Specialized RBX ADV – Where Distance is more than just Mileage In early March, the opportunity crossed my path to test and review the Specialized RBX Adventure (RBX ADV) apparel. The timing was perfect as I was deep into planning a western MN gravel adventure with distances ranging from 60-130 miles of gravel roads, small-town […]
Showers Pass Refuge Collection The COVID-19 lockdown continues in Wisconsin, but fortunately, our Governor sees the wisdom in getting outside, so with a lot of time and no-where-to-go I’ve been able to stack up some miles. Yet day to day operations without a firm schedule brings some challenges, and I’m challenged daily by many things. […]
Many of us are feeling trapped amidst growing restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Whether you’re under a complete Stay-At-Home Directive, or a simply observing sensible social distance guidelines, this whole experience is pushing our capacity to stay positive. Under normal circumstances this time of year I seek inspiration from the Spring classics like Strada-Bianche, […]
This was meant to be a long term review of a pair of Icebreakers 200 weight long sleeve crewnecks and has somehow come out as somewhat of an ode to the merino wool base layer. What we gauchos and gnome hunters call the sheep. Merino wool base layers are the unsung hero of every cool […]
Kora Yak Wool Azog Jersey and Holocene Vest Review
FBc Apparel Editor Greg Gentle reviews the 45NRTH Naughtvind Jacket, Pants and Bibs!
It’s a good old-fashioned ride flannel shootout!
Our amigos from Bontrager (Sam & Alex) are grizzled veterans in the winter cyclist’s war with wind and weather. It has to have been three or four years ago Bontrager launched their Old Man Winter (OMW) line of cold weather cycling gear. This winter, I’ll be putting both the OMW Pants and Jacket through a […]
Sometimes something unexpected comes into your life that helps you rethink something. For example, Nestle Quick replaced Bosco in my childhood home transforming chocolate milk forever. And now, I have this shirt jacket from SWRVE that is helping me believe a company from Los Angeles can make something for winter that makes sense. I know, […]
The 2019 Fat-Bike Holiday Gift Guide
The kind folks at Stio shared a few products for us to preview for our “What to Wear” series here at Fat-Bike.com. To be clear, there is no series called, “What to Wear”, but I might have to fix that. The Stio brand is better known west of the Rockies for their mountain forward style […]
During the final days of October, a box of joy landed on my doorstep full of cold weather riding gear from the kind and generous folks at Trek/Bontrager. Earlier in the month I received a message from Gomez with a contact name in the Apparel Division at Bontrager. Nick Anger from their marketing team […]
Summer’s door has officially slammed shut and autumn is upon us. This is my absolute favorite time of year to ride. There’s nothing like coasting through the woods or smashing some backcountry gravel miles with that crisp air and spectacular tree colors surrounding you. What better time to offer up a few fall clothing options […]
Next month I’m racing my bike across Michigan’s U.P. from Copper Harbor to Marquette on “enhanced” gravel roads. It’s a 230-mile death march across the Keweenaw Peninsula and will require some special gear. In fact, there’s a required gear list that includes a jacket or vest. My NBFs at Kitsbow recently sent me a Wind […]
The Chamonix Collection Cyling Gear is well-constructed and top notch. With snow-filled winters, that range from sub-zero temps to days where the sun shines, at a mild 30 degrees, here in Teton Valley, I tested the Seeley 3L Jacket and Esker Bibs in a variety of winter conditions. The product specifications for both these products can […]
This winter I have been testing the Mission Workshop Advanced Projects: Seamless Base Layers. The product specifications for this one of a kind base layer can be found in here on fat-bike.com. I am 6′ 3″ and very slim. I ordered a size large for both the shirt and bottoms for the Seamless Base Layers. […]
The Chamonix Collection is based out of St. Paul, Minnesota. It is described as, “A collection of affordable performance apparel and gear inspired by the vibrancy and personality of Chamonix, France.” They specialize in snowboards, snowboard apparel, and winter cycling apparel. I recently received two pieces of Chamonix Collection winter cycling-specific apparel. The first […]
Over the past couple of months, before the snow arrived, I had the opportunity to test the new 45nrth Ragnarok Boots and Torvald Jacket. These items are part of 45nrth’s transition season gear. I tested both pieces in various conditions from colder days around 25 degrees Fahrenheit to the rare warm fall day that […]
Mission Workshop Advanced Project: Seamless Base Layers (MWAP/SBL) [em-wap’-say-bul] are truly one of a kind, with their technological and futuristic appearance, paired with high-performance specifications. I had never heard of this San Francisco based bag and apparel manufacturer previous to when I was asked to test the MWAP/SBL. Mission Workshop is a company that strives to […]
The seasons are changing, and 45nrth, recently released their new transition season gear. Included in this new transition gear are the Rangarok Reflective boots and Torvald Jacket. The Ragnarok Reflective Boots: The Ragnarok Reflective Boots are designed to endure the cool and wet weather, that comes with the seasons shifting into fall. These water-resistant, moisture […]
Winter riding just got a little sweeter while dressed in Qloom’s Cayley Pant and Jacket. It’s as if someone who really knew their shiznitz from cycling, sailing and skiing and put it all together in one product line… oh wait they did ! Success ! Its sealed nice and sweet so the elements stay […]
Just in time for the holidays Minneapolis company Twin-Six is having a sale TODAY, Wednesday 11/23 on all of their gear with the idea that if you shop today you can ride your bike on Friday and escape the madness (and lines, and grandmas fist-fighting in the big-box stores)…doesn’t that sound nice? I would highly suggest […]
Greetings fellow Fat-Bikers, I hope you have been enjoying the summer heat. In Minneapolis it’s been a fun combination of suffocating heat and glorious light shows brought to us by some pretty crazy summer thunderstorms. What better time to test out a rain jacket, right? Seeing as it’s summer and whatnot, having a jacket that doesn’t […]
We’re back with another thrilling episode of Gnome-Proof Gear. I’m your host, Gomez Alejandro Santana de Lago, and on this episode of GPG, thee Spinner Ryerson shares a hydration system for our amigos, of the four legged variety, His Honor, the Mayor of GnomeFest 13, Steve Meurett, nominates the Ibex Shaq for GPG status and […]
We launched our Gnome-Proof Gear series last month and this particular edition is a compilation from our Bike Black Ribbon Test Pilots of the female persuasion. The Gnome-Proof Seal of Approval is awarded to gear that our product testers, have found to be the ‘Best of the Best’ in field tested, fat-bike accessories. Triple Aught Designs […]
This is the fourth in our Gnome-Proof Gear series of articles, that share our Bike Black Ribbon Test Pilot’s choices for the ‘best of the best’ in field tested fat-bike accessories. Check it out! Geigerrig 3L Hydration Engine ($97, as pictured) by Ian Nycloud About 2 years ago, while spec’-ing out my first bikepacking rig, […]
Hi Fat-bike.com readers! I’m bringing to you a sneak pre-view at Shebeest’s spring line up of women’s cycling wear. Shebeest is unique in that they only make women’s cycling gear and are dedicated to creating quality, proper fitting gear for the female athlete. Fellow women riders you know the frustration of finding women specific […]
This is the first installment of Gnome-Proof Gear (GPG). GPG will feature gear that any/all of our testing staff have used and abused and came out shining. The products that we’ll feature will earn the GPG – seal of approval, which means that they’ve gone through a full season of rides, campouts, bonfires, and adventures. Some of […]
Howdy good Fat Bike friends, hope you’re all staying dry and getting rad. It’s been pretty wet and muggy here in Minneapolis so what better time than to get testing some new outerwear? I had the extreme pleasure of reaching out to the folks at Search and State recently and they sent me one […]
Fat-bike.com readers and riders…I’m on a mission from Bontrager this month. Gomez has handed me the motherlode of winter gear for testing, and I have been putting it through the ringer to find the cream of the Fat-bike crop for you. First up we have the all important base layers. The Bontrager B2 Short […]
A while back our friends at Club Ride sent us some gear to check out and here’s what we learned since our first look! I spent a lot of the end of my summer in the Joy Ride Knickers they sent me, and were actually my go-to shortpant after ‘cross races. Paired with tall socks they were […]
When I ran into Kitsbow‘s nomadic Sales Manager Adam in their souped up Sprinter van at a local race, I knew these folks were the real deal. The guy made some time to kick back, have a beer, and heckle with the regulars on the hill and we got to chatting about the brand’s philosophies and the products […]
Editor’s Note : Winnebago County Super Model and Bike Black Ribbon Test Pilot Scott Peterson will be testing an array of technical cycling garments from our amigos at Bontrager. This is his introduction to the new Bontrager cycling wardrobe that he’ll be sporting through the worst El Niño since ’97, according to my facebook friends and […]
From my years in the industry and even longer before that, a name I’ve heard that has always been synonymous with cycling apparel was Pearl Izumi. I’m always impressed with a brand that manages to stay relevant in such a dynamic field as cycling, and for over 50 years Pearl has been giving us all kind of […]
A while back I assigned Buddy Ted the task of riding his bike withe some Canari gear. I’m glad to say he’s getting a gold star for putting his butt on the line (heh) and getting us a great review. Here’s what he had to say: “Canari Lombard Knickers: Some call them knickers, man-Pri’s, shants, […]
Yeehaw! Club Ride is a brand I was first introduced to when I rolled into the famed One on One Bike Shop a few years ago. I walked in to order my coffee and while I waited for my drink and snack I decided to peruse their apparel. I immediately fell in love with the […]
I repeat, THE CANARI HAS LANDED! I’m pretty excited for us to be testing gear for a brand whose motto is “Go Ride, Have Fun, Look Good,” which is a goal I can accomplish the first 67% of no problem. Seeing what arrived just out of the box, I think they’ll definitely be able to help with […]
Hey! I’m your new apparel editor Natalia “Giant Mendez,” and I’m super stoked to be bringing you products, info, and news on all things clothing related! I’m based in Minneapolis and there’s no shortage of year round trails, bike paths, and races to really test these products for you folks. Check out the video for some back […]
Our amigo Eric from Revelate Designs has just introduced their first foray into cycling apparel. This is something that Eric has developed and tested for his own personal use. He likes his Powerline Hoodie, so much, he partnered with a clothing manufacturer and is offering them for sale in Revelate’s online store. Eric shared a […]
It’s Small Business Saturday and we’ve got something that will make a cool gift for the fat-biker in your life! Check out our new Snow Yeti t-shirt designed by our amigo Chris Daisy from Zion Cyclery! The shirt comes with either long or short sleeves in a Snow White or Storm Gray -pre-shrunk 100% combed ringspun cotton T-shirt (with removable […]
We met our new amigos from BELCH Gear up at the US Fat-Bike Nationals up in Cable Wisconsin last March. They had just launched their Bikes and Beer inspired cycling apparel company. I’m always on the look-out for cool stuff to share with our readers, so we vowed to get back in touch, when Belch launched their new […]
WoolX contacted us out of the blue asking if we’d like to give one of their WoolX Merino Wool ¼ Zip Base Layers, dubbed the model X505, a try. WoolX is a new company offering Australian Merino Wool base layers and underwear. While the company is new, it is backed by Hank’s Clothing, a 64-year […]
Editor’s Note – The cats at Zoic clothing showed us their 2013 line of MTB clothing and since their home office is just a short bike ride away from BBR Test Pilot Cale’s house, we asked him to ride over and pick up a set of clothes to test. I just got the clothes a […]
I am totally in love with my Smartwool base layers. Most specifically, the Smartwool Microweight Long Sleeve Crew. This is my go-to shirt for almost any ride and is comfortable for me in weather from 45 degrees to about 70 degrees just as it is. I typically use a lightweight, short sleeve shirt underneath to […]
