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I’m DC RAINMAKER…
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
1
In Depth Product Reviews
You probably stumbled upon here looking for a review of a sports gadget. If you’re trying to decide which unit to buy – check out my in-depth reviews section. Some reviews are over 60 pages long when printed out, with hundreds of photos! I aim to leave no stone unturned.
2
Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
3
Have some fun in the travel section.
I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. Here’s a bunch of random trip reports and daily trip-logs that I’ve put together and posted. I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been.
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My Photography Gear: The Cameras/Drones/Action Cams I Use Daily
The most common question I receive outside of the “what’s the best GPS watch for me” variant, are photography-esq based. So in efforts to combat the amount of emails I need to sort through on a daily basis, I’ve complied this “My Photography Gear” post for your curious minds (including drones & action cams!)! It’s a nice break from the day-to-day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
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The Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Many readers stumble into my website in search of information on the latest and greatest sports tech products. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering “What does Ray use when not testing new products?”. So here is the most up to date list of products I like and fit the bill for me and my training needs best! DC Rainmaker 2023 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? If that’s the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren’t good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies “picks”, check out The Girl’s Gear Guide too.
If you can find a Furley that would be my choice, with the District coming in second. I love cross bikes though, and have a furley on order, so I’m biased
Go the Townie (Belleville). You will be suprised about how much more enjoyable it is to have a bike that (in any weather) you can just it and go. Things like the built in lights (no mucking around clipping lights in), full mudguards (go through puddles without fear) and no derailer (no chain stretch and no chain grease on your jeans) make these type of bikes very practical.
District. Belt drive, ’nuff said.
Of those choices, the Trek Belleville is my winner. It’s a beauty and for your use, it’s just perfect. I would also consider the Specialized Crosstrail for the front suspension, but it looks like you’ve already passed on that option so I won’t bore you with how great it is =] Good luck!! That Belleville is sweet!
Raleigh 1st (way versatile), Brougham 2nd (looks great)
My vote while goes either for the Raleigh or the Trek. Having seen the Trek belt system it is one of the nicer setups I have seen and if you can get it for a nice price why not. The Raleigh just looks like it can go anywhere. So it will be a tough choice but worth it.
As a true Dutchman.
Orange Relay.
BTW, did I mention that the Montague is a FULL-Size mountain bike that you can fold? and go Down hill with? ^_^
Ken
I’m completely shallow – so the Bianchi gets my vote.
It’s really hard to decide between the 5 cool runners up.
But my vote goes to the Belleville with the District as a very close second.
The Belleville is basically my dream (third) bike!! Fenders and racks will make riding around and running errands so much easier and more enjoyable.
The Raleigh looks really nice and you could use it to get into cyclocross training / racing.
Or you could a really Big Bunny for $800.
Have you checked out the Raleigh Detour City Sport? It’s a great city bike. I do like the Trek District, a flip/flop hub for the belt drive would be awesome though.
Go the District S, ditch the belt drive version.
Chain allows you to change cogs on the back if you desire, as well as options on crank etc.
I’ve added racks and fenders to all my bikes, and I love them.
Get the Bellville!
You gotta add $5 for the district since you will need a bell. It’s sooo quiet.
Belleville all the way. Why? One word….swag. comfortable, stylish, and city ready. plus it’s old looking. Old is the new young!
Did I mention swag?
Belleville. It looks awesome!
Belleville for sure. That thing is really cool
Bellville…and get an old, classic jersey to wear while riding it
I would vote for the Belleville. I have an Atwood (link to trekbikes.com) that I use for around town riding, to and from work, and just general tooling around. As has been said, I think you’ll be surprised how much you’ll enjoy cruising on it.
District, District, District, District. The belt drive is fascinatingly durable and the bike as a a whole is a one of those rare combinations of function and beauty. I worked for a Trek dealer last year and it was the one bike (over the SC!) that I was most tempted to use my employee discount on. Man, now I think I need one again! The SS simplicity is really fun, but even if you don’t like the District, it is becoming wildly popular in a cult sort of way, and will be easy to resell to a hipster (whoops, that may not have been a “plus”) ;)
Actually I am digging the bunny idea.
800 USD will get you a nice stall and pretty bunny!
Otherwise you may want to keep an eye on bonktown and let luck decide which sub 800 bike comes up first.
If you get the District, over time you can add fenders and a front (Minoura) Gamoh rack which would give you the same functionality as the Belleville in a more stealthy look (that may be less attractive to thieves). I have used this exact set up for since 2009 (chain version of the District) and think it is superb.
I’m inclined to advocate for the versatility of a cross bike as a go-anywhere option, but DC is pretty much all decent pavement (compared to my former home of PA), so add me to the Bellvue or District list. If I had to choose, I’d probably buy the District and add fenders and racks of my own choosing.
Also, have you considered donating the MTB to be replaced? Then you could serve two purposes with one purchase. Velocity co-op in Del Ray takes donations. I’ve even got a set of spare 26″ wheels if you want to get it rolling first. If you want them, I’m apparently just across Eisenhower/495 from you.
What the heck… what about the bunny?
Belleville. The others are more attractive (Bianchi… drooolllll)but the Belleville fits your specifications perfectly, and also has that fun old timey look about it.
Clearly you should get the Girl a nice bunny. You would if you loved her…
Otherwise go with the District.
Ray – I forgot to suggest a fat tire bike. Surly for sure.
Of your finalists, my vote is for the Belleville. The ability to carry cargo on your bike will change your life. Living as you do in a fairly dense urban setting, with the ability to carry a useful load, you will discover many opportunities to use your bike in place of your car. It’s great fun to try to carry unusual loads, and it will earn you the respect and admiration of bicyclists and non-bicyclists alike.
An alternate choice that is not too much more money, but with disc brakes (better for managing loads) and capable of a lot more capacity is the Kona Minute (link to konaworld.com).
A big plus of the Minute over the Belleville is the ability to carry a back seat passenger, which could be a lot of fun with your wife. I routinely carry my wife and/or my kid on my similar but larger cargo bike, along with groceries, picnic supplies, or even other bikes. Imagine how cool it would be to arrive at a local event via a bike that is carrying your tri bike and equipment. Plus, no matter what you have loaded, you will always have room to carry a bunny.
Go with the Felt. They are an amazing company and Jim is a pioneer!
I got some more suggestions for you DC…
link to performancebike.com
link to evanscycles.com
link to evanscycles.com
link to jensonusa.com
Regards from Sweden
Get the Belleville! I just got a similar Trek (the Allant) this weekend and I love it (granted I’ve taken it out like three times so far). Reasons: 1. It’s PRETTY 2. It comes with front and rear racks 3. It comes with fenders. It’s the way to go for an around town take it easy bike.
Still think you should look at the Trek Dual Sport (DS). The locking front shocks alone make it an awesome option.
Belleville or District…useful or cool, I can’t make that decision…maybe both? Does the best company ever allow for a 2013 advance?
But, my vote however is for the biggest chocolate bunny ever — you know, Easter is coming up! $800 bunny…delish!
The bunny will never be off the table, Ray! Someday you’ll come to your senses :)
I like the Raleigh… the dropped bars are more versatile. Does it have rack braze-ons?
Ray – this is what you said “As noted, often times I’m trying to carry stuff around.” The Belleville has to be #1. I also checked out the Kona MinUTE and that fits the bill too.
Best of luck and go with your head! With your heart get the bunny :-)
I really like the Belleville. I’ve been thinking about getting a non road bike and this is the type I was looking for.
Kona minute
The orange one. No question. It looks the coolest. And keep in mind, it’s not how you feel, it’s how you look.
I’d go with the Raleigh> Looks nice, fits the bill and you have a road handlebar setup with mountain wheels gives you a lot of versatility
I’d go with the orange cyclocross…
note: Unless your a fedora-wearin’ hipster I do not see any point of choosing the District bike.
That Specialized bike in one of the links posted previously here was sweet. Good brand! Good price! Good quality!
…a little over budget at 989$, but way cheaper, better and more useful then Trek District.
You could even use and transfer components from your tri and road bikes, when and if you upgrade them, on the cyclocross.
link to evanscycles.com
Not using the Excel Web App? For shaaaaame. Seriously though, you could just embed the original excel file on your blog (with the pivottable and everything) from Skydrive. The window that the embed option launches has a link in the bottom right that lets you customize various embedding options.
Of the options: Belleville.
Fixies have already jumped the shark. Good luck getting a replacement belt in a few years time.
p.s. Don’t be cruel – Never, ever have one lonely bunny (they always need a bunny pal).
Why not a PINARELLO citybike?
Its are so stilish!
Italian bikes are the best! :)
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link to gitabike.com
Hey Ray, did you have the chance of buying it bike already? I (or i guess we) are really curious to learn about your final choice and see a few pictures of it :-)
Cheers!