Heads up!!! Here’s your massive holiday sports tech deals list! This includes the Garmin Epix for just $419, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for just $699, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $249, (or the brand new Hero 13 or $299!) and plenty more! Go check out the full list of 100+ deals here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
Here’s how to save!
Wanna save some cash and support the site? These companies help support the site! With Backcountry.com or Competitive Cyclist with either the coupon code DCRAINMAKER for first time users saving 15% on applicable products.
You can also pick-up tons of gear at REI via these links, which is a long-time supporter as well:
Alternatively, for everything else on the planet, simply buy your goods from Amazon via the link below and I get a tiny bit back as an Amazon Associate. No cost to you, easy as pie!
You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
-
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.
4
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!
5
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.
I’ll have a stab at the picture challenge:
– Stages LR Power Meter Ultegra R8000
– SRM EXACT Power Meter Pedals
– Garmin Vector 3 Pedals
– Powertap Powermeter P1 Pedals
– Favero Assioma Pedals (I think I can just make the shape of the pedal front and metal plate shape in the baggy)
– Also looks like a magnet (Quarq) on the frame near the bottom bracket but no sign of a PM
What do I win? ;-)
I think there’s also a Powertap G3 on the rear wheel in the background.
Srm Exakt
Stages LR
Powertap p1
Garmin vector 3
I’m guessing on the P1; it’s hard to see in the baggie. You could also have an Assioma hiding in there.
Love the baby running. We had a daughter 7 weeks ago – any recommendations for running prams – and what age did you start running with bub?
They recommend no earlier than 6 months, mainly for head control reasons. That’s roughly about when we started.
Oh, and the specific running stroller we normally use is the BOB, LOVE IT! But we didn’t take it with us on this trip. Instead, just used half of our regular double-kid one. All of our details here on everything we use: link to dcrainmaker.com
(Slightly due for another update)
We had a 1st generation BOB stroller (the off-road one with shocks) that we’ve passed down between sibling parents, that’s now been through 10 different kids over 17 years, and it’s still going strong.
Used it for trail runs, road speed work, lots of daily running, and just plain old grocery store outings.
Also had a BabyJogger double-stroller that was run hard when we had 2 little ones.
Go for a fixed-front wheel variety over the ones that can be unlocked. They are more stable at speed, and 1 less part to wear out.
The BOBs hold value well – buy one used, use it through all of your kids, and you’ll be able to sell it for the same price you bought it for.
The multi-adjustable top to always keep the baby shaded, but with a breeze blowing over them is very helpful.
Thanks so much! Love the site – and the updates.
“we ramp up to Eurobike less than a week away” -> month?
In my head it feels like a week!
In no. 2 “Since I ordered the Stages in the, I actually……”
Thanks – ‘in the US’.
Try not to fix the carbon frame too hard in the bike repair stand.
This could lead to damages… Better fix it at the (alu) seatpost…
And: enjoy Florida!
Yeah, always gotta be wary there with carbon frames in it. Reason why my trainer approach works out well. :)
My sister is visiting our cousin in Titusville and I was already jealous. Now I’m pissed.
P.S. Dixie Crossroads in Titusville. Great seafood. You won’t regret it.
Welcome to the Space Coast. Hope you guys have fun in the area. I don’t know what side of town you’re at, but we highly recommend Cocoa Village for a good park for the Peanut and some decent food. Love to let the little ones hang out or hit up a workout. Have fun and hopefully the weather gets a little better as the rains seem to be letting up, though that’ll just let the heat in.
One word Ray to outmart THE current embargo “KINDLE”
our home, if I could purchase one, this one would be it. Without question the best pasta-specific book I’ve seen in a long time. Thankfully, current said ban does not include any prohibitions regarding writing down the recipes.
Happy to see that Lucy got to come with the fam on this trip! ?
Can I meet your Dad? More importantly… eat his cooking? ?!?!? Just can’t get that kind of cooking in Japan.
Are you going to evaluate SRM PC 8 with the Exakt powermeter?
Yeah, it’ll be a section within that review.
Great!
Do you know when will be available the new firmware (bluetooth enabled, todaysplan integration…)?
I haven’t heard, but, I’ll add it to my to-do list to ask.
I see you’re riding with the Coros Linx helmet. You still happy with it??? The sound in particular.
I bought one in the KS campaign too, but was so disappointed with the sounds quality, that I only used it once. The sounds seems the same no matter if the rubber pad on the “speaker” is touching or not. So basically it works a poor speaker, hanging in the straps.
I ask, because I notice there is plenty of air between the transducer and cheekbone in your picture. So it must be in “speaker mode” there too??
Yup, I use it every ride.
However, I very rarely actually ride with music on it these days. At this point, I mostly just like it because it’s orange and highly visible.
Hey, Ray, reading your bike cleaning and assembling travails prods me to say: you should really seriously consider switching to molten paraffin wax dipping for your chain lubricating needs (with the usual installation of a Master Link first, of course).
Benefits 1) 3rd Lowest Drive Train Friction Loss available in the Universe (just behind Squirt, and a little more behind Molten Speed Wax which is a special magic blend of paraffin wax, Teflon and Molybdenum). 2) Absolute maintenance free routine between re-waxing every 600km — sure, everyone is supposed to clean the chain after every ride, and re-lubricate, but how many real people actually follow through? — I literally don’t touch the chain for 600k, unless it rains, in which case I re-dip in molten wax 3) Super clean chain and drive-train. You can handle the chain with your bare hands and the chain is clean. You can scuff the chain on your leg, pants legs or the car upholstery and no ugly grease comes off. Likewise travel disassembly and packing is a dream.
The only reasonable barrier to doing this is that it sounds implausible that it would work. But 15 years ago Power Meters were from Outer Space. And Inertia, I guess. But for you, with the energy and confidence to try a million things that I can only dream of even contemplating before saying, uh, I guess not… I moved to Hot Paraffin Wax for all my chain needs, and using Molten Speed Wax for my Race Day Chain 3 years ago and never looked back since. It’s great! Not to mention that my chains and gears seem to last forever.
Oh, for objective supportive data, Friction Facts Chain Lubricant Reports in Velo News March, 2013 and February, 2014, or ordered directly from Friction Facts.
Great choice on the Flour + Water cookbook, hands down my favorite pasta and pizza in San Francisco, and probably my favorite overall restaurant here. Next time you’re in the Bay Area you should definitely check it out if you haven’t been.
Yeah, my Dad had recommended I check out the spot, but I didn’t have time on my last trip to SF. Very high on my list for my next trip. Unfortunately, don’t have a specific SF trip on the agenda at present.