Solid Choice For Biking
355059
As far as fit goes, it was slightly smaller (about a half size) than other brands. But for biking, it's a great choice. The grip on the shoe makes sure your foot doesn't slide off and rip up your shins in the process. The quality of the shoe itself is very appealing and should hold up against the wear and tear of biking for a while. These shoes look elegant enough to take out for normal trips around town even if you first dust them off from the trails.

My only grip was the fit of the shoe. Started with a size 11.5 but stepped up to a 12. Now I'm thinking I should have got a 12.5. Normally I wear a 11.5/12.
750657
I am an avid cyclist, riding 8,000-10,000 miles a year. I specialize in randonneuring which consists of very long (200km+) unsupported rides. I've been using top tube bags for many years and spotted this on the top tube of another cyclist a month ago. He and his wife both had one and recommended them strongly. When I saw them on Amazon at ~$6.00 I thought they can't be any good because I normally spend $15-$20 for a top tube bag. They finally arrived today (I got one for my second bike, one for my wife, and one for my daughter). I am VERY impressed. I might have to buy one for my main bike and one for my other daughter.

Let's start with the top. There is a transparent plastic top with a Velcro flap underneath that is designed to hold a cell phone. My wife's iPhone fits comfortably while still in its case. My Lumia 928 barely fits when I take it out of its rubberized case. I think it would also fit if it were in a very thin case. You could also put a routesheet in here or even a Garmin Edge GPS system to protect it from the rain. I just put my Garmin Edge 705 in there and I can read it fine. I could even put the external battery pack for my Garmin or my phone in the main compartment.

The case comes with a headphone extension cord and a port in the front of the case to run a cable through so you could plug a headphone in to your cell phone if you wanted, not that I think that's a good idea. You would run the extension through the port so it's peeking out, then you could plug or unplug your headphones as you want. The top flips towards the rider which means it lays flat on the top tube when open - makes sense.

There's a double zipper around the top with extra large zipper tabs so you can open it with full finger gloves. Opening the top reveals a capacious bag about 2.5" x 2.5" x 5". That's plenty of room for gels, beans, bars, trail mix, even a spare pair of arm warmers. There are no compartments in the bag other than the one for the cell phone. It is sturdy enough not to collapse under its own weight when there's a cell phone in the top.

It fastens to the frame with three Velcro straps with buckles - two for the top tube and one for the steerer tube. You can cinch it down pretty firmly and it doesn't move around. The build quality looks good - I don't see any flaws in the stitching. It also has a reflective strip on each side. It looks good, it's highly functional, and it has a very reasonable price. What's not to love?

Unfortunately its raining outside so I don't feel like giving it a test ride. Hopefully next Saturday :-)

OK - time for an update now that I've given it a test ride. There are a few issues - nothing major.
1. This bag is about an inch wider than my other bags which means when you stand to climb your knees may brush against it. This is an issue with all top tub bags but the width of this one makes it worse. You'll need to keep your knees about an inch further apart when you stand.

2. The straps are too long. If you have an aluminum or carbon frame your top tube will be wide enough (about 1.5" seems OK). If you have a steel or titanium frame you may have problems. My top tube is about 1.3" diameter and when the Velcro loops back on itself through the buckle the hook part misses the loop part which means I can't cinch it up as tight as I want to. I put some rubber strips from old light mounts around the tube and it works fine now but I think this is a design flaw.

3. The strongest point is also a weak point. I use my top tube bag to snack from while I'm riding. The top flap where you put the cell phone makes it more difficult to get to the contents of the bag while you're riding. I found that unzipping one side but leaving the other side zipped up worked fairly well but it's not as easy to get to the food as my other top tube bags are.
3319246
Fits correctly on hybrid bike.  Holds a filled water bottle while riding off-road trails.
3460838
Much better than the first pair I bought at Walmart, and I am not sure if the $44.00 level ones the bike shop wants to sell me are worth the difference.  I have used for bike trips up to 25 miles and works fine for my needs.  My 20 yr. old likes them too.  I will buy more at this price.
3098033
This is an excellent product. A few reviewers have noted that they fall down. I haven't personally had that problem while riding, and I usually ride for hours at a time. I've used them in 30 degree (F) temps, and they keep my legs warm while cycling. The zipper at the ankles allow them to have a nice fit. The fabric over the knees is a wind breaker fabric which works great. Haven't had any problem riding in the rain either. There are also reflective elements on the fabric too which helps with visibility. Definitely would recommend.
3164555
These are not super fancy, hardshell panniers or anything, but they are perfect for commuting. They feel sturdy enough for most tasks, though they can sag some, and the reflective panels are really nice. They're a bit of a chore to put on and take off (you wouldn't want to leave your stuff outside in them), but I actually think that makes them seem sturdier. Before you haul off and spend for panniers twice as expensive -- try these. They're the best value I've found yet in a pannier.
2987789
These are great. Have had them about two months now. I used one to commute to school with all my books and whatnot in there and it held up just fine. I used them both on a two-day bikepacking trip on a dirt trail and the despite the outside being completely covered in dust and a little mud, the contents was clean. It drizzled a bit on us, light enough so that I didn't put the rain covers on and nothing inside was wet. The quick releases are great. I was able to adjust them so that they don't slide back and forth at all while riding and they are a breeze to clip on and off, full or empty. The only thing keeping me from 5 stars is the capacity. These are the largest panniers that Ibera offers and they're just a tad small for me. I use them with this rack:&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Ibera-PakRak-Bicycle-Touring-Carrier-Plus-IB-RA5-with-disk-brake-mounts-Frame-mounted-for-heavier-top-side-loads-bag-not-included/dp/B002T5OG5Y/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Ibera PakRak Bicycle Touring Carrier Plus+ IB-RA5 (with disk brake mounts) Frame-mounted for heavier top & side loads (bag not included)</a>

Pros: Quick release mounts, construction

Cons: A bit on the small side
2123340
I like these. The fit is tight which is good for cycling wear.  The pad is sufficient for longer rides.  Only negative is the stitching on the edge of the padding is a bit bothersome if you're not properly "adjusted" and can lead to chafing.  You can see through the side meshing which is a different material weave than the front. All in all I'd buy again.
4239634
First off - Blackburn has addressed the issue with excessively long straps. The included straps work fine on my steel frame Salsa Vaya and are also long enough for the wider shaped tubes of my carbon Jamis Renegade. In addition, the straps and the strap loops on the bottom of the bag are rubberized to minimize any slipping or swaying. On my steel frame with round tubes, the bag can lean a bit when loaded, but less so than any other bag I've used; on a flattened top tube it's extremely stable. The straps are easily removed (and can be replaced) and there are several strap loops on the bottom and two at the front to customize attachment.

Construction is top notch; my only quibble is a minor fraying of one of the zipper pulls. The sides are adequately rigid and slightly padded, and it's water resistant enough that I don't worry about the high-end pocket camera I frequently carry (I'd probably worry in an extended downpour - not certain it's waterproof). The shape maximizes storage without getting in the way. If I'm really hammering out of the saddle, my knees will brush against it, but not an issue on most standing climbs. I've been really surprised at how much stuff I can cram in it.

Useful features abound including:
* mesh top net that securely hold my iPhone 6 - super convenient; also good for sunglasses
* small external pockets - I use the non-zippered pocket on the right to hold a small cloth for cleaning glasses; I've crammed a ziplock bag in the zippered pocket for emergency phone weatherproofing (these pockets are really small)
* removable internal divider
* dual zippers - put a battery inside and run cord out to headlight with minimal exposure
* zippers wrap around to allow easy access (for right-handed people)
4329261
These gloves are solid on the bike in moderate conditions; in temperatures below forty Fahrenheit, though, my hands get very, very cold early in the ride. The little conversion hats for your fingers expand their range a bit; they also work surprisingly well even with brifters, though probably not as well on the double-paddle variety as they do on a SRAM Double-Tap setup.

For running, meanwhile, these are suitable for conditions down to freezing -- though I should probably stipulate that my hands tend to get really hot when I run. I haven't tried them in conditions colder than that.

They're also great for walking in on chilly early-November days in Chicago. My hands tend to get cold easily when I'm *not* running (yeah, I'm kind of a delicate flower that way), and they did a superb job keeping me comfortable on various treks about the city. The grippers also made handling my luggage easier when it came to head down to the Megabus stop :D

They work quite well on touch-screens and are comfortable. They also come with a little tab to lock them together, which is a handy (no pun intended, ugh) and oft-overlooked feature on sporty gloves. In Chicago I took to hooking them together through a belt loop when I took them off to stop in for a coffee or what have you. I have no idea why it took me this long to figure that out.

The finger hats also tuck very neatly into their little garages, which is far from universal in convertible gloves (in the spirit of "brifters," should I be calling these "glittens?").

Lastly, they look quite nice -- nice enough to serve for a night at the opera, for example, if you have neglected to bring any other gloves with you.

Anyway, these are pretty decent gloves for cycling in cool temps or running in cold ones. Definitely recommended.
1888908
This is s pretty good bike bag. The pouches are a decent size and the protective shell is quite strong and should survive a decent crash or collision. For me at full capacity it can carry a full hex wrench kit, my multi tool knife, a first aid kit consisting of 15+ different bandages and wraps, two spare tubes, my medicine bag (insulin kit) and my trip computer fits in nicely when I'm not using it. The phone case is attached with a large Velcro pad. I questioned it at first but it has never come loose on me and I do a lot of trail riding. However if you have a small phone (iPhone 5 for me) and don't have a real case on your phone it can shake about inside the pouch. The the thick plastic film that covers your screen does a good job at preventing scratches and even allows the capacitive capabilities function however it does stop the fingerprint sensor from working.
4191145
My wife and I have used these for two years, one large set and one medium set. During that time we rode 500 miles across Germany, commuted daily to work, and I just completed a 1,000 mile trip through the mountains and across NC to the sea. Earlier I had a different brand (Trek) which used an elastic cord to fasten to the rack. I found this unsatisfactory, as the cord stretches, allowing a loaded pannier to swing and sway. The Avenir uses a strap that locks tight with a plastic friction piece. It doesn't look especially strong, but has never failed yet. I also appreciate that these panniers are quite lightweight, unlike some other brands that are recommended by full-time bike tourers. These panniers are not waterproof, but they are water resistant. The price is reasonable, they are fairly well-made, and the design is good. If you plan to tour for months at a time through all conditions, you might want something stronger; otherwise, these are a good bet.
NOVEMBER 2008 UPDATE: Based on my recommendation, my son just bought a pair of the large panniers, and reports that the design has changed. Now they incorporate an elastic strap! So my comments above appear obsolete. However, my son seems satisfied with them thus far on his daily commute.
4039893
I bought these on Amazon for cycling. Wanted ability for remote control of iPod/iPhone.
Main problem in cycling - wind noise.
These work well, and with the "upside down" insertion design, you can wrap them around your glasses and they stay put. Wind noise is minimized, and bike helmet straps keep everything in control.
Sound quality - comparable to Ety's ER6i, but better bass and they hold tighter.
Would have given a 5, but the cable length from the remote to the phones is a little short when you take a wrap on your glasses, which is what all bikers will want to do to keep them tight and to take them out and reinsert quickly.
Overall very good product for cycling.
1666233
Does the job for my indoor biking experience.
4800873
After shopping around and reading reviews of other bikes, I decided on buying this one, even though it was on the higher end of mountain bikes under $300.  I decided not to buy a road bike for two reasons: 1) the route I take to commute to and from work has many conditions unfavorable to road bikes and 2) the increased cost of road bikes.  My commute is about 13 miles from home and I've been riding this bike for almost a month now 2-4 days a week.  I can hop off sidewalks, run over speed bumps, go through gravel and dirt and the roughness/shock is substantially reduced due to the dual-suspension system on the bike.  The brakes and gearshifters (after properly adjusting them) make a comfortable fit.  The gears shift very smoothly from one speed to the next.  The pedals, though made of a plastic composite, haven't cracked or broken yet.

Now onto the cons.  One of the first things I noticed after riding is that my inner seat bones would get sore if I rode the bike for more than two days consecutively.  Eventually, I had to replace the seat with something more comfortable.  It's something any male bicyclist should do anyway because the stock seat (and many others with similar design) can cause impotence after long-term use.  Secondly, the bike is on the heavier side weighing 38 lbs stock.  There's not much to be done about this because the frame is naturally heavy.  You can replace the tires and/or wheels, the seat, the handlebars, the pedals, and switch the disk brakes to rim brakes; but if you're going to do all that, you should probably get a more expensive bike that weighs less in the beginning.

Overall, I'm very satisfied with my purchase because I know that it's going to last me a long time.  For the amount of money that it costed, if it does get stolen I can't get too upset.  When I get tired of the weight of this bike (or if it gets stolen before then), I'll look into getting a more expensive, lighter bike.
2198725
I replaced the marginal dual use Schwinn SPD pedals (rebranded Wellgo WAM-D10) that came with my spin bike because I was getting hot spots and numbness when riding, and one of the pedals began clicking terribly loud.  My criteria for replacement pedals was for an SPD pedal that offered more support for standing climbs and just general pedaling.  The ability to use the pedals without SPD cleats was not pressing, but would be an added benefit.

The A520's were what I chose after considering the M324, A530 and M520, and feel they are perfect for my needs.  I don't think I'd want to use the A520's on my mountain bike because they are one sided, but on a road bike they should be great.  The platform on the A520 is large and does provide extra support with my shoes (Shimano MT-23 and MT-43).  Numbness is virtually gone, and the pedals are smooth, balanced and sturdy.  They take a couple rides to loosen up, but now they always hang with the clips facing to the rear of the bike, so easy to mount my shoes without hunting.

The clip side works just fine for short rides with just my tennis shoes, and I don't feel the clips or any discomfort.  Again, I use these on a spin bike, so none of the usual traffic and outdoor hazard issues to deal with or test with the one sided design.

Overall, an excellent pedal, especially for indoor cycling.
2827920
Cheap, comfortable cycling gear that works well and looks great. I'm thoroughly satisfied with the cycling shorts. The fit was pretty much spot on (they say order a size or so larger than you would normally, and that's great advice) and the padding itself is of good quality. If you need cycling shorts on the cheap, and don't know where to start off initially, as I did, I recommend picking a pair of these up to start. I know there are some better quality cycling shorts floating around out there (like Pearl Izumi or whatever), but if you are on a budget or have just started cycling, these cannot be beaten in terms of the price to quality ratio. 4/5