The 'product reviewer' game.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Every (k)now* and again, I get products to review but for one reason or another I'm unable to, so I thought I'd throw the opportunity to test / review wide open. However, there are some basic criteria.

1/ You must be able to write ... you don't have to be brilliant and I'm happy to do a bit of editing.
2/ You must be able to take a picture or two ... again, you don't have to be David Bailey.
3/ No nastiness, even if you think something's crap don't just say 'it's crap' but say what the shortcomings are and how you think it could be improved.
4/ Ideally, your thoughts should be compiled within 3 - 4 weeks in most cases - obviously some stuff will need longer.

Okay, this will be an as and when type thing and I'll add anything new to this thread. It'll work on a first up best dressed basis (post a yes please here) and rather than say what the product is, I'll simply list the criteria required to test it ... and yes, unless I say otherwise, you get to keep whatever it is forever and ever.

I'll start the ball rolling with two things today:

1/ Do you wear a medium jersey?

3/ Do you ride a gravel bike with clearance for 45c x 700c tyres?





*for the Geordies.

[sean_iow]

Answers to the questions in order

1) Yes
2) Afraid not

[Bearbonesnorm]

You only had to pick one Sean, it was either not both ... so, product number 1 goes to the IoW.

Does anyone fit the criteria for number 2?

[pistonbroke]

Every know and again,

Is spelling one of the criterion? If it's pedantry I'm in

[Bearbonesnorm]

Know and again ... I was doing it in a Goerdie accent

[Bearlegged]

Could fit 700x45 in my fork, probably pushing it at the rear.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Could fit 700x45 in my fork, probably pushing it at the rear.

Sorry, needs to be done as a pair.

[middleagedmadness]

Yes to number 2 ,but it's my commuter and sadly no with mudguards on, and after that description you wouldn't want me writing any reviews any how

[macinblack]

If you get no takers for 2, I'm happy to give them a go on a MTB as that's the size I'll be using for a jaunt in the summer.

[techno]

I'm doing the dales divide on my stooge 29er, it's not a gravel bike but the route is fairly gravelly.
My wheels are 700x19.

Understand if you'd rather the went to someone with a more specifically gravel bike.

[Dave Barter]

I can do the jersey for some mediums

[Asposium]

Hi,

Fairly articulate, can certainly string a sentence together, and sometimes has been known to make sense.

Fairly good with a camera, be it an iPhone or a proper camera

Yup, medium jersey

Sequoia should take 700x45c tyres.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Okay, good to see some interest, thank you.

In this instance Sean and David get the jobs ... tyres were an odd one and while they'd work fine on a mountain bike, they are branded as 'gravel' tyres, so it seems fitting that they go on a gravel bike.

More stuff will come along as and when. I will post it here when it does.

[Asposium]

[pistonbroke]

'Spose my location rules me out due to shipping cost? I do quite a lot of gravel riding, am medium at my racing bmi and can promise some great backdrops and weather for the photos. I also do weddings and bar mitzvahs

[slarge]

If you get any shiney bits that need a weeks riding in sunny Scotland, Wales or Warwickshire I'm your man. I can write words, take pictures and look good in lycra......

[redefined_cycles]

I like this game.... good game

[Bearbonesnorm]

'Spose my location rules me out due to shipping cost?

Not at all Duncan.

If you get any shiney bits that need a weeks riding in sunny Scotland, Wales or Warwickshire I'm your man. I can write words, take pictures and look good in lycra......

So I believe.

[pistonbroke]

Not at all Duncan.

What are you waiting for then, get that OpenUP in the post immediately!

[Rich3rd]

3/ My Reilly Gradient gravel bike comfortably takes a 700c45, but Chiltern mud ( ) at the moment not particularly suited to gravel riding.

[darbeze]

Too late on this occasion, but:

1. Yes
2. Yes (I would put them on my CDF)

Si

[Bearbonesnorm]

Here we go again and I'm sure we'll all the get the hang of it as we go along.

Todays ctiteria / Does anyone use a rack either for their bikepacking or just commuting?

[benp1]

For commuting yes

I love my rack, it's used to stick my commuting gear on but has been used for shopping, luggage and children... sometimes the last 3 at the same time

[Bearbonesnorm]

Email me your delivery address Ben.

[ScotRoutes]

I use a rack on my fatbike - for bikepacking. That's because it's mainly used in winter and I appreciate the added flexibility of being able to carry a bigger sleeping bag.

However I'm guessing that any rack you have will not be suitable for a fatbike.