For five whole years of XC mountain bike racing, I used the same pair of gloves. Pretty cool, huh? Getting durable gloves saved me quite a bit of money in the long run, which is why I became a huge AXO fan after my experience with these AXO Cabria long finger gloves.

When I first started riding, probably 75% of my cycling clothing came from the clearance deals at Nashbar.com. So these gloves were a no-brainer at $15.

I ended up using these gloves for years of XC racing abuse. It’s not like I was racing DH every day, but I wrecked plenty of times, and these gloves saved my hands each time. Surprisingly, the gloves endured it all with just some scuffs and normal wear and tear over the years.

After a couple years, the leather palm began to wear thin and the rubber grippers on the fingers (for enhanced braking) wore off, but it took five years of use before the index finger on one glove opened up enough to get annoying. (The other glove has no rips at all!)

I actually still use the gloves for lawn mowing and yard work!

That’s because they were awesome all-around. As I’ve explained, they’re durable. They’re also very comfortable. Not silky soft or super light, but AXO just knows how to make the perfect fitting glove. The terry thumb was awesome for wiping sweat (or snot,) as it was large and soft.

Another comfort feature was the neoprene over the backs of your knuckles. It was soft and conformed to my hand perfectly.

As for using the glove, the grip was just right. The palm was just thick enough to protect my skin, which made for a good grip on the bar. And there were little rubber strips on the index and middle fingers to enhance grip on the brake levers.

Padding on the back of the glove was minimal, so don’t plan on using this for DH or motocross!

If I had to complain about anything, I’d say these were a little on the warm side, even though the palm looks like it’s made of mesh. The warmth wasn’t a problem, but if most of your riding consists of XC races on hot, humid summer days, you might want to find a lighter, better ventilated glove.

My final verdict is…

These are good gloves that held up for five years. At $15, they were an amazing value. If they were still available, I’d probably buy them again. (I don’t think the Cabria is made any more, but my next pair of gloves will almost certainly be from AXO.)

I personally love AXO gloves! After trying out various gloves from Fox, Pryme, Cannondale, etc., AXO always comes out on top. They are high quality and have the perfect fit, I can’t ask for anything more.

Official website: www.axo.com

Buy online: www.PricePoint.com

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[Click here if you would like to get your product reviewed on CoachLevi.com.]

Let’s face it - seatbags aren’t about looks, but about carrying the basic necessities with us while riding. Since hanging one on your bicycle is an eyesore anyway, why not help the environment and use a bag made of recycled materials?

That’s the reasoning I used when I first purchased a Pedro’s Blowout Bag, a seatbag made partially with recycled bicycle inner tubes. The mix of canvas and rubber actually looks pretty cool, though.

Does it work? Let’s find out…

Storage Capacity

The Pedro’s Blowout bag comes in two sizes, 35 or 50 cubic inch capacities. I decided to get the large size.

I usually carry a 700c tube wrapped in a rag, a CO2 inflator, extra CO2 cartridge, and a tire lever, and there is plenty of room left over. At times (usually when I hook it to my mountain bike) I have also carried a mini-tool in there with no problem.

So I can carry plenty of stuff, which gets me through most normal road rides, up to 5-6 hours. For longer rides and multi-day epics, you’ll want to find more ways to carry stuff, because you probably can’t even fit two tubes in this bag.

Ease of Use

I rarely touch my seatbag once it’s loaded up and attached to my bike, so ease of use was never a big deal, but it’s still a consideration…

The Blowout bag is setup with a typical velcro strap for the seatpost and nylon straps that loop through the seat rails (and are cinched down with a plastic clip.) This combo holds everything steady and I really like it.

There is also a reflective strip on the back, which doubles as a place to clip on a blinky light for extra safety in low light conditions.

The big gripe I have here is with the zipper, which runs horizontally along the bag. If you want to open the bag, you have to loosen the straps before you can open the zipper. (I have seen some bags where just the back zips open, making for easy access.)

Durability

I’ve been using the Blowout Bag for so many years that I kind of forgot about it and didn’t notice how it really looked.

This is actually my second Blowout Bag. I had my first one for about two years before it was stolen, and I used this one for about three years. It’s still hanging on for dear life, but barely.

Unfortunately, the rubber has begun to crack from being out in the sun for so many years, and it is split in some places. It’s not totally falling apart yet, but bags with holes in them don’t do much good.

The cracked rubber also makes the bag look like crap, so if you’re concerned with looks, this bag is not a good choice.

My even bigger complaint comes from the canvas material, though. When I cinch the straps down so the bag is tight against the seat (so it doesn’t rock back and forth,) the seat clamp bolt ripped a small hole into the top of the bag!

That happened to my first Blowout bag, and the only reason I bought another was because Pedro’s made an update. Newer bags have an extra canvas patch on top, right where my first bag got a hole.

So they have fixed that problem. If you get one of these now, you shouldn’t have a problem with that exact spot… Unfortunately, my new bag still got a hole off to the side of the reinforcement patch!

My final verdict is…

This bag seems great at first, and it attaches securely to your bike with quality straps and Velcro. But it is hard to access the bag’s contents once it is installed. It will also rip apart fairly easily.

For these reasons I have decided to quit using the Pedro’s Blowout bags, and if you’re looking for a seatbag that will last more than one summer before ripping, you should look for something else, too.

Official website: www.pedros.com

Buy online: www.JensonUSA.com

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[Click here if you would like to get your product reviewed on CoachLevi.com.]

One of my latest energy bar purchases came from a company called Zoe’s Foods. Looking over the packaging, it sounded like a cool company doing healthy, natural foods.

And seeing they’re based in Needham, MA, a town with some nice road riding opportunities (beside where I went to college,) I was excited to see what they produced.

(The bars are made in Canada, but that’s still pretty close. At least it’s not “made in China” like 90% of everything else I own.)

Ingredients and Nutrition Facts

Here are the ingredients from the Peanut Butter Paradise bar:

ZoeMix (ground flaxseed, rolled oats, roasted soybeans, partially defatted soy flour, isolated soy protein), brown rice syrup, partially defatted peanut flour, barley malt syrup, crisp brown rice (brown rice flour, rice flour), crisped soy nuggets (isolated soy protein, rice flour, malt, salt), glycerin, date paste, chicory syrup, natural flavors, high oleic sunflower oil, soy lecithin, salt, vitamin E (mixed tocopherols – a natural antioxidant).

Overall it looks like a pretty good bar. The rolled oats and ground flaxseed are awesome, and the brown rice syrup is a good choice of sweetener. I especially like the flaxseed content, which provides 1300mg of Omega-3 fatty acids (which is 100% of the Daily Value.)

Each 190 calorie bar is very well-rounded, providing 6g fat, 27g carbs, and 8g protein. Of the 27g of carbohydrates, only 8g are sugar, and 5g are fiber.

The other nice aspect is the ratio of sodium to potassium. With just 70mg sodium and a whole 215mg potassium, this should make up for other areas of your diet that are high in sodium.

Obviously a healthy diet based on whole foods is the optimum choice, but this is a fairly healthy bar for snacking.

Zoe’s Bar Taste Test

Zoe’s bars come in three flavors, which are basically chocolate, peanut butter, and chocolate peanut butter. I really like peanut butter, so I got a box of each flavor that contained the peanuty goodness.

Peanut Butter Paradise - The taste is pretty good, but it’s not very powerful. It took a few bites before I really detected the peanut butter flavor (whereas the SoLo bar is really strong on the peanut butter flavor from the start.) It’s still fairly light, but pleasant.

The texture is an odd mix of soft, chewy energy bar and crunchy rice crisps. So instead of one texture, it’s like a juxtaposition of two opposite textures in one bar.

I guess it’s somewhat similar to crossing a SoLo bar with a peanut butter rice krispie treat, but nowhere near as sweet, and not quite as good as either choice is when separate.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss - If you look at the picture, you can tell exactly what this is. It’s the peanut butter bar, but with a chocolate coating over it!

Normally I don’t care for chocolate coatings, but in this case, it really adds to the flavor. It’s a good, fairly natural chocolate taste. It’s still not a great tasting bar, but the chocolate peanut butter combo is miles better than the bland Peanut Butter Paradise. And since I don’t plan to eat these while riding, the chocolate coating isn’t a big deal.

Zoe’s also makes a plain chocolate flavor, and that could be better than both of these ones I tested, although I don’t feel like going back for another box.

Overall, the taste wasn’t out of this world, but it wasn’t bad. If I were to continue eating these on a regular basis, it would probably be as an easy way to get 1300mg of Omega-3’s. On a solely “taste” basis, I’d probably look elsewhere.

Riding with a Zoe’s Bar

I took a peanut butter bar with me on a recovery ride to see how it panned out…

First, the foil is thin and easy to open. Once open, it rips easily, even if you don’t want it to. No worries though, because the bar is dry, even when warm. Since there’s no chocolate coating to melt all over your hands, you could just take the whole bar out of the wrapper to start with.

The bar didn’t taste any different while riding. It was still pretty bland. It’s fairly easy to eat, though, because it doesn’t take long to chew.

While I didn’t get these bars to eat while riding, now I know they work fine, just in case.

My final verdict is…

These bars don’t taste bad, and they have some healthy ingredients you won’t find in most energy bars (i.e. flaxseed,) but they just don’t have that “wow” factor. The taste is just too bland for me to really like them, so I doubt I would buy them again.

If you plan to try these though, I suggest going for the Chocolate Peanut Butter Bliss, which has a little stronger flavor to it.

Official website: www.zoefoods.com (Peanut Butter bar, Chocolate Peanut Butter bar)

If you thought $10 for a single pair of cycling socks was expensive, check this out - $35 socks! But these aren’t just regular socks. These are warm, waterproof socks from Seal Skinz.

If you’ve done any bike rides in cold weather, you know that keeping your hands and feet warm is very difficult, yet extremely important at the same time.

I was searching the interwebs for winter socks that would still fit in my cycling shoes, and I came across this offering from Seal Skinz. These are waterproof socks that are still breathable, making them seemingly perfect for winter riding and running.

These are constructed with three layers. The outer layer is nylon and spandex (for a good fit and durability,) and the inner layer is a nice Coolmax yarn (which is surprisingly soft and comfy.) The middle layer is where the magic happens though - it’s called “Waterproof MVT,” where MVT stands for Moisture Vapor Transpiration, and it allows perspiration to escape but will not allow water to penetrate.

I’ve been wearing these socks for three years now, and here’s what I think:

SealSkinz Test: Comfort

These socks don’t look like the epitome of comfort, but they have proven to be very comfortable during use.

When I first put the socks on my feet, they seemed a bit tight in general, but especially in the toe area. But that sensation was quickly forgotten once I got moving. The socks are tight, but not constricting.

Normally I would wear these with a pair of liner socks, but even with just these socks, they are very soft against your feet. (The inside layer is a soft white yarn, not neoprene, like the outer layer.) For three to four hours of running, hiking, or mountain biking, these socks kept my feet comfy the whole time.

I have no problems getting them into my sneakers or boots, and they even fit into my cycling shoes, although it’s a snug fit. Just be careful if you have any super tight shoes. These socks might still fit, as they’re thinner than they appear, but you don’t want to get in a situation where you restrict circulation to your feet!

(Or do what I do and have an extra pair of shoes for winter that are one size too big. Then you can fit a few layers of thick socks in there!)

SealSkinz Test: Warmth

If it’s just cold and dry, I can usually get by with just a pair of liner socks and then some thick wool socks. But if it’s wet and/or windy, that setup doesn’t cut it.

When pairing my liner socks with these Seal Skinz, my feet stay warm in cold, wet, and windy weather. On extremely cold days I may put some thin wool socks underneath these for extra warmth.

The bottom line is, when it’s cold and wet (or cold and windy,) I wear the Seal Skinz.

SealSkinz Test: Water Resistance

Seal Skinz claim to be waterproof and they mean it. Just to see for myself, I went out on a warm summer day and waded into a creek, just to cover my ankles. I stood there for a minute or so and there was definitely no water seeping in.

Now I don’t go and stand in a cold river for hours on end, so I don’t know what would happen in that case. But in common situations for a runner or cyclist, such as riding in the rain, running through snow, and/or some stream crossings, I have had zero problems.

Now here’s the real test and what really has me in love with these… Normally, going running or sledding (or ski biking) in the snow, in mesh running shoes, usually leads to soaking wet feet, even with nice thick wool socks. Which of course leads to cold feet.

But I switched to wearing these socks and I can walk through snow for hours; my shoes get water logged and the mesh lets water fill the shoe, but my feet stay warm and dry! It’s really amazing.

SealSkinz Test: Durability

This upcoming winter will be the fourth winter season for this pair of Seal Skinz, and they still look and feel like new.

That’s due in part to a durable, neoprene-like outer layer. It seems pretty tough, and if you’re wearing these with shoes and pants, chances are the sock is protected from harsh conditions.

But I also take good care of these socks. The most important aspect is hand washing them. You want to hand wash and hang dry, and don’t wring them out, just let them drip dry.

Bottom line - I’m getting my money’s worth out of these!

My final verdict is…

I had to have some waterproof socks as part of my cold weather wardrobe, and these Seal Skinz fit the bill perfectly. I would buy them again for sure. I love wearing them with my running and cycling shoes on cold wet days - even with mesh panels on my shoes, my feet stay warm and dry!

Yes, they’re expensive, but if you don’t get them too dirty, you wear liner socks underneath, and you hand wash them, they should last for years. The only reason not to get these is if you don’t encounter rain, water, or wind. In that rare case, just get some quality wool socks, which will still keep you warm for a little less money.

But for the majority of athletes who have to deal with cold temperatures, wet days, and wind chill, I highly recommend Seal Skinz socks.

Official website: sealskinz.com, www.danalco.com

Purchase online: www.Amazon.com, www.REI.com

Here’s another one from Balance Bar. It’s called the BALANCE BARE bar because it contains “real ingredients you can see and taste.”

The packaging proclaims “Low GI - 23 vitamins & minerals - 5g whole grain” so it seems geared towards the general health-conscious individual who is looking for whole grains, vitamins, and minerals, and does not want to spike their blood sugar. (Sidenote: I recently reviewed the SoLo GI bar, a more performance-oriented bar that sits low on the Glycemic Index.)

This particular bar is a sweet and salty peanut butter flavor. I love peanut butter, so this should be good…

From the first bite, I could tell this was going to be a good tasting energy bar. The taste seems to reflect the “sweet and salty” moniker, and I love it! It does taste a little on the artificial side if you compare it to natural peanut butter, but it’s enjoyable, nonetheless.

This bar doesn’t taste bare, though. It looks and tastes much like all the other energy bars with their piles of processed ingredients. (That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it makes me question the “bare” name.)

The texture is kind of like a rice krispie square with some extra nuts thrown in. I guess it’s like the Kashi TLC Crunchy bar, but much softer and more enjoyable to eat.

Also, it looks kind of like a PowerBar Pria or Clif Luna bar, but it’s heavier and dense.

So yeah, the taste and texture are good. Let’s get back to the “bare” issue though.

I guess this might be considered “bare” because some of the ingredients are whole. For example, you can see the whole peanuts, whole grains, kernels, etc.

But this bar is not bare in terms of ingredients! There are still tons of ingredients in there, including caramel color. Anything with extra colorings I can’t consider a “bare” bar. This is nothing like the Lara Bar, which really is bare when it comes to ingredients, having just dates, fruit pieces, and nuts in most bars.

Which leads us into the ingredients and nutrition facts…

The 210 calorie bar contains quite a bit of fat and protein, 9g and 13g, respectively. Three of the nine grams of fat are saturated, which is a little disconcerting, because a serving of natural peanut butter has less saturated fat than that. (2 Tbsp Smucker’s natural peanut butter has 16g fat, but just 2.5g are saturated fat.)

As with most of these higher-protein bars, the carbohydrate count is a little low - just 22g total carbs in this bar. (Energy bars, like the Powerbar Performance bar, contain about 44g carbs for a big energy boost.)

There are numerous vitamins and minerals, at least.

But with all the ingredients, we’re bound to find some that are less than spectacular. For example: high maltose corn syrup, sugar, corn syrup, cream, caramel color.

Like I said, that’s not quite “bare.”

My final verdict is…

The Balance Bare bar has a good taste, and I would be willing to eat these for enjoyment. It makes a good recovery bar for post-ride when you want that sweet and salty taste.

But… It contains quite a few processed ingredients though, so I wouldn’t eat too many. At a price comparable to other energy bars which are healthier, I doubt I’d buy these Balance Bare bars again. (Partly because of the unhealthy ingredients, and partly because Balance tries to make you think the bar doesn’t contain unhealthy ingredients, thanks to the “Bare” name.)

So yeah, it tastes pretty good, but it’s not the healthiest bar out there. I’d go for a SoLo GI bar instead.

Official website: balance.com (Balance Bare)