Heads up! Here’s your massive list of sports tech deals! This includes the Garmin Forerunner 965 for just $499, Garmin Epix for $449, the Apple Watch Ultra 2 Black Titanium for $735, the GoPro Hero 12 Black for $299, and plenty more! Go check out the full list here!
I’m DC RAINMAKER…
I swim, bike and run. Then, I come here and write about my adventures. It’s as simple as that. Most of the time. If you’re new around these parts, here’s the long version of my story.
You'll support the site, and get ad-free DCR! Plus, you'll be more awesome. Click above for all the details. Oh, and you can sign-up for the newsletter here!
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.Want to compare the features of each product, down to the nitty-gritty? No problem, the product comparison data is constantly updated with new products and new features added to old products!
Wanna create comparison chart graphs just like I do for GPS, heart rate, power meters and more? No problem, here's the platform I use - you can too!
Think my written reviews are deep? You should check out my videos. I take things to a whole new level of interactive depth!
Smart Trainers Buyers Guide: Looking at a smart trainer this winter? I cover all the units to buy (and avoid) for indoor training. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
-
Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
Get all your awesome DC Rainmaker gear here!
FAQ’s
I have built an extensive list of my most frequently asked questions. Below are the most popular.
- Do you have a privacy policy posted?
- Why haven’t you yet released a review for XYZ product you mentioned months ago?
- Will you test our product before release?
- Are you willing to review or test beta products?
- Which trainer should I buy?
- Which GPS watch should I buy?
- I’m headed to Paris – what do you recommend for training or sightseeing?
- I’m headed to Washington DC – what do you recommend for training?
- I’m from out of the country and will be visiting the US, what’s the best triathlon shop in city XYZ?
- What kind of camera do you use?
-
5 Easy Steps To The Site
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
Based on the outlined process THIS seems the way to handle a product defect. Also had a replacement under warranty handled by FAVERO directly instead of the reseller where I bought the spindles initially. They were always very clear and friendly throughout the process!
My pedals were bought during the affected time period. I just checked with the app and it seems they’re not impacted. Thanks for the heads-up, though!
Favero replace my Assioma Uno one year ago. I never encountered a problem but I got the message in the app and they changed it very very fast and easy. :)
The one time i cheat on Garmin & Shimano (2 sets of vectors, Favero is just way better and more convenient, mot even talking about Shimano.. ).
But Hambini seems to have done it again.
Thanks for the work you do Ray. Quick question, how do you check the manufacturing date on these?
I’m not entirely sure, instead, the app checks the actual serial numbers.
Got mine in March 2019 so not covered…still working well! Was using them on the road bike but now on the gravel bike converted to SPD with Xpedo pedal bodies and shoes ‘modified’ to clear the pod. Thinking about getting the new pod-less spd version but more likely will get a Sigeyi or Magene spider PM.
I have both and, while I would not say that either is “better”, I really like the Magene PM’s.
Is this a recall?
😂
My left Duo Shi pedal is affected, but not the right (nor the regular Duos I have on another bike).
Submitted my info last night, was a little hesitant about the deactivation / blocking thing, but proceeded anyway. The replacement shipped today, and Fedex is already telling me it will already be arriving Monday.
“Recalls” are fun 😋
So they’re not collecting these “not-recalled” pedals to get them out of circulation, especially for liability? I mean if “deactivating” simply kills the power meter function, they’d still work as a pedal that somebody is probably gonna keep jumping on til it breaks… because stupid does amazing things sometimes 🥇😄
They could’ve done the Garmin approach where users can either return first and then receive replacement, or provide a temporary deposit to receive the replacement first and then it’s refunded when the old ones are returned. Albeit more work but maybe better for liability risk?
Good on them for doing something tho, and being fortunate with product traceability and connectivity to ping user alerts like that.
I have my Assioma pedals since the end of 2019, i am a 80kg rider, the pedal work as new with over 50tsd kms on them.
I really hope this does not eat too far into their low-margin approach to pricing
Is there a specific reason why they don’t want to call it a recall besides the fact that they are not being collected?
Probably because the word recall has specific governmental / regulatory requirements in different countries.
Guess the new firmware has nothing to do with it but interesting that there is a new one 2 years and 9 months after the last one…
link to cycling.favero.com
Firmware Assioma 5.26 – 17 September 2024
Fixed minor bugs
Improved compatibility with Apple Watch
You called it in the Fitfile Podcast, Ray — the Epix Gen 2 for $399! And, the more valuable sapphire edition with multiband. We didn’t even have to wait until next month. It does seem like Garmin is holding prices firm on the Pro models so far despite the rollout of the Fenix 8. As a MIP fan, I was hoping for a deal on the Fenix 7 Pro Solar Sapphire in 47mm.
Yep got a message today that my right pedal needs replacement. Went through the process which was pretty smooth. The pedal was deactivated at the end and a new pedal is on its way. Should arrive within 2 days of deactivation.
I’ve three sets of Assioma pedals. Only one set was affected. The replacement process was amazingly swift and straightforward. I started the procedure Monday 7th via the App on 20:15h and received the replacement set of pedals Wednesday 9th at 13:05h (from Italy to The Netherlands).
Amazing customer service by Favero! I had one right pedal affected. Initiated the process on Sunday 2pm and had new pedal Wednesday morning (shipped from Italy to eastern US). Power reporting by pedal is deactivated after initiation of replacement so had one sided power for 2 days.