the design is great.

the construction on these is terrible. i recommend buying them if you like having your crotch seam stitching start to come undone while on a group ride. you'll make new friends.

It just won't work if you're riding a bike.

Pros:
- it has this awesome rear zipper across the back edge that allows you to pull your laptop out really quickly at the airport and put it back in without having to unzip and mess up an entire bag.
- osprey design and construction, top notch as always- very water resistant

Cons:
it is absolutely not a messenger bag suitable for carrying across your bag on a bike. it's meant to hang off your side when you walk to the train station or across campus, whatever. if you try to use it like a normal messenger bag on a bike it feels like a giant shelf with one single point of contact. It's constantly swinging everywhere because it doesn't form to your back nor are the straps really designed to cinch to your body like a timbuk2 or chrome. this is one of the many messenger bags i've picked up, tried for a month, and eventually returned because the nice design and construction doesn't outweigh the complete usability failure.

My first board, going on season 3 now.

It's responsive, stiff, and fast. Has carbon Xes, so expect stiff (like Burton Custom X). Decent pop but really not flexible enough for freestyle unless you're a giant.

The name on this is wrong, it's McIver, as in "MacGyver" without a copyright lawsuit.

So basically what you get is:
Screwdriver
Wrench
Bottle opener
Bowl
Tape measure.

What more can you ask for?

I'd read reviews that it was shoddily made. Doesn't seem so. It's pretty solid.

Usage: Snowboarding
Location: Only Tahoe so far, will update if used elsewhere (just got them)
Helmet: Yes

Summary: Got compliments on them while riding first chair of the day. Definitely sick looking goggles. Construction is impeccable, no excess glue visible, very stiff in the right places and bendable across the frame. There's no nose pinch, but there is nose pressure (that's the -1 star). I still had a bit more pressure than I'd like across the bridge of my nose and it would block airflow a bit. I'd pull them back off while riding chair back up and all was well. Peripheral vision is key here. You get more on the sides, but you still are aware of that inverted "V" right between your eyes. I'd considered the few other air force-pilot type options on backcountry (i think there's a POC and an Anon that take up half your face), but this had the nicest lenses of the bunch.

Originally got them in persimmon, but returned them for the iridium. Use the lens simulator on oakley.com to get an idea of what the difference is. The iridium is much better for bluebird skies and bright overcast, but I really began to lose contrast as the sun started going down.

i have last years, which i'd give 4stars. and the reason this gets 5 is because they FINALLY ADDED PIT ZIPS, which was the one bad thing about last year's. this is a warm jacket, you heat up like crazy, and if you're riding the lift then your temp is fluctuating +/- 20º

These are probably great for burton boards. But if your board has 4 hole binding mounts, you have to use the non-padded puck. The padding is only on the 3 hole (burton triangle pattern) mount. That was kind of a nasty surprise after reading such good reviews.

Also, the toe strap didn't really "cup" the front of the boot like the lexa/mission ones do.

it's weird, i see such good reviews of these on lots of sites, but they weren't right for a lib tech board and non-burton boots.

great socks, they run big. i'm a 9.5, bought the appropriate size, and they flop around a bit. probably better fit for those closer to ceiling values of each size range.

By far one of the nicest cuts on the market, but they're terrible shorts. First, absolutely...

DO NOT BUY THEM IN WHITE

If you're about to, here's what you should do instead. Strip naked. Go into your kitchen and get some wax paper. Tear off a few feet, wrap it around your waist, and clip it so it stays in place. Then go stand in front of a mirror, spouse, or housemate. Keep this moment of pure terror and shame fresh in your mind when you return to make your purchase here.

The chamois is great, typical Castelli quality. So I bought 3pr in black instead. The problem is the chamois is the only thing they have going for them, and it is barely held in place. The seams break. The elastic is so loose you shouldn't expect any compression or support. Basically they are a nicely cut vessel for holding a chamois in place, and even then, barely.

I've since turned these into my commuting bibs, and would recommend the Castelli Free for any recreational riding/training/etc.

For nonpermanent fenders, these are fantastic. I've used them for three northern california rainy seasons so far and plan to use them for many more.

Pros: easy to attach/detach, does the job, very adjustable, plastic case for storage
Cons: need to affix included rubber stickers to your bike to hold snug, fenders constantly need adjustment before/after/during rides, they easily get knocked out of alignment.

In short, there are so many points of articulation on each fender (intended for making them fit perfectly) that the result is any bump, knock, flex, or even just road vibration and wind, will mess them up. they're still great, and i like mine, but i'd say every few rides i have to reach down and adjust them to keep them from rubbing the tire, getting caught in the brakes, etc.

What you don't get out of the photos is that the topsheet graphics are all in glitter. The thing is just crazy looking when the light hits it.

Finally uploaded my own photos, see above

i ride mostly 40-50 mile climbs + rollers, so my judgment of these is based on that type of riding.

chamois is excellent. not as comfortable as a cannondale la-z-boy type for centuries, but easier on your tailbones than sugoi.

breathability: excellent. straps are so thin they are hardly noticeable. but...

fit: thighs...i love it. excellent muscle support. they really compress around the front of the quads and stay there. but the real problem is that the front really cuts into my stomach when i'm crunching. the whole appeal of bibs is that you don't feel the elastic on your waist, but you do notice the elastic on these when you are hunched over. any excess skin on your stomach has to make the decision to either be under the elastic or over it, and you feel it at first. by mile 10 you don't really notice or care, but that's why i'd give this -1 star. otherwise, these are my favorite bibs. just ordered the Velocissimos though, which have a higher waist, so we'll see...

The important thing to know about this knife is that the handle really will destroy any cloth it comes in contact with. I just got it and i'm going to send it back. The blade is amazing, the locking mechanism is lightning fast and solid, but there's no way I can put this in my pocket.

pros -
- padded sleeve for laptop
- laptop sits 1" in, NOT flat on back wall, so it actually wraps on your back. this is a huge plus.
- multiple organizational compartments and pockets
- lined glasses pocket
- zip/elastic cinch side pocket for easy grabbing of stuff or a water bottle

cons -
heavy as hell

i went through about 10 bags from rei, buying, riding for a week, and returning, until i found this one. it was a tough call between this and the similar osprey pack, but really this thing rivals freitags for durability and i think it's actually a bit more functional.