So I bought a set of Tektro CR720s from RBW and mounted them on my Quickbeam. I wasn't happy with the stock Shimano brakes, even with Salmon pads. I also wanted to road test my new Swobo tights, and RainLegs (rainchaps). Photo link below.
The brakes: I rode up to Hawk Hill, Marin Headlands since that was the closest long grade near my home (just a 30-minute ride over the Golden Gate Bridge). The back side of that climb is a very STEEP downgrade, and a good test descent for the brakes (and my wrenching/adjusting ability!). The mounting process was surprisingly easy, and they went on quickly. Adjustment took just a couple of minutes for each set. Fortunately, I put them on correctly, as I made it down the grade with no problems. The brakes are a marked improvement over the Shimanos. As the RBW blurb states, these brakes do "just feel right" and stopped the 'Beam smoothly and with less lever pressure than was required on the old brakes. They were silent, too! On the flats, there was no noticeable difference between the two, but why would there be? Downgrade, on fast slopes, these new brakes rule! Here's the link: http://www.rivbike.com/products/show/tektro-cr720-cantilever-brakes/15-153 The Swobo tights: I really like Swobo riding gear, particularly the wool jerseys and knickers. I wanted a pair of tights for cooler weather, and purchased a pair of Swobo tights made with their much- ballyhooed new MAPP fabric blend. The MAPP is a blend of 40% wool on the skin side, with a synthetic outer shell. Swobo claims the new material is wind resistant and water repellent. I can attest to the wind resistance, but I didn't get enough precip to opine about the water shed thing. The tights are great fitting, comfy, and kept my legs nice and warm (California Coast warm, not Minnesota warm!). The synthetic blend allows the tights to stretch and they fit quite snuggly. They have short ankle zips to ease the donning and doffing. Another great feature is that they have no sewn-in pad, so I can wear any sort of short beneath. Nice feature that I wish was available with their wool knickers. Here's the link: http://www.swobo.com/catalog/product_info_m.php?cPath=1507&products_id=894 RainLegs: I bought these mainly to wear while commuting to work, because I hate climbing into rain pants for such a short ride (5 miles each way). These things look like just the ticket to keep the tops of my thighs dry, and not make it look like I just wore my work slacks into a sauna. I took them on this test ride but alas, it never rained at all. I was certain that it would, but despite heavy cloud cover and rain all week, I never felt a drop on this ride. So, I'll review the RainLegs another time. Here's the link: http://www.rainlegs.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=12&Itemid=29 Here's the photo link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8581...@n03/sets/72157622999297068/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bu...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
