Pelican 1520 Loaded Vandal

Ride Through the Belgisch countryside

( 3 photos above show the Rambler model due to the theft of the tested Vandal in NYC )

Smooth, sleek and carries a hell of a freight, this bag is a work horse. Whether on your after-work shopping spree to your local farmers market or on a beer tour through Belgium, this weatherproof, commodious vessel will comfortably carry anything outside of a lawn sculpture. The back cushioning and padded shoulder straps protect your body through long commutes and rough terrain. If you consistently carry larger, heavy loads, I suggest purchasing the waistbelt (worth the additional $34.00). The waist belt helps keep the bag in place during quick climbs. I've used the Rambler as well and the differences in the two bags are minimal outside of the size difference. I upgraded to the Vandal because, to me, it's better to have more room and not need it then have more stuff than space.

In addition, there is plenty of room for a jacket, laptop, a sixer of brew, bike tools and room to spare while in compact mode. The bag expands out to a luggage sized bag that would accommodate everything but your bike on a long international trip, as my brother Ezz did in the fall of 2012. Here's what he had to say about the Vandal:

At the end of September, my lady and I embarked on trip to Amsterdam to visit some friends of ours who had just moved there. The plan for the trip was to spend 4 days in Amsterdam, followed by a 3 day biking excursion to breweries across the Belgisch countryside. The week of our travels I was scrambling around for a bag that would fit my needs, 1st off I HATE checking bags, I want them with me so I can zoom through the terminals and begin adventure time with the quickness!! So I went to my brother for assistance and he quickly offered his Mission Workshop Vandal bag to use; Within an hour I was packed, my whole weeks worth of clothes, shoes, & necessary electronics had filled the Vandal without any problems!

Upon arrival to Amsterdam and having a few days to explore all she had to offer, museums, boat rides, restaurants, and (cough, cough) other interesting places. The day before leaving for Belgium my lady and I decided it would be best to squeeze both our wardrobes for the next 3 days in the MW bag, and as we all know ladies need their finest when heading out and about, so needless to say the Vandal was packed to the brim! The next day we hopped on a train to Antwerp for an evening rendezvous before hopping on train # 2 for an hour ride to Ghent.

From the terminal in Ghent we went and picked up our weapons of choice, come to find these weapons were actually going to be 750 lb cruisers (more like 50lb) to go through the Belgisch Hilly countryside. I will admit at 1st I was a little worried about how the added 25-30 lbs in the Vandal would feel on my shoulders throughout the 7 hr/day rides, especially climbing steep hills with these massive bike. I got offers throughout the ride to either take a break or have my buddy carry my gear. I declined in both instances due to the fact that I felt totally fine, the straps did not rub while riding, and the weight was proportioned fine (with assistance of my impeccable packing skills!), I never felt like I needed to stop and shift the weight at any time.

After 3 days of 5-7 hour rides, with multiple beer stops and adding souvenir weight, I anticipated a certain degree of soreness from the straps after such a long trip with such a heavy bike...nothing, the only pain I felt was from my ripped thighs and that 1376 lb bike (again maybe 50ish lbs). After landing back in Atlanta my brother picked us up and asked how the bag worked out, in which I handed the bag to him and said 3 simple words, with authority: "Get me one!"

In the end, the Vandal by Mission Workshop is fantastic all-around use bag. It will take whatever you throw at it and provides an even balance so your not icing your back after a long ride wherever it may be;but it is not without its flaws, albeit very minor. Although the Vandal incorporates great organizational features, the front pockets do not articulate at all so their spaciousness depends on whats left over from the main compartment. Fine for magazines. The smaller side entry pockets are my favorites though, for keeping my wallet, phone and such.

About two years or so ago, I stumbled upon this company and their "sneakers." Six months later I saw them at Interbike, a cycling trade show held annually in Las Vegas, NV. I took a pair home and wore them religiously for a year and a half. As a messenger, I was clomping into buildings wearing road shoes, then advanced to mt bike shoes with a smaller cleat slipping and scrapping all over tiles, hardwoods and marble floors. Seeing the evolution of a street shoe with SPD capabilities was a breath of fresh air.

After cutting out the sole and mounting a Crank Bros Eggbeater cleat ( http://www.crankbrothers.com/pedals_eggbeater.php ), a very slight tapping of the metal to the floor was still there. I've worn through a couple of cleats over the year because of this, but its still an incredible advantage over using spacey looking clipless shoes with minimal traction. The first round of laces have long been replaced, so be sure to tuck them into the shoe or the now provided elastic lace catch above the toe-box on the tongue.

With a full length, variable flex, stiff mid-sole shank, the transfer of power to the pedals is much better than a regular shoe, more helpful on sprints and climbs but still comfortable enough for walking around your local market, restaurant/bar or off-site meetings.

Spending several hours and consecutive days in these shoes is possible with comfort due to the flexible nylon mid-sole. The shoe holds up well in the rain. Take out the tongue and the shoe dries over night. Through heavy use though, I have broken the mid-sole where the cleat attaches. They may have addressed this in the new Task Series by an integrating metal reinforcement to their standard nylon shank. Today these shoes would be the predecessor of the Midnight low-top sneaker.

The lifespan of these shoes, cosmetically, is a year of moderate use. Keep in mind, I have had one pair I used heavily, exclusively and daily. Its a year and a half later and the shoe has been retired to recreational use strictly due to the cosmetic aspects. Its still possible to use them and they still hold up strong but are just not in the most presentable condition. The reviewed shoe is now destroyed and a new review is in the works for a more current shoe under moderate usage, the Strasse, both male and female versions.

Ezz has also been testing out the Strasse:

On a weekend trip up to NYC, My main focus (besides spending time with my lovely wife Erin, hi honey, winkies) was to get a pair of casual cycling shoes. I really liked Sharif's DZR's, and since they don't have any commuter specialty bike stores in Atlanta, I used my trip to NYC to check out both the Chrome store and a couple of cycle shops that carried DZR. I hit up the Chrome store in Soho, tried on the Midway pro's and just felt they were to bulky for my narrow feet, leaving disappointed because I really liked the way they looked online. Later, we passed by Bicycle Habitat to check out their selection. They only had 3 pairs of DZR's left, I was glad to see they had a pair of the Strasse's (http://dzrshoes.com/strasse) just for me and a pair of Tosca's (http://dzrshoes.com/tosca) for Erin.

Upon arriving back to Atlanta, I couldn't wait to take my new kicks for a spin, of course I hadn't switched the pedals yet, so I scurried over to Loose Nuts (www.loosenutscycles.com/) to pick some up. I snagged a pair of Crank Bros Eggbeaters & cleats (review coming soon!), and rode back Removing the rubber from the DZR's was pretty easy, I was super careful and had a sharp knife to cut around the edges with jedi like precision. After screwing the cleats in I was ready to ride. For a while I was nervous about being clipped in on my bike; mostly mental, but after a couple of practice rounds clipping in and out, paired with a short ride around Atlanta and I was hooked. /span>

Now, I use these shoes all the time, from hitting the bars with friends, long weekend rides, to working at the Tabernacle keeping up with the hustle and bustle of patrons anxiously gearing up to watch whatever band is playing. For those who want a comfortable SPD shoe that you can wear everywhere, without haulin around another pair of shoes, and not clomping about with road bike , get on it. The only thing I would change is the extremely long laces, I just find them unnecessary, but fortunately the smarties at DZR have made a nice little rubber loop in the tongue for me to tuck those bad boys away. But plain and simple, I love my DZR's. If they were a woman, I'd seduce them into sleeping with me, then I'd actually call them the next day.

After

Future tests will include the beefier Task series shoe from DZR, comparable Chrome's pro series shoe and others. Another test, another day. We're looking forward to seeing the progression of DZR.

UPDATE 4/16/2014:  After 2 years of hard rides the DZR Strasse's shank cracked in half on my way back home after a weekend of putting in some miles.  Unfortunately for me they were one of my favorite shoes of all time and were as comfortable and broken in as a new pair of blue jeans!  The snap did not affect my riding at all, so don't worry if this happens to you while on a long trek, they'll hold up just fine once your destination is reached.  These shoes withstood, long-standing nights working at the Tabernacle, and were even flexible enough to chase down a non-paying patron trying to blast through the doors!!

But everyone is different, all people ride differently so they may last longer with lighter use.  But as you know we beat the hell out of everything we test to give you fine consumers the best and accurate review we can!  But DZR's shoes are 100% Spindlero approved, and recommend them highly!! But after a day of bidding the Strasse adieu and pouring a sip or two on the concrete, we've now moved on to the Jetlag Nero's and hope to get in a review for you lovely people in the near future!!

Now, I don't know if you know this, but here in Atlanta, it gets a little hot in the summertime. So hot, it makes lip balm melt in the center console of my car, that's why I stopped using it ( the car, that is!). Sometimes, though, a long sleeve shirt is appropriate for the occasion or it may cool down in the evening. For this, I wear Club Rides Go Long shirt. The most breathable long sleeve shirt I've ever worn. Made of a thin proprietary fabric cleverly called RideDryWear, it flows beautifully, like Farrah Fawcett's hair in a majestic episode of Charlie's Angels ( may her soul & hair rest in peace). Whether you're riding through the city with a messenger bag or hitting single track trail with a hydration pack in-tow, that sweaty back is quick to dry as the loose fitting fabric is thin and wicks away moisture like a champ.

The design is a modern-styled western shirt, decked out with pearl snaps, a front breast pocket large enough for a phone fitted with a case and two (2) hidden rear, zippered pockets for tools, snacks, additional gels, etc. The sides of the shirt are lined with a strip of Club Ride's ventilating Air2Flow system, a mesh from the bottom of the shirt reaching to the sleeves cuff. This strip allows air to flow freely throughout the shirt keeping you cool and the sweat down to a minimum. The Air2Flow system reduces the stink and sweat from becoming a topic of conversation.

Adding to the list of features this shirt endows, is a zipper reaching from the second button from the top to the second to last button from the bottom. I have to admit, it took me a while to figure out why there was a zipper AND buttons on this shirt until a unexpected chill wafted through the sweet Georgia air on a recent late night ride. The added zipper acts much like a pit-zip for the chest, very airy when unzipped but cuts through the wind when fully zipped. The shorter length of the zipper is great to simply pop off a couple of buttons for added comfort.

Because of the ventilating features and cool styling, you can sport this shirt over and over again with out worrying about it looking ragged and smelling rank. Much like the Sun Valley, Idaho based company boasts "Wear Daily." This is a fully synthetic shirt so its perfect to wear on warm/hot days and fully functional for cycling to the pub or restaurant. I really enjoy wearing this shirt around town, out and about with friends and would recommend it for the avid cyclist cruising around town. Definitely something I would carry in the store...;)

Thanks to Brett May @ www.brettmayphotography.com for the pics!

Now get on you bikes and RIDE!

When we first spotted this skirt we were intrigued by its form and curious about its functionality. Lucky for us we've acquired a great group of ladies to help us in testing female specific commuter apparel. You've met Caroline in our Sombrio's Vagabond review and we are excited to introduce our second women's specific review. Rebecca Serna Woiderski, Executive Director at the Atlanta Bicycle Coalition, has been an amazing resource for Atlanta Cyclists and is the newest Spindle contributor. Enjoy her poignant review of the Iva Jean Reveal skirt..

Whenever I show up somewhere in the Iva Jean Reveal skirt, I find myself demonstrating how the skirt converts from pencil for looks, to pleated for riding. I've never talked so much about an article of clothing before. This is a brilliant idea, and it's well-executed.

Constructed of stretchy black material that is very sturdy and not too technical, doesn't scream cycling falls just below my knees. Most importantly, there's a zipper on the back that allows the skirt to convert from office jockey to riding a bike in seconds flat.

The zipper is definitely the standout feature, but it's also the most comfortable pencil skirt I've owned due to the stretch fabric. Just this morning I discovered a very useful hidden interior pocket in the waistband. The skirt stays put even when it's windy, and the seams appear much stronger than I'm used to (I'm always resewing seams on other skirts I ride in).

What would I change? Not much! Consider adding side pockets (this skirt is crying out for pockets), maybe offer a shorter option. And I always love a reflective element in clothing I wear on my bike - ideally something unobtrusive that doesn't appear to be reflective except in dark conditions. Maybe a reflective feature that only shows when unzipped?

Overall: 4.5/5

Thanks Rebecca! Keep up with Rebecca and The Atlanta Bicycle Coalition to stay up-to-date on all bike related news in Atlanta.

http://www.atlantabike.org/

A point we try instill in our readers on a regular basis is cutting wind ;) When you're out riding in Atlanta's fluctuating weather conditions, you understand the dangers of that rogue gust that almost throws you sideways on your foul weather rides. We can't stop those gusts but we can help stop it from making you cold.

For the past 3 seasons, I've been cruising with Club Rides Rale Pant for almost a year now and they have solidified their place in my wardrobe rotation. These casual looking performance pant are ideal for weather like today, windy with a touch of chill. The Rale Pants cut through the wind so the wind doesn't cut through your bones. Its been great having these pants throughout Georgia's erratic weather . From heavy winds, temperature drops and sporadic rains. Club Ride's proprietary StretchRide9 synthetic fabric has great wicking properties for the hot days while the brushed polyester lining will also insulate on colder days. Perfect for when the days are in the 60's and the nights are in the 20's (Yea, that shit happens in Atlanta). Although these are not waterproof pants, the DWR allows light rain to roll off like water on a duck. Extended time in heavier rain will soak through within a few miles but the brushed poly liner keeps it from chaffing on long wet rides ;)

Initially when ordering these pants, I selected by waist size. I'm a small guy so size 31s are usually perfect for me. Not in Club Rides, I could barely pull the x-smalls above my quads. After returning for the meds then again for the smalls I finally got a pair that fit. There is an interior waist adjustment feature that will customize the fitting of the waist f you're in the same boat. The ideal trouble with ordering online. Because its a size up scenario, the fit is more regular than "athletic" unless you're actually a 32, then the athletic fit is in the quads. I do like how a majority of these companies are embracing the longer legs with 34 inseams. Its easier to hem pants then shorten legs.

A few of our favorite features of these pants are really cool additions. Club Ride's NoCrackBack keeps you classy when leading rides (no pen holders back here). Reflective seams on the drive side and articulated knees are always favorite features. The additional side storage pocket was perfect for my iPhone4 but a touch snug for the iPhone5 ( don't even think of fitting the entire Galaxy in there, android users). Now, I put the phone in first then hook up the headphone jack, so it is still functional. If you do rock a big phone, the side pocket is great for clif bars. The back pockets are super deep to accommodate your Galaxies.

Overall these pants are great to have around for unpredictable weather or for those cool, breezy commutes. Slight chance of rain? No worries, that's why these pants were made.