Product Review: Topeak TriBag

RRP: $29.99

Distributed by: PRV NZ ltd.

Despite the advent of the Day pack, for a long time cyclists have relied on Saddle bags to do the job of carrying essentials during shorter rides. However, saddle bags have a habit of rattling around at the slightest hint of give, sitting right in the way of any mud being flung about and are impossible for anyone short of an experienced yogi to reach whilst moving. Enter a clever piece of equipment from our triathlete cousins; the TriBag.

At a weight weenie friendly 59 grams, it’s hard to believe something so small and simple could be so useful. By strapping in firmly between the steerer tube and the top tube, the Topeak TriBag places anything that requires regular access right in front of you, out of the way of the elements. Do be careful though, without enough space underneath the stem the horizontal strap can loosen a little over time, but most bikes do not have this problem.

In use the large meshed lid was easy to open and close on the move, with a long Velcro strip at the edge making one handed opening and closing a breeze. The interior is nicely lined with a bright yellow rip-stop Nylon that promises long term durability, and is divided into two separate compartments; one main and one smaller. The smaller compartment is the perfect size to securely fit a smart phone for the Strava segments or a sneaky chocolate bar for those longer rides.

I have put this TriBag through the wringer and it has come out the other side with flying colours. It has been stuffed to the brim with tools and food, subjected to a rigorous dunking in Riverhead’s sticky winter mud and been the victim of crashes and collision galore; it is still going like new after a single rinse in the sink. It’s been amazing how much of a difference it has made; it’s easy to keep vitals on hand (multi tool, quick link, phone and gummy snakes) for whenever they are needed and has not faltered once. For endurance racing the ability to quickly access food while going full speed has proven invaluable, especially if you are like me and carry all sorts of different snacks for the various stages of a race. It also is a good way to securely stow batteries for handlebar mounted lights whilst out Night Riding.

A great piece of kit that is worth every cent for general trail use and racing.

Product Review: Camelbak Octane LR

RRP: $179

The average human is between 55% and 60% water. When cycling you lose a minimum of 0.8 litres of this EVERY HOUR. That’s a little more than a water bottles worth. With this water loss goes vital electrolytes which, when lost in sufficient amounts, cause dehydration and cramping. A lack of water also prevents you metabolising food properly, so you slow down. Nobody likes slowing down so that’s why many people like to ride with Hydropacks to carry enough water. My favourite for long distance racing is the Camelbak Octane LR.

Camelbak have been at the top of the hydration game for many years and the Octane range are their offerings for racers. The Octane LR is unique because it features what Camelbak call “The Lumbar Reservoir”. Instead of a vertically orientated bladder, the Octane LR’s bladder wraps around your waist inside the hip belt. The advantage of this is that it lowers the packs’ centre of gravity to carry the weight around your hips making it very comfortable on long rides, as well as allowing your back to breathe and evaporate off excess sweat. This orientation also stops the water from sloshing around making it quiet and stable.

The lightweight fabric of the pack means it only weighs in at 400g and breathes well so when shunting it on a race course the sweat isn’t trapped into a cold, clammy line down your back. The downside is that the two zippered compartments on the back can be felt if they are stuffed full of tools as there is no backing plate in the interests of keeping the pack lightweight. This is an acceptable compromise though as the pack is otherwise very comfortable and light. For Gels and other food there is a zippered pocket on each side of the waist belt as well as a gel pouch on the left shoulder strap. This has an elasticated top to stop gels from abandoning ship down a technical section or in the event of a crash; a nice touch as no-one likes facing the prospect of 50km of racing without food.

In use Camelbak’s Antidote reservoir performed remarkably providing water quickly when required. One of my complaints of the old reservoirs was that they were an absolute nightmare to open; it took the upper body of a body builder just to top them up. I am pleased to say no such problem exists with the Octane LR as the new reservoir is very easy to open and close. The bladder opening is also very easily accessed from outside the pack so if you need to fill up halfway through a ride this is easy to do. The new locking system for the hose means easy removal for cleaning (a must do if you use electrolyte in one of these) so you can spend less time cleaning and more time riding. The hose routing is intelligent coming from the base of the pack and up the shoulder strap so the mouthpiece points upwards instead of the more traditional “over the shoulder” approach. This has felt surprisingly natural in use and makes accessing the hose quickly just that bit easier.  

Everything about this pack just felt fast. Fast to drink, fast to access food, fast to clean; you name it, it does it well. You can’t ask much more from a pack than that. Light, comfortable, and works how you’d expect. 

My go-to endurance race pack.

Product Review: Wolf Tooth Drop Stop Chainrings

Distributor: Direct from wolftoothcycling.com or through Revolution Products Ltd.

RRP: $82-$110

Let’s be honest; front derailleurs aren’t perfect. Deliberately dropping your chain in the hopes that it lands correctly on another chain ring doesn’t really sound that good, does it? Until recently, your choices were limited when it came to doing battle with the front derailleur; live with it, run a chain guide and tolerate annoying chain rub, or join the seedy world of single-speeders. None of these options are ideal for many riders, so when SRAM announced they had found a solution using a specially machined front chain ring, the mountain biking world got very excited indeed.

But SRAM’s solution through another factor in to the equation; cost. Shelling out $600 for the privilege of this new technology seems unrealistic to most riders, but thanks to some loopholes in the patent and a number of small engineering shops tooling up to work with the new technology, the alternating profile “thick thin” chain ring was brought to the masses. Wolf Tooth, with their DropStop chain ring, are one such company.

Currently keeping stock of 10 different ring designs for different model cranks, chances are you will be able to find a model in Wolf Tooth’s catalogue to suit your current ride. Tested here is the GXP Direct Mount model. Weighing in at 74 grams for a 32 tooth model, running this ring will save around 250 grams just from weight saved by removing 2 front chain rings and a spider. This does not take into account removing front derailleur, shifter and associated cabling. In my case, with these taken into account approximately 400 grams were put into long term storage in the shed, more than enough to make any weight weenie look up and take note.

So, it is a cheap way to drop a lot of weight, but does it do what it says on the box? (Or in this case, website). In short, yes it does. In 2 months of riding a hard tail over some rather steep and bumpy terrain, this tester has had exactly one dropped chain. One, and that was after a very messy dismount that would have seen my previous 2x10 system home crying. But wait, there’s more! Without a front derailleur or guide for the chain to rub and bounce against, the drivetrain is almost completely silent… Trail ninjas rejoice.

Light weight, reliable and inexpensive. All very well, but can you actually ride the thing? That depends on you. With a 32 ring fitted to a 29’r this test spun out on the top gear at around 44kmh, so fast enough for most riders. For a strong rider, a 32-36 gear combo will get you up all but the steepest hills, but if you live in exceptionally steep terrain rings are available right down to 26 teeth in some designs.

So is it worth it? The ability to give the single ring craze a go for around $100 seems minuscule compared to shelling out for $1500+ for a single specific drivetrain, and it works exactly as claimed; the sheer number of them out on track at Nationals this year is a testament to their value. As with any single ring drivetrain, the Wolf Tooth will keep you honest about your fitness, but then again, we don’t mountain bike because it’s easy…

A quality product with an option for everyone. 

To buy direct from Wolf Tooth just click the pretty picture below...

Product review: Orca Killa Kompression Leggings

RRP: $169

Auckland based brand Orca is known in the triathlon world as being the brand to have; their wet suits and triathlon kit adorns some of the sport’s most successful athletes. Orca is also one of the few brands that offer a range of high end compression garments, including the new “Killa Kompression” line.

Before you banish the idea of compression garments to the realms of snake oil and pagan ceremonies as performance enhancers, consider that compression stockings have been in use in the medical world for over 50 years to help treat poor blood flow in patients. That, and multiple studies have suggested that not only do they improve performance by measurable amounts when used correctly, compression garments can also lower the perceived level of pain and aching post exercise, with increased recovery times reported along with this. Not just hearsay.

Having tried the Killa Kompression leggings my first impressions were that they were tight. Second impressions were that I couldn't bring myself to take them off; not because I was in love with them and didn't want to, but because I physically couldn't. I had to enlist a bit of help to free my legs from their elastomer embrace. Third impression, Orca’s sizing was a little bit off. Try before you buy, folks.

However, once fitted with the proper size the fit was comfortable but not restricting, with plenty of movement possible and just a subtle tugging reminder from the garment that it was there. They certainly felt very springy and energising, although that could have been the caffeine talking.

Any doubts were dispelled, however, once I started using these leggings after long training rides and races. Note the inclusion of after, as these leggings will slide down the waist a little if used while riding, leading to the crotch area catching on the nose of the saddle when standing. If you want compression whilst riding, one of Orca’s cycle specific, bibbed, chamois equipped options might be better.   

Slipping the leggings on after training created what I can only describe as a cooling effect to my aching muscles. The fabric might have something to do with it, as it is moisture wicking, thermo-regulating and SPF 50 to boot. After just over an hour my legs, which had up until then been stiffer than a fully rigid with the tyres at 70 psi, were actually feeling good. Feeling normal. Feeling like they were almost up to do another round of the 50 km race I had just completed…

While the rest of my body rebelled against these thoughts and begged for another slice of post-race cake, this experience with Orca’s leggings has left me a firm convert to the benefits of compression garments. You can throw around all the statistics and studies you want, but in the end it comes down to real world performance and in this the Orca’s certainly deliver.

A top quality product from a local company; perfect for those looking for that extra edge over the competition.    

The Calm Before the Storm...

As the last rays of sunlight retreated over the horizon, the clouds began to assemble en mass. Billowing and bellowing they came, swelling in the sticky summer night like bruises on the face of the sky. The trees sway slowly, barely a breath compelling them to begin with, but oscillating with every increasing urgency at each push. The first drops of rain are beginning to fall, the solitary tears down a cheek before a heart wrenching sob is released by the thunder...


                                            (Photo courtesy of National Geographic)
  
So what does a strange descriptive piece about a coming storm have in common with a blog about bikes you may ask? Well, first I am going to release my repressed inner meteorology nerd and tell you a bit about storms.

The typical tropical storm begins when warm ocean water heats up and turn to vapour. Rising rapidly from the surface it forms a storm cloud, which is continuously fed by more warm water until it grows in size. It grows and grows and grows, until it interacts with the jet streams and trade winds flying around the earth and, with a bit of help from the Coriolis effect, begins to spin... If all this happens and the water remains hot enough, you get a cyclone (Hurricane for all you North American readers).

Particles of air and water rub together creating huge amounts of friction, sending jagged bolts of lightning through the air. Thunder rolls through the sky and waves assault the shore, causing widespread flooding. And, there's the rain. It never seems to stop. I was dumb enough to sit through the windward arm of one of these storms in a tent once it was even less fun than it sounds), and so I figured it made a good metaphor for where I have been in the last couple of months.

As you may or may not be able to infer, there were times in the last 3 months that were miniature disasters. My Nationals season was one such example. I moved to a new age group, I tried some new stuff, a bit different to what I did last season, and it didn't work out so well. I spent some time travelling and racing with some wonderful people, but unfortunately they were outweighed by a number who I wouldn't mind never seeing again. Unfortunately, Mountain biking is a tight community and one that people do not readily leave, so the latter individuals will be seen around for quite some time yet. But on the flip side, so will those wonderful people I feel privileged to know so I guess it balances out.

I guess it's not so bad though. I had the opportunity to follow the New Zealand National circuit for the first time in my life. I went to Oceanias in Mount Hut to find out what it was like to live life behind the lens instead of out in front, and even tried my hand at making a movie (it failed due to some strange compatibility issues with equipment and a stubbornly laggy laptop...).

I hiked the Milford track in the south island over Christmas, and not only was the track fantastic but I had the pleasure of meeting wonderful people from all around the world there too.

I spent a summer actually doing things with friends for a change instead of just slogging away on my bike; I learnt how to be a normal teenager for a change.

The storm metaphor doesn't stop there in its description of difference and occasional disaster. Storms are full of energy and have the potential to bring about change. Well, I have been buzzing around recently like greased lightning and the winds of change are blowing through my life as I type. I recently started working a bit more closely with NZMTBR magazine, and had a few more bits and pieces published by them. They have taken me on with offers of more writing and reviewing, and are helping me get in touch with dealers and suppliers around the country to take my reviewing to the next level.

So what does this mean for you, dear reader? Well, get ready to see way more product reviews than I have ever done, on a wider range of stuff, and some of it is going to be pretty cool. There will even be some bikes that aren't from Giant! Be prepared for a veritable tsunami of stuff over the next few months; reviews, articles, advice, introspection... the one thing you will not be seeing as much of is race reports.

"Why?" I hear you ask, "race reports are pretty much all you ever do Robin!"

The reason for this is that over the past few months I have come to realise something; race reports are kind of pointless now. I am moving away from the point where my readers are all just club members wanting to know how their mates got on over the weekend. Once upon a time, that's exactly what Turning Pages was; a club notice board written with my perspective on things. With that came a demand for covering every facet of a club; to praise people I might not want to praise, cover races I might not want to cover and behave and write to someone else's rules for fear of petty censorship (a fear that became all too real near the end of last year thanks to other peoples squabbles). I refuse to walk that road any more.

Do not fear, there will still be race reports, but only when I feel they have a story that is worth reading. I will not bore you with constant recounts of riding in circles. That is a promise.

So where does this leave me at the end of a long, disjointed essay of thoughts, feelings and rants? I think what I am trying to say is that I haven't thrown in the metaphorical, sweat stained post race towel just yet. It's always darkest before the dawn, and you cannot know victory until you have tasted defeat. I have had enough losing for a while, and as the storm passes the rays of sunlight from the early dawn are peeking over the trenches of the horizon. It's time I started fighting again.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Turning Pages is back.

-R