May 16/12
COMMAND SEATPOST
This functions just as it should.  If you install it correctly and place the lever in a good position for YOUR hand, it works like a dream.

Lever-  Best thing about lever is that it is a hinge attachment so you can move it around on your bars easily with no need to slide anything off your handlebars!! Bonus. However my lever was placed too far inside of brake and gear levers thus required me to take my hand off grips to press it down. This is not a functional position for my small hands (but long thumbs) to manoeuvre on the fly, trying to keep hands on bars properly.  Note the photo where I changed position so lever is closest to grips and thus I can press it down while still gripping bars to crest over a steep uphill roll over into a steep rocky drop.  I made sure the angle of lever did not compress down onto my gear thumb shifter.  You will have to spend time changing angle of lever to suit your riding style. 
Seat Post rails attachment to Saddle - This is meant to be torqued up to 120 lb and the bike shop had done so however I need to move my saddle around a bit both in fore aft and in tilt angle to customize it the way I like.  I tried to tighten allen bolt tighter than I ever had done so on a seat rail before and it still snapped up into an angled position during my test ride.  An allen key that stays in your seat bag is not strong enough to get the bolt tight enough to rails.  It has to be so tight to not slip during a ride and create an uncomfortable seat angle, that you might hear 3 crack, crack noises when you go to undo it.  I find this feature difficult to get used to.  But really, if you set it up correctly once, and tighten it up to the 120lb torque you will be absolutely fine.
SeatPost positions - perfect in design.  All three stop points worked well and felt right between high, medium and low.
OVERALL RATING: 5/5 performance once set up to specs with saddle rail torque, and once set up as you need it for your hands.  For the price point compared to other auto seat posts, it is well worth the cost.


 

 

May 5/12  GEAR Shopping:

SPECIALIZED BICYCLE PRODUCTS has it all for us.

My particular favorites are:

Ariel Saddle - oh my..you can start your spring riding after very little ischial tuberosity pressure practice all winter and pedal out 2 hours easily with no butt bother at all? Amazing. Why? The detail and effort that goes into design. There are two width choices. I am a 36 hip and 43 mm works for me; I don't think I have particularly narrow hips.

Riva Saddle - This came on my VITA Pro Commuter Bike and I am impressed. It is a basic entry level BG saddle but it held me through a 4 hour riding journey! Not quite as deluxe as my MTB Ariel but for it's category and price point I'd grade it 5/5. With saddles you get what you pay for in lightness and comfort.

BG Contour grips; I don't ride mountain bike without these. And they come stock on my VITA road bike. They are designed to support the wrist and thus the nerves to the hand properly and they do just that. As a woman with mulitple hand tendon and nerve problems, these shaped supportive wrist and palmar zone grips allow me to ride ...period. It would not have mattered in my 20's but it allows me to ride comfortably now and perhaps if I had used such a grip (wasn't invented in the 80's) then, I would not have the hand problems I have now! So think ahead bicycling comrades.

BG Gel gloves - be it short finger for over 10C or long finger gel for sub 10C these are the cat's ace for form fit, palmar nerve compression reduction, breathability and plain good looks with color choices. And WHY are gel gloves good and worth the price. For example, I have ulnar nerve and carpel tunnel neuropathy and trigger ring finger and having technical, ergonomic supportive gloves lets me read longer, and safer.

BG Deflect long finger gloves - Another must for my technical hand department. Canada is north. We ride in cooler temperatures. Weather changes rapidly here from 10C to 1C if you are in spring or fall months, in a windy area of like me ..playing in the mountains of Rossland Range. From mid April to mid June and mid September to end of October, I keep 2 pairs of SPECIALIZED gloves in my pockets. They may be a BGDeflect with a lighter BG gel long finger or when it is cool/warm, it would be a pair of long finger and short finger. If you want to play outdoors, and either protect already damaged fingers (and toes..later) or prevent freeze damage, use the technology that is out there. Think ahead; bring both if you know it is not truly summer yet.

BG Shorts - Any model will do as they are all excellent for eliminating that complaint that women have about crotch discomfort. And the most expensive or thickets chamois might not be for you. I personally like the RBX as I consider myself an endurance rider who prefers 2hrs in the saddle to 30 mins. But I have tried the Skort for coaching and short commutes with social lunches and cruising around towns, and the Basic BG comp and they all are satisfactory for comfort, cushioning, and moisture removal.

Jerseys - I reckon one of each is required. ACTIVATE Long sleeve with full zipper, short sleeve and no sleeve for Canada or the great Northwest!  April in BC, I wear a short sleeve under a long sleeve with full zipper (Authentic long sleeve team jersey OR Activate long sleeve jersey) and keep the Deflect jacket in my back pocket. All the jerseys have such amazing wind resistance properties. I am continually impressed with how technical garments can be. You can zip up the short sleeve collar and get such warmth retention for a downhill and then easily unzip it all the way to your belly button for the harshest climb. I find the lines of the MIRA jersey simple and flattering.

Jackets - My must- haves are Deflect wind breaker jacket that is so light to stuff in a narrow pocket that I only don't pack it in July/August.  It is absolutely dependable through a brief rain shower too.

Aquavetto Jacket is new for me this year and once I have to start in a rainstorm or when I am touring or coaching all day I will try it. Can't tell you how much I like it yet. I don't choose to head out for a ride when already raining and if I starts to rain when I ride, my basic Deflect keeps me dry enough while I abort the ride and hammer home immediately. Like the wise old mutt, I have grown beyond needing to ride in a downpour with no purpose. That is saved for long tours where you must reach a destination or coaching with participants all day who are keen and it happens to be raining all day! My time for testing the Aquavetto comes up with June mountain bike camps and mid summer 7 Summits epics when the storms may suddenly arrive.