Life In The Saddle

Protecting your phone and cards when cycling is a necessity; your jersey pocket is bombarded by spray, sweat, and grit — none of those go well with electronics. The Altuvita Cycling Phone Wallet is a neat weather-proof phone wallet that is designed for cycling.  The case is a hard-shell design, which is quite different from the other soft designs that I have reviewed and used in the past . The hard case gives significantly more drop protection for the wallet's contents; the coating material is also water resistant, as is the zipper, so it provides a weather-proof and sweat-proof barrier. Inside the Altuvita Cycling Phone Wallet you get four sleeves that can be used to house cards and paper cash. There is no zipper compartment for coins, but then perhaps few riders carry shrapnel in their pockets these days? The cards are held securely in the slots, with no risk of them slipping out when you open the wallet. On the other side of the wallet is where the phone sits. This Mk2 ver...

Smith make exceptional bicycle helmets and cycling sunglasses. I have used their accessories for many of my past trans-continental bikepacking tours, because they are exceedingly comfortable and built to offer the highest level of protection. The Smith Trace MIPS Helmet and Smith Optics Attack Max Sunglasses are new releases from the Italian brand. They have fast become my go-to choice—offering the highest level of performance, comfort, design, and protection. Review – Smith Trace MIPS Bicycle Helmet The new Smith Trace MIPS Helmet builds on the strengths of my favourite Smith Overtake Helmet; with subtle design tweaks to supply added comfort and flair. Like the Overtake, the Trace helmet uses Smith's signature Koroyd technology. This honeycomb polymer structure material is built into the shell of the helmet; its superb impact resistance has allowed Smith to reduce the overall weight of the helmet by minimising the volume of the helmet's shell material, yet still offeri...

Keep it simple. That would be a good strapline for the BTR Waterproof Bicycle Handlebar Bag. This compact handlebar bag is designed to be a completely waterproof capsule that easily attaches to the handlebars of any road or mountain bike — to safely house your valuables and ride essentials. For bikepacking trips, gravel adventures, and long road rides a small waterproof handlebar bag is a great idea — read my post ' What Is in Your Gravel Adventure Handlebar Bag? ' to see what comes in mine. The BTR Waterproof Handlebar Bag is as simple, but as effective as they come; with an exceptionally fair price tag too. The design is straightforward. The bag is 20 centimetres wide and made from durable waterproof fabric, with a classic roll-top closure to ensure that even the worst weather conditions cannot infiltrate the interior. The bag attaches to the handlebars with three hook-and-loop (Velcro style) straps; two over the handlebars, and an extra strap that can go around the headtube...

Ever had one of those tricky seat-post retention clamps or disc caliper bolts that are a nightmare to reach with a chunky multitool? The mini ratchet set from Pro Bike Tool is the solution. This UK brand produces some great value and great quality bike tools: pumps, CO2 inflators, bottle cages, and multitools. This little ratchet set was my first introduction to the range, and it is impressive both in quality and performance. Equipped with a set of all common hex-key chucks, torque wrench pieces, and screw drivers; this should give you everything you need for trail or road-side repairs (except a broken chain - you'd need the Pro Bike Tool Chain Tool for that eventuality). It is simple and effective to use: much like a bigger ratchet on a socket set, you insert the chucks and then choose which way you want to turn the bolt. It is well-made enough that you can put a fair bit or torque through the metal shaft and handle without it feeling like it is flexing. With the growth ...

The Isle of Wight is sometimes hyped for being the sunniest place in Britain; at least that means that even in the depths of winter I can find a good excuse for a new pair of riding sunglasses… The Vulcans from UK brand SunGod caught my eye a while back, and I have been lusting after a pair ever since. This month, I took the plunge and ordered a pair of the Vulcans TF (half frame) glasses in a classy blue and black colour scheme. They have not failed to impress me… SunGod made their name in the casual sunglasses market, but after moving into the performance eyewear marketplace in the last few years they have been quick to make their mark. The Vulcans are one of two models within the Pace Series by SunGod; the other model is the slightly larger and more angular lens Velans. Both the Pace models share the same ultramodern lens technology, as well as a super adjustable fit, 100 percent UV protection, and a lifetime guarantee. The SunGod Vulcans begin with the robust and comfortable frame....

One positive seen in 2020 is that bicycle usage in the UK has soared—rising an estimated 45% YoY (official statistics TBC). Unfortunately, with increased bicycle usage there is always an accompanying rise in bicycle theft; with more shiny new bikes on the road and an increased demand for bikes, bike theft is more lucrative to criminals than before. The solution to keeping your new bike secure and safe is to invest in a high security bicycle lock, such as the new Yale Maximum Security Defendor Chain and Lock. This 1.1 metre chain and maximum-security coded padlock is a Sold Secure Gold rated product that will keep your pride and joy safeguarded from even the most determined thieves. Yale is a house name in the world of security, but their range of high security bicycle locks is a new element in their portfolio. They have however produced a superb set of products to meet the cyclist's demand. The Yale Maximum Security Defendor Chain is a 10 mm titanium reinforced hexagonal hardened s...

Chapeau Cycling wins my personal award as the Best UK-Based Cycle Clothing Brand of 2020 . Their products continue to impress me with their exceptional quality, function, and design innovation. Yet, as a brand, Chapeau are still not that well-known in the world of cycling apparel. Hopefully, this review feature will introduce you to their latest winter range, and prompt you to also doff your top hat and shout " Chapeau! "... Review – Chapeau Cycling Club Thermal Bib Shorts Thermal bib shorts are a highly versatile and under-rated piece of cycling apparel. In the transition seasons of spring and autumn you are often too warm in bib tights, but a little too chilly in summer bib shorts. Thermal bib shorts use fleece-lined fabrics, a higher cut bib, and a longer leg length to deliver that extra bit of warmth and comfort. The Chapeau Club Thermal Bib Shorts are a fine example of 'early season bib shorts'; with features that make them unique and superior to ...

Bike frames, whether made from carbon fibre or steel are surprisingly robust—they can withstand big drops, heavy loads, and the constant pounding of rough terrain. What they do not deal so well with are the stone chips, cable rub, and pinpoint impacts that can occur during everyday use. These are a few simple tricks to help protect your bike frame from damage—helping to prolong its strength and life. Chips and cracks on bike frames and paintwork are most likely to occur in a few select areas. The chainstays and downtube are prime subjects; where chain slap and pebble dash bombard the frame. Luckily, there are a few inexpensive and neat tricks that you can do to protect your bike frame. Chainstay Protection Most people know that the drive-side chainstay on a bike is vulnerable to chain slap—that annoying clacking as you ride over rough surfaces and the chain bounces on the stay. At best it will chip the paint—at worst it could cause more serious frame damage. On any frame it...

On the #BlackForest400  I was caught out by sub-zero temperatures through the nighttime section—an insulated thermo bicycle bottle like the Elite Deboyo Ombra Stainless Steel Bike Bottle would have been the perfect solution. It is also the ideal substitute when cafés are closed, or you are wilderness riding. The issue on the #BlackForest400 was not so much that I had not expected the cold temperatures, but rather I had failed to anticipate the closure of almost every garage and takeaway in the Ardennes region, on the night before Good Friday... The situation meant that I could not stop for a much-needed warm drink in the middle of the night. A thermal insulated vacuum bottle, like the Elite Deboyo, would have allowed me to fill up before the shops shut up, and have a warm drink to get me through the night. The Deboyo Insulated Vacuum Bottle is also the ideal solution for very warm days. Thinking back to my climb of the Col de Montgenrve on the #7Countries7Passes , when the t...

Carrying your phone, cards, ID, and spare change with you when you cycle is essential; but storing them unprotected in your jersey pocket is asking for trouble. The Zilfer Cycling Phone Wallet is a neat solution from the Australian brand; a means to keep your valuables together and safe, both on and off the bike. The design of the wallet is simple enough – the phone slides into one side, and on the other half there are four slots for cards, and a larger sleeve for things like receipts or paper money. The phone wallet then folds in two, and on the back panel there is a zipper compartment for coins and a house key. The Zilfer Cycling Phone Wallet is made from a water resistant and durable material, to help protect the contents. This material is smart enough in appearance that you could use it every day, and Zilfer have consciously only implemented subtle branding to further promote this versatility. The phone wallet does also come with a protective pouch, which can be used to slip ...

Some bells are better than their counterparts. Louder, clearer, more melodic, and crucially able to deal with repeated 'dinging'. I used to destroy those cheap plastic bicycle bells every few months on my commute (I am no shy dinger). But then I got sent a Spurcycle Bicycle Bell. It is the business. The Spurcycle Bicycle Bell is not cheap — it's £49.99 RRP. That means it needs to be damn durable to outlast the equivalent number of plastic bicycle bells that could have been purchased for the same amount of cash. This bike bell is a thing of beauty though, and really does tick all the boxes. The Spurcycle bell is precision made in the United States of America. It comes in a classic pure metal finish, or in a matt black coating. Its compact all-metal construction (even the strap that goes around the handlebar is metal) means that it looks and feels like it will last a lifetime of aggressive dinging. And, that dinging is a good ding... The Spurcycle bell sounds with a...

Kask make some of the best bicycle helmets in the world, for some of the best riders in the world; look no further than Team Sky, Wiggle High5, or Jeremy Powers. The Valegro helmet is their latest release, and pushes boundaries in terms of comfort, performance, and Italian style. The Valegro was developed with input from Team Sky Pro Cycling, and is designed to provide the best comfort and ventilation when cycling in hot conditions, and particularly when climbing mountains at lower speeds. The shape of the helmet was crafted in the wind-tunnel, but rather than the sole focus being on aerodynamics there was also a consideration of how the airflow was working to cool the head of the rider; looking at creating effective through-flow that encourages cooling and is aerodynamically efficient. To facilitate "thermo-cooling" Kask have placed 37 ventilation holes on the Valegro helmet, which is more than on their previous models. These vents whip air through the helmet at spee...

Kask helmets have become one of the best-known brands in the world of cycling. KOO sunglasses are an offshoot of Kask, and have the same superb quality and Italian style. Cycling sunglasses are an interesting product to test, and an area in which we have seen a significant benefit from innovation and real-world feedback. Older style cycling sunglasses were narrower, heavier, and often had very dark lenses. Modern designs tend to have larger more protective lenses, to help shield your eyes and obscure less of your vision; they also have lighter and more flexible frames for a better fit; additionally there is also a trend for photochromic or polarised lenses, which help to reduce the need for very dark shadings. Koo have shown themselves to be innovators with the Koo Open Cube Sunglasses, much like Kask are with their helmets. The lens, frame, and design features of these glasses are some of the best that I have seen. First up, the frame has been designed to give a truly personal...