Among rim brakes, my favorites have always been high profile cantilevers. I cut my teeth on this style of canti back in the early days of mountain biking. Sure, they can interfere with some panniers, and heel clearance can be an issue with certain combinations of bike/rider, but there’s no other style of rim brake that performs so well while also providing nearly limitless clearance for tires and fenders.

The Paul Neo-Retro is a modernized — and much improved — copy of the classic Mafac “Tandem” high-profile cantilever produced in France up until the early 1980′s. The geometry of the Neo-Retro closely matches the Mafac, but it’s been totally updated with adjustable V-brake style pads; sealed, stainless steel pivots; self-contained springs; and, a simple, but effective spring adjustment mechanism.

These are high performance brakes. Powerful, crisp, snappy, and with excellent modulation; the best cantis I’ve ever used. This particular set replaced the already very nice Tektro CR720s on my Rivendell. The Pauls are a clear step up in performance, quality, looks, and ease of use.

Like all Paul components, these brakes are made in their small shop in Chico, CA, USA, using only the highest quality materials. You absolutely will not find brakes with a better fit and finish; if you’re a canti devotee, these are as good as it gets.

Paul Component Engineering →

The Velocity Dyad is a tough, no frills, 700c commuting/touring/tandem rim available in 32, 36, 40, and 48 spokes, with or without machined sidewalls. At 24mm, it’s slightly wider than your typical touring rim. The Velocity Synergy looks more traditional with its boxy cross-section, but the Dyad’s V-shaped cross-section makes the rim stronger and eliminates the need for eyelets. The 36-hole version properly laced to any decent hub makes a bomb-proof commuting wheel.

Besides being available in the usual silver and black, the 32H and 36H Dyad is available in what is called a “Halo” reflective finish. Here’s a description from Halo Coatings:

Microscopic glass particles that reflect light are embedded in the powder coat. During the day the rim looks gun metal gray, but at night it lights up when struck by a headlight beam. The nighttime benefits on a non-machined disc rim are obvious, but even on a Dyad with machined sidewalls, a fair amount of reflective material remains visible due to the rim’s V-shaped profile. It’s a cool technology.

Specs
Bead seat diameter: 622
Weight: 480g
ERD = 596

Velocity USA →

Michael had a birthday and the Birthday Bunny brought her a Po Campo Loop Pannier with a floral print that nicely matches her Betty Foy.

For those who aren’t already familiar with them, Po Campo bike bags are designed by women, for women, and handmade in Chicago, IL.

Po Campo bags are smartly designed and beautifully appointed, with zero compromises made in quality or construction. They’re a bit pricey, but worth every penny.

Po Campo →

We gave up plastic water bottles in 2008. We were at least mildly concerned about BPA, but mostly we were tired of foul tasting water and excited to finally have a few reasonably priced alternatives in stainless steel.

We’ve been very happy with Klean Kanteens; they’re easy to clean, tough as nails (the bottle pictured here has been in daily use since 2008), and they don’t contaminate water. The only issue that we ran into is that they rattle in some bottle cages.

People have come up with a number of ways to silence rattling bottles including wrapping the bottle with twine, covering the bottle with a sleeve made of leather or neoprene, or even sewing leather sleeves onto the cage itself. All of these solutions work fine, but we’ve been searching for the perfect cage that doesn’t require any modifications.

Synthetic cages are quiet and inexpensive, though they leave something to be desired aesthetically, and they can be fragile in cold weather. I had decent luck with a Profile Design nylon “Kage”, and Klean Kanteen offers a polypropylene cage specifically for their bottles.

Our current favorite cage for holding stainless bottles is the Iris from King Cage. The Iris is made in Durango, CO from tubular stainless steel. It’s a pretty, but stout, cage that silently carries either the 18oz or 27oz Klean Kanteen stainless bottles. Velo Orange sells a similar cage that I haven’t yet tried, but I’m guessing it too will perform well with stainless bottles.

Specs:

• 48 grams
• 304 Stainless steel tubing
• Made in the USA
• $17.50

King Cage →

MKS Lambda (aka Grip King)

Lambda (aka “Grip King”)
The MKS Lambda (also known as the Rivendell “Grip King”) has a long but narrow platform. The extra length front-to-rear (118mm) provides excellent support for use with soft-soled street shoes, and the narrow width provides tons of cornering clearance. The Grip King lives up to its name when dry, but I’ve found it to be somewhat slippery when wet. While I appreciate the generous cornering clearance provided by the relatively narrow body, I personally prefer a pedal with a slightly wider platform.

• Cage Dimensions (width x length): 78mm x 118mm
• Width from Crank Arm to Outer Edge: 98mm
• Weight: 420 g
• Price: $54

MKS Sylvan Touring

Sylvan Touring
The Sylvan Touring has been my favorite pedal for many years. I usually have 4-5 pair around to throw on whatever bike needs a set of pedals. It’s what many call a “Rat Trap” design that looks a lot like the old Campagnolo touring pedal. The Sylvan Touring is wider than the Grip King, but shorter front-to-rear. I like the fact that I can feel the pedal through my shoes (I often ride with Keen walking sandals), though some people find this causes foot pain. The wider platform reduces cornering clearance but feels more secure than the narrower Grip King under my foot. The Sylvan Touring is a steal at under $30 a pair.

• Cage Dimensions (width x length): 93mm x 63mm
• Width from Crank Arm to Outer Edge: 115mm
• Weight: 360 g
• Price: $27

MKS Touring Lite

Touring Lite
The Touring Lite is MKS’ deluxe version of the Sylvan Touring. It’s lighter while providing slightly more grip and support. I’ve been told that the Touring Lite uses upgraded bearings from the Sylvan and it does seem to run smoother. Because the pedal spindle is narrower than the Sylvan’s and there’s no outside cage, I sometimes have trouble feeling the outer edge of this pedal. I still like it enough to use it on my daily commuter.

• Cage Dimensions (width x length): 93mm x 70mm
• Width from Crank Arm to Outer Edge: 105mm
• Weight: 320 g
• Price: $56

All of the above pedals use standard 9/16” chromoly spindles and aluminum bodies.

Tubus makes just about the toughest racks out there. For transpo riders who regularly carry a lot of weight on their bikes, Tubus racks are hard to beat. Unlike many less expensive racks on the market, Tubus racks are either brazed chromoly, welded stainless, or welded titanium. This nearly doubles their weight bearing capacity over most aluminum racks, while allowing Tubus to provide a full 30 year warranty.

My personal favorite Tubus rack is the Logo. As you can see in the top photo, the pannier mounting rail on the Logo is placed down and back from the main rack. This carries the load lower and further to the rear which is ideal for commuting bikes, many of which don’t have the heel clearance of touring bikes with their ultra-long chainstays. It also keeps the center of gravity low when running briefcase-style panniers that often ride a little high on standard racks.

At around $120, the Logo’s not cheap, but as a primary carrying device on a bike used as a car replacement it’s a great long-term investment. Highly recommended.

Material: 25CrMo4
Weight: 1.65 lbs.
Maximum Capacity: 88 lbs.
Price: Approximately $120

Tubus →

Bromptons come stock from the factory with small, hard plastic rollers mounted to the rear triangle for rolling the bike when folded (the “R” models have a second set on the rack). While these tiny rollers work reasonably well on smooth surfaces, they leave something to be desired on rough surfaces. Fortunately, Bromptom offers higher quality rollers called Eazy Wheels as an upgrade. Eazy Wheels are larger diameter than the stock rollers, they have rubber “tires” mounted over hard plastic inner rims, and they use sealed cartridge bearings in place of the stock bushings. They make rolling the bike as a cart much easier, and they add to the stability of the bike when parked. Of all the accessories one could purchase for their Brompton, at $24 for the set, these pack the most punch for the dollar. Now if they’d only do away with the plastic rollers altogether and include Eazy Wheels as a stock item…

[I bought my Eazy Wheels at NYCeWheels. NYCeWheels is a sponsor of this website.]

I’ve been a fan of cotton bar tape forever. I like how it feels, I like how it looks, and I like that it’s a natural product.

My favorite cotton tape is Newbaum’s. They make a fantastic milled cotton tape right here in the U.S. using only eco-friendly dyes. It has an adhesive backing that’s sticky enough (but not too sticky), and it comes in 10′ rolls that are long enough to easily do one side of any handlebar with plenty left over (there’s nothing worse than running out of tape before you reach the end).

Newbaum’s is available in 14 colors. My favorite is the #23605 Yellow. I coat it with Zinsser BullsEye Amber Shellac to achieve the nice Brooks-like honey brown shown above.

Good stuff!

Newbaum’s →

What do you say about the Brooks? For touring and transportation, it’s still the standard by which all others are judged.

Brooks England →

We have a fondness for Wald baskets.

Wald has been making wire bicycle baskets in Maysville, Kentucky, USA since 1929. Theirs are undoubtedly the best wire bicycle baskets available. Wald baskets are constructed from steel and nicely finished with no burrs or edges to catch on bags or clothing. The 137 basket is our particular favorite. It’s a small/medium-sized basket, perfect for carrying a single bag of groceries, a small commuter bag, a laptop bag, or a camera bag. The 137 normally comes from the factory with struts, but we prefer to mount it on a randonneur or porteur rack. It can easily be attached to almost any front or rear rack using either small hose clamps or zip ties.

The 137 measures 15 x 10 x 4.75 inches and weighs practically nothing. It’s just a perfect little basket; not too big, not too small. Highly recommended.

PS – If you get one, be sure to pick up an elastic cargo net to go along with it.

Disclaimer: Yes, Wald a sponsor, but we were fans long before we were fortunate enough to have them come onboard.

Wald →

We like Silca pumps. They’re clearly designed to last a very long time; the critical parts are made from metal and wood, and replacement parts are available so they can be rebuilt for a few dollars when the seals eventually wear out.

Our favorite is the Super Pista. Features include an 8″ Beechwood handle; a 60cm tall chamber for high volume and upright pumping; a metal gauge mounted at the base where it’s safe in the event the pump gets knocked over; and a bomb-proof brass head with no levers or other moving parts to break.

Silcas are a little expensive, but they’ll outlast most other pumps by many years. Good stuff.

Silca →

This little strap has turned out to be one of the most versatile and downright indispensable accessories a utility bicyclist could ask for. We like it so much that we keep a few stashed here-and-there on various bicycles, just for those times when we need one to solve some unanticipated problem. Here are a few ways in which an Irish Strap might be used in a pinch:

• To stabilize an overstuffed pannier (see above)
• To lash a laptop or u-lock to a rack
• As a belt
• As a pant cuff strap
• To stabilize a rando or porteur bag
• As a secondary camera strap
• To lash a basket or crate to a rack
• To compress a sleeping bag
• As a toe strap
• As a sling (yikes!)
• As a leash for a lost dog encountered on a ride
• As a tent stabilizer
• To hang a lantern
• Etc., etc., etc….

I have a drawer full of velcro straps that rarely get used because they have a limited range of adjustment and they’re difficult to draw tight. I also have a bunch of double loop straps with plastic hardware that are pretty much useless. In contrast, the Irish Strap has a clasp made of metal that absolutely does not slip; it’s plenty long* but adjustable all the way down to just a couple of inches; it’s wide enough, but not too wide, so it’s strong, yet it fits many of the loops and handles on bike bags, tents, and such; and finally, it’s made in Ireland and it looks terrific, which should count for something.

John’s Irish Strap at Rivendell →

Disclaimer: Rivendell is a sponsor of this website.

*The Irish Strap is available in either 19″ or 39″ lengths. The 39 incher is far more versatile and you can always wrap the excess strap back on itself if the length isn’t needed for a particular task.

In celebration of National Bike Month, Poster Cabaret recently published their 2010 Bicycle Poster Print Set. 16 prints by 15 artists — all hand-made screen prints and way cool. We love these prints!

Poster Cabaret →

The Velocity Dyad is a tough, no frills, 700c commuting/touring/tandem rim available in 32, 36, 40, and 48 holes in either black or silver finish, with or without machined sidewalls. At 24mm, it’s slightly wider than your typical touring rim (some people even use them on 29′er mountain bikes). With its boxy cross-section, the Velocity Synergy looks more traditional, but the Dyad’s V-shaped cross-section makes the rim stronger and eliminates the need for eyelets. The 36-hole version laced to any decent hub makes a completely bomb-proof commuting wheel. Get the version with machined sidewalls for bump-free braking. Great stuff.

Specs
Bead seat diameter: 622
Weight: 480g
ERD = 596

Velocity Dyad →

I love Honjo metal fenders. I’ve had them on a number of bikes over the years and the classic look they impart is extremely pleasing to my eye. I also love the look of wooden fenders. I had a set on my old “Riv-ized” Easy Racers TE and I currently have bamboo fenders on my Civia Loring. As attractive as they can be, the downside to metal and wooden fenders is that they can be fairly fragile. I had a set of wooden fenders split on me, and I’ve damaged more than one metal fender beyond repair.

Plastic fenders, while not as attractive as metal and wooden fenders, are quieter, easier to install, and much tougher. They’re a necessity for all-weather multi-modal commuters who mount their bikes in racks on buses and trains. Both types of racks can destroy metal and wooden fenders in no time if you’re not careful.

Among the various plastic fenders on the market, I like SKS and Planet Bike the best. I’ve used the laminated silver SKS fenders forever and they’re tough, good looking, and plenty long. The new Planet Bike Cascadia fenders are really nice as well. They use a similar laminated construction to the SKS, they come from the factory with integrated mud flaps, and the hardware is stainless steel.

One thing to consider regarding fender length and mud flaps is ease of use for loading onto vertical bike racks. Often, bike racks on trains and in public storage areas are simply hooks on a wall that require rolling the bike back onto the rear wheel, then lifting the front wheel onto the hook. Long, rigid fenders like Honjos make the procedure a little tricky because they hit the ground before the bike is fully balanced back onto the rear wheel. Of course it’s possible to simply lift the bike up onto the hook while holding the rear wheel off the ground, but this can be tough and tricky if the bike is loaded and you’re in a crowded cargo area on a train. A shorter, tougher fender with a mud flap makes the procedure much simpler.

There’s another issue my son pointed out. The bike racks on our local buses have an arm that cradles the top of the wheel to hold the bike in place. He’s found he has to place the arm on top of the fender on his Breezer to hold the bike securely. The plastic fender on the front of his bike is getting a little scuffed, but it’s essentially no worse for the wear. If I had to place one of my bikes with metal or wooden fenders on one of these racks, the fender would be destroyed in one trip.

I’m not ready to give up my beautiful metal and wooden fenders. But, on bikes that I know will receive regular punishment from loading onto trains, buses, and public bike racks, I’ll be speccing plastic fenders from here on out.