Blackburn Super Flea Front & Rear Review by llama

update 4.28.13 - Our blog has moved! Check out this post and more at:
http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/12/blackburn-super-flea-front-rear-review-by-llama/


I have been a fan of the Blackburn Flea lights for awhile now, but with the addition of the Super Flea, I have become a super fan of them.

Lets us start off with the technical specs for the Blackburn Super Fleas:

Super Flea Front 

• Super-small - 2.20" Lx1.30" W x.90" H
• Super-bright White CREE® XP-G LED
• Brilliant 120 Lumen output
• Rechargeable Li-polymer power
• Easy hookup magnetic USB smart charger, waterproof charging ports
• Versatile hook-and-loop strap mounting system
• LED fuel gauge/charge indicator
• 1 hr High, 3hr Std, 5hr flashing run times
• 34 grams 

Super Flea Rear

• Ultra-bright, ultra-compact—1.30”L x .90W x 1.80”H
• Collimating lens makes central appear larger than life, enhancing visibility
• Compact, rechargeable LI-Ion power
• Easy hookup magnetic USB smart charger, waterproof charging ports
• Versatile silicone strap mounting system
• Concave rear profile nests against seat posts to stay in place
• LED fuel gauge/charge indicator
• 15hr steady, 28hr flashing run times
• 36 grams

So, the specs are all laid out, but what do all those numbers and terms mean? They mean this is one very bright, rechargeable, easy to use, light all smooshed into a reasonable size.

Everything I liked about the Flea, now with more power in the Super Flea!

After 3 years of using rechargeable lights, I have not purchased, used, recycled, a battery in a bike light for quite a long time. Saving me money, as well as the environment. One of my favorite side effects of riding a bike.

The front light has 3 modes, most of the time I use the flashing mode. When times are dark, and street lights are not around, the solid high beam of the Super Flea does the job of illuminating my ride just fine.

The rear also has 3 modes to choose from, I usually use the 3rd, so that I only have to push the button once on each light to turn them off. I was happy to see that the Fleas and Super Fleas have the same amount of modes, just for that reason. It may be something small, but at the end of a long, wet, cold ride, it is the little things that matter.

Upgraded mounting bracket is quite nice on the rear light. Do wish the front had the same, but the only problem I ever had with the Velcro is that it wore out after a couple years of daily use. Which really is a fair life expectancy for a Velcro strap that is replaced very cheaply. The amount of money I have saved in batteries in far greater than the $.99 part.

Still rechargeable via USB, but now with a sweet little rubber strap to hold the light more securely to the charger, you can even charge it upside down.

Super Flea front light is super bright!

Lots of power in quite a small package.

Not too bulky.

So bright my tail is on fire!

New bracket holds the Super Flea rear on tight!

The light is even visible from the side.

update 4.28.13 - Our blog has moved! Check out this post and more at:

http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/12/blackburn-super-flea-front-rear-review-by-llama/

Tifosi Optics Review by llama

Our blog has moved! Check out this post on the new home of our blog here:
http://blog.villagecycle.com/2012/10/tifosi-optics-review-by-llama/

I have been using Tifosi Optics for almost 6 years now. And through out the years, the products value has increasingly grown while maintaining a very reasonable price for the amount of quality found in their product. Not only do they manufacture an superb product, they stand right behind them as well. There are a lot of good products out there, but only a few manufactures like this that cover what they produce.
The first pair of shades I ever picked up from them were Light Night Fototec for commuting. I wear a version of this lens daily. They are almost clear when it is dark out, and as UV rays hit them, they darken up to protect your eyes.
The Back Country Orange Fototec lens in a new favorite of mine for off road riding. They really highlight the colors found in the trails while blocking UV from my sensitive eyeballs.
Almost all of their glasses have adjustable nose pieces and are quite resistant to being squashed via sat on or stuffed in an over packed bag.
My current favorite shades are the new Podiums S frames. I dig them mucho for coverage and fit. For my commuting pair, I have been using the Dea frame and Light Night Fototec lens.

You can buy Tifosi Optics online at villagecycle.com

Product Review: Bontrager Shorts

Women's Bontrager Solstice WSD Shorts 

aka Caitlin's new booty shorts

 Overall, these shorts have some awesome features that I really appreciate:

• The "cush" factor: I owned cycling shorts before. They were padded, but these new ones add another whole layer of cush.  (According to spell check, "cush" isn't a word. Spell check clearly hasn't worn these shorts).  I've thought of wearing them to class, where we have rock-hard* plastic chairs to sit on for 9 hours of class. Seriously. These shorts would save my Sitz bones** some unnecessary pain. 

*The opposite of rock-hard. Also see the first picture in this post.

• The plastic-y material on the inside of the short leg keeps it from riding up. Of course I love showing off my very short legs, but for biking comfort, it's best to keep the shorts where they belong.  My other biking shorts have extra elastic which isn't quite as effective or comfortable.

• The top. It has this nice "V" shape in front and a smooth waist band that is very comfortable. It makes it easy to to bend down (as one does to ride a bike) and not have any front-bunching or constriction around the waist. 

So there you go. These are some great cycling shorts. 

**Funny side note: until my sister corrected me a few weeks ago, I thought that "Sitz" bones were spelled "sits" bones. Because you sits on them, obviously. And yet somehow I knew that Sitz bath was spelled "Sitz"...

Review by Sara D. on Yelp

- 2/21/12 by Sara D. on Yelp

I had an amazing experience at Village Cycle. I worked with a salesman named Joel. He asked a number of questions about what I would be using my bike for, where I lived, what kind of trails/roads i would be riding on, etc. he kept my choices within my price range, and gave me exactly what I was looking for. The coupon on yelp was easy to use, and the woman at the register was very familiar with it, which made checkout fast and easy. After the bike was built, the guys in the back answered questions I didn't even know I had. They made sure I knew the bike inside and out before I left. I was very happy with my experiences with the entire staff, and would definitely send my friends there.

Review by Jon S. from Yelp

- 1/12/12 by Jon S. from Yelp

I brought my road bike in recently for a tune-up and to buy some new accessories, and they were extremely helpful and knowledgeable, and they didn't try to sell me anything I didn't really want or need.  Good work.

First Snow Under My Wheels

Today was the first snow in Chicago that actually stuck. And I forgot how much I love it. I look forward to riding my bike through fresh snow and laying the first tracks down my alley in the mornings. Up until 3 years ago, I did not have such enthusiasm for the cold day rides. I call this time in my life pre-Gore. This was when I liked to ride my bike in the snow, but I would eventually get wet and freeze my ass off. Then along came Simon with his Gore Bike Wear. And for the first time ever, I looked forward to snow rides and was smiling while riding on the coldest days.
This time, is called Post-Gore. This time rocks. I won’t bash on the brands that didn’t cut it, if you are cold and unhappy while riding in the winter, you already know which ones they are. I highly recommend Gore-Tex and Windstopper products from GBW. A couple of my must haves for cold weather are: Tool Jacket, Vista Windstopper tights, Gore-Tex socks, Power Thermo jersey, Power Beany, and depending on your facial hair, either a Windstopper hat, or balaclava. When things get uber cold, or for the wet days prior to the cold ones, a Fusion Jacket and Fusion Pants are my go to coverings. You can check out my review on them here.

Today was 24 felt like 17. I had a delivery on the way in, so I had an extra layer over my tights of knickers. I also only was going a total of 6 miles. So I was a bit over dressed and rode slower than usual. I wore a Craft baselayer, Gore Bike Wear Power Thermo jersey and my Tool jacket. Bottom side held Xenon II Sonic bibs, Vista Windstopper tights, Sidi Diablo GTX, and a custom version of the City Overshoe I made into gaiters. On the head Winstopper Bike Headband and Merino wool cycling hat.

The ride was fun, cars were courteous, and the delivery customer was happy to see me.

If you are not sure what to wear, check out this handy guide. http://www.bicycling.com/whattowear

Review from DAWSON D. on Yelp

- 11/211 - by DAWSON D. from Yelp

Village Cycle Center is GREAT, VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE and helpful.  No sales pressure.  TOTAL PROFESSIONAL SALES GUYS.

Review by John Paul D. from Yelp

 

- 6/24/2011 - by John Paul D. from Yelp

After getting hit by a car on a bike, the last thing you want to do is try to get the bike fixed. After calling lots of Bike Stores and being told that getting parts was basically not worth their time, I found a one that said yes, they had parts in stock, but they didn't, after several day of bs, I called my previous bike store in St.Louis, and they recommended I call Village Cycle. He even called ahead and told the Manager of Village cycle I would be calling. When I did, I was well received, they had a wheel in stock, fixed me up and sold me the tire at cost. I ended up buying a new helmet, with lights on it, and several other items. I felt taken care of. They got the bike running again. That is what I wanted. I was grateful for the honest straightforward approach. I am told by others they are expensive, I found the value and the service to be inline with prices in St.Louis and else where. I would recommend these guys to anyone.

The bell helmet I bought that works with the Blackburn FLEA light set up should be required for riders. Hopefully next time I will be seen and avoid the accident as a result of these new Items. You should go buy this from them today.