Origin 8 Classique Cargo Unit Review

Review of Origin8 Classique Cargo Carrier 06/05/2013 0 Comments Origin 8 Classique Cargo available in black, white or silver Visit Bike Tourings for more information and to purchase Porteur bikes have been gaining in popularity over the past years.  As folks look to alternative transportation with rising fuel costs and looking to healthier lifestyles.  Bicycle commuting is now common place in most major cities. Meeting the demand to provide safe, practical load carrying capacity is something being sought for by active bike commuters. Recently a bike tech. friend in Colorado sent me some photos of a Porteur build he had completed with a picnic basket strapped to the front.  So I began researching my own simple Porteur Bike build.  I chose the '87 Steel Lugged Fuji Sundance with stem shifters as a good choice for a build theme. As we own and operate an Organic Food Co-op this bike would make a nice display for some of our vendors and suppliers who sell their juices. While looking over some of the choices for a sturdy rack style handlebar basket I considered the Velo Orange Porteur front rack as well as the Portland Design Works Do Anything Take Out Basket.  What little information that was available at the time on the Origin 8 Classique Cargo Unit with integrated handlebar and basket priced at less than $60 for the silver aluminum model was something that would work nicely with the Fuji. Velo Orange Porteur Front Rack At Left is the Velo Orange Porteur front rack which mounts to the front brake with stays connecting to fork.  At the time I was researching my project the best price I found on this model was $145.95 plus shipping and required more hardware to install.  One of the reviews I read of the Portland Design Works Do Anything Take Out Basket described the handlebar clamp attachment as a bit finicky and had a tendency to "swivel down" under pressure from a load.  Though it does come with a couple choices in a bag for carrying things, the size was a bit smallish compared to the Origin 8 Cargo Unit. A couple months ago there were no reviews on the Origin 8 Classique Cargo Carrier.  I learned that it was rated for 55 Lb. capacity and only required the use of an open plate stem for installation due to the unique integrated handlebar and basket design. Portland Design Works Take Out Basket. Origin 8 Classique Cargo Unit with 23 lb. watermelon. Origin 8 Classique Cargo Unit tested with 23 pound watermelon is very solid and sturdy.  Used Ergo Grips for good grip and solid feel of handling.  All in all I like the design of the integrated handlebar and basket for ease of installation with open plate stem, large capacity for carrying heavier loads and sturdy solid handling.  Good value for less than $60.   Trusty ol' Dahon Mariner 5 speed I'm sure all of the products discussed here work wonderfully for different commuting needs or cyclist's style. I'm using my funky Sunlite Basket with my '98 Dahon Mariner.  Worked real well one night while riding with my dog, holding his leash and he decided to go left while I was going straight off a curb.  Laid it down pretty hard and the basket stayed on the bike. Visit Bike Tourings for more information and to purchase Cheers!

Nashbar Ragster II Bike Sandals Review

Here's a link to an updated review of these sandals.  Yes, I like them.
Nashbar Ragster II Sandals One Year Review

I had been shopping for a pair of bike touring sandals for about a year. Riding along the Texas Gulf Coast last summer was when I began pondering the idea due to the heat and humidity of a long ride. Yes, wouldn't it be nice to have some air flow around the tootsies on rides like this, ugh!  

A year later and much research reading reviews I settled on trying out the Nashbar Sandals  With well over a hundred good reviews and a price at half of what other similar products were wanting it was definitely worth giving the Nashabar Sandals a try for under fifty bucks.

Some reviewers mentioned the need to cut out the rubber in order to access the mounting holes for the cleats and that it was a pain in the proverbial asspragrass.  I haven't found any other information regarding this procedure so thought it a fun idea to give it a "blog about."

Firstly a solid utility type of razor blade works well for this like the one shown here and be sure to follow the line around the cleat area.  Secondly, keep the other hand out of the cutting path of the blade so not to hurt oneself as the rubber is fairly tough to cut through. 

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There is some adhesive holding the piece in place so it doesn't "pop out" after the cutting is completed.  Pliers work really well for this next part as the adhesive can be pretty resilient.  I was able to peel a portion of the cut out piece just enough to get a bite on it with the pliers and easily peeled the piece off revealing the cleat mounts.  Oala, not bad at all and so far very pleased with the fit and feel though haven't been for a ride with them yet.  I feel confident I will like Nashbar's sandals for riding in hot, humid climates and look forward to sharing more about that later this summer.

Nashbar Ragster II Cycling Sandals Nashbar Ragster II Cycling Sandals. When you don't need a cycling shoe, why wear one? The Nashbar Ragster 2 cycling sandals are the perfect choice when full cycling shoes are just too much.