I’m DC RAINMAKER…
Here’s how to save!
Wanna save some cash and support the site? These companies help support the site! With Backcountry.com or Competitive Cyclist with either the coupon code DCRAINMAKER for first time users saving 15% on applicable products.
You can also pick-up tons of gear at REI via these links, which is a long-time supporter as well:
With TPC (The Pro's Closet), you'll save $40 on purchases over $200 with coupon code DCRAIN40 for tech and non-tech purchases!
Alternatively, for everything else on the planet, simply buy your goods from Amazon via the link below and I get a tiny bit back as an Amazon Associate. No cost to you, easy as pie!
You can use the above link for any Amazon country and it (should) automatically redirect to your local Amazon site.
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Check out my weekly podcast - with DesFit, which is packed with both gadget and non-gadget goodness!
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5 Easy Steps To The Site
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In Depth Product Reviews
You probably stumbled upon here looking for a review of a sports gadget. If you’re trying to decide which unit to buy – check out my in-depth reviews section. Some reviews are over 60 pages long when printed out, with hundreds of photos! I aim to leave no stone unturned.
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Read My Sports Gadget Recommendations.
Here’s my most recent GPS watch guide here, and cycling GPS computers here. Plus there are smart trainers here, all in these guides cover almost every category of sports gadgets out there. Looking for the equipment I use day-to-day? I also just put together my complete ‘Gear I Use’ equipment list, from swim to bike to run and everything in between (plus a few extra things). And to compliment that, here’s The Girl’s (my wife’s) list. Enjoy, and thanks for stopping by!
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Have some fun in the travel section.
I travel a fair bit, both for work and for fun. Here’s a bunch of random trip reports and daily trip-logs that I’ve put together and posted. I’ve sorted it all by world geography, in an attempt to make it easy to figure out where I’ve been.
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My Photography Gear: The Cameras and Equipment I Use Daily
The most common question I receive outside of the “what’s the best GPS watch for me” variant, are photography-esq based. So in efforts to combat the amount of emails I need to sort through on a daily basis, I’ve complied this “My Photography Gear” post for your curious minds! It’s a nice break from the day to day sports-tech talk, and I hope you get something out of it!
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The Swim/Bike/Run Gear I Use List
Many readers stumble into my website in search of information on the latest and greatest sports tech products. But at the end of the day, you might just be wondering “What does Ray use when not testing new products?”. So here is the most up to date list of products I like and fit the bill for me and my training needs best! DC Rainmaker 2023 swim, bike, run, and general gear list. But wait, are you a female and feel like these things might not apply to you? If that’s the case (but certainly not saying my choices aren’t good for women), and you just want to see a different gear junkies “picks”, check out The Girl’s Gear Guide too.
Monthly Archives: July 2018
Suunto 9 Baro Multisport GPS In-Depth Review
How does the Suunto 9 handle months of testing? I dig in and find out, including all the details on new features and how well the new GPS chipset handles. Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
With the weather deciding to normalize a bit for the weekend (down from the near 100°F/38°C temps), we were able to enjoy things a wee bit more, and have actual energy to do stuff beyond laze on the couch staring … Read More Here
Week in Review: July 29th, 2018
The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered … Read More Here
Eurobike Aero Roundup: Notio, AeroLab, AeroPod, Swiss Side and other tidbits!
Each year the number of companies at Eurobike focused on aerodynamic offerings continues to expand, though, as of the end of the show none of them had shipped a product to any paying consumers. But in the two weeks that … Read More Here
Quick Tour: The 2018 DCR Eurobike RV
As is customary the last few years, I rent an RV and drive down to Eurobike for the week-long festivus. The main reasons I do this is that it’s both cheaper than most hotels, as well as being a huge … Read More Here
Zwift Tidbits from Eurobike: New course specifics, real-life course preview, and other bits
This won’t be a long post, but darn-it, I went out and rode a beastly loop of the new Austrian course, and thus I’m determined to make something of that time spent in the saddle. Thus, here we go. As … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
After a number of crazy busy weeks for travel between Florida in June and Eurobike related stuff the last few weeks – it’s time to bring back the 5 Random Things series. Usually, when things get busy during the week, … Read More Here
Week in Review: July 22nd, 2018
The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered … Read More Here
Wahoo KICKR 2018 Trainer In-Depth Review
It’s Wahoo’s first totally silent trainer – but is it worth an upgrade? Plus – how well does it work with Zwift, TrainerRoad and other apps? Read More Here
Bontrager Flare RT & Ion 200 RT Connected Bike Lights In-Depth Review
Bontrager has introduced a new far smaller and much cheaper variant of their popular Flare RT connected bike lights. These $59 individual front and rear lights connect via ANT+ to supported head units to automatically turn on when you start … Read More Here
Amazon Prime Day’s Sports Tech Deals (US and Europe)
The best deals in running, cycling, and outdoor sports tech for Amazon Prime Day 2018. Including wearables, action cams, bike GPS and drones! Read More Here
First Look: Stages New Dash L50, M50, and L10 GPS Bike Computers, Including Color Mapping
(** Update: There has since been an In-Depth Review of the Dash L50, M50, and L10 Bike computers. Follow the link for a deeper dive into the products**) Stages may have just stumbled on making one of the best deals in … Read More Here
Wahoo Headwind Fan In-Depth Review
I’ve written many in-depth reviews over the years. Trainers, GPS watches, action cams, drones…and yes, even a blender once (I still have the blender, it’s awesome). But, never a fan. But there’s a first time for everything, and today is … Read More Here
First Look: Tacx Announces New Flux 2 Smart Trainer
[Update – June 2019: At this point I do not recommend this trainer. While the feel is good and mostly it’s fine, it is inaccurate in ERG mode (structured workout mode). It is fine in simulation mode, which is what … Read More Here
Hands-on: Wahoo Fitness KICKR CORE Direct Drive Smart Trainer
Here’s your first dive into all the details on the new Wahoo Fitness KICKR CORE, from accuracy testing to sound/volume testing, plus feature comparison to the existing KICKR 2018. Read More Here
CycleOps Shows Off New Indoor Trainer Moving Platform (Saris MP1)
Update March 2020: You can find my full in-depth review of the final Saris MP1 platform here. Enjoy! This year at Eurobike it’s all about the very unique products. Be it the Elite Fuoripista or the Tacx Neo Bike Smart, … Read More Here
Tacx Neo Bike Smart: First Ride and Final Specs
Last year at Eurobike Tacx announced their intentions to make a smart bike, the blend of an indoor trainer and a bike. Similar to a ‘spin bike’ in looks, but under the hood totally different. It’d have full resistance control … Read More Here
Elite Fuoripista 14,000EUR Indoor Smart Bike: First Ride and Specs
I anticipate the cheapest sports technology gadget I’ll release a review or early look on here at Eurobike 2018 will cost about $60. But perhaps I’ll end up finding something that fits into my realm for cheaper. What I don’t … Read More Here
Elite Drivo II Smart Trainer In-Depth Review
How well does Elite’s high-end trainer handle apps like Zwift and TrainerRoad? I dig in with all the detail to see if it can stand up to it. Read More Here
Garmin’s New $249 Edge Explore Full Mapping & Navigation Bike GPS: Everything you ever wanted to know
The Edge Explore is quite possibly the best deal in a bike computer that Garmin has ever made. The question is: Can you live with the features cut from i? Read More Here
Zwift Available Now on Android in Beta
With just a few days remaining before Eurobike 2018, Zwift finally unleashed the Android version they touted last year in their booth at Eurobike 2017. This version brings compatibility to run the entire game (versus just the companion app) on … Read More Here
Hands-on: WatTeam’s New Gen3 PowerBeat Power Meter
Here’s all the details you need to know about the new WatTeam Gen3 power meter, which finally includes the ability to easily swap between bikes. Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
A busy weekend back home in Amsterdam after a few weeks of travelling. I couldn’t begin to include all the random things in this weekend’s list, it was so packed with stuff. So here’s the top five! 1) Openwater swim … Read More Here
Week in Review–July 2nd, 2018
The Week in Review is a collection of both all the goodness I’ve written during the past week around the internet, as well as a small pile of links I found interesting – generally endurance sports related. I’ve often wondered … Read More Here
