Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H: A Review

Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H: A Review

Few bike upgrades—if any—comes close to the value of great tires.

It was one of my main reasons to get myself WTB Byway, two years ago. And, for the most part, I was happy with the tire. Granted, it has few quirks; it was occasionally losing grip when wet, and it was nightmarish to install, especially when I had to deal with it in the dark, under the rain, alone. But the high-volume carcass provides extra comfort, and the slick centerline rolls smoothly on the road. It must be one among the fastest allroad/gravel tires out there, too, I had thought.

And then, I learned that—based on few independent testings—WTB Byway was consistently one among the slowests.

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Teazy’s Cycling Technical T-Shirt: A Review

Teazy’s Cycling Technical T-Shirt: A Review

Why technical tee?

It’s no doubt that cycling jersey has evolved into the most optimized outfit for the sport. The skin-tight fit reduces aerodynamic drag more than aero frame and aero wheels, combined, could ever achieve—allowing us to go faster and cover more distance with the same power output. Combined with quick-drying material, its front zipper allows optimal thermal regulation in wide range of temperature, while its back pockets allow us to carry the essentials without messing with smooth pedalling movement. Cycling jersey is, therefore, a must for a competitive ride.

But most of us are riding for fun, not for competition.

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Squirt Chain Lube: A Review

Squirt Chain Lube: A Review

Why Squirt?

Somewhat icky name aside, Squirt was one among the pioneering drip wax lube, and it scored highly in Friction Facts’ original chain lube efficiency testing. But years have passed since, brands have come up with new formulas, and each have their own characteristics other than efficiency alone. Is Squirt still standing tall among the newcomers? How does it fare against the others, including the Silca Super Secret, which I reviewed earlier?

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The Perfect Cycling Chain Lube: Silca Super Secret Review

The Perfect Cycling Chain Lube: Silca Super Secret Review

“How much difference can a cycling-specific lube make?”

Such was the question that popped into my head when looking for chain lube for Scotty, my trusted 26er rigid MTB—the question that was soon followed by innocent rationale: a lube is a lube, right? After all, motorcycle and sewing machine operate with chain, too; and they do just well with cheap lube. Does it make sense to spend much more for cycling-specific lube?

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Cycling Cub Compression Socks: A Review

Cycling Cub Compression Socks: A Review

How much a difference can they make?

That was my attitude toward cycling-specific socks for years. Sure, cycling-specific apparels like jersey and padded short improved both on-bike performance and comfort considerably. But a pair of socks? I’ve been using standard cotton socks for years, feeling just fine even on 200+ km rides—until I gave compression socks a try recently. While perhaps not as significant as cycling-specific short and jersey, I must admit, they do make difference—especially on hours of constant, continuous pedalling motion.

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Satset.CC Ortap Seat Pack: A Review

Satset.CC Ortap Seat Pack: A Review

“Don’t worry, you can still buy your favorite coffee.”

Such was @Satset.CC’s statement when it announced the Ortap Seat Pack prototype—the statement that came back to me, as I looked at the pricetag when it was officially released. Was there a mistake? Have I been living inside a cave for too long, that I’ve lost track of general price inflation? “No” was the answer to both questions. So came another one: what is it about the seat pack that justifies its higher-than-average pricetag?

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In Search of Perfect Allroad/Gravel Tire: A WTB Byway Review

In Search of Perfect Allroad/Gravel Tire: A WTB Byway Review

Here’s a little known fact: few bike upgrades—if any—comes close to the value of great tires. That ultralight aero wheelset your fellow cyclists have been raving about? Will perhaps improve 2-3% of total performance. That overpriced, oversized ceramic derailleur pulley? Good luck ekeing more than 1% of performance gain out of it. A pair of supple performance rubbers, on the other hand, is a potential game-changing gem; it can easily gain as much as 5% of performance increase compared to stiff, touring model—equal to the performance gain of dropping 7 kg off the bike. Supple tires, especially the wider ones, also improve comfort in a way carbon handlebar and/or seatpost can never match.

Tires, therefore, should occupy the top of bike upgrade/improvement list.

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New Allroad/Gravel Bike: Surly Midnight Special

New Allroad/Gravel Bike: Surly Midnight Special

If you can only have one bike, how would you build it?

Against widespread adoption of N+1 principle among cyclists, I have long been a believer of “one bike to rule them all” approach. For me, it made much more sense. On a multi-terrain cycling adventure, changing bikes to suit specific terrain condition isn’t an option; not even changing wheelsets. Combining long stretch of paved road, long climbs, rocky gravel road, steep twisty descents, even singletracks, such adventure demands one bike capable to tackle them all. Granted, such a bike will not excel at any particular task; it will, however, do well on almost any challenge a cycling adventure throw at it.

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Racmmer Elite Jersey: A Review

Racmmer Elite Jersey: A Review

It started with a surprise: a direct message from the guy behind Racmmer’s official distributor here in Indonesia. Apparently he had just stumbled upon my previous review of the brand’s jersey, and decided to hand me a gift as a sign of appreciation—an offer I’m not dumb enough to turn down. I was given full freedom to choose whichever model I’d like, but he suggested me to give their newest model a try: the top-of-the-range IDR 260K / USD 19 Racmmer Elite jersey, updated with new, claimed-better, cut and fabric. With the possibility of writing another review, following his suggestion and choosing the model was a no-brainer option for me.

Disclosure: while the product reviewed here is provided by Racmmer, the content is based on my honest judgment and opinion.

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Review: Polygon Speed Cycling Helmet

Review: Polygon Speed Cycling Helmet

Can I get a decent cycling helmet for around IDR 300K (USD 20)? That was the question that popped in my head when I set out to buy a replacement—the previous one I had was comfortable, but after 5 years of use, it had crumbled into an ugly blob of black polystyrene on my head. Apparently, the choice was limited to either cheap, garish multipurpose model, or famous brand’s Chinese knock-offs with doubtful quality; apparently, until I stumbled upon Polygon Speed, the road helmet from Indonesia’s most famous cycling company.

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