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This isn’t exactly a “review” of the Carlito lightweight U-lock. Reviewing a lock is like reviewing a helmet. You can’t be sure if it will perform when you really need it until a very bad thing happens. And when (or if) that bad thing does happen, there are too many variables to say if your experience will be the same. But Travis’s experience with the Carlito has been overwhelmingly positive, even though this lock may not perform when you really need it.
Dive into the compelling story of Kaldwell Grant, an Oklahoma City local whose mode of transportation is as unique as his journey. Navigating the challenging roads of Oklahoma City, Kaldwell embraces a 10-mile commute solely on his bike. Despite the city’s bike score of 40, Kaldwell’s unconventional choice raises eyebrows, yet for him, it’s not just an act of rebellion – it’s a personal preference that sets him apart.
After 2+ years worth of miles on Tailfin’s 10L mini panniers, Ryan Wilson has been putting their new 16L Mini Panniers to the test while out in the Chilean Desert. Utilizing the same attachment system as the rest of Tailfin’s range of panniers, the new 16L version brings added versatility for commuters and long-distance tourers alike. Let’s check it out below.
After a successful Kickstarter campaign at the end of 2023, the Veolo bike trailer is moving to production—available for pre-order now with an expected arrival time of May 2024. Hailey Moore has been looking for an analog system for carrying more commuting cargo by bike and was intrigued by the Veolo’s lightweight build, modest storage footprint, and hefty carrying capacity.
Read on for her first-ride review of this German-made bike trailer…
Bicycles are the epitome of human-powered transportation. Two-wheels, the wind on your face and the ability to get to work using your own body’s strength to do so. In this piece you’ll meet Bull Moose Bicycles bike shop owner Nate Rioux, out of Twin Falls, who commutes in agriculture country, from Filer to Twin Falls every day – riding by farm animals and crops, he believes bike commuting is a way of getting in touch with your environment. We’ll also hear from Lee Wyman, in Nampa, Idaho who started commuting just to see if he could and now he can’t get enough of it.
Adidas’ Velosamba clipless shoes made a splash a few years back when they were announced. The shoes lots of cyclists had asked for were finally here! New for 2024, Adidas just announced the COLD.RDY Velosambas ($170). These not only feature a reflective outsole for those dark commutes, but also an insulated upper to keep your feet warmer.
Made with a series of recycled materials, this upper features at least 50% recycled content. This product represents just one of our solutions to help end plastic waste. See more at Adidas.
How functional does a gimmick have to be for it to stop being called a gimmick? Consider down-tube storage compartments for example. They seemed like a novelty at first, but use one for long enough and you might wonder why they’re not on—or in—every new bike. Travis Engel had a similar experience testing the Bookman Volume 800 and Volume 1500 bike lights. They’re loaded with gimmicks, some of which should probably be standard on every light. Still, they’re not quite perfect.
The playful, go-anywhere-themed Element + Pelago Silvo collaboration hits Richard Pool hard with a heavy dose of teenage skateboarding nostalgia. Read on for his review (and accompanying playlist!) for this bullmoose-equipped and gravel-ready commuter, built around an eccentric bottom bracket for the singlespeed conversion this bike is asking for…
Based in Seattle, Washington, Swift Industries is a bike bag company known for blending classic randonneuring aesthetics with modern functionality. Co-founded in 2008 by Martina Brimmer and Jason Goodman, the brand has grown from a basement DIY passion project to a mainstay in the bike luggage space. In celebration of their 15-year anniversary, Hailey Moore writes about Swift’s journey over the years from its founders’ punk roots, to landing shelf space in REI.
Today’s Readers’ Rides is spurred by a request John made in our Super Something Ti seatpost and stem post earlier this week. Remi built up a Sklar Super Something as a commuter and it came out… well, you’re going to have to look for yourself!
We love to see people re-using vintage bikes for modern exploits. It’s one of our absolute favorites. So when Harrison sent this into our Readers’ Rides inbox, we spent a good amount of time frothing over it. Let’s take a look!
Purpose-built for commuting, the Ortlieb Commuter Day-Pack High Visibility brings new meaning to the term reflectivity. But before you start picturing a Day-Glo aesthetic, this piece utilizes a high-luminosity yarn that’s woven throughout Ortlieb’s signature black, waterproof fabric. After testing the backpack through moody Portland commuting, Bicycle Crumbs shares his review.
Curating custom bikes for people is something I’ve done, dare I say, “since forever.” For nearly 20 years the most common way a custom project lands on my plate is someone desiring a build akin to my current ride. In the early years, it was track bikes, singespeeds, and classic road bikes. More recently, popular interest seems to have shifted to e-bike conversions capable of carrying small humans, bulky gear, or a combination of both.
Well, this one got out a bit early. Marty sent his NAHBS Woodville over to the Levi’s crew for some camera time. The bike was used on a trainer to display the new line of Levi’s commuter jeans. More to come but in the meanwhile, check out more info at the Geekhouse Blog.
I wanna see Brad in a pair of commuter jorts. Just sayin’
