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We'll Be Back Soon
July 25, 2009
BicycleSmile is taking a well deserved holiday. We will be back in business on August 6. Please check out our past reviews, article and our forums. We will see you soon!
Bootleg Sessions V.3
July 23, 2009
The much anticipated Bootleg Sessions volume three is finally here and much to my thirsty yearning for exciting technical riding I’ve been filled to the brim with just that. Bootleg Sessions V.3 has jammed even more amazing tricks than its predecessor volume two, and I didn’t believe it was possible. The introduction starts off very smooth after the quick splash of sponsors and websites with a slow- rolling low camera angle introducing the familiar rider Jake Ricker and as well Tyler Johnson. The introduction was very well done with these two riders hitting unbelievable feats of balance and strength trickeries with music that seemed to fit okay with the pace of riding. The camera angle made the introduction eye-catching and making the viewer wanting more and more!
Read the full review >>
Smoking Lily Morani
July 21, 2009
Last week I told you all about how much Smoking Lily loves you. Reviewing their Morani bag, I am afraid I am less certain of Smoking Lily’s feelings for you, because based on color, print, and suitability to Cruiser bikes and bookish cargo, it feels like this bag was designed for me alone!
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Crumpler Yee Ross Backpack
July 20, 2009
Crumpler, in their usual inscrutable way, calls this sweet little backpack the Yee Ross. If I were in charge of naming things at Crumpler, I would call it the snack pack. Like a snack, the Yee Ross is small, but satisfying, it has the capacity to carry a fair few snacks in it, and, like my favorite snacks, it’s sweet! Plus, what the heck is a Yee Ross?
Naming issues aside, the Yee Ross is a nice daypack, especially when it comes to the way it looks. The bold colors and stripes – especially the blue and red one I tested – combined with the vintage school bag shape make for a pretty cool look that’s somewhat reminiscent of elementary school – but in a good way. The bag fits very snug to my back and even when it’s full it maintains a relatively flat shape.
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Rat Race Alleycat Highlights
July 17, 2009
The Rat Race Alleycat was just the other day and once again it was a success. We had 23 racers, including at least 5 who had not been to one before. Bud took first place, Adrian second and Aaron a close third. There was a prize for best business attire, and that went to Jessica, who raced in high heels!
Thanks to all the people who came out and raced and to all the volunteers who helped out. See you at the next one in October!
Rudy Project Sunbay Sunglasses
July 15, 2009
Like the Sunflower sunglasses I reviewed last week, the Sunbays are part of Rudy Project’s Performance Attitude collection, and they combine Rudy’s prowess in creating technically advanced sport eyewear with a more fashionable appearance.
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Crumpler The Complete Seed Messenger Bag
July 14, 2009
Crumpler has been making some very interesting bags over the years, with some more interesting names. The Complete Seed Messenger Bag is the newest version of the CD3 messenger bags. And although they call it a messenger bag it is far more suited to the average daily cyclist, than a working messenger.
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Solder Gal Lockring
July 13, 2009
Never ride without a lockring! That is the motto of Solder Gal. And after you wear one of her rings it may become your motto too. The beautiful little rings are hand made and come in brass, silver or oxide. You choose the number of notches as well. A custom made lock ring for your finger.
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Spoke Punchers Bike Polo Hoody
July 9, 2009
Last year we had a chance to take a look at some of the nice hats that Spoke Punchers was making for cyclist. They were taking quality made hats and putting their nice silk screen designs on to them. They have now expanded to offer clothing, and we were able to try out the Bike Polo Hoody.
Once again they have made up a nice multi colour design that looks great weather you are a cyclist or not. The print appears to be a type of royal crest that has been adapted for polo, with two polo mallets crossing over it. Since I play polo I love the design, but to any non polo people it still looks rather nice too.
Read the full review >>
No Lycra = No Worries
July 8, 2009
I own spandex, I will admit it. But the last thing I want to do when going for a ride is actually wear it, or at least be seen wearing it. 99.9% of the time a T-Shirt, and some well fitted short are the clothing of choice. Well you may be agreeing right now, but you may also be thinking "hey, I thought this was all about fashion?" This time it is, at least in my mind. The T-Shirt and shorts combo can look good! And this city style ain't going nowhere.
The truth is, I hit the streets, the trails and even the hard court in basically the same attire. Why? Because it is simple and it works. One basic out fit can do it all, ride to the coffee shop, hit some single track, an hour on the hard court, pint with friends. How much simpler cold it be.
With a stylish helmet, a bag to put your gear in and a hoody for some cooler weather you are set. Gone are those dorky days. Rock the bike with some style and enjoy.
Clothing provided by:
Bern Brentwood Helmet
Bern T-Shirt
Dakine Chorus Short
Spoke Punchers Bike Polo Hoody
Crumpler Complete Seed Messenger Bag
Smoking Lily Porticciolo Dress
July 7, 2009
Smoking Lily creates, silk-screens, and sews their gorgeous line of clothing and accessories in Victoria BC. As if this wasn’t a noble enough venture in itself, the clothes themselves are absolute proof of the philosophy stated on their website: Smoking Lily Loves You!
Need proof? Look no further than the Porticciolo Dress. With its figure-flattering design and eye-catching print, not to mention comfort, this is the perfect little black dress, and then some. Yup. Smoking Lily loves you.
Read the full review >>
Rudy Project Sunflower Sunglasses
July 6, 2009
I have always had issues with sunglasses in general, finding it difficult to find any that were comfortable, functional, reasonably fashionable, and fit my extremely narrow face. As I get older, however, I realize that simply going without in the bright sun is not doing my eyeballs any favours, so I was very happy to get the opportunity to test out Rudy Project’s new Sunflower sunglasses.
The Sunflowers are from Rudy Project’s Performance Attitude Collection and combine Rudy Project’s technical design prowess with a significantly more fashionable appearance than their more strictly functional athletic collections. The pair I tested are in Demi Turtle Gloss with Brown lenses, and with their larger lenses and vintage movie star shape, they look like they could be rockin’ any designer runway. Perhaps not so surprising because they are actually made in Italy.
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Bern Watts Helmet
July 3, 2009
I have never really worn the "bucket" style helmet for a couple of reasons. Firstly they never seem to fit me. The 3 size options with extra pads just never seem to feel righ on my big head. The other is that they all kinda seem the same. I feel like I should be a 12 year old boy at the skate park. Bern has a fresh new take on this style of helmet and with there new look I will avoid using the term "bucket" helmet. Bern offers a brimmed helmet that has a nice new look, and to top it all off they have some amazing sizing features.
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Fashion and Cycling: Urban Style
July 2, 2009
Take a look at cyclists rolling down the streets of Toronto, Vancouver, Amsterdam or any other major city in the world and you can tell that the days of looking like a loser on a bicycle are over. People are taking to the streets and looking good, and it is not reserved for these metropolitan cities. Companies are popping up all over the place and providing fashion and function for cyclists.
Point A to Point B with a rolled up cuff on your jeans and an ugly helmet is no longer. Companies like Bern are making helmets that actually look good and work. With great colours and designs to choose from you can actually match your style that day to one of your helmets. Rudy Project has been fitting some of the worlds best athletes for years, but you don't always want to look like you are ready to race, so they have an amazing line of fashion eyewear, that is way ahead of the game in terms of fashion and function.
Jeans can still be rocked on the bike, but they all seem to be a little skinnier now adays. Take the scissors to your pants, cut them down and make some shants, it is all good. At least you are not going to be getting you pants caught in your chain. Better yet, for the women, wear a dress. Smoking Lily is making funtional and fashionable clothing for everything from a day at the beach to a night on the town. Some of the nicest screen prints around.
So get out there and rock the bike. Look good, feel good, and get out of that car. Show the world you got that Bicycle Smile.
Gone Riding
July 1, 2009
It is Canada Day and we have gone riding! Check in tomorrow for the beginning of our 2 week long focus on fashion. Who says you can't look sweet upon the seat.