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Castelli Endurance Bib Shorts Review

June 4, 2010 by taStahly

The Endurance Bib Shorts by Castelli is a new addition to the Castelli family for 2010. And in my opinion, the greatest addition. Yes, the much-hyped Castelli Body Paint Bib Shorts are great, but I’d take the Endurance Bibs over them if I had to choose (and I’ve got both pairs). Let me explain.

Long distance chamois
Castelli isn’t known for making a super-comfy chamois. Well, not until they came out with the Progetto X2 chamois. The Progetto X2 uses a combination of soft-to-the-touch foam and won’t-squish-to-nothing gel. Gel?! Can you believe it?! Castelli put gel into a chamois! So you’ve got this supple layer of foam right next to your skin and then gel underneath that to match up with your sit bones and the saddle. It’s a beautiful thing. So here’s the best part: Castelli thinks this pad is so top-notch (as do I) that they put it in their most high-end, high-dollar bibs; The Castelli Body Paint. The price tag on the Body Paint Bibs is $249.99, and the price tag on the Endurance Bibs is $179.99 — that’s a difference I can appreciate.

Castelli Progetto X2 Chamois

Castelli Progetto X2 Chamois

Compressive fabric
The ‘shorts’ section of the bibs are made of a micro fabric called Action. When you get past the lame name, the fabric is definitely more compressive than your average Lyrca, and it does give off a sense of everything being secure when you’ve got them on. I guess that’s what compressive fabrics do. And why is that good? The Compression of the shorts increases the blood flow in your thighs, which translates Continue Reading »

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Cycling Jackets: Transparent Racing Capes Reviewed

May 18, 2010 by Roadie

The “racing cape” is a unique piece of cycling apparel. It’s purpose is to keep you protected from the wind and rain while still showing your team kit and race number. It does all of those things…to a certain extent.

Does it keep you protected from the wind?
Yes, and it does a really good job of it. Most rain capes are not made to fit like a jacket you wear over clothes, they’re made to fit like a cycling jersey; form fitted. This is great because it translates to not having extra material to flap around and create drag. Along with not creating drag, it won’t puff up like a wind breaker — if you’re wearing the proper size (wearing a size too large inevitably means extra material and extra room for the wind to grab hold of it).

Does it keep you dry?
Depends on how hard it’s raining. A light rain or drizzle won’t penetrate the exterior, and you will stay dray. Most rain capes are made from a fabric that is completely waterproof; the issue is that the seams are not taped closed. As the amount of the rain, or the rate in which the rain is falling, reaches a certain point the water will seep through the sewn seams. Obviously, this isn’t ideal, but you are still getting a whole lot more protection from the rain than not wearing anything at all. And anyway, it’s not always about staying bone dry, it’s about keeping your body temperature regulated.

Does the team kit and race number show through?
Yes and No. The colors show through just fine, but don’t plan on anyone being able to read your sponsor’s names or race number. Imagine putting on a pair of prescription glasses that are way strong for your vision.; this is how legible any writing is going to be. On the bright side of things, you’ll be able to tell what color your team kit is.

A few solid options to choose from:

Hincapie Pacific Rain Shell

Hincapie Pacific Rain Shell


Giordana Monsoon Jacket

Giordana Monsoon Jacket


Assos ClimaJet Breaker

Assos ClimaJet Breaker

Although the racing cape isn’t the end all jacket, it definitely has it’s place as an important piece of cycling apparel. As I’ve mentioned, you can’t expect to get everything you might want out of a rain shell from a racing cape, but it will pack down to a size that can be kept in a jersey pocket and it will get you home without being completely wet and cold.

-Roadie @ Indie Bike

Posted in Cycling Apparel Info., Cycling Information, Product Reviews | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Healing Road Rash After a Crash; with Saran Wrap

May 5, 2010 by taStahly

I was part of an unfortunate incident this past weekend. You know, one of those incidents when you’re no longer riding your bike upright; starts with a ‘c’ and ends with a ‘rash.’ You got it. Nothing major, just annoying road rash down the left side of my body. So what’s the most effective way to heal road rash? Everyone has their own method of treating and/or healing it. Personally, I use Saran Wrap.

The many uses of Saran Wrap

The many uses of Saran Wrap

The goal is to keep the wound from scabbing over. While the road rash is still fresh from the wreck, and has already been cleaned sufficiently, I smear Neosporin or some kind of triple antibiotic cream all over it. This helps to accelerate the healing process and keeps it from drying out. Now the Saran Wrap comes into play: cut a piece larger than what is needed to cover the wound in its entirety, place the plastic wrap on the wound (making it stick to the cream/wound), smooth out the surface of the plastic wrap, and finally tape it securely to your skin. You might be wondering why Saran Wrap is used instead of gauze. There are two reasons: 1)Saran Wrap does not stick to the wound. Continue Reading »

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Selecting the Perfect Pair of Cycling Shorts; for You

April 21, 2010 by taStahly

One of the toughest questions to get asked is, “What shorts (or bib shorts) should I buy?.” Honestly, I have no idea. We’ll figure out, but right now I have no idea. I have no idea for several reasons: I don’t know what saddle you’re riding, I don’t know where you’re positioned on the saddle, I don’t know if you like a more compressive Lycra or less compressive, I don’t know the type of leg-gripper you’re used to, I don’t know what brand you’re happy (or not happy) with, I don’t know the inseam length you’re used to or like, and I definitely don’t know of the make-up of your gluteus maximus.

With that said, those questions are a starting point to figure out which pair of shorts is going to be the most comfortable, or best, for you — more specifically, you’re body. And the above questions are ones you should ask yourself when looking for a pair of shorts. If you’re shopping in a store and actually handling the product, you’ll figure it out. For those shopping on our site, Indie Bike, read the product descriptions. Read the product descriptions with an eye for what you find as important characteristics of a comfortable short. You should be able to get a fairly good handle on what will definitely not work and what will possibly work. When you’ve got it narrowed down to a few potential candidates, go with your gut.

And if you’re still on the fence: call 1-866-435-9259 and I’ll do my best to steer you in the right direction.

Continue Reading »

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Cycling Gloves — to wear, or not to wear?

April 9, 2010 by taStahly

I don’t wear cycling gloves. I don’t know why or how I got into the habit of not wearing gloves, but it’s not something I can easily change — I’ve tried. I know if I go down during a ride my hands are likely to get torn up, which is why this past weekend I brought a pair of gloves to the start line. (I figured that if I tore up my hands, typing and working on the computer wouldn’t work out so well, so I made what I thought was an adult decision.) I reached for the gloves in my back pockets, put them on my hands, quickly remembered why I didn’t like wearing gloves, took them off, and put them back into my pockets. The instant I put the gloves on and rested my hands on my handlebars, I could tell it wasn’t going to fly. They just…felt completely bulky and awkward!

Cycling Gloves -- to wear, or not to wear?

My allegiance lies with the person on the right.

To my hand’s delight, I finished the race in the upright position.

For some reason I have this feeling that I “should” be riding with gloves. Maybe it’s the logical side of my brain that tells me wearing gloves is a safety thing more than anything else, and if all it takes to protect my hands from severe road rash is a pair of half-finger gloves, then being slightly uncomfortable is worthwhile. Then whatever the other side of my brain can be referred to, tells me that wearing gloves is bothersome and the likelihood of crashing is slim.

Yes, the majority of riders wear cycling gloves, but I can’t be the only one with such a dilemma. Who knows, maybe some day I’ll be wearing gloves religiously and wonder how I went for so long without them.

Then again, there is a race on Sunday and if you see me there, I probably won’t be wearing gloves, but maybe I should be…

Posted in Cycling Apparel Info., Cycling Information | Tagged , , | 2 Comments »

Team RadioShack Kits Information

March 23, 2010 by taStahly

Team RadioShack Race Day Jersey by Nike

Team RadioShack Race Day Jersey by Nike

Lance Armstrong has the Midas touch when it comes to getting Americans psyched about cycling; Team RadioShack being his most recent touch of excellence. Once Lance won his first Tour de France wearing the USPS kit, all of sudden everyone and their brother was wearing it on the local group ride. Next it was the Team Discovery kit that everyone was wearing. Then came LIVESTRONG. Not only did he bring the ruckus to the cycling industry, he brought the $1 cancer-benefiting wristband to the world! Now Nike and Lance are delivering the yellow-banded goods to athletes and non-athletes alike. And the funny thing; you still see people wearing the USPS and Team Discovery kits.

After a brief stint with Astana (let’s forget his time with Astana; it lessens my argument), the golden boy has team up with RadioShack, Nike, LIVESTRONG, Trek, and Nissan to reclaim the Lance Armstrong dominance in the US cycling market. And let’s just say there’s enough hype around the new team to bring back memories of the 7 years Lance rode away with the TDF. One way I’m gauging Continue Reading »

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