Pretty much every product review we’ve done has went up on the site after only trying the item out very briefly….so I’m back again to revisit some of these reviews and provide my feedback now that I’ve been able to give them a more thorough trial.

Shot Roks – Review Done on May 28, 2010

My post about Shot Roks from Clif Bar was one of the first reviews I did here at Loving the Bike.  It was an unsolicited review meaning that they didn’t send me free samples to try out.  I posted the review because I simply believed in the product and wanted to get the word out to my fellow cyclists.  It was an open-hearted and honest review and I’ve kept that same attitude throughout all the reviews done since then.

What’s cool about this review is that it caught the attention of the guys from Clif Bar and in turn created the opportunity for me to become an ambassador for their company.  So although I purchased the product for that first review, I now receive all the product I could ever want.  I enjoy getting the chance to promote a company that provides great products to cyclists and athletes and am a proud supporter of all they do.

Pearl Izumi Road Race Shoe - Review Done on August 10, 2011

It was the nice shipment from the folks at Pearl Izumi that provided me with my first complementary package of cycling sweetness.  They sent a couple kits along with a hot pair of cycling shoes.  Right away I could tell that the shoes were great, but the review went up after only wearing them a few times.

I’ve had them now for over a year, and can honestly say that they’re still the best pair of cycling shoes I’ve ever owned.  Add in the custom Footbalance insoles that I received last year and my feet are in heaven on each ride.

iBert Safe-T-Seat – Review Done on January 13, 2012

I was a little skeptical of this child seat when I first received the iBert, but because it looked so cool and was something my Son was so excited about…I just had to give it a chance.  It was great to be able to ride around with my Baby Boy right there in front of me, but the more I used it the more I got the feeling that it just wasn’t all that safe.

I used it on a few short trips around the neighborhood, but then ended up giving it away in March.  I’ve seen these being sold at Mellow Johnny’s and REI, and am actually quite surprised that they would carry an item that is not as safe as other options on the market.  My Son really loved that seat, but now seems happy riding behind me once again in the Chariot trailer.

Reveal the Path Movie – Review Done on June 13, 2012

It’s been just a couple months since my Son and I got the chance to premier the movie, Reveal the Path – “a visually stunning adventure by bike”.  I gave this movie a spectacular review and I can honestly say that I can’t wait to see it again.  I might not get the chance to see it up on the big screen again, but will definitely pick up a DVD to keep with me.

There are a few more screenings of this movie going on in the US through October, so check out their listings and be sure to take it in if they’re coming to your city.  Otherwise, be sure to grab a DVD so you can be inspired for life on and off the bike whenever you need it.  You need to see this movie.

Other than the Clif Bar Shot Bloks, I was comp’d all these other items….but if you know me, then you’ll know that my reviews are honest and I’m not just plugging any of these because they’re paying me to do so.  To read about all the reviews we’ve done here at Loving the Bike, head over to our “Real Product Reviews” section.

It seems like all of a sudden I have a whole whack of things to review, so today is going to be a mish mash of various products from the world of cycling.

Clif Bar – CLIF SHOT

I’ve just recently become an Ambassador for ClifBar and I’m pretty stoked about this….so I’m sure you’ll be seeing me review a lot of products from them over the coming months.  Even though I’m an Ambassador, rest assured that my reviews of their product will remain as open and honest as they are for any other products.  Believe that.

For today I’m focusing on their version of the ever popular energy gel, the Clif Shot. There are countless companies making similar products out there and I’ve tried at least 5 of 6 different varieties.  I’ve seen a lot of reviews where people pick their favorite brand or flavor….but I don’t share the same trend.  In my opinion, all gels taste pretty much the same and achieve pretty similar results.  Sure there are slight variations and they tantalize different taste buds, but to me…a gel is a gel.

But there is one cool thing about the Clif Shot that really impressed me.  Check out this picture on the right and see what happens when you rip off the top of the gel. Yeah, it stays attached so you don’t toss it to the side of the road while out on the bike.   I love this feature….and I’m pretty sure the environment likes it as well.

YMX by YellowMan

The letters YMX stand for YellowMan Expression, a company launched in 2009 as an extension of the original, high-end tattoo clothing brand, YellowMan. YellowMan makes a bunch of products, including cycling jerseys, and pride themselves in offering collectible, limited wearable art prints to its customers.

About a month ago I was contacted by YMX to see if I was interested in trying out one of their sleeveless jerseys.  We’re in the middle of a very hot and super dry summer here in Texas and I don’t currently have any sleeveless jerseys, so you just know that I had to say yes.

I was really excited about having a sleeveless jersey, but when my sample arrived…it was a regular jersey with sleeves.  I was pretty bummed, but wanted to give them the review that I promised.

Being a guy who digs tattoos and has a few of my own, I was sort of shocked that the design didn’t really do it for me.  I think if you’re one of those people who totally loves full-out tattoo sleeves, or you find yourself admiring this type of tattoo art…then these jerseys are totally for you.  To me, they are a little too loud and wild to match my cycling style and preferences.

The design they ended up sending me instead was the Flying Fish Cycle Jersey….please leave your comments below letting me know what you think.  It’s comfortable and all that, but just not my idea of cycling fashion.

PureFit Nutrition Bars

As I already mentioned, I’m a proud Ambassador of ClifBar now….so I won’t be reviewing many products in the same category as what they have to offer.  But I was contacted by PureFit just prior to the ClifBar deal so I wanted to provide a review seeing as they were nice enough to send me some samples.

PureFIt offers all-natural, gluten-free and wheat-free, dairy-free, vegan, kosher, high-protein, diabetic-friendly nutrition bars….whew, that was a mouthful.  I didn’t really know anything about PureFit when I agreed to try out their bars so when I got home one day and saw the package outside on our front doorway basking in 107 degrees of Texas heat, I figured I was about to open a box of nutrition bar soup. That’s when I discovered that they weren’t a chocolate based bar, but one that doesn’t contain dairy, wheat, or gluten, and will not melt in their packaging.

I’ve always carried around non-meltable type protein bars in my vehicle (Tri-O-Plex and now ClifBar) so that I have some fuel available to me when I need it. So if you like to carry around protein bars with you and don’t want to stress about them melting, be sure to go for a brand that offers something like this.

The PureFit Nutrition Bar wasn’t the best (or worst) that I’ve ever tasted.  To be honest, my current favorite is the Original Clif Bar….and you can totally trust that I’m not just saying that because of my relationship with them.  What I did like about PureFit is that they are doing all they can to keep their bars natural and real….and I think that is super awesome.

Schwalbe Ultremo ZX Tires

This is the only product in today’s Random Samplings that wasn’t sent to me for free.  I was in need of some new tires and turned to my friend and Cycling 360 co-host, Victor for advice.  He recommended the Schwalbe Ultremo ZX which is one of the brands he carries over at Bicycle Lab.  He popped them in the mail and I was riding on new tires within a couple of days.

I’ve never had tires considered to be as good as these ones so I was super excited to try them out. The first ride out with them didn’t go as well as I thought.  I don’t think it was the fault of the tires, but I just didn’t feel as energized as usual and the ride felt tough.  In fact, none of the first few rides I had with the Schwalbe’s stood out to me as being one of my super fantastic rides.  Again, nothing against the tires….but I had thought that maybe once I had them on, they’d help me become super human.

I’ve had them now for a few weeks and they’ve performed good.  One thing I’ve noticed, and I’m not sure if it’s coincidence or what….but since putting them on I feel like I’m more affected by the wind.  It hasn’t been insanely windy, but I’ve felt like I’m being blown around more than I had before.  I talked to Victor about it and he says it could just be an inflation issue.

I’m kind of on the fence with this one.  What tires do you like best?

For this installment of Mac Mondays, I’m going to look at products you can add to your iPhone, iPod Touch and general audio devices that could help you better enjoy your ride. I currently don’t own any of the products listed below; but, I did find them interesting and will probably add all of them to my accessories arsenal.

When I reviewed Cyclemeter a couple of weeks ago, I liked how the information was displayed on my iPhone’s screen (check out the review here) but I was concerned about how to safely mount my phone to the handle bars (I used the Joby Gorrillamobile). After searching the internet I came across the BioLogic Bike Mount for iPhone by Dahon. The Bike Mount is a weatherproof, silicone lined shock resistant case that pivots 360 degrees to allow you to use your iPhone in portrait or landscape mode. There is an opening on the back of the case that allows the rider to take videos or pictures while riding. The Bike Mount (compatible with iPhone, iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3GS) is currently listed on Amazon for $54. I am very interested in this product but will have to wait to purchase an iPhone 4 Mount (supposedly available later in 2010).

The next product that I am definitely going to buy is called One Good Earbud. It is a “two-channel-mono” earbud that provides safety while out on a ride. Since both stereo channels of music are mixed into one earbud (providing a great audio experience), riders have one ear free to attend to potentially dangerous items in their immediate environment (as usual, vehicles). One Good Earbud is available for any audio device ($19.95 US + shipping) and the Mobile Pro for smartphones version has a built-in microphone ($27.95 US + shipping).

Finally, earphone cables can be an issue while out on a ride. While searching the internet, I discovered Tuneclip. It allows you to wind your earphone cables around a reel-shaped body and enclose them in the device. Tuneclip also has a clip on the back of it that allows the user to attach it a shirt or just about anywhere else. Cables can be easily adjusted to the required length needed while Tuneclip keeps the rest of the cables out of the way of your equipment. Available from Tunewear for $14.95 US.

I’ve only listed three potential accessories that I’ve found interesting. I know that I’ve missed many unique and useful gadgets…what are they? Please let us know.

Loving the Bike will periodically be doing cycling related product reviews. Continue to check back with us for future reviews, and contact us if there is a specific product that you’d like our opinion on. Most reviews will be on supplements and nutrition products because they interest us and we feel we can provide some helpful advice in this area.

Nuun Active Hydration

Disclosure

I have to start off by saying that although I’ve only used Nuun a handful of times, I am a huge fan of their product, company, and corporate culture. With that said, I promise this review will be completely un-biased and provide you with a real world look at their product. My review is from the perspective of a cyclist who loves the bike and is totally motivated to improve himself or herself and get the most out of their rides. A cyclist who is ready to challenge themselves to their personal max, and not necessarily a competitive rider.

Let me first tell you the concept behind Nuun. It is an electrolyte product “designed, formulated and tested to keep you optimally hydrated, wherever you are”. It is not a carbohydrate product, but can be used along with a carbohydrate drink should you need something for that purpose as well.

I’m going to tell you a little bit more about the company and why I love their culture so much, but let me get right into my actual review.

What Loving the Bike has to say

Like I said, I’ve only used Nuun a few times; about 7 times on the road, and once on the indoor trainer. But, each and every time, I have had an incredible ride. If I had to sum it up in one sentence, I would say that when I use Nuun, it honestly feels as if oxygen is being pumped into my bloodstream. I’m serious. I have visions of the O2 cells pumping through my veins. And of course, more oxygen in the blood means higher performance from the body. This is the experience I’ve had using Nuun on outdoor road rides. I’ve only used it once indoors and although it helped me through a great trainer session, I didn’t experience that same feeling of the oxygen in my blood. Maybe it is the heat and elements that provided that feeling outdoors, I’m not sure. But on the indoor ride, I did have the sensation of it seeping into my tongue and going into my body.

There is not the sudden energy boost like you’d find in something like a caffeine based drink. The benefits I find by using Nuun are more in the way of a feeling that my body is working efficiently and humming along like a Lamborghini. So if you’re looking for a product to give you a quick fix and motivate you to get out there and ride when you just don’t feel like it, this one likely won’t do it.

One of the greatest benefits is that it won’t upset your stomach or cramp your muscles….at least it never has for me. I’ve used a few products in the past that have done this, so I’ve always been leery of trying new ones. That’s actually the reason it took me until just a few months ago to try it out. I was worried that it was going to upset my stomach and disrupt my ride.

Okay, so how do you use it?

First of all, I would definitely not recommend you use Nuun every time you ride. I feel that if you did that, it would lose it’s edge and some of the benefits and performance it gives you would be lost. “But how can having your body work more efficiently every single time be a bad thing”, you say? Like with everything else, your body becomes accustomed to whatever it considers normal. I guess if you plan on using Nuun for pretty much every future ride you take, then it might be okay. I know Nuun would love that. But my recommendation is this:

Which days?

Days when you need uplifting – Use it on the days when you need that psychological boost to get you out there. Yeah, I know I said it wouldn’t give you that sudden boost. It will help your body work a little more efficiently, which will make you feel more energized, and in turn your psychological state of mind will be better as well.

Long ride or big days – Use it on the days when you are going to challenge yourself by going on a longer than normal ride. Use it on the days when you plan on hitting some hills that you generally do not dare to climb. Use it on the days that you know you’ll be challenging yourself more than usual.

Race days and Charity Rides – Use it on important days. If you’re a competitive rider, use it on race days. If you are a cyclist challenging yourself to take part in a charity ride like the LiveSTRONG Challenge or Copper Triangle….Use it for the big day.

Timing and Proceedure

On the days when you’re using Nuun as a psychological boost, drink the whole thing down in a bottle approximately 30 minutes before taking off on your ride.

On the long ride or big days, throw the tab into your water bottle….not your first bottle, but the second one you are taking along. Let it sit there in your cage and once you’ve used up your first bottle of water, dig into the second Nuun filled bottle and it will kick in just when you need it.

For the race and charity rides, chug down one Nuun filled bottle about 30 to 45 minutes before the start, but also carry one along for the ride. Depending on your riding style, I would use the second Nuun filled bottle when you need it. If you generally lack kick at the beginning, use it first. If you find that you need that something extra later on in your ride, use it second….or third.

How many tabs?

When I first bought Nuun, the person helping me at the store advised me that I should drop two tabs into my bottle, even though Nuun recommends one. I didn’t follow her advice and I still haven’t to this day. I might experiment with it sometime, but I don’t believe two tabs per bottle is necessary. I’m sure Nuun spent a lot of time developing and testing the product, and created it so that one tab is all you need at a time. I’ve been happy with the results of using one tab per bottle and feel that it’s best.

Nuun claims that its strengths are portability, balance, refreshment, and simplicity. I must agree. Everything from the packaging right down to the performance is clean and simple. Definitely simple. This company only makes one product and doesn’t even go crazy with an overload of flavor choices. Simple is good.

Nuun states that their product is good for usage in any physical activity. I’ve personally only used it for cycling, but I can’t see why it wouldn’t be great for any type of fitness. It’s a product to improve the mechanics of your body while exercising so I’m sure it will enhance your performance no matter what your doing.

And how about that corporate culture?

The correspondence I’ve had with their staff and the image portrayed on their website has shown me that they are one cool company. They seem so laid back and genuine, and I love it. I think it is the simplicity that makes them that way. Nuun provides better hydration to our body and better hydration to the planet. By selling their product as tabs in small tubes, they are significantly limiting the amount of waste from its use. There are twelve less plastic bottles being sold every time you buy it. In fact, the company is partnered with an organization called the New American Dream which is all about breaking the plastic bottle habit.

In conclusion, I would like to thank my riding buddies from Austin, Texas (Team AC2) for turning me onto Nuun. It’s a great product and very cool company.