Reviews

Got Raw Balls? Maybe you should!

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Product Review - Simply Dara's Raw Balls are an excellent all natural, vegan, gluten free, organic and "raw food" snack for cyclists.

Nutrition has been a hot topic in the cycling community lately and there seems to be a trend towards "real foods", think Allen Lim and the Feed Zone Cookbook. There also seems to be more and more cyclists going vegan or gluten free. In that vain, we've noticed a new product out of Boulder, Simply Dara's Raw Balls, that seems to fit right in with this trend, so we thought we'd give them a try.

Panache Fleece Shorts

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If you haven't tried a pair of thermal bike shorts you are missing out. I have been using Panache Fleece Bib Shorts for a couple weeks now and they are my go to shorts when the temperature dips below 55F. I do a lot of my riding early in the morning so these have been getting a lot of ride time.

The fleece lined shorts keep your legs extra warm. If the temps dip lower, add a pair of leg warmers and you will be very comfortable.

Here are some technical specifications from the Panache web site:

  • FABRIC: 220 weight Roubiax fleece. Durable, long-wearing nylon under the chamois, compression Power Lycra on the printed panels for good looks and muscular support. Breathable, wicking poly elsewhere to regulate temps.
  • CONSTRUCITON: Nine panels let us put the right material in the right place. Absolutely no cross-seam in the chamois, making the most comfortable contact point possible.
  • CHAMOIS: High density open-cell all-way stretch foam padding with two layer X-TRACT fabric against the skin. Ultra fast drying with great breathability.
  • COMPRESSION: Studies show supported, stable muscles last longer. Rest up for the bunch kick.
  • STITCHING: Flatlock seams - smoother, stronger seams mean smoother, stronger riding.
  • TAGLESS: No tags, no chafing, no problem.
  • GRIPPER: Long-lasting, no-crack silicone for durability.
  • GRAPHICS: Digital printing means vibrant, crisp, accurate graphics. Your team designs won’t run or bleed, giving them more pop than you’ve ever seen.
  • FIT: Performance fit.

You want a pair? You can buy them online.

Related

Shredly Shorts and Jersey Review

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See our previous article on How a Carbondale Company is Changing the Way Women Look and Feel When They Ride

Maybe I don’t speak for everyone but I definitely know a contention of women who routinely ask, “Why are all the women’s mountain bike shorts black?” Well, Shredly has solved that dilemma. Shredly is a Colorado company, founded and operated by a Colorado native. And the clothing is made in the U.S.A. The founder, Ashley Rankin, took her background in apparel design and production and turned it into a clothing line that is sure to light up the trails.?

Shredly shorts are different from anything I’ve seen on the racks. And if you’re thinking they look a lot like board shorts, you’d be right. Ashley took the idea of a longer short, added more coverage and a whole lot of design. The shorts have a wide waist band with low comfy pockets in the front. The backside is pocket-free and comes up high enough so that you don’t distract the person behind you. There is a side snap pocket on the right leg; perfect for trail map, beer money or a snack. The material is soft and just stretchy enough to move with you as you ride. These “Made in the U.S.A.’ shorts are constructed well and held up nicely in my style of doing laundry (translation: I don’t read washing instructions). The shorts are available in eight different designs and vibrant colors and they have a 10.5 inch inseam. The shorts fit true to size and come in sizes 0-12.

How a Carbondale Company is Changing the Way Women Look and Feel When They Ride

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Shredly Founder Ashley Rankin

This past spring a friend was in Grand Junction riding the lunch loops. She sent me a picture from a bike shop. Her message said, “You should test these Shredly bike shorts!” They were so unique I looked into it further and found out that Shredly is a Colorado mountain bike apparel company, founded by a Colorado native and made in the U.S.A. This was enough to peak my interest so I contacted the founder Ashley Rankin and asked her a few questions about her business, how she got started and what she’d liked to see for the future of her clothing company.

It all started when Ashley wanted some new mountain bike shorts and after a few seasons of not finding what she wanted (everything was black and boring), her idea of creating her own company started percolating. In the meantime, Ashley wore board shorts with a chamois. And then after receiving lots of compliments she took it one step further. She embroidered her Shredly logo on her board shorts. From there it was a matter of finding fabrics, a pattern maker and a production manager. When Ashley talks about the two women who fill these roles, you can hear the emotion. They are her mentors and her extended family. When one cries, they all cry. And speaking of crying, having a great idea and great fabric and a great team are all fine but who is going to pay for it all?

Review - Club Ride Eden Shorts and Bandara Jersey

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If there’s one thing you can count on from me, it’s that I’m fickle. Just this spring I said, “I like longer shorts. I can’t believe how short my old shorts are…” Cue the foreshadowing. Well, the Club Ride Eden shorts definitely made me move back up the inseam line. And I dare anyone to call them too short. Club Ride is based in Sun Valley, Idaho and their bottom line is, why not wear something that kicks butt on the trail and looks good for the après beer. I get it. Who doesn’t love an après beer?

The Club Ride Eden shorts are made out of nylon, Ultra lightweight BambX™ Stretch bamboo and spandex. Yep bamboo. Bamboo has antimicrobial properties and it is hypoallergenic. It’s also anti-static. I wish my homecoming dress would have been made from bamboo. At the end of the day, the combination gives you a soft, giving and comfortable pair of shorts. They are raven black (but more like dark charcoal grey) and they also come in Indigo Blue. They have a seven inch inseam and the sizing was perfect. Comfortable to ride in and they (just like Club Ride is hoping for) look great. They have an outside adjustable system and a zippered pocket in the back. Bottom line (no pun intended): These are super cute. Yes, they will make you ride faster and yes you can get behind your seat on that sick downhill and yes, they make your butt look great too.

The removable liner is unique. At first I thought, no way. Too short. Like boy underwear short. But I was wrong. Because they are short, there is no tugging them down. The chamois was just like the three bears story, not too big, not too small, but just right. And the Coolmax® liner is super breathable even on long, hot Colorado days. And although with other liners, I am ready to rip them off right after the ride, this one is comfortable enough to wear for the après beer or trip to the grocery store.

REEB Cycles - Carbon Drive SingleSpeed

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I got a chance to ride the REEB last weekend. I road at Betaso and Heil Ranch in what I would call typical Front Range mountain biking (little bit of everything). I have been riding a single speed 29er since 2004 but its been a while since I was so excited to ride a bike.

I am not the fastest going downhill on a mountain bike but man did I feel comfortable and fast on the REEB. Some of it could have been the 2.35" tires, which the REEB offers plenty of clearance to run, but the bike just felt stable going downhill. Even with the big tires the bike was very lightweight. The bike did shine going down but going uphill was just as nice.

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Photo Credit: 303Photo

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