My Favorite Winter Fatbike Gear-Part 1

Winter is my favorite time of the year to ride my fatbike, it opens a whole different world of exploration possibilities.  But, cold weather does present its own challenges that that can be overcome with the right gear.  I have tried a lot of products over the last four Winters and have come up with a new list of some of my favorite items that I use regularly.  This is part one of a three part series where I highlight my favorite Winter fatbike gear.

Gore Bike Wear Windstopper Balaclava

Keeping your face and head warm while protecting them from sub-zero windchills is where the Gore Bike Wear Windstopper Balaclava excels.  It fits comfortably, is breathable, can be worn with goggles and stops wind's bite preventing frostbite on the coldest days.  It has a thermal stretch fabric that is very thin and fits like a glove.  When the temps dip into the teens or the wind kicks up, this balaclava is my choice for face protection.  It folds up small enough to fit in my jacket pocket so I have it with in case the weather takes a turn.  Available at Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops for $39.99.

G.H. Meiser Low Pressure Gauge

Keeping your tires properly inflated is key to speed, control and traction.  Colder temperatures can cause tire pressure to decrease as much as 2% for every 10° F drop, so checking your tires to ensure proper inflation should be done before each ride.  A change of as little as a pound or two of psi can make a huge difference to how a fatbike tire reacts to the conditions you are riding.

I use the G.H. Meiser Low Pressure Presta Valve Dial Gauge to give me accurate readings at very low pressures that regular gauges might not be able read.  This model reads tire pressure from 0 to 30 psi and is not affected by cold temperatures unlike some digital tire gauges.  It's an excellent choice for fatbikers looking to dial in that that precise inflation for the conditions, whether they be soft/hard pack snow, "mash potatoes" or fresh powder.  With a little experimentation you will learn to set pressures exactly to your liking and know what they feel like when squeezing your tires.  Available at Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops for $20.99.  Also available in a 15 psi version for $14.99.

Smith Vantage with MIPS Helmet

My wife got me the Smith Vantage with MIPS helmet for Christmas and it is by far the best I've used for Winter riding.  It's a little on the spendy side at $260 but the features and design make it well worth it.  With its 21 vents, vent closures and Aerocore construction it is easy to keep your head cool or warm depending on the outside temperature.  The snapfit ear pads keep ears warm and can accommodate helmet audio systems for listening to music or podcasts out on the trail.  The adjustable Boa FS 360 Fit System assures a comfortable custom fit.

It works great with goggles and even has a removable goggle lock on the back of the helmet.  The MIPS system will limit the rotational forces to the brain in the event of an oblique impact during a crash or fall.  Available at REI and fine bike shops.

SKS Fatboard Fender Set

When the weather gets warmer you are going to want a good set of fenders to keep you dry when pedaling through slush, water and mud.  SKS Fatboard Fenders come in a set and just became available at your local bike shop.  I got a set from SKS before they available and tried them out on some of my wet commutes to work.  They really did the job of keeping me dry and the quick-release rear fender with an adjustable two-hinge arm to accommodate my bike's geometry made it a perfect fit.  The front fender straps quickly and easily to the downtube and prevents the continual spray of my front wheel and puddle jumping  from soaking me.  Made of rigid plastic, they have plenty of coverage to keep you dry on those messy Winter/Spring rides. MSRP is $54.99 for the set.  Available at Penn Cycle and other fine bike shops.

Interbike 2013 Cool Bike Gear-Part 4

After five days in Las Vegas for Interbike, I have seen anything and everything bike related.  There was so much to see that it took all three days at the show and both days at the Outdoor Demo to take it all in.  I felt like a kid in a candy store and there were many things that caught my eye.  This is the final installment of four posts highlighting some of the cool new products at Interbike 2013 that are now available, available soon or are coming to a bike shop near you.

Abus Bordo 5700

From Abus comes a new lock in their uGrip Bordo line, the Bordo 5700.  It has 5mm steel bar link construction that folds up into a small package and can be mounted to a bike frame with non-slip velcro straps or using the bottle cage bolt holes.  The premium cylinder safeguards against picking and the lock can be snapped shut without having to turn the key unlike previous models.  It comes in a variety of colors (black, pink, lime, blue and orange) and has a secure rating of 7 on Abus' own security scale of 1-15 (higher is more secure).  The Bordo 5700 folding lock has an MSRP of $69.99 and will be available at your local bike shop in Spring 2014.

 45NRTH Fasterkatt

45NRTH introduces a second boot to follow up the huge success of the Wölvhammer.  The Fasterkatt is designed to keep your feet warm and dry in cold, wet or muddy conditions in the 25° to 45° range.  With a waterproof breathable membrane and water resistant zipper, there is no more need for shoe covers with the Fasterkatt.  It is SPD compatible, has a sealed cleat pocket and a Hypergrip micro-glass outsole for extra traction on slippery surfaces.  The insole is made of waffled foam, wool felt and reflective aluminum to to keep your feet warm.      

The Fasterkatt comes in mens standard widths from size 38 to 50 (no size 49) and will begin shipping to authorized retailers the week of October 21st.  MSRP $225.

Scosche BoomBOTTLE

Scosche introduced its new rugged weatherproof Bluetooth speaker, the BoomBOTTLE at Interbike this year.  It is designed to fit in a water bottle cage or cupholder so you can take your music with you on your bike rides.  It has an omni-directional speaker cone that includes 2-40mm drivers and passive subwoofer to deliver rich sound.  The Lithium polymer rechargeable battery will provide up to 10 hours of continuous music playback on a single charge.  Integrated music controls allow the user to play, pause or forward tracks and adjust the volume.  With a built-in microphone, turn your smarthpone into a speakerphone and take calls without getting off the bike.  Wireless, it has a 33 foot range or can be used with non-Bluetooth devices with its built in auxiliary jack.  Color choices for the BoomBOTTLE include grey, blue, yellow, green, pink and are now available for $129.99 from the Scosche website.

Lightweights Power Reflectors

Lightweights Power Reflectors are powerful, high visibility reflectors made from 3M Scotchlite™ that can be applied to just about anything.  The reflective properties of this product are amazing and they can be seen from very long distances.  Stick them on clothing, bikes, helmets or backpacks to greatly increase being seen at night.  They come in many varieties including dots, tape, flex tape, shaft wrap, for clothing & gear and for wheels.  There is a multitude of color choices in many of the varieties to match or accent whatever they are being applied to.  I like the stealth appearance of the black tape that I applied to match the foam vents on the back of my helmet.  You don't even notice it in the daylight, but at night they reflect a very bright diffused light appearing larger than the applied piece.  Lightweights Power Reflectors can be purchased at Lightweights.org or from select retailers.

Giro Feature & Feather Helmets

I had a chance to demo one of the new helmets from Giro at the Outdoor Demo at Bootleg Canyon in 100° temps.  The Feature is a low profile enduro-style helmet designed for long-travel trail riding.  I was surprised at how lightweight and comfortable it was.  After a while I hardly noticed I was even wearing a helmet.  It has twelve vents with internal channeling to draw heat up and out of the helmet and kept me cool in the desert heat.  It comes with an adjustable moto-style visor and dial adjustment on the back of the helmet for a perfect fit. There are seven color choices to choose from.  

The Feather is part of the Women's Series Collection and has the same styling of the Feature helmet in a Womens-specific design.   It also comes with an adjustable moto-style visor and dial adjustment on the back of the helmet in five color styles.

Both helmets retail for $75 and are available direct from the Giro website or look for them at your local bike shop. 

Interbike 2013 Cool Bike Gear-Part 3

After five days in Las Vegas for Interbike, I have seen anything and everything bike related.  There was so much to see that it took all three days at the show and both days at the Outdoor Demo to take it all in.  I felt like a kid in a candy store and there were many things that caught my eye.  This is the third installment of four posts highlighting some of the cool new products at Interbike 2013 that are now available, available soon or are coming to a bike shop near you.

Hiplok V 1.50 & Lite

Hiplok is a unique lock and chain from the UK that is designed to be worn around the waist while riding.  The original Hiplok V 1.50 has an 8 mm hardened steel chain, a 10 mm hardened steel shackle in the buckle and weighs about 4 pounds.  It is adjustable, should fit waist sizes from 20 to 46 inches and has a Sold Secure Silver rating.  Retail price around $100.

The Hiplok Lite has the same design but in a smaller package with a 6 mm hardened steel chain, an 8 mm hardened steel shackle in the buckle and weighs in at around 2.2 pounds.  It fits waist sizes from  24 to 44 inches and has a Sold Secure Bronze rating.  Retail price around $65.

Both of these models have a flat padded nylon sleeve over the chain to provide a comfortable fit around the waist and prevent scratches when locking your bike.  They come in a variety of colors with a reflective Hiplok logo for extra visibility at night.  Both can be purchased on Amazon or select bike shops.

Camelbak Podium & Podium Chill

The Camelbak Podium Series of water bottles have been re-engineered for 2014 with a new bottle shape and a new jet valve cap.  The bottles are shorter and now have twisted velocity ridges making them easier to grab and squeeze.  The improved larger diameter opening on the jet valve cap now contains the blue valve unlike the previous design and has tabs for easy removal for cleaning.  Look for the Poduim & Podium Chill models to start showing up in bike shops in late October or early November.   

ESI Grips Silicone Wraps & Grips

From ESI Grips comes a line of colorful 100% silicone washable grips and bar wraps that are easy to install and provide plenty of shock absorbing grip.

The RCT Wrap for road, cyclocross and triathlon bikes has opposing bevels for easy installation and they are reversible.  They conform to your hands for comfort and provide excellent grip while reducing vibration.  Each set comes with two long and two short silicone wraps, two silicone tapes and two end caps.  I tried wrapping the demo bars at the ESI booth at Interbike and found it very easy to do.  Each set retails for $39.88 and can be purchased from the ESI website or at select bike shops. 

The ESI line of mountain bike grips come in a wide variety of colors and several styles to choose from.  The "Extra Chunky" (for those that like an extra chunky grip) has an installed diameter of 34mm, weighs about 80 grams and retails for $22.99.  The "Chunky" ($18.99) has an installed diameter of 32mm, weighs about 60 grams and can be used with grip shifters.  For those that like a thinner grip there is the "Racer's Edge" ($16.99) that weigh in at around 50 grams and has an installed diameter of 30mm.  These were my favorite, but a thin grip is my personal preference.  Custom models are also available in "Chunky" ($20.99) and "Racer's Edge" ($18.99) in a variety of two and three color combinations.  All mountain grip models can be purchased from the ESI website or at select bike shops.

Serfas Thunderbolt

A new addition to the Serfas lighting line is the USB rechargeable Thunderbolt.  It comes in a front (USL-6) and rear (UTL-6) model that has a light silicone body and unique mounting system.  The Thunderbolt Headlight throws 90 Lumens of  non-directional light from a strip of micro LEDs and has a run time of 1½ to 9 hours depending on the setting.  The Thunderbolt Taillight emits 35 Lumens of  non-directional light also from a strip of micro LEDs.  Run time for the taillight is 1¾ to 9½ hours depending on the setting.  Both models can be seen from a long distance and have High, Low and two flash modes.  These lights have the flexibility to be placed in many locations on a bike.  Each retails for about $45 and can be found at local bike shops and the Serfas website.

Smith Optics Forefront 

Smith Optics has created a lot of buzz by entering into the helmet market with the introduction of its new mountain bike model at Interbike.  The Forefront is very lightweight at 285 grams and is said to have a 30% reduction in energy transmission (than traditional EPS foam helmets) with its patented honeycomb material called Koroyd.  This honeycomb design transfers air through hundreds of holes all around the head to help keep you cool.  It has an integrated mount for a camera or light on the top and GoPro and Light & Motion are said to be manufacturing mounts specifically for it.  The Forefront is scheduled to hit bike shops in March, 2014 with three sizes, ten color choices and will retail for $220.