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:
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/Drones/Action Cams 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 (including drones & action cams!)! 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 2024 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.
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
This was a relatively calm and relaxing weekend, as we come up on a few busy weeks worth of goodness (actually, about 8 weeks of busy). So, here’s what we were up to! 1) Ride with The Girl Friday evening … Read More Here
Week in Review–August 19th, 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
FulGaz rolls out Apple TV App–First Ride Details
Over the last week FulGaz, the indoor trainer app that lets you ride outdoor routes indoors, released their Apple TV variant of the app. This is notable for a few reasons. First, they’ve become the second app to do so … Read More Here
The Bontrager Edge 1030: A Swanky Black Edge 1030 with Deeper Integration (Hands-on)
**Update: Garmin has since announced the 1030 Plus, check out the most recent information here for the Garmin Edge 1030 Plus In-Depth Review** Today Bontrager announced the Edge 1030. Wait, Bontrager? Don’t you mean Garmin? Nope, I mean that company … Read More Here
Wahoo KICKR CLIMB In-Depth Review
After nearly a year, Wahoo has finally started shipping the Wahoo CLIMB to customers. Real-life, actual paying customers. For those not familiar, Wahoo’s CLIMB is a ‘grade simulator’, which basically means it makes the front of your bike go up … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
A reasonably productive weekend the last few days have been (well, except on the pizza oven list). Especially for some upcoming new products. Here’s what I was up to nonetheless! 1) Arts and crafts project: A couple weeks ago the … Read More Here
Week in Review: August 12th, 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
VirtuPro’s Indoor Smart Bike: The Bike Zwift is investing in–First Look
Earlier this week a well kitted out van drove from Copenhagen to Amsterdam. Upon arriving it unloaded an indoor smart bike that in a few years might be the leading option in indoor smart bikes if you use Zwift. Or, … Read More Here
Magene Gravat2 Smart Trainer In-Depth Review
There’s a pretty good chance you’ve never heard of Magene, nor Gravat (or the Gravat2). But that’s OK, now you have. There’s also a pretty good chance you’re not going to buy this product. Not because it’s got any issues, … Read More Here
5 Random Things I Did This Weekend
It’s once again hot and steamy in Amsterdam, but thankfully this weekend wasn’t too bad. Here’s what I was up to in the DCR realm. 1) Testing out The Girl’s New Bike The weekend was kick-started by going for a … Read More Here
Week in Review–August 6th, 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
Xert rolls out Segment Hunter Connect IQ App, doesn’t require Strava Premium/Summit
This week Xert, a training analysis/log platform rolled out their latest Connect IQ app – Segment Hunter. While the company’s main thing in life is their adaptive training platform (which I’ve reviewed here), they’ve actually put together a growing collection … Read More Here
Zwift rolls out Innsbruck course to everyone: All the details
Earlier this morning Zwift lit up their newest course, the UCI Innsbruck World Championships, in Innsbruck, Austria. This course has been known since earlier this summer, with more details spilled at Eurobike last month – including the exact routes that … Read More Here
Strava renames Premium to ‘Summit’, Changes Pricing Model
Today Strava announced two changes to their platform. One change makes little sense, while the other makes plenty of sense. The change that makes no sense will have no meaningful impact on you as a consumer, but will cause all … Read More Here
Suunto 9 Baro Multisport GPS In-Depth Review
Let’s get something out of the way right up front: The Suunto 9 is the Suunto Spartan V2. Or next-gen Spartan Ultra, or whatever you want to call it. Except Suunto changed the naming system this go around – and … 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
Heads up! Wahoo has released 2020 V5 Kickr – jump to that in-depth review of the latest/current Wahoo KICKR here for the most recent trainer! Like clockwork, Wahoo announced a new KICKR trainer at Eurobike this year – the KICKR 2018. Following … 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)
Now technically the deals last a bit longer than today, into the first half of tomorrow too – but that’s a bit more of a technicality than anything. What matters here is the deals themselves. Like most flash in the … 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
Update note: This is an older post, swing over and check out my full in-depth review of the Wahoo KICKR CORE, complete with tons of testing and data. Wahoo was busy today announcing a full slate of three new products, … 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
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
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
Elite Drivo II Smart Trainer In-Depth Review
Being the first company to kickoff Eurobike 2018’s new trainer parade, Elite has dropped the Drivo II upon us. This is their high-end direct drive trainer that’s meant to compete with the best options on the market in the indoor … Read More Here
Garmin’s New $249 Edge Explore Full Mapping & Navigation Bike GPS: Everything you ever wanted to know
In the lead-up to Eurobike, today Garmin announced the new Edge Explore. Now, you’ve probably heard the Edge Explore or ‘Touring’ names battered around for half a decade or so. Usually along with a numerical identifier like ‘Edge Explore 1000’, … 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
