In the three years we've been doing this blog, it's always a treat to get one of our many amazing multi-talented customers to get behind the keyboard and tell us about their gear. Whether purchased in our shop or elsewhere, we, at The Spindle, love talking gear that we can test or potentially bring to our customers. With so many positive endorsements from several friends, we've decided to bring Search and State on as a new brand. Our rad ass friend, Damon a.k.a Crocodile Brown, indulges us with his forethought on their tops. His story and causes are admirable and we hope you also dive into seeing the positive things he does for the community around him, as well.

MY SEARCH AND STATE CYCLING APPAREL

A LOVE STORY

My cycling style and profile are different and varied to say the least. I ride a lot,
but not often (or maybe it's the other way around). On top of that, my routine is as
multifarious as my iTunes catalog. You see, I may beat around town after work or
shift between my office in downtown, to a lunch in the AUC, to a meeting in
midtown, and, then, to an event at the State Bar. Or, I may ride the open road or
get left behind in a crit race.

Most of my riding, of course, is as part of my personal cycling initiative
(@bikeGAcounties) to bike in every Georgia county (again), benefitting
FB4Katl.org. It is on those rides that I tackle the rolling terrain north of the metro
area, the coastal views south and east of it, the agri-rural areas to the south and
west, and then the small and historic towns between here and South Carolina. I
have come to realize that in the midst of all of those rides, the truest constant has
been use of one of my four (4) Search and State cycling jerseys (I also own a
long sleeve merino base layer that is like butter in the winter week we experience!)
The S1-A green, the Aloha, the S1-A black, and the Patriot, sound like interstate
highways or wrestling moves. But, for me, they have been much more than that.
Those layers of intricately woven fabric serve as a barrier for me from drag and
from the sun. They serve as a trusted valet, allowing me to store personal
belongings and other essentials for the haul - long or short.

Swrve, Based in LA, has been an incredible brand for us. Test after test their materials and stitching hold up to the most brutal tests. We've tested these shorts on our daily commutes, MTB shreds and adventure tours with little to no issues. Here's GM of the Spindle, Andy Lovell, withis his take on this new addition to the Swrve arsenal.

Swerve is quickly becoming one of my favorite cycling brands. Founded in 2005 these guys have churning out durable and functional clothes. I’ve owned a few pair of their shorts and have fallen in love with the Lightweight Trouser Shorts. I was looking for a pair of shorts to wear for a 3 day bike tour from Atlanta to Asheville and a 2 day bike packing trip through the mountains of Virginia. I wanted one pair of shorts to wear both on and off the bike for the full duration of the trip and the lightweights fit the bill perfectly.

Coming in at a scant 179 grams these shorts kept the legs feeling light and airy on tour. The no stretch waistband and the low cut waist in the front kept the shorts in place and super comfortable for long miles in the seat. A sudden rainstorm was also of little concern with the DWR coating adding a nice touch of water resistance.

While a great city short, in the woods is where these shorts really shined. They transitioned seamlessly from the bike, to hiking trails, to the camp site. Triple stitched in all the right spots and a 4 way stretch fabric landed itself perfectly to pretty much any outdoor activity you could think of. Mesh pockets where a nice touch for drying out quickly after quick dips in the river. After hundreds of miles on tour with these shorts they are showing no signs of any wear and tear! The one thing that surprised me most about these shorts is that they didn't smell after days on the bike. Even coming out of the woods after 2 days the shorts had little odor and I felt that I could of easily kept wearing them for days to come.

Welp, that hot Atlanta summer has blasted us as expected and what better way to jump right in than with a sweet shorts review!!  First in the batters box are the Chrome Folsom shorts.  In contrast to their Union line, the Folsom's are shorter and slimmer for those of us who like shorts to be a bit above the knee and sit at an inseam of 11".  Constructed from a nylon/spandex blend they have a 4-way stretch which has a wide range of motion for riders, so instead of cotton moving up and down your thigh while you pedal, you have the Everest fabric flexing and stretching alongside you!!

With a gusseted seamless layered crotch, the Folsom is in for the long haul, with the layers adding extra comfort to your ride while the seamless crotch allows you to maintain comfort.  The fabric is also water-resistant for those summer showers that generally come out of no where, but is good protection so your not chaffing your inner thigh after a downpour which could, as we all know can affect future-beautiful-day-rides!!

While all the technical aspects of these shorts are great, the fit also stands out, many people of all shapes and sizes come into the shop and are a little skeptical due to the price tag ($120), but once on they have no problem, even those with busting quads like the stretch the fabric allows as well as grows as your thighs swell during rides.  The Folsom's fabric feels a thick, but so far in the 80+ degree with humidity chaser hasn't given me the swamp factor considering the extra fabric in the crotch.  But I'll shoot a quick update over once we hit Mid-July August and let you know if I stuff my shorts with paper towels before a ride or still getting the same breathable love I've been getting.

The Folsom is also equipped with a reflective patch on the back, which is a good add on for increased visibility, unless you wear a belt that blocks most of it, but even with a belt it still gives you a couple of strips that drivers can definitely see.  Also to my amazement, is a 5-bar webbing seatbelt U-Lock holdster THAT ACTUALLY HOLDS A U-LOCK!!!!  I generally wear a hip-pack if I'm not carrying a bag, but on a short ride up the street for breakfast or a cup of joe, I just slide the u-lock with ease without any restriction or force, which is a nice change of pace from other companies that just add the extra fabric thinking all riders only carry mini locks.

The shorts are a standard on my rides, I enjoy the flexibility they give whether your hitting a quick patio beer or riding across town for a grill out, I've also found their good for mountain biking stints as mud just brushed right off these bad boys.  They come in Black & olive colors and also a pant version, but for now get the shorts, kick back and enjoy your ride.

The End.

To celebrate the closing of a great 2013 and a positive 2014 on the horizon, The Spindle is giving you sweet sweet peoples a righty lefty hook of reviews! We have tested two of Mission Workshop's primo jackets just for you! First, Sharif will start with the classic Orion followed by the Ezz tested brand new baddy from MW's new ACRE Line, the Meridian jacket.

MISSION WORKSHOP Orion Jacket

Now, Lets start by getting the elephant out of the room. This is one smooth looking jacket but at an msrp of $410, what makes it such a righteous jacket?

Many things. Pockets in all the right places, great mobility, great cut and fabric. Not really much more to need.

When braving the elements on bike, its important to have three layers. A good base layer, a mid layer that creates the warmth needed for what ever the temp and a shell. The shell should consist of both wind and waterproof properties keeping the heat in and the moisture out. Schoellers C change fabric does just that. it expands and contracts depending on the outside temp to regulate warmth and coolness, making a significant difference. If you get caught in a downpour in the summer time, the pit zips on this jacket will cool you down on the quickness.

The cut of the jacket makes for a solid fit. Tapered sleeves fit great but are snug when going to take the Orion off. A longer tail in the back as not to show crack and to keep that rear dry in a rainy situation. I dig the removable hood. It fits both my helmet and my bare dome comfortably. When not needed, it fits easily in the back storage pocket.

The pockets, oooooh the pockets! As far as the eye can see!! All pockets are waterproof. 2 chest pockets for phones with headphone holes, 2 hand pockets, and one in the back for storage. The zipper pulls on some of the pockets are too small, making them even smaller when you're using gloves. The pocket in the back is perfect for storing gloves a neck gaiter/ balaclava and/or a wool cap and is protect from rain by a water proof zipper and storm flap. This is very advantageous but with such a small zipper its necessary to install a zipper pull.

 
The only problems I've had with this jacket thus far is size of the zipper pulls. I could use some subtle reflective accents like the Acre but not 100% necessary if you're rocking the proper lighting for night rides.

ACRE Meridian Jacket:

Mission is diving head first into the mountain biking scene with the new ACRE series, a line that brings hydration packs, shorts, and merino henleys, but the line is highlighted by The Meridian Cycling Jacket, which is fully seam-sealed, waterproof but breathable and made with Schoeller c_Change fabric.

The Meridian is also very lightweight and packable, which is great for either warm or cold months when it either rains all day or just for a little because you can easily fold it up and shove it in whatever bag you carry. Even if you don't take a bag the breathable Schoeller allows maximum comfort for layering or even if you're just rockin' a t-shirt.

After receiving the jacket from the Mission crew I was infatuated with the fit and the bit of stretch of the Meridian, which can be sported for either mountain or road wear. For weeks I had waited for a downpour to hit me on the way to the shop, only to be pissed upon lightly by a couple of cold sprinkles and a couple of windy days, which blocked the wind just fine, but I wanted a monsoon.

Then finally, that monsoon came like the thunder sword of Zeus himself. The jacket does not come with a hood, but I zipped all the way up and didn't have one drop of water roll down by back, I coupled the jacket with the Swrve Gore-Tex hat and waterproof trouser and DZR H2O's..I was bone dry once I walked into the shop after the 4-mile ride through an absolute dump of a rainstorm. My phone was in the front chest pocket, although it is not sealed like the main front zipper, it does have a storm flap so nothing was getting in there.

The Merdian also comes with an inside chest pocket, both front and inside chest pockets have headphone outlets. There is also a back stasher pocket for gloves, sunglasses, tools, or whatever you want to put back there, no hand pockets on this one unlike the Orion, but this is would not prevent me at all from purchasing this jacket. Also, unlike the Orion the back pocket does come with a zipper pull, making getting your gear in and out in the rain very simple.

In the end I am a huge fan of the Meridian Jacket in the ACRE line, I highly recommend it for all riders whether you blast the mountain tops or crush the pavement, this jacket is a champion all year round.

After meeting Outlier founders Abe and Tyler in Salt Lake city last year, I put in an order for their slim dungarees to test out Abe's creation of a better pair of pants. I'm always a bit weary ordering off the internet, you never really know how well they'll fit, how slim is slim, etc. I've heard nothing but great things about the company through many conversations with friends, but none had ever own a piece from their line. So I took the leap of faith and put in my order.

Mailed in a white envelope, I pulled out the pants with a short letter of quality signed by Jahoon. Thanks man.

The slim fit is perfect and the soft nylon-poly weave on the inside makes for a comfy lining. The fit never felt like wrapping my legs in sausage casings but for those with beastly quads, I'd get the Keirin Cut. The Dungarees are for spring or fall, as the lining adds that extra bit of warmth but they are a tad warm for summer. That said, if pants are better suited for your destination, these pants breath and stretch much better than denim. The Workcloth Doubleweave Canvas gives these pants a tough, durable exterior much like a soft, feather weight Scholler material. Keep in mind, the nylon weave gets a slight positive charge, attracting light animal furs but are still simple to sweep off.

Recently, a steady drizzle passed through Atlanta for a good three day stint. Ezz and I took to our bikes and headed into the foul weather to the Shaky Knees Music Festival in Midtown. Through the entire ride, the light rain beaded up on the slacks and never penetrated throughout the 3.2 mile ride. On the back end (or i should say my back end), where I had failed to utilize a rear fender, the water had soaked through the pants from the back wheel, but the dirt and grime wiped right off. As the rain got heavier, the water penetrated the fabric, eventually soaking through to my undies. After the show ended and waiting out the rain with a post-show brew or three, the pants dried up nicely and the Nanosphere treatment went right back to working for the swift ride home. After a few washes, the treatment still holds up if dried according to the online care directions.

Outlier's Slim Dungarees are definitely worth the $198 price tag. And after a few months seeing no wear, they'll definitely last quite awhile. I've worn these pants as a daily bike commuter, while on location and in studio on photography assignments, and on-stage at punk shows. These pants are versatile to say the least. You gotta love the attention to detail in a company made in America gives each each of its garments. It was a pleasure shopping and tossing a few back with the Outlier crew in NYC last week, we'll tell you much more of that story later ;)

More photos to come.

Check out these pants and a number of well tailored clothing at www.outlier.cc. And if you're in NYC, Outlier does an open showroom viewing at 87 Richardson St. from 4-7 on Fridays.