As a custom frame builder, I pay a lot of attention to the distances between the three primary contact points that a rider shares with their bicycle — their saddle, pedals, and grips. The millimeters in between guide my decision making from design to assembly. Component and accessory designer Ergon concerns itself, not only with where you connect to the bike but how your body interfaces with the bike in an effort to let you ride with maximum efficiency and comfort. Ergon, based outside Koblenz, Germany has been developing ergonomically designed handlebar grips and winning design awards for them since 2004.
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The Travoy from Burley.
(Photo © J. Maus - All other photos by Chris Sullivan)

Burley nailed it. Their new Travoy -- part cargo trailer, part grocery cart, part portable office -- is an amazingly well-designed product.

From the first time you hold the top handle and move it around with one hand, you get a sense that it's unlike anything else you've held -- much less attached to the back of your bike. (more...)

(Photos © J. Maus)

Portland's bike-friendly vibe continues to wear off on Keen Footwear. When they moved their corporate headquarters here in 2006, they wasted no time in putting bikes in their product catalog. Two years later, they promised to expand their cycling-oriented product line.

They've kept their promise.

They started by putting an SPD-compatible sole on their well-known sandal design. Then they came out with a closed-toe, cleated bike shoe dubbed the "Springwater". Now they've added two more models to their "Pedal" line -- the "Coronado Cruiser" and the "Austin".

I'm currently wearing a pair of Austins (which, for the record, were given to me free of charge by a Keen rep). (more...)

Marion Rice and her new work pants in action.
(Photo © Elly Blue)

So, I just have to dish about my new pants. Red Ants Pants are work pants shaped for a woman. Designed by outdoorsy gal Sarah Calhoun, who lives in a ranching town of White Sulphur Springs, Montana, these pants are made for women who ranch, garden, fight fires and do the hard work of being a mom.

From the moment I put these sturdy pants on, I knew that I had found a new friend. Although I don’t plan on vaccinating any cattle in mine, they are PERFECT for biking my kids around Portland in the fall and winter. They have two layers which helped keep me more dry and warm as I rode around in the rain all morning.

But what makes these pants really awesome is the gusseted crotch. Ahem, if you wear your Levis to bike in you probably have encountered that gnarly lump of fabric down there. Well these pants don’t have that. A diamond shaped piece of fabric replaces the four way cross junction which you find in most pants.

The pants come in two cuts, curvy and straight. My husband liked the way they fit so much he just ordered a straight-style pair for himself.

Learn more at RedAntsPants.com.

[Publisher's note: This review is by our Family Biking columnist Marion Rice. Marion's last column explored safety and cultural issues around carrying infants by bike.]

Griffin and dad test riding the FollowMe.
(Photos © J. Maus)

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Showers Pass CEO Ed Dalton sporting
the Portland jacket at this year's
Worst Day Ride
(Photo © Elly Blue)

Showers Pass, a local cycling gear company, has been making waves with its "Portland" rain jacket since it was introduced in 2008. The jacket is notable for crossing technical outerwear with vélocouture flair resulting in a handsome daily commuter piece which serves you well on a fast commute and isn't an embarrassment to sport on date night.

During last week's rainstorms I took the Portland for a test ride and appreciated its thoughtful features and subdued appearance. It's a stylish commuter rain jacket that has a fuller cut so that it looks like a regular jacket when you aren't on the bike. (more...)

Jonathan's camera quick-draw:
a common sight around Portland.
(Photo © Elly Blue)

The front basket used to be a necessary part of any city bike setup, but it seems to have been forgotten over time with the rise of mountain and road bikes.

But baskets are coming back -- and in a wider array than ever, from the fancy to the utilitarian. An environmental blog recently did a comprehensive review of a variety of front-mounting baskets currently available (including two locals, Ahearne Cycles and Cetma Cargo).
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I've just spent a lovely but overly warm summer morning hunkered down in the cool basement reading the latest edition of Boneshaker.

The small volume's attractive recycled brown cover is reminiscent of an army field manual, but with an attention grabbing color illustration of a bicycle enticing me in to the table of contents. It turns out that the postcard-sized zine is dense with inspirational words and imagery; poetry, conversation, hope, art and community. (more...)

The Keen Springwater
(Photos: Ellee Thalheimer)

[Editor's note: This product review is by BikePortland contributor Ellee Thalheimer. We asked Ellee to review Portland-based Keen Footwear's new cycling shoe, named after a Portland cycling landmark. For those unfamiliar with cycling shoe technology, there isn't much out there on the web, but here's a basic explanation. ]

[Publisher's note: This is the first product review by new contributor Ellee Thalheimer. Learn more about Ellee here.]

The women at Inverness, California based My Alibi cycling apparel are dedicated to 'making sure you feel beautiful on your bike.' After spending some time in their "Bloomers" cycling shorts, I'd have to say they're achieving that goal.

Their bloomers are, in a word, sexy. These sleek, boy-cut chamois shorts (available in chocolate brown and pink) cup buns firmly but sensually like a 1940’s style-swim suit. They are meant to go under a skirt or any non-cycling clothing a woman may wish to wear while navigating on two wheels. (more...)