Review: Vittoria Randonneur Pro Bike Tire

If anything is going to bring your bike ride to a halt, it will probably be a flat tire. Given this, investing in a high-quality bike tire is a no-brainier. The sheer volume of puncture-resistant tire options can be overwhelming, but I've found an extremely well-rounded and reliable tire that I absolutely swear by: the Vittoria Randonneur Pro. I've had a pair of these (700x35c) on my touring bike, Amelia, since I built her. I have been so happy with my Randos that, when it came time to replace my well-worn rear tire, I didn't even bother looking at alternate options. If you need an affordable, durable, flat-resistant bike tire that is good for all-around use, I don't think you can do any better.

First, let me just say this: I put over 4 years and 3,500 miles on these tires before needing to replace the rear and, in all that time, I never got a single puncture. Not once. In fact, I only got a single flat in all that time, and it was a pinch flat because I was stupid and hopped a high curb with an under-inflated tire. Rider error aside, these things just can't be stopped. I love them.

Puncture Resistance

Puncture-resistance was the top selling point when I bought these tires because the roads here frequently have sharp debris on the shoulders. I got more flat tires on my mountain bike in the first couple months of living in Charleston than I did during 2 years of bike commuting in Fort Wayne. When I was building my touring/commuting bike, I knew I couldn't be dealing with flat tires every month on the way to work, so I researched the best puncture-resistant bike tires and settled on the Randonneur Pros. They have double-shielding and a Kevlar lining. After putting several thousand miles on mine, I can confidently say that it works exceedingly well. For comparison, my other bike has Mr. Tuffy tire liners inside of regular mountain bike tires. They have helped, but a couple really sharp objects have still caused flats. Not so with my Vittorias.

Ride Quality

I've been very happy with the ride quality of the Randonneur Pros. They are maybe a touch on the firm side, but not in a way that detracts from the riding experience. From what I've read, this is pretty common with puncture-resistant tires. That's part of why I spent a few bucks extra on the Pros versus the regular Vittoria Randonneurs. The Pros are 120 TPI (threads-per-inch) with a folding bead, whereas the regular Randonneurs are only 30 TPI, which by all accounts provides a much harsher ride, albeit the same great puncture resistance. Other than TPI, the regular and Pro versions are identical.

The tread is simple, attractive, and provides great traction on wet and dry surfaces. These tires strike a nice balance between traction, ride quality, and speed - I have never felt that they slowed me down or offered any form of resistance. Also, their width (35mm) is such that I can hop on a dirt trail, grass, or other bumpy surface and just keep going. They are also available in a 32mm width if you want something skinnier, and in a 26" option. I'm not one to focus much on weight but if you're wondering, the 35mm size weighs in at 460g.

Other Features

One of my favorite things about my Vittoria Randonneur Pros, aside from the incredible puncture resistance, is the fact that they come with an optional reflective sidewall. Why anyone would not choose this option is beyond me, because it provides excellent side-visibility in dark and low-light conditions. When headlights hit these things from the side, they light up and are immediately recognizable as bike tires. It's an added safety measure that I think works far better than the traditional spoke reflectors

Another minor but handy feature is that they have a color indicator to let you know when you need to replace them. It takes the guesswork out of the process, and is hard to miss. That said, I *may* have used them for a while even after the red wear-indicator stripe started to show...

Buying the Tires

My only real complaint about the Vittoria Randonneur Pros is that they're freaking hard to find for sale online! For whatever reason, it took me forever to find my replacement tire. Even BikeTiresDirect.com only had the regular Randos available in 700c, not the Pros! That said, when you can find them, the price is very reasonable - typically around $40 per tire. More than worth it for the peace of mind the flat protection offers, not to mention the overall quality. Vittoria also offers an online tool where you can find bike shops near you that sell their products.

Installation

These tires are pretty easy to install - they're a traditional clincher tire and, other than being a bit stiff, they went on without issue. After doing some research, I removed my (extremely worn) back tire, moved my still-good front tire to the back, and put my lovely new tire on my front wheel. The logic here is that, if you have to choose, it's better for your back tire to blow out than your front, because your front tire is what you steer with. You're a lot more likely to wreck if your front tire goes out, so you want to put the newest tire on the front wheel. So sayeth Sheldon Brown.

Conclusion

Overall, I cannot speak highly enough of these tires. The peace of mind from not having to worry about flats, and from not having to be late to work because of a flat tire, is well worth their surprisingly reasonable price. As long as they keep making Vittoria Randonneur Pros, they are the tires I will be using on my touring bike.

Today is Bike to Work Day 2015

May is National Bike Month and today (the 15th) is Bike to Work Day! It's encouraging to see bike commuting gaining traction in America, though we still have a long way to go to bring balance to how we commute. A widely recognized event like this is essential for getting people to give bike commuting a try. I hope you take the opportunity to encourage your friends and colleagues to bike to work this month (and year-round).

Many people stick with the car because it's the norm, and because they simply do not realize how easy bicycle commuting can be. The best way to dispel this myth is to have them simply try it once and see for themselves! Anyone who lives within 6 miles of their work and who is in adequate health can bike to work with little or no training or practice. More importantly, once you've broken the myth that bike commuting is difficult or impractical, it suddenly becomes a viable option for many people.

The League of American Bicyclists has published some great resources about National Bike Month and Bike to Work Day 2015, including a poster addressing the myths of bike commuting which you can view below. Now get on your bikes and ride!

Bicycles as a Tool for Equality

I recently wrote a guest blog post for the Atma Cycles website, and I wanted to take a moment to share what this organization is, because what they're doing is important.

Atma Cycles is a non-profit, Australian bike foundation whose mission to give schoolgirls in India bicycles, and the freedom that the bicycle entails. The idea of Atma Cycles is simple - for every bike they sell, they donate a bicycle to a girl in India who can use it to get to school.

India faces a great deal of poverty as well as severe and widespread gender inequality. The bicycles given by Atma Cycles directly enable young girls to travel to school and get an education that would otherwise be inaccessible. These bikes are not just about getting to school, though. With education, these young girls now have the potential to make more money for themselves and their families, raising their standards of living. Not only that, but education, mobility, and increased wealth will help these girls combat the inequality they face daily simply because of their sex. As they grow, so will their communities.

Susan B. Anthony said it best in 1896: "Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel." This is as true in 2015 as it was then, especially in developing countries.
For more on why she said this and just how valuable the bicycle can be, this is a great article on how the bicycle helped the Women's Suffrage Movement.

To learn more, I highly recommend visiting the Atma Cycles website and reading about their mission. In particular, watch the videos from Atma founder Alex Carpenter and his father to hear how Atma Cycles got started. It's a great story, and I really admire what Alex has done.

-Keegan

A Book on Cycling from a Bike-Themed Book Store

On a recent visit to Charleston's favorite new-and-used book store, Blue Bicycle Books*, I picked up a copy of the eminent author and blogger Bike Snob NYC's book, "The Enlightened Cyclist: Commuter Angst, Dangerous Drivers, and Other Obstacles on the Path to Two-Wheeled Transcendence."

The book had been suggested to me a while back by a commenter my post on books I recommended for bike commuters, so when I saw it prominently displayed at the front of the store, I knew I had to grab a copy. I'm in the middle of another book currently (Pynchon's "Against the Day," if you're curious) so I haven't read much of "The Enlightened Cyclist" yet, but so far it's exceeding my expectations. Weiss writes with the delightful mix of personal insight, humor, biting sarcasm, and ultimately hope, that his blog posts and Bicycling magazine articles are known for.

So far, I've read a mere two chapters and have already found myself laughing out loud at his account of the insanity that is New York traffic, only to feel a pang of emotion the next chapter at his account of biking into Manhattan to find his wife on September 11th. Needless to say, I can tell I'm going to enjoy reading this. I'll share my thoughts with you once I've finished.

My favorite quote so far, on a bus driver expressing concern that he would be delayed by Weiss and his bicycle: "Evidently he is under the impression that I will somehow slow him down, and he wants me to get out of his way by running the light. Of course, my vehicle is to his lumbering autobus as a jet ski is to the QEII, and short of actually refusing to move at all there is absolutely no way I could possibly delay him" (p. 12).

Any other great bike commuting books I should check out? Let me know in the comments!


*They do in fact have an iconic blue Raleigh at the bike rack in front of their store. It was actually stolen recently, but was happily recovered last week in a rare happy-ending to a bicycle theft.

A New Job and a New Bike Route

I'm excited to say that I recently got a new job, which I started the other week after a few wonderful days spent relaxing and getting things done around the house. I'm looking forward to the new adventure and wherever it leads me.

While any new adventure (especially a new job!) brings nervousness as well as anticipation, one thing I wasn't nervous about was the route. It is significantly nicer than my previous commute, which included two well-trafficked roads with barely any shoulders. My new commute is a couple of miles shorter (6.4 vs 8.5), which gives me more free time in the mornings and evenings. Even better, it is along roads that are significantly more bicycle-friendly. Most importantly, I rode it ahead of time to make sure there were no surprises on the first day I rode to work (something I cannot recommend strongly enough).

When starting any new regular commute, plan ahead to make sure you're familiar with the route: how long it takes, potential hazards, alternate options, etc. While this holds true regardless of your form of transportation, it is especially beneficial when you're on a bike, since you typically have more options and are more exposed to road hazards.

Google Maps is a great planning tool for your bike commute, but nothing can replace riding the route yourself and familiarizing yourself with the road conditions, traffic patterns, and alternate routes that are available. Also, it gives you a chance to see how long it takes, rather than relying on Google's time estimate - you don't want to show up late on your first day of work and flustered because of something unexpected on your new commute.

So far, my new ride has been a significant improvement. It feels safer, there is less traffic, and the distance is just right. I'm also enjoying my new job - as with my commute, I'm getting used to the changes to my daily routine, the new ways to do things, and the new people I work with. They're a great bunch and have been very welcoming, which makes all the difference in the world. Also, several of them bike regularly!

I think it's going to be a good ride.

A Morning Ride and the Dream of a Worn Path

I kick off into the cool morning air as birds greet the dawn. Pedaling through my neighborhood is beautiful stillness: the wind is calm, cars are absent, and I glide along silently. The morning is crisp and perfect, and I delight in the sensation. Daylight Savings Time began yesterday and I am still adjusting to the lost hour, though the peacefulness of this new, still-dark morning is helping. But soon the beautiful stillness fades to noise as I merge onto a larger street and am surrounded by the sound of traffic.

Even without honking, or shouting, or any other deliberate attack on the silence, the cars intrude. The sounds of their engines and tires on the road steadily interrupt the morning silence, which previously had only the birds’ song to contend with. I find myself getting annoyed with the constant disturbance – I love the peaceful solitude of times like this, and the traffic destroys that sensation.

It is even worse when I turn onto a narrower road because I can’t help but focus on the cars creeping along behind me, waiting for a chance to pass by safely. I don’t like holding them up, but I am not about to risk my safety either, as there is not even a shoulder, let alone a bike lane. When they do pass, they occupy nearly all of my attention.

I crave a bike path – an isolated trail where I can just ride without traffic, without holding people up, without noise. Those are the routes that I live for, but they are disappointingly scarce where I live: suburban sprawl favors the automobile and the subdivision, not the worn path and the untouched grove of trees. Maybe one day our cities will be built around people, not cars, but until then I ride anyway, enjoying the peace between passing cars.

-Keegan

An Ounce of Prevention: Preventing and Fixing Flat Tires

Recently I hopped on my bike, eager to get home after a long day at work, only to discover that I had a flat tire.

Pictured: Not going anywhere

Thankfully, this was a warmer day, so having to take my gloves off wasn't a big problem, but having to change a flat is always a nuisance. Past experience has taught me to always be prepared, though, so I was only delayed by about 15 minutes. I ended up finding four tiny and extremely sharp shards of metal that had punctured my tire in several places, even going right through my Mr. Tuffy Bicycle Tire Liner. I was careful to thoroughly check my tire to make sure I got them all out before putting in a fresh inner tube. Thankfully, I didn't miss any of the metal pieces and was back on the road in no time.

As annoying as it is to get a flat on my bike, I reminded myself that it's still cheaper and easier to fix than a flat tire on a car, so I can't complain. That said, I wanted to share some basic tips for preventing flats and fixing them as quickly as possible when they do happen.

Flat Prevention

There are lots of products on the market designed to prevent flat tires on your bike, so I'll just touch on the top categories here and provide a few examples.

1. Tire liners (like the aforementioned Mr. Tuffy brand).
   These work well if you're on a budget and don't want to get a whole new set of tires on your bike. Other than this incident, the ones on my bike have definitely helped prevent flats. Make sure to get the right size for your tires.
2. Puncture-resistant tires.
   These are more expensive than liners, but they are a high-quality option and are well worth the investment. I have Vittoria Randonneur Pro Bike Tires on my touring bike that have held up well and are extremely puncture-resistant. In five years of use, I have NEVER gotten a puncture with these tires.
3. Self-sealing inner tubes, such as the well-known Green Slime brand.
   I have not used these personally, but I've heard good things about them, and coupled with a puncture-resistant tire or tire liner, they would probably be a solid line of defense.

Fixing Flats

Essential tools to carry at all times for when you do get the inevitable flat tire.

1. A spare inner tube or a flat repair kit
   Personally, I carry a spare inner tube with me, but either option works as long as you make sure you know how to use it.
2. Tire levers
   Simple, cheap, and essential. 'Nuff said. Any decent bike shop will have some for sale.
3. Tire pump
   I have a floor model at home, but I have a frame pump on both of my bikes for flat repair. Get a good quality one or you'll have a tough time getting enough air in your tire to ride home. Make sure to get either a high-pressure (for road bikes) or high-volume (for mountain bikes) model based on what kind of tires you have on your bike. I have a Park Tool pump on my touring bike, and a Specialized pump on my mountain bike, and I've been very happy with both brands.
4. Finding the cause of the flat
   It's not a tool, but it's just as important. If you fix a flat, but don't take out the nail, you're going to get another flat, but now you won't have a spare inner tube. Run your hand (carefully!) along the inside of the tire to find any sharp objects that have caused the flat. Remove them before you do anything else.

All told, none of these options costs much, and the time and frustration you'll save when you do get a flat is more than worth it. Also, make sure to learn how to repair a flat or replace an inner tube before you get a flat tire on a ride. It's pretty easy, and any local bike shop or fellow cyclist should be happy to teach you. In the end, you'll be that much more confident when you venture out on a ride.

Do you have any products you've used to help prevent or fix flats? Let me know in the comments - I'd love to hear what's worked well for you.

Product Review: The Lezyne Femto Drive Bike Light

I recently picked up an inexpensive replacement headlight to maintain my visibility at night, since my old light died on me. There are some really nice (and expensive) lights out there, but I was on a budget and needed something quick, since I bike home in the dark regularly.

Most of the lights at my local bike shop were either out of my price range or part of a set, and I already have a good taillight. Finally an employee recommended a dinky little light called the Lezyne Femto Drive LED Front Light. It was $15, and I was pretty skeptical, but he vouched for it so I decided to give it a try. Here's my review after using it for about a month.

The Lezyne Femto Drive Front LED Bike Light

Overview:

A small, affordable bike headlight that is surprisingly well-made for the price and provides adequate illumination, but has some irritating quirks. Good in a pinch if you need to be seen by drivers at night, but not meant for navigating really dark areas.Check your setup before purchasing.

Specs:

Aluminum housing, single LED light. Powered by two CR2032 batteries. 5 Modes (four flash options, and solid). 60-hour battery life (blinking) 30-hour battery life (solid). Clip and rubber strap attachment options.

The good:

The first thing that stood out to me was the quality of the housing. Most bike lights are plastic, but this one is aluminum, which makes it look and feel very sturdy. The design is attractive and simple, with the front lens also serving as the on/off button. More on that later...
Secondly, the Femto is battery-powered and has a pretty solid 30-hour battery life. When I get a higher-end light, I'm considering a USB-rechargable option, but batteries have served me fine thus far.
The light is water-resistant, which is an important feature. I've ridden in more than a few rainstorms with this little guy, and it doesn't seem to be affected.
Installation is quite easy, befitting the overall simplicity of this little guy. You have the option of a clip (good for hooking to a loop on your bike bag) or a rubber strap that can wrap around your handlebars or fork. Putting it on my bike only took a few seconds.
The light itself is pretty bright (15 lumens) considering it's a cheap, single-LED model. It's definitely not enough for a stand-alone light if you're going off-road or are in a pitch-black area, but it's plenty bright enough to make you visible to traffic, and to (gently) illuminate the path ahead. Like I said, it's meant to help you be seen more than to see.
Finally, you really can't beat the price - at under $15, this is one of the most affordable lights you can get.

The bad:

Let's play "spot the design flaw"

Obviously, this light isn't bright enough for navigating dark roads or areas with hazards, but that's not what it's made for, so I don't see it as a negative so much as something to be aware of when considering your options. That said, I've since seen a comparably-priced headlight from Giant that was definitely brighter than the Femto.
Second, the attachment system is simple enough, but it's somewhat limiting. My handlebars are on the fat side, and I had to pull a bit to get it on. I'm not sure how easy it would be to fit this down on my fork or anywhere else with a larger diameter.
Another issue I have is with the number of settings. Four different "flash" options is excessive, especially when I have to cycle through all of them just to get to "steady," which is all I ever use. Two flash options would've been plenty.
The biggest downside, however, is something that's incredibly annoying, and is illustrated by the picture on the right. Because of how the mounting bracket works, the light is positioned direction in front of my handlebars, rather than above them like many other bike lights. This causes two rather significant problems.
First, because my mountain bike has flat bars, my brake and shift cables run directly in front of the light, blocking some of the output. It's not enough to severely limit my visibility, but it's a nuisance and cuts down on the brightness. At night, I can see the light shining brightly off the cables, rather than the road ahead.
Second (and this is my biggest problem with the Femto), you turn the light on by pressing on the front lens. This wouldn't be an issue except for the fact that the lens sticks out past the body by several millimeters, and my cables run right in front of the light. Every time I turn my handlebars, the cables bump the lens and either turn the light on, or switch it from steady to flashing. It drives me nuts, and actually killed a brand new set of batteries within a few days because it turned on when I put my bike away and was blinking all night. It's frustrating because I have to deal with it constantly when riding my mountain bike, and it could have easily been prevented by simply making the lens recessed inside the housing rather than protruding. Maybe in the next version of the Femto, Lezyne will address this, but for now, it drives me nuts and prevents me from liking this light as much as I would otherwise.

Summary

I wouldn't say the Femto is a bad light by any means - it's affordable, well-built, and provides enough light that I can be seen by traffic and am less likely to ride over a pothole or road debris in the dark. It's not a heavy hitter, but it doesn't claim to be and for the price, is worth considering if you just need to increase your visibility.
That said, it has its limitations. The design makes it a poor choice for anyone riding with flat handlebars because of the shift/brake cables interfering with the light and constantly hitting the "on" switch. However, this wouldn't be an issue with drop bars or internally-routed cables. It's a problem on my bike, though, so I will probably be saving up to replace the Femto with something more substantial down the line that doesn't have these issues. In the meantime, I'll go buy some more batteries...