Welp, that hot Atlanta summer has blasted us as expected and what better way to jump right in than with a sweet shorts review!!  First in the batters box are the Chrome Folsom shorts.  In contrast to their Union line, the Folsom's are shorter and slimmer for those of us who like shorts to be a bit above the knee and sit at an inseam of 11".  Constructed from a nylon/spandex blend they have a 4-way stretch which has a wide range of motion for riders, so instead of cotton moving up and down your thigh while you pedal, you have the Everest fabric flexing and stretching alongside you!!

With a gusseted seamless layered crotch, the Folsom is in for the long haul, with the layers adding extra comfort to your ride while the seamless crotch allows you to maintain comfort.  The fabric is also water-resistant for those summer showers that generally come out of no where, but is good protection so your not chaffing your inner thigh after a downpour which could, as we all know can affect future-beautiful-day-rides!!

While all the technical aspects of these shorts are great, the fit also stands out, many people of all shapes and sizes come into the shop and are a little skeptical due to the price tag ($120), but once on they have no problem, even those with busting quads like the stretch the fabric allows as well as grows as your thighs swell during rides.  The Folsom's fabric feels a thick, but so far in the 80+ degree with humidity chaser hasn't given me the swamp factor considering the extra fabric in the crotch.  But I'll shoot a quick update over once we hit Mid-July August and let you know if I stuff my shorts with paper towels before a ride or still getting the same breathable love I've been getting.

The Folsom is also equipped with a reflective patch on the back, which is a good add on for increased visibility, unless you wear a belt that blocks most of it, but even with a belt it still gives you a couple of strips that drivers can definitely see.  Also to my amazement, is a 5-bar webbing seatbelt U-Lock holdster THAT ACTUALLY HOLDS A U-LOCK!!!!  I generally wear a hip-pack if I'm not carrying a bag, but on a short ride up the street for breakfast or a cup of joe, I just slide the u-lock with ease without any restriction or force, which is a nice change of pace from other companies that just add the extra fabric thinking all riders only carry mini locks.

The shorts are a standard on my rides, I enjoy the flexibility they give whether your hitting a quick patio beer or riding across town for a grill out, I've also found their good for mountain biking stints as mud just brushed right off these bad boys.  They come in Black & olive colors and also a pant version, but for now get the shorts, kick back and enjoy your ride.

The End.

To celebrate the closing of a great 2013 and a positive 2014 on the horizon, The Spindle is giving you sweet sweet peoples a righty lefty hook of reviews! We have tested two of Mission Workshop's primo jackets just for you! First, Sharif will start with the classic Orion followed by the Ezz tested brand new baddy from MW's new ACRE Line, the Meridian jacket.

MISSION WORKSHOP Orion Jacket

Now, Lets start by getting the elephant out of the room. This is one smooth looking jacket but at an msrp of $410, what makes it such a righteous jacket?

Many things. Pockets in all the right places, great mobility, great cut and fabric. Not really much more to need.

When braving the elements on bike, its important to have three layers. A good base layer, a mid layer that creates the warmth needed for what ever the temp and a shell. The shell should consist of both wind and waterproof properties keeping the heat in and the moisture out. Schoellers C change fabric does just that. it expands and contracts depending on the outside temp to regulate warmth and coolness, making a significant difference. If you get caught in a downpour in the summer time, the pit zips on this jacket will cool you down on the quickness.

The cut of the jacket makes for a solid fit. Tapered sleeves fit great but are snug when going to take the Orion off. A longer tail in the back as not to show crack and to keep that rear dry in a rainy situation. I dig the removable hood. It fits both my helmet and my bare dome comfortably. When not needed, it fits easily in the back storage pocket.

The pockets, oooooh the pockets! As far as the eye can see!! All pockets are waterproof. 2 chest pockets for phones with headphone holes, 2 hand pockets, and one in the back for storage. The zipper pulls on some of the pockets are too small, making them even smaller when you're using gloves. The pocket in the back is perfect for storing gloves a neck gaiter/ balaclava and/or a wool cap and is protect from rain by a water proof zipper and storm flap. This is very advantageous but with such a small zipper its necessary to install a zipper pull.

 
The only problems I've had with this jacket thus far is size of the zipper pulls. I could use some subtle reflective accents like the Acre but not 100% necessary if you're rocking the proper lighting for night rides.

ACRE Meridian Jacket:

Mission is diving head first into the mountain biking scene with the new ACRE series, a line that brings hydration packs, shorts, and merino henleys, but the line is highlighted by The Meridian Cycling Jacket, which is fully seam-sealed, waterproof but breathable and made with Schoeller c_Change fabric.

The Meridian is also very lightweight and packable, which is great for either warm or cold months when it either rains all day or just for a little because you can easily fold it up and shove it in whatever bag you carry. Even if you don't take a bag the breathable Schoeller allows maximum comfort for layering or even if you're just rockin' a t-shirt.

After receiving the jacket from the Mission crew I was infatuated with the fit and the bit of stretch of the Meridian, which can be sported for either mountain or road wear. For weeks I had waited for a downpour to hit me on the way to the shop, only to be pissed upon lightly by a couple of cold sprinkles and a couple of windy days, which blocked the wind just fine, but I wanted a monsoon.

Then finally, that monsoon came like the thunder sword of Zeus himself. The jacket does not come with a hood, but I zipped all the way up and didn't have one drop of water roll down by back, I coupled the jacket with the Swrve Gore-Tex hat and waterproof trouser and DZR H2O's..I was bone dry once I walked into the shop after the 4-mile ride through an absolute dump of a rainstorm. My phone was in the front chest pocket, although it is not sealed like the main front zipper, it does have a storm flap so nothing was getting in there.

The Merdian also comes with an inside chest pocket, both front and inside chest pockets have headphone outlets. There is also a back stasher pocket for gloves, sunglasses, tools, or whatever you want to put back there, no hand pockets on this one unlike the Orion, but this is would not prevent me at all from purchasing this jacket. Also, unlike the Orion the back pocket does come with a zipper pull, making getting your gear in and out in the rain very simple.

In the end I am a huge fan of the Meridian Jacket in the ACRE line, I highly recommend it for all riders whether you blast the mountain tops or crush the pavement, this jacket is a champion all year round.

After meeting Outlier founders Abe and Tyler in Salt Lake city last year, I put in an order for their slim dungarees to test out Abe's creation of a better pair of pants. I'm always a bit weary ordering off the internet, you never really know how well they'll fit, how slim is slim, etc. I've heard nothing but great things about the company through many conversations with friends, but none had ever own a piece from their line. So I took the leap of faith and put in my order.

Mailed in a white envelope, I pulled out the pants with a short letter of quality signed by Jahoon. Thanks man.

The slim fit is perfect and the soft nylon-poly weave on the inside makes for a comfy lining. The fit never felt like wrapping my legs in sausage casings but for those with beastly quads, I'd get the Keirin Cut. The Dungarees are for spring or fall, as the lining adds that extra bit of warmth but they are a tad warm for summer. That said, if pants are better suited for your destination, these pants breath and stretch much better than denim. The Workcloth Doubleweave Canvas gives these pants a tough, durable exterior much like a soft, feather weight Scholler material. Keep in mind, the nylon weave gets a slight positive charge, attracting light animal furs but are still simple to sweep off.

Recently, a steady drizzle passed through Atlanta for a good three day stint. Ezz and I took to our bikes and headed into the foul weather to the Shaky Knees Music Festival in Midtown. Through the entire ride, the light rain beaded up on the slacks and never penetrated throughout the 3.2 mile ride. On the back end (or i should say my back end), where I had failed to utilize a rear fender, the water had soaked through the pants from the back wheel, but the dirt and grime wiped right off. As the rain got heavier, the water penetrated the fabric, eventually soaking through to my undies. After the show ended and waiting out the rain with a post-show brew or three, the pants dried up nicely and the Nanosphere treatment went right back to working for the swift ride home. After a few washes, the treatment still holds up if dried according to the online care directions.

Outlier's Slim Dungarees are definitely worth the $198 price tag. And after a few months seeing no wear, they'll definitely last quite awhile. I've worn these pants as a daily bike commuter, while on location and in studio on photography assignments, and on-stage at punk shows. These pants are versatile to say the least. You gotta love the attention to detail in a company made in America gives each each of its garments. It was a pleasure shopping and tossing a few back with the Outlier crew in NYC last week, we'll tell you much more of that story later ;)

More photos to come.

Check out these pants and a number of well tailored clothing at www.outlier.cc. And if you're in NYC, Outlier does an open showroom viewing at 87 Richardson St. from 4-7 on Fridays.

If you can walk a mile or 20+ in these Giro Republics, you’d be as happy in these kicks as we are.  These things have given it all and asked for more. For almost 4 months, these Republics have been walked in, rained on, ridden and raced.

It’s a shame really. When they arrived at the shop, my eyes first gaze upon these puppies i said “These would be my nice shoes, but now I must destroy them.’ From that day forward, they’ve been worn an average of 12 hrs a day. From working at Spindle Headquarters during the day until my shift at the bar finishes in the wee hours of the evening. Giro’s Republics have a sleek, race-like but classy look to them which makes them great for every situation. The durability of the shoe ensures that it will stay looking snazzy no matter what you do to them.

The Republic’s have some thoughtful features. The upper is made with a synthetic, perforated microfiber that is durable, fairly breathable and suuuuper easy to clean. Just take a light, 15mile or so jaunt in the rain and the shoes with look right as…errr.. rain! Put them out on the front porch separate from the insole over night, let it catch some of those morning rays and you’ll be good to go. The micro suede back was the only part that was still damp from the rain ride the night before. It doesn’t take 15 miles of riding in the rain to clean them, but it’s the funnest by far. With over 45+ mile of riding in the rain and drying them out in this fashion, they still don’t stink. Due to the Aegis Microbe Shield in the footbed, I can still wear these shoes around without offending people.

The sole of the shoes is amazingly stiff. Giro worked closely with DuPont to find Zytel, the perfect material for these sukkas. The rigid soles features one of my favorite features to reach the commuter/ touring shoe market: Removable padded soles! With over 20 miles of walking the streets in these shoes, I work in them all day. That is also a testament to the comfort of the Republics. With the 2-screw plate, it will accommodate SPD’s, Eggbeaters and A-TAC’s. I have begun to wear away at the soles of these shoes due to my aggressive amount of walks home from getting a flat downtown to walking friends home from parties and bars. Ahhhhh, but the surfaces, friends, can make a difference. On 90% of normal surfaces these shoes shine, but add a little water and marble or a highly polished concrete and be warned to slow your roll, otherwise you may end up with a yardsale in front of your friends or colleagues. Especially, if you’ve warn away of the gum part of the sole.

Overall, these shoes are astonishingly stiff for when you want to mash it through the finish line of an alleycat , classy enough to hit some fine dining and durability all in a low maintenance, cost effective package. Even after all this time of rigorous testing, I still have people ask if I was with days of purchasing these shoes. The lace-up, old skool style of these are sleek with elastic lace loops included make them suitable for any situation and gender. The ladies version is called the Civila. Although we have had a few Spindleras purchase the men’s version.

Spindle Approved.

Alright, you got your review. Now let me replace these soles and return them to my “nice” shoe status.

Photos by Nick Gividen @nickgividen

Last year The Spindle found a need to add Mountain Biking apparel to our arsenal of commuter/urban cycling gear.  Yet, around every corner are baggy, very loud, vibrantly colored pieces that didn’t really fit into our style. Enter Kitsbow, a Northern Cali Mountain Bike apparel company with and eye for styling while using solid fabrics for a on the trail and off vibe.

The piece that immediately popped out to us was the Icon, a wool shirt in a variety of eye-catching plaids. But how can a shirt that looks this good fare in the trenches of the everyday cyclist? We dug deeper finding Kitsbow purchases Pendleton Wool made in Oregon, then designs and sews a well-cut, button-up shirt, fashioned it with abrasion and water resistant Schoeller patches on the shoulder and elbows for extra durability at the points bikers get slapped on most by branches and the occasional fall when hitting the trails.

The Icon can be used as a jacket or shirt, depending on the days temp.  Down to about 40 degrees with a Merino long-sleeve base layer, then add my Acre Meridian and rode in 15-20 degrees very comfortably.  This has become my go-to shirt least 2-3 days a week during the fall/winter, it’s just too damn comfortable and warm for me to pass up when deciding what wear.

Aside from the widely received compliments for the looks, I was eager to test it out on some gravel roads.  The shirt performed as expected, albeit I over layered with a windproof jacket, it let just the right about of airflow through with added circulation in the perforated stretch gussets located on the back.  Getting smacked by branches  was eased by the Schoeller patches. However, I did take a mighty tumble landing on my forearm, only to find the gravel had torn through the wool, but stopped right at the elbow patch, needless to say, these well-placed patches saved the shirt from any more damage. Being a bit bummed about the holes the shirt due to my miscalculation, I contacted the good people at Kitsbow and they were cool enough to add yet another Schoeller patch onto the forearm in case things ever got squirrelly again!

For those no familiar, Schoeller is a water/abrasion proof fabric. The patches added will save you in a lighter rain, but it’s a wool shirt, anything more than that and the wool will soak it in, but it still isn’t uncomfortable to be in if it’s a little damp, it will keep you warm and it dries surprisingly quick once hung up. In cases of over-layering, the Icon packs nicley into a half-frame bag when folded properly, so can stow it away when starting to overheat, which is great for longer rides or when touring.

Quite bit of Icon’s have gone out the door at The Spindle, with customer’s coming back to us with tales of getting drenched in mud, only to easily wipe the shirt off to find it looking as good as it did before the trails. The detail in the stitching that goes into this piece just shows Kitsbow’s keen eye, while some people may not notice the work that goes into these beautiful shirts, we’re kind of suckers for this attention to detail and have been quick to bring it to light when conversing with customers.

With the Icon’s sleek design and durability aspects, along with the fact it’s made right here in the USA makes it an excellent shirt for all types of riders.  The best part for us is that the Pendleton wool used is from a limited edition roll, so we’re very excited to see which color schemes will pop up year after year.

Photos by Nick Gividen @nickgividen