ZYM Electrolyte Review

This last summer I got interested in electrolyte drink tablets for mountain biking, as they provide athletic enhancement, and are the perfect product to add to a hydration reservoir or water bottle, without the fuss of powder. I stumbled upon ZYM's booth at the massive 2010 Interbike show, and was intrigued by their new product named Rival, that uses the natural Stevia sweetener. I found all their products were pleasant tasting, with a very mild sweetness.

The precise maintenance of electrolytes levels is important, as they affect and regulate the hydration of the body as well as blood pH, and are critical for nerve and muscle function. Without sufficient levels of key electrolytes, muscle weakness, severe muscle contraction, and fatigue can occur. ZYM tablets contain a special blend of electrolytes, vitamins and minerals to help maintain body fluid balance, for optimal athletic performance and normal metabolic functioning. Your body requires water, and during vigorous exercise you lose water through perspiration, along with vital minerals and electrolytes. You can re-hydrate faster and more efficiently drinking an electrolyte rich water.

Race Face SIXC Handlebar Review

The Race Face SIXC 3/4 Riser handlebars are pretty sweet carbon bars, that are light, strong, and have an optimal width and decent rise. I tested the SIXC cranks recently, and these bars have the same toughness, subdued graphics and colors, and they certainly mean business.

Light & Motion Vis 360 and Vis 180 Light Review

The Light & Motion Vis 360 and Vis 180 commuter lights are pretty amazing, since they are self contained system's, which are light, easy to use, with great mounting system's, are reasonably priced and have some innovative features, the foremost being the safety oriented side visibility. The Vis 180 is a one piece rear light who attaches to a seatpost or pack, while the helmet based Vis 360 is a two piece unit, comprised of a rear light containing the battery, and the front unit, which is attached via an umbilical cord. Both lights share one basic, and incredibly innovate and safety oriented feature, which is a small and distinctive side amber LED.

The lights have seductive lines, a gorgeous bronze tone, carefully thought out feature placements and charismatic industrial design work via the infamous Roxy Lo of Ibis Mojo fame. They were designed and built in Monterrey California by Light & Motion, whom have been doing lights for over 20 years, for both mountain biking and underwater lighting. The Vis 180 and the front Vis 360 are CNC machined aluminum casing, while the rear Vis 360 is plastic, and everything has a solid build quality throughout. They use LED's from Cree, and Lithium-ion polymer batteries, with waterproof lights and connectors.

Teva Strengthens Commitment to Mountain Biking

Teva announces Kokanee Crankworx sponsorship and freeride team including McCaul, Sorge and Lenosky.

01.19.2011– (Goleta, Calif.) – To complement its new freeride shoes, the Links and the Pinner, Teva® (a division of Deckers Outdoor Corporation, NASDAQGS: DECK), is pleased to introduce its first freeride mountain bike team, as well as its inaugural sponsorship of the Kokanee Crankworx mountain bike festival in Whistler, British Columbia.

“Teva has supported freeride for years through competition at the Teva Mountain Games,” states Joel Heath, global marketing director at Teva. “With the launch of the Links and the Pinner shoes, we are excited to step up our involvement in the sport through cutting-edge product offerings as well as help give top tier athletes a platform to shine."

SmartWool Bike Apparel Review

SmartWool makes wool apparel for an entire slew of outdoor activities from skiing, hiking, climbing, running, walking and cycling. They make quite a few pieces, specifically for cycling, and they sent along some tasty treats to test out. SmartWool uses New Zealand Merino Wool, which they have tweaked to make it more durable, non itching, with four season functionality and non shrinking (with proper care) properties.

Wool, which is obviously a natural product, has some pretty amazing properties, it's odor free, highly breathable, with excellent moisture management and temperature regulation. Wool wicks sweat off the skin in a vapor state, which is then evaporated, without any condensation occurring, so you don't feel clammy, keeping you drier and more comfortable for a longer period of time. Its antimicrobial, since that wicking and evaporative process leaves no liquid for odor causing bacteria to thrive on. Wool fibers have microscopic cortices of dead air, which provide a buffering layer of natural climate control, maintaining a stable core temp, so you're cool in summer, and warm in winter.

UberWoolness!

Ay Up V4 Adventure Light Review

I have been enjoying the Ay Up V4 Adventure lighting system, which has excellent batteries, innovative lights and great mounting systems. Its entities are lightweight, compact, easy to use, and the kit comes with just about every accessory required, all packed into a nice plastic pod. The helmet system is a breeze to use, and the trick twin lights can be adjusted independently giving one a variety of usages. The handlebar system is sturdy, and it's easy to pop the light and battery on and off the bike as needed.

Contour unlocks Bluetooth chip in ContourGPS

Contour Turns Your Mobile Phone into a Live Viewfinder for its ContourGPS Camera

01.05.2011– (Seattle, Wash.) – Contour, a market leader in hands-free video cameras, is announcing a new feature for its award winning ContourGPS model: Bluetooth. Already the first hands-free video camera to capture speed and location in real-time, Contour is unveiling a built-in Bluetooth chip in the ContourGPS along with a mobile app that together enable your phone to become a live viewfinder.

Hydrapak Jolla Review

The new Jolla hydration pack from Hydrapak is a comfortable pack, with great carrying capacity, excellent features, the best reservoir in the business and the nicest designed set of pockets I have used. The Jolla is part of Hydrapak's new Pro Series. The Pro Series constitutes their best design philosophy, features, materials and construction.