Pake Track

When it comes to the actual ride of the bike I have zero complaints, the steep geometry is the main selling point of the bike and is where you come to love or hate the frame. I love it, I just find steep and tight geometry so much fun to ride I’ve been hooked since I first gave it a go. While some will find it tiresome on long road rides or even overly twitchy overall, if it’s what you’re looking for the Pake has it. The bike rides surprisingly nice, and the frame has proven durable in my experience with nary a dent or serious ding through tons of spills and lock-ups.

–Urban Velo #24

CETMA 5-Rail Cargo Rack

[Six] years ago I first started using this CETMA 5-Rail rack, with countless cargo loads carried around town since. ...In terms of weight capacity, 45 lb boxes of magazines are handled regularly with ease, a pair of them is certainly possible but not the most comfortable situation to be in as the steering gets decidedly weird after that one box limit. There are a number of people in this world who have ridden on the front of a CETMA rack, but I’m not one of them.

–Urban Velo #25

Chrome Soma Laptop Bag

The Chrome Soma is a pretty interesting little laptop bag. It’s the size and shape of a small backpack but it’s got a single sling-style strap like a messenger bag. It’s more of a general use backpack than a cycling bag, but it definitely works well for bike commuters as well as college students, airline travelers or anyone who needs to travel with their laptop in tow. I’ve literally taken this bag around the world.

–Urban Velo #28

White Industries ENO Freewheel

As you might expect from a $120 American-made freewheel, I’ve had absolutely zero problems with it. And when I pedal, the bike jumps forward with zero hesitation. Of course the price is significant, but if you consider that the freewheel is completely serviceable, it should outlast several less expensive models.

–Urban Velo #29

Bianchi San Jose Frameset

Ultimately, the great thing about the San Jose frameset is that it can be built up to suit a variety of riders with different needs and riding styles... Less-than-racy cyclocross bikes tend to make great city bikes, and that’s exactly the route I went down with my San Jose.

–Urban Velo #35

Planet Bike Borealis
Winter Gloves

For cold temperature riding I’ve always been a fan of “lobster claw” style gloves that combine fingers for warmth and have been using the Planet Bike Borealis gloves for a few seasons now...The separate middle and index finger give me enough dexterity to operate my shift and brake levers without issues, and the combined pinky and ring fingers help to keep my entire hand warm without sacrificing bar grip.

–Urban Velo #35

Avid BB7S

Like its predecessor, the BB7S features tool-free inboard and outboard pad adjustment, organic compound brake pads and Avid’s “tri caliper positioning system.” This system primarily consists of a series of concave and convex washers that allow for precise alignment of the caliper. I’m sure there may be a few people who disagree, but in my opinion the BB7 makes for the easiest brake setup on the market.

–Urban Velo #39

Mission Workshop Sanction

Subtly angled and curved backpack straps with dense padding throughout makes this the most comfortable bag I’ve ever worn—it just sits right, and doesn’t interfere with checking for traffic over my shoulder. Laptop, camera, a change of clothes and a small toolkit is about all I need most days, and that’s about what the Sanction holds.

–Urban Velo #39