By Coach Fred Matheny HOT! Elegant brakes with carbon’s sheen Work as well as Shimano’s best Easy installation and adjustment Reasonable price NOT! No performance advantage www.sampsonsports.com Price: $189 Source: Sampson website Features: dual pivot; aluminum spine with carbon wrap; steel posts Weight: front 159 grams; rear 151 grams How obtained: sample from company RBR…
By Jim Langley HOT! Sturdy and stable Can’t damage your bike Sets up and folds down in a blink Built to last NOT! A bit hefty for portability at 20 pounds Bottom bracket vinyl covers can loosen www.parktool.com Price: $230 Source: bike shops, mailorder catalogs Weight: 20 pounds How obtained: sample from company…
By Jim Langley HOT! Lightweight Excellent pedal power and comfort Super-smooth cleat float Sleek injected-carbon construction NOT! Plastic cleats wear quickly Low-quality cleat bolts www.look-keo.com Price: $220 Source: bike shops, catalogs Weight: 335 grams/pr., including cleats & bolts, for steel axle version How obtained: sample from company RBR advertiser: no Tested: 2,300 miles…
By Coach Fred Matheny HOT! Light! Custom sizing and details The feel of steel Sweet handling NOT! Limited availability Crashworthy? www.edgecycles.com Price: $1,499 for frame w/o fork Source: website; Over the Edge Sports in Fruita, Colorado Sizes: custom How obtained: sample from company RBR advertiser: no Tested: 20 hours Steel is real, the purists intone….
By Ed Pavelka HOT! Best damn chain lube we’ve used, period NOT! Smell seems strong to some users www.progoldmfr.com https://amzn.to/2uAQbku Price: $7.50 for 4-oz. bottle Source: website, catalogs, bike shops How obtained: cold cash RBR advertiser: no Tested: 10,000+ miles It seems a little silly to wax poetic about a chain lube, but…
