A phone is an essential piece of equipment for a bike ride. Cyclists use their phones for staying connected, calling in emergencies, and documenting their adventures. A good phone case is a well justified accessory though, as the life of a smartphone can be a tough one in a cyclist’s jersey pocket. The Otterbox Defender Case is a quality modular bumper phone case, which supplies superb drop protection and functionality for your iPhone. I am familiar with the Otterbox brand, having used their Defender case on an iPad for several years. That case has saved the iPad from many drops, knocks, and spills; even when the device has been carried to work in a pannier on a daily cycle commute. It was with this familiarity and reliability in mind that I selected the Otterbox Defender as my choice for a robust phone case to keep my smartphone safe on cycling adventures. The latest Otterbox Defender case features several great upgrades, as well as keeping all the winning qualities of the old...
I first tasted and reviewed Veloforte bars here on Life In The Saddle, back in April 2018 – they were an instant hit. After meeting members of the ever-growing Veloforte team this summer, I was eager to try out their new extended range of bars, drinks, gels and energy chews. Veloforte Natural Energy and Protein Bars The Veloforte energy bars are where it all started. Based on Panforte – the Italian traditional Christmas dessert – these bars are a similar chewy sweet treat, packed full of fruit, nut and spices. Christmas cake has always been one of my favourite ride energy snacks, and these wholesome handmade bars bring a similar refreshing taste and energy boost to your everyday ride. The complete range is comprised of seven bars: all branded as 'energy bars', but with the Mocha and Forza versions also delivering an impressive 10-12 grams of protein (so they might also be classified as protein recovery bars). The flavours range from the tangy Classico with its apricots and...
This traditional flapjack recipe is packed full of energy for long days on the bike. The oats supply a great low-GI fuel source, while the dried fruit offers instant energy and sweetness. Whether on or off the bike, these flapjack bars are a great high-energy snack for cycling. You can adapt the recipe by adding in other dried fruit, seeds, nuts, and spices to make these even more varied and flavoursome. I particularly like pumpkin seeds and chopped crystallised ginger added to the mix. Ingredients 200g butter 100g brown sugar 1 tbsp golden syrup ½ tbsp black treacle 300g porridge oats 100g raisins 75g soft-dried figs 50g soft-dried apricots Method Set the oven to 150°C or 140°C for fan-assisted oven. Place the shelf in the middle Stick a big pan on the scales and measure in the butter and brown sugar Heat the pan on the hob until the butter and sugar are all melted Add a tablespoon of golden syrup and half a tablespoon of treacle to the mix Add the porridge oats and y...
The market for disc brake pads for gravel bikes, mountain bikes and road bikes is saturated; there are hundreds of different brands producing disc brake pads claiming to last longer and perform better than the competition. So, what is the difference between a set of low cost disc brake pads from eBay/Amazon versus the high-end pads from SwissStop? Are SwissStop disc brake pads worth the extra money? To find out, I have been doing some extensive disc brake pad testing over the last few months. October to February is obviously a period of wet winter riding, and I have been testing the following list of brake pads on road, gravel and mountain bikes—to create the ultimate test for any disc brake set-up. The disc brake pads on test: SwissStop Disc 34 RS (Shimano Road/Gravel) SwissStop Disc 32 RS (SRAM Road/Gravel) SwissStop Disc 31 E (MTB SRAM Avid) Superstar Sintered Shimano Road Disc Brake Pads (Shimano Road/Gravel) SOMMET Resin and Semi-Metallic Disc Brak...
When I reviewed the Chrome Industries Summoner Backpack earlier this year I was impressed by the quality, durability, and attention to detail in the Boulder brand's product — it has since become my go-to travel bag. With this in mind, their range of workboots also got me interested… could the Chrome Storm 415 Workboot be the ideal waterproof and comfortable casual boot for cycling errands and adventures? This is my review… Chrome Industries were the pioneers behind the original sling bike messenger bag. More than 20 years ago in the city of Boulder – Colorado the brand created the now famous bag out of seatbelt buckles and straps, five-bar webbing, and double-lined bombproof interiors. Their strapline now reads 'Building Indestructible Gear Since 1995' — a claim that they reliably hold true to. Work boots need to be indestructible, and the Chrome Workboots were designed for the factory workers in the Chrome headquarters; demanding constant daily use, for those often...
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