The cross terrain design Pscyhlo-X is a titanium giant. It will take you from road to mud without a flinch. Some of many many features of this ~17lb bicycle are: replacable rear hanger, front derailleur pulley and barrel adjuster to swap out off-road and road derailleurs, wishbone mono-stay eliminates seat movement under breaking, top-routed brake and shift cables, and a carbon fiber pitch fork. Oh, and it looks killer.

Cost: $6,000 @ Moots

Also See: Review on Wired.com

It’s had been a long time since I’ve hopped on a bicycle and cruised around the neighborhood. It’s been so long in fact that I don’t even own a bicycle anymore. Having been in and out of various sporting good stores and bike shops browsing for a trusty steed to pedal around, it was tough making a decision. Choosing whether a titanium alloy monster with NASA engineered gears and shocks off of a monster truck are necessary, can making the proper bike selection downright tough.

This is where Mission Bicycles comes in. Simple bikes made of grade ‘A’ components with hell of a lot of customization options. Mission Bicycles specialize in fixed gear bicycles, which means that when your bike is rolling, your feet are pedaling. This presents a new challenge for cyclists and also allows the rider to be in complete control. Fixed gear bicycles are a favorite in the bicycle messenger community because of their lightweight and simplistic style. Now this is my type of bicycle.

The guys over at Missions Bicycles take pride in their product and assure that the love they put into their bikes cannot be matched by the larger bicycle companies.

“Mission Bicycles are works of art and we can create that dreamy ride you’ve always wanted.”

Hit up their site to create a bike that represents you and like the guys over a Mission Bicycles take care of the rest. Choose from options like Vittoria Rubino tires to Soma Track handlebars to Sugino KyotoLOCO cranksets.

Cost: $795 + Options @ Mission Bicycle

The GoPro Digital HERO 3 Sports Camera is easy to use during any activity. This shockproof/waterproof wrist camera makes it easy to shoot digital video and photos during your favorite sporting activities. Miniature size and patented versatility combine with TV resolution video and 3 megapixel photos to form a highly-convenient and fun sports camera.

You can use this camera while you surf, ski, hike, bike, kayak, or climb. The GoPro has various mounting options available which means you can mount this bad boy on just about anything. The GoPro is durable, with crack proof poly carbonate water housing and glass lens and is water proof down to 100ft.

This camera has a 3 megapixel photo resolution and 640×480 video resolution, with 16mb of internal memory, expandable to 2GB.

What this mean to you: Having a hard time convincing the guys at the office of the glorious feats you pulled last weekend while you were out slaying the field as a weekend warrior? Fret no more, have them wetting their pants when you show them the footage of you catching that mysterious big kahuna…

Cost: $140-$180 @ GoPro Camera

The Alti Chrono TI by Nike is a great watch for guy’s looking for a unique timepiece that’s classic in looks and rugged in functionality. The case is made of solid titanium with an analog altimeter with (up-to) 5000m altitude accurate within one meter increments.

The chronograph will tracks 1/20th second increments up to the first minute-after one minute. The face is protected by a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and is water resistant up to 200m.

As a limited edition watch, there are only 1,002 pieces being created. Each unit is satmped with a unique number and features four Lance Armstrong icons engraved on the back.

Cost: $599 @ NikeStore

If you’re a runner or biker than you probably relate to the frustration of having things in your pocket. Strapping an iPod to your bicep works but what about keys, cash and other things you might need on a long run? Well, the SPIbelt (small personal items) is designed for you. It’s svelte, early invisible profile will hold fast without bouncing or shifting and hold all your necessary gear. Take my advice and get it for your next run.

Cost: $20 @ Overton Fitness

Biking is fun. Dying is not.

If you find yourself liking both then it’s time you take a look at Gravity Bolivia. A gravity assisted mountain biking excursion on the world’s most dangerous road. Almost sounds like a couch-potato-thrillseeker’s dream come true.

Hop on a Kona mountain bike with Hayes hydraulic disc brakes and Marzocchi front suspensions in addition to what roughly looks like a miner’s outfit and hit the road, if you can call it that. It looks more like a poor excuse for a backpacking trail. If you feel like reading more about it, BBC had a fantastic article on the journey.

Gravity Bolivia has 1, multiple-day and 1+ week rides. Spanning from single tracks to explorations of Bolivia, Chile and/or Peru. Sign up quickly though, we’ve read they will be paving the “road” soon. There’s a look at part of the trail you might encounter after the jump.

What this means to you: A two-wheeled masochists dream come true. Sign me up.

Cost: $55-$99 @ Gravity Bolivia

Also see: Specialized Stumpjumper FSR Pro

Read the rest of this entry »

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If you even know what the Tour de France is then you’ve probably noticed that the U.S. has a team helmed by Johan Bruyneel - and a good one at that. Of course, with any good sport comes quality gear and the Trek Madone 6.9 is at the heart of that. An $8k+ professional cycling machine designed to take riders to the next echelon of cycling.

For guys looking for a more reasonable balance of performance and cost we suggest the Madone 5.2. A proven confidence-inspiring bike that Lance Armstrong himself ride when he achieved 7 Tour De France victories.

The Madone 5.2 starts around an OCLV Black Carbon frame with Bontrager Race X Lite rear and carbon w/E2 aluminum steerer forks. The wheels are Bontrager Race Lites and your choice of the Shimano Ultegra SL 50/34 or 52/39/30 drivetrains.

Even better, the Trek Madone is handcrafted in the USA.

What this means to you: The bottom line here is this a bike that’s worth every penny it costs. Professional grade at amateur prices.

Cost: $3680 @ Trek

Perfect for your next getaway to a warmer place or this coming summer excursions iHome’s Cycler is a water-resistant iPod speaker enclosure perfect for the beach, pool, and your bike. The water bottle like design clamps to your bike frame just where your water bottle wood with it’s enclosed mounting bracket and can be controlled through handle bar mounted remote control. And like any good dock, it’ll charge your iPod when it’s plugged in through an AC outlet.

We doubt the manufacturer endorses this, but we’ve strapped this guy right near the shower with controls right at hand. It’s handy, quick and serves a purpose outside of it’s original intention, which is always fun. Voila.

What this means to you: There are few places your iPod can’t go. The Cycler simply makes it that much easier.

Cost: $80 @ iHome

The Park Bike from Brooklyn Machine Works is the bastard wild child of a street bike, a trick bike and a trail bike. Set up as a single speed you’re set for th streets or jumping trails. As a 9-speed you’ve got a comfortable cruiser that also works for slaloms.

Available as a complete bike or piecemeal you can customize to your hearts content.

What this means to you: This writer prefers his vehicles a little edgy and that includes his two-wheeled monsters. And hell, 3 grand for a BMW ain’t half bad. Ha.

Cost: $3,300 (for complete bike) @ Brooklyn Machine Works

There’s craftsmanship then there’s craftsmanship. Then there’s Vanilla Bicycles. With base frames starting at $2150 this is no cheap endeavor but you’re buying far more than just a bicycle.

The wait time for a Vanilla Bicycle as of February 2007 is 4 years. By then you could probably learn the trade of making a bike, but you still wouldn’t have a Vanilla. The dizzying array of custom options alone will have you drooling. Materials such as hand polished Henry James Lugs, silver bonding, Reynolds 531 tubing make up your personalized rolling art, especially the Orange Touring pictured here.

Their custom manufacturing process is done after a preferred meeting in person, fitting and a deposit. From there the art begins. Custom frame building, custom painting, and custom outfitting. This is a bike that will be with you for life.

What this means to you: Absolutely nothing vanilla about a Vanilla Bike. Welcome back craftsmanship.

Cost: $2150+ @ Vanilla Bicycles