Interbike and Cedia Expo 2011!

IndyGearGuide.com is sending crews to Interbike next month and Cedia Expo. We should have some great product information in September and October.

IGG headed to Mt. Assiniboine!

We'll have a group in the Canadian Rockies the next ten days trying out gear. They are hiking in the Mt. Assiniboine area from Sunshine Ski area to Canmore, then biking north of Banft in the Jasper area. We'll have some great product reviews coming! Get your products in and we'll reveiw them on a "Real Adventure, Real People"™ outing.

Fox Vanilla Float-R - 10 YEARS LATER!

Check back this month I'll be reviewing my Fox Vanilla Floar-R after 10 years of use on my Cannondale Super-V 800.

The Super-V 800 had a radical swingarm design that shows much evidence of its older motorcycle brothers. The vectors on the geometry were obviously much more extreme than the 1999 factory Fox shock could handle. I was pumping 300 lbs. into a shock at my body weight of 185 lbs. just to have a 1/2" of sag.

I explained this to Fox and they sold me the new design (with larger chamber) at cost. The difference was obvious. The new shock takes pound-for-pound rider weight. At 160 lbs. now I ride with just above my weight in the shock for a stiff ride, and just under for a softer ride.

I'll be back with more and some pictures of the shock along with my rebuild of it last year.

Beljum Budder - Skin Lubricant & Chamois Creme

Beljum Budder - Skin Lubricant & Chamois Budder:

If I told you I'd be writing a review of skin lubricant to be worn on a biking "chamois" I would have laughed several years ago...

After graduating the ranks of pre-bmx to touring bikes to road bikes to mountain bikes, I have returned to road bike riding. Only now I am an endurance bicyclist. With endurance bicycling comes hours in the saddle. With a saddle comes 'saddle sores' if you have friction.

The less friction the more comfortable the ride. Multi-panel riding chamois provide some comfort, but skin and chamois cremes are now available to reduce this friction even more.

Enter Beljum Budder. I noticed the Beljum Budder product at InterBIKE 2010 and requested a sample. This stuff works! Retailing around $19.00 for the 8 0z. tube, mine lasted about 6-months. Once I figured out how much to use instead of over-using, the product goes much further. Two tubes should last a season or beyond depending on your mileage.

I have been using Beljum Budder all season and it is great, but until last month it was untested. Finally, I was able to get enough time free to ride my first Solo-Century. I was in the saddle for nearly seven hours. I don't care what you do, after seven hours in any apparel there is discomfort. Beljum Budder worked miracles in keeping me comfortable all those hours in my chamois.

On top of everything else good...the product is All Natural!

IndyGearGuide.com Gives Beljum Budder a 5 star rating!

Check them out and request their product at your Local Bike Shop!

Pearl Izumi - Elite MTB II Mountain Biking Shoes

Pearl Izumi's Elite MTB II - Mountain Bike Shoes:

Comfort:

The Pearl Izumi Elite MTB II stands out in comfort from a one-piece upper providing a natural fit. I have been riding this shoe all season and found it to be quite comfortable. The shoe has superior support which in turn makes for a very comfortable shoe.

These shoes are comfortable enough that I have been city road-riding in them...recently completing my first Solo-Century while wearing them.

Their lugged sole makes for a platform to stand on during traffic stops while endurance bicycling in the city. Road shoes are great until you have to put your foot down quite often during city riding.

Fit:

Fit comes in the way of two velcro straps and a Anatomic Buckle Closure. The closure follows the anatomic shape of your foot to relieve pressure and eliminate hot spots. The shoes can be adjusted very well with these closures.

Size:

The sizing is pretty close to Salomon sizing in that I own a 45.0 and 45.5 while my Salomon size is 45 2/3rds.

I know I know...metric AND standard? Call it 45.66. Whatever the size...that is my size.

I wear the 45.0 with thin socks in the summer and the 45.5 has custom-molded insoles and accommodate a thicker sock for long rides/Winter.

Overall I would suggest a half size larger, but you really should try them on at a local Indianapolis Bicycle Shop.

Power:

The Carbon Power Plate sole is the key here.

Whatever you push to your ankle will be transferred through the Elite MTB II's carbon sole to the pedal, crank and sprocket.

These shoes will make your pedaling much more efficient and more powerful extending to a much better endurance bicycling experience!

Price:

List Price: $190.00

IndyGearGuide.com gives the Pearl Izumi Elite II a 5-star rating.

Gibbons Slackline - Original

Gibbons Slackline - Original:

I'm still working on getting my Slacklin Groove On...

This is an amazing exercise, fitness and fun activity. It is also dangerous in that you could twist and ankle or break a limb if you're a klutz. I suggest a pole or two until you get adjusted.

Gibbons suggests balancing on one leg at a time to get started. This alone is a feat. It isn't particularly difficult, but you must have a core of developed muscle structure to provide the balance. This is one more of my weapons that I use to continue my core and balance work.

For less than $200 anyone can get fit.

Fit Ball $25
ExerDisc $35
Slackline $100
5-10 lb Hand Wgts $20

With these four items ANYONE can create a daily workout exercise/fitness routine that will have them feeling results the next day, and seeing results in 30 days or less.

I just wish I could set my slackline up indoors - NOT RECOMMENDED.

Happy Birthday to Me! :)