The Craft Cadence 21 liter backpack is a seam-sealed water-proof roll top backpack with surprising versatility. Roll top packs are common here in the rainy pacific northwest, as a water resistant pack is a requirement for year round bicycle commuting. However, durable, fully waterproof packs are often heavy, one-trick ponies, useful for commuting, but often […]
What is the best kind of bike for urban riding and adventure?
A number of friends have been talking about purchasing a bicycle for getting around in Portland. There are quite a few options to choose from, and if you don’t know what you’re looking at, it can easily be overwhelming. If you’re just starting out in the research phase of buying a new bike, you may […]
First Rides: Pearl Izumi WRX Jacket and Summit AmFIB Lite Pant
I hate being cold, whether its on the bike or on the couch. Winter is coming, and with days already short, our efforts have been to acclimate to darker and colder outlook. Lucky for me, reps for Pearl sent over the Summit AmFIB Pant, Pearl’s warmest MTB pant, with more ample time to prepare for […]
Review: Crud Roadracer Mk3 Full Fender Set
The Crud Mk3 Roadracer Full Fenders are the best road bike fenders I’ve ever run. I don’t think I’ve ever straight up claimed that sort of thing when it comes to reviews. However, having tried quite a few, and installed far more than my fair share during my tenure as a bike mechanic, I feel […]
Review: Portland Design Works Bindle Rack
The PDW Bindle Rack is a post mounted rack suitable for touring or the daily haul. Easy to install, it’s a quick and viable solution to carrying heavier loads in a seat pack without committing to a traditional rack. The Bindle Rack is constructed of lightweight alloy and equipped with heavy duty compression straps that loop […]
Review: Knog Blinder LED Lights
USB rechargeable lights are a staple of commuting. If you lock your bike in public spaces, lights you can quickly and easily remove to keep secure in your pack are of the most use. After a few snafus with older models of Knog lights, they sent out a set of the Blinder MOB Grid LED […]
Review: Blackburn Central Full Fender Set
Riding to work through winter this year has been a challenge. Once the wet season hit, the first thing I did was hang up my road bike, switching over to my 29″ mountain bike full time. To make the frequent rain bearable I installed the Blackburn Central Full Fender Set. Full fenders weren’t always available […]
Showers Pass Refuge High Vis Jacket Review
Showers Pass gets commuting. Known for producing gear that makes wet weather bike rides bearable, their line of jackets, pants and accessories is time and torture tested the best way possible – by using it. Based out of rainy Portland, the only way to keep riding year round is to harden the f-up and dress for the occasion. Commuting […]
Portland Bike Commuting: the Going/ Alberta Greenway
Portland, Oregon features a number of streets designated as neighborhood greenways, which are residential streets where traffic is limited to 20 MPH or less. Formerly known as bicycle boulevards, Portland boasts more than 70 miles of greenways. Though Portland is considered a bike friendly town, if you find yourself traveling along the wrong route, you’d […]
Showers Pass Hi-Vis Torch Jacket
The Showers Pass Hi-Vis Elite and Torch Jackets take commuter visibility to the next level. Pairing uber-reflective fabric with high-vis neon green panels and adding integrated LED lights, this is quite possibly the most high performance commuter jacket available. I never thought I’d be looking at adding a neon green jacket to my arsenal of gear, but lately high […]
Review: Showers Pass Transit Backpack
As a year-round bike commuter, finding a backpack that fits my needs has been a challenge. I often haul a lot of stuff, typically carrying a laptop, compact camera, change of clothes, shoes, make-up and other random items. A pack that supports the weight, keeps things organized and can withstand the wet weather in Portland is incredibly important. […]
2016 Diamondback Haanjo Trail
I’m not sure if the Diamondback Haanjo Trail classifies as a gravel bike, cross or endurance road bike, but it sure looks like it would be one hell of a commuter. Since relocating back to Portland, Oregon, we’ve been putting a lot more road miles in than ever before — thanks primarily to a healthy […]