Reviews

When you looking for more information on cycling products or hear about the latest new product, you can turn to Austin on Two Wheels for objective, critical reviews.

Bicycle Reviews

Product Review: Bodhi Electric Bike, Sep 1st, 2011

My experience: Bodhi Bikes arranged for me to borrow a model of their new electric bike from Alien Scooter for a long weekend of testing. I was able to get in a short test ride on the Step Through model and a longer set of rides on the Sport. Build Quality: 5/5 Function: 4/5 Style: [...]

Product Review: Christiania Cargo Bike by BoxCycles, Feb 11th, 2011

UPDATE: I received a message from BoxCycles that the lighting issue I mentioned in this review is being addressed in the next shipment to the U.S. Look for better mounting options and possibly a dynamo. My experience: BoxCycles arranged for me to borrow a model of the Christiania Cargo Bike from AustinBikes for a long [...]

Product Review: Yuba Mundo 21 Speed, Mar 5th, 2010

My experience: Yuba sent me a Mundo 21 speed with lots of accessories to test, and I’ve been riding it several times a week for 6 weeks. Build Quality: 3.5/5 Function: 4.5/5 Style: 2/5 Overall: 4/5 Availability: Yuba is actively looking for an Austin dealer but for now you must order online at the Yuba [...]

Azor Secret Service long-term test just about over, Mar 31st, 2009

Back in August, we purchased an Azor Secret Service handmade Dutch bicycle from the Seattle Dutch Bike Company. We’ve written several reviews of the bike and its accoutrements since we got it, and have ridden the bike quite a bit to events and as a general commuting and car-replacement bike. The Azor is a great [...]

Metrofiets – handmade utility bikes from Portland, Oregon, Mar 18th, 2009

Editor’s note: Seattle writer Paul Andrews was kind enough to catch Metrofiets at the Seattle International Bicycle Expo for us and wrote this fantastic article. by Paul Andrews You’re thinking about taking the plunge and ditching the car. But you wonder: How will I shop for groceries? What about the toddlers? And what if I [...]

Archive of all Bicycle Reviews

Accessories Reviews

Product Review: Burley Travoy Urban Trailer, Dec 6th, 2011

My experience: Burley sent us the standard Travoy model with the optional Upper Market bags back at the end of August. The system was tested over 100 miles over 2 months, both empty and loaded. Build Quality: 5/5 Function: 5/5 Style: 4/5 Overall: 5/5 Availability: The Burley Travoy retails for $289.00 and is available through [...]

Being seen with flare using the Monkey Electric spoke light, Nov 10th, 2011

Commuting by bike with the time change equals your commute ride home in the evenings is going to be in the dark. In the summer show up at work with one pant leg rolled up, and as a red-faced sweaty version of yourself. On the rare day of temperatures in the 50s, I make sure [...]

Product Review: Anti Monkey Butt Anti Friction Powder, Sep 14th, 2011

My Experience: The makers of Anti Monkey Butt sent me a review sample of their anti friction powder in the Original and Lady’s versions. I used the power on six rides totaling over 120 miles in lieu of chamois cream and as a post ride treatment for saddle sores for a week. Function: 1/5 Product [...]

Review: thinksport Stainless Steel Water Bottle, Jan 25th, 2010

My experience: Over two weeks, I used the thinksport stainless steel 750ml bottle to carry ice cold water on bike trips around town. Function: 3.5/5 Style: 4/5 Build Quality: 5/5 Overall: 4/5 Availability: Stainless steel double walled thinksport bottles are available online at the thinksport store in 350 ml ($15.99) and 750 ml version ($19.99). [...]

Review: The FlashBak, Oct 6th, 2009

My experience: Back in August, we did a profile of Brad Beneski, the creator of the FlashBak. He gave us a FlashBak to test out and review. I have ridden after dark with the FlashBak a dozen times mostly attached to the back of my Xtracycle. Function: 4.5/5 Style: 2/5 Build Quality: 5/5 Overall: 4/5 Availability: The FlashBak is available [...]

Archive of all Accessories Reviews

Book & Movie Reviews

Book Review: Complete Bike Maintenance by Fred Mislon, May 30th, 2011

Summary: With tons of full color, detailed photos and information on a wide variety of components, Complete Bike Maintenance by Fred Mislon makes a good repair and maintenance manual for both the novice looking to learn to wrench and the seasoned hand who needs a refresher on less common parts. Rating: 4/5 Price: $21.99 This [...]

Boneshaker Almanac 2011 continues with more reads to inspire you to pedal, May 17th, 2011

This spring, the fine folks at Wolverine Farm Publishing sent us a copy of the recent Boneshaker: A Bicycle Almanac (plus a few more that were given out as prizes to lucky recipients on our Urban Living Rides.) The pocket field manual size booklet is published twice a year and contains original bicycle related stories, [...]

Book Review: Bike Snob, Jul 27th, 2010

Summary: BikeSnobNYC’s first jump from new media to old falls flat in an attempt to create an intro to cycling book with an edge. Rating: 2/5 Price: $16.95 In the world of bike bloggers, there are the earnest and the snarky. Usually the twain never meet, but BikeSnobNYC has become one of the rock stars [...]

Book Review: Pop-up Tour de France Book, Jul 14th, 2010

Summary: More coffee table book than interactive guide for kids, the Pop-up Tour de France book is a nice decorative addition to the collection of a bike racing fan. Knowledgeable Tour watchers will find nothing new in the book, but this makes a fine guide to have out during your Tour watching parties. Rating: 3/5 [...]

Book Review: Latest Boneshaker makes great bicycle beach reading, Jun 29th, 2010

I’ll be out of town at a lake house the next week so the subject of beach reading is on my mind. Luckily, I just received the latest incarnation of Boneshaker: A Bicycling Almanac. The folks at Boneshaker hav been producing this twice a year collection of bicycle inspired stories, poems, drawing, and interviews for [...]

Archive of all Book & Movie Reviews

New Product Announcements

First look at the Bodhi Electric Bicycle, Aug 1st, 2011

Last week, we announced Bodhi Electric Bicycles as the newest site sponsor of Austin on Two Wheels. On Saturday, they had a demo day at their local retailer, Alien Scooters, and I stopped by to take a look at their new bikes. I met the co-founder and President of this Ft. Worth based company, Paul [...]

New A2W Site Sponsor: Digifit, Dec 6th, 2010

Austin on Two Wheels is pleased to announce Digifit™ as our latest site sponsor. Digifit is a hardware and iPod/iPhone/iPad software package that allows you to track and analyze all your training with digital heart rate monitors and power meters. You can find out more about Digifit and take advantage of their holiday special pricing [...]

Friday Film Fun: Bicycle Turn Signals, Oct 1st, 2010

With all the new products announced at Eurobike and Interbike, this prototype bicycle turn signal system, the SEIL bag, flew under the radar for me. SEIL bag by Lee Myung Su design lab from Ben on Vimeo. The design is pretty nifty, kind of a high tech FlashBak. It’s not bright enough to replace a [...]

Friday Film Fun: Yet more cargo from Interbike, Sep 24th, 2010

As a cargo bike aficionado, I’m living in some pretty good days with everyone from Trek to Puma putting out car-replacing offerings. Interbike, the bike industry’s annual trade show, is this week and with it the roll out of some new products. First, cargo bike maker Madsen has come out with a new and improved [...]

Friday Film Fun: Convertible electric cargo bike, Sep 10th, 2010

Earlier this week, I wrote about some new electric versions of tried and true cargo bike designs that are set to hit the market in the coming months. Also on the horizon is this prototype electric trike called the Biquattro
 Electric bicycle that converts between what is essentially a bike for everyday riding and a [...]

Archive of all New Product Announcements