Pinkbike Product Picks
Dakine Oakridge flannel shirt
Dakine pays tribute to their Pacific Northwest roots with the Oakridge flannel shirt, a new addition to their bike wear line. Constructed from 100% polyester, the Oakridge flannel can be used as a riding shirt or for casual wear. The woven polyester construction lets the shirt dry more quickly than a typical cotton button up, yet it still has the soft feel usually associated with a non-synthetic fabric. Available in sizes S-XXL. MSRP: $75 USD. www.dakine.com
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Pinkbike's take:
Spank Spike 777 EVO handlebar
Spank makes a wide range of mountain bike products, with each line categorized based on the products' intended usage. The Spike line of products includes handlebars, pedals, stems, rims, and even a wheelset, that are intended for freeride or downhill usage. Spank's Spike 777 EVO handlebar is made using what the company calls “Dual Extreme Gradual Taper with Impact Ends.” This means the handlebar has been reinforced with additional material where it is most needed, like the ends of the bar, which normally receive the brunt of any crash-induced impacts. The Spank Spike 777 EVO handlebar is available in a myriad of color and rise options. 5, 15, 30, and 50mm of rise are available to go along with the bar's 4° upsweep and 8° backsweep. Color choices include white, black, red, blue and chrome. As the name indicates, the Spike 777 EVO is 777mm long, with markings on the bar should you decide to cut them down. For a behind-the-scenes look at how the Spike EVO is made, take a look at Aaron Larocque's short film. MSRP: $75.50 USD. www.spank-ind.com.
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Pinkbike's take:
Race Face Canuck jersey
The Race Face Canuck short-sleeve jersey is made with 51% Repreve polyester (a fabric made from recycled plastic bottles), 38% CoolDry polyester, and 11% Spandex. The upper back and underarm panels are a stretchy, breathable mesh, to allow for maximum ventilation. There is a credit card sized zippered pocket on the lower right side that is backed with a soft fabric suitable for wiping goggles or glasses. Available in red or black in sizes S-XXL. MSRP: $59.99. www.raceface.com
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Pinkbike's take:
Dakine pays tribute to their Pacific Northwest roots with the Oakridge flannel shirt, a new addition to their bike wear line. Constructed from 100% polyester, the Oakridge flannel can be used as a riding shirt or for casual wear. The woven polyester construction lets the shirt dry more quickly than a typical cotton button up, yet it still has the soft feel usually associated with a non-synthetic fabric. Available in sizes S-XXL. MSRP: $75 USD. www.dakine.com
The Oakridge flannel is Dakine's take on a Pacific Northwest staple.
Pinkbike's take:
 | For many residents of the Pacific Northwest the flannel shirt is considered a wardrobe mainstay. While Nirvana may be no more, and Pearl Jam's radio prominence has turned to static, the grunge look hasn't faded. There's something comforting about wearing a flannel shirt, and Dakine's Oakridge flannel is no exception. The texture of the fabric is supple enough that we wore this shirt as a casual piece a few times before ever realizing it was made from polyester, not cotton. We took the Oakridge flannel on a number of winter rides where the temperature hovered around freezing, and came away impressed with how warm of a layer it was. Depending on the temperature, riders may find themselves overheating during sustained high-intensity efforts (like grinding up a long climb) - it doesn't breathe as well as a better ventilated, more technical jersey would. Plus, there's no way to regulate temperature except the old-fashioned way - roll up the sleeves, or unbutton a few buttons. For these reasons the Oakridge flannel wouldn't be our first choice for a long XC ride, but that's not its intended use. The cut of the Oakridge is generous - even at 5'11" the size medium was on the long side. This shirt would make an excellent layer for fall days in the bike park, evening shuttle laps, or for tossing in your pack to use on the downhill portion of a ride. Comfortable, warm, and simple, just like a good flannel should be. - Mike Kazimer |
Spank Spike 777 EVO handlebar
Spank makes a wide range of mountain bike products, with each line categorized based on the products' intended usage. The Spike line of products includes handlebars, pedals, stems, rims, and even a wheelset, that are intended for freeride or downhill usage. Spank's Spike 777 EVO handlebar is made using what the company calls “Dual Extreme Gradual Taper with Impact Ends.” This means the handlebar has been reinforced with additional material where it is most needed, like the ends of the bar, which normally receive the brunt of any crash-induced impacts. The Spank Spike 777 EVO handlebar is available in a myriad of color and rise options. 5, 15, 30, and 50mm of rise are available to go along with the bar's 4° upsweep and 8° backsweep. Color choices include white, black, red, blue and chrome. As the name indicates, the Spike 777 EVO is 777mm long, with markings on the bar should you decide to cut them down. For a behind-the-scenes look at how the Spike EVO is made, take a look at Aaron Larocque's short film. MSRP: $75.50 USD. www.spank-ind.com.
With five different colors and four available rise options, there's a version of the Spank Spike 777 EVO bar to fit nearly every rider's tastes.
Pinkbike's take:
| As with any component that affects the feel of a bike, handlebars are a matter of personal preference. What works for one rider may not work for another, often due to physical differences. That being said, there is a reason mountain bike handlebars have gotten wider over the last few years - it's not just a passing fad. Wide bars give the rider more control, particularly over rough terrain. Still skeptical? Try this: Imagine pushing a lawnmower over a bumpy lawn with your hands only a few inches apart. Now imagine the same scenario, but with your hands shoulder width apart. The same principle can be applied to mountain biking, although mountain biking is infinitely more enjoyable than mowing a lawn. The wider position gives the rider more steering leverage, which translates to more control over the bike. Sure, smaller riders may still need to trim wide bars down, but that's why Spank includes handy guide lines on the Spike 777 EVO to facilitate this. We found the 777mm width to be our preferred width - no trimming necessary. The 777 EVO mainly saw action aboard a downhill rig, banging out laps in the bike park, and then on rowdy, non-lift assisted terrain once winter arrived. Luckily, there were no major crashes that would have fully tested the bar's Impact Ends, but we did find the Spike 777 EVO to be plenty stiff, with no noticeable flexing, even on rock strewn, blown out trails. As an added bonus, these bars are also light enough that we wouldn't hesitate to use them on an all-mountain or trail bike. - Mike Kazimer |
Race Face Canuck jersey
The Race Face Canuck short-sleeve jersey is made with 51% Repreve polyester (a fabric made from recycled plastic bottles), 38% CoolDry polyester, and 11% Spandex. The upper back and underarm panels are a stretchy, breathable mesh, to allow for maximum ventilation. There is a credit card sized zippered pocket on the lower right side that is backed with a soft fabric suitable for wiping goggles or glasses. Available in red or black in sizes S-XXL. MSRP: $59.99. www.raceface.com
Airy and comfortable, the Canuck jersey is a good choice for when the temperatures climb.
Pinkbike's take:
| The Canuck jersey can be worn alone on hot summer rides, or as a base layer when the temperatures drop. It breathes exceptionally well due to the mesh venting - we found it to be noticeably cooler than other non-vented jerseys we've worn. The fact that there are no zippers on the back of this jersey means it remains comfortable even when wearing a hydration pack. Plus, the back of the jersey is slightly lower than the front, which helps prevent it from riding up and offering those behind you an unwanted view. Riders used to wearing baggy DH jerseys will find the cut of the Canuck jersey to be on the slim side - this jersey is designed more for riders who earn their turns by pedalling. Riders seeking a simple jersey that will keep them cool and dry without looking like a roadie will find that the Canuck jersey does the trick. - Mike Kazimer |
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Member since Feb 1, 2009
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$75 for a flannel shirt seems outrageous. Same thing for a $60 jersey that will probably eventually get ripped on a tree or something...
BOOM $45 flannel shirt made from polyester! Google shopping is your friend!
And it's not like the north face is a no name brand either.
The 777 bars are a good pick, I love mine.
(Also, if you REALLY need a flanel shirt? Hit up your local thrift store. TONS of them there, various colours, $5-7 each. Just wash and wear. They're going to get wrecked anyway!)
www.pinkbike.com/photo/8640765
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