“Corners railed – check, hills hammered – check, set record time to work – double check. They are super sweet wheels! I’m going to start saving for a set of those wheels, they’re so sweet!” – Carsten

I’ve had the last few days to try out Giant’s new P-SLR1 wheels on loan to me from Local Ride Bike Shop. I was dubious about how good these wheels really could be, normally OEM or self-branded components are just mediocre at best and act as a fill-in until you can afford some sweet aftermarket hoops by a proprietary brand. Once I started looking at the numbers and had a closer look at these wheels, I realized that these wheels can easily hold their own against the big name wheel brands. The graphics are understated, which is refreshing with all the uber-bold logos on most other wheels out there. Not only are these wheels light (really light) they’re tubeless compatible, which is not as common as it should be. Normally, a set of wheels of this quality are easily over 1,500 bucks but Giant has used some of their superpowers to sell these wheels at a scratch over a thousand bucks.

by Sandra

I just purchased the women’s specific GORE Oxygen waterproof breathable Gore-Tex cycling jacket and after two solid February all-weather weekend training rides – both mountain biking and road – I am stoked and certain it was the right choice. This jacket is everything I wanted and more.

I’ve been saving my pennies for the jacket that would do it all. The description of the jacket I sought read something like the unattainable personal ad of outerwear: Must be fully waterproof, breathable, lightweight, functional, pack small, fit well, be allowed in the washer/dryer, and, of course, look good. The GORE Oxygen Lady does it all.

I couldn’t believe how light the jacket was when I first picked it up. And that was before I cut the tags off. The Oxygen’s tailored fit is very flattering, but I was concerned about how many layers I would be able to squeeze underneath for winter riding. I comfortably rode in three degrees (Celsius) and rain with a long-sleeved base layer and a thicker long-sleeved cycling jersey underneath and I was perfectly comfortable. I think I could easily add another layer to get a few more degrees out of the ensemble for colder weather.

However, for those who want the jacket to accompany them on sub-zero adventures, I would recommend either going up one size or checking out GORE’s slightly roomier Power Lady or Alp X-Lady. They are not quite as minimalist as the Oxygen, but additional features may make them more versatile.

When I started my mountain bike ride on Saturday, it was absolutely pouring, but the drops just beaded on the jacket and rolled off harmlessly. Then, when the rain stopped and things warmed up a little, the jacket stayed perfect. It was as if a tiny thermostat was modulating the environment inside the jacket.

With my old rain shell and those clear plastic rain capes cyclists are so fond of, the outside is impermeable, so no water gets inside, but because they’re not breathable, heat, perspiration, and condensation build up inside, so you still get uncomfortably damp. And then when it stops raining, you get too warm and peel off the shell, and suddenly get chilled anyway. With the GORE, I wore it for the entire ride and never had to worry about whether I should take it off or put it back on. It blocked the wind, yet breathed, so even though I worked up a sweat, I didn’t feel sticky.

My Dream blue Oxygen Lady jacket got absolutely muddy and filthy on my ride, so when I got home, I threw it in the laundry and followed it up with a low heat tumble dry cycle and it was as clean, bright, and crisp as when I bought it… and most importantly, it was ready for my 4-hour road ride the next day.

The $279 Oxygen Lady is worth every penny, because I know this is the jacket I’ve been waiting for my entire life. On all of my outdoor adventures and through any kind weather, it will be with me, keeping my warm, dry, and comfortable.

by Jeanine

I have thoroughly enjoyed my first few rides on my new 2012 Giant Avail 2! It was the first size XXS to arrive in Canada, and for a woman who is only 4’9”, it means that I have finally found a road bike that actually fits (no small feat)! Special features on the women’s specific model, such as the narrower bars and shorter reach brakes, make it ideal for a smaller female cyclist. I thought I would share some of the qualities that have made me realize that the Avail is the perfect bike for me.

Here are the top 10 reasons why I love my new Giant Avail 2:

10. Stability when descending – it is great on high speed downhill sections, and still feels solid and stable, even when I hit the odd bump in the road.

9. Narrow bars – the women’s specific design has narrower handlebars, which means I can steer the bike easily and with confidence.

8. Braking control – with shorter reach levers, I feel like I can reach the brakes quickly whenever I need to (which hopefully won’t be too often)!

7. Off-road comfort – I often ride with the Local Ride gang and they like to add a dash of dirt to every ride, like a bit of gravel or trail – even aboard their full-on road bikes. The Avail passes the off-road test easily, as I can maneuver swiftly in tight spots, and feel very comfortable on even the rougher sections.

6. Steering – I definitely feel in control at all times, and I especially enjoy the way the bike handles in corners.

5. Easy to shift – whenever I need to shift gears, it does so quickly and efficiently.

4. Light climbing – the Avail is nice and light on the climbs, which means that climbing is a pleasant experience, and I actually know what it feels like to “dance on the pedals”!

3. Responsiveness – Anytime I choose to accelerate, the bike responds immediately when I put just a little bit more power into my pedal stroke.

2. Smooth feel – In general, the bike just feels smooth and comfortable. I feel confident and in control riding it at all times.

1. It’s just plain fun to ride!

Overall I only have praise for my new little red Giant Avail 2!