoes they fit snugly.

The PU coating does a good job with shedding water and wind. After a 3 hour wet ride my feet were still dry. The fleece lining provides some warmth, but it isn’t substantial. On super cold days I’ll pair the Resistor Booties with thick socks to keep my toes toasty.

Sugoi included a couple of reflective accents, which are nice, but as a commuter I’d like to see more. If you need the booties it’s probably raining which means visibility is lower. More reflective details would be a nice add.

The Good

• Solidly waterproof
• Good fit

The Bad

• Could use some more reflective detailing

Bottom Line:

Great option for weather protection for your feet on cold, wet rides.

Buy Now: Pick up the Sugoi Resistor Booties

I’ve been on the quest to find my “ideal” bike commuting rig. With the Marin Hamilton 29er (2011 model) I’ve come extremely close.

Marin Hamilton 29er Features

• Sizes: 17, 19, 20.5, 22
• Frame: 4130 Cromoly Single Speed 29er, Double Butted Edge Steel Tubeset with Butted E4 Anti-Flex Seat and Chain Stays
• Front Suspension: Cromoly Rigid 29er, 1 1/8”
• Brakes Front: Forged Alloy Linear Pull
• Brakes Rear: Forged Alloy Linear Pull
• Brake Levers: Forged Alloy 3 Finger
• Pedals: Composite with Alloy Cage
• Crankset: TruVativ IsoFlow 1.0 G, 32T with Alloy CG
• Bottom Bracket: TruVativ with Sealed Cartridge
• Chain: UG51
• Cassette: 17T Cog
• Hub Rear: Sturmey-Archer Two Speed Kick Back, Alloy, 32 Hole
• Hub Front Alloy Double Sealed, 32 Hole with QR
• Rims: Alex CA-20, Double Wall, 32 Hole with CNC Side Walls
• Spokes Nipples: WTB 14 Gauge Black Stainless
• Tires: Continental Town Ride, 29” x 1.6” Urban
• Saddle: WTB Vigo Sport with Love Channel and Comfort Zone
• Seatpost: Alloy Micro Adjust, 27.2mm x 350mm
• Stem: Marin OS Alloy Threadless, with 31.8mm Bar Clamp
• Handlebar: Double Butted 6061 Alloy, OS-31.8mm, 25.4mm Rise
• Grips: WTB Street Smart with Drop Guard End Plugs
• Headset: FSA, 1 1/8”, Threadless
• Price: $599

First off, I’ve been riding the 2011 model and when comparing specs to the 2012 model, they are basically identical with some “accent” differences. With that said, here we go!

All around, as a commuting bike, the Marin Hamilton 29er is awesome. It’s steel so it can handle the abuse of the daily commute through the streets, it comes with all the attachment points for your various accessories, it’s simple in design and components, and almost most importantly, it’s fun to ride! Everything I’d expect from a commuting bike.

Taking a deeper dive…The Hamilton 29er features a more upright riding position. It’s great for around to check your surroundings, looking over/around cars, and other obstacles to your view. The WTB Vigo seat is comfortable, after a few hours running errands I wasn’t saddle sore. The bars are fairly wide. If I had the time, I’d probably chop an inch off each end. If I rode in heavy traffic or was riding between lines of cars, I’d go for shorter bars. That said, the wide bars give good control and add to the comfortable riding stance.

The Hamilton 29er does come with all the attachment points I’d expect for a commute bike: Front and rear fender mounts and front and rear rack mounts. For being a commute focused bike, Marin did miss a couple things in regards to the mounts. One, on the front fork the distance from the crown to the top of the tire is almost 3 inches! To get my fender close to the tire, I had to go buy a metal mounting plate strap from the hardware store to close the distance (photo to the right). Then the spacing on the rear was a little off and the rear fender didn’t fit quite right. I had to do a little tweaking to get it to sit just right.

In terms of components, I think Marin did a great job picking most of what went on the bike. Most all of it (exception for rear cog, more on that later) have held strong and I haven’t had to do a lot of adjusting. I’ve put about 500 miles on the bike and there aren’t many signs of wear. Sure the components are on the lower end of the spectrum but they are sturdy and I wouldn’t want expensive stuff on my commuter.

My biggest gripe with the bike is the Sturmey-Archer kickback 2 speed hub and the cog that came with the bike. I love the idea of the kickback two speed. It’s extremely handy. You still get the simplicity of riding a single speed but you have a little flexibility in terms of gearing. I love the idea. The problem was, the hub was very finicky at the start. First, a seal came loose and I was dropping grease. I got that fixed. Then it wouldn’t shift. It was almost as if something internally broke. I don’t know, I didn’t know what it was and I didn’t dare take it apart. I was given a new hub. Then twice, the rear cog stripped off of the rear axle. The cog that comes with the bike is flimsy. It is held to the axle via three small teeth. When cranking hard (from a stop) the teeth were shorn clean off. I went through two cogs before the bike shop bought me a nice Shimano cog. I haven’t had issues with this since. I also haven’t had any more issues with the kickback hub.

Now more on the kickback hub: it took a little getting use to. It was hard to get the right motion down, the right amount of kickback to change gears. Then I had times where I’d roll back just a hair (not noticing when coasting) and all of a sudden I’d be in the easy gear. Once I got the motions down though it’s been great. I mostly ride in the hard gear. The easy gear lets up just enough for hills, headwinds, or tired days.

The wheels and tires have been awesome too. Once again, Marin nailed it. Yes they aren’t expensive, flashy wheels, but you don’t want that for the commuter. You want workhorse and workhorse is exactly what you get. The Alex doublewall rims have run true over the 500 miles I’ve put them, even after hitting a couple potholes and catching curbs. The Continental Town Ride tires are more puncture resistant that your typical tire which is nice. I have flatted from a staple (you’ll flat anyway with from a staple) and a couple of goatheads though. The Town Ride tires are going to be long lasting too. 500 miles and they barely show any wear and tear. My guess is I’ll get a couple of thousand miles on them, easy.

Front tire attaches via quick release, rear features horizontal, track style dropouts with a threaded axle.

Weight wise, it’s pretty heavy. Once again though, I don’t care for the commuter bike. I’m not weight conscious, especially with the front and rear racks, slime tubes, and Mr. Tuffy Strips.

The Hamilton 29er does come with basic platform pedals, I quickly changed these out for some Crank Brothers Candy Pedals.

Overall, the Hamilton 29er is an awesome commuting bike. Yes it does have its shortcomings but the pros far outweigh the cons. This is the best commuting bike I’ve owned and I look forward to years of use out of it.

Marin Hamilton 29er Review

The Good

• Has many commute friendly features
• Sturdy/well made
• Fun to ride
• Great price

The Bad

• Fender mounts are a little off, takes some tweaking to get them to fit
• Sturmey-Archer Kickback 2 speed hub was finicky at first & standard rear cog strips out easily

Bottom Line:

The Marin Hamilton 29er is an awesome commuting bike. It’s sturdy, has the features to make it versatile to your commute, and hits a great price point. You’d be hard pressed to go wrong with it as your commuting bike.

Buy Now: Pick up a Marin Hamilton 29er

As a year-round bike commuter I take bike security seriously. My bike is my mode of transportation. Being married and having a couple kids at home, taking the family car isn’t an option (especially since I sold our second car to buy a bike). I want a lock that not only looks intimidating but has the strength to slow down would be thieves. I’ve found just that with the Kryptonite Evolution Mini 7 Bike Lock.

Kryptonite Evolution Mini 7 Bike Lock Features

• 13mm MAX-Performance steel shackle resists bolt cutters and leverage attacks
• Reinforced cuff over crossbar and cylinder for added security
• Improved high security, disc-style cyclinder
• High security Bent Foot(TM) design
• Center keyway defends against leverage attacks
• Anti-rattle bumpers reduce noise during transport
• Rotating dustcover protects cylinder
• Includes versatile EZ Mount transportation bracket
• 3 keys – one lighted with high intensity bulb & replaceable battery
• 3.25 in. x 7 in.
• Price: $64.95

Kryptonite Evolution 7 Mini Bike Lock Review

The Kryptonite Evolution Mini 7 Bike Lock is a strong little lock, with an emphasis on little and emphasis on strong. With 40 years of lock design experience, Kryptonite is a leader in bike locks. The Evolution Mini 7 is the second smallest lock in Kryptonite’s current u-lock line. It measures 3.25″ by 7″ long. It’s small enough to fit in your pocket, through your belt, or in a water bottle pocket on your backpack. The benefits of a small lock include greater security against leverage attempts using pry bars or other tools. The main challenge I’ve found is it’s rare that I can fit the lock through my back wheel, seat tube and around the bike rack I’m locking to. The width is usually just not quite wide enough to fit through and around all of that. This would be a negative for me, however, the Mini 7 comes with a 4 foot flex cable. It is just long enough to loop through both the front and rear wheels and slide onto the u-lock. Yes cables are the easiest locks to cut through, however, Kryptonite has tried to offset this by using a braided cable which is supposed to help with cut resistance (I’m taking their word for it, I haven’t tried cutting it myself). That being said it’s a nice addition to help secure your wheels and it helps counteract the negative of not being able to secure your frame and wheel with the lock itself.

The 13mm shackle helps inspire confidence in the lock and is a stronger deterrent providing greater resistance against cutting and leveraging. The bent foot design that Kryptonite employs also helps guard against leveraging the lock apart. The locking mechanism itself is thick and tightly put together which is a security plus. It also means your lock isn’t going to rattle when you ride. Kryptonite ranks the Mini 7 as “9″ on their 12 point security rating system.

There are a few minor aspects to the lock that are very nice: The sheath around the shackle has held up, it helps protect your frame from scrapes and help protects the lock from the weather. The dust guard for the keyhole is easy to use and helps keep it clean. Kryptonite also includes a bike mount for carrying your lock. I haven’t used it, I’m skeptical of it breaking. It seems well made, but since I always ride with a pack and sometimes I ride different bikes, I prefer to carry my lock. Kryptonite also includes three keys. One of which includes a small LED light which is helpful at night when your digging around in your bag or or when locking/unlocking your bike. The nice thing about three keys is, chances are you won’t have to reorder any keys (unless of course you’re really good at losing stuff). If it gets to that point, you can always reorder keys. Kryptonite has a key registry so you can register your keys so if you don’t have to keep track of any numbers. Lastly, if you aren’t keen on orange and black, Kryptonite also sells different color sheaths for the lock.

As you likely know, a determined thief with get through any lock you use. The goal is to make your bike more secure than the bikes around or to lock it in a way to deter a potential bike thief. The Kryptonite Mini 7 with the cable does just that. For most people, it’ll be enough of a lock to keep your bike safe and secure. If you live in a high theft area, you might consider going with something stronger.

The Good

• Strong & Secure
• Included Cable
• Small Size
• Well made

The Bad

• Small size can be tough when locking to larger racks
• If you live in a high theft area, you might want to couple this with another lock or go with a stronger lock

Bottom Line:

The Kryptonite Evolution Mini 7 Bike Lock is a strong, well-made bike lock. It has become my daily lock and I’d recommend it for all but the most theft-prone areas.

Buy Now: Pick up the Kryptonite Evolution Mini 7 Bike Lock

Every bike commuter knows that most important accessory for the commute is a solid bike lock. Without a solid lock you won’t have a bike to commute on. In recent years there’s been a flood of new and different locks onto the market. One of those locks is the Kryptonite Modulus 1010s Lock System. It’s a modular system that you can attach to your bike or your car rack for extra security.

Kryptonite Modulus 1010s Lock System Features

• Lock head with two keys
• Two noose cables, 3/8″ x 3.5′
• Mounting bracket/transport bracket
• Price: $39.99

Kryptonite Modulus 1010s Lock System Review

The Kryptonite Modulus 1010s Lock System is an interesting locking system. The lock head attaches to your bike frame or the bars on your car rack. Wrap one or both of the noose cables around your bike and bike rack, insert the deadbolt end into the lock head and away you go.

What I like about the Modulus is it attaches to your bike securely. Unlike other locks that use a plastic clamp for attaching it to the bike, there’s no chance of it breaking off. It uses a strong nylon strap for attaching to the bike. You still have to have a place to stow the cables, though I suppose you could coil them up, velcro them together, and ride with them in the lock. I don’t recommend it though.

What I don’t like about the Modulus is that it’s a cable based lock. You still face all the downfalls that come with cable locks, namely the lower security you get with them because they are easy to snip through. Kryptonite does try to address this by using a braided cable over a twisted cable. The braided cable is supposed to increase the snip resistance but I cannot imagine it would increase it too much. Disclaimer: I haven’t ever tried to snip a cable before and I didn’t try to snip the Modulus so I could be completely off. Kryptonite rates the Modulus at a 3 out of 6 on their level of security.

With that being said about security, the Modulus would be a nice compliment to a u-lock for a more complete security system. The Modulus also has the benefit of looking different. At first pass it looks “tough” and that in and of itself can be a deterrent.

Where I really put the Modulus to use though was on my hitch bike rack. It has actually become a permanent installation for me. I feel it provides enough deterrence from someone trying to steal bikes off my rack. My rack does come with a single cable that is only good for looping over top tubes. The Modulus gives enough extra security that I don’t worry if I stop for a bite to eat after a ride or leaving my bikes on the rack while running errands. It also helps secure secure wheels while on the rack.

The Good

• Compact
• Attaches to your bike frame
• Double noose cables give a lot of versatility for locking arrangements

The Bad

• Cable lock – lower security

Bottom Line:

The Kryptonite Modulus 1010s Lock System is a good option for car rack locking or is a good companion with a u-lock for a more “total” security system. If your looking for lock versatility, this is a solid choice.

Buy Now: Pick up the Kryptonite Modulus 1010s Lock System

Isn’t a seat/seat post bag a seat post bag? In the midst of a lot of alternatives, you’ll find some well made and practical options from Detours. Detours gave me the opportunity to review a couple of their seat bags, the Guppy and the Bike Midi.

Detours Guppy Seat Bag Review

The Detours Guppy Seat Bag (show in blue and green to the right) is a great commuter/city saddle bag. I’ve put it through a few months a testing on my daily commute. The Guppy is slender and connects tightly up under your seat. I’ll admit that my first perception out of the box was that the straps for connecting the bag to the bike seemed hokey. The seat post strap is a thin rubber strap with a hook and loop closure. I thought that it would either come undone, stretch, or snap with very little use. So far after three months of using it on my daily commute it has held strong and secure. The seat rail attachment consists of two Velcro straps that attach down the sides. These hold securely and offer easier entry than the “wrap around” style you see on many bags. Another plus is you don’t have a long tail to worry about.

One thing about the Guppy is it has very limited space so size accordingly. I have the size medium and had just enough room for a road tube (700 x 32), multi tool, small patch kit, tire levers, and maybe an energy gel. With the gel it was stuffed full. I tried fitting in a mountain tube and I couldn’t get anything else in. Space is limited so this will be a single bike use unless you go up to the large.

The bag does feature a key fob which is nice. The flap zipper allows entry without loosening the straps. And Detours included some reflective materials which is always a plus in my book for the added visibility.

The Guppy does come in three sizes: small (25 cu in), medium (40 cu in), and large (100 cu in).

Detours Bike Midi Seat Bag Review

The Detours Bike Midi has many of the same features as the Guppy but with one major difference. It is a clamshell design featuring a second zipper that offers a 30 cu in expansion. While this is a good idea I haven’t ever come across a time where I suddenly needed extra room in my saddlebag. Detours states the intended use of the Bike Midi as “Commuting, around town, touring, event rides”. Maybe the expansion has application with touring or events?

The Bike Midi has many of the same features as the Guppy including the same mounting straps and reflective piping for increased visibility.

There is plenty of room in the Bike Midi to fit a mountain sized tube, patch kit, multitool, keys, tire levers, and more without using the expansion.

To really test out the mounting straps I took it on several mountain bike rides. While the bag stayed on the bike I wasn’t able to get it snug enough against the seat rails so it did swing around. Yes the Bike Midi isn’t meant for MTB but it could still be a concern on a commuter/city bike.

The Bike Midi comes in one size that expands from 50 cu in to 80 cu in.

Overall I was impressed and pleased with the quality and utility of the Detours seat bags.

Bottom Line:

Detours makes some great seat post bags, you couldn’t go wrong with them.

Buy Now: Detours Guppy Seat Bag or the Detours Bike Midi

After three winters of bike commuting with regular tires I decided it was time to throwdown for some studded snow tires. I was on a bit of a budget and the Innova 700C Studded Snow Tires (AKA the Innova Tundra Wolf Studded Snow Tire) gave me what I needed without breaking the bank. With a softer rubber compound, 110 studs per tire, and a deep tread, the tires excelled through one winter of use.

Innova 700C Studded Snow Tires Features

• Sizes: 700×35, 700×38, 26×1.75
• # of Studs: 110 (700×35 & 38) 104 (26×1.75)
• Weight: About 900 grams
• Recommended PSI: 65 PSI
• Use: Winter time commuting & riding
• Price: $37.99 each

Innova 700C Studded Snow Tires Review

If you are going to be doing any kind of road riding do yourself a favor and get a studded tire. There are a lot of options out there. The Innova 700C Studded Snow Tires came in towards the bottom of the price range, but still provide a good quality tire. I used mine for one full winter and will get at least another winter out them before I have to replace the studs. I’ll probably get 2-3 more winters before I have to replace the tires.

The studs fall in a parallel lines down the center of each tire with a stud alternating placements on each side of center. On icy and snowpacked roads I found the studs provided enough traction that I could ride with confidence without losing traction. They even held up going around turns. The only time I was slipping and sliding around were the times with deep, icy wheel ruts and the time riding through 16 inches of snow and the snow kept giving way. Judging the wear of the studs, I should be able to get another winter out of them before they have to be replaced. It’ll depend on how many dry roads I ride on.

The tread is fairly deep and gave good traction in snow and slush. The softer rubber compound also help provide additional traction when it’s slick. Rolling resistance is high. I didn’t realize how high until I made the switch back to cross tires. The combo of soft rubber, deep tread, and lower PSI made it a lot more work when roads were dry.

I know there are a lot more expensive tires out there, maybe next year I’ll get some in to review. But for $38 bills a tire, the Innova’s were good enough for me.

The Good

• Good tire for the price
• Good traction
• Good life

The Bad

• More studs or different placements might have helped with the deep, icy ruts
• High rolling resistance makes riding on dry roads extra work

Bottom Line:

The Innova 700C Studded Snow Tires are a great tire for the price and will help you continue to bike commute through winter time.

Buy Now: Innova 700C Studded Snow Tires Name

The Light & Motion Vis 180 Light is bit unlike any other rear bike light that I’ve seen. The slim-vertical design, flash pattern, and mounting system differentiated it from anything else I’ve seen. Once again, I was super stoked that they sent this over for me to test and review.

Light & Motion Vis 180 Light Features

• Power Source: Lithium ion
• Burn Time: (steady) 4 hours, (pulse – high) 8 hours
• Modes: Pulse (high & low), steady, side-lights only
• Lumens: 35
• Weight: 110 g
• Price: $99.95

Light & Motion Vis 180 Light Review

Out of the box you can instantly tell that the Light & Motion Vis 180 Light is different from most other rear bike lights, the design is tall and slim. This is both good and bad. Depending on your mounting location, it might be a little too long to fit.

The most distinctive (and my favorite) feature of the light is the flash pattern. Most lights strobe blink, but not the Vis 180. The main red light pulses on and off in a “post nuclear attack warning light” sort of way. It is definitely eye catching. The single, 35 lumen bulb is surprisingly bright too.

Another standout feature is the yellow “side-lights” which give the Vis it’s 180 degrees of visibility. The goal and purpose behind these flashing yellow lights is to promote side visibility for when you are passing streets and driveways. They do a pretty good of it too. They seem to be brighter than the front light version. One thing to note, depending on your set-up, these lights might get obscured (though this is less of a problem if you are mounting to your seat post).

The mounting system is fantastic and one of the best rear light mounting systems I’ve seen so far. First off, the attachment strap is rubber which gives great adjustability and security. Pair this with the small rubber lining of the light mount itself and once you have it on the bike it’s not going to slip around at all. The most ingenious part though is the mounting clip on the light itself. Light & Motion calls it the “Pivot Lock”. The slender piece of plastic (sturdy plastic mind you, none of this wimpy thin crap you find elsewhere) pivots up and down and locks into place on some teeth on the back of the light itself (see the second image on the right). This gives the ultimate in adjustability. No matter what your seatpost angle is, you will be able to easily adjust the light so it’s facing straight backwards. You could almost strap the mount horizontally and still have the light face straight back.

Battery life is good. At 8 hours for the high-pulse it’ll have you covered for a long time. It does feature a rechargeable lithium ion battery (hooray) which recharges with a mini-USB cable that matches most cell phones that were manufacture 2010 or later (hooray).

The Good

• Awesome, bright flash pattern
• Extremely versatile and strong mounting system
• Good battery life
• Rechargeable with a common cord

The Bad

• Light is skinny and tall, it might not fit depending on your set-up

Bottom Line:

100 clams might seem steep but with the Light & Motion Vis 180 Light it will be money well spent. It is hands down on the best tail lights I’ve used to date.

Buy Now: Pick up the

KEEN is forging farther into the bike commuting realm with the KEEN Steel Bridge Backpack. They have a good offering in clipless sandals and shoes and are making headway with packs. It’s not surprising for a company that is based in Portland, OR. While the Steel Bridge isn’t necessarily a bike commute specific pack that’s precisely how I tested it when KEEN sent it to me to review.

KEEN Steel Bridge Backpack Features

• Shell: Polyester Ripstop
• Dimensions: 19.75″ x 12.5″ x 5″
• Capacity: 1648 cu in | 20 l
• 2 extra deep side bottle pockets
• Front zippered organizer pocket
• Main compartment has secure zippered pocket
• Padded laptop sleeve hold most 17 inch laptops
• Quick access zippered stash pocket on lid
• Reflective hits for safety on front and sides of bag
• Removeable hip belt
• Waterproof liner and hood for weather protection
• Price: $129.95

KEEN Steel Bridge Backpack Review

The KEEN Steel Bridge Backpack has the city streets in mind. This pack has just about anything you could want in a backpack for the commute. A big main compartment, a padded laptop sleeve with a strap to hold it in securely, smaller front pockets, organizer for the small stuff, a lid pocket, and water bottle pockets. It is extremely versatile and can carry just about anything you want.

The shoulder straps are nicely padded with mesh to carry loads in comfort and with good breathability. They also feature an adjustable sternum strap that slides up and down to get it just where you want it. The lid/hood is secured with two metal “hook-style” loop closures to keep everything secure and snug. Once it’s cinched down it isn’t coming undone on it’s own and it’s not going to loosen. You also don’t have to worry about getting pilfered either.

The laptop sleeve was big enough to hold my massive work laptop. I will say though, the sleeve doesn’t offer full coverage so if you bag tips over or lands top down, your laptop might get rocked. The bottom of the bag is stiff which helps provide additional protection for the contents and it features some non-slip pads to keep it from slipping around. The organizer compartment features a lot of little pockets and sleeves to keep the small stuff in order and a zipper keeps everything stowed away.

At just over 1600 cu in it’s big enough for most commutes and most trips. I was able to easily carry my laptop, u-lock & cable, tools/repair kit, pump, lunch, lights, rain gear (jacket and pants), wallet, iPod, phone, keys, water, and a few other things with room to spare. The pack also has a small daisy chain to give you a couple options for lashing stuff to the outside.

The Steel Bridge has decent reflectivity. There are reflective swatches on the front at the bottom and on the sides on the water bottle pockets. As a bike commuter I’d like to see a little more reflective elements all around and on the shoulder straps. I’d also like to see a place to clip a rear blinkie.

I had the pack out in the rain and in the snow and it kept everything dry. One important thing to note: when closed, the sides of the main compartment like to stick out past the lid (you can see this in the main image to the right). This is an invitation for water and disaster. When closing the lid and strapping it down be sure to tuck the sides in. Hopefully future designs will fix this so you don’t have to worry about it.

The Good

• Lots of pockets and organization
• Comfortable
• Big enough to carry everything for the daily commute

The Bad

• Could use more reflective elements (thinking of the bike commute here)
• Main compartment sides hang out past the lid and water could get in if they aren’t tucked back inside

Bottom Line:

The KEEN Steel Bridge is a good pack made to get you around the city streets with all your gear. Whether it’s running errands, cruising to school, or commuting to work the Steel Bridge will take care of you.

Buy Now: Pick up the KEEN Steel Bridge Backpack

The Princeton Tec Push Bike Light packs a powerful little bike light punch. The Push is a headlight offered by Princeton Tec that falls between a blinkie and a high-powered headlight. Its 100 lumens help make sure you’re seen and that you can see.

Princeton Tec Push Bike Light Features

• Bulb type: LED
• Number of bulbs: 1
• Max light output (lumens): 100 lumens
• Battery life flashing: 63 hours
• Battery life on high: 4 hours
• Battery life on low: 14 hours
• Batteries: 3 AAA
• Mounting: Handlebar
• Weight with batteries: 115 grams
• Price: $49.95

Princeton Tec Push Bike Light Review

The Princeton Tec Push Bike Light belongs to the line of bike lights that fit between blinkies and “eye-searingly bright” headlights. It features a solid, cylindrical design with a 100 lumen LED.

Operation is simple with an oversized on/off button positioned at the base of the cylinder. This design is nice for making changes while riding. It’s easy to push while riding fast. It cycles through high, low, flash, and off modes. The case also features two “light pipes” along the sides that emit a flashing red light to help give side visibility. I love the design and thought behind this, but the execution lacked in this instance. The pipes are low to the handlebars and can be mostly blocked from view by your hands. Also the light was fairly dim and not very noticeable. The logic behind the design is sound, hopefully future iterations will include design with the pipes higher up with brighter lights.

Flashing mode is highly visible. Take the bright light, add a unique flash pattern, and you will get noticed by vehicles.

The handlebar mount is awesome. I’ve been a fan of the handlebar mount from another company but Princeton Tec stepped it up here. It’s easily adjustable and it is extremely easy and fast to install/remove. This is awesome if you have multiple bikes you switch between. The mount is secure and kept the Push pointing right where I wanted it even when riding over rough roads.

Battery life on flashing mode is good but I was a little disappointed with the life on ‘high’ mode. Only four hours? Especially on disposable batteries? Do yourself a favor and buy some good rechargeable batteries and keep spares with you. It is a price you have to pay for brighter lights.

One other note: hopefully it was just the light I was sent to test but I came across an issue trying to change out the batteries. A short, partial turn of the light cap is supposed to release the light and allow access to the batteries. On mine the partial turn didn’t release the bulb compartment, it just unscrewed the cap. While fiddling around trying to be able to change the batteries the “tabs” that hold the bulb compartment on broke (see the photo to the right). Come to find out the “tabs” are made of plastic. Just keep this in mind and be extra gentle when changing the batteries out.

The Good

• Bright
• Fast, easy, secure handlebar mount
• Price

The Bad

• Battery life on high is a little short
• Mine broke when trying to change the batteries

Bottom Line:

If you are looking for that “in-between” light that can act as a blinkie but is bright enough to see by when on steady mode, the Princeton Tec Push Bike Light fits the bill.

Buy Now: Pick up the Princeton Tec Push Bike Light

Want 360 degree coverage from a bike light? The Light & Motion Vis 360 Light delivers a helmet mounted front and rear light. I had seen some press about the Vis 360 and wondered if it really did provide 360 degree coverage and how well it did it. So as you can imagine I was stoked when Light & Motion sent me one to review.

Light & Motion Vis 360 Light Features

• Number of bulbs: 1 (front) / 3 (rear)
• Bulb type: LED
• Light output: 110 lumens (front) / 4 lumens (rear)
• Battery Life: 2.5 hrs (high), 5 hours (low), 20 hrs (flashing)
• Batteries: Lithium ion (rechargeable)
• Charge time: 4.5 hours
• Weight with batteries: 135 grams
• Mounting: Helmet
• Price: $169.95

Light & Motion Vis 360 Light Review

The Light & Motion Vis 360 Light is a pretty awesome light. The claim to 360 degrees of visibility rings true. Let’s start off with the headlight. The single 110 lumen bulb is bright! It does have three modes: high, low, and flashing. The light-throw pattern is a more focused spot as opposed to a wider swath of light. It was bright enough for me to ride fast and be able to see the details of the road ahead of me. It is also bright enough to catch the attention of motorists. One night my wife had to come and pick me up after I broke the axle in my rear wheel. As she was driving up she said “I didn’t think it was you, that light is as bright as a car headlight”. I think that sums it up well. The front light features a transparent yellow “window” on each side of the light that light up when the the light is on. The goal here is to give increased side visibility, especially at intersections. These do give additional visibility, however, they are fairly small. When doing ride-by tests I could see them but they didn’t scream “hey I’m on a bike and I am here” to me. When paired with the rear light (more on that below) visibility is better. Overall, don’t just rely on these side “light windows” for your side visibility, work them in as part of your system.

Next let’s look at the rear light. The rear light features 3 red LEDs and 2 side facing yellow LEDs. The rear light only has a flashing mode. This is just fine with me. The LEDs are bright and are attention getting. My one concern with the helmet mount rear light is it may be hard to see. Depending on where/how you can mount it to your helmet and your body position while riding, the lights may mostly just point up. So when you are mounting the light to your helmet keep these two factors in mind. The two side LEDs also flash. These are more attention grabbing than the headlight side “lights”. When paired all together though, it does give some good side visibility. Once again though, don’t just rely on these lights, make sure you have good side visibility throughout your whole system.

Here’s a short video that highlights some of the main features and includes some video of the light at night:

The helmet mount was versatile. The front light is mounted with a rubber strap for threading through your helmet vents and a couple of plastic mounting plates that help sandwich everything together. It was simple to get the light positioned and securely strapped on. The rear light has a mountain plate and long velcro strap. This allows for versatility in threading through the rear vents and sitting squarely on the helmet. The placement of the rear light is a little more tricky as you have to take into account helmet design and body position while riding. Make sure the light points back, not up.

Battery life is decent. The Vis 360 is USB rechargeable and was sized to work with one of the more common sizes for USB charging (fits a lot of newer phones). When battery life starts getting low the front light will flash intermittently. It took me a while to figure out what was going on as I was riding and the high beam would flash a few times and then go back to the high beam. This is a great way to let the user know that the batter needs to be charged.

I’ve had the light out in some pretty bad weather and it’s totally weatherproof.

One concern I have about helmet mounted lights is what about when you wreck? Chances are you are going to hit your head. Wrecking (your own fault or someone else’s) isn’t fun, but it’s a fact of bike commuting. How will the light hold-up to the impact of smashing your dome on the pavement? You’re going to be in pain and probably have to fix/replace your bike and possibly pay some doctor bills. It would stink to have to throw in a $170 light as well. This is a point I am curious about but don’t plan on testing (and hope that I don’t find out first hand, **knock on wood). This is just another thing to consider.

The Good

• High visibility
• Bright headlight
• Weight
• Rechargeable
• USB Rechargeable

The Bad

• If you don’t like helmet lights this light isn’t for you
• Unsure of light durability if you wreck

Bottom Line:

The Light & Motion Vis 360 Light has become my main headlight. It’s a great light, full of good features, and passed my personal test for everyday use.

Buy Now: Pick up the Light & Motion Vis 360 Light

Planet Bike knows their stuff when it comes to bike lights. The Planet Bike Blaze 2-Watt Front Bike Light is a powerful little package. This light steps up the traditional blinky game with a 2-Watt LED.

Planet Bike Blaze 2-Watt Front Bike Light Features

• Bulb: 2W LED
• Modes: High, Low, Flashing
• Battery Life: High=5 hrs, Low=12 hrs, Flashing=18 hrs
• Batteries: 2 AA (included)
• Mounting: Handlebar Quickcam
• Weight with batteries: 122 g
• Price: $60

Planet Bike Blaze 2-Watt Front Bike Light Review

My biggest complaint with blinkies is they are usually only good for just that, blinking. If you’re ever in a pinch and you need a light to see by most blinkies fall ridiculously short. Not so with the Planet Bike Blaze 2-Watt Front Bike Light. While it isn’t my top choice for a primary light it’s at the top of the list if you can only have one light and you’re on a bit of a budget.

The Blaze 2-Watt features a super bright (my terminology) 2-Watt LED bulb. This bulb is brighter than most all of the blinkies I’ve used on steady mode. For my personal preference it wasn’t quite bright enough for me to deem it as my primary light (I ride with one light on steady mode to see by and one on flashing mode to be seen by) it does feature a nice light throw. It provided a nice light throw on the road (partially due to the optically correct lens on the front of the light) but I did find that I could still out-ride the light. What I do like about the light is it is bright enough to work as a solitary light if needs be (most blinkies fall short in this regard). On high steady mode it is bright enough to see by and be seen by.

In flashing mode you will definitely be seen during the day or at night thanks to the “SuperFlash” pattern. It features a fast flash pattern that has an alternating “super bright” flash that is definitely attention grabbing.

The light does have some side cutouts to help with side visibility. I’m not sure just how much it helps but it’s better than nothing.

The QuickCam handlebar mount is awesome. As I said in my review of the Planet Bike Beamer 5 Headlight: “This is the best mounting system I’ve used for a handlebar light. At first it does take a little adjusting to get it just right, but then it’s literally two seconds to get it off your bars and onto your other bike.”. There is a user error downside of accidentally flipping the cam open, but like I said, it’s due to the user.

So far battery life is good. I’ve been using this light (mostly in flashing mode) and I haven’t had to change the batteries. Like I’ve said for most all lights I wish it was rechargeable. Yeah you can use rechargeable batteries but I’d like to have a way to charge it at work if I needed (and yes I could carry spare batteries). If I used it in steady mode more often I would have had to change the batteries a number of times. Five hours of battery life seems low, especially on a light where you potentially need to change batteries.

The Good

• Bright enough in steady mode that you can see and keep a decent speed
• Superflash flashing mode is awesome…good enough to be eye-catching even in the day
• QuickCam handlebar mount is the best handlebar mount I’ve used

The Bad

• Not rechargeable
• If you ride fast all the time you can outride this light
• Battery life in steady mode isn’t the greatest

Bottom Line:

If you are on somewhat of a budget or you only want one headlight the Blaze 2-Watt would be at the top of my list.

Buy Now: Pick up the Planet Bike Blaze 2-Watt Front Bike Light

The Keen Austin Pedal Shoes are a far cry from the clown shoes that most people will picture when thinking of bike shoes. The Austin Pedal is a bike commute focused shoe that is stylish and performs well. Gone are the days of click-clacking through the grocery store or slipping around on tile floors.

Keen Austin Pedal Shoes Features

• Upper: Leather
• Lining: Leather/nylon
• Midsole: EVA
• Outsole: Rubber
• 3/4 length SPD-compatable plate
• Avg Weight: 2 lbs 4 oz
• Weather: Wet-water resistant
• Price: $120

Keen Austin Pedal Shoes Review

For the past 2 years my bike commuting shoe has been my MTB shoes. My search for a ‘normal’ looking clipless commuting shoe turned up surprisingly few acceptable results. So imagine my excitement when KEEN offered to send me a pair of the Keen Austin Pedal Shoes to review.

Out of the box I am impressed with the Austin Pedal. It’s a good looking shoe (my opinion which I’ve validated with a few others), it feels solid, a look at the stiching and soles and you can tell it’s a well made shoe.

The Looks: It looks like a ‘normal’ shoe. If you work in an office where you have to wear shoes nicer than Chaco’s or trail running shoes, the Austin Pedal will get you by.

The Materials: The leather upper is going to be durable. If your rides are going to be wet it would be worthwhile to treat the leather to help it keep going. The rubber outsole is grippy, despite not being lugged at all. Still be careful in the snow and ice. The mounting plate for your clips is solid and gives solid performance.

Performance: As a non-technical, non-performanced based shoe it performs really well. The mounting plate is solid and I didn’t notice any flex in it. The rest of the shoe does flex but whatever, it’s a commuting shoe. I can still crank hard and the shoe responds. I do cinch down the shoes to get a snug fit.

Comfort: The shoe feels good while riding and afterwards. I’ve worn this shoe all day without any discomfort. One thing I did notice when I first wore the shoe is when walking you can feel the mounting plate through the footbed. This is a little weird but wasn’t too bad for me. Walking comfort is pretty good. With the mounting plate the shoe doesn’t flex under the forefoot like a normal shoe. This took some getting used to as well. If my day job has me walking all over the place this might be a problem.

Other notes: Sizing runs true to size. In a month’s worth of use I did wear through the sheathing of one shoelace. Yes this is extremely minor, yes it isn’t a make-or-break point but it needed to be noted. This shoe is awesome.

The Good

• Awesome commuting shoe
• Looks like a ‘normal shoe’
• Great craftsmanship
• Performs well on the bike

The Bad

• Feeling the mounting plate through the footbed when walking was weird

Bottom Line:

If you bike commute or run errands on bike and are tired of carrying a separate pair of shoes (or if you are tired of click-clacking through stores in your clown shoes) do yourself a favor and pick up the Keen Austin Pedal Shoes.

Buy Now: Pick up the Keen Austin Pedal Shoes

When it comes to tail lights for your bike there are all other lights and then there’s the Planet Bike Blinky Superflash Tail Light. Hands down this has turned out to be one of my favorite tail lights, if not my favorite tail light. The combination of super bright (my terms) LEDs, the “sear your retinas” ultra bright LED, flash pattern, and design and this light has earned it’s way into my bike light heart.

Planet Bike Blinky Superflash Tail Light Features

• ½-watt Blaze™ LED plus 2 eXtreme LEDs for visibility up to 1 mile
• Unique, eye-catching flash pattern
• Flashing and steady mode
• Ultra compact vertical design is weatherproof, lightweight and durable
• Includes bike mounts and clip mount for multiple mounting options
• Up to 100 hours of run time
• 2 AAA batteries (included)
• Price: $29.99

Planet Bike Blinky Superflash Tail Light Review

To be more specific Planet Bike sent me the Superflash Stealth model to test and review (black case with clear cover). This is essentially the second generation of the Superflash but an updated color scheme (I like it better for what that’s worth).

Hands down the Planet Bike Blinky Superflash Tail Light is seriously one of the best rear lights I’ve used for commuting. It has everything I’d want and expect from a tail light: It’s super bright, the flash pattern is eye catching, long life, weather proof design, excellent on/off button design, and a couple different attachment options.

To say all that needs to be said about the flash pattern, check out the video below:

Need I say more? As you can see the flash pattern is different, it is eye catching, and the addition of the 1/2 W Blaze LED is bright and mixes it up enough to get noticed (exactly what you want when riding at night).

I love the on/off button design. It’s a flat button which helps prevent the ‘accidental powering on’ whilst in your bag. The case is weatherproof and will protect everything from the elements. It’s also durable. I’ve dropped the light a handful of times and it hasn’t broken or cracked.

It comes with a bike mount as well as features a clothing clip attached to the light. Battery life is long. The one downfall I would say for this light is there is no recharging option. Yes you can get this with rechargeable batteries but I’d like to see a rechargeable option.

The Good

• Super bright
• Strong Design
• Eye catching

The Bad

• Not rechargeable

Bottom Line:

One of the best bike commuting tail lights I’ve used.

Buy Now: Pick up the Planet Bike Blinky Superflash Tail Light

Planet Bike is a very reputable company when it comes to bike lights. The Planet Bike Beamer 5 Headlight is no exception. It is in a lot of ways your standard front blinkie/headlight: It blinks, has a steady mode, uses LEDs, and attaches to your handlebars. Throw in good quality, some nice design features, and a great handlebar mounting system and you have a solid blinkie.

Planet Bike Beamer 5 Headlight Features

• New 4X brighter Nichia eXtreme V 2.0 LEDs
• 5 white LEDs make you visible and illuminate your way
• Flashing and steady modes
• Quick CamTM bracket mounts, adjusts or removes in seconds w/o tools
• Up to 100 hrs run time on flashing, 50 hrs on steady
• Batteries: 2 AA batteries (included)
• Weight: 95 grams (with batteries)
• Price: $34.99

Planet Bike Beamer 5 Headlight Review

The Planet Bike Beamer 5 Headlight is a great blinkie. The 5 LEDs are bright. I haven’t used the previous model to see if in fact the “300% brighter than traditional LEDs” claim is true, but I can definitely say that they are super bright and brighter than some other LED blinkies I’ve used in the past. My preferred use for this light is in flashing mode as a light to be seen by. I tried to use the steady mode as a light to see by and I found that it was inadequate in this scenario. It was easy to out-ride the light and it didn’t give enough light to really see the details of the road ahead. In steady mode, it is still a good light to be seen by, although I prefer flashing mode.

There are a couple of design features that I really like about this light. First and foremost is the power button. The button is flush with the casing and you have to press it in past the casing to operate it. Seems very minor, but this has prevented the light getting turned on inside my bag as things gets jostled around when riding. I haven’t had it come on by accident once. With some previous lights I’ve used the power button is raised off the casing the light was get turned on in my bag frequently. I am very happy to not pull this light out of my bag at night to find the batteries dead. Second design feature that I really like is the cut away on the sides of the light. Combine that with the super bright LEDs and you have good side lighting to help you be seen from the sides.

The third thing I really like about this light is the Quick CamTM bracket mount for your handlebars. This is the best mounting system I’ve used for a handlebar light. At first it does take a little adjusting to get it just right, but then it’s literally two seconds to get it off your bars and onto your other bike. It locks down and won’t rotate while you are riding. One downside to this that I’ve come across is there have a been few times when I’ve flipped the cam lever open while riding and the light has rotated around the bars. This was mostly my own fault as I was monkeying around while riding. The lock to hold the light in place is secure and is strong. I don’t think I’ll run into any issues with it breaking during the wicked cold months.

Battery life seems good. I haven’t run it out yet and I’ve been using it daily for awhile now. I would prefer a rechargeable option, but of course that would increase the price. Definitely pair this light with rechargeable batteries.

Overall this is a great light. It is a lot better as a blinkie as opposed to a light to see by.

The Good

• 5 LEDs are super bright
• Good side lighting
• Good battery life
• Quick CamTM bracket is amazing
• Lower chance of accidental power on in the bag with the flush power button

The Bad

• Isn’t bright enough to light up the detail of the road, use this as a blinkie
• No rechargeable option

Bottom Line:

The Beamer 5 Headlight is a great blinkie. If you’re looking for something to help increase your visibility the Beamer 5 is a great option. The price is good, the design is good, and the Quick CamTM bracket is superior to other handlebar mounts that I’ve seen.

Buy Now: Pick up the Planet Bike Beamer 5 Headlight

You’d think that when a backpacking and hiking company tried to make a cycling specific pack they’d essentially just make another daypack. Well, with the Gregory Vibe Daypack all the naysayers can take a seat.

I will admit that I was a little skeptical when I first heard about the Vibe. But when Gregory sent one to me to test and review I was in for a pleasant surprise.

Gregory Vibe Daypack Features

• New proprietary TPU based water and abrasion resistant fabric
• Zip closure and overflow strap
• Large front access organizer
• Interior slit pockets
• U-lock compatible
• Side stash pocket
• Padded mesh backpanel
• Front clip loop for light
• Can fit a laptop up to 17″
• Volume: 1342 cu in / 22 L
• Dimension: 10.5 x 25 x 46 cm
• Weight: 835 g
• Price: $89.49

Gregory Vibe Daypack Review

The first thing I noticed when I put the pack on for the first time was that in a lot of ways the Gregory Vibe Daypack felt like a hiking pack. The mesh backpanel helped the pack ride comfortably and the mesh shoulder straps were contoured to fit around the shoulders and hug my body to keep it in place. These are a couple of features that a seasoned, well-respected pack company would have. The best part of the mesh panel was it helped cut down on the dreaded sweaty back a lot! That’s the biggest downfall of using a pack for bike commuting, errands, or any general bike riding is your back will always be sweaty. The mesh backpanel on the Vibe helped keep it to a minimum. My back still got a little sweaty but it wasn’t as bad.

The Vibe does come with a lot of features that make a great commuting pack. The outer fabric is a tough TPU fabric (think vinyl but it’s not vinyl) that is extremely water and abrasion resistant. It would literally stand up to years of use and abuse. The large, main compartment has an inner organizer sleeve (I used this for my u-lock), the top zips shut, and it has an overflow strap. The zip-top gives extra protection from the elements (with messenger bags and flap-top backpacks it always looks like water could come in the sides of the top if the wind was blowing the rain sideways). It also helps keep the small valuables from spilling out when you lay your bag down. The overflow strap is one of my favorite features. Instead of having to lash the extra gear that won’t fit in the bag to the outside, just pile it on the top of the main compartment, strap it down and you’re good to go. The closure strap for the top flap is extra long so there is no worries about getting the flap down.

The front of the bag features an organizer sleeve that has a velcro closure on the top and zipper down the side. It has good organization for keys, lights, wallet, iPod, etc. I like the closures because, once again, it keeps the small stuff in and organized. One of the sides features a narrow, long zippered stash pocket. Lastly, on the front there is a loop for hanging a rear blinkie. I had no problems keeping my everyday stuff organized. I was able to easily fit my phone, wallet, keys, pump, small tools, array of three lights, iPod, and a few other things in and organized.

It does feature a laptop sleeve that the specs say can fit a 17″ laptop but my 15″ laptop didn’t fit very well. Another downside to the sleeve is it isn’t padded and leaves your laptop vulnerable to the jolts and jostles with the other stuff in your bag.

A couple of other minor downsides is the pack lacks any kind of reflective materials. I received the white model which is brighter in headlights, but if you get the blue or black you are out of luck. There is opportunity to work in reflective striping or piping. Also the shoulder straps lack any loops to hook small pouches for your phone, radio, etc.

When the pack was fully loaded it carried well. It was a little small for my usual commute (I do carry a lot of stuff so for the average person the size would be just fine), but even so it rode well on my back. There is a sternum strap which I thought was superfluous, but having it strapped helped keep the pack in place. Even on my heaviest days and biggest loads the pack was comfortable. I didn’t feel any constrictions or pressure points from the straps. The mesh backpanel also kept uneven loads from jabbing me in the back.

Overall I was impressed with the pack. It has the craftsmanship of a well-respected pack company, it is comfy, carries well, and overall is a good pack. There are some opportunities for some small additions to make it a great commuting pack. It is a little small for my typical commute, but I carry a lot of stuff. It did excel when I used for errands and my general riding around.

The Good

• Well-made from a company with a killer reputation for packs
• Comfy
• Less sweaty back than other packs
• Fabric is burly, will stand up to downpours and abrasion
• Good organization, secure closure
• Overflow strap for securing the big loads

The Bad

• Laptop sleeve was a little on the small side and it wasn’t padded
• No reflective materials
• No accessory straps on the shoulder straps

Bottom Line:

It’s a pack made by Gregory, you really can’t go wrong with it. It’s a great pack for smaller loads, errands, and general riding around.

Buy Now: Pick up the Gregory Vibe Daypack

Every bike commuter needs a cargo net. It’s almost a universal truth. Even if your bike doesn’t have a rack, if you wear a pack of some sort, you still need a cargo net.

Enter the Delta Cargo Net. Having this net on hand has saved me multiple times when the loads I was carrying wouldn’t fit in my pack or panniers.

Delta Cargo Net Features

• Four tough nylon molded hooks
• Strech-web secures those hard to hold items

Delta Cargo Net Review

First off, the store pictures only show two hooks, it really comes with 4 (the description says so and mine came with 4).

Having this cargo net is better than carrying a bunch of bungee cords. I’ve use this net to hold stuff down on my rear rack, to hold stuff on top of my panniers, and to even strap stuff to my backpack.

Sometimes the path to securing whatever you’re hauling isn’t clear, but a little ingenuity goes a long way. With four hooks you have so many possibilities for strapping things down. So far I’ve successful strapped and hauled: books, a box of ski boots, lunch box, various size shipping boxes, my backpack, and clothes.

At first I was skeptical of the hooks. I thought for sure they’d break within the first couple uses and definitely after a few months of use. I was completely wrong. I’ve been using the Delta Cargo Net for awhile now and the hooks haven’t broken. I’ve had it out in the sun, heat, rain, snow, and below freezing temperatures and haven’t had any problems with the hooks or the net.

The Good

• Four hooks give more secure connections
• Hooks are strong
• Versatility

The Bad

• Size (if you have a huge load one net might not secure it down enough)

Bottom Line:

If you commute or even use your bike for any kind of utility, you need the Delta Cargo Net. Buy one, put in your pack, and always keep it with you. On more than one occassion you’ll be glad you did.

Buy Now: Pick up the Delta Cargo Net

To me a saddle bag is a saddle bag is a saddle bag. What really sets them apart from each other? Capacity, attachment, and materials. The Pedro’s Blowout Bag nails it with all three.

You get large capacity (If you buy the large), seat and seatpost attachment that is solid, and it’s made from recycled tubes. It’s hard to beat that.

Pedro’s Blowout Bag Features

• 3 sizes: 25 ci, 35 ci, & 50 ci
• Materials: Recycled tubes & nylon

Pedro’s Blowout Bag Review

The thing that drew me to the Pedro’s Blowout Bag was the recycled tires. I loved the idea of it. In terms of durability I think the nylon will wear out faster than the tubes.

I bought the large and I have enough room to fit a spare tube (mtn or road), tire levers, patch kit, two multi-tools, some change, a gel, and room to spare. If I had one I’d be able to fit a CO2 inflater and a couple of cartridges. I do have a friend who has fit a Crank Brothers Power Pump in hers.

The bag also features a small reflective strip around the logo on the back of the bag, increasing your rear visibility at night.

The Good

• Recycling old tubes
• Large has good capacity
• Durability should be high

The Bad

• Have to loosen the strap a lot to unzip it

Bottom Line:

A saddle bag is a saddle bag. Get one that reuses materials, holds what you need, and should last a long time. The Blowout Bag is it.

Buy Now: Pick up the Pedro’s Blowout Bag

The Park Tool Multi-Tool – MT-1C is about as minimalist as you can get with a bike multi-tool. The thing reminds me of a skeleton key or something you’d see on an Indiana Jones movie or MacGyver. It may look simplistic but it’s got the Park Tool quality and name behind it. It has the basic of the basics that you’ll likely need when out on a ride.

Park Tool Multi-Tool – MT-1C Features

• Cast Steel
• 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 mm hex wrenches
• 8, 9, 10 mm box end wrenches
• 1 flathead screwdriver
• Weight: 54 grams
• Price: $9

Park Tool Multi-Tool – MT-1C Review

Really what is there to say that hasn’t been said above? Simple multi-tool for carrying around with you on every ride. I did buy a bigger multi-tool but that really became my ‘at home bike tool’ (what can I say, I don’t really have shop tools at home). Out on a ride though, I haven’t used anything on the larger tool that I didn’t have on the MT-1C. That’s not to say that something won’t come up. I have had a couple of times where it’s been nice to have more than one tool.

When it really comes down to it this is a great back-up tool to have with you. At $9 I have one in each of my saddlebags. It’s been useful and has the basics of what I need. Park Tool designed it in a way to have the most useful configuration. However, there have been a handful of times where the tool has been awkward to use or almost didn’t fit where I needed it to go. That being said if you want a back-up to take with you or only have $10, this is the tool to get.

The Good

• Basic sizes of the most common tools
• Park Tool Quality
• Price

The Bad

• Limited number of tools
• Can be awkward to use

Bottom Line:

Bottom line is this is a handy tool to have on hand with you. It can handle the basic jobs and most of the most common issues while out on a ride. If you are only going to have one tool though, it’ll be worthwhile to get something a little bigger. This is a good secondary tool to have on hand.

Buy Now: Get the Park Tool Multi-Tool – MT-1C

Every person who rides bikes on the road should have a front and rear blinkie. We have a hard enough time getting seen by drivers and pedestrians when it’s full daylight, why take chances when it’s night or the light is low? Enter the Cateye Liteset EL135/LD130. The EL135/LD130 is solid front and rear blinkie set that is reasonably priced and will help increase your visibility with others on the road.

Cateye Liteset EL135/LD130 Features

• Front Light:
• Three LEDS
• Wide Beam
• Flashing & Steady Modes
• 320 Hours Life on Flashing Mode
• 80 Hours Life on Steady Mode
• Handlebar Mounting Clamp
• 94 grams
• 2 AAs, included
• Rear Light:
• Three LEDs
• Three Modes (Two Flashing, One Steady)
• 150 Hours Life on Flashing Mode
• 75 Hours Life on Steady Mode
• Seatpost & Clothing Clamps
• 35 grams
• 2 AAAs, included
• Price for the set: $30

Cateye Liteset EL135/LD130 Review

When it comes down to it the EL135/LD130 is a no frills, standard blinkie light set. It’s a workhorse. I’ve put it through hot summer days, high humid days, freezing winter rides, snow, and monsoon-like rain and they keep right on flashing.

The front light in steady mode wasn’t bright enough to light up the road for me by itself, but I do use it in combination in flash mode with another brighter light to light up the road in front of me. One thing I will say about the front light is the ‘lock’ that keeps it in place when in the clamp is a thin piece of plastic, if this breaks (which mine did when I went down somewhat hard on an icy day) then there is no way it will stay in the clamp. I think it was the combination of the impact of the fall and the plastic being frozen.

I only use the rear light in flashing mode. There are two flashing modes. One is where all three LEDs flash on and off at the same time. The other is a pattern where one LED lights up at a time. I prefer the former because I feel like it’s brighter than the other, but that’s just my opinion. The seatpost clamp does adjust on a horizontal axis so you can adjust it to point straight back, regardless of the angle of your seatpost.

Like most things I’ve reviewed so far I’ve been using these lights for a couple of years now and they’ve been solid. They are made to be blinkies, that’s what I’ve used them for. If you’re looking for something to see the road by, then buy a different in addition to getting these blinkies. These will definitely help increase your visibility.

The Good

• Long Battery Life
• Bright in Flashing Mode
• At 30 bills, you can’t go wrong
• Clamps are have a large adjustment range and come with a few rubber shims to accomodate slimmer bars
• Overall long life

The Bad

• No battery life indicator
• No rechargeable option (unless you use your own rechargeables)
• If ‘locks’ break then you have to buy a new set

Bottom Line:

Everyone needs a set of blinkies and at $30 everyone can. The Cateye Liteset EL135/LD130 is a set that you can’t go wrong with and can stand up to years of use.

Buy Now: Pick up the Cateye Liteset EL135/LD130

The NiteRider MiNewt Mini-USB Bike Light came out right when I was needing a new bike light. It’s super small, lighter in weight, and packs a retina searing punch for such a small light.

NiteRider MiNewt Mini-USB Light Features

• Light Output: 110 lumens
• Battery Life: 3 hours
• 1 LED Headlamp
• Li-Ion Battery Pack
• Handlebar Mount Strap (Mine came with three)
• Wall Charger
• USB Charger
• Battery Charge Indicator

NiteRider MiNewt Mini-USB Light Review

I bought the MiNewt as a handlebar light to replace the hiking headlamp I was using on my helmet. Prior to that I had been using a front blinkie on steady mode. The MiNewt Mini-USB packs a powerful punch for being such a small light. It gives strong light output for almost the entire lenght of the battery. I didn’t really notice any light dimishment until the very end of the battery life.

Some lights give a wide swath of light but that isn’t the case with the MiNewt Mini. The beam of light is a focused, spot beam. Within that spot of light I could see the road very well. I felt comfortable riding at higher speeds knowing that I would be able to see what was coming up.

The regular MiNewt Mini is meant just for handlebar mounting, they made the MiNewt Mini-USB Plus for helmet mounting…it comes with a strap to mount to your helmet. With the regular MiNewt, though, I was able to get it on my helmet securely. I just used the handlebar strap for the light and the battery mounting strap around some of the vent holes and it works just fine.

I did ultimately decide to use the MiNewt as a helmet mounted light. I use a light that gives a wider swath on the handlebars and like the focused beam of the MiNewt on my helmet to shine where ever I am looking. I also get the added benefit of being able to look at motorists who are about to turn onto the road and know that they are definitely seeing me.

As a single, solitary light the MiNewt Mini-USB wasn’t enough for me. However, I do err on the side of more light to see and more importantly to be seen. NiteRider does make a whole family of MiNewt bike lights that range from 100 lumen single lights to 200 lumen single lights to 400 lumen double lights.

My favorite feature is the USB charging capability. I was able to charge the light while at school if I needed and it was easier and more compact to carry the USB cord as opposed to the wall charger. An added bonus for me was the USB cord was the same size as my Blackberry Pearl charger.

The Good

• Bright Little Light
• USB Charger
• Worked on my helmet without the Helmet Kit
• Price
• Size
• Weight

The Bad

• Not as bright as other lights
• No dimmer settings to help conserve battery life
• Spot beam is bad if you want a wide swath of light

Bottom Line:

If you are on a budget and need a bright light, the NiteRider MiNewt Mini-USB Bike Light is the light to get.

Buy Now: Light it up with the NiteRider MiNewt Mini-USB Bike Light.

Hehehe, you’re wearing knickers. Yes, yes I am. Yes you may get teased by the unaware when you wear the Cutter Tech Knickerbocker but on the inside you’re laughing at them. The Knickerbocker is one of the greatest products for bike commuters.

Cutter Tech Knickerbocker Features

• Polartec Power Shield Stretch Woven with Hardface Technology
• 6 pockets (2 front, 2 back, 2 cargo)
• Ergonomic Fit
• U-Lock Snap on the back pocket
• Price: $149.95

Cutter Tech Knickerbocker Review

First off, in the interest of disclosure, I used to work for the company that owns Cutter. In no way have I been compensated or otherwise influenced for this review.

Now that’s out of the way lets get to the good stuff. The Knickerbocker features the Polarguard Powershield Stretch blah blah blah…big fancy name for super stretchy fabric. I have had zero restriction problems, Polarguard absolutely slayed it with this fabric. You can swing your leg over your bike without busting a seam or feeling like you have 80-year-old joints (sorry 80-year-olds). You can also move around on the bike (stand, sit, pedal, etc) without any restriction. I used to commute in plain clothes and riding in khakis was a pain.

I have about 75 days riding in the Knickerbocker and they look as good as day 1. They are extremely durable and have held up well to the daily abuse. I’ve worn them in all conditions from hot humid days, to cold rain, and in a couple of cases, snow. They do repel light moisture so offer protection in a light drizzle. Another big benefit of the Knickerbocker is the length. During cold weather rides they keep your knees covered and warm. Nothing like cold, creaky knees to take the fun out of a ride.

The Knickerbocker has killer style that works commuting, road riding, mountain biking, walking around the grocery store, whatever you want. No more getting mocked when you show up in your ‘bike pants’.

In regards to fit I normally wear 34″ waist pants and I wear a medium in the Knickerbocker. They fit nicely and are just a little big (read: just right) around the waist and they hang just below my knees.

The Good

• Super stretchy fabric
• Killer Style
• Durability
• Lots of Pockets

The Bad

• Only near black color (gets hot in the sun)
• A little spendy

Bottom Line:

These are the cycling bottoms to own for commuting and general riding around. They are spendy but worth the clams you’ll shell out for them.

Buy Now: Do yourself a favor and buy the Cutter Tech Knickerbocker now.

I’ve been using the Deuter Rack Pack Bike Bags for about the last year and a half on my daily commute. I started using panniers because I was sick of sweaty back, a sore back from heavy backpack days, and sometimes I needed to carry more. I made the switch and I haven’t looked back yet.

I looked at a number of different offerings but was on a little bit of a tight budget and the Deuter Bike Bags fit what I needed in terms of budget, size, and use.

Panniers are a great way to get the load off of your back and onto your bike.

Deuter Rack Pack Bike Bags Features

• Ortleib Quick Lock Attachment System
• Front and Top Pockets
• Reflective Logo
• Integrated Rain Cover
• Asymetric Design to Maximize Heel Clearance
• Side Mesh Pocket
• Volume: 2950 cubic inches for the set (1475 cubic inches each)
• Weight: 4 lbs 3 oz
• Price: $164.95 (pair)

Deuter Rack Pack Bike Bags Review

I’ve used these bags for the past year and a half on my daily bike commute. I have probably about 320+ days of use out of them so far. It started when I had a full-time job but then transitioned to being a full-time grad student. My average daily load is my school bag with a netbook, handful of manila folders with papers, a textbook or two or three, netbook cord, wireless mouse, pens, and pencils in one bag. The other bag carries my school clothes, bike lights (one handlebar, one helmet), lunch, snacks, and raingear if necessary. I usually have some room to spare too. The outer pockets are big enough to hold four blinkies and my keys each, with room to spare. The lid is big enough to carry my mini pump, wrench, cargo net, patch kit, handful of zip ties, and pollution mask, with (you guessed it) a little room to spare.

Deuter packed a lot into a slim design. The bags look fairly small but they can carry a pretty big load. The Ortleib Quick Lock Attachment System is amazing. I’ve seen what some other panniers use and it looks like a hardware store hack job compared to the Ortleib system. It does take some adjust and a little fine tuning but it took me maybe 10 minutes to get it dialed. Then from there it’s easy on and off. Just pick up the webbing handle and the bags slide on or off. One thing to be cautious of: the lower tab has to be adjusted just right or when you hit some bumps the bags will slide a little and the lower attachment will come free of the rack.

The Rack Pack Bike Bags come with the ‘integrated rain cover’ which is a rain cover folded up and store in a zippered compartment on the bottom of each bag. I’ve never actually used them. I’ve used the bags through snowstorms, slushy roads, and rain in UT and never had any problems with leakage. Then I took the abuse up a notch when I moved to Cincinnati for grad school. I’ve had the bags through torrential downpours with nary a leak. Lately I have noticed the bags getting thoroughly soaked and they could probably use a DWR refresher. After a year and a half of abuse I think this is reasonable. The Microrip fabric has held up to the abuse as well. I did make one hole in the bottom of the bag (completely user error) but other than that there aren’t any rips, tears, snaps, or really any signs of wear.

The description says they have an asymetric design so you can swap back and forth if you have heel clearance issues. The problem with this is if you use the mesh pockets for anything in quick reach, if you swap sides the pocket ends up in the back. The one benefit is then the reflective logos face the rear.

My wishlist for these bags would be more reflective detailing. The only reflection on the bag is small logo on each bag. Make an integrated shoulder strap for commuters. The carry handles are good an all, but when you’ve got a heavy load and a little bit of a walk it’s be nice to sling the bags over your shoulder. I know I know, “these bags are made for touring so quit your whining commuter”. I’m just saying it’d be a killer feature.

The Good

• Ortleib Quick Lock Attachment System
• Massive capacity for a slim design
• Fantastically waterproof even without using the rain cover
• Extremely durable
• Straps are fixed so there aren’t any danglers
• No more sweaty back
• No more sore back from heavy loads

The Bad

• The only reflective detailing is a small logo on each bag. Give us more visibility!
• Because the straps are fixed there is limited height adjustment. It’s hard to get tall things in the bag
• No integrated shoulder strap

Bottom Line on the Deuter Rack Pack Bike Bags

The Deuter Rack Pack Bike Bags are money! They’ve been through a year and a half of commuting abuse and they are going strong. They are well worth the money and I’d recommend them to anyone who was going to buy panniers.

Buy Now: Pick up the Deuter Rack Pack Bike Bags today and say goodbye to ultra-sweaty back forever.