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.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
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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.
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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!
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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.
Tag Archives: Trainers
Elite Zumo Smart Trainer In-Depth Review
One. Year. Later. Some trainers arrive on the scene happy as a clam (though virtually none in 2019). Others take a few weeks to mature. Some take months. The Zumo though – it decided to take its time like an … Read More Here
Zwift Confirms New Hardware Division: Posts Job Positions To Build Indoor Smart Bikes
Ahh yes, the rite of passage for any tech company is posting job positions that give away your future plans. Be it Apple posting autonomous car engineering positions or Uber trying to build flying things, eventually companies have to show … Read More Here
Tacx NEO 2T Smart Trainer In-Depth Review
The Tacx NEO 2T is the highest end offering from Tacx in the smart trainer realm. Are the changes worth the upgrade, and how accurate is it? Read More Here
Mid-Week Tidbits: Canyon supports trainer riding and Suunto clarifies platform future
Here’s a couple of updates that have trickled across my desk over the last two days that I figure are worth chatting a moment about. Some of them also have some catches as well, so while you might have seen … Read More Here
The Smart Trainer Recommendations Guide: Winter 2019-2020
Heads up! The 2020-2021 Smart Trainer Recommendations Guide is now up! Go check out that one, instead of this stinky old 2019-2020 guide! The trees are turning colors and the leaves are falling. Except if you live in Australia. But … Read More Here
Kinomap Rolls out Coached Workout Functionality, Revamped User Interface, Apple TV App
Kinomap has launched their slate of Winter 2019-2020 platform updates, which include not just a revamped and refreshed user interface, but also a new capability that allows coaches to upload their own videos to the platform and have users/athletes iterate … Read More Here
Wahoo’s KICKR Bike with Built-In CLIMB: Everything you ever wanted to know
*** Check out the Wahoo KICKR Bike In-Depth Review Here*** In a move that probably shouldn’t surprise anyone– Wahoo has joined the indoor smart bike fray, with their new KICKR Bike. This unit is far more than just a KICKR and … Read More Here
Hands-On: Tacx’s NEO 2T Smart Trainer With Increased Power
Update: My complete Tacx NEO 2T In-Depth Review is now available here! Hit it up for all the details after months of testing! At Eurobike this year Tacx has announced their latest update to the Tacx Neo Series, with the … Read More Here
Elite Direto X Smart Trainer In-Depth Review
While Eurobike doesn’t officially start for another 15 hours, Elite is joining Saris in getting a jumpstart on things, this time on Eurobike Eve. Elite has just announced three new products – the Elite Direto X (this post), the Elite … Read More Here
Saris H3 Smart Trainer In-Depth Review
CycleOps…err…now Saris is getting a bit ahead of the Eurobike show announcement flood by starting early. Today they’ve announced three new products. First, is this post – the Saris H3 (Hammer 3) trainer. This trainer gets a bit quieter while … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
While the wind was blowing strong this past weekend here in the Netherlands, that didn’t keep us from putting our best bike foot forward. Here’s this weekend’s super bike-themed roundup of what we were up to. 1) More beer bottle … Read More Here
Hands-On: Elite’s New $799 Suito Smart Trainer (with cassette)
From the first ride to the initial power accuracy, plus sound levels and more – I dig into what may be the best value trainer of 2019. Read More Here
4iiii Acquires STAC Performance, Makers of Near-Silent Trainers (and other products)
The consolidation in the power meter and trainer industry continues this year, with 4iiii announcing today they’ve completed the acquisition of STAC Performance, which you’ll remember makes the virtually silent trainer that I rode inside our baby nursery. STAC also … Read More Here
CycleOps H2 (Hammer 2) Trainer In-Depth Review
Update: The CycleOps H2 has since been replaced by the Saris H3, though frankly, the only meaningful difference is noise. Here’s the link to my full H3 in-depth review. This past summer at Eurobike, CycleOps somewhat quietly announced their new … Read More Here
Wahoo CEO Details Fixes for Issues Surrounding KICKR 2018 & KICKR CORE
Since the Wahoo KICKR 2018 and KICKR CORE were announced back at Eurobike 2018 (in July), it hasn’t entirely been smooth sailing for either product. While both have been enormously popular, and certainly the vast majority of people haven’t had … Read More Here
Tacx NEO 2 Smart Trainer In-Depth Review
(** Update: the Tacx NEO 2 has since been superseded by the Tacx NEO 2T. Check out that link for the most up to date information on this Smart Trainer line up!**) While the Tacx NEO 2 was the last product … Read More Here
How to: Troubleshooting Power Meter and Trainer Accuracy Issues
No matter the product, eventually, for every product review I post, sooner or later someone has a power related accuracy issue with their unit. In today’s post, I’ll be focusing on power meter and trainer accuracy issues. But perhaps down … Read More Here
The Smart Trainer Annual Recommendations Guide–2018 Edition
It’s that time of year again: Indoor trainer season. Though in reality, that’s actually not terribly true these days. With indoor training apps and the entire experience becoming more and more immersive, more and more people are using them all … Read More Here
Hands-on: Tacx NEO 2 Smart Trainer
Update: Skip over and see my full in-depth review of the Tacx NEO 2 (or now, the NEO 2T review), where I’ve got tons of testing data and final conclusions. Squeaking in just under the wire for the 2018 … Read More Here
Tacx Flux S Trainer In-Depth Review
It’s been a bit over a month since Tacx first announced the Flux S, which despite looking similar at a distance to the also newly announced Flux 2, is indeed different. Aside from price (the Flux S is $749USD and … Read More Here
Hands-on: Zwift’s New York City Course is Now Available
After bits of teasing since earlier this summer, the Zwift New York City course is finally here. And, it’s nothing like what you expected. Well, unless you expected flying cars, levitating translucent roadways, and buses dangling from glowing blue railway … Read More Here
Minoura Kagura DT Smart Trainer In-Depth Review
It’s been almost precisely one year since I last posted about the Minoura Kagura DT (aka the LST9200). Almost all of which I had an unopened box of a Kagura DT sitting patiently in a corner. First in Paris, and … Read More Here
First Look: The $749 Tacx Flux S Smart Trainer (Direct Drive)
(** Update: There has since been a Tacx Flux S In-Depth Review. Follow the link for the most up to date information**) Last week at Interbike, Tacx announced the Flux S, making it the second Flux trainer announced in almost … Read More Here
First Look: Kinetic R1 Direct Drive Trainer
Update – December 2019: You can find my full Kinetic R1 In-Depth Review here! Which is packed with plenty of real-world details after months of usage. And just like that, Kinetic has joined the direct drive trainer flotilla. But unlike … Read More Here
Wahoo KICKR CORE Trainer In-Depth Review
Can the KICKR CORE save you $300 over the regular KICKR? I dig in for all the pros and cons, from accuracy to road feel, apps and more. Read More Here