The Radavist

Yesterday I was wearing my first-edition Giro Empire lace up road shoes. Ever since I first put those shoes on, I couldn’t get over how comfortable they were, right out of the box. There was virtually no break-in period.

Now they’re the only road shoes I wear. I’ve found that the laces actually allow for a lot more wiggle room and stretch than traditional buckles or velcro, meaning I don’t need to adjust them at all once they’re on my feet. Also, the laces have never come out of the loops, which is a concern of many people.

My only qualm with the first edition Empires is that I don’t always want to wear patent leather, which is why I love the new offerings (not pictured: white, because I hate white shoes). The all matte black, black and fluoro orange / yellow look amazing.

Check out more at Giro and yes, I’ll post my pair of well-used shoes later this week.

Check it out as Chas from TCB Courier and Mash talks about his relationship with Giro and the $150 Republic Shoe.

So. Right about now, you have to ask yourself: how strong is your camo game? Sidi Dominators now come in woodland camo, available now, in limited numbers at your local Sidi dealer!

… But Vegas is callin’. See you at Interbike. First, we’re heading to the “nothing” to camp tonight. See you at the show, I’m bringing the usual hydration.

45Nrth brings the doom and gloom for their new “commuting and cross” shoe, the FASTERKATT, which provide comfort at 25 degrees. Check out more specs on the FASTERKATT here. After commuting by bike every winter day in NYC for the last four years I lived there, I would have loved these shoes, rather than Gore Bike Wear slip covers over my normal SPDs.

I would go into a long-winded explanation as to why I love Giro’s shoes but if I did so, you’d miss the opportunity to pick up a pair of these extremely limited Camo Empire MTB shoes. Head over to the Giro Facebook now!

Oh man, this new project from Vans looks RAD!

“Vans joins forces with renowned BMX brand Haro to commemorate a history of classic BMX design and originality. The fated partnership between the two brands brings forth a memorable collection of Vans x Haro footwear, apparel and accessories influenced by the early days of BMX style and the birth of the first freestyle BMX frame, the Haro Freestyler.

With more than 30 years of innovation, Haro Bikes champions an iconic heritage in BMX product design. With the introduction of its first top-of-the-line Freestyle BMX bike in early 1984, Haro ignited a revolution in the growing sport of Freestyle, paving the way for radical tricks and inventive style. The partnership between Vans and Haro celebrates a strong dedication to BMX.

The original Haro Freestyler Master informs the Vans capsule with vintage Haro accents and signature color schemes straight from the bike frame. Once worn by freestyle BMX riders in the 80s, the original Vans Era and Sk8-Hi Reissue boasts Vans’ classic checkerboard print popular among BMX athletes, along with Haro’s signature green and blue colors taken directly from theFreestyler Master.The collection also includes a retro long sleeve t-shirt and racing pant emblazoned with the unforgettable blue, green, and white racing stripes. Two custom Vans x Haro logo tees and a poison green snapback finish off the collection.

To celebrate this master collaboration, Vans and Haro teamed up to recreate the Freestyler Master in a limited run that will only be available in Vans.com, Vans Facebook and Vans retail store giveaways. Visit vans.com and facebook.com/vans through the month of July for more information.

The entire Vans x Haro collection hits stores July 1, 2013 and will be available at vans.com/haro.”

See more photos below!

I know I’ve plugged the Giro Privateer shoes numerous times on the site before and yet I continue to get emails from people asking what shoes I wear on my cross and mountain bike. These days, I travel exclusively with my Mudville cross bike. For road rides, I bring Jack Brown tires, for dirt, I bring Grifos. Spending serious saddle time in shoes will either make or break your relationship with them but spending a lot of time on the road in MTB shoes is sure to test their comfort.

In dirt, you tend to move around a lot more, stop, hike and the time you spend actually sitting and climbing is limited. At least in my experience anyway. Especially when I come to California, I find myself climbing mountains on my cross bike, in these shoes. People often comment on how they hate riding road in mountain shoes and I used to hate it as well but then I got the Giro Privateers. I’ve been amazed at how comfortable they are, at such an affordable pricepoint. They also come in HV, or “high volume” for wider feet.

This isn’t a “paid advert”, this is just me sharing with you something that I use a lot more than I anticipated…

This just in from Chrome as they introduce their Spring Riding Kit

“Just in time for sunny skies and Spring biking season, Chrome Industries introduces Spring City Riding Kit, featuring the De Haro Windbreaker, Men’s Mason Riding Jersey, Union Short, Merino Wool Ankle Socks and the Truk Pro.  Chrome Industries makes apparel and accessories that are simple, durable and built for utility.  The Spring City Riding Kit gives riders a classic look with bike-specific functionality made for urban riding. ”

Check out more below.

The DVS X CA DNC line always delivers and the newest model, the Fantom looks great. Pick up either black or white, while stock lasts, at Cadence.

I’ve been pumped on what Giro is putting out over the past few years and I was very stoked on their new Republic Shoe when I got a sneak peek at Interbike this year. Here’s a few words from Giro on their new urban / commuter / touring shoe, that fits right in alongside their New Road line:

“The Republic is really unlike other cycling shoes,” said Eric Richter, Giro Senior Brand Manager. “At heart, it’s a modern cycling shoe with a sleek profile and all of the essential performance elements that you need to pedal efficiently. But in spirit and style, it’s a new kind of shoe made for the streets, with a look and feel that’s great on the bike or walking into an office, whether you’re wearing street clothes or cycling apparel.”

The Republic Shoe retails at $150, comes in sizes 6 1⁄2 to 13 1/2 and three colors. Pick them up at Giro retailers this month.

See more product photos below!

DZR has a few new models available for 2013. One of which is the White. Fully vegan and all white.

Giro’s popular new lace up road shoe, the Empire is now available in both colors, online and at your local Giro dealer. I can’t wait to get my hands on a pair. The quality, as with any Giro shoe is superb. Check out more details and sizing information here, at Giro.

And I literally just got back from a kick-ass ride myself. Gotta love Cadence!

Since their first models dropped two years ago, Chrome has been working on improving them. Introducing the Truk, as modeled here by Massan.