I purchased my Cannondale Airspeed Maximum Carbon pump from Chain Reaction Cycles Ltd in June 2008 for $44.74 landed.

Initial Impressions | Field Experience

Initial Impressions

The Airspeed has a nice look, being a carbon wrapped allow pump.  It is quite long at 280 mm, but that is what attracted it to me.  Long narrow pumps are meant to be better at getting higher pressure than shorter mini-pumps.  That and that carbon look as I am using it on my Look 555 .  Despite its length the pump weighs only 128 g plus the mounting bracket (18 g).  It should be noted this is a presta valve only pump.

Overall I have found the finish of the pump is good and the handle locks in well. It has a solid feel to it.

Field Experience

January 21, 2009.  I have had my first opportunity to actually use the Cannodale Airspeed in anger for the first time.  The only problem I had with the pump was that my spare tube had a short valve, which gave me little clearance and this pump seems to need to get well on to the valve to work effectively. Once I got a good connection it work a treat, easily getting the pressure up to around 100 psi.  Sure beats my Topeak Pocket MasterBaster, which I will likely replace with another Airspeed if I keep my CRX 1.

I had been considering going to CO2 but having used the Cannondale I might well stick to the pump and save the environment.

Popularity: 6% [?]

Tags: Cannondale
Categories: Bicycle gear reviews
No Comments »

I purchased my Route 7 Leg Warmers, Model R7WALN8LW from Torpdeo7 in July 2008 for $21.99 landed as with my weight loss and riding Froggie, my Look 555, I found I was feeling the cold more. Four degree Celsius starts probably doesn’t help!

The leg warmers are described by Torpedo 7 thus

They feature gripper elastic at the top to keep them in place, and have a smooth stretchy polyester spandex fabric with a brushed back lining to provide warmth. These legs warmers easily fold up to fit into your pocket or backpack as you warm up.

Features include:

• Fabric: 86% polyester and 14% spandex
• Brushed back internal lining for warmth
• Reflective printed Route 7 logo on each leg warmer
• Gripper elastic at top
• 20cm zip opening at hem

Initial Impressions | Field Experience

Initial Impressions

Torpedo 7 provide sizing on their website (lengths only) and do warn that the the sizing is generous [This has now been corrected and more sizing information is provided - September 12, 2008].  It would have been helpful in my view if they provided the thigh and ankle opening sizes as well. It should not be hard to do and they do it for other brands of leg warmers they sell.  I say this as I have found the warmers to be a firm fit around the ankle but not around my thighs.  Maybe a smaller size would have been better.

Field Experience

Update – September 12, 2008:  Torpedo 7 have the 2008 leg warmers on special ($12.99) and since I am sure they will replace my faulty pair and I am overall happy with them, given my riding conditions I have decided to purchase a second pair, albeit a size medium this time which hopefully will fit better.

Update – September 5, 2008: I have been wearing the leg warmers pretty much on all my rides since I received them in July 2008, approximately 43 rides (51 hours). Other than the fit issue which I resolve by wearing firm fitting knicks over the warmers, therefore assisting in hold them up and the threads coming away on one leg I am happy with the warmers.  They are on the light side which works for the mild winter weather here in Perth.

I will be returning my pair of warmers to Torpedo 7 for repair/replacement and will then probably use them again next winter but more likley as a back up to a better fitting pair.

Popularity: 2% [?]

Tags: Bicycle clothing,Leg warmers,Route 7
Categories: Bicycle gear reviews
No Comments »

It is Garfield time again. Spent most of the week off the bike for various reasons, so really happy with the outcome. Could have been worse!

My Garfield statistics for Week 26 of 2008 are:

Weights and Measurements

Today’s Weight (kg): 95.5 kg – Overweight
Movement from last week (+ or – kg): – 1.3 kg (Aggregate – 8.1 kg)
Weight July 2007: 113 kg (- 17.5 kg)*
Target Weight (kg): 81 kg

Waist Measurement: 114.0 cm + 1.0 cm (Aggregate – 12 cm)
WHR: 1.08 (+ 0.01)
BMI Prime: 1.18 (Target range 0.74 – 1.00)

Mileage

Km ridden this week: 19.18 km
2008 Weekly Average: 182 km
2008 Predicated mileage: km (Goal – 10,400)

Hours riding – 2008 = 219 (Corrected) (1 hour for the week)

Cost per Km: $1.57 cash basis (- 0.04)

BikeJournal Rankings

#614 in the World (- 57 places in the rankings)
#32 in Australia ( No movement in the rankings)
#12 in the Club ( + 1 place in the rankings)

* I started riding in July 2007

Popularity: 1% [?]

Tags: Weight Loss
Categories: Bicycling
No Comments »