Retrospec Fixie Saint Urban Fixed Gear Single Speed Urban Road Bike Review

Customer Ratings:

I just received this bike today in black and red at 57cm. It's my first fixie, so this review will benefit news like me over the veteran fixie riders.

PROS

-price

-seriously, the fixie experience is a dream (more on that later)

-variety of color options

CONS

-If you've never assembled a bike, good luck. Luckily for me I grew up tinkering with bikes, but assembly was still a little more than the anticipated "minimal assembly required" as prescribed on the box. Also, no instruction manual. Figure it out yourself or pay some dude in a bikeshop up to half the price of the bike itself for assembly.

-the seat is about as comfortable as a 2x4. Definitely going to be one of my first upgrades.

-the pedals are plastic. Not sure why I expected metal pedals, but I did, so plastic was a minor letdown.

-valve stems on the tubes are on the shorter side. This is my first experience with presta valves, but luckily a dude at the LBS showed me how to properly pump this puppies up. He commented that the short stems would make it a little more difficult, and I definitely had a difficult time getting the pump to lock over the valve.

-sizing chart is a bit misleading. Retrospec recommends the 57cm frame for anyone 5'9" or taller. Now, I'm 5'11" with a 32" inseam and the frame, when straddled, just barely hits the dudes. From what I've read, you're ideally supposed to give those guys about an inch of clearance, so those of you stuck between the 57 or the smaller size, it might be best to err on the smaller size. Your family will thank you.

Many of the components on the bike, tubes and tires, pedals and pedal straps, and seat as previously mentioned are not of the highest quality. The frame itself is a bit heavy, being made out of steel. It goes without saying, but you get what you pay for.

Now why do I think you should pay for this fixie? Simply put, fixies are a blast. I'd never ridden one more than a couple hundred feet before getting my Saint Urban, and the ride I had this afternoon might have been the best experience all year. The ride is smooth, thanks to the efficient fixed gear drive train, the clean lines and simplicity give the bike a beautiful aesthetic, single brake cable and no deraillers mean you can focus on enjoying the ride and connecting with the bike (it's really a thing, I was skeptical too). For those worried about making the transition to a fully fixed gear, just do it. I was concerned about stopping and dismounting, but after half a mile it became second nature. You shouldn't have to spend an exorbitant amount of money to have this much fun, and thanks to Retrospec, you don't have to. The best advice I've read on buying your first bike is to get whatever you can afford and ride it into the ground. Get whatever color you like, you can upgrade parts later down the road. Stop paying too much for gas, and get yourself a fixie and start enjoying your travel time instead of just enduring it.

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Got the Saint Urban as a back up to my racing stable and I have been pleasantly surprised at the nimble response and stiffness of the steel frame. I have begun to ride this more than I had expected and, after a couple of personal tweaks, it has turned out to be a great bike for the city. my only caveat is that there is no option for a lighter gearing straight out of the box and while 81 Gear inches is great for Flat land, somewhere in the mid to low 70's works better in a city like SF with many hills.

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To start off, the design of this product sets the standard for fixed gear bikes. The range in colors can accommodate any customers needs and wants. The bikes are fully customizable and are well made built to last bikes. The ride is as smooth and easy to ride as it gets AND you will by far be the talk of the road. I've had my bike for a year now and I have had 0 problems to date, and not to mention get compliments daily. As far as I'm concerned, retrospecs are the best made, best looking bikes at the best price. There is no other option. Enjoy!

Honest reviews on Retrospec Fixie Saint Urban Fixed Gear Single Speed Urban Road Bike

Lovee this bike! smooth ride, light frame...exactly what I was looking for when I wanted a fixie. it also looks a lot better than any other bike around. I kinda wish I would've got it one size smaller so I could give mine to a friend and buy another, but I'm super happy with it.

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I got the bike a couple days ago; haven't used it yet. Here are my first observations:

1. Welding job is subpar.

2. The plastic brake release switch was broken and the two pieces glued together.

3. The chainring is slightly bent because one of the five spots where it attaches to the crank arm is not seated well. Right now it's not clear to me whether this will affect the chain life or riding quality of the bike.

4. Very difficult to screw in the pedals because of the paint and the softness of the alloy the crank arms are made of.

5. There was debris inside the front rim that was making an annoying noise when turning the wheel.

I spent more than an hour dealing with #4 and #5. I have pictures for #2 and #3 but don't know how to attach them to this review. #1 doesn't matter too much to me.

Discount Pearl iZUMi Attack Sock 3-Pack

Customer Ratings:

I wear these to run/cycle in and to work as breathable socks.

They are fantastically breathable and comfortable. Compared to mass produced cotton socks, I've never thought my feet were too hot or too moist no matter my footwear (I wear composite safety toe work boots). The height is adequate for my applications in running and cycling, and since they are not specific to being boot socks I can't really penalize them for not being quite tall enough. The stitching is virtually impossible to feel across the toes, at the ankle, or around the Achilles.

I expected nothing less than fantastic from Pearl Izumi and they certainly delivered.

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Having logged thousands of mile in my bicycle over many years, I have had opportunity to try many socks for many supliers. Same shoes, different socks.

These are comfortable, durable, washable, and cool. None better, in my opinion.

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Pearl iZUMi, as most cyclist already know, has been in the game for a long, long time. This experience shows in the Attack socks. They have an excellent fit and are slighly taller than the original. They are not, however, as tall as the currently popular style of "park-freeride-downhill type" socks that go to the base of the calfalmost like a tube sock... I remember the original Pearl iZUMi socks I wore growing up in the '80's... now those were very short, just bearly over the ankle bone... I also welcome the black verses the old white color onlyI mountain bike and do alot of trail work, so the black is much better for not showing the dirt and grime of these activities. Because they are so close fitting and stretchy I don't expect them to last much more than a season, but if they do, great, bonus. For a great fitting riding sock from a core Colorado cycling company, these are deliveringand if they last into fall, they will get the last star!

Honest reviews on Pearl iZUMi Attack Sock 3-Pack

Overall, I like the socks. However, I purchased a size XL based on manufacturer's sizing chart. However, the XL is a little too large for my feet (I wear a size 11 US). If you wear anything smaller than a size 11.5 US shoe, I recommend buying a size L instead.

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I bought this to help for my cycling. It's great. Then I started to use it to run. My shoe size is 7.5D. And these fit me really well. I'm going for a second order.

Kolpin Teryx 2010 Full Tilting Windshield Review

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $399.99
Sale Price: $286.02
Today's Bonus: 28% Off

Got it a two days!! Easy to install. Lexan is very clear and durable. I would highly recommend this windshield.

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my husband did his research and we ended up choosing this windshield. we really love it. i will say that where the top and bottom windshields meet they did hit and made an annoying sound. so he went out and bought some weather striping and solved that problem. we havent' had anyother issues and installation was really easy. we have a 2011 kawasaki teryx. also we recently installed doors and lights. to make a tighter fit between all of the windshield and door we used pipping insulation. just some ideas for other people.

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Great product, easy to put together and has really helped block the wind. Only complaint is that is rattles a lot.

Honest reviews on Kolpin Teryx 2010 Full Tilting Windshield

I really like the concept open gap keeps dust down a bit & gives ventilation but the position of the separation line is right in the main field of vision for those who are short. I think the bottom portion is too high I wound up raising the top half as high as I could and leave the windscreen open wide for a more unobstructed view. Thinking about cutting 2 3 inches off the bottom glass where it meets the hood. Had to use garden hose for the protective contact with the hoodthe supplied rubber gasket is inadequate. Bright green hose split with a sharp knife works (my Teryx is green). Or vinyl tubing is an option. Had it in rough ground did not break it yet....with it open. Also needs to be a bit easier to remove the top portion, would offer more utility.

Baby Trend Expedition LX Jogger Stroller Reviews

Customer Ratings:

I am going on my fourth round of child rearing. Have a grandchild raising now. I am active and do a lot of walking, jogging and hiking. I could not do these things with the Graco stroller I have. After reading review after review, I chose this stroller based on all the information I have read and the fact it has metal wheels instead of the plastic. This stroller rolls like a dream. My child is comfortable and enjoys riding in this stroller. The speaker for the phone.. well forget that... just act like its not there cause it is not that loud. The rest though, recommend!

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Overall my wife and I are very happy with our purchase of this product. It rides smoothly, is easy to turn / push and for us (average height) the push bar is in a fine location. Seems like a sturdy stroller, has reflectors for safety, and it has a "sun roof" so we can look down on our child when pushing him.

Here is what we did not like (and what made it 4-star instead of 5-star)

1) The instructions that came with the product were for the Baby Trend High Chair which has nothing to do with a jogging stroller

2) The instructions that are available online (On this products page) have some steps that don't need to be done (they are already done)

3) The front wheel lock (to lock it straight) does not work. It isn't something we will use so we aren't exchanging it, just something I noticed.

4) When folding the stroller, to get it as compact as it can get and to lock it shut, you need to rotate the tire to the side. Otherwise it will not close properly. This was not mentioned in the instruction manual and in my opinion wasn't completely intuitive.

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Great stroller. Really love it and no complaints! I like the speakers and it's a smooth ride for my little one. A+!

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I love all of the features of this stroller. The speakers on it are really quite, but I didn't buy the stroller for the speakers. I love that I can adjust the seat completely upright. It handles great and I would highly recommend it!

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I bought this stroller back in June 2013 as a gift to my daughter and son in law to use for my grandbaby. My grandbaby is now almost 6 months old and they have been using this stroller for over 3 months now, Its great for when they go out jogging and take nature walks and my son in law plays disc golf and its perfect to pushing thru the course and its so fun that they can enjoy that together as a family and my daughter says she uses it everywhere because it rolls so nice. They love it and the baby loves it and its easy to fold. I was waiting to place a review to see if they developed any problems with it but so far its been great for them, you do have to put air in the tires when you get it, check that periodically. I will write any updates if I have them for you.

Reviews of Hutchinson Fusion 3 Road Tire - Tubeless

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $109.99
Sale Price: $57.86
Today's Bonus: 47% Off

I read multiple reviews about tubeless tires and using self sealer. I went through every web site, product review and bike site trying to decide if I would take the plunge. It was time for new wheels and I was thinking about the Fulcrum racing zero wheels which are designed for clinchers with tubes or tubeless.

Well, I took the plunge and bought the Fulcrum wheels. i went to Stans tubeless site and read about self sealers and what to use.

I installed the Hutchinson tires, added Stans Sealant according to the instructions, inflated the tires, and they immediately seated and sealed.

I typically ride 1500 miles during the riding season and usually get 2-3 flats per season.

This year, riding my typical routes, I got ZERO flats that prevented me from finishing a ride. I got no pinch flats, no snake bite flats and the only indication that I did get a hole was the loss of some air during a ride that did not stop me from getting home.

The tires hold 90 PSI without any loss for a week. I still check each ride but rarely find any air loss.

I carry a spare inner tube, just in case of a catastrophic tire cut. And I also have CO2 and a mini pump. But, the tubeless with Stans self seal has worked flawlessly for this past year.

I read the review that one person had a side wall cut and a mess. Any tire cut that destroy a side wall is obviously irreparable and is exceeds the self seal capabilities.

But, for any other type of pinch flat, puncture flat, snake bite or just bad luck flat, this seems to be perfect.

So, based on my personal experience, having had more flats than I can ever want to recall, these tires appear to be the cure.

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I've been riding these and their Fusion 2 predecessors for over five years on my Shimano Dura-Ace tubeless rims. I'm very impressed with these tires, but they take some getting used to and there are some tricks you need to know. Most of the complaints in these reviews come from not knowing some of these tricks.

Riding about 4,000 miles a year I have had only three flats. The first, I hit a roofing nail and it penetrated the sidewall. The second I got a sidewall cut almost a half-inch long from an unknown object. The third was caused by a razor blade that peeled over an inch of tread off the rear tire. I do not expect any tire to stand up to this kind of damage. Around here we have a desert plant called puncture vine that throws off thousands of seed pods we call goat heads because of their shape. These are the bane of cyclists here and on every club ride we have to stop a couple of times for people to fix the punctures caused by these monsters. The Hutchinsons with sealant, though, are immune to them.

Ride is great. Stable at speed and fast curves in downhill descents. A set of Fusions lasts me an entire season.

Now, let's talk about those problems. The first is these things are expensive. The price through Amazon is the best I've found this year, but at about $63 per tire, that's a lot more than most regular clinchers.

The sidewalls are incredibly stiff, which allows them to run at such low pressures (I'm 155 lbs and run 90-92 pounds in each tire). This also makes initial installation really hard. Here's what I've learned about this. First, warm the tire. In summer I put them out in the sun until they're soft. In winter I heat them in the oven to about 110 degrees. I'm sure they reach temperatures highter than this on the road, so I doubt they can be harmed by this process. Then I use some soft work gloves with rubbery palms that protect my hands and give me better grip.

Next, make sure to wet the bead on the tires and the groove inside the wheel with a solution of water and dish soap. This will seat the bead a lot easier. It still will take a lot of hand and wrist effort to get the last few inches of the second side of the tire inside the rim.

I have started using an air compressor with an adapter for presta valves and this usually works first time to inflate the tire on its initial mounting. I have used a floor pump, but you have to pump really fast and it's absolutely necessary to have the beads moist. Strangely, some of these tires are much easier to mount than others and I have no idea why.

After running the tires they are much easier to mount, as they've been stretched and "broken in." Good if you want to rotate the tires or need to fix a flat on the road. Speaking of which, I usually carry a tube with me and to fix a flat you just put the tube in and remount the tire like any other. Moisten the beads with your water bottle, or Hutchinson makes a tire lever that's hollow and you can put some of your water/soap solution in it. You'll have to refresh this from time to time.

Every few months you need to refresh the sealant. Best way I know is to put removeable valve cores in the stems of your wheels. Then you just take the valve core out, stand the wheel and push the wheel down to force the remaining sealant out the stem and catch it in some kind of cup. Then you add fresh sealant to bring this up to the the amount you decide to put in your tire and inject it back into the tire through the valve stem before replacing the core. I use Stan's sealant and buy it in larger amounts, but I also have one of their 2 ounce bottles with a long nipple on it that will fit down inside the valve stem and you just gently squeeze it it. (Hutchinson says using any sealant other than theirs voids the warranty, but their stuff costs lots more and I really don't believe their claim that Stan's will damage the rubber. I know several people who have used Stan's for years and nobody has had a problem).

So, I've had to adjust my approach to bike tires to accomodate the characteristics of these tires. They are still harder to manage than regular tires, but with their durability, flat resistance and nice ride I think they're worth it. But, man, I wish they didn't cost so much, and that's the reason I did not give them 5 stars.

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If you use sealant (I use Caffe Latex) you won't have to worry about flats with all but the worst punctures. Today on a short ride I apparently hit something sharp and noticed the sealant bubbling out while I was stopped. This only lasts 10-15 seconds and then it's sealed. I rode another 12 miles and had only lost 10-20 psi (estimate).

These tires are comfortable to ride on, and you can ride at lower psi. I've been riding 95 front and 110 rear but I know I could go lower. I did not notice a night-and-day difference from regular clinchers, so don't buy these for comfort alone. Also, don't buy them for weight savings. They are 312g and once you add the sealant they are likely heavier than a lightweight clincher tube/tire combo. You can run without sealant (which Shimano recommends) but they lose 30-50+ psi in about 24 hours (depending on how well the bead seats and if there are any tiny punctures or valve leakage). With sealant they hold air better than tubes, losing under 5 psi per day by my estimates. I would not recommend running without sealant since it will be a massive headache to try to remove the tire and patch from the inside while out on the road!

I have mine mounted on Shimano Dura Ace 7850 SL rims, which are specifically designed to work with tubeless tires. Do not try these with regular clincher rims since the bead is more square and needs an appropriate rim shape to seat properly. However, due to the stiff carbon (rather than kevlar) bead on the Fusion 3s, they were a huge pain to install. I had to buy a special large tire lever and actually spent several hours getting them on. Once on the rim, the bead sealed perfectly with a manual floor pump.

They are fairly puncture resistant (mine have lots of little cuts, mainly in the rear tire, but all sealed quickly with the sealant) and have good grip. However, I'm not sure the benefits outweigh the drawbacks: they wear out fast, and I have less peace of mind on the road since I worry about a larger puncture. That said, I have not had to stop for a flat since I bought these (have ridden a full season on them, probably around 2000 miles). If there were more companies making tubeless tires, there might be better options but I can't wholeheartedly recommend the Fusion 3s. I give them 3 stars because I am impressed how well they work despite the minimal manufacturer support.

Honest reviews on Hutchinson Fusion 3 Road Tire - Tubeless

I have used these tires for 6 months now, and love the way they handle. The ride quality is much nicer than with a standard clincher with a tube. I run mine with 1 oz of Hutchinson's Air Max sealant, and have not had a flat that has left me stranded. When it does get a puncture, you will see a little bit of the sealant come out, then the leak stops. The best thing I like about the tire is that when you do get a big leak, you get gradual loss of air before the sealant stops the leak, unlike a regular tube tire that can have a catastrophic blowout. If a friend of mine had had one of these tires with sealant when he had a blowout coming down a mountain he may have been able to avoid a week long stay in a hospital.

To sum it up, you get a smoother ride, better handling, less flats and more confidence in your downhill descents.

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I have been using these or the previous Fusion 2s for for several years. Great tires. I use the Fusion 3s in front and the Intensive rears. I road race and use tubulars for racing and these for training. Haven't tried the Atomsmy guess is they would be good for racing. Haven't counted the miles but my guess is that with my Fusion 3-front/Intensive-rear set up I get about 5 thousand miles out of the set. If you haven't use road tubeless would highly recommendmuch fewer flats but you still get them (if the hole is about 4mm or bigger Stan's can't seal)and the ride quality is great if you run at slightly lower pressure, can't pinch flat, I'm 180 lbs and ride 90 psi front and 100 rear, used 10 psi higher with tubes. Stan's website has some good instructions. If I get motivated I might post to youtube.

Nirve Classic Ladies 3 speed Bicycle (Black) Review

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $569.99
Sale Price: $540.57
Today's Bonus: 5% Off

This bike would get 5 stars if the packaging was better. The directions were ok, could be better for people who don't know how a bike works, I didn't need them. This bike showed up just fine for my wife, however the bike I just received for myself (a classic men's 3spd green) showed up damaged enough to go right back in the box to be returned and replaced. The packaging just is not designed well enough to prevent damage in every case. Still, buy this bike. It is well built and rides awesome. If you are looking for a quality cruiser bike that looks great and rides great, I don't think you'll be disappointed.

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I love the new bike. I took it to the bike shop and they put it together for me. It is very comfortable and rides great!

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This bike is not only well built it also rides like a precision machine.it looks heavy but is light (aluminum frame), very smooth, precise and has a well balanced feel. Very happy with purchase and have owned it almost a year. I noticed the descriptions fails to mention that it is equipped with Shimano accessories.

Buy Mr. Tuffy Bicycle Tire Liner

Customer Ratings:

I am a roadie cycle 40 60 miles per week.

I use Mr. Tuffy's "Orange" 700x20-25c liners. 100 120 psi in the tubes.

I have had nothing but positive results from Mr. Tuffy's. I live in New Mexico where we have these horrible thorns called "Goat-heads", the bane of all things pneumatic! Before the liners, I'd get a flat nearly every 3-4th ride.

I got Mr. Tuffy's and for the past 2 years, I've had maybe? FOUR flats. Three from small wire pieces from steel belts of tires, and one from a perfectly placed sliver of glass. NONE from thorns. From all the slashes I've had from the tires, I know I've dodged the bullet from glass many times.

There is no noticeable performance disadvantage but then, I'm not the most competitive cyclist. If you're a gram counter and like stopping to change your tubes, do without Mr. Tuffy's.

One potential caveat: I have friends who swear their Mr. Tuffy's caused pinch flats (I just don't see how that can happen but I know they wouldn't lie about it), but that's never been my experience.

I highly recommend Mr. Tuffy's!

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I ride in NYC, and there's a lot of sharp debris on the roads here. Since I installed these tire liners, I've had exactly one flat, and that was from riding over a board that I realized (too late) had nails sticking up out of it. I've pulled chunks of metal and glass out of my tires, thinking surely they'd be flat in an hour, and had them be in fine condition the next morning. Can't recommend these highly enough.

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I use Mr Tuffy for commuting.

I start with kevlar, high thread-per-inch tires such as Specialized Nimbus EX Armadillo or Continental Top Touring, then line them with these strips, and I never get flats despite riding through many broken bottles.

Some say that the stiff Tuffy plastic cuts the tube and gives flats. I don't think so, but you can always bevel the cut edge using a belt sander or sandpaper or a razor blade, before you install them.

Honest reviews on Mr. Tuffy Bicycle Tire Liner

I have three road bikes in my household, each of which get 80-100 miles of riding per week, and all three are outfitted with Mr. Tuffy Orange (700x2_) size. These bikes are run along road edges, with normal due care taken not to run over things. Over the past two years, I have experienced 8 flat tires among the three bikes. In one case, a piece if super-thin wire poked in about 45 degrees off the tire centerline. The wire made it all the way to the tube, passing through the orange part of the Mr. Tuffy liner, (i.e. not the reinforced part). This would lead me to say the reinforced part is not wide enough.

All of the other flats were the result of punctures of slices that went through the (reinforced) grey strip of the liner. One puncture was some kind of sharp metal, which sliced right through the tire and liner and tube. Others have been surprisingly dull, rounded pieces of metal. Not sure if there is a strength specification associated with these liners, but they can definitely be punctured. The company offers a guarantee in the form of free replacement tubes, however you have to send in the old one and the liner I believe. For the cost of that shipping I could just go buy a new tube.

Despite the number of punctures I have experienced with these liners, without the liners I would surely have had more. I have pried many small bits of broken glass, thorns, and metal out of my tires with no tube punctures, so I guess they do help somewhat. I have decided to buy two sets of high-end Specialized Armadillo tires and just for grins, one set will get Mr. Tuffy liners, the other will not. The Armadillos are touted as super tough and puncture proof. We will see, I will report any interesting results later.

If you have a bike with decent tires on it already and are looking to improve puncture resistance, these liners are the best route, however, if you are looking to buy new tires and your option is cheaper tires and separate liners or higher end tires without separate liners, I would go the second route. Higher-end tires like the Specialized Armadillos have liners built in and therefore will be better balanced radially than a cheaper tire with a liner. If you are a road bike snob you will swear the higher-end tires feel better on the road.

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It is not an easy task to insert it and keep it centered in the tire.

I have the orange model with a 700 x 23 tire.

You insert it first in the tire then you put the tube in. This displace Mr Tuffy and with a 700 x 23 tire there is no room for one finger to recenter Mr Tuffy. It would be a good idea if Mr Tuffy had glue on one side to keep it centered on the tire. I read some review that Mr Tuffy pinch the tube, It can not if it is centered. I suspect that Mr Tuffy moved sideway during the installation.