Mission Workshop Vandal Backpack -- review by Becky Welbes

After carrying large messenger bags on one shoulder for years, my left shoulder was starting to hurt. I carry everything in my bags, I use them for grocery shopping, packing for races, travel, and daily essentials. I needed a backpack to alleviate some pressure on my left side, and I was looking for one that could hold a lot, but not be too big. I've found that a lot of the large messenger-style backpacks are wide and awkward, especially for a woman's frame. I decided to go with the Mission Workshop Vandal because it has a relatively narrow shape, one that is trapezoidal so that it matches the natural shape of your back. It also zips up and straps down into a smaller bag, then can double in size when you need it. There's an internal frame that makes carrying large loads much easier on your back, as well as adjustable padded straps.

The straps have loops on them that make it easy to attach my essentials, like my phone holder and keys. They also have adjustments on the top, so that if you are carrying a large load and it's obstructing your view or hitting your helmet, you can drop the load down on the straps a little bit. That makes things so much more comfortable! Other highlights for me are the option to add a waistbelt -- something I've decided I need after seeing how much I carry in this bag regularly. I'm also a fan the roll top option, it's made carrying home awkward things like posters or new handlebars much easier. And of course the fact that this bag is entirely waterproof is a win-win.

My only complaint is that all of the pockets are big. I wish there was a small pocket on a flap or something for my smaller stuff. I still find myself carrying my tools, daily essentials, and wallet in separate pouches inside. Other than that, this bag is a workhorse that somehow challenges me to carry more and more in it. I've been able to carry loads that are almost a 1/3 of my body weight and not feel strained. This bag is totally worth the investment! It will last a lifetime, and has already paid for itself in use alone. Thanks Village Cycle for stocking Mission Workshop bags!

The Giant Flea- A review on Blackburn Flea 2.0 USB

I would like to take a moment to talk about this fantastic product made by Blackburn.
It is one of the best light sets I have ever owned! In fact I like them so much I've bought three sets so far, and continue to gift them to my friends and loved ones.
The Blackburn Flea 2.0 USB light set is one of the most powerful light sets packed into one of the smallest cases available. I often wonder how that is possible. (It never ceases to amaze me how technology gets more powerful and smaller every year!...Anyway enough of my babbling). The lights are very powerful with three settings. Low, high, and flashing. The lightbulbs are almost Indestructible, I haven't been able to break any myself anyway. I might add that I have dropped mine plenty of times. not even a scratch.
The low is bright enough to blind you if you were to look into it and make you see spots (LOL trust me). The high beam is bright enough to use as headlight in the darkest of environments I have done this as well so I am speaking from my personal experience.
I mostly use the lights in flashing mode. I feel this is the most visible mode.
In flashing mode you can see the reflective borders of stop signs for about four blocks away probably more. The rear light has three modes as well, all four LED's solidly on, all four blinking simultaneously, or two LED's alternating left to right.
The lights are easily attached via Velcro straps which have a non slip portion down the center to help with the lights from slipping, they hold very well I might add.(I'm not a big fan of lights that slip down when you use them) The rear also has a very sturdy metal clip this ensures the light will not jump off if you decide to clip the light on a bag or strap or anywhere your heart desires!
I have clipped mine to the back of seat bags, on my CamelBak, on the back of my Gore jacket as well...never once thinking twice about possibly losing my light.
I find that the lights hold their charge very well. One of the best features the new flea lights have is a charge level indicator built into the power/mode button, (green: fully charged, yellow: starting to run low, and red: better recharge or your going to kick your self later)
Charging the lights couldn't be easier; remove the velcro straps plug the USB charger into your USB slot in your computer or hub, line up the magnetic connections and watch them recharge, done and done, ready to roll! As you might have guessed I am a big fan of these lights, no more trying to find batteries when everyone is closed and I discovered I needed them. Not to mention the cost savings on not having to buy them at all then trying to find somewhere to recycle them as they die out (I have tried rechargeable batteries in my battery type lights but they never seem to last too long)
I would like to add that I am using the Flea Helmet/head/Hat Mount kit as well, depending on your helmet you may need to be creative about how to use it. However I do like having my lights there. I believe that I am more visible...it makes me feel better anyway.

Village Cycle Center on Foursquare

Ladies, gentlemen, boys, girls, hipsters, commuters, and cyclists of all walks of life.......

Village Cycle Center is starting to add check in specials to Foursquare.

I just started working on this, so if anyone has any ideas for specials they would like to see, let me know.

Check out our venue here