White Industries ENO Freewheel
I had been using the White Industries ENO Trials Freewheel on my polo bike for well over a year, and as you might expect from a $120 American-made freewheel, I’ve had absolutely zero problems with it. This fall I finally decided to change up my gearing from 18 tooth to 22 tooth, and since the ENO Trials Freewheel only comes in 18, I opted for White’s standard ENO Freewheel which is available in 16-22 tooth sizes.
When the bike is in the stand, you may be able to discern the difference between the trials model’s 72 points of engagement and the 36 points afforded by the standard ENO freewheel. But on the polo court I can’t tell the difference. All I really know is that when I pedal, the bike jumps forward with zero hesitation.
It might actually be a benefit that the whirring of the pawls isn’t as noticeable on the standard ENO freewheel as it is with the trials model, but it’s still plenty pronounced. But while silence on the polo court is a benefit, the sound it makes while speeding down a big hill is just about worth the price of admission all by itself.
At 177 g, the standard ENO freewheel is lighter than the trials model by 25 g. Of course, I hardly care at all about the weight, especially given the renowned quality of the product. And of course the price is significant, but if you consider that the freewheel is completely serviceable, it should outlast several less expensive models.
ENO freewheels retail for $95.
Check out www.whiteind.com
Road Runner Bags Cell Phone Pouch
Road Runner Bags is one of those one-man, small time operations some people are always pointing to as the future of all things good. Toiling away making a niche product in the spare room, creating one of a kind items just different enough. I’ve been using one of the $19 iPhone pouches for a couple of months on my giant backpack I use for grocery runs, road trips and carrying my gear to and from polo. The wrap around mounting system is compatible with all sorts of shoulder and chest straps, though I do wish there was a way to attach it to a belt for longish road rides when I’m not carrying a bag at all. The design allows you to micro adjust how tight the holster holds, accommodating different case models easily, and similar sized phones. I’d say it is best described as water resistant—the pouch is Cordura with a truck tarp liner and has a fair amount of overlap on the phone but I wouldn’t trust it in much more than a light rain, and even then with the cost of smartphones I’m quick to make sure it has fully waterproof quarters when the weather turns sour. I’m usually not one for holsters as I find the various pockets on my pants and bag already suffice (and that I have a number of bags in rotation), but I’ve actually found myself using this one simply because it is easy to remove when I’m not using it, and it holds my phone securely enough that I actually trust it. An earlier, oversized version found a home on a friend’s bag holding his even larger, giant touchscreen spacephone. Beyond stock Cordura colors, Road Runner makes bags out of salvaged materials when available, even Thomson post and stem bags for the full on bike nerds out there.
Check out etsy.com/shop/RoadRunnerBags