Reviews

Serfas 
 
Scott Thomas:
Serfas Optics Review - Spanner
I have for many years been wearing eyewear from one company only.  When having to switch because of sponsorships I was very nervous.  Living in Arizona and knowing that 85% of my time outside I will be wearing some nature of eyewear, weather it be while racing, training or just outside in general I want my eyes covered.  I am especially picky when it comes to what I wear when I ride.  Again I am picky and even if the eyewear vents great, protects my eyes and has good lenses if they aren't stylish I'm not wearing them.  When I started looking at the Serfas eyewear two jumped out at me immediately.  The Spanners and the Hydros. 
This review is for the Spanner and no the Hydro.  I have a fairly small noggin and I need something that is going to fit tightly as I am riding and running.  These do this.  I also am concerned about the possiblity of the lenses flogging up.  I have yet to have any issues with these with this.  The lenses are also polarized and this really makes objects pop a little more.  I have both the white and the black and I love them equally the same.  Everyone that I have run into and had them try these on they too love them.

Mike Bellows:

Serfas Light - TSL-1500+ Headlight

I have been mountain biking for many years and have experienced the evolution of the bike light.  I have used numerous brands and designs, from the large and heavy batteries shaped like water bottles powering incandescent bulbs to the through high output NiCAD battery and HID systems.  The True 1500 is hands down the brightest light in the smallest package I have used.  It has 5 modes and extended run times at lower settings.  The mounting system is easy to use.  I've only had this system a few months, but the light looks well made and has functioned flawlessly.  I purchased a True 500 for my helmet.  The combination is unbeatable.

Mike Bellows:

Serfas Light -TSL-S500 HEADLIGHT

I purchased a True 500 for a helmet light, although it could easily make a great handlebar mounted light as well.  The light is extremely bright and easy to use.  Coupled with the TSL-1500, the TSL-500 makes an unbeatable light system. There are 5 modes of operation and the run times will last through the night on lower settings.  Great light!

Mike Bellows:

Serfas Pump - AP-01 Air POD

Overall the quality and function of the Air Pod is good.  The one major drawback is the plastic body that houses the CO2 cartridge.  It is narrow and will only work with a 12oz cartridge, which will not adequately inflate MTB tires.  I was able to use larger threaded cartridges without the plastic housing, and it worked well.       

Scott Thomas:

Serfas Shorts - Men's Ripcord Cargo 

First impression I was disappoint with the material of the shorts.  From looking at them on-line I had hoped the outside shorts would have been a little thicker type material.  After riding on these a few times they have worked out awesome.  I think one of the biggest advantages I have found with these are the removable padded liner.  I love the fact that if the main outside shorts get nice and dirty I can just strip that layer off for the drive home.  I would recommend these to anyone.

Scott Thomas:

Serfas Optics - Mirador

As my review on the Spanners I am very picky for eyewear.  When I got the Mirador I wasn't sold on them.  In fact for the first 2 weeks of having them they sat on my bike repair bench in the garage.  I was very tempted to file these into the "Never going to wear" box.  But shortly after Christmas I broke them out and wore them a few days just around town.  Then I broke into the case and started changing the lenses to see how easy that would be and if I liked the other lenses.  I will say that these glasses have made the rotation and are being used regularly now.  The one thing I have noticed that I find is a downside is when changing the lenses out they seem to get lots of finger prints on them.  Being that these are my first pair of inter-changeable eyewear I have owned maybe that is a common thing.  They are easy to clean after changed out.

Gargoyles  
James Holmes:
Gargoyles Review - Balance
I have loved sunglasses for most of my life and have owned several different brands including Serengeti, Revo, Oakley, Ray-Ban, Arnett, Black Flys (I'm sure I'm forgetting some...) and now Gargoyle. I really like both pairs of prescription Gargoyle Balances. These sunglasses are my go-to pair of shades because the lenses are super dark (I huge plus with my eye condition) and they fit fairly well. The only small gripe I have is that they're just a bit too large from the top of my brow to my checks. They contact my face too much, and I wish they only touched my ears and nose. That being said, they are really comfortable and work great just driving around town, hiking, or mountain biking while sweating pretty profusely. They don't slip or slide like the Oakley Gascans used to (these were my previous go-to shades) but I haven't worn them since getting my Gargoyles. If I could change one thing it would be the height of the lens so they'd touch less of my face to be more comfortable.
Thanks for the awesome eyewear and I look forward to having a long term relationship with Gargoyle.

Geigerrig

Sterling Margetts
Geigerrig Review - Guardian

Pros:  water bladder very easy to access. Quick access to entire bladder.  Hard shell for protection a plus. Bladder connection is a lot easier with quick removal of outer shell. Straps are comfortable and wick sweat away. Whistle built into strap is a great idea. 

Cons:  a separate punch accessible from exterior would be nice for phone or music player. The backpack storage is really tight so I took out the back reinforcement and it seemed to be more comfortable and more room to put things in the small pocket. 

Mike Bellows
Geigerrig Review - Guardian

Product: Geigerrig Guardian

Packaging: Arrived in an undamaged condition.  This pack includes a 70 ounce bladder.  All parts were included.   

Materials & Construction:  Initial inspection showed the pack to be well constructed with no signs of defects in material or workmanship.  The 70 ounce bladder is a hydrapack design with quick release couplings for a drinking tube and an air-port.  The pack is a very basic design with room for the hydration bladder which is sandwiched between two (2) plastic plates.  The bladder was smaller than I anticipated.  There was only one zipper pocket in the pack.  The plastic shell on the back of the pack had room for a larger item like a jacket shell.

Function Check:  The initial function check showed the hydration engine pack worked very well.  The pressure of the water stream from the pack was significantly higher than in the standard Geigerrig pack.  The pack was held in place by the pack straps which adjusted without any problems and held the pack securely in place.    

  

Field Test: I used the pack on two outings. The first was a twenty (20) mile mountain bike ride and the second was a five (5) mile trial run.  In both instances the pack remained in place with the use of the shoulder, hip and chest straps.  The hydration engine functioned better than the standard pack.   I was able to carry an iPhone in the zipper pouch and secure a thin shell jacket in under the back plate.  The only downside was the taste of the water after it passed through the drinking tube and bite valve.  Even after washing both, there was a noticeable taste which was unpleasant.    

Overall Performance:  The pack and the hydration system worked without any problems.  I appreciated the extra water pressure which I have already found to be very useful.  Overall a solid, purpose built pack.   

  

Recommendations:  As noted, this pack is designed to wear with body armor or under a jacket.  I would recommend this pack for users who need a very simple hydration pack and nothing else.  The extra water pressure resulting from the compression of the two plates will allow the water to be used to cool off during deployments on hot days. 

Design Considerations: A number of the heavy vest manufacturers design their vests with a pouch for a hydration system or a system for external attachment (like an alice or molly system).  Is there an option for a team to have an insert built which consists of the hydration system in the shell without the pack.  Just a though.

Drew Watkins
Geigerrig Review - Guardian
I had a chance to use mine last weekend at the McDowell Mountain Trail Relay Race...and before I give a review...let me just say...HOLY SHIT ITS HOT IN AZ...So anyway...The stiffness of the pack made it optimal for running. I'm sure it is for other uses like Mountaineering or Rock Climbing...but the sleek profile hugged my body and made it very useable for running in the AZ Heat of the day and keeping me hydrated...The other very cool use I was able to employ...was for runners on our team wearing the "Cool Down Rags" that when wetted down keep your body temps cool...With the pump spray bladder full of COLD water...they would have me wet down their rags in between handoffs...it became very popular. At first I wasn't a fan of all the "shtuff" going on with the first pack...but this one seems more sleek...and I look forward to using it on my Mt Bike. Without the Geigerrig Guardian this weekend...and no trail support...I would definitely have run out of water. GREAT GREAT product.

Sterling Margetts:
Geigerrig Review - Rig500

Pros:  Pressure system is great, encourages more drinking and keeps you better hydrated than other suck systems.  Bladder is great that you can turn it inside out to clean.  Outside pockets and webbing hooks are great.  Filter capabilities are great for long outdoor adventures.

Cons:  Bladder attachment system is difficult to use when bladder is full.  The hook should be larger and further away from the bladder. Multiple zippers appear to open to the same compartments.  Bag makes a
lot of noise when you run with it due to water sloshing around.

Ann Margetts:
Geigerrig Review - Rig500
I have really liked my pack for the most part.  I like the fact that you can turn the bladder inside out to clean it.  The bladder is easy to fill and seal up.  One of the struggle i had was with the hose coming off the pump while I was riding and thus depressurizing the water.

Scott Thomas:
Geigerrig Review - Rig1600
I love the Hydrapak bladder and the way that it is so easy to clean. I originally had a Rig500 and it was a little smaller than what I liked.  Fortunately James got one of the Rig1600's and it was way to big for what he wanted, so him and I traded and I love the larger bag.

A few things.  I had issues at first with the on/off of the bite valve and had problems with it leaking on my.  Looked like I was lactating or something.  I got that worked out.  I orginally had wanted the hose to be a little longer, but after getting an inline filter I love it.  It would be nice to have some way to attach to the center chest strap as well, but with a retractor, so it stays there when you ride, but when you need a drink you can pull it up to your mouth and then let go and it will go back.  Just a thought.  I love the pressurizing of it.  The fact that I can use it to spray off part of my bike if I need to is great.