Context: I'm a used-to-be road racer and continuing on- and off-road age-group triathlete. I cyclocross for fun and fitness and have been commuting on a 'cross bike for three or four years now. I decided it was simply easier on my Specialized Tricross for me to just leave that as my commuter (no more mounting and removing racks and fenders) and get the CX6.5 as a full-time fun bike for weekend (or weekday!) 'cross rides. Holy $h!t! This bike is built to go fast. I love my Tricross, but it's no race bike. The Blue Comp. CX6.5 wants to jump out from under me whenever I stomp on the pedals. My first jaunt was on a set of jeep road loops that connect via some double track and I was blown away by this bike's performance. The carbon fork takes up a lot of the vibration (I'd like to get a carbon seatpost and handlebar...and I will in the spring!) and I felt fresh, comfortable and really just fast. The bike responds well to my input and it feels like it wants to jump on any attack. Awesome. It arrived almost completely put together, very professionally packaged. All I had to do was get the stem and handlebars on and do the front brakes, which took me a little bit to get just right. It was otherwise ready to go: shifting was set, rear brakes were good to go... Do not mis out, especially on Bonktown prices!

I've used some crank bros. Pedal or another for about six or seven years and now it's all I use. These 2ti pedals are really good. Some of the more entry-level models have given me accidental releases, but not these. Not a single incident of popping out. Light, good looking and great power transfer. Def. recommend

I did not like this pack initially: WAY too much bouncing, to the point of the bottles coming out. Then I realized it needed to be tightened. Once I tightened it, I loved it. The storage is great, the weight distribution is nice. Having this leaves my hands free for some Ultimate Direction® handheld bottles, or just free to be. The bottles come out and go in smoothly, no issues there. All in all, I like the system a lot. For suumertime hydrationI've used backpacks, handhelds and Fuelbelt® systems. This CamleBak® is up there with any of them, and has almost as much storage room as the pack systems I own. Very cool. Very comfortable. Though I should say, I haven't worn it N2S yet, so no comment on chafing.

The gloves did what they were supposed to and were very, very comfy, but the stitching came undone in less than a season of use. This wouldn't have bothered me that much, but I hardly used them and they still came unstitched. Not up to normal mtn hrdwr standards. I'd give them another shot if I saw them on sale, though, they really were nice and soft (buttery). Maybe I got a bad pair.

They definitely get the job done, but found that the compound is a bit soft, so these will wear quickly. That said, they really do work very well, you'll just need to buy and replace often.

First, don't get these for racing, they're not skintight spandex®. These are incredibly comfortable, soft, just stretchy enough and exceedingly water-resistant. I rode through some pretty nasty wetstuff in New Hampshire this summer and no matter how wet the trails got, the water just beaded off. I suspect that a major downpour would get them soaked, but I further guess that they'd dry really quickly. The workmanship and styling is great: I wore them out for brunch and mini-golf with the family. I'm not a pockets-on-my-gear kind of guy, so the numerous storage possibilities on them are a minor downside for me. But, that's a personal preference. I don't like giving away secrets, but Cutter® is too cool to keep hidden in my closet. Get these! They rock.

PS Sizing seems to be spot-on: I'm a 34" waist and the medium fit perfectly. I'm short and they come just below my knees, too. And, finally, they do stretch a bit and they have belt loops, so if your weight fluctuates, these will expand a bit (or vice versa) with you.

Okay, first-up, I don't have this jacket. That said, it's eVent®, which makes it lighter and more breatheable than any other non-eVent® jacket in its class. Those of you who do not own gear made of or with eVent® fabrics are missing out: waterproof, windproof and breathes incredibly. I don't understand how it works, but I don't care. It's awesome.

I love these. I don't want everyone to buy them out, but I can't keep my mouth shut on them, either. They ride very comfortably, shed water very well and whatever moisture they do pick up dries quickly. The styling is great, too. I went from a long ride in the mountains to breakfast out with the fam. and then mini-golf in them. Sure, I didn't smell very good at the end of 18 holes, but I looked damn fine in these knickers (manpris, as my friends call them). They're pretty sweet and you should buy them. Size-wise, they ran pretty true: I've got a 34"waist and the mediums are spot-on. If I gain a little weight, they'll stretch with me, if I lose a little weight, well, maybe I'll get a belt: oh, they've got belt-loops. The only downside, and it's minor, is that there are too many pockets. I'm not a pocket-guy on the bike.

Hey all, just thought I'd point out a couple of things. First, this jacket really seems well made and well thought through: wind/water proof, looks great, heat-control with the dual-direction zip (can open from top or bottom) and pit-zips is fantastic, multiple pockets, reflective strips... The only "complaint" (not really a complaint, just an observation) is that it runs really, really big. I've got a 42" chest and a 34"waist and I'm swimming in it. I'm usually a large in biking stuff, but I suspect that when I get the medium, it'll still be on the big side. It'll be good for layering once the cold weather comes in, though. I'm guessing that's why they sized it the way they did. In any case, I'd recommend ordering one size down.

Also,I read a review somewhere that the zippers failed quickly and easily, I haven't found that to be the case.

Cheers,
Alex

I was double-shipped these due to a shipping error and I'm keeping the second pair for a number of reasons. One, While I'm a lightweight footwear kind of guy (think Inov-8's line of fell running shoes), I've had some shin splint and knee issues and I opted for these heavier and more cushioned shoes: I'm glad I did. I still can't run more than six miles or so at a time, but that's an improvement over my 2-mile max two months ago: my toes would go numb due to compartment syndrome. These shoes seem to be taking care of that (well, the shoes and some other non-invasive therapy). The Boa system works well, it really does cradle my feet in comfort and I'm back on the trails regularly. No blisters, no hot spots and very happy lower legs overall! The only negative comment is that I'm getting more underfoot bruising than I'm used to, and that's saying a lot when I'm used to running in Inov-8's lighter-end shoes.

Cheers,
Alex

Inov-8 started out and continues to make awesome, light and VERY fast fell-running shoes. These aren't for technical hiking or uber-sketchy races (unless you're daring, like me!). If you've got strong ankles, a foot that's ready to take some pounding (not much forgiveness in the way of cushion and/or protection in this shoe: heck, they only weigh 630 grams a pair!!!) and a will to go fast, this shoe, or any of the Inov-8 shoes will do you good. I love 'em!!!

Seriously, with a pair of shoes that weighs under 600 grams, how can you not go fast?! The super-minimalist approach suits me fine! The less the shoe does, the stronger my feet and ankles get. I don't like shoes with burly overgrown heel crash pads or that are so wide to give the perception of support that the footprint I leave is three sizes larger than the shoe. Inov-8 keeps it simple, I feel the ground, the shoes grab onto anything wet or dry in my experience and my feet & ankles just get stronger. One thing, however, as with the Nike Free shoes, it's a good idea to do some plyometrics for a few weeks before running anything over 5k in these: most people's foot musculature won't be ready for this minimal approach.

I tad lighter than the RocLite 315's and a scoosh heavier than the MudRoc 280's, these are great for everyday trail runs. Long runs, I grab the 315's; races, I'm into the 280's; for everything else, these are my go-to shoes. I generally order two pairs at a time of each of these b/c I'm always afraid they'll change the model or get rid of it. I really love the whole Inov-8 line: I feel the trail and that makes me happy. Seriously, I feel like a little boy running through the woods. Then again, I think it's okay to feel rocks under your foot. Most shoes don't let me do that, there's too much protection. I've run in the overbuilt "tanks" that are out there, and they are okay, but my lower leg musculature, especially my foot musculature, never developed enough. I tried these and my feet were sore for a couple of weeks b/c my muscles were taking on more of the load...now my feet are stronger and I'm a better runner for it. Get these and go fast.

Go. Run. Fast.