RolFlex Pre- Post Ride Massage Roller
RolFlex Massage Roller I have re-started this article several times. Each time I stopped was due to discovering yet another exercise and a whole new way of using this very versatile trigger point (TrP) release tool. WHAT IS A TRIGGER POINT (TrP)? According to triggerpointrelief.com, “the research is still underway,” but, what is known is that when pressed on, a trigger point feels like a “knot” with some amount of pain. I have included several references at the end of this article for those interested in researching this topic further. For all intents and purposes, let’s refer to a trigger point as a ‘muscle knot’. Quoting Tptherapy.com as well as including their diagram of trigger points (click for larger photo ->), “The inside of the body is covered with soft tissue called fascia. This tissue covers every structure including organs, muscles, nerves and blood vessels. The fascia that covers your muscles is call myofascia. When the myofascia is stressed from overuse or trauma, it can tear and adhere together. These adhesions are called “trigger points” and can prevent the...
Read More
BRYTON RIDER 530 – GPS Head Unit & Cycling Computer...
Introducing the BRYTON RIDER 530 In January 2016, I reviewed the latest GPS head units available. Link to Part I Review here, link to Part II Review here. In the above-mentioned reviews, the Bryton Rider 310 came out on top, the best bang for the buck, numero uno. Since that review was posted, several manufacturers have introduced new models. Among the most exciting is the Bryton Rider 530. Bryton’s’ latest, the Rider 530 is basically the big brother of the 310. The Rider 530 does everything that the 310 does, only better, including one of my favorite new features, a huge 1-1/2” x 2-1/4” screen. The Rider 530 also includes two new functions that the 310 does not, navigation and tracks. The 530 includes 7 fully customizable screens with a maximum of 12 data fields per page. That’s a total of 84 data fields that can be displayed on the 530. Since the 530 has about 84 different data fields, each data field on the 7 different screens can be unique! BRYTON APP...
Read More
BARFLY 4 – Handlebar Head Unit Mount System
If I could rate this an 11/10, I would. This system is slick! It’s complete and it’s that good! Believe me, this is the last handlebar mount you will ever need! Mounting the Barfly is as easy as 1-2-3. Mount the Barfly onto your handlebars, center appropriately. Select your specific head unit mount – choose from Garmin, Polar, Wahoo, Mio/Magellan, Cateye, Powertap or Bryton. Lezyne coming shortly. Select accessory mount(s) – choose based on your needs. Accessory mounts include Di2/EPS front junction box, D-fly/EWW01, any device with a GoPro style mount and there’s even an accessory mount for a flashlight, etc. I contacted Barfly after I saw their ad in BRAIN (Bicycle Retailer and Industry News). What intrigued me was that someone had really put a lot of thought into this product. I saw what appeared to be several ‘snap-in’ mounts and accessory mounts that would allow this work with any head unit, and, ever since I moved my D-fly from the seat stay to the front of the bike, I have been looking for a clean, totally integrated...
Read More
TaggioPro Pump Head
TaggioPro PUMP HEAD – SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED The Taggio Pro Pump Head comes in a single-pack, 3-pack, 5-pack or 10-pack. Also included are a hose clamp and instruction sheet. The other items that you will need; Your favorite Pump. Scissors or wire cutters (if you cannot remove the original pump head). Alternatively you can purchase an air hose to mount the TaggioPro pump head onto. Pliers to expand the hose clamp for installation Disconnect the original pump head by first disconnecting any locking screw then, you can either cut the hose or just as easy, wiggle the pump head back and forth while pulling on the hose. The original pump head will usually separate from its hose in no more than 30 seconds. Lastly, slide the supplied hose clamp onto the hose then slide the male end of the TaggioPro onto the end of the hose. Using your own supplied pliers, attach the provided hose clamp to the end of the hose and that’s all there is to the assembly. HOW TO USE I setup and used the TaggioPro pump head for both...
Read More
LONG TERM TEST – ICEBUG CYCLING INSOLES
ICEBUG CYCLING INSOLES – LONG TERM TEST REPORT ICEBUG CYCLING INSOLES – SLIM Last year, we here at Bike Test Reviews performed a comprehensive insole test rating all cycling specific insoles currently on the market. When the test was complete, one clear winner emerged – the ICEBUG SLIM insoles for Cycling. The test can be viewed by clicking here, (PART I; PART 2). So for this Long Term Test Report, I will cover 2 aspects How do these insoles feel and do they really work? How are they holding up to daily use in the rain and the sun? Before getting too far ahead, let me say that I’ve continued to learn more and more about insoles, specifically cycling insoles, and I truly believe that ICEBUG insoles provide the best bang for the buck. What About Custom Insoles? During the custom molding process, the fitter relies on either a ‘pillow’ to help mold the heated insole to the cyclists’ foot, or uses a crushable foam that the cyclist steps into making a 3D impression...
Read More
How Can I Get Better At HILLS?
The most common question that I get is “how can I get better at doing hills?” The answer to this is in 3 parts; 1) Change your gearing CASSETTE: Probably the easiest of the ‘big-3’ to implement, especially with Shimano’s new 68xx and 90xx derailleurs that can handle larger cassette gears right out of the box. For larger gearing, the CS-6800 offers several viable options, 11-28T, 14-28T and 11-32T. Since the CS-9000 includes several sprockets made from titanium, it is considered a racing cassette, therefore, it has fewer options. 11-28T and 12-28T are its largest offerings. I recommend the Ultegra CS-6800 as the best price/performance. 11-28T: 11-12-13-14-15-17-19-21-23-25-28 (my configuration) PROs: Gives a good spread in gearing. 11T for go fast and 28T for climbing CONs: From 15 to 25, there is a 2 gear jump and from 25 to 28 there is a 3 gear jump. 14-28T: 14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21-23-25-28 PROs: Also known as junior gearing which makes it USAC legal for juniors who run a 52 front chainring. Gives the tightest group of gearing. CONs: From 21 to 25...
Read More
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN YOUR NEW CYCLING CLOTHING : THINK UPF...
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN NEW CYCLING CLOTHING : THINK UPF Now that summer is almost here, it’s time to cover up. When in the sun, you want to cover yourself up completely from head-to-toe to protect against the harmful ultraviolet – UV rays. For the cyclist, you will want to cover and protect; Your eyes with a good pair of quality sunglasses that block out 99-100% of both UVA and UVB light Top of your head, face, neck, lips, arms, legs with a good quality sunscreen Click here to see Sunscreen Article Everything else not covered by above. This means to cover up with UV-blocking clothing, bibs, jerseys, sun sleeves, etc. Remember that your clothing covers everything else that sunscreen doesn’t. Certain clothing manufacturers are now making cycling clothing with UV blocking technology. CLOTHING AND UPF Ultraviolet Protection Factor, or UPF, indicates what percentage or fraction of UV rays can penetrate the fabric. Here’s some examples; UPF boils down to several things How tight the weave is of your clothing. The tighter the weave of the fabric, the...
Read Moresupported by:
supported by:
supported by:
supported by:
supported by:
