Tag Archives: Made in USA

Polar Bottle 24 oz Insulated

It is not an easy thing to find cycling water bottles that are made in USA. These are and they are insulated. I don’t think Polar Bottle makes a shorter version. I’d need a shorter bottle for my under the down tube bottle cage because a bottle this size would hit the fender or front wheel. Or I might just use that cage to carry my peanut butter.

I had one on my last tour and thought that the insulation was not the best but it did something. Although I was testing it in southern Texas, New Mexico and Arizona in July and August.

Bought from a local bike shop

Cost: about $10 ea

Made in USA

polarbottle.com

 

Park CT-5 and CTP

Here is a chain tool.

And here is a spare chain tool pin.

Both good things to have.

I remember the first time I needed to use a chain tool. It was on a single speed bike and I used something on a multi tool. It was not the best thing but it worked. I rode about 15 miles and the chain broke as I was riding up a small hill. I was standing on the pedals at the time, and I hit the street real fast and very hard. I remember that I broke my watch but didn’t hit my head. It wasn’t fun. After that I stopped messing with chain tools for a long time.

After moving to NY and making friends with a co-worker who was a mechanic, eventually I changed the chain on a bike of mine with his Park CT-7 shop tool. Having him lend me the right tool and give a few pointers made it easy to get it right and not feel like I might hit the ground in a few miles again.

Eventually I bought a CT-7 for myself and have used it many time without problems. But on a tour that tool would be too much. That’s where the CT-5 comes in. The mini is just as smooth at pushing a chain pit as the bigger one just in a smaller package.

I tested it when I installed the 10 speed chain on my touring bike. I’m sure it’ll be fine. But just in case I went to a local bike shop and bought a spare chain tool pin, and a spare 10 speed chain pin too. The kind you push in and break off the extra bit.

If I have any chain troubles these things should get me back on the road.

Made in USA

 

MSR SuperFly Stove

Not all MSR stove are made in the US, this model is. The Pocket Rocket is not.

The Superfly cost about $10 more and is not as small but it has 4 of those things that hold the pan up, vs. 3 on the pocket rocket. And this one has a larger circle for where the fire come out. I think that gives a more even heat, kind of important when making pancakes or grilled cheese or cooking eggs.

I had just finished my touring bike and had a weekend day off that lined up with the opening of a new REI store in Yonkers. I’d never been to Yonkers and REI was giving away gift certificates to the first two hundred people in the store. So I got up early and rode about 27 miles and waited in line about 20 minuets while I ate free bagels and juice then was greeted at the door with a branded water bottle with a $25 G.C. inside.

Cost: about $30

Made in USA

 

Outlier Empire Merino T

Outlier may not still call this the “Empire” T. Either way, this the first article of merino I ever owned. That was early 2009 right before I went on my NY to LA 4000+ mile supported tour. I’ve worn this beyond countless times since then and have washed it enough to lose count of how many times. But I put it on the other day and was really surprised to assess it’s condition and I would describe it “black as black” and looking new. Everything Outlier makes gets a good review from me. Merino is the shit.

By that I mean Merino is excellent at regulating body temperature, especially when worn against the skin. Also it contains lanolin with antibacterial properties.

I feel like anybody who rides a bike across the country or from some sea to another just automatically brings a black T. Bring a good one.

Made in NYC with fabric from New Zealand

 

Outlier Ultrafine Merino Polo

For real who doesn’t want to look good? They don’t make this color anymore but I got one.

Pretty much all the clothes I’d take on tour are merino and/or made in USA, this is both.

So this shirt is perfect for those long weekends where I have this on during the flight going to some 3 or 4  day event somewhere. I wear it out one or two of those nights, stuff it in my messenger bag the rest of the time,  and I can still wear it on the flight home because it’s still don’t look bad or smell bad. Merino is the shit.

After all this shirt has been through there’s no way it’s staying in home when I travel.

Made in New York City

 

Phil Wood Rear Hub 48 Hole

I could not find a stock photo of the rear hub I’m running so I took a photo of  my own.

This is a Phil Wood rear hub. Shimano 10 speed compatible, spaced to 130mm, and drilled for a 48 hole rim.

Phil Wood is about as good as it gets.

My first set of wheels on my touring bike were 36 spoke. I got about 700 miles and my rear wheel basically feel apart. Money and time fixed it and it was not the worst thing that could have happened, but still.  I finished that tour on the rebuilt wheel with no more problems. And even did another, shorter tour without error.

Later, when I was shedding rusty parts and doing a rebuild of the whole bike I decided to ditch the old 7 speed rear hub for 10 speed. I did not want to tour on 36 spoke wheels again. I could have up it to a 40 spoke but what’s that?

I think some people have thought, Why would you want so many spokes? I equate 48 spoke wheels with two things, tandem bikes and pol0 bikes. On tandem bikes they make sense because the bike weighs twice what a normal bike weighs and has the weight of two riders on just 2 wheels. With bike pol0 there are times when the ball, the mallets or other bikes get all smashed up in wheels and those wheels take serious damage but must keep working to finish the game. You could rip 3 or 4 spokes out of a 48 spoke wheel and the chances are you could still ride it.

So with one and a half times the spoke count per/wheel as compared to a normal 32 spoke wheel means I can double the weight carried and take damage but not be stopped on the side of the road looking at a useless wheel.

Is it heavier? Just the weight of 12 extra spokes per wheel, not much.

Ordered from Phil Wood in 2009. And in that same year, on a supported group tour, I put over 4000 miles on it without fault.

Made in USA

philwood.com

 

OP/TECH USA Super Classic Strap-Bino 3/8″

After using stock camera straps for a few years I, for some reason, decided to look for something more comfortable. Hmm. Maybe because the factory strap most cameras come with are really just logo holders. It’s not important to me that my camera strap is an advertisement, the opposite really. Give me simple black. But that’s not the main reason for this purchase. Comfort is. I might have my camera hanging from my neck all day. After getting this I’ve told some other new photographers about it. But it’s one of those things you gotta just try for yourself.

Tailored 2.0″ wide neoprene strap that uses a “Comfort-Stretch” binding with an internal “Control-Stretch” system for added support. There is a non-skid surface that won’t slip on shoulder.

Most new camera straps have quick-release clips on them, this is the Bino version and it’s the one w/o little plastic clips that hold the whole thing together. Makes no sense to me why anyone would want that. It only take about 10 seconds to remove the strap if I want it off the camera.

Bought from B&H store in Manhattan.

Cost: $20

Made in USA

optechusa.com

 

Kodak 2CR5 Battery

Well, not all batteries are the same, some are made in USA and some are not. Buy two, the last thing I need is to miss a shot because I didn’t have a spare. An extra is small and light and I could be miles from the next camera shop when I need it most.

Bought at local camera shop.

Cost: $7

Made in USA

Kodak.com

 

De Soto Arm Cooler Sleeves

These are a carry over from my last ride. When riding in southern Texas in July, some of the group I was with decided to buy some of these and the leg coolers too. I just bought the arm coolers and I’m really glad I did. There is no shade in Texas. Anyway, these fit good and do keep my arms cool on blazing, sunny, hot days. If I’m not wearing them they take up almost no space and weigh very little.

Cost: $35 (I can’t remember very well)

Made in USA

desotosport.com

 

Park Tool Co. FR-5

Park FR-5 Cassette Lock Ring tool

I once did a supported 4000 mile ride from NY to LA on a brand new bike. That was nice.  Beside a flat or two the only mechanical problem I had was the cassette lock ring backed off of the 10 speed cassette. I realized this when I shifted and the chain dropped down completely between two of the cogs. This was just a small problem because nothing was lost. I just took off the wheel, took the loose cogs off and cleaned them with a rag since I had the chance. Then I lined them up in place and spun the lock ring on. This tool was not in my kit at that time but I did have a flat head screwdriver. I used that to get the lock ring tight enough to get back on the road for a few miles. After reaching the SAG, I used this tool to tighten it back to spec.

Now I have one of my own.

I want to weld a 15mm nut to the back side so I don’t have to carry a one-inch socket to turn this thing.

Made in USA

parktool.com

 

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Sleep Pad

I bought the large (77″ x 25″) so my arms wouldn’t hang off the sides. All other sizes are just 20″ wide. The biggest one is still small and light. Thick so it doesn’t have to be inflated super firm to not feel the ground.

I had a Ridge-rest foam pad on my first two tours. That was fine but really just a bare minimum, comfort-wise. I had some made in China air pad on my last tour but it was only 20″ wide and I gave it to a friend who was about to ride from NYC to Guatemala and didn’t have anything.

I’ve had this NeoAir about a year and a half and have used it on a dozen weekend trips, like packed hotel rooms and staying with friend in other cities.

Touring is a different story. Will inflating this thing every night after a long days ride be something I like? After I lie on it will.

I think I bought this at EMS in Manhattan during one of their sales.

Cost: about $150

Made in USA

cascadedesigns.com/therm-a-rest