During our annual pilgrimage down to Las Vegas for Interbike, we had a chance to stop by the Bushnell Eyewear booth to checkout their current lineup. For those of you who are not familiar with the Bushnell Eyewear name, they are the parent company of Bolle and Serengetti – two high end eyewear lines. But it wasn’t the offerings under those two names that piqued our interest, it was a third name in the booth, Cébé, which caught our eye. Continue reading Interbike 2012: Eyes on Cébé Eyewear
Author: Brian O'Connor
Interbike 2012: ODD Recap
The dust on the trails has settled but we had a great time at Interbike 2012’s Outdoor Demo Days, where were were able to test ride several bikes. Here is a recap of what we hit on the trails.
Interbike ODD ‘Hot Lap': Litespeed Sewanee
One of the oldest names in the titanium frame business, Litespeed, is showing off their 650b model frame at the ODD this year. The Sewanee is a full titanium, full suspension frame. Not only is the main triangle titanium, but so is the rear triangle and suspension linkage.
The ride is plush as would be expected with a single pivot frame. The handling is precise and at no time was there a fear of loosing traction. The positioning is a little more upright, and not such a racing position. It certainly wasn’t uncomfortable, just not as an aggressive of a feel as other bikes.
One of the most unique features is Litespeed sells this frame as “multi wheel” model. Run it with 26-inch wheels or 650b, the choice is yours.
Interbike ODD ‘Hot Lap': Santa Cruz Tallboy LTc
Santa Cruz hit it out of the park with the Tallboy 29er, so how does one improve upon a hit? Make it long travel with a slightly slacker head tube.
The Tallboy LTc offers a plush and somewhat predictable ride. The slightly laid back head tube angle puts to rest the twitchiness that can sometimes be felt on other 29ers when pushing it hard. The downside is that it feels slightly sluggish in the turns for those who are used to a true cross country 29er. But it was not made for the weight wienee cross country riders… it is for the all mountain riders wanting a plush ride for all day excursions.
Interbike ODD ‘Hot Lap': Spot Honey Badger
For 2013, Spot Brand introduces a new 29er single speed. This belt drive bike features a ‘passive’ style of rear suspension, more like cushioning to slightly smooth out the trail.
Does it work? Yes it does. While not even close to an active type of suspension, it does smooth out the ride.
Equipped as shown with Gates Carbon CDX, the Honey Badger has an msrp of $2599. Spot has done a nice job with this build… in fact I think that this honey badger might just ‘give a shit’ or at least a good ride!
Interbike ODD ‘Hot Lap': Surly Krampus
The first thing that I noticed about the Surly Krampus was the weight, it has to be over 35-pounds. Once on the trail, the Krampus only felt sluggish while accelerating and launching it off of the jumps on Bootleg Canyon.
Compared to the Moonlander and Pugsley, the 29er wheels of the Krampus makes it an even more fun ‘fat’ bike to hit the trails with… too bad there is no snow in Boulder City!
Interbike ODD ‘Hot Lap': Moots MX Divide 29er
Another beauty out of Steamboat Springs, the Moots MX Divide 29er rides as smooth as it looks!
It easily dives into the turns and accelerates quickly out. The MX Divide feels light and nimble, easily soaking up the rocky trails of Bootleg Canyon.
Made in America: Bijubee – Yoga, Pilates, and Exercise Wear
What does a “victorious crowned bee” have to do with yoga? Not much until taking a look at the line of yoga apparel from Bijubee. Based in South El Monte, California, Bijubee offers the active woman a very extensive line of yoga and exercise apparel, plus every piece is designed and manufactured “with love” in America. Video after the jump
Made in America: American Mug & Stein Mugs at Starbucks
Starbucks, Peet’s, The Brewing Market, or any number of mom and pop coffee shops around America, on any given weekend morning this is the select meeting spot for friends and family to start their day. Whether the activities involve a hike, skiing, a bike ride, or just relaxing, that shop not only acts as the meeting point, but also supplies a caffeinated beverage to kickstart the day. While waiting for that little pick-me-up to be prepared by the barista, have you ever browsed the mugs and other coffee related items sold by those shops? Flip any of those mugs or cups over and read the bottom – “Made in China” will probably be printed there. The argument could be made that it really doesn’t matter, but to a handful of people in East Liverpool, Ohio, it does. Continue reading Made in America: American Mug & Stein Mugs at Starbucks
Made in America: Thought Out Company – iPod and iPad Mounts
Do you own an iPad, iPod, or any other brand of smart phone or tablet? Have you tried to buy a mount for your device? Stroll into any Apple Store or Best Buy and prepare to be inundated with an overwhelming number of choices offering countless features to best hold your tablet or phone.
What you may also notice when reading the packages, often printed at the very bottom of the package on the back, is where the item is made. “Designed in the USA, Made in China” is a common phrase used by companies, possibly mimicking Apple’s labeling on most of their products. If you read the packaging on enough of these types of products, you might think that there is no alternatives to these types of items being produced overseas, but there are a few aftermarket accessory choices that are actually designed in America AND made in America. One such company is Thought Out of Shelton, Connecticut, which has been producing America made, innovative products since being founded in 2004. Video after the jump
Made in America: Murbles Outdoor Sports Game
Summer is the time of year to get outside to enjoy time with family and friends. The days are long and the nights are warm, plus there are hardly any new shows on the tube to veg-out in front of in the evenings. Backyard entertaining often involves some good games along with the grill and drinks, and quick trip to your local sporting goods will reveal many different gaming options for both small and large spaces. From tetherball to volleyball, there are plenty of choices to keep your guests on their feet, active, and entertained. As a bonus, many of these options can also be enjoyed by both young and old guests at the same time.
Unfortunately, a quick read of the labels will show that most of these games are made in China (yes, I checked just this past weekend while picking up some games for a BBQ). But this is not the case with everyone of them on the market, and there are a handful of games that are still made in America, including horseshoes and Whiffleball to name two. Another option that is nearly 25 years old, and one which you may not be familiar with is a game that is loosely based on marbles and Bocce. Murbles, short for Murray’s marbles, is the brainchild of Murray Kramer who created the game back in 1979 after he was unsuccessful at defeating his neighbor in horseshoes during his college years in Michigan. Continue reading Made in America: Murbles Outdoor Sports Game
Made in America: KettlePizza Kits
Memorial Day is just around the corner, which for most, signals the arrival of summer. For those of you who do not like to cook outside throughout the winter months, it is time to dust off those grills and get them fired up. It is so easy to throw a pack of hotdogs or burgers on the grill, but a quick read of the wrapper might make you rethink your meal of choice. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good burger and dog, just not for every cookout.
There are plenty of healthy grilling choices when you want to get outside to enjoy the weather and family while cooking. Chicken, skewers, veggies, and lean steak just to name a few; but have you ever thought of grilling a pizza? Here is a fairly new product that takes your existing Weber kettle grill and turns it quickly into a pizza oven!
The KettlePizza is the brainchild of inventor Al Contarino, who in 2010, teamed up with George Peters to bring Al’s design to market – all from Al‘s barn. In 2011, after receiving a great response for their product, the two had to move KettlePizza into a manufacturing and distribution center in Groveland, Massachusetts. That’s right, just like the Weber kettle grill that it is designed to work with, the KettlePizza is made in America! Continue reading Made in America: KettlePizza Kits
Made in America: Competition Headwear
The modern ball cap can trace its ties to baseball all the way back to 1860 when the Brooklyn Excelsiors wore a similar design to keep the sun out of their faces during game play. The ball cap has evolved throughout the years and is worn not only by baseball players, but almost every athlete wears one before, during, or after game play. Even our military wears them while on duty as part of the uniform (at least the Navy). Nearly everyone owns at least one ball cap, but do you know how many are made in the U.S.A.?
A look in my closet revealed this…
Even though its design was made popular by an American sport, of the 28 hats and visors in my closet, China topped the list with 21; followed by the Philippines with 2; and then Taiwan, Macau, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, and U.S.A. each with 1. Even the NRA cap with an American flag stitched on the side was made in China. It is really difficult to walk into a store and find a cap that isn’t made overseas, but all hope is not lost. Competition Headwear, of Denver, Colorado, is one company that has bucked the trend of sending production overseas and only manufactures caps that are 100-percent made in America. Continue reading Made in America: Competition Headwear