Reviews

Rapha... What's all the fuss about? 

I don't know about you (assuming you're a cyclist, If not why not... It's a great way to keep fit and get places quicker than a car in large towns and cities.) but my cycling wardrobe is a mish-mash of different (dare I say it...) budget brands. All adequate but not very exciting and definitely after a couple of years on commuter duty a bit worn. Some items obviously need replacing and will be in due course. 

I have in the past looked at the Rapha website and have almost put items in the virtual basket but when it came down to the crunch never ordered any, as whilst they are recognised as one of the top cycling apparel brands, they are over my budget as most of mileage is commuter miles. However Rapha have kindly supplied a long sleeved cycling jersey for me to review.

One of these - Long Sleeved Tricolour Jersey in Old Gold

The parcel arrived and the attention to detail was apparent right from the start, the inner bag had Rapha's logo on it and the delivery note came in a cardboard embossed envelope. Clearly a premium brand.

The jersey itself is of superb quality, a mix of polyester and Merino wool so I assume it will be both hard wearing as well as warm. It also had some nice features like a Rapha branded zip pull tab, a small detail but a clever touch.

The features include -

• Zip pull tab 'locks' down and holds the zip in position
• Three large back pockets plus a hidden zipped pocket
• Proper wool cuffs and bottom hem
• Zip guard on collar to stop it chafing your neck
• Embroidered Rapha Logo on front

So what was like on the road? I managed to cut out a layer of clothing. I normally ride in winter with a base layer, a hooded sweat shirt and outer cycling jacket. I know I sound a bit nesh with that list, but I am out the house at seven-thirty. I managed to leave off the sweatshirt and felt as warm as normal, the Merino wool certainly did its job.

I've worn it  two or three times on the commute and felt a like a tour rider in such a well tailored and YELLOW jersey... Can't wait until I can wear it on some fifty mile recreational rides next spring when I wake my Giant Propel up from its winter hibernation.

Another nice touch is Rapha offer a free lifetime repair service on certain items including jerseys so if you have an accident or a garment failure (outside the warranty period) they will attempt to repair it for you. Surely that's customer service at its best. 

Do I recommend Rapha Jerseys? On the sample supplied absolutely, yes. Would I buy any for my commute, unfortunately.... My ten year old's karate and swimming lessons, the thought of unplanned Dentist/Vet/Garage bills suggest no, so unfortunately not. Will I send links to my Wife, Mum and the In-laws for prospective Christmas and (next years ending in '0' significant) Birthday presents...Yep.... got my eye on a few items....

Rapha's website can be found at https://www.rapha.cc/gb/en/

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Base Camp Free Master Prescription Cycling Glasses – An unbiased review.

I'd never given prescription cycling glasses a thought before as I, until recently had worn contact lenses for nearly thirty years, I started wearing them in my early teens, honest! Okay it may have been VERY early twenties, but definitely no later than that.

Unfortunately after a painful eye infection I was advised to cut down my wear time from fourteen hours a day, seven days a week to no more than eight hours a day once or twice a week. I took the difficult decision to stop totally as I couldn't see the point of such short wear time.

After open wallet surgery for two pairs of vari-focals I then turned to the problem of cycling glasses. I have always ridden with cycling glasses, whether dark lenses, clear lenses or yellow night lenses. I hated dust and bugs in my eyes, especially when I used contact lenses. I tried cycling in my normal glasses and hated it, they were not suited to the purpose and the thought of an accident and my glasses flying through the air sent shivers down my spine.

With a reluctant yes from my wife I started to look round for suitable cycling eye wear. I looked longingly at the big names, prescription insert (a small prescription frame attached behind plain interchangeable lenses) Oakleys and Rudy Projects were both pipe dreams and direct glazed (prescription lenses fitted into frame) budget tinted options seemed ugly and would be useless for winter commutes.

I trawled Amazon and EBAY and found these -

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01E6SFAWO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Base-Camp Free Masters with interchangeable lens and blank prescription insert that you get glazed at your own opticians.

I read the few short reviews and decided at £16.99 they were worth a punt, so I popped them in my virtual basket. Amazon then obviously wanted to charge me four pound on top for delivery so I used the add on item search to take the value over twenty quid free delivery threshold and found a Pyrex jug for £3.50... so I got the jug and the glasses for fifty pence less than just the glasses, go figure! You've got to love Amazon.

On their arrival I checked the glasses over and I was very happy with the quality of them. The item consisted of the following -

• Rigid zip case
• Glasses frame
• Six interchangeable lenses (Dark tint, Bronze tint, Yellow tint, blue tint, Mirrored tint, Polarised and clear.)
• Two straps (one 'normal' string strap and a goggle type that replaces the arms)
• Prescription insert.
• Cloth case
• Cleaning Cloth

All the lenses carry a U.V sticker indicating they exceeded the specification required for sale in the U.K. I assume as Amazon supply the product from their own warehouse then this information is accurate.

I took the the insert to a local optician Faye Newman at Personal-Eyez in Swadlincote.

https://en-gb.facebook.com/personaleyezswadlincote/

https://www.instagram.com/personaleyezswad/

Who put prescription lenses into it for a very reasonable thirty five pound, the service and product I received from them was fantastic. Turn around was less than a week and Faye clipped them into the glasses to make sure of the fit even though she hadn't supplied the frame or the empty insert.

I've been using the glasses for a week now and I am really happy with them, the mirror and dark lenses come with top vents to stop fogging when you stop at lights etc. The other four lenses don't, I can't work out why the omission.

They sit securely on my head and comfortably around my nose. Whilst the edges of the insert can be seen out of the corners of the eye, it is in no way obtrusive. The wrap around style of the outer lens manages to keep out bugs and dust as well as any 'plain' cycling glasses ever have.

I am currently using the mirror tint as they hide the insert that can look a bit like you are wearing goggles underneath if you use the other lenses, no big issue for me but just look better, I will still be happy with them when I change to the clear or yellow lenses for winter commutes.

The case is a rigid one and can hold all the lenses and straps etc.

Overall I'm amazed at the quality of the product for a total price of around fifty quid (including locally sourced prescription lenses) and would recommend them. 

And if you are wondering if I'm happy with the jug then..... err...... it's a jug what more can I say about it.

Simon Elson purchased the above item and has received no financial gains or goods from Amazon or Base Camp for the review and was not asked to write it by them.

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Fitbit Blaze V TomTom Multi-Sport
Can Either Replace A Cycle Computer?

When I was cycling in my teens, The only types of cycling computers were mechanical ones, either a speedometer that had a wheel that ran on the tyre or a mileometer that had a small cog that was knocked by a small nut attached to a spoke. I didn't bother and opted for a yellow plastic siren that made my bike sound like a police car. I scared many a dog and old lady with it.

On my return to cycling after err.. a few years, cycling computers had moved on and they were now digital run by a small magnet on the wheel or GPS (Global Positioning System).

I opted for a small GPS unit and it has earned its keep over the last five years and thousands of miles. Recently though the docking connection has become intermittent and reluctantly I started to look for a replacement.

My thoughts went to Multi-sport watches and how versatile they seemed. Why didn't more cyclists use them? Why did we opt for a dedicated cycle device that offered no other role in our busy lives?

So, I obtained two Multi-Sport Smart watches kindly supplied by the manufacturers and tested them from a cyclist's point of view.

Fitbit Blaze

Price as tested £159.99

What's in the box?

The watch and removable case and strap, its charger and a slim warranty/instruction book. At first I thought it was strange the instructions were so vague, however as soon as the watch is switched on it displays a link that you type into your smartphone which installs the app which then controls the watch.

Set up

Once I'd installed the app I could set the watch up easily. You can change the style of clock face and set alarms etc, all from your phone. You can put your height and weight in to the app so it can analyse your statistics.

Sensors etc.

3-axis accelerometer

Optical Heart Rate sensor

Altimeter

Vibration motor

Installed Software And Features

Touch screen (and three side buttons)

Bluetooth (to connect to smart phone)

Silent Vibrating Alarm

Smartphone alerts including email, texts and incoming calls (phone can't be answered, it just alerts you who's calling you.)

Multisport tracking software

Short workout App called Fitstar

Relaxation/Breathing exercises

Movement Tracker (including steps walked and flights of stairs climbed) with dashboard to see statistics

All normal watch functions (Time, Date, etc)

Using it as a cycle computer.

Straight out the box it performed well as an exercise tracker, so I was looking to using it as my cycle computer. A slight flaw is that It doesn't have built in G.P.S so you have to link it to your smartphones GPS. This means you have to take your phone with you. It doesn't seem to affect battery life on the phone unlike having the strava app running with the phone attached to your handlebars.

The screen can display two statistics. One is the distance, the other statistic can be scrolled through by the user using the touch screen. The watch wakes up when you lift it up to look at it. This is slightly more inconvenient than having a dedicated unit attached to the bars. For an ambling commute the screen information is fine, if you were using it in a sportive or a time trial then it would be inadequate to motivate you or give you time/distance data easily.

Viewing the data

You can see your data by logging on to the Fitbit App and website. If you have the Strava app installed on your phone the data is sent across automatically after the two sites are linked together (easily done) and includes heart rate information which obviously a basic GPS cycle computer won't do. My current unit has to connected by a lead to the PC. How 'Noughties' is that? When you next open the full Strava site on your P.C. the data is ready for you to view in full.

TomTom Multisport Heart Rate Monitor GPS Watch

Price as tested (originally) £209.99 but can be bought as clearance model at around £99.99. (Newer models Runner3/Spark3 and Adventurer are available)

What's in the box?

The watch with removable orange/white strap, the charger, a slim book of instructions and a very useful cycle mount. Again the book says install the app to your smartphone.

Set up

With the TomTom less is done from the app, all your data is added direct into the watch and the app is for viewing the data in more detail. But the set up was still relatively easy.

Sensors etc.

G.P.S sensor.

Optical Heart rate monitor.

Installed Software And Features

Control button below screen

Bluetooth (to connect to smart phone)

Multisport tracking software including swimming

Stopwatch

All normal watch features (Time, date, etc.)

Using it as cycle computer.

The TomTom has a built in G.P.S sensor so does not have to rely on a linked smart phone. The inclusion of a bike mount is also a bonus. It clicks neatly round the bars and the unit looks exactly like a small cycle computer. The screen can be set up to display three different pieces of information, including current time which is handy on a commute. You can scroll the screen down using the control button to display more information.

IMPORTANT NOTE: On the newer models (Runner3/Spark3 and Adventurer) the mount seems to be an optional extra at £14.99

The bar mount (whether included or purchased with newer models) makes the TomTom suitable for use in a sportive or time trial.

Viewing the data

Again the data can be reviewed on the app or a P.C. It also links to Strava once the two apps are linked. Syncing the phone to the watch is all that is need to make the data appear on your Strava P.C. Dashboard.

Side by Side comparison

Both watches can work as a cycle computer. Both have built in optical Heart rate monitors and both export the data direct to Strava.

The Fitbit has more features including Text/email alerts and fitness tracking features (steps, movement and stairs) but lacks its own G.P.S sensor meaning you have to carry your phone with you. It is also the sleeker more user friendly watch.

The TomTom lacks Text/email alerts and is bulkier when worn as a watch, It does however have the built GPS Sensor and bike mount.

Winner!

Following the brief in the title, the TomTom with the GPS sensor and cycle mount (whether optional or included) can replace a lower end GPS cycle computer and could be useful in other disciplines. i.e. cyclists that run or Tri-athletes. If the older model I tested can be bought as a clearance deal then it's an absolute steal. The newer model with similar specification is around the same price as the Fitbit.

I'll be using the TomTom in its bike mount as my cycle computer and if I ever find the time to go jogging, I'll wear on my wrist as my running watch.

Would I wear the TomTom as a day to day watch though? Probably not, it's a bit too bulky and bright. Would I wear the Fitbit on a day to day basis? Err...... I already do!