Author: Eric L. Barnes

OMNI – The Smartest Safe Cycling Helmet

Published by Eric L. Barnes

Coros OMNI smart cycling helmet is designed to help you get the most enjoyment and awareness out of your ride while enhancing safety. Coros OMNI – helmet, smart remote, and mobile app – delivers smartphone connectivity, two-way audio, and instant accessibility, all packed into a high performance, multipurpose helmet. Open-ear bone conduction audio – no wires, no earbuds, no safety compromises – links to your music, friends, bike mates, navigation, and ride data to enrich the ultimate riding experience. Features Include: • Open ear bone conduction two-way audio. • Smart remote for hands-free control. • Auto LED safety illumination feature. • App Data share with STRAVA™ and MapMyRide. • Impact alert sends GPS location to emergency contact. • Rain, water, sweat resistant (IPX5). • Aerodynamic 18 vent cooling design. The helmet is currently going through crowdfunding on Indiegogo and you can reserve one starting at $129. As of today it has raised enough money to meet their goal and will begin shipping next month.

Zinn & the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance

Zinn & the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance

Published by Eric L. Barnes

When your bike breaks you have two options. Fix it or take it to the shop. We all know the most cost-effective solution is to fix it yourself, however, if you’ve never worked on a mountain bike you may not know where to start. “Zinn & the Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance” by Lennard Zinn is a paperback book that is a perfect companion for your garage. Lennard Zinn’s expert advice makes quick work of mountain bike repair. Newcomers and experienced mechanics alike will benefit from the hundreds of illustrations, the exploded views of how components go together, and Zinn’s practical, time-saving tips. Zinn’s friendly advice and years of experience make tackling even the most daunting task fun and easy. The book covers everything from the basics with instructions for regular maintenance and all the way through advanced repair with instructions on: Integrated-spindle cranks, clipless pedals, suspension forks, internal headsets, hydraulic brakes, hub and cassette overhaul, and much more Problem-solving for frozen parts, stripped threads, missing pieces Tubeless tires, sealant systems, flat repair, tire sizing …

Apple AirPods

Apple AirPods for Mountain Biking

Published by Eric L. Barnes

Having trails near your house is a huge advantage for getting it a lot of miles each week, but it can get mundane because you know them so well that you can almost ride them on auto pilot. When this happened to me I almost wanted to stop riding because I knew it would be the same. This year I decided to try something different and that was listening to music and Audible books while I ride. We all do it in the car and I feel more comfortable on the trail than having to worry about being a defensive driver and watching out for the crazies on the road. The first few times I tried to use headphones they either kept falling out or starting hurting my ears after 30 minutes. When I heard about Apple’s new AirPods and had some friends using them that absolutely loved them. I ordered a pair hoping they would work and to my surprise, they have not only worked but work flawlessly. One of the neat features of …

Review: Fox Racing Sergeant Shorts

Published by Eric L. Barnes

Having a nice pair of riding shorts is one of the best investments you can make as you start mountain biking and the Fox Racing Sergeant Shorts is a mid-range priced pair that will last you many years. The Sergeant Shorts are a good mid range pair of shorts. It includes two primary features, an outer short that is relatively thick and made of cotton and polyester. It’s sturdy enough to support going through overgrown trails, or falls. Then inside is a liner with thick high-density padding for optimum protection in the areas where you need it. Fox Sergeant Shorts Fit and Quality The shorts are made of great quality, and they feel like they can stand up to everything you throw at them. I’ve gone on a half a dozen rides already, and they feel just as good as they did when they arrived. Another advantage is the number of pockets in the shorts. It has six different pockets so you can hold anything you’d ever need for an average ride. The side pockets …

TETON Sports Trailrunner 2.0 Review

Published by Eric L. Barnes

I’ve been riding for close to 20 years and one of the best investments I’ve made is a good hydration backpack. You can keep your eyes on the trail while drinking, store your car keys or food, and hold enough water for hours of riding. I consider wearing a hydration pack as important as wearing a helmet because getting dehydrated in the middle of a ride is not a fun experience and should be avoided at all costs. If you are looking for an affordable good quality hydration backpack then the TETON Sports Trailrunner 2.0 Liter Hydration Backpack aims to be an answer. Teton Sports Trailrunner Features The hydration pack is very lightweight weighing less than a pound dry and can hold up to 2 liters (70 ounces) of liquid. The biggest feature is its size and how comfortably it fits on your back. Once on, it sits high on your back above any jersey pockets and below your bike helmet. Right in the comfortable sweet spot. This pack would be great for not only …