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I've been riding in De Marchi Contour Plus bib shorts for a few years, but my current set is getting worn out, so was time to get some new ones. I started out by just ordering one new pair of De Marchi's super high end "Contour EVO" shorts. But, they were too tight on my jewels (they were the same size as prior pairs I had, and I've lost 20 lbs, so this is odd), so I checked with friends and some said try Hincapie's. Got some Hincapie HC-12's. Better, but a bit tight too. Next was a pair of Specialized BG Pro SL's, and we had a winner! More specific notes...

• The De Marchis definitely have the best chamois, but these shorts were really tight on my jewels - too tight for me to wear them comfortably. Maybe I need the XXL? That seems a bit crazy given that I wear size 34 pants/shorts these days, and if I recall correctly, the XL's (which is what I have) are 35-37. Leg grippers on these rock, best of any shorts I've ever used - minimal, but effective. Bascially, if these shorts didn't bind my nuts, they'd win.
• Hincapies: good, and I'll be able to wear these, but they're a bit tight too, wearable, but probably won't be the first I reach for. Chamois is also elastic like the De Marchi's, but I don't think as good (shape didn't feel as nice, etc.).
• Specializeds: fit is outstanding. Chamois isn't "elastic", but seems pretty nice. These are SUPER light! The material seems thinner and lighter, they breath really well, and the bib part is not at all tight, which is really nice. My only gripe so far, is that the front part of the bib portion comes up a bit high, and you feel it/notice it when riding. Hopefully I'll just get used to that, but so far I love these shorts.
None of these are cheap. The Hincapie's and Specializeds were the same price, with the De Marchi's being about $35 more. Anyone want a pair of De Marchi's for a nice price? Also I recently tried out DZ Nuts chamois cream (see prior coverage). That'd be no. Ok, maybe it's good in the winter, but basically, it made my rear end warmer, not cooler! Assos on the other hand does a nice job of keeping things cool, and maybe I'm just used to it, but I like it a lot. DZ you feel less, but it feels hot. Also, the stuff is more expensive and actually seems like you have to use a lot more to cover the same area. DZ Nuts: $23/4oz, Assos: $20/4.7oz (and I'd guess you'd need at least 6oz of DZ to cover the same, if not even more).

I was really excited when I saw Camelbak was coming out with cycling water bottles - a new bottle called the "Podium". As soon as I found them at my local shop, I snatched up two of them, and started using them on road bike rides. And that's when the disappointment set in. I am a HUGE Camelbak fan, I think their bladders, bite valves, and packs are head and shoulders above the rest, and I've tried a fair number of others. I also love their "Better Bottle" which I use pretty much every day, plus these rock for traveling. But, the Podium has been nothing but a disappointment. The flow on them is terrible. The bottles themselves are pretty stiff/hard, so they are much harder to squeeze and make your drink come out quickly, as compared to regular cycling water bottles (or specifically as compared to Specializeds current bottles). Also, the bite valve thing is different than the usual Camelbak, and for me just doesn't work as well. The simple fact is you just can't get water out of these as fast and effectively as a regular cycling water bottle, and well, that makes it inferior. I've tried the bottles several times, thinking I had something wrong, or maybe it would break in with use or what not, but no. So, they've been sidelined. The one good thing I have to say is that the locking mechanism is great, and truly keeps fluid from leaking out, unliked regular bottles that, even with the spout closed still seem to be able to leak a bit. Maybe I will try Camelbak's "Performance Bottle", which looks sort of like a combo between the Podium and Better bottles - having the regular Camelbak bit valve, but in what looks like it might be a compatible shape for a water bottle cage.

I recently just about ran out of "energy drink" stuff, as well as bars and gels. I've recently been using Camelbak's Elixer and really liking it. I spent this past winter trying out various things (about a 8 products in all), and Elixer was the overall winner. I've known about Nuun as well, so now that I was about to go buy more stuff, I took a look at both, and asked friends if they'd tried them. Nobody had tried both, and I think nobody had even tried any of the tablet (Camelbak or Nuun) kinds. First, I will note right off, both the Camelbak and Nuun products are electrolyte only drink tablets, as compared to say Powerbar Energy, which has carbs as well (and is my general favorite of the carb drink powders). But, one of the things that came up in discussion was cost. Apparently some backpacking magazine said the Nuun stuff was expensive. Well, I checked, and in fact, it is FAR cheaper than any of the others! Here's what I found and wrote back to friends:

I was just over at REI, and picked up both some more Camelbak Elixer, plus some Nuun. I got both the original lemon/lime Elixer, plus the new orange one, and then a citrus Nuun. But, the reviewer is way off on price aspect, unless you use a sort of more complex comparison. For example:

• Powerbar energy drink, at Colorado Cyclist's sale price of $18/25 (16 oz per) servings => $0.72/serving
• Nuun tube of 12 tablets, 16 oz serving per tablet, at $5.20/tube => $0.43/serving
• Camelbak tube of 12 tablets, at $8/tube => $0.66/serving

Now, technically, Camelbak says 24oz serving per tablet, which is perfect, because that's how I do it: one tablet per large water bottle (and that seems to work well for 4 tabs per 100oz bladder), so that changes things to add 50% more cost, if you want to be fair, to the others, making it per serving costs of:

• Powerbar drink: $1.08
• Nuun: $0.65
• Camelbak: $0.66

The reason I said above that a more complex comparison would be, that the Camelbak and Nuun ones are basically just electrolytes, no carbs, whereas the Powerbar/Gatorade/etc have carbs. Interestingly, I used to never touch solid food on rides, even pretty big rides in the 4+ hour range (once they got say 6 hour ish, then we'd be carrying lunch). But these days, I've found that I really do much better on taking on "food" of some sort. "real" foods, like PB&J sandwich work great, but for speed, the Clif Mojo bars are my hands down favorites. Not too sweet, but great mix of carb and protein and they taste fucking awesome (yes, fucking awesome). I use gels too, but the Mojos just really create a great mix I think when combined with these electrolyte drinks.

So, granted, this comparison has nothing to do with effectiveness, but I've found that the Elixer has worked really well for me.

Pearl Izumi makes a pair of winter cycling tights with their Amfib fabric. I've had a pair of the bib tights for a couple years now, and they are finally showing some wear/damage. I plan to buy another pair, as the short story on these is that they are simply the best winter bib (they make a non-bib version as well) tights I've come across. So, what's so great about them? Well, it really boils down to the Amfib. In this application, they are very warm, and I won't say waterproof, but as far as you can tell, they're waterproof and wind proof. I have never needed more tight, or additional layers while wearing these, which includes riding in temps in the 20's, while it was snowing. I've also spent countless days in the rain with these tights. I use them both on the road and off. In terms of warmth, they can be quite warm, as they have a Thermafleece lining to them. I use them if the temps are in the 50's or lower on the road bike, and on the mountain bike, it needs to be a bit lower, maybe low-50's and below, otherwise they may be too warm. When the temps really drop, say into the lower 40's or lower, I tend to also use embrocation in conjunction, but again, I've yet to feel cold in these in any conditions I've ridden in. Fit wise, they are excellent for me. Comfortable, perfect fit, with no excess material or bunching anywhere. Plus, the front portion (and the back) of the bib/torso area have much more coverage/come up higher than your typical pair of bib shorts/tights. I've found this to be a very welcome edition when the conditions are crappy. They also have ankle zips for easy on/off. As compared to other tights, these are my goto tights anytime the conditions are wet, or particularly cold. In warmer, and dry conditions, I may just wear a standard pair of De Marchi bib tights, or wool tights, etc. but nothing beats the Pearli's in foul conditions. Furthermore, this has been backed up by several riding friends who also have the Amfib tights. Everyone has agreed, hands down, and explicitly raved about them. Usually nobody really says much unprompted, but I've had 3 people tell me how great the Amfib tights are.