So these took a while to get to me (they shipped from Hong Kong) and although the flimsy envelope they were sent in was (although not so clearly) marked as 'Fragile' the items arrived broken.
The lights themselves work but the part to screw them into my tires is broken so they're essentially useless. However the lights are very bright and light up with even the slightest motion, which is very cool. They would look great if I had a way to attach them to my bike tires..The light shows up really well it it looks really cool, the batteries died really quickly but that's kind of to be expected for such a cheap price. I just went to harbor freight and got a big pack of batteries for it for about $3 but you would probably be just as well off to order a bunch of these all at once since it takes so long to ship in.
Showing posts with label bike pump valve. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bike pump valve. Show all posts
Sunday, December 21, 2014
Monday, June 30, 2014
Discount Sunlite Scooter Tube 9 x 3.5-4 Angled 90 Degree, SCHRADER Valve
Customer Ratings: 
List Price: $8.00
Sale Price: $6.83
Today's Bonus: 15% Off

This tube worked fine and is priced well. Was shipped and arrived on time. Will buy again when needed. ThanksThis is a scooter tube so I have no oppinion that it works great. The only trouble I had was that the product wasn't shipped out until 5 days after being ordered.
List Price: $8.00
Sale Price: $6.83
Today's Bonus: 15% Off
This tube worked fine and is priced well. Was shipped and arrived on time. Will buy again when needed. ThanksThis is a scooter tube so I have no oppinion that it works great. The only trouble I had was that the product wasn't shipped out until 5 days after being ordered.
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Michelin Inner Tube - 3.00/3.50-10, 90/90-10 90 Degree CMV 84073 Reviews
Customer Ratings: 
List Price: $12.95
Sale Price: $12.72
Today's Bonus: 2% Off

Perfect inner tubes for my Stella 4T scooter at a great price. These were 3 times more expensive from one of those online scooter shops. It pays to Check Amazon! The tubes are a perfect replacement for the OEM tubes on your Stella 4T, probably better. I paired mine with the Shinko SR550 Whitewall Tire. Ordered 2, tubes, installed them, then decided to order 2 more as spares. If the insides of your split rims are rusting and flaking sand them down and repain't them, that's what caused my puncture in the first place. Will order these again from amazon in the future.The rubber was cracked won't buy again sorry looked good till I put air in it. Not happy right now.
List Price: $12.95
Sale Price: $12.72
Today's Bonus: 2% Off
Perfect inner tubes for my Stella 4T scooter at a great price. These were 3 times more expensive from one of those online scooter shops. It pays to Check Amazon! The tubes are a perfect replacement for the OEM tubes on your Stella 4T, probably better. I paired mine with the Shinko SR550 Whitewall Tire. Ordered 2, tubes, installed them, then decided to order 2 more as spares. If the insides of your split rims are rusting and flaking sand them down and repain't them, that's what caused my puncture in the first place. Will order these again from amazon in the future.The rubber was cracked won't buy again sorry looked good till I put air in it. Not happy right now.
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Buy Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Trike Red
Customer Ratings: 
List Price: $109.99
Sale Price: $95.41
Today's Bonus: 13% Off

Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program When you open a box, you get a first impression. The first thing I saw when I opened the box of this tricycle/stroller is the plastic "trunk." I thought, "Oh no. I hope this thing is not made of cheap plastic." My first impression was in error. Yes, the plastic "trunk" is made of relatively light plastic. The rest of the tricycle is either heavy duty plastic or welded steel. The entire tricycle feels solid and looks solid.
When I was much younger, a tricycle was a single use kind of device. A tricycle was three wheels, a seat, and pedals. I can only say that tricycles have come a long way. This tricycle has four different configurations or modes of operation.
The first mode of operation is as baby stroller. There is a plastic safety restraint or insert to help position a baby from ages 9 months to 18 months in addition to straps. The pedals have two settings. One setting lets the pedals spin without moving the front wheel. The other setting lets a child pedal the front wheel, when the child is old enough to pedal the tricycle. The plastic "trunk" is a storage bin that can hold a few small items. Because the storage bin has a divider in the middle, which I consider unfortunate, the size of items it can hold is limited. The tricycle comes with a canopy that is especially useful for babies and toddlers. There is a push handle or a "parent handle" in the back. The push handle has a huge advantage over many strollers in that the height of the push handle is easily adjustable over a reasonably large range.
The second mode of operation is similar to the first. The primary difference is that the safety restraint removes for toddlers aged 18 months to 2 years. The straps remain in place and the canopy is probably still useful to keep the sun off your child.
As your toddler gets to the point where pedaling the tricycle is possible and exciting, the front wheel rotary piece needs adjustment to the second position that permits the pedals to move the front wheels. The canopy may be unnecessary and the restraint straps are easily removable. In this transition phase, a parent still has the handle in the back to keep the child from running amok or just to keep the child close. The recommended age range for this configuration is 2 years to 3 years.
The last configuration is as a standard tricycle, suitable for most children ages 3 years to 5 years. The "parent handle" in the back is removable and the tricycle now looks like a standard tricycle. The storage bin in the back is a great place for a few smaller toys.
Assembly does take some time. You need a hammer, an adjustable wrench or a socket set, and a Philips screwdriver. Strangely, the nuts requiring a wrench are both English and metric, so you if you use sockets you ideally need both types.
The parts come with plastic pieces on hard ends to protect the box and to protect a person assembling the tricycle until they are ready for that part. The plastic pieces remove easily for disposal. The main frame of the tricycle is welded steel, as is the steering bar. The rear axle also seems to be steel. The seat is plastic, but seems quite sturdy.
This tricycle was an immediate hit, with the only problem being the bad weather we had soon after receiving the tricycle. Fortunately, the relatively soft wheels are easy on our wood floors. We do not plan to permit the tricycle on our floors after outside use, when it will inevitably pick up rocks in the tires.
Are there any downsides to this tricycle? I suppose it depends on your point of view. The push handle removes somewhat easily. Alternatively, since the handle adjusts, it may lower enough to let the tricycle fit easily in a trunk or the back of an SUV. However, there is no folding available with this stroller, so if you are looking for the convenience of a folding stroller, then get a folding stroller. The other minor problem is that this tricycle does not have any brakes, which makes it quite different from most traditional strollers, including most folding strollers. Be extremely careful using this tricycle on hills, and if your child is in the stroller, keep a firm grip on the handle. The instructions include warnings against using this tricycle on hills. However, many of us live on hills of some kind, even if they are small hills. A better warning is to keep your hands on the stroller at all times.
I am pleased that Radio Flyer, Inc. is maintaining their reputation of making durable and sturdy products. I love the heavy steel frame and the other steel elements. The plastic is thick and used in all the places where steel or aluminum is less practical. The result is a high quality product that children love and that you can either save for future grandchildren or pass on to a friend, knowing you are giving a quality product.
Enjoy!
First, I want to share what I liked and didn't like...
Pros:
-Durable and Reliable I haven't yet had to rescrew the bolts and we use it a LOT!
-Many options to make a child any age comfortable.
-Easy to steer and very safe, basically feels like pushing a stroller. Can be easily pushed off the sidewalk without picking it up.
-Sunshade is really useful and can be folded for sunbathing.
-Great value, so many options for such a great price.
Cons:
-Squeaks after first walk, needs to be oiled once in a while
-I needed a lot of time to put the bike together; also the tools they tell you to use are not sufficient to screw everything tightly. But all this is worth it to make it feel very safe.
Finally, the reasons why I chose to buy this instead of all the other trikes offered on Amazon:
1. The handle is strong, made out of steel, and doesn't break off. I've read in some reviews that some trikes have handles that come off and feel cheap because of the plastic materials they are made from. This trike is NOT like that. It feels very reliable.
2. The wheels are rubber, not plastic like on most of the other trikes. I feel like they will last a long time.
3. It has a hatchback, meaning there is a compartment on the back that can hold keys, phones, toys, and rocks that your child might collect on your walk. We put flowers there sometimes :)
4. This trike has a little tray that my daughter uses for a drinking cup. Very comfortable if you are going for a long walk. None of the other trikes had this tray.
5. And lastly, the seat moves, the harness can be taken off, the pedals can be adjusted to stay still while you push the bike... Basically many things that other trikes didn't have.
I'm so glad I didn't purchase Little Tikes or Italtrike because from what I hear and read I would've been very disappointed.
The toy arrived within three days, even though I did not request any special shipping status.
The directions for putting the tricycle together are excellent and detailed. They are entirely pictorial, with no words at all, which is a godsend for those of us who labor for hours trying to read badly translated written instructions. Laura (the mom) put the entire tricycle together with only minimal help from Brian (the dad). Brian did have to help with Instruction #13, and also with tightening screws and bolts here and there. I was delighted to hear that one does not need an engineering degree to put this toy together.
The tricycle went together very easily for the most part. The handlebars are the hardest part of the construction. Laura recommends that anyone putting this tricycle together pull up on the handlebars after attaching the bars and the clamp to be sure that the clamp has tightened properly. She pulled up on the handlebars at least four times and was able to remove them despite that clamp being on. You just have to tighten the clamp as much as possible.
This tricycle seems very durable, though I will add to this review after Brandon (the three-year-old) has used the toy more. The canopy is very nice, and the straps on the seat will be great for the new baby when he or she can use it (at nine months or so). The cupholder that surrounds the infant in the seat will be great for the baby as well. My only wish is that the tricycle had rubber tires instead of plastic tires. We live in a somewhat rural area with no sidewalks, and the plastic tires may not hold up as well as rubber tires. The push handle, to be used for infants, adjusts to the height of the adult pushing the tricycle, which is a wonderful feature.
Now to the acid test: Does the child like the toy? Brandon has been off this tricycle only to eat and sleep ever since it was put together. He even attempted to get on it several times while his mom was putting it together, saying, "I should try it!" With winter coming on he will probably use it only in the house at first, but Brian and Laura have a huge basement, and riding his tricycle there will give him hours of play time.
I highly recommend this tricycle, especially if your child or children are young enough to take advantage of it in all its formations. The product description says it can be used from nine months to five years, and that sounds about right.
PROs:
1. It has a metal frame.
2. It does the 4 different trikes--and was relatively easy to put together. Though we don't need the wrap around arms or belt now, glad we'll have them for the next child.
3. The handle is tall--this is IMPORTANT. I am tall (5 feet 10 inches) so most items you push are too short for me. I end up having to bend over which is horrible on my back. This handle goes up and down, and at the top is perfect height for me.
4. The handle controls the steering--brilliant and useful. My son doesn't know how to steer yet, clearly, but holds onto the handle bars and randomly tries to yank the handle one way or the other--but my handle bars hold the wheel in place so he won't tip over. I am in complete control of where we go. Love it.
5. The sun shade seems sturdy and would stay in place. As my son is older, we don't use it (his head hits it), but it seems like it would work well. I saw that other trikes, with the sun shade attached with one arm (looks like a giant fan), either slip down and sit on top of your child's head or flip up in the wind. This would not be the case for this one.
CONs:
1. Unlike radio flyer of years gone by, the back step part (where when you are older you would step on and kick off like a scooter) is made of plastic. It is a little container for small items, which my son loves, but clearly states no stepping. I know in the future my son will want to stand on that part and kick off around. We'll see how it goes.
2. It does have plastic parts. The plastic feels heavy duty--and that is normal these days, not all metal, but, i worry for down the road. For now, it is all fine.
3. There is a cup holder in the front for a sippy cup. However, it is attached to the part that has the wrap-around arms. So, as my son doesn't need those, he doesn't get the cup holder. I was bummed about that.
4. This is a common complaint I saw on multiple different trikes, and I was not surprised--but the foot rests don't really work for my son. As I am tall, and my husband is as well, my son is very tall for his age. It is uncomfortable for him to put his feet on the foot rests--so he just lets them dangle or randomly puts the on the pedals. Not a deal breaker, and like i said, I saw this comment in numerous reviews--but just thought I'd mention it.
Overall--i absolutely recommend this.
It is designed as a trike for a child at least 3 years of age so...again...why did I buy a 4-1.
So...the point is a multipurpose 4-1 does none well. It is a bad stroller. Bad trike at any age. Very bad trike for teaching a toddler how to peddle.
Last, the locking wheel broke a year later even though we never locked it. Once our child could reach the pedals, we realized the trike failed to lock (slipped)under any moderate pressure. My wife and I regret it even if we can fix it.
Radio Flyer was great to replace the failed front wheel but doing Google searches I found this is not rare. The front wheel is prone to having problems. Radio Flyer makes great products but this one is all show and no go. Less is more.
Bottom line is to use a stroller to push your kid and get a very small trike for their first bike so they can learn to pedal.
List Price: $109.99
Sale Price: $95.41
Today's Bonus: 13% Off
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program When you open a box, you get a first impression. The first thing I saw when I opened the box of this tricycle/stroller is the plastic "trunk." I thought, "Oh no. I hope this thing is not made of cheap plastic." My first impression was in error. Yes, the plastic "trunk" is made of relatively light plastic. The rest of the tricycle is either heavy duty plastic or welded steel. The entire tricycle feels solid and looks solid.
When I was much younger, a tricycle was a single use kind of device. A tricycle was three wheels, a seat, and pedals. I can only say that tricycles have come a long way. This tricycle has four different configurations or modes of operation.
The first mode of operation is as baby stroller. There is a plastic safety restraint or insert to help position a baby from ages 9 months to 18 months in addition to straps. The pedals have two settings. One setting lets the pedals spin without moving the front wheel. The other setting lets a child pedal the front wheel, when the child is old enough to pedal the tricycle. The plastic "trunk" is a storage bin that can hold a few small items. Because the storage bin has a divider in the middle, which I consider unfortunate, the size of items it can hold is limited. The tricycle comes with a canopy that is especially useful for babies and toddlers. There is a push handle or a "parent handle" in the back. The push handle has a huge advantage over many strollers in that the height of the push handle is easily adjustable over a reasonably large range.
The second mode of operation is similar to the first. The primary difference is that the safety restraint removes for toddlers aged 18 months to 2 years. The straps remain in place and the canopy is probably still useful to keep the sun off your child.
As your toddler gets to the point where pedaling the tricycle is possible and exciting, the front wheel rotary piece needs adjustment to the second position that permits the pedals to move the front wheels. The canopy may be unnecessary and the restraint straps are easily removable. In this transition phase, a parent still has the handle in the back to keep the child from running amok or just to keep the child close. The recommended age range for this configuration is 2 years to 3 years.
The last configuration is as a standard tricycle, suitable for most children ages 3 years to 5 years. The "parent handle" in the back is removable and the tricycle now looks like a standard tricycle. The storage bin in the back is a great place for a few smaller toys.
Assembly does take some time. You need a hammer, an adjustable wrench or a socket set, and a Philips screwdriver. Strangely, the nuts requiring a wrench are both English and metric, so you if you use sockets you ideally need both types.
The parts come with plastic pieces on hard ends to protect the box and to protect a person assembling the tricycle until they are ready for that part. The plastic pieces remove easily for disposal. The main frame of the tricycle is welded steel, as is the steering bar. The rear axle also seems to be steel. The seat is plastic, but seems quite sturdy.
This tricycle was an immediate hit, with the only problem being the bad weather we had soon after receiving the tricycle. Fortunately, the relatively soft wheels are easy on our wood floors. We do not plan to permit the tricycle on our floors after outside use, when it will inevitably pick up rocks in the tires.
Are there any downsides to this tricycle? I suppose it depends on your point of view. The push handle removes somewhat easily. Alternatively, since the handle adjusts, it may lower enough to let the tricycle fit easily in a trunk or the back of an SUV. However, there is no folding available with this stroller, so if you are looking for the convenience of a folding stroller, then get a folding stroller. The other minor problem is that this tricycle does not have any brakes, which makes it quite different from most traditional strollers, including most folding strollers. Be extremely careful using this tricycle on hills, and if your child is in the stroller, keep a firm grip on the handle. The instructions include warnings against using this tricycle on hills. However, many of us live on hills of some kind, even if they are small hills. A better warning is to keep your hands on the stroller at all times.
I am pleased that Radio Flyer, Inc. is maintaining their reputation of making durable and sturdy products. I love the heavy steel frame and the other steel elements. The plastic is thick and used in all the places where steel or aluminum is less practical. The result is a high quality product that children love and that you can either save for future grandchildren or pass on to a friend, knowing you are giving a quality product.
Enjoy!
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
So I wanted to buy my daughter a trike that I can push until she reaches the peddles and also adjusts to her size. I really needed this to be a sturdy, easy to maneuver, and durable trike for long periods of use since we do plenty of walking. I did a lot of research! Too much some might think :)) I asked people around the neighborhood if they liked theirs, read reviews on Amazon, as well as other sites, read all the instructions and descriptions, watched videos; I mean, I really did my homework!First, I want to share what I liked and didn't like...
Pros:
-Durable and Reliable I haven't yet had to rescrew the bolts and we use it a LOT!
-Many options to make a child any age comfortable.
-Easy to steer and very safe, basically feels like pushing a stroller. Can be easily pushed off the sidewalk without picking it up.
-Sunshade is really useful and can be folded for sunbathing.
-Great value, so many options for such a great price.
Cons:
-Squeaks after first walk, needs to be oiled once in a while
-I needed a lot of time to put the bike together; also the tools they tell you to use are not sufficient to screw everything tightly. But all this is worth it to make it feel very safe.
Finally, the reasons why I chose to buy this instead of all the other trikes offered on Amazon:
1. The handle is strong, made out of steel, and doesn't break off. I've read in some reviews that some trikes have handles that come off and feel cheap because of the plastic materials they are made from. This trike is NOT like that. It feels very reliable.
2. The wheels are rubber, not plastic like on most of the other trikes. I feel like they will last a long time.
3. It has a hatchback, meaning there is a compartment on the back that can hold keys, phones, toys, and rocks that your child might collect on your walk. We put flowers there sometimes :)
4. This trike has a little tray that my daughter uses for a drinking cup. Very comfortable if you are going for a long walk. None of the other trikes had this tray.
5. And lastly, the seat moves, the harness can be taken off, the pedals can be adjusted to stay still while you push the bike... Basically many things that other trikes didn't have.
I'm so glad I didn't purchase Little Tikes or Italtrike because from what I hear and read I would've been very disappointed.
Best Deals for Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Trike Red
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program When I saw the opportunity to review this Radio Flyer four-in-one tricycle, I was eager to accept: My cousin and his wife, who live a couple doors down the street, have a three-year-old, and they have just learned that they are expecting another baby in June. So I knew that this toy would be used in all four of its "incarnations" at one point or another.The toy arrived within three days, even though I did not request any special shipping status.
The directions for putting the tricycle together are excellent and detailed. They are entirely pictorial, with no words at all, which is a godsend for those of us who labor for hours trying to read badly translated written instructions. Laura (the mom) put the entire tricycle together with only minimal help from Brian (the dad). Brian did have to help with Instruction #13, and also with tightening screws and bolts here and there. I was delighted to hear that one does not need an engineering degree to put this toy together.
The tricycle went together very easily for the most part. The handlebars are the hardest part of the construction. Laura recommends that anyone putting this tricycle together pull up on the handlebars after attaching the bars and the clamp to be sure that the clamp has tightened properly. She pulled up on the handlebars at least four times and was able to remove them despite that clamp being on. You just have to tighten the clamp as much as possible.
This tricycle seems very durable, though I will add to this review after Brandon (the three-year-old) has used the toy more. The canopy is very nice, and the straps on the seat will be great for the new baby when he or she can use it (at nine months or so). The cupholder that surrounds the infant in the seat will be great for the baby as well. My only wish is that the tricycle had rubber tires instead of plastic tires. We live in a somewhat rural area with no sidewalks, and the plastic tires may not hold up as well as rubber tires. The push handle, to be used for infants, adjusts to the height of the adult pushing the tricycle, which is a wonderful feature.
Now to the acid test: Does the child like the toy? Brandon has been off this tricycle only to eat and sleep ever since it was put together. He even attempted to get on it several times while his mom was putting it together, saying, "I should try it!" With winter coming on he will probably use it only in the house at first, but Brian and Laura have a huge basement, and riding his tricycle there will give him hours of play time.
I highly recommend this tricycle, especially if your child or children are young enough to take advantage of it in all its formations. The product description says it can be used from nine months to five years, and that sounds about right.
Honest reviews on Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Trike Red
After extensive research, I picked this trike for my son. I am so glad. It is perfect and he loves it. He JUST turned 2 (it was his present, though we gave it to him a few weeks early). In fact I WISH we had bought it last summer, i didn't realize how great it is for younger children.PROs:
1. It has a metal frame.
2. It does the 4 different trikes--and was relatively easy to put together. Though we don't need the wrap around arms or belt now, glad we'll have them for the next child.
3. The handle is tall--this is IMPORTANT. I am tall (5 feet 10 inches) so most items you push are too short for me. I end up having to bend over which is horrible on my back. This handle goes up and down, and at the top is perfect height for me.
4. The handle controls the steering--brilliant and useful. My son doesn't know how to steer yet, clearly, but holds onto the handle bars and randomly tries to yank the handle one way or the other--but my handle bars hold the wheel in place so he won't tip over. I am in complete control of where we go. Love it.
5. The sun shade seems sturdy and would stay in place. As my son is older, we don't use it (his head hits it), but it seems like it would work well. I saw that other trikes, with the sun shade attached with one arm (looks like a giant fan), either slip down and sit on top of your child's head or flip up in the wind. This would not be the case for this one.
CONs:
1. Unlike radio flyer of years gone by, the back step part (where when you are older you would step on and kick off like a scooter) is made of plastic. It is a little container for small items, which my son loves, but clearly states no stepping. I know in the future my son will want to stand on that part and kick off around. We'll see how it goes.
2. It does have plastic parts. The plastic feels heavy duty--and that is normal these days, not all metal, but, i worry for down the road. For now, it is all fine.
3. There is a cup holder in the front for a sippy cup. However, it is attached to the part that has the wrap-around arms. So, as my son doesn't need those, he doesn't get the cup holder. I was bummed about that.
4. This is a common complaint I saw on multiple different trikes, and I was not surprised--but the foot rests don't really work for my son. As I am tall, and my husband is as well, my son is very tall for his age. It is uncomfortable for him to put his feet on the foot rests--so he just lets them dangle or randomly puts the on the pedals. Not a deal breaker, and like i said, I saw this comment in numerous reviews--but just thought I'd mention it.
Overall--i absolutely recommend this.
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Trike Red
I love Amazon's reviews and trust them. Yet, on this item I have to protest loudly that some perspective is in order. 1) It does not go backwards so your child will not understand how to pedal. A toddler needs to put their feet on the peddles and feel their movement affect the bike. So it fails as an educational toy. 2) It is noisy in push mode. 3) The reach on the peddles is too far for an 18 month to reach so the idea the child will learn on the go is quickly lost. It gets worse. Their feet will drag the ground before they and put both feet on the pedals. This makes it a horrible stroller 4) The steering handle mechanism is sloppy and quickly loses its attractiveness as a stroller. It is stiff to rotate and you end of turning it on the back two wheels 90% of the time. 5)It is big, heavy, tall, and lots of pieces you quickly leave off.It is designed as a trike for a child at least 3 years of age so...again...why did I buy a 4-1.
So...the point is a multipurpose 4-1 does none well. It is a bad stroller. Bad trike at any age. Very bad trike for teaching a toddler how to peddle.
Last, the locking wheel broke a year later even though we never locked it. Once our child could reach the pedals, we realized the trike failed to lock (slipped)under any moderate pressure. My wife and I regret it even if we can fix it.
Radio Flyer was great to replace the failed front wheel but doing Google searches I found this is not rare. The front wheel is prone to having problems. Radio Flyer makes great products but this one is all show and no go. Less is more.
Bottom line is to use a stroller to push your kid and get a very small trike for their first bike so they can learn to pedal.
Tuesday, March 18, 2014
Buy Optimus Crux Stove
Customer Ratings: 
List Price: $69.95
Sale Price: $42.36
Today's Bonus: 39% Off

TINY. If you want to cut down on weight, this stove is great. You may have to mind the valve a bit more than on other stoves, but it is well built, cooks fast, and provides a sturdy base for small pots.
Have used it several times since with out any real issues. Tanks freeze up sometimes but I don't think that's a stove issue, get the same thing with 20 pound propane tanks on the grill at home.
The valve is not very adjustable and will not simmer but great for getting water hot quickly. The wire handle does not fold away when valve closed completely, have to open almost 1/2 turn to fold it away.
Overall a great stove. Certainly recommend it. Folds down small, fits into the bottom of canister, kind-of wind resistant, heats up quickly, good price. Other scout dads in the troop have purchased it after hands on comparison with many other stoves including the Primus and Pocket-rocket.
It worked dandy for about a dozen trips used it in Rocky Mtn Natl Park in Oct in mid-20's with no problem. Then in December '12, at 38 degrees, I could not get a flame. I thought it mught be the fuel cannister same thing with full cannister. Tried it again at home after cleaning, it worked ok. I also "wrapped" my fuel cannister in a wool cap & stuffed it in foot of my sleeping bag so it'd be warm overnight. I attached fuel to stove IN my tent & (know it is ill-advised), attempted to light it on a flat rock with cap wrapped around it to keep warm. Again, it didn't work at 35 deg outside temp. Used friend's stove on my fuel, worked fine. Later in the day, it worked without incident.
Having a stove to boil water when it is above 50degrees isn't as much a priority. Unreliable now. Purchased alternate reliable stove.
List Price: $69.95
Sale Price: $42.36
Today's Bonus: 39% Off
TINY. If you want to cut down on weight, this stove is great. You may have to mind the valve a bit more than on other stoves, but it is well built, cooks fast, and provides a sturdy base for small pots.
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
This thing is so small, it stores in the contours of your fuel canister! I've had no problems with the product working as advertised, however the green valve stem is very flexible. It should have been made out of a stronger material because when you turn it, it flexes and eventually will not fit around the valve for storage. It hasn't completely came off yet but it's bent and requires a bit of force to pop it into place for storage. This is a minor oversight on Optimus' part but overall it's a quality product.Best Deals for Optimus Crux Stove
I bought this tiny little stove to go backpacking in Yellowstone with my boy's scout troop last summer. I also purchased a flint striker so I didn't have to worry about lighters or wet matches. We used only to boil water for the freeze dried food and coffee. 14 campers with three stoves for 2 weeks, my Optimus and 2 Primus stoves (optimus primus? Transformer fans...) The Optimus Crux boiled the water faster but was not as stable with a 2 quart pot. Had to keep an eye on it, bounced a bit when water started boiling. Never fell over but see the potential for it.Have used it several times since with out any real issues. Tanks freeze up sometimes but I don't think that's a stove issue, get the same thing with 20 pound propane tanks on the grill at home.
The valve is not very adjustable and will not simmer but great for getting water hot quickly. The wire handle does not fold away when valve closed completely, have to open almost 1/2 turn to fold it away.
Overall a great stove. Certainly recommend it. Folds down small, fits into the bottom of canister, kind-of wind resistant, heats up quickly, good price. Other scout dads in the troop have purchased it after hands on comparison with many other stoves including the Primus and Pocket-rocket.
Honest reviews on Optimus Crux Stove
This is an excellent backpack stove. I've used it for the past year, including a solid month of use in the Adirondacks, and it has never failed me once. Just make sure you buy quality fuel, I've had the best luck and burn time with snow peak giga and jetboil canisters. Awesome, light, tiny, hot stove.Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Optimus Crux Stove
I purchased the stove Nov 2011 for backpacking. Normally, I'll use it to heat dinner, heat water for my nalgene to warm my sleeping bag & make hot tea. In the morning, I use it to boil water for coffee & heat up scrambled eggs, turkey sausage or oatmeal. My trips are normally 3-4 days, with occasional 1 or 2 nighters. I usually use blended gas (from wallyworld) I've used it in summer and at lows in mid 20's.It worked dandy for about a dozen trips used it in Rocky Mtn Natl Park in Oct in mid-20's with no problem. Then in December '12, at 38 degrees, I could not get a flame. I thought it mught be the fuel cannister same thing with full cannister. Tried it again at home after cleaning, it worked ok. I also "wrapped" my fuel cannister in a wool cap & stuffed it in foot of my sleeping bag so it'd be warm overnight. I attached fuel to stove IN my tent & (know it is ill-advised), attempted to light it on a flat rock with cap wrapped around it to keep warm. Again, it didn't work at 35 deg outside temp. Used friend's stove on my fuel, worked fine. Later in the day, it worked without incident.
Having a stove to boil water when it is above 50degrees isn't as much a priority. Unreliable now. Purchased alternate reliable stove.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Buy Best Fitness Elliptical Crosstrainer
Customer Ratings: 
List Price: $700.00
Sale Price: $388.79
Today's Bonus: 44% Off

I will say this first, as it may exclude this purchase for several prospective buyers, I'm barely 5'6" and the stride length is bordering on to short for me. It works and at this low price I am still pleased with the purchase; however, I would not recommend this to anyone more than an inch taller than me. The package arrived in a timely manner; however, I'm glad I don't need to return it because the idea of taking the components out of an intact box is completely unfeasible. I had to completely cut down one side of the box. Assembly was doable, but the instructions have several mistakes. It tells you over and over to complete steps in the order they are listed however; you will find that if you listen to them you will end up undoing steps to go back and do something else that needed to be done first. Read each page of instructions and decide for yourself what makes the most sense. I put it together myself, but there were several steps where an extra set of hands would have made it much easier. All in all not bad, of course it's a lot easier to say that now that I'm done.
My husband and I are both 5'10" & my son is 5'2" and the stride length was comfortable for all 3 of us. The stride length is not adjustable.
The machine is as compact as advertised. We are leaving set up so it can be used at any time and it takes up 5 x 3 feet of 'working' space. The motion is fluid & easy.
The control panel is LCD and is not back-lit. When I stand on the floor, I can see everything just fine, but when I am up on the machine the angle of the control panel causes the numbers to be more difficult to see. I think this problem can be solved by adding a small light in the area where we have it set up. I also think that this may not be an issue for everyone-it may depend a lot on how well-lit the area the machine is set up in is and how tall the user is.
According to the manual, the weight limit for the machine is 250 lbs. I weigh around 225 and it felt stable and safe when I was using it.
The control panel is basic (which is what I expected). You can set time, distance, & calorie burn goals and the machine will beep as you hit each of your targets. You can measure your heart rate. There is a built in BMI/BMR calculator that up to 8 people can use. However, other than the data that is entered for that calculation, the control panel cannot track workouts over time, link a workout to a particular user, nor does it have variable programed workouts like I have seen on some equipment. This is what I was expecting, but may not be completely clear from the product description.
It would have been helpful if instructions on how to open the box & unload the pieces were printed on the outside of the box, rather than being buried on a sheet of paper in the bottom of the box. The machine came with all parts bundled together in a block with styrofoam end caps. We found it easiest to lift both the outer and inner box off of the block of parts, rather than trying to unpack individual parts while they were still in the box. It was very helpful to have 2 people for that part of the process.
Overall I feel like the product met my expectations, it was fairly straightforward for my husband to assemble. He strongly recommends taking the time to fully read all instructions before attempting the installation. The machine is easy to use, fits in the space that we had set up for it, and met our expectations based on the product description. I felt this was a good value for the $400.00 sale price.
Now we just need to use it :)
List Price: $700.00
Sale Price: $388.79
Today's Bonus: 44% Off
I will say this first, as it may exclude this purchase for several prospective buyers, I'm barely 5'6" and the stride length is bordering on to short for me. It works and at this low price I am still pleased with the purchase; however, I would not recommend this to anyone more than an inch taller than me. The package arrived in a timely manner; however, I'm glad I don't need to return it because the idea of taking the components out of an intact box is completely unfeasible. I had to completely cut down one side of the box. Assembly was doable, but the instructions have several mistakes. It tells you over and over to complete steps in the order they are listed however; you will find that if you listen to them you will end up undoing steps to go back and do something else that needed to be done first. Read each page of instructions and decide for yourself what makes the most sense. I put it together myself, but there were several steps where an extra set of hands would have made it much easier. All in all not bad, of course it's a lot easier to say that now that I'm done.
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
We received our Best Fitness Elliptical Crosstrainer yesterday and my husband assembled it. He read the instructions all the way through before starting and would strongly recommend that tactic. He noted that some of the hardware was packed separately, while some was already on the pieces where it would end up being used, so try looking on the parts if you can't find the hardware.My husband and I are both 5'10" & my son is 5'2" and the stride length was comfortable for all 3 of us. The stride length is not adjustable.
The machine is as compact as advertised. We are leaving set up so it can be used at any time and it takes up 5 x 3 feet of 'working' space. The motion is fluid & easy.
The control panel is LCD and is not back-lit. When I stand on the floor, I can see everything just fine, but when I am up on the machine the angle of the control panel causes the numbers to be more difficult to see. I think this problem can be solved by adding a small light in the area where we have it set up. I also think that this may not be an issue for everyone-it may depend a lot on how well-lit the area the machine is set up in is and how tall the user is.
According to the manual, the weight limit for the machine is 250 lbs. I weigh around 225 and it felt stable and safe when I was using it.
The control panel is basic (which is what I expected). You can set time, distance, & calorie burn goals and the machine will beep as you hit each of your targets. You can measure your heart rate. There is a built in BMI/BMR calculator that up to 8 people can use. However, other than the data that is entered for that calculation, the control panel cannot track workouts over time, link a workout to a particular user, nor does it have variable programed workouts like I have seen on some equipment. This is what I was expecting, but may not be completely clear from the product description.
It would have been helpful if instructions on how to open the box & unload the pieces were printed on the outside of the box, rather than being buried on a sheet of paper in the bottom of the box. The machine came with all parts bundled together in a block with styrofoam end caps. We found it easiest to lift both the outer and inner box off of the block of parts, rather than trying to unpack individual parts while they were still in the box. It was very helpful to have 2 people for that part of the process.
Overall I feel like the product met my expectations, it was fairly straightforward for my husband to assemble. He strongly recommends taking the time to fully read all instructions before attempting the installation. The machine is easy to use, fits in the space that we had set up for it, and met our expectations based on the product description. I felt this was a good value for the $400.00 sale price.
Now we just need to use it :)
Best Deals for Best Fitness Elliptical Crosstrainer
I love it. I use it everyday. It was quite hard to put together, but with some team work and muscle it got put together and works great!Honest reviews on Best Fitness Elliptical Crosstrainer
A little hard to put together, but works great and fits well in our tight workout room! Came on time and a good store to purchase from. thanks!Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Best Fitness Elliptical Crosstrainer
This elliptical is good for the price. As I am only 5'3", the stride works perfectly for me. The only con I have is the handle bars they're too long. A little hard to assemble, but it's doable ( just read the manual & assess the steps ).Friday, December 13, 2013
Best Zefal Locking Bicycle Hub Skewer (3-Piece Front/Rear/Seatpost) Deals
Customer Ratings: 
List Price: $47.99
Sale Price: $29.74
Today's Bonus: 38% Off

I have opened the "locked" skewer in about 5 seconds. Will not post how, but will contact manufacturer their idea is brilliant, implementation is sloppy.
Update: the original method (already public) involved a magnet; there are two more, one requiring regular pliers, another requiring no tools at all. 1) don't bother unlocking the lever, just twist off the opposing side lug; you'll need pliers for that, but the lug is conveniently ribbed to give pliers a good purchase; design needs the keyed washer just like the "lever" side to be secure, but it doesn't have one. 2) ... and this is a real caper: just turn the "locked" lever counterclockwise. Will require some force, but not too much, no tools needed. It is not supposed to give, but it will the design has a keyed washer which supposedly prevents it from turning if closed, however the "seat" of the lever appears to be a two-piece plastic, and the outer ring simply spins if nudged hard enough...
Another important distinction between Zefal and something like Pinhead, which uses keyed lugs is purely psychological: first and foremost, Zefal looks like it *can* be opened, there is just enough stuff sticking out that can be turned, twisted, levered and so on; Pinhead, on the other hand, kills any motivation to tamper with itself: you cast one look at it, and you know you are not going to able to do anything with it...
Update: in about 6 months of use in NY, the skewers are so far provided enough of a deterrent. I do see the aftermath of attempts to open them (somewhat bent levers) but so far no thief came up with anything more inventive than just pulling very, very hard..and that doesn't work with Zefal. I have used another skewer for a while, with keyed lugs, but in the end, it was just a nuisance: the key is chunky, carrying it at all times is impractical, and who would remember to pack it on a long ride? in the end, you just sit roadside looking hopelessly at a flat tire that you can not change since you can't take the wheel off... I switched back to Zefal, and bought couple more sets for other bikes. The lock is not nearly as secure as,say, Pinhead, but it is much, much more convenient...
In the end, the conclusion is that this is a maddening product: they did 90% of the work just perfect, and couldn't iron out the remaining 10%...
Cheers,
Logan
List Price: $47.99
Sale Price: $29.74
Today's Bonus: 38% Off
I have opened the "locked" skewer in about 5 seconds. Will not post how, but will contact manufacturer their idea is brilliant, implementation is sloppy.
Update: the original method (already public) involved a magnet; there are two more, one requiring regular pliers, another requiring no tools at all. 1) don't bother unlocking the lever, just twist off the opposing side lug; you'll need pliers for that, but the lug is conveniently ribbed to give pliers a good purchase; design needs the keyed washer just like the "lever" side to be secure, but it doesn't have one. 2) ... and this is a real caper: just turn the "locked" lever counterclockwise. Will require some force, but not too much, no tools needed. It is not supposed to give, but it will the design has a keyed washer which supposedly prevents it from turning if closed, however the "seat" of the lever appears to be a two-piece plastic, and the outer ring simply spins if nudged hard enough...
Another important distinction between Zefal and something like Pinhead, which uses keyed lugs is purely psychological: first and foremost, Zefal looks like it *can* be opened, there is just enough stuff sticking out that can be turned, twisted, levered and so on; Pinhead, on the other hand, kills any motivation to tamper with itself: you cast one look at it, and you know you are not going to able to do anything with it...
Update: in about 6 months of use in NY, the skewers are so far provided enough of a deterrent. I do see the aftermath of attempts to open them (somewhat bent levers) but so far no thief came up with anything more inventive than just pulling very, very hard..and that doesn't work with Zefal. I have used another skewer for a while, with keyed lugs, but in the end, it was just a nuisance: the key is chunky, carrying it at all times is impractical, and who would remember to pack it on a long ride? in the end, you just sit roadside looking hopelessly at a flat tire that you can not change since you can't take the wheel off... I switched back to Zefal, and bought couple more sets for other bikes. The lock is not nearly as secure as,say, Pinhead, but it is much, much more convenient...
In the end, the conclusion is that this is a maddening product: they did 90% of the work just perfect, and couldn't iron out the remaining 10%...
Click Here For Most Helpful Customer Reviews >>
Fantastic product! Now we can have the convenience of a quick release skewer for changing flats and the security of locking our wheels. I originally purchased this kit for the bike I built up for my wife since she hated taking off the front wheel. After jealously watching her locking up her bike in half the time as me I converted and I now have them on my bike. My only complaint is that the seat post lock is designed for larger diameter aluminum frames. I have a smaller diameter seat tube on my steel frame and it doesn't fit.Cheers,
Logan
Best Deals for Zefal Locking Bicycle Hub Skewer (3-Piece Front/Rear/Seatpost)
I bought a set of Zefal locking wheel skewers to try. I thought these locks sounded like a clever idea. They work using simple gravity; the locks will not open unless the bike is turned upside down. Unfortunately, when I tested the locks, I could open the Zefal in seconds using my regular home pliers. In total, maybe 15 seconds. Sorry, but you're not going to protect my wheels.Honest reviews on Zefal Locking Bicycle Hub Skewer (3-Piece Front/Rear/Seatpost)
These are AMAZING! So cool to have, super inexpensive for what they do, and they actually work (With some pretty frustrating installation, checking, and re-checking time). However, the benefit is great! I wasn't able to install the seat skewer, and I ended up taking it into a bike shop. He had to change the girdle, and even then it took a really long time. All-in-all, something I'd recommend to others!Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Zefal Locking Bicycle Hub Skewer (3-Piece Front/Rear/Seatpost)
I just bought these and already, after 3 times of opening and closing, the seat post locking skewer no longer works. Now the rear wheel skewer has trouble opening and latching and the metal has already smashed down. I have never had such bad luck with skewers and these have given me the worst luck so far.
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