Sometimes new bike computer money might be better spent on a new watch. While Garmin’s new Forerunner 745 was designed with triathletes (ahem!) in mind, it works great as an on-wrist bike computer, too. Obviously it is also solid training partner thanks to a load of onboard tech.
To help athletes better prepare for a race or training cycle, the Forerunner 745 includes key performance monitoring tools from Firstbeat Analytics like VO2 max, training load, training status and aerobic and anaerobic training effects. Athletes will even receive on-device running and cycling daily workout suggestions based on their current training load and VO2 max.
But it’s not all training, the Forerunner 745 also includes Garmin Pay, and when paired with music from Amazon Music, Spotify or Deezer the 745 can hold 500 songs. Garmin says the battery will last for a week in smartwatch mode, up to 16 hours in GPS mode, and 6 hours in GPS mode with the music blasting. It is available now in black, neo tropic, magma red or whitestone and has a suggested retail price of $499.99. For all the official details from Garmin, please follow the jump.
Swiftwick sent us some Pursuit Ultralight socks to try out. They look good and Merlino wool is a super plus. Here’s the lowdown from the manufacturer:
The Pursuit Ultralight wicks moisture and dries quickly, so your feet stay dry and blister-free wherever your adventures take you. The thin, breathable design also features a reinforced heel and toe to maximize durability. It has all the benefits of merino wool but is extremely lightweight, ensuring a great fit in any performance shoe.
We’re looking forward to trying them out on an upcoming roll through the hills.
Our favorite cycling shoe closure company BOA is announcing and even better, smaller, more durable dial for perfect fit on cycling shoes. It’s called the Li2. Here’s what they’re saying:
Li2 is the ultimate in fast, effortless, precision fit. The lightweight and low-profile dial platform offers unprecedented durability against impact, abrasion, and contaminants such as dirt and debris. Compact in size but packed with power, Li2 offers benefits designed to meet the needs of cyclists at every touchpoint during a ride. Multidirectional tightening and loosening allows for incremental adjustment to accommodate foot swelling on long rides, or a tighter fit for steep climbs and sprints.
Better is better, right? This dial is showing up on shoes from Fizik, Scott, Rapha, Gaerne, Lake and DMT this fall, with Bontrager, Giro, Louis Garneau, and Specialized jumping in for 2021. For all the official details from BOA, please follow the jump. [click to continue…]
The world famous Belgian Waffle Ride has partnered with 100% Eyewear on a collection of sunglasses in the classic colors of red, yellow, and the Belgian blue of the Belgian National team jersey. Here’s what the BWR has to say about them.
The Belgian Waffle Ride X 100% Collaboration was built stylishly and expertly to take on the harsh and punishing conditions of the most treacherous gravel racing in the world, the BWR. . . The BWR Special Edition sunglasses are available in the most popular 100% sport performance sunglass styles… Speedcraft, S2, S3; plus, the active performance style Hudson… for after the race, if you survive.
To check sunnies out in more detail, or to grab a couple pair before they’re all gone, please click the link.
We’ve ridden all winter with an Apple Watch safely tucked beneath the cuff of our arm warmers and felt fine knowing the watch was tucked in and safe. Now that summer has arrived and we’re more likely to be riding without arm warmers Apple Watch’s post and hole band closure looks a little more worrisome — especially during a rough MTB decent. Though we’ve yet had our watch band bust open, it doesn’t seem like a good idea to wait and see. That’s why we were stoked to see that Urban Armor Gear has added a Tang buckle to a silicone strap that keeps the clean lines of Apple’s silicone band while adding the security of a buckle.
The UAG bands come in two styles the Scout and Civilian. The Scout is a single color band that comes in three colors (black, olive, and orange) and retails for $29.95. The Civilian features tow layers of silicone, a “branded stainless steel buckle” and comes in two colors (black/orange and slate/orange). It retails for $39.95.
We haven’t tested them yet, but we can say for sure that the buckle makes us feel a whole lot better about taking our Apple Watch out into the wilds. We’ll let you know how it goes. For more info, please click the link.
Garmin’s Varia rearview radar was a bit of a problem for people who use their phones as their cycling computers, but thanks to Garmin’s new Varia app (and the updated RVR315 and RTL515), those days are over. Now, cyclists can pair the Varia to their phone and roll out — no Garmin head-unit required. And if they use Ride with GPS it will integrate. Sadly, Garmin’s Varia app does not work with Strava. Ouch.
“Our previous generation rearview radar with tail light quickly became a staple for cyclists around the world, providing peace of mind during any ride, day or night,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “With the new RVR315, RTL515 and Varia app, we’re bringing those state-of-the-art safety features to even more riders, helping to ease some of the anxiety they can experience when on the road.”
For all the details, including images and prices, please follow the jump, or click here for DC Rainmaker’s complete review.
This is not a rhetorical question. We really want to know. If you have any idea why current MTB shoes are always, boxy, clunky, bloated-looking clod hoppers, please leave it in the comments. Thanks.
Each time we want to use our GoPro the battery is dead. This single hurdle has ruined so many of our action capture missions that we’ve pretty much given up on taking a GoPro anywhere. Everyone else, on the other hand, seems to love these action cameras so here’s the latest: the GoPro Hero 8. With each GoPro product launch we hope the company will release a camera we can depend on day in and day out — one with a battery that can survive a couple days in a gear bag before being used. Who knows, maybe the Hero 8 is the one.
You’d think with all the GU we’ve sucked down over the years we’d have some sort of insight into what to buy when it’s time to load up on energy gels. Nope. When faced with buying a new box we’re totally confused by GUs 29 flavor mix. What was that one we liked? Can’t remember? Now, with the flavor wheel it almost makes sense. Want fruit, chocolate, sour fruit, salty, bitter? It’s all there on the chart and easy to read.
What are we ordering this time? If you must know, it’s Salted Watermelon, Strawberry Banana, and some Campfire S’mores. The only way GU could make this better would be to have a caffeine circle so we could remember which ones have it and how much. . . maybe next time. To order your next supply of GU, please click the link.
Everyone needs a bike to roll around on when they’re not on a group ride, racing off road, or training for the Olympics, and The Shadow Conspiracy and LA streetwear kings The Hundreds have created just the right 26 inch BMX bike for doing that.
The one-of-a-kind bike comes with an old-school drop nose seat adorned by a sublimated custom graphic and retro-inspired pad set. This bike isn’t just a looker, built with the guts and glory of The Shadow Conspiracy proprietary custom parts, including their signature Shadow Chain.
The bike, along withmatching jersey, tees, pullover, and hat, to go along with it, will be released tomorrow, March 28, 2019. If you want to check it out, roll by The Hundreds on Fairfax in Los Angeles at 5:30 PM for an “LA Mash” to Lock & Key on Vermont. For all the details, follow the jump.
