For the past several years, I have been a loyal Specialized S-Works Helmet wearer. I am a big fan of the lightness combined with the open vent system that keeps my noggin from burning-up on hot days. Call me luke-warm when it comes to the Specialized 360 Strap System--I can never seem to get the chin strap exactly how I would like. So, after 4 loyal years, I decided I would take the new Giro Prolite Helmet for a spin.

Overview

The first Prolight made its debut back in 1985, some 25 years ago..back when hand-sewn lycra covers were the it thing. Thankfully Lycra paved the way for today's molded EVA foam-based helmets and open air venting system.
At first glance, the 2010 Prolight looks a great deal like the award winning Ionos made popular by Big Tex (I have heard that Alberto Contador wanted a helmet other than the Ionos, and that he helped initially test the Prolight product early last year). The main aesthetic difference is the Prolight's lower profile and slight modifications on the vent design. Thankfully, the real difference isn't in the aesthetics, it's what's under the hood.

Overview

A while ago I learned that cheaper is rarely better. Yes, most of the things I/we utilize on a daily basis are all manufactured in Chinese factories, but thankfully a great deal are engineered elsewhere. That means the mind and might of a few smart individuals have their hand in the creation and design of a certain category of products that I find trustworthy and can truly rely on. To that end, I tend to spend top-dollar on things that provide a high degree of safety, peace of mind and sustainability. High quality car and bike tires, dress shoes, tents, and portable bike pumps are a few of the items that I will pay top dollar for. And let’s face it, who want’s to be in an auto accident due to a sidewall blowout because the higher priced tire just wasn’t worth the extra $80 at the time?? I personally don’t like to play the coulda’, and shoulda’ game...$80 is well worth the freakin peace of mind for me.

So while some people may question the addition of portable bike pumps to my list above, I would be happy to tell them my story of having to walk my bike back home...for 12 miles...in the rain due to a failed “cheap” portable bike pump. Some would ask, “why do you use a manual pump instead of a CO2 pump?” Call me ole’ fashioned, but I liken it to taking a lighter instead of matches on a camping trip. I know the matches have a lower failure rate than the lighter (less things to go south). Yes, CO2 inflators are nice...and have their place, but as with the lighter, things can more easily go wrong with the base technology.

Enter the Blackburn AirStik 2 Stage portable bike pump. For the past two years, I have...

Overview

Back in 2008, we reviewed the Specialized BG S-Works Road Shoe and generally had good things to say about the top end performer within Specialized's road line-up. It is justified to state that we have adequately put these shoes through the paces the last two years....tallying-up a few miscommings since the initial review. With the introduction of the 2010 version (which debuted during last year's Tour de France), we were jazzed to see if Specialized had refined the product, addressed the issues we had found.