Gear
A Tale of Two Tires
Hmm, where to begin. Well, let’s begin with Napoleon III who launched a campaign to Vietnam for Imperialistic means. Since the North was a stronghold, the ships attacked the Southern weaker states and eventually gained ground around what is present day Saigon. From there, between 1859 to 1867 the French expanded their domain in Vietnam, just at the same time they needed more rubber trees for developments back in the mainland. To read more about French Indochina, Wikipedia has a pretty nice wrap up of events here.
Almost a hundred years prior, back in France, Charles Marie de La Condamine presented a research paper to the Académie Royale des Sciences introducing rubber in 1736. By 1829 rubber in manufacturing is begun by Edouard Daubree and by way of various ins and outs of the development of the company, in 1889 Edouard and Andre Michelin take control, creating what we know today as the fine tire company that has been in business for over 120 years. For more on the development of the tire company read this excellent article by Liz Smith.
It’s a fascinating part of history and one that plays a huge role in our daily lives – especially if you like to bike. I’m not here to talk about the history of rubber in France (although, it is pretty interesting for those who didn’t know); I’m here to talk about tires. Two tires. Two French tire companies and why one is better than the other. I average about 7,ooo kms on my bicycle per year (I work outside) and my tools are steel and rubber. Last year Hutchin
son created a “Tour de France” edition of their Fusion road tire (which they do every year for marketing purposes?). It lasted a very short while before getting a tear in it. In fact, it wasn’t just a little tear but down to the threads just two weeks after I had put the tire on the wheel (approximately 1500 kms). I’d have a hard time believing a Tour de France finisher – riding approximately 3,500kms over 21 days – would put so much faith into this rubber on the road (unless they have a different type of tire).
However, the Michelin Pro Race have an extraordinary lifespan. I’ve been able to go through a season with replacing the rear tire just once mid-season. The front tire will last well into the end of the season. I have hit rocks and have come screaming down high altitudes without a problem. I don’t really understand the chemistry behind these intense polymers, but I’d believe that 120 years of experience speaks through their product. They’re usually a bit more expensive than regular tires but I think the price is worth it since your life depends on them. So which tire did I put on my bike? The Hutchinson of course: I don’t want to get the Michelin Pro Race dirty just yet. Thanks Chuck.
Salomon XWing Fury All-Mountain Skis
I’ve read a few re
views on last year’s Salomon Fury All-Mountain skis and I think there should be some correction. Although I agree with the reviews that the ski lacks versatility and is tough in rounding out the turns, I still feel that the ski is very well suited for general all-mountain skiing. I had used the Fury and the Tornado over the course of a full season last year while I was out in Livigno, Italy and there is an obvious difference in side cut between the two which translates into a tighter turning radius for the Tornado. In fact, the Tornado on piste was heavenly: nice short turns and a breeze to maneuver on any level piste and in the bumps as well. With the Fury’s 16.6 radius, I was considering getting a longer ski (for powder and off piste), but what I did was go with a slightly smaller ski to keep the handling on piste within range. Since I was doing a lot of work both on and off, I honestly needed a ski that could do, well, everything. It was one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made. Not only did the ski float in powder and cut through crud, but the edges on the Fury are razor-sharp and over some nasty ice patches the ski danced like Jeremy Abbott. True, you have to convince the ski to initiate and round-out the turns, but I think its great for the legs: there’s no harm in putting a little work into your skiing right? Besides, it’ll get you ready for cycling season….
The Full woodcore makes for great absorption and there is literally no flap. I’d give it a higher recommendation than some of the other reviews out there. Especially when you’re looking to ski directly off-piste from the run (at the same speed) it is the ski to have. I’m curious to see what Salomon has come up with this year in its Fury line. Seems the radius is a little shorter to allow for cleaner short turns with little skidding. But I have yet to get a pair of the new skis: I’ll keep mine until I’ve worn the edges down to the core.
First Ascent Point Success Jacket & Mountain Guide Jacket
First Ascent is the most recent branch of the Eddie Bauer line of apparel. In fact, I have never been an Eddie Bauer shopper, but when I was in Canada a few months ago, a good friend of mine suggested checking out the store primarily because of the First Ascent mountain-line outdoor apparel. “Eddie Bauer makes mountain gear?” I asked. I knew they made down jackets and sweaters to wear as you sit by the fire, but I didn’t think they made material suitable for high-altitude activities.
I was wrong. Very wrong.
It seems that this entire line of jackets, fleece, socks, – you name it – is tested by mountain guides involved in mountaineering, ice-climbing, hiking at high, high altitude. In fact, Eddie Bauer was the premier high-altitude outfitter in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s, and they were there in the 1953 expedition to K2. Since their lives depend on the stuff working, I though it’d have to be legitimate. I’ve so far tested the First Ascent Point Success Jacket and the Mountain Guide Jacket and I am pleasantly surprised (read “amazed”) by the results. And by the way: I do not work for First Ascent or Eddie Bauer, but I do work where its cold and nasty.
Mountain Guide Jacket
Pros: The jacket is a pretty amazing feat of engineering and design: not only is it lined on the inside by a type of thin fleece, but also the outside is completely water and windproof. By mixing just the right quantities of spandex, nylon and polyester. The jacket is unbelievably light and doesn’t get in the way of moving arms or equipment. It is unlike any jacket I’ve seen on the market – and that’s a blessing. The whole system is breathable: there is enough lining on the inside to keep you warm (depending on what temperatures you’re working in) without creating a greenhouse in your jacket. The pockets are smartly lined with a mesh-nylon fabric also helping to wick-away moisture. The pockets themselves are few and deep – and that’s a good thing: two large external pockets (for goggles, hats, gloves – I was able to get all of that into one pocket) and two breast pockets: one internal (for wallet and documents) and one external (iPod friendly!).
Cons: The integrated hood is a nice touch. But its not easy to tighten down the sides when the wind blows in your face, blowing back the hood. So, the trick is to tighten it down before you see trouble coming. In any case it’s a small price to pay for an extraordinary shell.
Success Jacket:
Pros: The most intriguing aspect of this “fleece” is that – well, it not a “fleece.” Its not bulky and bunchy and it doesn’t prohibit your movements. Again First Ascent has perfectly married nylon and spandex to give the jacket a fitted-feel in the back and at the hips. I believe this is their secret to keeping the body warmer (much warmer than in my other fleece jackets) and the Polartec material keeps all wind from getting in. As with the Mountain Guide Jacket, the Success Jacket wicks away the moisture from your body so you aren’t soaking wet at the end of the day. In fact, while my friends were trying to “air-out” by taking their jackets off, I hardly even realized I had mine on: I was not over-heated or uncomfortable. I cannot emphasize enough how having fitted equipment makes the experience in the mountains all the more enjoyable. I feel most manufacturers cater to the “large and loose” body type which is not practical for winter activities.
Cons: The only thing I’d like to see is maybe an integrated zipper between the Mountain Guide Jacket and the Success Jacket. This way they could be worn as a full unit without having to take one off and then the other (or to facilitate putting them both on at the same time). Apart from this, I’d say First Ascent has made just what their jacket is: a success.
I’m very happy Eddie Bauer has decided to reinvent expedition clothing, and at the same time retain the image of themselves that was theirs in the middle of the last century. I’ll be off doing some Randonée skiing in the next few months, and I’ll be testing the Rainier Storm Shell Pants. If they’re anything like the jackets, they’re bound to be a success as well.