Check Out: Mons Royale's SS 23 Apparel, A Tiny Torque Wrench & Key Lime Pie Protein Powder

May 29, 2023
by Christie Fitzpatrick  

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CHECK OUT


A lot of gear comes across our desks here at Pinkbike. Check Out is an occasional round up of everything our tech editors have gotten their hands on. Sometimes it's products we're doing long-term tests on, other times it's stuff we're stoked on but don't have time to fully review. And, sometimes it's crazy shit someone sent us unsolicited and we're having a laugh.



Mon's SS23 Women's Collection: Camo Is Back This Bike Season

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VIRAGE PANTS: The ultimate lightweight and durable trail rippers now come in Undercover Camo


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Left: REDWOOD MERINO AIR-CON VT Right: ICON MERINO AIR-CON RELAXED TEE

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TARN MERINO SHIFT WIND JERSEY: A lightweight windbreaker designed to offer protection from the cold on high output rides. The ultimate bike jersey for all temperatures.

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Features
• Breathable merino mesh panels
• Mons Royale's Merino Shift fabric is 140gsm. 52% Merino Wool, 35% Recycled Polyester and 13% Nylon
• Hidden sunglasses wipes
• Lightweight and durable trail bottoms with strategically placed inseams for comfort
• Mons belt included with pants and shorts
• Zipped pocket in pants holds your phone so you can forget about it.

They had me at 'relaxed' tee. I really love the Air-Con fabric, which has the highest merino content (83%) of all the Mons gear. The top is designed to offer the best temperature regulation for hot and cold weather. It's got a nylon core for strength, with an added merino later so it's still merino that lays against the skin. Each year I get excited about the new colorway of the Icon Merino Air-con Relaxed Tee - as it is my staple riding top. It offers a super flattering cut - giving a tomboy yet feminine silhouette even for those with broad shoulders and strong arms. It has a slightly shorter waist than most traditional longline riding tops - but I have a long torso and don't find it rises high. Also, no more stinky pits. Learn more here.


Feedback Sports Reflex Fixed Torque Ratchet Kit


Feedback Reflex
Feedback Reflex



Features

• Kit includes ratchet handle, 25mm extension, 5Nm click-torque extension, and 10 bits.
• Ratchet wrench for speed; torque extension for precision.
• 5Nm click-torque extension for safe, precise and secure tightening of sensitive parts.
• 2-way ratchet wrench can be used without torque extension for rapid fastener take-up and loosening.
• 6-degree ratchet engagement maneuvers in tight spaces..
• 10 labeled S2 Steel bits covering the most common bicycle applications.
• Hex: 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm; Torx: T10 , T25, T30; Flat: 3mm.
• Price: $70 CAD at feedbacksports.com



Introducing the first everyday carry, ride-ready tool kit from Feedback Sports. It’s really handy for reaching hard to access bolts like on a bottle cage. Featuring a compact, modular ratcheting handle, 25mm extension socket, 5Nm click-torque extension socket, and ten of the most commonly used bits, this mini ratcheting wrench kit is made for making safe and secure mid-ride repairs. The included padded case is ideal for carrying in a jersey pocket, travel kit, or keeping with you at all times, for any occasion.




Smith Momentum Sunglasses: Matte Bone + ChromaPop Black Gold Mirror Lens

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Performance takes on a new level of clarity thanks to the dual curvature of the toric lens.

Features

• ChromaPop lenses enhance contrast and natural color to make the details pop
• Light-sensitive, photochromic lens option adapts to changing light conditions
• Interchangeable lenses
• Smudge and moisture-resistant coatings for easy cleaning and clear optics
• Wraparound fit
• 7x4 toric-shield lens curvature for sharp peripheral vision
• Megol temples and nose pads provide non-slip grip so glasses stay put
• Two-position, adjustable Megol nose pads
• Easy-adjust, QuickFit temples for a customized fit
• Compatible with Smith's optical docking system (ODS4) prescription lens insert

I love fast sunnies. With a half-frame design, interchangeable lenses, and color-boosting ChromaPop, Smith’s Momentum sunglasses deliver sharp optics and a whole new level of clarity for all your future rides. The half-frame design makes lens changes a snap. The lenses themselves curve in a way that closely matches the curvature of your eye, and by removing the lower half of the frame, this creates an extremely large field of view. They're slightly more spherical than other styles such as the Wildcat, so be sure to adjust them so you don't look like you're wearing a space visor. If you like to see where you're going, protecting your eyeballs and looking cool at the same time - maybe you should grab a pair of these sunglasses.

Learn more here.



Wild Rye Galena Gel Bike Gloves

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The Galena was designed from the ground up to keep you cool and protected during those critical moments.

Features

• Gel palm padding
• Touch screen compatible
• 4-way stretch shell
• Silicone Finger Grippies
• Synthetic suede palm
• Cotton thumb to wipe drips

Comfy and cute. These fun-ctional gloves sport gel padding, wicking materials and a funky print so they're instantly identifiable in the bottomless pile of your housemates' bike gear. So far, I've tested them in temperatures from the low fifties to high nineties, and they've regulated in this range really well. The fit is snug, the padding is super comfortable and I feel confident riding technical terrain in them. I've swapped out my super lightweight gloves in favour of these on most bike rides. Learn more here.



Bare Performance Nutrition Key Lime Pie Protein Powder

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A whey-casein protein blend containing 25 grams of protein per serving to improve recovery and build muscle.

This stuff is bonkers. I've tried and tested a lot of protein powders in my day, but when mixed with milk, this is like drinking Key Lime Pie - and I'm here for it. There's no hint of icky whey flavour or signature powdery texture on the tongue I've resigned myself to over the years. BPN have nailed it, and their other flavours include Cinnamon Roll, Blueberry Muffin & Nut Butter Blast (spoiler: they're all amazing).
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Features

• Supports improved recovery and muscle protein synthesis necessary to build lean muscle
• Great mixability, consistency and a variety of delicious flavors
• The perfect blend of protein: 88% fast-acting whey protein and 12% slow-digesting casein protein
• Informed Protein tests and verifies that the protein levels listed on the label are accurate.
• Informed Sport certified products are tested every batch for prohibited substances.
• bareperformancenutrition.com




bigquotesOur approach was to create the most effective and best-tasting whey protein powder for athletes like us, starting with premium ingredients that stand up to the test. By using the perfect blend of protein powders (88% whey + 12% casein), it makes for a thicker, more consistent, and better-tasting product. We are confident that our protein powder is the best you will ever try! Not only does the small amount of casein protein powder improve taste and consistency, but it also makes it very easy to use in baking without drying out the end product! 



Posted In:
Reviews and Tech Check Out Accessories Apparel Jerseys Sunglasses Bare Performance Nutrition Feedback Sports Mons Royale Smith Optics Wild Rye


Author Info:
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Member since May 21, 2017
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201 Comments
  • 104 44
 expensive cycling glasses with clear lenses are the biggest waste of money apart from straight up burning it
  • 44 19
 Are there no bugs in Switzerland?
  • 76 16
 @bikes-arent-real: bugs be damned, wear safety glasses if you're just using a clear lense.
  • 29 3
 @bikes-arent-real: it was the expensive part that was the issue.

You can buy a pair of clear safety glasses for 20 bucks or less.
  • 40 2
 @spaceofades: prescription clear lense sunglasses are pretty great. Allow for me to see the trails, stay on my head better than regular glasses, and I don't enjoy wearing contacts.
  • 19 6
 Milwaukee even look better

www.homedepot.ca/product/milwaukee-tool-safety-glasses-with-clear-fog-free-lenses/1001612194
  • 6 3
 @DizzyNinja: And you can get a pair with yellow lenses for night riding. Thank you!
  • 32 8
 the clear lens is mentioned as a bonus. You're paying for a lot more than just clear lenses with these glasses. Interchangeability is one of the things I'd pay the most for. Different lenses for different conditions; you only have one set of eyes. I'd pay a lot more money to take care of em, and my head in that case.
  • 34 0
 @spaceofades: Some riders just do the Safety Dance before riding. But if your friends don't dance....
  • 52 0
 @suspended-flesh: then they're no friends of mine.
  • 11 1
 Somewhat disagree. I have the Smith bobcats with the clear graduating lense. In the trees clear them pop into the sun and they darken up. Love those things!
  • 11 1
 @sicamoose: Tifosi has the Fototec lense that does that too, and much cheaper especially on sale. I have the Sledge and Kilo. Sledge is nice and big, good for dusty riding while the Kilo is a little less coverage but much lighter. Also can buy other lenses for them.
  • 17 2
 nope. I've tried every brand of glasses for riding. I'm a super sweaty dude and Oakley Sutro are the only glasses that don't fog. I now have clear and tinted, both with the Prism lens. Worth every penny.
  • 37 3
 @spaceofades: I've tried multiple cheap pairs and safety glasses. They fog up way too easily. The optics are shit. Drop them once and they are scratched to shit. They don''t stay on your face through rough terrain. They also generally don't have rims around the lenses... lots of people with serious cuts on their cheeks/noses from crashing with rimless glasses. I gave up and bought proper glasses.

I have an $240 pair of riding glasses... but they are also photochromic so almost clear to fairly dark in the sun. The anti-fog is next level... can climb in humid heat without fogging. Super comfortable and never slip, they come with multiple sized nose pads and adjustable temple tips (I totally forget I'm wearing them), optics are awesome with clarity and colour boosting and very scratch resistant... this is my 5th season with them now and they still look and work like new.
  • 2 0
 @suspended-flesh: ...then there's not naked monkeys in France
  • 7 1
 @spaceofades: I have rarely had a pair of safety glasses fit properly with newer half shell helmets. Safety glasses tend to be one size fits all so the arms stick out massively on the side of the head and get pushed on by the helmet.
That said, I do think the price of riding glasses is ridiculous. Especially the ones that are the size of goggles... might as well pay half the price and get goggles. Can't even get Ryders for cheap anymore!

These are my "go to" now to keep it under $40: www.mec.ca/en/product/5058-441/logic-ii-sunglasses
  • 1 0
 I got a pair of the Shimano Technium glasses last year that I've been pretty happy with. More than the Tifosi but less than half of something like the Smiths. Two lenses, rubber ear and nose pieces, good coverage without being huge. They will fog on humid days when I stop, but clear out once I start moving again.
  • 2 0
 @ShawMac: I have same mec glasses in clear and yellow lense. But quite regularly grab my safety glasses out of the garage before a ride instead.

But honestly I ride less and less with eye protection over the years. I used to be a protection nazi but now 90 percent without anything. I know I should but i can steam up glasses in the middle of a desert at 40 c.
  • 2 0
 @fabwizard: I get something in my eye every time without glasses. Every damn time.

Fog management of my glasses takes up most of my brain space for rides. The glasses have to be hooked to my bars or in my hip bag/backpack any time I am not riding downhill. I use anti-fog spray religiously too.
  • 1 0
 @islandforlife: what kind do you have?
  • 1 0
 @DizzyNinja: How dare you steal my idea and tell everyone else about it!!! LOL.

Been riding with these for years now. Literally the best MTB glasses I've used, not kidding.
  • 3 1
 @sicamoose: or RockBros from the jungle website. $25 for comfortable photochromatic. Pretty fast on the change too.
  • 2 0
 @suspended-flesh: you can dance if you wanna
  • 1 0
 @islandforlife: what glasses do you have? How do you keep the sweat from running onto them and distorting your view?
  • 5 0
 I'm not a fan of the safety glasses or really any rimless glasses for mountain biking. A few years ago at a bike park, we came up on a guy that was face down in the dirt and knocked tf out. As he was coming to and trying to get up, his glasses were dug into his cheek. They had shaved off the skin from the bridge of his nose down to the tip and the skin was just hanging down. It was a pretty awful sight. I volunteered to go back up the trail and to get riders to slow down. I generally don't have a weak stomach for that stuff, but it was gnarly. I have a set of Tifosi Sledge for whenever I ride with glasses. I also can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on sunglasses.
  • 1 0
 @jojotherider1977: I’m a pretty die hard safety glasses guy. I use a pair that look like pit vipers but just some random hardware store brand I paid 4 dollars for. They are really good for night skiing. But my mom got me some tifosi sledge glasses for Christmas and they are the bomb. Considering the price they are for sure worth it in my opinion, probably not 200 bucks on Oakley/smith/100% tho
  • 11 0
 I envy everyone who can wear plain safety glasses on a bike. For me, their optical quality is subpar and I can see all the defects and distortions, maybe this is a side effect of 10 years of doing photography. They also typically fog like hell. Tried them twice, could not ride in this sh*t, sorry.
  • 1 0
 @spaceofades: You don't even need to buy actual safety glasses. There are tons of 20$ cycling glasses on amazon that come with multiple lenses, including a clear one. I have a pair of these and it's exactly like the branded ones from some friends. I could not tell any difference in lens quality as they were both what you'd think: A clear piece of plastic to protect the eyes and nothing else
  • 5 0
 Getting mud or dirt in my eyes whilst riding with my contact lenses in is an instant ride-ender for me, particularly here in the muddy and often dark UK so clear lensed glasses make a lot of sense. I know of course that the safety glasses I could get for free at my workplace would do the job, but as others say below they aren't comfortable, fog very easily in the conditions here and frankly would look a bit silly when I'm riding around on a 6k bike! I always buy a set with a fancy mirror tinted lens too, that gets used about 3x a year when the sun actually comes out.
  • 3 0
 My expensive Rudy Project clear cycling glasses are hands down my best buy of the last decenium.
  • 1 0
 I've had great luck with the MCR Law safety glasses with the anti-fog coating. I buy them in large quantities at work since we give constant tours and we require safety glasses in all spaces. They fit well under all of my helmets and if they get damaged or scratched, I can grab a new pair anytime.
  • 7 0
 Just get some Tifosi glasses. Cheap, well made, last a LONG time, and have no obnoxious branding.
  • 1 0
 Glasses always give me headaches from where the legs push against the head. I think my ears are further back than they should be according to the designers' rulebook. Either way, goggles work great for me. I was actually pretty happy with my Ryders Tallcan goggles (clear lens indeed) until the double lens came apart hence they fogged up quickly. Sadly they don't sell lenses in Europe so I'm using POC now (with a brown lens). All great except the ones I have don't use foam to filter the vents. Great ventilation indeed but a bit annoying to stop every now and then to free occasional bug that gets trapped inside my goggles. Only partially missing the point though. Bugs that enter the goggles through the vents don't also fly straight into your eye. But yeah, I need to figure out whether POC sells the foam (to block the vents) separately.
  • 3 0
 Maybe I am shallow, I like Smith, Oakley, Melon etc because of the styling. Over priced bits of plastic, sure, but still nice looking.
  • 1 1
 @islandforlife: The strap in the link is just a (fugly) example, there are others out there, and they do the job of keeping the eyewear ON you.

www.mec.ca/en/product/6026-256/retainer-strap

**MEC is shyte now that it's no longer a Co-Op! prices went up, selection went downFrown
  • 5 1
 @islandforlife: lots of people with serious cuts on their cheeks/noses from crashing with rimless glasses.


I'm struggling to come up with the scenario that causes a serious cut on your face from safety glasses that doesn't involve hitting something at high speed with your face, in which case did the glasses really do the damage?
  • 2 2
 @SEA5ONS: you’re right,
You’re paying for sponsored athletes, advertising, overhead, and an tonne of marketing etc.
You’re paying more money, you’re not getting a better, safer product. You’re getting lens interchangability, or you could buy a couple pairs of glasses, for 1/10th the price.

Don’t fool yourself,
  • 1 0
 @123kevin: same. My regular prescription glasses are based on a sunglasses frame, works everywhere.
  • 5 0
 @jmhills: +1 for Tifosi.
  • 1 0
 @spaceofades: I've tried safety glasses. In my experience they fog very easily because they sit so close to my face. As soon as I start to sweat on a slow climb, they're done. I had a pair of Tifosi clear glasses I was able to snag on clearance for $40, and they were much better. Still horribly ugly, but better.
  • 2 0
 @FaahkEet: I've liked my Tifosi lenses too.
  • 1 0
 @FaahkEet: especially if you keep from scratching them up long enough for the chemical reaction in the lens to stop working and they start staying greyer and greyer.

All of those photochromatic lenses do it, but at least with Tifosi, your wallet can take a hit again when it's time to buy new ones. But...usually gonna look like a goob in Tifosi. Just is what it is.
  • 2 0
 heatwavevisual.com/collections/the-vise-frame/products/vise-z87-sunglasses-vapor-clear

Here’s what I’ve been riding with and loving
The cheap curved safety glasses mess with me and was stoked to find these. Work great

Also anyone that deals with fogging- look into Adam’s anti fog
Been using it and can confirm that there is ZERO fogging now on anything
  • 1 1
 @fabwizard: Or you can buy these same glasses off Alibaba, for $12
  • 2 0
 @upundu: @Daray: Ryders Roam with the Fyre lens. Ryders has gone under so they can be difficult to find. But there's still quite a few online and other shops with stock. Such great glasses

As for sweat management, the adjustable nose pads are great, allows me to keep them slightly away from my face and forehead so that sweat doesn't contact them.
  • 3 0
 @plyawn: Hitting something with your face, yes. Difference between just impact injury and slicing half you cheek off. Also often it's from hitting your head and your helmet driving your glasses down and into your cheeks/nose.
  • 2 0
 I've been wearing Goodr glasses. $30-$35 a pair. I use the high contrast golfing glasses for most of my trail riding and their clear Snake Oil glasses for overcast days.
  • 1 0
 @islandforlife: That was the exact scenario we came up on.
  • 3 0
 @fabwizard: You can also buy a bike for 200 bucks but....
  • 1 0
 @islandforlife: aren't many sunglasses rimless as well as safety glasses?

Is there a safety difference between the two?
  • 3 0
 @philneuve: I think the point people are trying to make is that fashion glasses may look good but there are cheaper options.

The other point is safety glasses make for crap riding glasses.
  • 2 0
 @tbubier @jmhills I do like my sledge lites a lot but they fog up like crazy as soon as I stop. I come from sweaty people and live in a very humid region though so YMMV. I think mostly I worry less about breaking them since they’re >$100. Coverage and clarity are pretty solid too.
  • 2 0
 I have ridden about 20 times in 30 years with glasses, and 3000 odd times without. Dewalt safety glasses and Oakley something or others. The Dewalts are fantastic; little to no lens aberration and not too foggy.
I religiously wear goggles when dirt biking and safety goggles when operating power tools, etc, but rarely when riding. Am I alone in this? Idiotic? I just never saw the risk.
  • 2 1
 Or you could just get RockBros photochromatic cycling glasses for less than $30 from Amazon, which is nice with free return shipping to buy multiple styles/sizes to try them out and just send back the ones that you don’t prefer. Been wearing mine for 2 years now and love them.

www.amazon.com/dp/B09B1GR9HF/ref=sspa_dk_detail_3?pd_rd_i=B0899V3YZG&pd_rd_w=8SBmG&content-id=amzn1.sym.7b21e0c7-2d6d-4279-a40b-74d2b0593b5a&pf_rd_p=7b21e0c7-2d6d-4279-a40b-74d2b0593b5a&pf_rd_r=M5Y9NK0PBDQNPWKD0TN4&pd_rd_wg=nMqPS&pd_rd_r=37484547-43e3-4a49-a356-bd8792b005e2&s=sporting-goods&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1
  • 4 0
 Did Pinkbike start deleting posts? There was one on here stating that the homepage thumbnail image lured them in to the article, but the comment has since disappeared....
  • 2 0
 @woofer2609: Yeah, seems like it. I also had a post here with that copyright joke. I can still find it if I click my own profile in the upper right corner of the web page. It is under this article but the post here is gone and along with it, the posts I was responding to.
  • 2 2
 @woofer2609: You didn't know that democracies have their own censorships? Yes, PB does delete posts that they don't like, unfortunately.
  • 5 3
 @woofer2609: I would guess the writer of the article (who is also pictured) was sufficiently creeped out (as they should be) that they deleted the comments. I'm ok with that.
  • 2 0
 @woofer2609: yeah definitely deleting posts. someone posted the other day "remember when Amauury said the N word"

post was deleted
  • 4 0
 @123kevin: "prescription clear lense sunglasses"
Uhm, aren't those just called "glasses"?
  • 1 0
 @roxtar: took me a sec...
  • 1 0
 @tomfoolerybackground: I live and ride in Virginia, Maryland, and WV. I know all about the humidity. No issues with the Tifosi glasses I have. Years with the same pair on trails and the road. Red tint to make things pop a little. I cannot remember the model though.
  • 3 1
 @CSharp: Not really sure what you mean by "democracies have their own censorship", I was just curious how often posts get deleted. The content of the post wasn't particularly egregious in my opinion, more stating that it was odd to have a faceless picture as a thumbnail. At worst I figured it would get banished to the below threshold basement.
  • 3 0
 @woofer2609: It's pretty rare but it does happen around race, gender, and discrimination issues. They do let some pretty ridiculous stuff remain.
  • 1 0
 @vinay: if you're feeling bold you can bend the arms of glasses to fit your head shape better. I use a soldering iron in a vise for a strong heat source I can hold the part to bend near.
  • 1 0
 @roxtar: they are the replaceable lenses for Oakley sunglasses.
  • 1 0
 @fabwizard: Mountainbiking is a consoomer sport.
  • 1 0
 @Velocipedestrian: I don't think I'm feeling that bold. I'm also not sure what I'm looking for in the shape of these bicycle glasses so I don't think it is clever to iterate. It might just fail through fatigue well before I've reached anything acceptable. When driving a car, my head is upright and sunglasses work well. On a bike, the head is always tilted down a bit, you've got these motions and vibrations, you just need more to keep the glasses in place. So the legs really need to clamp my head and it takes a while for me to discover whether it stays put and/or whether the clamping gives me a headache. I once had glasses from Specialized with photochromatic lenses which did indeed work really well for me, but that was only a lucky shot. I never found anything like that later on. But yeah, it is just easier to just get some good goggles which are being held in place by an elastic strap instead of these legs. Obvious downside is of course that the foam gets sweaty. Glasses don't have that.
  • 1 0
 If you're a 4 eyed spectacle wearer like me they are the single biggest upgrade you can make to your biking!
My Melon's with optical inserts have literally change my life - run the optic clip with their clear trail lens and cannot recommend it more (I even have 2 pairs with two shades of lens so I can grab whichever in a hurry)
  • 1 0
 @bikes-arent-real: You make of it what you want. End of the day, you need a bike, basic protection and basic tools. Then have fun in the woods. Maybe those who frequent these magazines like Pinkbike which attribute a large portion of their space to ads, reviews, press releases and "first looks" may get a different impression. Instead if your magazines are Cranked, Eskapee or anything from Misspent Summers, the focus is more on riding and you may feel less of a need for buying the latest and greatest. But there is a point when you move on from getting the cheapest stuff you can that keeps you going for a little longer to something that might be a bit more expensive but which is going to last you for a long while. And both in terms of cost as well as environmental footprint, that might be the better option. So whether it is expensive or not, what is important is that people can buy what they really want so that when they do, they hold onto that and don't buy anything else for a couple of years.
  • 2 0
 @ace9: Pepperidge Farms remembers.
  • 1 0
 This is a silly opinion
  • 1 0
 @staylo85: I got 30psi in my minions
  • 1 0
 @woofer2609: "I religiously wear goggles when dirt biking and safety goggles when operating power tools, etc, but rarely when riding. Am I alone in this? Idiotic? I just never saw the risk."

If you ride on popular well maintained trails the risk of a rogue branch taking your eye out is low, on less popular less maintained trails branches do seem to constantly slap me in the face, so it depends on where you ride.
  • 1 0
 @123kevin: Which do you wear? I've been in search of a good pair of Rx riding glasses for a while and haven't found much. My eyes are bad enough that I can't just ride without my Rx.
  • 1 0
 @whitebirdfeathers: agreed and the lenses are polarized and UV protective so you wont burn your retinas
  • 1 0
 @BarryWalstead: I wondered about these...worth the $25 investment it sounds like though?
  • 1 0
 @reidmorebooks: Mine have been perfectly functional so much I doubt I'll even pay for Tifosi and they are pretty reasonable.
Mine have clear optics, light weight, never move and the photo chromatic works a treat.
  • 1 0
 @bikes-arent-real: or branches that can poke you in the eye.....
  • 1 0
 @islandforlife: So what are they, I need some prescription frames asap biggest issue is even riding with my massive glasses I still get dust in my eyeballs first minute of riding. Been considering goggles with inserts but dont want to look like a weirdo doing gravelduro
  • 1 0
 @tomo12377: Can you help me understand, I was looking at Melon and I dont understand why you would get sunglasses WITH inserts, instead of just prescription glasses?
  • 1 0
 @TeaPunk: Prescription sunglasses
for my eyes all look like swimming goggles due to lensavailable. I also use 4 different lens across the seasons so would need 4 pairs of prescription sunglasses opposed to one insert
  • 1 1
 @tomo12377: not sure how it works in your country for insurance/vision expenses.

But one trick for thinner lenses in your prescription riding glasses is to find a retailer that is owned by Luxotica.

Luxotica owns a bunch of glasses & sunglasses frames and lens companies. If you order/purchase through them, you can usually get the higher quality, thin/high lens power glasses for much less than a retail outlet that is making their own lenses.

Here in the US, Luxotica owns the LensCrafters chain of stores and they make their own lenses for anything you buy in store. You can take the prescription from your eye doctors office (who is trying to sell you that they get the best quality products for cheap) to a LensCrafters store and get a really high end, thin, high powered lens for much cheaper than the eye doctor's office can get without markups.

The extra kicker here in the US is that they also own the vision insurance plan "EyeMed" so if an employee of on group health has EyeMed, goes to Lenscrafters and gets Luxotica lenses...it's big savings.
  • 1 0
 @blowmyfuse: Oh man, maybe sit down for this one.
Luxotica, commonly known to be one of the more underhanded corporations in the retail market has inflated the price of eyewear (all the non-sense fancy stuff, theres no such thing as unobtanium) for decades. They have an absolute stranglehold on the market in NA and lots of Europe, so much so, that the still inflated prices of LensCrafters seem like a bargain, (theres a 200% markup on most of those prices)

When i get the fantastic opportunity to travel to Korea, I can buy prescription glasses on the street for about $20-40 Canadian, so &7.50ish USD. Absolutely the best service, excellent quality, and essentially the exact same stuff that you buy elsewhere for hundreds of dollars more, and ready the next day.
Last time I was there, I bought 4 pairs of glasses, 2 pairs of sunglasses, all for under $150, and ready in 2 days.

Man, we have really fell for it line and sinker to think that places, and corps like LensCrafters are out here giving us deals on glasses......
  • 1 0
 @onawalk:

I work in insurance. I do agree that Luxotica doesn't offer deals. Just pointing out to the guy that if we wants really light, thin prescription lens sport glasses in the US...have the Luxotica/EyeMed/LensCrafters combo is the price combo sweet spot.

Other people I know order via Zenne online, Warby Parker, etc....but those superlight, high powered lenses only seem to price out in sport glasses via Luxotica's monopoly.
  • 1 0
 @blowmyfuse: I just swung into LensCrafters here yesterday for some new sunglasses.
For a pair of Oakley Holbrook (which have been around for friggin ages) with a set of Prism polarized lenses, $670 can!
That’s silly money for some sunglasses
  • 1 0
 @onawalk: I'm sure you know this but I have to explain to clients everyday that they're allowed to shop their prescription lenses with multiple vendors. What did your regular eye doctor quote for the same pair?
And someone else correct me if I'm wrong but Oakley's prism lens technology is their own That is not a luxotica brand lens. Oakley would have their own separate pricing structure. I believe you would actually have to ask LensCrafters to quote you you look exotica branded made in house prescription lens.
  • 1 0
 @onawalk: sorry. Luxotica. Not look exotica. Hah.

For all I know Oakley prizm lenses and luxotica lenses could be made side by side, but don't think so.
  • 1 0
 @blowmyfuse: Its all Luxotica lenses, thats the point, its all god damn Luxotica. No one makes their own lenses. Ray ban, Oakley, etc

www.luxottica.com/en/eyewear-brands
  • 1 0
 @onawalk: misery.

United HealthCare is one of the over age 65 age carriers I work with. They did make a big deal about offering Warby Parker to shut ins since they mail trial frames for fit. But this year, it's switched to an "in house" group.
Probably one more branch of that Luxotica monopoly...only they say "we make thick ugly stuff for old folks"
  • 14 0
 Once you go Mons you never go back!
  • 14 8
 I've gone back.
Mons are gradually putting less merino wool in their clothing. Sorry, but I now prefer another brand which looks way less fashionable but which makes 100% merino tees which feel better and smell less. Great fit though... so Mons, please make a high merino mix clothing again!
  • 7 4
 @karatechris: yeah I’m the same, I run just icebreaker t’s. They make a way lighter gsm fabric as well, that is corespun and almost entirely merino. Mons was decent, but now just a fashion brand and is far lower tech than IB.
  • 5 2
 @karatechris: I sell Mons in my shop and I’m one of many people who found the 100% merino gear to be itchy over long periods, and also wore out quicker. The newer stuff is much more durable and comfortable, and I haven’t noticed any difference in the attributes merino wool brings in the new vs old product.
  • 2 0
 @karatechris: 100% merino tees... In summer weight? Who is that?
  • 23 1
 @karatechris: Don't you worry we're still making high-mix merino, we've got three fabrics in our summer range designed for different purposes.

You'll find the highest Merino content (83%) in the Air-Con Fabric, which is designed to offer the best temp regulation for hot and cold weather. It's got a nylon core for strength, and merino wrapped around it so it's still merino against the skin. The lowest (52%) is in the Merino Shift, which uses a blend of recycled polyester to give added durability when you go OTB, and the Merino Cool (52%) which is blended with Tencel for those scorching hot days.

If you want 100% you can get that in our winter range in the Yotei.
  • 2 0
 @karatechris: I'm a Mons fan. Aircon fabric (83 merino + 17 poly) is great - smell resistant as 100% merino (or it's just me), dries quicker, a cool tie-dye - DAMN, what else do you need, people!

ps if you looking for 100% merino alternative, I'm also a fan of Nuyarn (merino poly blend) fabric. Have yet to see something more durable, light and smell resistant.
  • 1 0
 @bonfire: I've got a 200 level IceBreaker base layer I eventually had to retire b/c the wool "washed" out of it after tons and tons of loyal use.

Bought another recently. It's amazing that they got softer, more durable and the wool stays put better now.
  • 2 0
 @nice-guy: I'm with you.

I've slowly (because they're $$s) converted my entire undershirt wardrobe to various merino blends. I'm generally buying whatever I can get a good deal on when I find it, which means I have merino blend undershirts with different compositions from four or five different manufacturers (Mons included, which is honestly my favorite, and has been incredibly durable for the 5+ years I've had it now).

I've found that 50-85% merino are the ideal combo of performance and comfort. 100% merino are cozy, and perhaps nice in winter, but aren't as comfortable or quick drying as blends.

Plus, with a high-merino blend, you're still getting the non-stink benefits of 100%.
  • 1 0
 @CycleKrieg: Icebreaker. Thin gauge for summer, thicker gauge for winter.
  • 1 0
 @monsroyale: Thanks... I'll check that out. Good to know!
  • 1 1
 @monsroyale: Why do none of the shops in Whistler sell your gear in Men's? I only seem to ever see womens!
  • 1 0
 @bonfire: I remember when Icebreaker were first coming into shops in Canada and was a big fan. Sadly I've found the durability of their stuff is a bit week- especially for the really thin stuff. I find the Mons last a little better. All expensive though. Smartwool are at the bottom of my list for durability.
  • 1 0
 @monsroyale: when will you offer a repair service (in Europe)?
  • 2 0
 @karatechris: Used to be a big Icebreaker fan for all my athletic tees. Unfortunately they all develop spontaneous holes within the year. All my Mons kit with the bled performs just as well, feels less itchy and the only homes are as a result of a spill.
  • 1 1
 @paulskibum: have you tried looking beyond the women's section?
  • 1 0
 @karatechris: No worries!
  • 1 0
 @paulskibum: Possibly all sold out and didn't buy enough Wink . Or they need a push to carry more Mens, thanks for the heads up!
  • 2 0
 @JohSch: Appreciate the nod, something we're looking into. It's tough as a small brand to be in all places at once, definitely something we are keen to roll out. But for now we've been product testing a merino repair patch... stay tuned.
  • 10 1
 I've seen a few of these small torque wrenches with fixed values - what is the point? It's like having a measuring tape with one length marked on it?
Nearly every component I've used that has printed torque values have been different and I can't ever remember one being 5!
If its purely to guard against overtightening then that's as mad. My old (beautiful) Straitline stem has to be torqued to 12.2Nm- you'd be on your face at 5Nm
  • 5 19
flag plustiresaintdead (May 29, 2023 at 17:19) (Below Threshold)
 I feel like thats mostly for carbon bars, theres nothing else on a mountain bike you actually need a torque wrench for.
  • 17 3
 @plustiresaintdead: Carbon seatposts, dropper posts, carbon saddle rails, pivot bolts, brake caliper bolts, brake rotor bolts... the list goes on...
  • 2 0
 Topeak has these TorqBit 1/4" adaptors that go between your favorite bit driver and the bits you're using. I think it is clever. I have an adjustable Wiha torque tool that goes up to 6Nm but primarily use it on fork and brakes. I think I mostly use 6Nm and 4Nm. If I wouldn't have had this tool, I could just have been fine with two of those bits. Should I suddenly need some other torque setting for a new component, I could just get another torq bit for that. More parts indeed but instead, less adjustment in between when I'm alternating between torq settings.

As said, I already have an adjustable torque wrench hence haven't tried the Topeak TorqBit (nor the Feedback Sports ripoff) but I think it has its place.
  • 9 18
flag plustiresaintdead (May 30, 2023 at 7:12) (Below Threshold)
 @billreilly: You use a torque wrench on your dropper post? I mean yes its good practice, but totally unnecessary. And caliper bolts? rotor bolts? Lol it must take you ages to build a bike.
  • 13 1
 @plustiresaintdead: @plustiresaintdead: There's a reason why things have torque specs. You sound like the "bike mechanic" at one of my LBS's who told me he doesn't torque down pivot bolts when I had him check out my 5010 because there was a clanking noise. Said he just tightens them until they're snug. Well, first ride after he did what he did, guess what was back? That noise. Went home, checked Santa Cruz's site, and what do you know....they list specific torque values for ALL the pivot bolts. Torqued them all myself, hasn't made a noise since. But yet, torquing bolts is totally unnecessary. -nobody ever.
  • 4 11
flag plustiresaintdead (May 30, 2023 at 8:45) (Below Threshold)
 @chadbrochills: Yeah I agree that frame specific bolts are important to torque. But caliper bolts? Stem/steerer interface bolts? If you follow the spec on those you'll literally die when your stem slips at the first sight of a turn. F/R axles? Pedals? Totally unnecessary.
  • 2 0
 @plustiresaintdead: The exception to the rule is to tighten by feel.
I'm not against it, but if there is a torque wrench anywhere nearby, I'm going to use it. Why wouldn't you?
That being said, I like using a shot glass as well when mixing a drink.
Automotive/ bicycle /Motorcycle wise, I'm now a big fan of Read The Freakin' Manual, use the proper tool for the job, torque to spec, and apply either anti seize compound, carbon paste, or Loc-Tite (unless specifically instructed otherwise.)
  • 2 0
 @plustiresaintdead: How would it take longer to use a torque wrench? In my case, both rotor bolts as well as caliper bolts need 6Nm so I only set it once during the job. I can imagine these levers may be harder/slower to operate but my wrench has a screwdriver shape. The aforementioned TorqBits or the variation in the article will just fit whatever tool you prefer. Could even be a powertool if you really are in that much of a hurry.
  • 1 0
 @woofer2609: if the bolt has a torque spec it's almost always dry and completely clean. Or at least unspecified. What do you choose: leave out the loctite/antiseize or torque to spec? As soon as you change the interface the torque spec becomes meaningless.
If there was an affordable tool that actually measures clamping force I'd buy and use it.
  • 1 0
 @ak-77: Excellent points. I tend to use Loc Time or anti seize and either tighten to minimum spec or slightly under, although this is probably resulting in too much tightening. That being said, I haven't had any issues.
www.gomog.com/allmorgan/bolttorque.pdf
  • 1 0
 @woofer2609: My frame pivot bolts come with blue threadlock pre-applied. No way those will have the same clamping force at equal torque from one unit to the other, or between cycles of loosen/tightening. Yet they simply have 12Nm etched on them....
  • 3 0
 @plustiresaintdead: Too much torque on the seatpost clamp and my dropper post binds and is very slow to extend... Too little torque and it can slip.

I'd rather take ages to build a bike than spend even more time (and money) to repair a bike.
  • 1 0
 @plustiresaintdead: If there are any bolts I would be super careful about, it would be anything brake related. But then I enjoy building/working on bikes and love a torque wrench with a solid click-click.
  • 2 0
 @ak-77: In a way, it also depends on what defines that torque limit. Is it actually the targeted clamping force or is it to avoid failure of the bolt? In the latter case, the stresses in the bolt are because of the combination of tensile load and torsion load. Out of the two, the torsion contributes to the highest stresses. If it is actually because of a targeted clamping force I'm actually curious how much off it would be between a dry and a lubricated bolt. I honestly don't know (and haven't done or read any research on the subject) but it is relevant for this discussion.

For lack of a better method, I do indeed use a torque wrench on brake and fork bolts.
  • 1 0
 @vinay: In my case these are aluminum bolts, but they are 10 mm diameter and tightened with a 5 mm hex wrench. When you tighten them too much the the bearing develops excessive friction due to too high clamping force. Damage to the bolt or thread doesn't happen until you start putting force on there that is way higher than what any sensible person would use, and I think the first thing that would give way is the hex head in the bolt.
I think this is generally true for almost all bicycle bolts with a torque rating. Seatpost, stem, all bearing preloads, those are all limited by clamping force. TBH I have no idea what sets the limit for a brake caliper bolt torque. I think 12 Nm is the generally used max torque value for a generic steel M6 bolt so that would be where bolt or thread damage becomes a danger. But in general I guess the optimum tension is the minimum one that guarantees it won't come loose?
The difference between dry and lubricated bolts can be very large, in the link @woofer2609 posted it is about 50% but it can be more depending on lube. And I'm not even talking about tiny contaminations here. But this www.hextechnology.com/articles/bolt-lubricant-torque/#bolt_lubricant_torque_chart warns against using any sort of generic table and test the situation exactly as you will use it.
I think for bicycles the situation is never very critical. Ever noticed that these torque values are always nice round numbers and usually even numbers too?
These things seem like a smart solution, but they only start at M10 www.smartbolts.com/smartbolt-dti
  • 1 0
 @ak-77: Thanks for in the info, I'll check it. I once snapped the hollow bolt under the fork lower (the one protruded by the rebound adjuster) and I think I clearly overtightened that one. And I once broke the hollow axle of an internally geared seven speed Sachs/SRAM hub when I tightened it a bit too much. I also keep a close eye on the bolt that connect the hose to the brake master. It is different in case of a banjo bolt but otherwise it needs to be tight enough to compress the olive, yet not so tight that you'll crack the master. So yeah, hollow bolts require extra care. I think one reason for the torque spec is indeed related to the clamping force but not in the sense that the clamping needs to be sufficient or that the ultimate stress shouldn't be exceeded. Under cyclic loads, increasing the preload reduces the amplitude of the tensile stress variations in the bolt. So stresses do get higher, but the amplitude gets lower which allows for a longer fatigue life. The very reason it is good to keep an eye on spoke tension too. Too little and they'll break sooner through fatigue. Too high and they'll plastically deform (so essentially become longer even when unloaded) so that they still won't have sufficient tension. You'll pull the nipple through the rim before you pull the spoke apart, but you can definitely exceed the yield limit (where it start to plastically deform) well before the rim breaks.

Either way, the workshop mechanic won't necessarily do a better job with their torque wrench than the home mechanic would do with their torque wrench (if properly adjusted and operated, obviously). You can only expect some kind of consistency in the factory and at the assembly line. So it is up to the designers to be aware of the ranges of clamping force where one could end up with a properly adjusted torque wrench and design the product to behave within that range.

The torque wrench is currently the most practical attempt I'm seeing at trying to keep clamping force within spec when bolts are being used. It would be interesting to see what could be done with other means, like tethers for instance. I for one would probably be a bit scared if the faceplate was clamped to rest of the stem by means of tethers, but by measuring the elastic strain in those tethers (for instance because they were marked when unloaded) you can calculate what the actual clamping force would be. It would take a bit more thought to figure out how to make this remotely practical to work with. But if this can be made to work, we might have found a way to realize constent clamping force. Unless the whole point thereof was to make sure the bolt stress stays with spec. If this is being realized through elimination of the bolts, this whole exercise was futile Wink .
  • 1 0
 @vinay: Have a look at the link below, and notice the tabs at the top of page, which go into greater detail than the paragraph under each topic on the front page.....

arp-bolts.com/p/technical.php
  • 8 0
 Don't know what's going on with the footer in my comments!
  • 2 0
 I was about to ask the same thing. Never seen that before
  • 7 1
 I thought you copy pasted it for shits and giggles

Copyright © 2000 - 2023. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
  • 3 0
 @vtracer: I pasted mine for shits and giggles but it has been removed. Let's see what happens to this one.

Copyright © 2000 - 2023. OutsideOnline.com. All rights reserved.
  • 1 0
 AI is taking over and having normal growing pains. The driverless cars in my city occasionally run someone over.

What's funny is nobody here got a vote on whether or not we agreed to be beta testers for the autonomous things. They started out at night only and now the things are 24/7 and can pick up fares.
  • 3 0
 So remarkably LAME of PB to delete a comment that received double digit upvotes, as well as a direct response supporting the opinion. I'll repeat the harmless comment...... nice job PB on the clothing photo shoot, it is surprising how much better this shoot turned out as compared to previous editions!
  • 4 2
 I have some Mons Royale jerseys. They’re great for riding in, but they rip super easy if you crash. I’ve had two of them rip literally in half from relatively minor crashes, where synthetic jerseys just seem to get a couple small holes.
  • 3 0
 Did you redo your crashes in synthetic jerseys?
  • 1 0
 @warmerdamj: lol. No. I actually crashed worse in the synthetic jerseys and they were mostly fine.
  • 1 0
 Do you know what fabric the jersey was you crashed in?
  • 1 0
 @monsroyale: one of them was the Tarn Merino 3/4 sleeve. the other one was the redwood enduro.
  • 4 0
 Those gloves are fire I want them to match my pink helmet helmet and flamingo Hawaiian shirt
  • 1 0
 Great to see people talking about protein quality. Protein powder is great! Protein can come from whey, which can come from dairy, which in its dried form doesn't need to be domestically sourced. Important: DO YOUR HOMEWORK

cleanlabelproject.org/protein-powder-infographic
  • 4 0
 Only 2 g of sugar, 0g added, for key lime. Interesting
  • 5 1
 BPN kills it in terms of supplements. I've been using their protein for awhile, and I love EVERY flavor.
  • 3 0
 I bought this flavor and thought it'd either be heinous or delicious and it's the latter. Absolutely perfect in a strawberry smoothie
  • 8 1
 Uses an artificial sweetener for the bulk of the flavoring and sweetening. If youre a serious athlete, stay away from it in my opinion. Fortagen is a way better supplement.
  • 2 0
 @SEA5ONS: 4/5 mammoplasts recommend
  • 6 7
 @chillrider199: @chillrider199: Fortagen is just overpriced protein powder. There is no real evidence to back up their ridiculous claims of being 5x more efficient than normal protein powder.

A serious athlete would be taking following everyday for the whole career/life:

5g or more of Creatine Monohydrate
1g of TriMethylGlycine
50mg Niacin
200mg of high molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid
15g of Collagen Peptides
1300mg of Omega-3 fish oil (650 EPA/450 DHA).
10g of L-Citrulline on workout/race days

The average person is also deficient in Zinc, Magnesium, and Vit D (always take with a K-complex to avoid arterial plaque buildup)

A man who wants to live a long time should also consider adding Finasteride as well, for its effects on prostate cancer, and Rosuvastatin, for its effects on cholesterol.

Always a good idea to get your blood tested for hormone levels, vitamin deficiencies, etc. Make sure any supplement you take is from a reputable company, and consult with your doctor if you have difficulty processing certain supplements.
  • 1 3
 @wburnes: The creator, John Jaquish, wrote a book “weight lifting is a waste of time” goes over all the studies that show amino acid complex works a lot better than whey protein. Also underneath FAQs of the product shows the sources as well. I use it. It works. I know the guy, he knows his stuff. Whey protein has not helped me nearly the level that fortagen does.
  • 4 1
 @chillrider199: If the contents of the book are anything like the title, the book is a bunch of BS.

None of his claims about fortagen have been proven.

It's placebo. If buying overpriced powder works for you, fine. Just don't spread misinformation about an ineffective product
  • 1 0
 More a fan of Transparent Labs.
  • 1 1
 @wburnes: Okay thats fine. But the powder is just an amino acid complex powder with different ratios than usual.

There is a good reason for the book title. Youll say its placebo, but youre judging a book by its cover, very much. With all studies linked and provided in the book or on his website, there is nothing that is hiding. Open your brain/mind a little. It is like a parachute after all.

Funnily enough the price of 2 tubs of whey (just over the servings amount of 1 tub of fortagen) are almost the price of 1 tub of fortagen.
  • 4 0
 That’s because there’s sucralose as a sweetener.
If you’re training hard enough to need protein supplementation, you probably should cut sucralose and other artificial sweeteners out of your diet.
  • 3 0
 Rate the Mons gear, just wish they made bigger sizes up top (pants are great, true to size).
  • 1 0
 I can't find info on what makes the flavors on the protein powder. Is there stevia or sucralose or something like that to give it "sweetness"? Why would I get this over Isopure?
  • 2 1
 They don’t list ingredients…sketch.
  • 2 0
 @wolftwenty1: ingredients are listed on the website.

Ingredients: Instantized Whey Protein Concentrate, Micellar Casein, Natural Flavor, Salt, Xanthan Gum, Guar Gum, Sucralose
  • 3 0
 sucralose? I'm out.
  • 2 0
 @querent check out jocko molk, it uses monk fruit as the sweetener

cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-74e08ai/product_images/uploaded_images/peanut-butter.png
  • 1 0
 Mmmm…guar gum…mmm
  • 2 0
 @VtVolk: Copyright © 2000 - 2023. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
  • 3 0
 3m safety glasses ftw

Copyright © 2000 - 2023. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
  • 2 0
 Can anyone recommend a good bike torque wrench? I got a Pro Bike Tool set and didn't feel like it was up to snuff.
  • 2 0
 Harbor freight 1/4 in drive ones is what I use.
  • 3 0
 I use a Park TW-1.2 (small) and TW-2.2 (large). Beam torque wrenches are the only ones that never go out of calibration. Cheaper, too.
  • 3 0
 The prestacycle preset keys are pretty nice and some independent test found them far more accurate than just about anything else. They make them in 3-12nm range so you can just grab a couple strategically as you need them.
  • 9 1
 Long story short: Keep using your cheap one. Every torque wrench is better than no torque wrench. And if you’re not spending like $1k on a calibrated and certified tool for professionals, there will always be tolerance. Which again doesn’t even matter too much considering the fact that torque on a bolt is an incredibly backwards and inaccurate way to measure pressure/clamping force in the first place. There’s so many more factors. To work on your bike, even a cheap torque wrench is fine.
  • 1 0
 I have that PRO BIKE set, got on amazon and tested it against a friends high end digital wrench, it's very accurate and affordable, what is your beef with it?
  • 4 0
 @Muscovir: At work, I've seen click torque wrenches be severely inaccurate in both directions. A preset Pedros 5 Nm felt very tight so I tested it with a beam and it was putting out 10 Nm. Ditto for a Bontrager Torqkey. And a Park TW-5 set to 40 Nm was clicking super early and it turned out the spring had broken and the dial didn't do anything at all.

Beam torque wrenches all the way. If the pointer still starts at zero and the beam isn't damaged, they're as correct as the day they left the factory.
  • 3 0
 @barp: That was my feeling with the torque wrench I sent back. It wasn't very confident inspiring. I trust my hands more than that thing. I will try out the beam ones.
  • 1 0
 I've got a screwdriver shaped one from Wiha which goes up to 6Nm. I like that shape over a lever-shaped one. I pretty much only use the 4Nm and 6Nm settings though. So if I were to buy something now, I'd just get those TorqBits from Topeak and use them with whatever driver I like. A long one when needed, a short one when I don't need a long one. I could even use an electric driver if I really need to rush, but I doubt a home mechanic ever needs that. But yeah, most of use already have something for other jobs so could just as well use it when we feel like. I honestly don't know whether the slip rings on those tools resemble the torque values in Nm. Otherwise you might even want to use that if you already have them. Something relatively small is most convenient. I have a blue Bosch Go which comes handy when working with wood, though I think their latest green (and cheaper) Bosch IXO stuff also has this option now. Obviously such gadgets only make sense when you already need them for other jobs. They don't make sense if you only want to tighten bolts to spec.
  • 1 0
 @sspiff: I use the Prestacycle keys for 5-10 nm and a $100 ACDelco-branded digital torque wrench from Amazon that does 2.7-50 nm for mid-range stuff. Also an old beam-style from my dad for bottom brackets and other higher-torque stuff. Sounds kind of geeky now that I list it all out...
  • 1 0
 $1000? I paid prolly $80 for a NorBar wrench that comes with a calibration certificate. Tested it at work and it matched well. Best of all the square drive can pop out of either side of the wrench so it works on both sides of the drive train.
  • 1 0
 @st-lupo: Out of curiosity, how did you test them? Did you connect the two head to head, tried a few times to see whether the both click equally often (accepting that they will never click simultaneously). If you tightened a bolt with one tool until it clicks and then use the other one to see whether it clicks too, that's the wrong approach as they're designed to click when in motion. So you can't check whether bolts are up to torque by just applying a torque wrench to them. You need to release them slightly, then tighten them with the torque wrench again. So if you'd do that, how would you know that the two click exactly at the same spot?
  • 1 0
 @vinay: At work we've got a digital calibration station for our torque wrenches. The square drive of the wrench plugs into a recepticle and measures the applied torque up to the click. The calibration station itself is in turn recertified every x months.
  • 1 0
 @st-lupo: Thanks for the clarification. If you have access to such a facility, it would be interesting to see how well the cheaper tool retains its accuracy. Again, just curiosity. If it works well now, it should still be good enough for mountainbike purposes if it is a bit off. My Wiha tool is well over a decade old and I have never had it calibrated or even tested!
  • 2 0
 Key Lime pie if you’ve ever actually baked it isn’t Easy but the results are so good. Once you have it …..
  • 2 0
 Sigh, still no rx inserts
  • 1 0
 The glasses are compatible with their ODS4 RX inserts. I have almost 10 years with one of their previous RX systems. Not perfect but added advantage of being compatible with my ski goggles.
  • 2 0
 Thoa trail clothes are pretty cool
  • 2 0
 Meeegol... why does it cry, poor megol?
  • 2 0
 Has anyone in the comment section bought anything post 2002?
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